The Puzzle Podcast

I’m thrilled to take you on a journey through my puzzling year of 2024! From writing a book, competing in the World Championships and enjoying some shared puzzle time, this episode takes you through the highlights and countless completed puzzles of the past year.  It’s been an incredible journey, which wouldn't have been possible without you. Thank you for being part of my puzzling journey, whether through this podcast, my newsletter, or just sharing your love for puzzles with me. I’d love to get some feedback, so please comment on this episode or send me a DM on Instagram.

Once again huge thanks! 🧡

As the year winds down, it's time to celebrate our incredible puzzle community with the annual Jigsaw Puzzle Culture Awards! 

These awards are all about honoring puzzle culture and the people who make it shine. Now we are looking for nominees. Do you know someone who deserves recognition? Fantastic! You can nominate them using the nomination form, open until Sunday, December 8, 2024. Early next year, you'll also get the chance to vote for the winners!

This episode of The Puzzle Podcast dives into the growing trend of digital puzzling and its impact on puzzle culture. How jigsaw apps and online platforms are reshaping the puzzling experience? Can traditional puzzles thrive alongside their digital counterparts and what the future holds for puzzle enthusiasts worldwide?

This episode is produced in commercial collaboration with Ou La La Puzzles.

What's it like to start a puzzle business? In this special episode, we’ll hear the story of Sanger Safarian, the founder of the new European puzzle rental service, Ou La La Puzzles. We'll discover how Sanger turned her passion for puzzles into a thriving business, explore how Ou La La Puzzles is shaping puzzle culture through its rental service, and discuss the unique community Sanger's building along the way. Whether you're a casual puzzler or a dedicated speed puzzler, you’ll enjoy hearing about the creative themes, sustainability efforts, and the importance of personalization in the puzzling experience.

Read more about Ou La La Puzzles here 

If you have explored different puzzle brands, you’ve probably noticed that some puzzles just feel different - they are more satisfying and durable, simply just better. Let's explore why: what makes a jigsaw puzzle premium quality? 

Monica (@PuzzledAboutEverything) joins us and gives a sneak peek to the life of a puzzle influencer. Monica shares her #mypuzzlestory - how did she end up as a puzzle influencer, what inspires her, how does she do her famous deconstruction videos, and what are the pro’s and con’s of content creation? 

In addition to her engaging, inspiring and fun social media presence, Monica is also known for her puzzle events, from puzzle pub gatherings to cruises! You’ll find Monica’s tips for organizing puzzle events here

Volunteer work has had a huge impact on puzzle culture, so today we dig deep on what it's like to run a puzzle association. Valerie Coit from USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association (USAJPA) joins us and shares her insights on what it's like to do volunteer work in a puzzle association and how the local puzzle culture has developed in the USA. Val also shares her #mypuzzlestory 

For all the volunteers: thanks for giving your time and energy for this hobby and community!

You’ll find USAJPA here: USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association

Thoughts about World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships 2024: what were the highlights and downsides of the event? How did the competition go and would I go again next year?

Extra episode! World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation co-Vise President Val Coit shares her thoughts on what to expect from the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships 2024 and gives us a sneak peek behind the scenes.

PS. I'm going to join Val in the Pairs Round A live stream as a co-host!

You can watch  the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship -live stream here: World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation WJPF - YouTube
And you’ll find the schedule here: Schedule WJPC 2024 (worldjigsawpuzzle.org)

Speed puzzle coach Emilia Liberman (@puzzlewithemilia) shares her speed puzzling tips for pairs and teams and tells us about her coaching. But first, we discuss the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships 2024, which are about to begin today!

World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship -live stream: World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation WJPF - YouTube

Dear audio diary, this is my first minicast: puzzle related thoughts, insights and updates served randomly between the episodes.

Puzzle Talk newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/puzzletalk?r=4b8jmz&utm_medium=ios 

World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships Livestream: https://m.youtube.com/@worldjigsawpuzzlefederation/streams

World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships Schedule: Schedule WJPC 2024 (worldjigsawpuzzle.org)

Have you heard of Escape Room puzzles or scratch puzzles? Own any items made out of puzzles? Have conquered a mystery puzzle without the help of the image? In this episode I’ll go through some puzzle curiosities - unusual puzzles with a twist, and share my experiences (some good, some excellent, some bad ones).

Catherine (IG: @catherine.puzzles_) joins me in Puzzle Studies -series, in which we share the results of our surveys. In the second part we discuss about why puzzles are made and what benefits people have experienced - and talk about a bunch of other puzzle related things as well, which easily happens when two puzzle enthusiasts meet each other!

Catherine (IG: @catherine.puzzles_) joins me in Puzzle Studies -series, in which we share the results of our surveys. In the first part we discuss who and how puzzlers are - and talk about a bunch of other puzzle related things as well, which easily happens when two puzzle enthusiasts meet each other!

How to get rid of back pain, numb legs and manage with other physical issues caused by puzzling?

In today’s episode we're diving into the physical side of puzzling and talk about puzzle ergonomics.

After listening to this episode you’ll have a trick or two up your sleeve and you’ll be able to manage the physical side of puzzling and make this hobby more sustainable for your body.

I share my personal puzzle story by going through three turning points that have made puzzling my hobby, sports and work. 

I’d love to hear your stories as well, so please share yours on Instagram using #mypuzzlestory and tag @thepuzlepodcast to the post. Looking forward to learning your stories and getting to know you better <3

Welcome to the first ever Jigsaw Puzzle Culture Awards: an annual award ceremony hosted by The Puzzle Podcast.

We will reveal the winners, celebrate puzzle culture and give recognition for people who have given so much for the puzzle community!

We’ll go through the do's and don'ts of puzzle wear. You’ll learn what kind of clothing is best to avoid when doing a jigsaw puzzle, and how you can spice up your look in a puzzle friendly way and add an extra layer of fun to the experience.

Share a picture of your favorite puzzling outfit on Instagram using #PuzzleStyle and tag @thepuzzlepodcast to the image.