Humans of Magic: Recent Episodes
Humans of Magic
Raphael Levy is a Magic Hall of Famer and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt from Toulouse, France. He holds the record for most consecutive Magic Pro Tours played.0:00 Intro0:43 Playing 90-plus Pro Tours in a row9:40 Happiness, finding balance13:38 How Raph’s PT streak ended19:05 Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) journey28:20 All-in…or all-out31:18 BJJ mental game, big guy vs. small guy theory40:26 How Raph ran his first marathon53:42 State of today’s competitive Magic1:03:42 COVID-19 and the Magic Pro League1:09:23 Magic vs. parenthood
Maria is a Magic competitor and streamer based in Germany.0:00 Intro1:20 Content creator origin story5:52 Competitive gamer origin story9:42 Discovering Magic The Gathering12:31 Success in competitive Magic and the gender barrier20:17 The Venus and Mercury League (VML)25:14 Misconceptions about VML and inclusiveness31:42 Maria’s stream audience and how she focuses40:11 Creator goals and finding balance50:20 A Magic family59:57 The Queen of Midrange1:07:19 Balancing content with family duties1:10:13 Peer recognition from other creators
Arthur King is a Chinese-American Magic player based in Shanghai, China.Arthur's podcast is called "The BingKing Podcast." Find it at https://www.youtube.com/@LookitCrows0:00 Intro1:03 Arthur’s origin story8:53 Playing Magic during college13:35 Moving to China17:49 Getting into Commander22:07 A fork in the road29:09 Dancing in public spaces36:14 Why Arthur stopped drinking44:30 Life in China (as an ABC)48:56 People want connection54:23 Happiness1:00:11 Has data ruined everything?1:05:40 Doing hobbies for the wrong reasons1:13:44 Building Commander decks1:17:32 Nobody cares about the Magic story1:21:00 Magic’s failure in the China market1:30:17 Shanghai EDH rocks1:33:12 How Arthur would fix Magic1:38:45 The Magic social contract1:41:55 Magic needs to be more watchable
Sierkovitz is a Limited Magic aficionado, data analyst and host of the Magic Numbers podcast. He is a long-time collaborator with 17Lands.com and focuses on making data accessible to Magic players of all skill levels.0:00 Intro0:35 Biggest trap with using data and win rates9:56 Content creation goals and norms17:51 “Limited is just a very small field”22:03 The audience for advanced Magic data analysis30:21 About the Companion mechanic35:16 Advice for novice or returning Limited players52:31 Building vs. playing Limited decks56:54 If you’re frustrated with Magic Arena or losing in general, do this1:02:37 Common pitfalls (that players can’t get out of)1:06:55 Giving Sam Black his flowers1:11:05 Where is the ultimate introductory course for Limited?1:19:21 Positioning Limited in physical and digital Magic1:27:51 Are we in the Golden Age of Limited?1:30:52 Sierkovitz’s Magic origin story
Niv Shmuely is a Magic player and medical doctor from Israel. He has played in three Magic Pro Tours and the World Magic Cup as a member of the Israeli team.0:00 Intro3:30 How Niv got into competitive Magic7:37 Pro Tour Valencia and the flood11:50 Worlds Team Tournament - Israeli national team15:52 Med school, Legacy format, COVID years18:34 Pro Tour Philadelphia24:23 Challenges to being an Israeli Magic pro27:08 How family shaped Niv's Magic career35:05 Why Niv chose med school (and changed careers)43:37 Prague, Amsterdam and European transport48:10 Present Israel situation, October 7 memories55:57 Putting October 7 into perspective1:04:54 Israel's military retaliation1:12:00 Western reactions - now vs. Oct1:19:05 American public sentiment towards Israel1:24:40 "Hamas is not a government"1:29:34 Be well-informed, thoughtful and supportive1:36:32 Negotiation challenges1:40:16 What needs to happen to achieve peace?1:46:39 Anti-Zionism and anti-semitism1:56:50 Palestine needs a state
Magic Con Amsterdam: June 28-30, 2024.0:00 Intro0:38 Why I went to Amsterdam3:59 General experience9:06 Notable moments14:19 Memorable conversations27:48 TakeawaysMemorable conversations:- Justine Jones- Will Hall & Matej Zatlkaj- ZBexx- Josh Lee Kwai- Spice8Rack- Andrea Mengucci- Gabriel Nassif- Kai Budde & Jon Finkel- Rhystic Studies- Reid Duke
Gabriel Nassif is a Magic Pro Player and Hall of Famer from Paris, France.Interview was recorded at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, during Magic Con Amsterdam.0:00 Intro0:54 Pro Tour Amsterdam and Worlds3:52 Tournament recap - key decisions7:18 Fond Amsterdam (and PT) memories12:07 Getting back on the Magic grind15:01 Streaming competitive events16:35 Thoughts on Magic organized play19:17 What keeps Gab motivated?22:13 Playing basketball27:37 Gab’s brother, American sports, Lebanese culture32:59 Goals for second half of 2024
Kurohitsuki is a Magic content creator and streamer from Buffalo, New York.Interview was recorded at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, during Magic Con Amsterdam.0:00 Intro1:10 "Kurohitsuki" name and persona7:15 Kuro's background10:32 A very special gift11:27 Becoming a creator14:58 Favorite creature type18:13 Getting into Commander and Spelltable21:57 Deckbuilding - "I'm a Vorthos at heart"28:04 Favorite Commander of all time31:33 Favorite Magic card of all time38:16 Creative consistency - finding balance44:58 Reaching one's potential48:43 Wrapping up 2024
ZBexx is a Magic content creator and cosplayer from Portland, Oregon.Interview was recorded at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, during Magic Con Amsterdam.0:00 Intro0:57 Exploring Amsterdam and Dutch culture6:11 Traveling as a Magic couple8:35 Choosing a Magic content lane11:19 Branching outside of Magic16:09 Keeping up with Magic set releases19:12 Positive self-talk, confidence, role models24:02 Hardest time as a creator29:22 Dedication to the cosplay craft32:19 Fan feedback and connection34:06 Birds of Paradise36:57 On working with brands40:43 Lorcana at major conventions44:04 Disney sponsorship - what if?
