LEGO Lord of the Rings Barad-dûr Review + Tolkien Lore Deep Dive

One set to rule them all? In this episode, I’m diving into the massive LEGO Icons Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr — a 5,471-piece fortress of pure Tolkien awesomeness. Not only do I review the build itself, but I’ll also take you on a journey through the history of Tolkien, the books, the films, and the lore behind Barad-dûr and the ever-watchful Eye of Sauron.

This towering set comes with 10 iconic minifigures (yes, including Sauron himself, Frodo, Sam, Gollum, and more), an automated black gate, hidden rooms packed with Easter eggs, and of course that glowing Eye of Sauron perched high above Middle-earth. It’s equal parts display piece, playset, and Tolkien fan dream come true.

But is Barad-dûr worth its premium price? How does it stack up against other LOTR sets and LEGO Icons releases? And does LEGO really capture the dark magic of Mordor in brick form? I’ll cover all that and more — plus sprinkle in some Tolkien lore for good measure.

If you love LEGO, Lord of the Rings, or just want to geek out over Middle-earth, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

Welcome to September, builders! In this episode, I’m covering some of the biggest LEGO news and rumors making waves right now — from wild new licensed themes to some eyebrow-raising price tags.

We’ve got a GWP update (yes, the Black Pearl… but don’t expect me to call it “Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship”), a quirky little buildable compass coming soon.

But the real spotlight this week? The brand-new LEGO Ideas Gizmo set from Gremlins! Official images just dropped, and this one looks fantastic. From the 3D glasses to the water details on the Mogwai’s back, it’s a brilliant tribute to the classic film — and I’ll spend some extra time breaking it all down.

Rumors are heating up, too: Pokémon is coming in a big way with multiple 18+ sets (and one truly massive build that might just bring Pallet Town to life). Super Mario speculation continues with talk of Peach’s Castle and Bowser’s Ship. Jurassic Park and Harry Potter have some exciting sets on the horizon. Are you a Marvel fan? If so, don't worry - we are even covering some new Iron Man news!

And remember — tonight (9/1/25) at 11:59PM CST is the final chance to enter the MISB Tower Bridge giveaway. If you haven’t jumped in yet, now’s the time. The click on this link to see how to enter:

https://youtu.be/yVyUO3VvAnE

It’s a packed episode, so grab your bricks and let’s dive in.

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

Think it’s just building sets, hitting record, and racking up subs? Not even close. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on my own journey—from posting my very first LEGO video back in 2018 with nothing more than a $30 knockoff GoPro, to juggling multiple YouTube channels, a podcast, and yes… a full-time job on top of it all.

We’ll talk about the real cost of becoming what some may term, an "influencer" (spoiler: it’s not just LEGO sets). From cameras, mics, and lighting to editing software, music licensing, and the endless late nights spent writing scripts, recording, editing, and uploading—this grind is not for the faint of heart.

But it’s not all stress and spreadsheets. I’ll also share why I keep going, what makes it fun (and addictive), and the lessons I’ve learned along the way about burnout, balance, and why having the right personality matters just as much as having the right gear.

And the big question: Would I do it all again, and should you take the leap into LEGO content in 2025? The answer might surprise you!

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own LEGO channel, podcast, or creative outlet, this episode is your crash course in what it really takes—and why the grind is worth it (even if you’re not getting rich), the pitfalls to avoid, and a few tips to help you start smarter than I did. Thanks for listening!

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library