Piece Talks
- Épisodes
- 47
- Parution
- mensuelle
- Dernier épisode
- 8 Août 2026
À propos du podcast
Discussions with competitors, organizers, and puzzle makers in the competitive jigsaw puzzle world. We cover speed puzzling, puzzle chess, and pretty much any other way that people are using jigsaw puzzles to compete.
Épisodes 47
#44 - MORE Jim Eakins and Mari Black
The last time Mari Black and Jim Eakins were on Piece Talks it was clear that one episode wasn’t going to be enough, so they’re back! We talk about Mari’s experiences on the Wicked Quick and Whimsy Pieces …
Notes de l’épisode
The last time Mari Black and Jim Eakins were on Piece Talks it was clear that one episode wasn’t going to be enough, so they’re back! We talk about Mari’s experiences on the Wicked Quick and Whimsy Pieces teams, and then dive into the world of puzzle coaching and puzzling theory. If you listen carefully, you can hear my mind get blown at least once.#43 - Inge Sinot and Maartje van der Meer
Dutch puzzlers are known for speed when it comes to busy puzzles. In this episode we talk to two of the speediest puzzlers from the Netherlands - Inge Sinot and Maartje van der Meer - about what makes a whole …
Notes de l’épisode
Dutch puzzlers are known for speed when it comes to busy puzzles. In this episode we talk to two of the speediest puzzlers from the Netherlands - Inge Sinot and Maartje van der Meer - about what makes a whole nation excel at a skill.#42 - Caryn Knill + AI
World-class puzzler Caryn Knill’s usual approach to preparing for competitions was by doing puzzles, but at some point she decided that there was probably a better way, so she turned to the tool that’s …
Notes de l’épisode
World-class puzzler Caryn Knill’s usual approach to preparing for competitions was by doing puzzles, but at some point she decided that there was probably a better way, so she turned to the tool that’s apparently everywhere these days: AI.#41 - Hanna Lehikoinen
Hanna Lehikoinen didn't stumble into competitive speed puzzling. She sprinted straight at it. Growing up in Finland, Hanna was surrounded by puzzles and competition in equal measure, and it turned out that was …
Notes de l’épisode
Hanna Lehikoinen didn't stumble into competitive speed puzzling. She sprinted straight at it. Growing up in Finland, Hanna was surrounded by puzzles and competition in equal measure, and it turned out that was exactly the right training ground. When she discovered speed puzzling, the switch flipped almost instantly: within days she had an Instagram account, a timer, and her sights set on Worlds. In this episode, we trace Hanna's journey from casual Finnish puzzler to one of the breakout stars of the EJJ circuit, where she found herself finishing among the best puzzlers on the planet. We dig into what it was like to time herself from day one, how she thought about improving her skills, and what it actually feels like to be in panic mode during a competition when you're one of the fastest people in the world. We also talk about the competitive gene that seems to run in the family, the challenge of balancing a sudden career in elite puzzling with the organized chaos of family life, and what her prolific Instagram archive reveals about the honest, unfiltered arc of someone becoming great at something. Not just the sunshine, but the work.#40 - Emma Quirke and Rachael Chambers
Emma Quirke won the UK Nationals in 2025. Rachael Chambers won it in 2026. Does that make them bitter rivals? Quite the contrary! In this episode we dig in to their intertwined history, how their differing …
Notes de l’épisode
Emma Quirke won the UK Nationals in 2025. Rachael Chambers won it in 2026. Does that make them bitter rivals? Quite the contrary! In this episode we dig in to their intertwined history, how their differing approaches to puzzling land them within second of each other over and over again, do a deep dive into their World Series experience, and find out why they may be one of the strongest pairs out there.#39 - US Nationals: A Love Story
EB and I are joined by several of the competitors that made a splash at this year's US Nationals. The theme that kept coming up over and over? How much everyone loved this year's event. Joining us are: Alice …
Notes de l’épisode
EB and I are joined by several of the competitors that made a splash at this year's US Nationals. The theme that kept coming up over and over? How much everyone loved this year's event. Joining us are: Alice Rowe Jessa Douglas Josh Trauger Lewis Dracobly-Helsel#38 - Louise Jackett
Louise Jackett knew she had found her tribe at her very first competition. Since then, Lou has dedicated herself to giving others that same sense of community, building from Covid-era competitor to one of the …
Notes de l’épisode
Louise Jackett knew she had found her tribe at her very first competition. Since then, Lou has dedicated herself to giving others that same sense of community, building from Covid-era competitor to one of the most influential figures in Australian competitive puzzling. Along the way she made decisions that shaped the culture of the sport in ways she probably didn't anticipate, including an impulsive choice that gave Australian puzzlers their national identity at Worlds. That pattern of going from idea to execution runs through everything Lou does, and it's ultimately what led her to the presidency of the Australian Jigsaw Puzzle Association and to co-founding the Speed Puzzling World Series. In this episode we follow her puzzling arc, and dig into what the SPWS is all about.#37 - US Nationals Preview
