Piece Talks

Rob Shields
  • 4.9 (10)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
Piece Talks

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.

  1. #15 - US Nationals Guide with EB Caron

    MAR 17

    #15 - US Nationals Guide with EB Caron

    Speed puzzler extraordinaire EB Caron joins me to run down the individuals, pairs, and teams you should be looking out for (and why) at the 2025 US Nationals competition.

    1h 42m
  2. #14 - Nathanael Mortensen

    MAR 4

    #14 - Nathanael Mortensen

    What makes a great speed puzzling image? Nathanael Mortensen, illustrator of five Ravensburger puzzles—including two unveiled at US Nationals—helps pull back the curtain on the art of puzzle design. We explore how he got into digital painting, what goes into crafting an engaging puzzle, and whether the artist or publisher shapes the final concept. Plus, what’s it like watching your artwork get dumped onto a table in pieces?

    1h 16m
  3. #13 - Chiara Dellantonio

    FEB 2

    #13 - Chiara Dellantonio

    You may know that Chiara Dellantonio is a world-class speed puzzler who has finished 11th or higher in the individuals at every one of the last three years at the World Championships. But you may not know that she’s also an avid marathon puzzler. In this episode, we’ll talk about her journey through speed puzzling, but also how she got involved in puzzle marathons, and what even is a puzzle marathon?

    1h 39m

  4. JAN 6

    #12 - Jeanne and Cathy Roiter

    Twin sisters Jeanne and Cathy Roiter had been quietly kicking around the competitive jigsaw scene for a couple of decades until they won the first US Nationals Pairs competition by over 6 minutes in 2022. Most recently, they teamed up with Andrea Peng and Becca Taylor in the 2024 World Championships to become the first US team to take first place.

    1h 25m
  5. #11 - Valerie Coit

    12/10/2024

    #11 - Valerie Coit

    Chances are that you’ve heard of Valerie Coit. A competitive puzzler since 1999, she is a member of the iconic puzzling team Wicker Kittens (and a standout personality in the movie of the same name), was a founding member of the USA JPA, and is currently Vice President of the World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation. And if none of that seems familiar, she announces the live streams at both the US Nationals and Worlds competitions.

    1h 40m
  6. #10 - Kristin Thuv

    11/17/2024

    #10 - Kristin Thuv

    She did it! Kristin Thuv is the 2024 World Jigsaw Puzzle Champion! After coming in second place in both 2022 and 2023, Kristin was determined to take home the gold this year. In this episode of Piece Talks, Kristin shares how she transformed her approach from casual to performance-driven. She talks about what was going on in her head during pivotal moments, how her family is an active component of her success, and how sometimes even world champions make mistakes (and learn from them).

    1h 29m
  7. #9 - Jessa Douglas and Puzzle Chess

    11/03/2024

    #9 - Jessa Douglas and Puzzle Chess

    In this episode, Jessa Douglas talks about her journey into the world of speed puzzling, and takes me on a journey into the world of puzzle chess!

    1h 26m
  8. #8 - Kathi Reiner, EB Caron, and Worlds Wrap Up

    10/13/2024

    #8 - Kathi Reiner, EB Caron, and Worlds Wrap Up

    Kathi Reiner joins host Rob Shields and and returning guest EB Caron about Kathi's journey from the 2023 World Jigsaw Championship to the 2024 Worlds, including how she practiced for Worlds, and the self doubt that she battled along the way. Kathi also brings some analysis she did on this year's worlds, and EB and Rob decide who won their prediction contest (spoiler: it was EB).

    1h 57m
See All (15)

    Ratings & Reviews

    4.9
    out of 5
    10 Ratings

    About

    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.

    Information

    • Creator
      Rob Shields
    • Years Active
      2024 - 2025
    • Episodes
      15
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Show Website
      Piece Talks

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