All Episodes
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1362 in total
#1362: Mana Curve
In this episode, I explain what a mana curve is and how they impact how we design Magic sets.
#1361: Rivals of Ixalan
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.
#1360: Layers with Jess Dunks
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 throug...
#1359: Being a Magic Artist
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 wa...
#1358: Mood Swings Strategy
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.
#1357: Aether Revolt
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.
#1356: Inertia
In this episode, I talk about the pressures of changing things that have been the same for decades.
#1355: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 5
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,...
#1354: Quirks of Limited Edition (Alpha)
In this episode, I talk about many of the weird elements of Magic's first set.
#1353: Emotional Response
In this episode, I cover one of the main goals of game design: to create specific emotional responses in the players.
#1352: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 4
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,...
#1351: My Trip to LA in 2026
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 ...
#1350: Marvel Super Heroes Design
In this episode, I talk about designing Magic: The Gathering® | Marvel Super Heroes.
#1349: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 3
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...
#1348: High Mana Value Spells, Part 2
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.
#1347: High Mana Value Spells, Part 1
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.
#1346: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 2
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, ...
#1345: Landfall
In this episode, I talk about the history of one of Magic's greatest mechanics, landfall.
#1344: Depth
In this episode, I talk about the pros and cons of the depth of Magic's gameplay.
#1343: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 1
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, ...
#1342: The Rule
What is "the rule"? Why does Magic have it? (It didn't always.)
#1341: The Phyrexian War Arc
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.
#1340: The Design of Mood Swings
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 per...
#1339: Journey Into Nyx
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.
#1338: The History of Mood Swings
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 ...
#1337: MagicCon: Las Vegas 2026
In this episode, I talk about all about my adventures at MagicCon: Las Vegas 2026.
#1336: The Importance of Goat Guy
Who is Goat Guy? Why is he important? There's only one way to find out.
#1335: Born of the Gods
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.
#1334: Identity
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.
#1333: Secrets of Strixhaven Creative with Lauren Bond
In this episode, I sit down with Creative Lead Lauren Bond to talk about the worldbuilding of Secrets of Strixhaven.