Vitalii "V" Ponomariov is a Ukrainian Magic player, LGS owner, and IT professional. He currently lives in Lviv, Ukraine.V and I first connected in 2022 when he shared his perspective on Ukrainian Magic on the Magic The Gathering Subreddit. He introduced me to his friends in the Ukrainian Magic community, which allowed me to make the Humans of Magic feature "This Ukrainian Life." I am fortunate to have V on again to tell his story.0:00 Intro1:03 Opening an LGS in Ukraine8:03 Ukrainian Magic scene18:56 Outlaws of Thunder Junction...in Lviv26:40 Finding meaning in an existential threat35:52 "It is a luxury to be able to prioritize myself"41:22 Russia, geopolitics, destroyed opportunities51:51 The indecisive West1:00:41 Magic and tabletop games as mental relief1:02:59 Music, creativity, guiding principles1:10:20 "Fear of Missing Out" in Magic1:18:54 Lord of the Rings and Universes BeyondPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Sam, a.k.a. Rhystic Studies, creates videos about the art, history, and culture of Magic: the Gathering.0:00 Intro1:50 Podcast monologues, Twitter bios7:31 Discord fan interactions10:39 Recent interviews14:08 On being a solo act16:02 Collaboration opportunities18:41 Creative choices and financial viability21:17 The indie game developer22:57 Hbomberguy and taking on epic projects27:59 Confidence (and experience) trumps fear34:29 Level-ups as a creator38:21 "The guitar is the ultimate feedback machine"41:26 Keeping oneself creatively honest45:07 What Rhystic Studies is really about47:57 On being misunderstood49:27 Guitar talk54:32 Heat in Austin, TX56:26 Podcasting in one take59:35 Productivity systems and removing friction1:05:02 Planning for future events (and a wedding)1:08:55 Getting security for eventsPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Rob Bliss is an artist and illustrator for Magic The Gathering. Rob is also a concept artist and has worked on productions such as Harry Potter, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Dark Knight.0:00 Intro1:00 Speaking engagements5:08 How Rob developed his style12:30 Early life as artist15:23 Imitation breeds uniqueness20:21 Strength of initial arrogance23:34 "Making it" as a young artist30:38 The 2000 AD comic book experience38:29 Moving into concept art39:29 Illustrating Magic cards47:04 Phallic images - setting the record straight59:32 "I'll quit something because I hate doing it"1:04:36 On conforming as a creative1:15:50 Working on the Harry Potter movies1:21:43 Working with Guardians of the Galaxy1:28:11 On humor and opening up to people1:33:28 Playing records as a DJ1:40:16 On public speakingPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
An introduction to the Israel-Palestine conflict with Spice8Rack, Magic YouTuber and political activist.0:00 Intro3:00 Ground rules and expectations6:47 Resources - journalists9:07 Resources - coordination10:32 Resources - education11:15 Resources - books22:26 How do we know if a resource is legitimate?32:12 How do we know if an influencer is legitimate?40:32 Social media has real value (but use it wisely)49:52 Be well-informed - and take action53:10 It's okay to be emotional (on the internet)58:59 Willful ignorance and team mentality1:03:18 Why the Israel-Palestine conflict is important1:09:52 Campus protests and institutional response1:16:15 Student protesters should be commended1:19:23 anti-Zionism vs. anti-Semitism1:27:04 Scale of what's happening, business interests1:35:46 Use of force - the Israeli state's position1:44:59 Definition of "Nakba"1:49:44 What needs to happen next?1:58:25 Israeli government and American dependency2:08:28 Managing expectations with the West2:16:38 Final words - call for action---Spice8Rack's recommended resources:[JOURNALISTS]- WizardBisan1 - on Instagram & TikTok- Eye on Palestine, Middle East Eye - on Instagram & TikTok[COORDINATION]- National Students for Justice in Palestine - on Twitter & Instagram- BDS (Boycott Divest & Sanction)- Palestine Action- Jewish Voice for Peace- Palestine Solidarity Campaign[EDUCATION]- Dr. John Duncan - "JohntheDuncan" on YouTube[BOOKS]- S. Englert - "Settler Colonialism: An Introduction"- R. Khalidi - "The Hundred Year’s War on Palestine"- S. Awad, & B. Bean - "Palestine: A Socialist Introduction"- B. Bashir, & A. Goldberg - "The Holocaust & the Nakba"- A. Lowenstien - "The Palestine Laboratory"- A. Davis - "Freedom is a Constant Struggle"- F. Fanon - "The Wretched of the Earth"- J. Abusalim, J. Bing & M. Merryman Lotze - "Light in Gaza"In the conversation, we referred to Kyle Hill as "Phil" -- sorry, Kyle!
