Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast

This podcast is the history of one of Magic's hungriest creature types, one I had a huge hand in designing.

Back in December of 2023, I handed off the vision design for Reality Fracture. I recorded this for you to hear my thoughts at the time of handoff.

This is the final part of a seven-part series based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later get banned or restricted.

One of the important parts of doing Magic design is coming up with things players haven't seen before, but how much innovation is the right amount? In this podcast, I talk all about that issue.

This is the part six of a seven-part series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam where I discussed the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later get banned or restricted.

Once we print Magic cards, how do we get them to you, the players? This podcast talks about the various ways we do that.

This is part five of a new series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam, where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later be banned or restricted.

My family took a vacation to Boston, so I talk about my trip and Boston's history with Magic.

This is part four of a new series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam, where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later be banned or restricted.

In this episode, I talk about my trip to the latest San Diego Comic-Con.

This is part three of a new series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam, where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later be banned or restricted.

In this episode, I talk about my trip to Amsterdam for the latest MagicCon.

This is part two of a new series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam, where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later be banned or restricted.

In this episode, I sit down with Magic: The Gathering® | The Hobbit™ Set Design Lead Annie Sardelis to talk about the making of the set.

This is the start of a new series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam, where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later be banned or restricted.

There comes a time for many players where the game changes in such a way that it moves away from what they loved most about it. I talk about this phenomenon and detail my own personal "dark night of the soul" experience.

This is another in my series where I attempt to give every Magic expansion an episode of my podcast. Today, I talk about Ravnica Allegiance, the second set of our third visit to Ravnica.

I use this episode to talk about dealing with negativity online.

In this episode, I explain what a mana curve is and how they impact how we design Magic sets.

This episode is another in my series where I talk about every Magic expansion. Today, I talk about Rivals of Ixalan, the second set in the Ixalan block.

One of the most complicated elements of the Magic rules is something known as "layers." I sit down with the man in charge of the rules, Jess Dunks, to help walk through an introduction to layers.

In this episode, I talk about the weird fact that I'm a published Magic artist on an evergrowing number of cards. Note that I recorded this before Bicycle Elemental was made public.

Here, I talk about the basic strategy when playing Mood Swings. To make sure everyone gets their full allotment of Magic design episodes, this episode is bonus content.

This episode is another in my series to talk about every Magic expansion. Here, I talk about Aether Revolt, the second set in the Kaladesh block.

In this episode, I talk about the pressures of changing things that have been the same for decades.

This episode is part five of a five-part series. In it, I go through every single Mood Swings card, in collectible number order, and talk about how they were designed, including many of the changes they went through and some strategic tips on how to play them. Note: This is a bonus episode for this week.

In this episode, I talk about many of the weird elements of Magic's first set.

In this episode, I cover one of the main goals of game design: to create specific emotional responses in the players.

This episode is part four of a five-part series. In it, I go through every single Mood Swings card, in collectible number order, and talk about how they were designed, including many of the changes they went through and some strategic tips on how to play them. Note: This is a bonus episode for this week.

I just returned from a trip to Los Angeles, California, where I went to a red carpet event celebrating Magic: The Gathering® | Marvel Super Heroes. I then spent three days doing interviews about the set at Summer Game Fest. This podcast talks all about that trip.

In this episode, I talk about designing Magic: The Gathering® | Marvel Super Heroes.

This episode is part three of a five-part series. In it, I go through every single Mood Swings card, in collectible number order, and talk about how they were designed, including many of the changes they went through and some strategic tips on how to play them. Note: This is a bonus episode for this week.

This episode is part two of a two-part series where I talk about the designs of all the cards that have a mana value of 11 or higher.

This episode is part one of a two-part series where I talk about the designs of all the cards that have a mana value of 11 or higher.

This episode is part two of a five-part series. In it, I go through every single Mood Swings card, in collectible number order, and talk about how they were designed, including many of the changes they went through and some strategic tips on how to play them. Note: This is a bonus episode for this week.

In this episode, I talk about the history of one of Magic's greatest mechanics, landfall.

In this episode, I talk about the pros and cons of the depth of Magic's gameplay.

This episode is part one of a five-part series. In it, I go through every single Mood Swings card, in collectible number order, and talk about how they were designed, including many of the changes they went through and some strategic tips on how to play them. Note: This is a bonus episode for this week.

What is "the rule"? Why does Magic have it? (It didn't always.)

In this episode, I talk about putting together the larger story arc of the Phyrexian War storyline from Throne of Eldraine through March of the Machine.

How did I make Mood Swings into a simple, fast-paced trading card game? This episode talks about my 28 years of iteration and, for those of you interested in how a person designs a game from scratch, walks through how I created the game.

This episode is another in my series to talk about every Magic set release. Today, I discuss the third set in the original Theros block, Journey Into Nyx.

In 1998, I came up with the idea of a more accessible trading card game. That game is called Mood Swings and goes on sale starting June 1 on MagicSecretLair.com. This podcast talks about my 28-year journey to get it made.

In this episode, I talk about all about my adventures at MagicCon: Las Vegas 2026.

Who is Goat Guy? Why is he important? There's only one way to find out.

This is another in my quest to do an episode on every Magic set release. This one is about the design of Born of the Gods, the second set in the Theros block.

In this episode, I talk about the role games can play in a person's identity and how that affects our approach to designing Magic.

In this episode, I sit down with Creative Lead Lauren Bond to talk about the worldbuilding of Secrets of Strixhaven.

For eight years, I was in charge of overseeing final-day video production for the Pro Tour. In this podcast, I talk all about it.

In this podcast, I sit down with Reggie Valk, set design lead for Secrets of Strixhaven, to talk about the set's design.