Trigger Alert! THIS EPISODE CONTAINS NEARLY NO STATS! We wanted to explore a different way of talking about the upcoming US National Championships in Atlanta. To help us out, we brought back some former guests …
Notes de l’épisode
Trigger Alert! THIS EPISODE CONTAINS NEARLY NO STATS! We wanted to explore a different way of talking about the upcoming US National Championships in Atlanta. To help us out, we brought back some former guests, and a new one you might recognize.#36 - Thomas Kaeppeler
Thomas Kaeppeler has been at Ravensburger pretty much his entire working life. From working on the factory floor at Ravensburger headquarters in Germany, to becoming the President of Ravensburger North America …
Notes de l’épisode
Thomas Kaeppeler has been at Ravensburger pretty much his entire working life. From working on the factory floor at Ravensburger headquarters in Germany, to becoming the President of Ravensburger North America. In this episode, we get a whole DIFFERENT kind of nerdy.#35 - Hannah Doyle
Hannah Doyle really didn’t think about jigsaw puzzles much until a fateful night where she was looking for something to do. Suddenly she was obsessed, and within a year she was finishing second in the …
Notes de l’épisode
Hannah Doyle really didn’t think about jigsaw puzzles much until a fateful night where she was looking for something to do. Suddenly she was obsessed, and within a year she was finishing second in the California state competition, live streaming puzzles on Twitch, and gearing up for US Nationals and Worlds.#34 - Daphne Harmsen and William Shandling
If you think that being a competition judge is primarily about taking down times, well…you’re right. But international judges Daphne Harmsen and William Shandling show us that it’s also about innovation …
Notes de l’épisode
If you think that being a competition judge is primarily about taking down times, well…you’re right. But international judges Daphne Harmsen and William Shandling show us that it’s also about innovation, empathy, and a deep sense of fairness.#33 - Jim Eakins and Mari Black
What happens when you combine the analytical mind of a physics educator with the precision of a world-class violinist? You get a partnership that shares a single competitive brain to deconstruct jigsaw puzzles …
Notes de l’épisode
What happens when you combine the analytical mind of a physics educator with the precision of a world-class violinist? You get a partnership that shares a single competitive brain to deconstruct jigsaw puzzles at a cellular level. In this episode, Jim and Mari break down their unique roles: Mari provides the world-class "hands" while Jim serves as the analytical "eye in the sky," spotting patterns and pieces from a distance that you just can't see when your hands are on the board. We dive into Mari’s "Type A Plus" competitive spirit and their shared pedagogical approach to mastering the table. Whether you're a casual fan or a hardcore sprinter, this episode is a deep dive into the thoughtful puzzling that defines elite play.#32 - Lauren Kautz
Lauren Kautz's first puzzle memory is also the story of her first cuss word. And honestly, that tells you everything you need to know about her. In this episode, we trace her journey from a kid doing puzzles …
Notes de l’épisode
Lauren Kautz's first puzzle memory is also the story of her first cuss word. And honestly, that tells you everything you need to know about her. In this episode, we trace her journey from a kid doing puzzles upside down just to make them harder, to a three-time state champion and member of the legendary Betches. Along the way: an arch-rival turned best friend, an undefeated streak that had to end somewhere, tears at Nationals, and a hype man who just happens to be her husband.#31 - Linda Maxwell
Brand Experience Director for Cobble Hill, LINDA MAXWELL joins me to talk about how a self-described “California girl” ended up working for a Canadian jigsaw brand and how they came to sponsor teams like the …
Notes de l’épisode
Brand Experience Director for Cobble Hill, LINDA MAXWELL joins me to talk about how a self-described “California girl” ended up working for a Canadian jigsaw brand and how they came to sponsor teams like the Golden State Puzzlers and events like the US Nationals. I learned so much from Linda, and we only had time to talk about a small amount of the topics we could have explored!#30 - 2026 State of Play Roundtable
I gathered up some previous guests and asked them to bring some topics we can all talk about. Joining me on this episode are: EB Caron Katrina Coleman Kristin Thuv Sarah Schuler Valerie Coit
#29 - PJM Guests
Before we had any idea what we were going to do for the 2025 Portland Jigsaw Master livestream, I put a call out for people who would be interested in hopping on the livestream and chatting for a brief chat …
Notes de l’épisode