Alison Luhrs is a creative writer and worldbuilder for Magic The Gathering. She was also the creative lead for Baldur's Gate 3, and is currently the narrative director for Destiny 2.0:00 Intro1:00 Doing improv6:49 Improv's learning curve, embracing failure12:23 Connecting with the audience15:37 "Book Club"19:21 Getting into the games industry21:46 Career at Wizards of the Coast24:25 Ixalan25:38 Magic storytelling evolution29:27 Writing the Thunder Junction epilogues32:29 Why Alison left her name off the Ixalan stories38:12 Subverting expectations39:50 Research and writing frameworks43:23 Magic storyline starter kit46:13 Collaborative writing with friends49:30 Advice for folks entering the games industry54:56 Living through the COVID era56:53 "Badass wilderness woman" (and "Lost" commentary)1:03:25 Alison's friendship philosophy1:10:11 Legendary Kaladesh PAX improv event1:13:15 Being the Baldur's Gate 3 creative lead1:21:54 Lightning round Q&APatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Andrea Mengucci is a Magic The Gathering content creator and player.0:00 Intro1:27 Interview start3:14 Content evolution, new YouTube channel, logistics8:32 Connecting with audience, making it fun13:02 Magic content innovation16:29 Why Mengu isn't making Commander content17:56 Modern format bans20:35 Tournament and Pro Tour mindset23:00 COVID changed EVERYTHING26:04 The REAL life of a top Magic content creator35:38 Surrounding oneself with strong players38:01 Competitive Magic is in a weird place39:02 CovertGoBlue's big impact on Mengu43:31 "I have a bad relationship with Magic Arena"49:21 The Karnies podcast54:36 Content creator vs. pro player lifestyle1:01:12 Mengu's legacyPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Victor Adame Minguez is an artist and illustrator for Magic The Gathering.Victor's Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/victoradameart/0:00 Intro1:00 Beginning of Victor's creative journey5:53 Making art a viable career6:38 Artistic ability vs. practice9:30 "I don't have any other skills"15:32 Magic art guidelines17:06 Advice for aspiring Magic illustrators?20:18 The Grist that sold for $35K26:09 Early days of working with Wizards of the Coast29:05 Moving from digital art to oil paintings35:42 Experiencing creative burnout41:45 Developing the grind mindset44:44 How Victor met his wife, Carley Hart50:17 Magic artist celebrity57:50 Magic Con Chicago1:02:39 Fun fact about Victor (that nobody knows about)1:06:39 Favorite illustration / favorite artists1:10:23 Value of original paintings1:12:19 Illustrating for different card rarities1:14:41 Victor's new passion projectPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Evart "Aspiringspike" Moughon is a Magic player and streamer. He is best known for his deckbuilding innovations in the Modern format.0:00 Intro0:50 Streaming Dark Souls6:02 Personal off-stream projects7:58 Value of effective practice13:45 Viewership drop when variety streaming15:53 Deckbuilding process23:17 Innovating (and breaking) the Modern format27:50 The Crokeyz tweet31:30 Right place, right time36:01 Talking about success37:42 What Spike learned from Kai Budde and Reid Duke46:59 Level-up - Pro Tour deck selection process53:01 Questioning assumptions, intuitive learning, stream feedback58:28 On expressing negative emotions on-stream1:01:55 Working on the Lord of the Rings set1:15:34 Making a tabletop RPG with TCG elements1:19:12 Boundaries of creative output and personal life1:22:06 Five questions with Aspiringspike (lightning Q&A)Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Javier Dominguez is a Magic pro player from Spain. He won the 2018 Magic World Championship.0:00 Intro1:24 The language of Magic3:43 Repeatable decision-making5:23 Leveraging poker skills, studying the game10:20 Frustrations12:49 Being competitive vs. having fun16:46 Choosing Magic over poker (and Hearthstone)24:57 Was the old Magic Pro Tour ACTUALLY good?34:42 The love of the game37:42 Nature of competitive games42:43 How Javier wants to be remembered43:15 Becoming World Champion - did Javier change?49:40 Preparing for Worlds (work-life-happiness balance)59:33 Javier's climb to greatness1:01:49 Hitting a ceiling and starting over1:05:54 "You can be wrong" - a healthy approach to doubt1:08:16 Goals and process for 20241:10:31 Lightning round Q&APatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Foil Bug is committed to serving the MTG community by sharing shiny content, creating premium merch, and guiding players to amazing stores around the world.0:00 Intro1:16 What is FOIL BUG?3:55 Spicerack.gg integration5:22 Split player bases across two stores10:31 How the FOIL BUG Store Locator helps new players12:47 FOIL BUG content for foreign language cards17:32 James loves German language cards18:54 Helping players track down hard-to-find cards24:03 Features - today vs. future28:22 Shout-out to folks who helped along the way32:42 Entrepreneurial challenges - and how to overcome them44:01 Giving it your all51:38 How to join the FOIL BUG movementPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Kyle and Terren Huck are the owners of Apex Gaming, a Magic The Gathering card shop and tournament organizer in Caldwell, Ohio.The Apex Gaming documentary is now on the Humans of Magic YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@humansofmagic00:00 Intro01:49 