00:00 This episode is about the history and impact of the Barbie doll, featuring special guest Gordon Javna from the Bathroom Reader Institute.

05:28 The Barbie doll was inspired by Ruth Handler's daughter, who loved playing with paper dolls and wanted a three-dimensional doll that could change outfits.

10:38 Barbie dolls were initially considered too sexy for sale at Sears, but they became a million dollar doll within five years and are now a $1.5 billion business for Mattel.

15:58 Barbie dolls have gone through various changes and additions over the years, including the introduction of Skipper, Stacey Todd, Chelsea, and different versions of Ken, such as Malibu Ken and Magic Earring Ken, which was embraced by the gay community but later taken off the shelves by Mattel.

21:26 The American Association of University Women criticized Mattel for perpetuating stereotypes with the Teen Talk Barbie doll, leading to its removal from shelves, and the Barbie Liberation Organization switched the microchips in Barbies and G.I. Joe dolls, resulting in girls getting dolls that said things like "vengeance is mine" and boys getting dolls that said things like "let's plan our dream wedding."

26:52 Mattel released black versions of Barbie and Ken in the 1980s, but it wasn't until 2009 that they made African American Barbies with more realistic features, and their lack of diversity in their dolls has been criticized.

32:18 Barbie's body proportions were intentionally designed to allow her to wear miniature versions of real fashion clothes, but this design decision has been criticized for promoting an unrealistic and unhealthy body image for girls.

37:42 Barbie dolls have been found to promote materialism and sexualize play, as well as contribute to poor body image in young girls, although these effects tend to disappear in older girls.

43:02 Barbie collectors and artists have faced legal action from Mattel for creating and distributing images and songs that portray Barbie in a negative or sexualized manner, but some cases have resulted in rulings that protect the works as parody.

48:15 Barbie faced controversy with the release of the Chera Smile Becky doll, which was originally called Wheelchair Becky and came with a wheelchair, but was dropped from the Barbie line after complaints about the inaccessibility of Barbie's dream house for wheelchair users.

54:14 In 1975, Mattel introduced the controversial "growing up Skipper" doll, which grew taller, sprouted breasts, and got an hourglass figure when girls cranked her arm, but despite the controversy, the doll sold well and remained on the shelves.

59:51 Barbie has had many unusual and bizarre versions throughout history, including ones based on movies, TV shows, and even a Pooper Scooper Barbie.

01:05:10 The podcast is sharing empowering stories of people living with severe autoimmune conditions to inspire and educate others.