The Mahj Salon

Mahjong Meets Moxie
  • 4.0 (14)
  • Games
  • Updated Weekly

The Mahj Salon is where Mahjong players come for the stories and stay for the opinions. It is a show for people who care how other players shuffle, stack, and score. Hosted by Mahjong Meets Moxie’s Jennifer Hohman and Cathy Herrington, it sounds like the table talk you wish you had recorded. Fast, funny, and frank, each episode digs into pet peeves, tile choices, money at the table, and the growing business of Mahjong. Some topics feel small. Some feel huge. All of them feel like conversations you have after a long night of play.

  1. 5d ago

    Meet the Nine-Year-Old Mahj Star

    Jillian and her nine-year-old son Ben join Jenn and Cathy for Mahjong strategy, kid-friendly teaching, tournament talk, and plenty of table commentary. Ben shares how he learned, why he loves the Charleston, and how he keeps grown-ups accountable for their language. Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/ Tiles we talked about: https://www.twosparrowsmahjong.com/ Connect with Jillian: https://www.mahjeltovwithjillian.com/product-page/play-smarter-screw-your-opponents-a-strategy-workbook-for-the-nmjl-2026-card Key Takeaways 1. Kids can learn Mahjong quickly when they start with tile names, hand-building practice, and regular play with a patient adult. 2. Mahjong builds pattern recognition, strategy, math skills, decision-making, and confidence across generations. 3. Jillian’s strategy workbook uses exposures, discards, Charleston choices, betting exercises, and Mahjong mysteries to help players practice reading the table. 4. Ben’s beginner videos make Mahjong feel accessible for younger players and give adult beginners a friendly starting point before open play. 5. Clear rules matter at every age. Learn the standard rules first, then be upfront whenever a group uses house rules or a variation like Siamese Mahjong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Sep 8

    Meet the Mahjong Tablescape Power Couple

    Tracy and Trent Painter join Jenn and Cathy to talk tablescapes, leather mats, themed parties, 3D-printed accessories, and turning a Mahjong hobby into a family business. They also share tournament rules, big-hand bragging rights, and what happens when creativity takes over the house. Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/ Connect with Circle P Leather: https://www.circlepleather.com/ Join Tracy’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F43na86ET/ Key Takeaways 1. Tracy and Trent turned their love of Mahjong, leatherwork, themed parties, and creative accessories into a growing business built around the game. 2. Great tablescapes can be affordable, personal, practical, and fun, with tile readability and a mat that slides staying high on the priority list. 3. Tournament rules still matter, especially during the Charleston. A player cannot be called dead before East officially begins the game. 4. Mahjong has become a major part of Trent’s leather business, with most of his custom work now connected to mats, tile bags, card pouches, and player accessories. 5. Working, playing, and building a Mahjong business together takes humor, shared effort, and a willingness to let one more tile set, mat, or party idea into the house. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Sep 1

    Original or Knockoff? Let’s Talk Mahjong Tiles

    We put original tiles beside look-alikes and ask the messy question: when does inspiration become copying? From quality differences and price points to copyrights, trademarks, small-business realities, and consumer ethics, we unpack mahjong dupes—without legal advice, but with plenty of opinions. Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/ Today's episode was recorded live from The Birdie Houston: https://thebirdiehouston.com/ Where to get Jenn's jewelry: https://mahjonggjewelry.com/ REAL tiles we talked about: https://ohmymahjong.com/products/lagoon-tile-set Key Takeaways 1. We compare original tiles with look-alikes and spot differences in finish, detail, color, and artwork. 2. Not every similar design is a counterfeit, but direct copies can create a serious problem for creators. 3. Tile designers invest time, money, artistic vision, and business resources into original products. 4. Affordable mahjong sets exist without buying a copy of another brand’s design. 5. Before you buy a dramatically cheaper look-alike, ask yourself: Is it just legally questionable, or does it feel morally wrong too? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Aug 26

    The Future of Mahjong Travel Starts Here

    Destination Mahjong founder Fern Oliphant joins us for an exclusive announcement: Nicole Rabik is her new business partner. We talk tournaments, travel, international cruises, waitlists, rookie players, tournament etiquette, and why “competition with kindness” is the energy mahjong needs as the game keeps growing. Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/ Learn more about Destination Mahjong: https://destinationmahjongg.com/ Key Takeaways 1. Fern Oliphant announces Nicole Rabik as Destination Mahjong’s new business partner. 2. Destination Mahjong is expanding to new destinations, including Dallas and Tampa, alongside international sailings. 3. Fern’s mission is to help newer and more experienced players connect through tournament education. 4. Tournaments offer structured play, skill-building, and a fast track to making mahjong friends. 5. Great tournament culture starts with kindness, preparedness, and respect for organizers and fellow players.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Aug 25