Kickoff02:35 Kyle and Terren self-intros03:48 Apex origin story07:39 Apex business principles11:07 Starting a Magic business - managing risk13:18 Attracting a player base - local & otherwise17:03 Working with WOTC for WPN Premium store status20:56 Working on getting Pro Tour invites from WOTC23:42 The wonderful world of Magic retail30:33 Any recent customer trends for Magic product?33:47 Impact of Lord of the Rings, Dr. Who and Universes Beyond39:36 The craziest Magic purchase...by an employee42:21 Make the customer experience great45:26 Carrying Magic product vs. other games47:39 Lorcana - why it's worth paying attention to50:37 How Apex started streaming tournaments54:39 Key focus areas for a solid streaming production58:02 Tournament storylines & stakes1:05:10 Deck techs and supporting content1:07:18 Vision for what's nextPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Mason Clark is a Magic pro player and coach.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Vincent "Deathsie" Chu is a Magic The Gathering Twitch streamer specializing in the Limited format.Sorry gang, the audio quality wasn't great in this one! We recorded it on a whim with ONE microphone on my table :(Have tried to fix and clean it up, but that's the best I could do. Hope you'll still give it a go, because the conversation was GREAT. Thanks for understanding!Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Ryan "Tronisbad" Nicholas is an Asian-American Magic content creator from New Jersey, USA.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Piotr "kanister" Glogowski is a Magic pro and streamer from Poland.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Livestreamed on YouTube on Dec 21, 2023.03:22 Hits21:13 Misses32:37 Favorite episodes52:56 Learnings1:03:28 Plans for 2024For future livestreams, sub to the YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@humansofmagic
Livestreamed on YouTube on Dec 19, 2023.I answered community-submitted questions.For future livestreams, sub to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@humansofmagic
Melissa DeTora is a Senior Game Designer at Wizards of the Coast. She is a former professional Magic player and the first woman to Top 8 a Magic Pro Tour.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Zvi Mowshowitz is a Magic player, writer, and Hall of Famer. He currently writes about AI, policy and rationality on his Substack, "Don't Worry About the Vase."Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Todd Anderson is a Magic player, streamer, personality, and caster.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Maria Bartholdi is a host, caster, producer, writer, improviser, podcaster and painter. She is a 10-time Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Award winner and a mainstay of Magic Pro Tour coverage.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Michelle Rapp is a Vietnamese-American artist, ceramicist, Vorthos, and Magic player.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Chris Pikula is a former professional Magic player with two Pro Tour Top 8s and a Worlds Top 8. In 2000, Chris won the Magic Invitational and created the Meddling Mage card.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
James (Yimin) Zhi is a professional Magic player and streamer from Shanghai, China. He has one Pro Tour Top 8 and four Grand Prix Top 8s.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Soos_MTG is a Magic content creator and artist from Italy.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Marshall Sutcliffe is the creator of Limited Resources (the premier Limited format podcast for Magic The Gathering) and Wristwatch Revival (a wristwatch restoration YouTube channel).Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Alex Bertoncini is a Magic The Gathering competitor who rose to prominence via the Star City Games tournament circuit. Alex was suspended from competitive Magic play in 2011, 2014, and 2019 - with the last suspension culminating in a lifetime ban.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Sam Black is a professional Magic The Gathering player with three Pro Tour Top Eight finishes. He runs a weekly Limited podcast called "Drafting Archetypes."Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
James Hsu is the creator of the Humans of Magic podcast.James is interviewed by Matej Zatlkaj, a Slovak Magic: The Gathering pro player and commentator.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Evan Ferrante is an actor, producer, and the World's Biggest Tom Cruise impersonator.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Kai Budde is a professional Magic The Gathering player. He was inducted into the Magic Hall of Fame in 2007.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Patrick Sullivan is a game designer, commentator, and former Magic The Gathering pro player. He hosts "The Resleevables", a video series that dissects Magic's 30-year history from a design perspective.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Christian Calcano is a Magic and poker pro from New York.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Seth, probably better known as Saffron Olive, is a full-time Magic content creator for MTGGoldfish.Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Jonathon "Nikachu" Zaczek is a Magic YouTuber and Modern Merfolk Master.