Before we had any idea what we were going to do for the 2025 Portland Jigsaw Master livestream, I put a call out for people who would be interested in hopping on the livestream and chatting for a brief chat. The thinking was that it would be fun to get some different perspectives on the world of speed puzzling. Some brave souls immediately raised their hands. In this episode I pulled together those six short conversations as well as three additional short conversations with folks that I weren’t able to get on to the livestream primarily due to my own lack of planning. In these conversations we discuss everything from what speed puzzling was like in Australia, to what it was like to do the same puzzle hundreds of times. Some notes: Since many of these conversations were recorded live at the event while competition is going on, the audio quality isn’t the best and you’ll hear us occasionally reacting to what was going on at the moment. These conversations were recorded in July and August of 2025, so references to events in the future at the time are now events in the past (e.g., the 2025 Worlds competition), and references to “last November” were referring to 2024. The complete livestream event can be found on YouTube at PortlandJigsawMasters, where you can also hear interviews with winners, and expert commentary by folks like Jeanne Roiter, Jim Eakins, and EB Caron(?). Speaking of expert commentary, you’ll also hear the insightful questions of my co-host for much of the event, Carlie Craig, who was brand new to competitive jigsaw puzzling.#28 - Tammy McLeod
You might know Tammy McLeod as one of the founders of the United States Jigsaw Puzzle Association. You might know her as a Guinness World Record holder. Or possibly as a US National Sudoku champion, a member of …
Notes de l’épisode
You might know Tammy McLeod as one of the founders of the United States Jigsaw Puzzle Association. You might know her as a Guinness World Record holder. Or possibly as a US National Sudoku champion, a member of the US escape room team, or competitive ballroom dancer. But however you know her, you’ll probably agree that she brings an unrelenting drive to every single pursuit.#27 - Andrew Bradburn
Andrew Bradburn placed third in the US Nationals competition…in 1983. In this episode he talks about what that experience was like, how he was present as the USAJPA began to come together, and what he’s been up to since.
#26 - Charlie Kendall
If you’ve watched the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship, you’ve probably seen Charlie Kendall. Officially he’s the onsite announcer, but he occasionally appears on the livestreams and the odds are good that if …
Notes de l’épisode
If you’ve watched the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship, you’ve probably seen Charlie Kendall. Officially he’s the onsite announcer, but he occasionally appears on the livestreams and the odds are good that if something needs fixing, he’s in the middle trying to fix it.#25.4 - Worlds Wrap Part 4: Wiktor Kacprzak
The last time we talked to Wiktor Kacprzak, we didn’t have enough time with him. We did not make that mistake this time. If you ever wanted to deep dive into a world-class competitor’s experiences at Worlds …
Notes de l’épisode
The last time we talked to Wiktor Kacprzak, we didn’t have enough time with him. We did not make that mistake this time. If you ever wanted to deep dive into a world-class competitor’s experiences at Worlds, this episode is for you!#25.3 - Worlds Wrap Part 3: Story Time!
If the first two episodes in this series were novels, this one is a collection of short stories of things we thought were interesting. We talk to Emma Williamson about her surprise win in an individuals …
Notes de l’épisode
If the first two episodes in this series were novels, this one is a collection of short stories of things we thought were interesting. We talk to Emma Williamson about her surprise win in an individuals semi-finals round, EB relays text conversations she had with Worlds Individuals Champion Weronika Huptas, and with her partner in winning the Pairs finals Anna Kazana. We talk to Andreas Heyerick and Daniela Berendsen of the European Committee for Jigsaw Puzzling, and EB reads about a unicorn named Silver. Here are the full transcripts of EBs interviews with Anna and Weronika: Anna Kazana Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16ZYOGoHjfwAoQoZzmOj5z1U4k5o0BEUj7N6hZ3jgAiM/edit?usp=sharing Weronika Huptas Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19dbDjDyuEPM8KNBnzR41KNQi8Q-pev8wlbKBRtMGJMQ/edit?usp=sharing#25.2 - Worlds Wrap Part 2: Alejandro Clemente León
In the second episode of the Worlds Wrap mini-series, EB Caron and I check in with two-time World Champion Alejandro Clemente León to see if the 2025 Worlds ended up being as stress free as he thought it was going to be.
#25.1 - Worlds Wrap Part 1: Kathi Reiner
In the first episode of the Worlds Wrap mini-series (!), EB Caron and I talk to European Champion Kathi Reiner about the progress she's made since last year's Worlds and how she managed to place in the top 3 of …
Notes de l’épisode
In the first episode of the Worlds Wrap mini-series (!), EB Caron and I talk to European Champion Kathi Reiner about the progress she's made since last year's Worlds and how she managed to place in the top 3 of every event at this year's Worlds. There may even be a stat or two.#24 - Who to Watch at Worlds 2025
EB Caron joins me once again to talk about some puzzlers you might want to watch for at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship this year.