    Mahjong Without the Drama

    Jennifer and Cathy tackle competition, collaboration, and community drama in the Mahjong world. From fake profiles to supporting fellow organizers, they share why strong boundaries, mutual respect, and a little class make the whole game better. Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/ Today's tiles: https://mahjusa.com/products/mah-jongg-set-green-sparkle-160-larger-tiles-mahjong-majong-easy-to-read-new Today's table scape: https://woodlandsmahjongsociety.com/products/woodlands-woodstock-four-winds-social  Here's the Ritz Carlton cruise we talked about: https://www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com/luxury-caribbean-cruises/sanjuan-to-miamiflorida-12270129 Key Takeaways 1. Healthy competition can improve the Mahjong community when people focus on creating great experiences rather than trying to damage someone else’s reputation. 2. Collaboration has room to thrive among tournament organizers, instructors, podcasts, vendors, and local groups through cross-promotion, shared advice, and mutual support. 3. Anonymous posts, impersonation accounts, public attacks, and attempts to force players or vendors to “choose sides” create unnecessary harm and undermine community trust. 4. Supporting another Mahjong business does not require endorsing every decision it makes; clear boundaries and respectful professionalism can coexist. 5. Players will gravitate toward communities that offer a welcoming culture, strong events, and a good experience—without anyone needing to claim ownership over them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Aug 18

    Why Social Play is the Heart of Mahjong

    Social play is the heart of mahjong. We talk Amazon tiles and bespoke mats, “heard around the table” moments, travel sets we couldn’t resist, and why friendships, laughter, snacks, and slow games with kind people keep us coming back long after we’ve forgotten who actually won. Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/ Tiles mentioned on the show: https://a.co/d/02el3291 Key Takeaways  1. Social play is where friendships, birthday traditions, and shared stories are made.  2. You can build a fun tablescape with affordable Amazon tiles and a bespoke mat. 3. Players happily justify extra tile sets for travel and “just one more game.” 4. Many fans “come for the game, stay for the people,” regardless of win rate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Aug 11

    The Business of Mahjong: Collectors, Waitlists, and Whimsy

    We’re in Cathy’s Mahjong Room showing off the elusive Chris Lloyd Mother Nature set, with dragons, butterflies, teacup jokers, animal seasons, and all the whimsical details. We talk how this collectible found its way to our table, why it’s so meaningful, and what makes a tablescape truly special. Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/ Key Takeaways  1. Jenn walks through the rare Chris Lloyd Mother Nature set tile by tile.  2. Dragons, butterflies, teacups, pagodas, and animal seasons layer in personal meaning and nostalgia. 3. The set’s scarcity, waitlists, and auctions show how collectible mahjong has become. 4. Thoughtful mats, racks, dice, and winds turn a game into a full tablescape experience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Aug 4

    Mahj with the Sharks: Tournament Tales, Tiles, and Table Talk

    The Mahj Salon is presented by Mahjong Meets Moxie (https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/)!   Join the conversation in our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14hVXtxPYwo/)! Tournament legends Fredell, Susan, and Linda—the Sharks of Houston—join Jennifer and Cathy at Mahjong Meets Moxie to dish on tiles, superstitions, table talk, and “maj misdemeanors,” while cheering on newbies and spilling what decades of national tournament play have really taught them. Key Takeaways 1. The “Sharks of Houston” have collectively played and placed in scores of tournaments over decades, often traveling nationwide with a “have card, will travel” mindset. 2. Mahjong Meets Moxie tournaments in Houston intentionally blend newbies and longtime players, creating a single, supportive community instead of separate groups. 3. Table talk ranges from cheeky lines about jokers to the belief that your Mahjong group can be your go-to source for life advice, referrals, and emotional support. 4. Players see tournament success as a mix of luck and skill, where card mastery, strategy, and mindset meet the unpredictable fall of the tiles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See All (17)

4
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The Mahj Salon is where Mahjong players come for the stories and stay for the opinions. It is a show for people who care how other players shuffle, stack, and score. Hosted by Mahjong Meets Moxie’s Jennifer Hohman and Cathy Herrington, it sounds like the table talk you wish you had recorded. Fast, funny, and frank, each episode digs into pet peeves, tile choices, money at the table, and the growing business of Mahjong. Some topics feel small. Some feel huge. All of them feel like conversations you have after a long night of play.

Information

  • Creator
    Mahjong Meets Moxie
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Mahj Salon