0:00:10 who is Nikachu - from Merfolk master to all-around YouTuber 0:10:10 why Nikachu is so committed to Merfolk 0:16:00 difference in playstyle - Magic, poker and chess 0:19:45 edges to be gained in Magic from playing Merfolk 0:25:05 tournament notoriety and the YouTube tipping point 0:35:30 the YouTube endgame - how much is enough? 0:39:15 forks in the road - choosing to make videos above all else 0:45:09 on work ethic, time management, and complacency 0:49:44 "your number one priority is to make AMAZING videos" 0:54:21 shuffling PSA - mana weaving IS cheating 1:05:05 on controversy, hateful comments and why Mox Opal should stay banned 1:17:11 with platform comes responsibility 1:24:07 on the integrity of Magic judges 1:33:44 Nikachu doesn't like short-form video - here's why 1:35:56 why Nikachu is a 'lone wolf' creator
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Kupla is a musician, producer and Magic player from Finland.
0:01:20 who is Kupla? 0:05:52 how Kupla started playing piano 0:09:57 90's musical nostalgia 0:13:05 teenage musical style and influences 0:15:51 experiencing Magic The Gathering in Finland 0:21:04 James and Kupla grew up on 90's Magic (and InQuest Magazine) 0:25:22 the appeal of older Magic formats 0:31:59 making the transition to full-time musician 0:43:16 how to improve at making music? (the creative spark) 0:51:30 maintaining motivation // flow state 0:57:11 "growing and learning is quite painful" 1:02:46 Kuala's songwriting process 1:12:35 music as time machine // Smashing Pumpkins love 1:17:10 on balancing nostalgia and the future 1:19:42 on fatherhood 1:25:35 a musician's perspective on Spotify 1:29:58 the effect of technology and AI on creativity
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Eric "Efro" Froehlich is a Magic Hall of Famer and poker pro.
0:00:48 recent health situation 0:09:27 the day of the surgery 0:14:58 family reliance 0:21:50 after the operation 0:27:51 the role of memory - in life and Magic 0:32:33 loyalty, obligation and regret minimization 0:35:36 has Eric changed after this life-or-death experience? 0:41:51 Eric's online persona - "brick-wall defense mechanism" 0:53:24 a fateful conversation with Patrick Sullivan 1:00:03 looking back - Eric's reputation and legacy 1:20:53 what does it take to be great at Magic? 1:29:51 key people who helped Eric on his Magic journey 1:35:41 current relationship with Magic and WOTC 1:49:17 corporate governance - how things work at WOTC 1:53:38 Gab Nassif and the evolution of global Magic teams
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Justine Jones is an artist and illustrator. She started illustrating Magic cards with her Secret Lair interpretations of iconic cards: Reaper King, Sliver Overlord and The Ur-Dragon.
For Magic art-related inquiries, including ordering Justine's artist proofs: Donald.Caltrider@gmail.com
0:01:00 moving from Baltimore to Philly 0:04:49 Justine and James are both avid runners 0:15:23 who is Justine Jones, the artist? 0:21:25 doing artist proofs during the pandemic 0:29:54 on dabbling in digital art and coloring 0:37:21 on being an MTG artist - "the Ur-Dragon IS me" 0:48:46 the initial Secret Lair assignment 1:00:02 Justine's creative 'arc' and artistic influences 1:13:05 Dark Souls and World of Warcraft 1:16:55 the Magic community is pretty darn cool 1:20:48 Justine interviews James 1:27:10 "I can't NOT do art" - on creative motivation 1:36:01 creativity involves consistent (and monotonous) output 1:40:40 open-ended creativity vs. art commission requests
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Elba is the creator of the Fazendo Nerdice ("Doing Nerdy Stuff") YouTube channel, which specializes in Magic and all kind of wonderful games.
0:01:00 YouTube channel origin story 0:08:56 psychology in YouTube 0:12:07 advice for beginning YouTubers 0:19:16 balancing a full-time vs. YouTube career 0:27:54 negative vs. positive content? "choose your words" 0:36:59 mindset and behavioral changes as a full-time YouTuber 0:48:27 avoiding burnout (is very hard) 0:54:16 Elba's secret weapon as a creator 1:00:29 the process of diversifying into different games 1:07:27 content (and life) goals 1:25:20 the Brazilian MTG community 1:44:22 WOTC, sanctioned events and the LGS eco-system 1:59:00 the state of paper Magic in Brazil 2:08:24 the story behind the Anson Maddocks interview 2:15:17 the 'Olá!' origin story 2:22:09 parasocial interactions
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Jake Browne is a Magic player, creative and the founder of the world's first chowder and Jagermeister festival.