#23 - Alejandro Clemente León
Alejandro Clemente León was just a regular boy who liked playing sports and using puzzles to relax his mind, never suspecting the extraordinary destiny that awaited him. Until the fateful day stumbled upon a …
Notes de l’épisode
Alejandro Clemente León was just a regular boy who liked playing sports and using puzzles to relax his mind, never suspecting the extraordinary destiny that awaited him. Until the fateful day stumbled upon a hidden world of competitive jigsaw puzzlers, and determined that he would join them. That bold step would propel him into the stratospheric heights of puzzle wizardry, where he would master arcane techniques and forge bonds with fellow puzzle wizards. But his greatest challenge would be defending the treasure he had unknowingly carried within him all along: The Joy of Puzzling In this episode we talk to the two-time world champion about his journey from being told he had a special gift at his first competition, to his feelings about the 2024 worlds, and his outlook on the upcoming 2025 world championship.#22 - Polish Powerhouse
Leading up to Worlds 2024, there were quiet rumors about Poland being a secret puzzling powerhouse. As the competition drew to a close, it was clear that the rumors were true. In this episode, I talk with …
Notes de l’épisode
Leading up to Worlds 2024, there were quiet rumors about Poland being a secret puzzling powerhouse. As the competition drew to a close, it was clear that the rumors were true. In this episode, I talk with Polish puzzlers Wiktor Kacprzak and Weronika Huptas live, and weave in parts of a text conversation that I had with Krystian Niedziela to find out what makes them tick. You can find the transcript of my conversation with Krystian here: http://bit.ly/3H8sS7M I highly encourage checking it out as there was much that I didn’t get a chance to include in this episode, like how he would have done the Individuals Final puzzle differently at last year’s Worlds.#21 - Aussie All Stars
In this episode, I talk to the Aussie All Stars: Hannah Farthing, Katrina Coleman, Melissa Townsend, and Rhianna Eriksen. Formed on January 1st, 2024, their explicit intention was to bring Australia onto the …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode, I talk to the Aussie All Stars: Hannah Farthing, Katrina Coleman, Melissa Townsend, and Rhianna Eriksen. Formed on January 1st, 2024, their explicit intention was to bring Australia onto the World Championships podium; a feat their country had never achieved. We discuss how this elite team, spread across Australia's vast continent (with distances comparable to New York to Dallas), managed to train and build chemistry, often huddling in back rooms at state competitions. The episode also touches on the distinctive green-and-gold Australian team jersey, which has become the official uniform for all Australian puzzlers at Worlds, fostering a powerful sense of national unity and pride.#20 - Michelle Kasper
Michelle Kasper launched the Euro Jigsaw Jam virtual competition series within four months of having her passion for speed puzzling ignited by a YouTube video, despite never seeing an online competition …
Notes de l’épisode
Michelle Kasper launched the Euro Jigsaw Jam virtual competition series within four months of having her passion for speed puzzling ignited by a YouTube video, despite never seeing an online competition herself. In this episode, we talk about what it took to bring the idea together, the vibrant community that makes it happen, and what led her to creating her own puzzles.#19 - Michaela Keener
In this episode of Piece Talks, I sit down with Michaela Keener. She takes us back to the early days of the modern competitive puzzling era, from the excitement of the first Duluth Derby to how the pandemic …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode of Piece Talks, I sit down with Michaela Keener. She takes us back to the early days of the modern competitive puzzling era, from the excitement of the first Duluth Derby to how the pandemic fueled the rise of "puzzlegram" and the unique world of puzzle influencer culture. Michaela shares her personal journey, including how the pressure of early influencer status and a documentary almost led her to step away from the sport. She talks about the about the pivotal moment at the 2023 NE Regionals, where she began her transformation from a performance-driven mindset to a growth mindset, a philosophy she applied during the intense 2023 Worlds Individuals Finals. We also delve into her unique practice methods, from mastering the art of calming and refocusing mid-puzzle to training in public spaces to conquer distractions. It’s an inspiring story of resilience and growth!#18 - Devon Donaldson
Canadian champion Devon Donaldson brings her big heart and thoughtful spirit to Piece Talks! Devon won the Canadian Nationals Individuals in 2023, the Teams in 2024, and the Pairs in the recent 2025 Canadian …
Notes de l’épisode
Canadian champion Devon Donaldson brings her big heart and thoughtful spirit to Piece Talks! Devon won the Canadian Nationals Individuals in 2023, the Teams in 2024, and the Pairs in the recent 2025 Canadian Nationals. In this episode, Devon gives us a deep dive into the world of Canadian speed puzzling. She reflects on the highlights of the 2025 Canadian National Championship and the journey that led her there including how she navigated the plateaus in her puzzling growth. We also talk about Canadian puzzlers to watch for at this year’s Worlds in September, and what she’s doing to help develop the next wave of Canadian puzzlers.
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