0:00:50 art, entrepreneurship and the DIY aesthetic 0:05:24 who is Jake Browne? 0:09:01 the past year - failures and setbacks 0:19:02 the Open Draft Project and why it flopped 0:22:14 Jake's year of content creation 0:34:38 is Will still doing standup comedy? 0:45:08 growing up as an only child in Iowa 0:48:58 how to get started as a standup comedian 0:53:59 white privilege, marginalized voices and untrusted spaces 1:01:41 the MTG community - where's the humor? 1:12:30 on comedians being heckled 1:18:28 "as a former rapper..." 1:25:23 Jake's new Magic instructional project
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
The Scrybabies are East Coast content creators Tori of the Vast and Lua Stardust.
0:01:20 how Lua and Tori met - cosmic connection 0:08:32 MTG creator community for female and non-binary folks 0:11:35 the competitive lens in content creation 0:15:35 kitchen-table Magic recordings 0:21:48 Lua and Tori's top horror, retro, and anime picks 0:28:40 working together as a Scrybabies unit 0:33:57 advice on how to collaborate as creators 0:45:00 indomitable will & work ethic 0:53:03 variety vs. specialization 0:56:27 scratching one's own itch vs. being results-oriented 1:03:25 long-term Scrybabies goals 1:09:41 dream guests 1:19:11 being an introverted extrovert / lean into the cringe
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Will Hall is an MTG streamer and caster.
0:01:30 the Ukraine stream happened by accident 0:09:36 legal drama with Will's 24/7 Ukraine stream 0:16:28 wanting to give to others - where does that come from? 0:23:10 on injustice and stopping robberies 0:27:18 how Will became a Royal Marine 0:39:09 the YouTube grind - what works, what doesn't 0:52:58 Will's caster origin story 1:00:35 life goals 1:10:23 grinding content - "consistency is the key" 1:15:07 James's Humans of Magic grind 1:21:26 Will's advice for James 1:29:36 Will's casting "low" 1:35:09 does Will have imposter syndrome? 1:46:06 the time that Will got 'canceled' 1:53:50 James explains his hate for Jeff Hoogland 1:58:39 Will's favorite city in the world
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Anna Margaret is a scientist, cosplayer, and content creator.
0:00:45 setting boundaries and people-pleasing 0:04:06 from Disney party princess to content creator 0:08:48 on being bubbly and happy 0:11:41 science - and talent - runs in the family 0:22:56 postgraduate aspirations and forks in the road 0:28:44 misconceptions about content creation 0:33:51 people in Magic are awesome / representation in Magic 0:35:57 the initial creator "spark" 0:43:23 the cosplay mindset 0:52:10 internet virality and negative feedback loops 0:58:02 focusing too hard on "content" numbers 1:00:11 Anna Margaret's content goals 1:11:47 Star Trek fandom (impromptu Star Trek podcast ALERT) 1:35:45 what you want as a creator vs. what your audience wants
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Sean Brown is a designer, musician and writer from Australia.
0:00:40 Sean's Australian-Filipino roots 0:08:33 spirituality vs. personal responsibility 0:14:02 current relationship with Magic 0:29:51 exploring a new career direction 0:40:01 "the progress is the point" 0:48:42 Sean's current career - the good, bad, ugly 0:56:52 James's current relationship with the Legacy format 1:00:38 on journaling and trying new things 1:05:08 Sean's music career and current artistic influences 1:11:23 today's music discovery process - is the mystique gone? 1:16:29 an alternative to "basic" content consumption - intentional curation 1:21:26 new AI technologies - ChatGPT and Midjourney - what does it mean for us?
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Lexi McQueen is a performer, world builder and dungeon master. She is known for her creative work in the Tabletop RPG space.0:01:25 selfish vs. selfless Saturdays0:06:01 growing up as a black Christian0:10:56 how Lexi's parents influenced her0:18:42 Lexi's current spiritual beliefs0:20:49 optimizing for the self // this anime gets DEEP0:26:12 hinge-points (forks in the road)0:34:47 college0:40:34 on coming out0:56:00 religion as a community-builder1:02:49 complicit participation in communities and platforms1:12:06 why Lexi chose to be a TTRPG creator1:17:03 commoditizing ourselves // internet sensory overload1:25:43 why James is a creator1:27:20 "taking back storytelling for myself"1:31:17 how Lexi became a storyteller1:43:38 subverting expectations as a Dungeon Master1:50:40 leading a playgroup or campaign1:56:54 being a queer black woman in the TTRPG space---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Michael "Cliffy" Clifford is a Magic player and full-time poker professional.0:01:45 who is Cliffy - his Magic origin story0:09:54 Cliffy and James's shared love of the Legacy format0:13:25 how to learn (and improve at) Storm Combo in Legacy0:21:35 Lurrus the Storm Combo GOAT! and other super-broken cards0:24:20 dropping out of college to pursue full-time poker0:34:54 poker level-ups - game selection and immersive study0:41:14 working as a casino money-counter0:52:02 worlds collide - rational vs. irrational gamblers1:00:06 online vs. paper Magic - are they the same game?1:05:58 on exploitative gameplay and "action" tells - in poker and Magic1:13:23 game theory optimal in poker - what is it?1:22:38 can a bot "beat" poker?1:29:30 poker cheating accusations - Mike Postle, Garrett vs. Robbi---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
DeQuan "PowrDragn" Watson is a Magic YouTuber and content creator.0:01:15 does DeQuan experience Magic content "burnout"?0:03:47 the creator deckbuilding process0:08:05 "I monitor everything"0:10:46 don't do the same thing and expect a different result0:12:57 DeQuan's creator origin story0:16:44 on doing the work - streamer research0:19:25 YouTube primary, Twitch secondary0:25:56 YouTube monetization - celebrate it!0:27:24 on being results-oriented as a creator, and finding your own way0:31:02 growing on YouTube in the early stage0:35:30 is DeQuan the same on-camera vs. off-camera?0:38:35 things DeQuan tried that didn't quite work0:41:06 the "PowrDragn" name0:43:19 new Lord of the Rings set - general impressions0:45:40 new Lord of the Rings set - race and representation0:53:56 "how do we get out of our own heads?"1:01:31 being a gaming nerd in black culture1:08:51 DeQuan's upbringing---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Filipa Carola is a Portuguese MTG caster and content creator.0:01:40 jack of all (Magic) trades0:08:22 Filipa's creator origin story0:16:20 on attracting a competitive audience0:19:45 on changing goals, careers and countries0:23:51 Filipa's evolution and approach as a caster0:31:45 working with Will Hall and HarryMTG0:36:38 how to grow as a streamer (at the very beginning)0:44:15 Twitch vs. YouTube - community vs. virality0:47:47 content creation as a full-time vs. part-time job0:57:22 what's it REALLY like to be a female Magic player? 1:07:51 "I felt like an outcast" / paying it forward in a positive way---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Zan Syed is a game designer and entrepreneur. He was the 2019 Star City Games Player of the Year and Captain of Team Lotus Box.0:01:15 reminiscing about Atlanta0:07:48 Zan's multicultural background0:12:21 how Zan's Magic journey began0:20:14 the level-up process and mindset0:26:35 on outworking the competition0:30:52 why Zan is creating a new card game0:42:02 making a new game - the challenges ahead0:48:06 skill-based vs. variance-based game design0:57:53 why Flesh and Blood (and Lost Ark) succeeded as games1:05:20 lessons from the startup life1:12:35 "Magic has the essence of something that needs to exist"1:16:15 is Zan still involved with Magic?---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Mani Davoudi is an Esports and MTG Caster from Vancouver, Canada.0:01:15 when James first met Mani0:06:51 growing up in Vancouver, Canada0:14:20 university life, ADHD, and lacking direction0:25:21 getting out of a funk / leaving Magic0:33:04 playing Magic with a new mindset0:38:01 WINNING a Modern Grand Prix with some unlikely help0:46:39 what Mani would tell his younger self0:53:21 becoming a Magic caster1:00:12 getting better at casting1:06:07 preparation for Pro Tours as a caster1:15:13 on putting the work in - and being a team player1:20:56 future casting goals1:26:59 Mani and Maria's new show - Desk After Dark---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Sahar Mirhadi is a Magic player, games researcher, and founding member of the European Legacy Masters invitational series.0:00:45 "can be heard before being seen"0:05:57 Sahar's Iranian heritage0:13:51 James's background and language talk0:17:46 Magic origin story0:22:26 a career in marketing (and why she had to leave)0:30:53 going 9-0 in Day 1 of a GP0:39:45 James's dalliance with Legacy0:47:32 accessibility and representation in older Magic formats1:06:21 on tying one's identity with an online persona1:15:38 picking up a new Legacy deck1:18:07 European Legacy Masters1:31:33 the ELM task force model1:41:00 regarding niche Magic formats---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Alex "KessWylie" Kessler is the CEO and founder of Kess.co, a kick-ass toy company. He is also a Magic creator and the host of the Masters of Modern podcast.0:01:30 the "hourly rate in life" concept0:06:57 Tik Tok is the new Yelp0:08:41 Tik Tok 101 for creators0:15:37 content evolution - effort vs. results0:18:35 Alex's content goals0:23:24 Alex's love for the Magic storyline0:29:15 "podcasting has the ability to be freeform"0:37:10 Lord of the Rings and 90's nostalgia0:41:46 One Piece and the joy of expanded universes0:46:44 fatherhood0:58:44 Magic - Greatest Game Storyline of All Time?1:10:58 how Alex sees things differently as a toy industry insider1:18:37 The Lord of the Rings set for Magic1:26:45 diversity and representation in the LOTR set1:44:48 Alex's toy company - kess.co---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Hugh Watanabe is a Japanese-American pro basketball player who plays for the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan's B.League. He is also an Olympian and a member of the Japanese National basketball team.0:01:25 from Hawaii to Japan0:08:37 transition from high school to college ball0:12:19 fighting through mental setbacks and multiple injuries0:21:35 a freak accident injury0:23:56 getting into Magic The Gathering0:26:38 Limited Magic is like basketball0:33:10 American vs International basketball - cultural differences 0:39:09 fun stories from Japan0:42:42 what Hugh has learned from his teammates0:49:32 "everyone here is ridiculously good at Magic"0:53:42 Japanese culture, applied to pro sports and general life1:01:29 James really enjoys long distance running1:07:13 Limited is the most skill-intensive Magic format1:09:32 greatest basketball player of all time? (The GOAT) 1:17:04 looking forward to the future---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
HarryMTG is a Magic YouTuber.0:00:37 Harry's self-intro0:06:12 how Harry started making YouTube videos0:09:29 the two millionaire brothers story0:11:06 why Harry moved from Twitch to YouTube0:14:47 influences - Ludwig and Mr. Beast0:20:18 on being clickbait-y0:24:04 how Harry stepped up his YouTube game - "it's like cooking"0:28:12 the YouTube algorithm0:33:09 creator goals, incentives and methodology0:37:39 the Midweek Metagame podcast0:43:10 podcasting with Gab Nassif0:46:10 podcasting with Pat Robertson0:49:37 learning Mandarin and (possibly) moving to China0:53:17 the wonderful world of Bilibili1:01:49 VR Chat as Mandarin practice---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Jimmy Wong is an actor, performer, songwriter, and mainstay on The Command Zone, one of Magic's biggest YouTube channels.0:01:09 Tokyo vacation and thoughts on Japanese culture0:08:45 Jimmy's Pro Tour Philly experience0:11:23 James's traveling with cats story0:17:50 actors living in major hubs like Los Angeles - a necessity?0:23:18 how Jimmy landed the Mulan role0:27:26 family influences - sibling rivalry, musical aspirations0:34:02 Video Game High School0:35:52 parenthood0:49:11 "big picture" of social media and where we're headed1:01:23 negative internet emotions = profit1:10:12 looking back on the Game Knights legacy1:18:30 evolution of Commander and Magic content---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Sheldon Menery is the godfather of the Commander format and founding member of the Commander Rules Committee.0:01:30 the convention-going experience - from Gen Con '93 to now0:10:22 Sheldon's first encounter with Magic - Alpha Edition0:14:29 why Sheldon joined the Air Force0:20:47 what Sheldon learned from two decades of military service0:26:09 Florida's fine dining spots0:32:39 early Magic judging stories0:47:11 working with WOTC folks in the early days0:53:20 Sheldon's life philosophy0:58:51 on recent health challenges1:11:10 developing Commander with Toby Elliott and Scott Larabee1:19:29 fork in the road - Commander vs. judging1:22:20 Sheldon is a Shakespeare scholar1:29:26 the moment when Sheldon realized Commander had "made it big"1:34:25 what would keep Commander going for the long-term?1:43:52 community engagement and amplifying voices1:46:45 singing the praises of Rebell Son and Rachel Weeks---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Julian Knab is the host of the Everyday Eternal podcast and creator of the Legacy Premier League.0:03:11 who is Julian Knab?0:08:31 the competitive mindset0:13:37 producing the "Everyday Eternal" podcast0:20:50 edutainment and authenticity for creators0:27:41 what is the Legacy format, and who is it for?0:37:24 Commander's effect on Legacy0:47:11 fighting perfectionism - and balancing pragmatism0:53:13 Julian's quality bar for competitive Magic content1:04:23 looking back on 2022 - podcast highs and lows1:13:38 why are American Magic tournaments so badly run?1:25:33 Magic players and Expected Value1:29:59 Julian's 2022 as a commentator - highs and lows1:34:13 looking ahead - career moves, life decisions, agency1:43:00 on self-limiting beliefs1:48:00 find out what you enjoy...and build around it1:54:18 James's fear of the new / James wants to reconnect with Magic2:06:49 James is a new person after the Shanghai lockdown---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Anuraag Das is a Magic streamer specializing in guerrilla Magic tournament coverage. He streams at https://www.twitch.tv/anzidmtg.0:01:30 "where I am as a content creator has shifted"0:05:26 from playing Magic to covering Magic0:09:15 what is "meaningful" when it comes to content?0:15:39 developing one's streaming brand0:17:11 monetizing coverage - the harsh reality0:31:37 sponsorships0:36:08 the entitlement mindset trap0:40:17 intrinsic creator motivation0:47:15 start with YouTube, not Twitch0:57:12 finding the right business partner0:58:42 Anuraag's 2022 events coverage retrospective1:06:40 the challenge of freelancing coverage1:14:18 commentary - "there aren't enough opportunities"1:21:27 working without constraints / taking risks as a smaller broadcaster1:30:49 GP Reid Duke - player as commentator - possible today?1:34:29 documenting the coverage journey itself1:40:07 thoughts on where Magic is going---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Reid Duke is the Pro Tour Phyrexia champion and a member of the Magic Hall of Fame.0:01:30 aftermath of winning the Pro Tour0:06:23 coming back from a 0-2 deficit in the PT Top Eight0:10:33 Reid's Pioneer deck - "I had no expectations"0:14:20 Reid's testing house and making collective judgments0:16:55 Reid on Kai Budde - "he's superhuman"0:20:05 key "turning points" of Pro Tour Phyrexia0:24:32 how does Reid feel about his legacy?0:30:15 the next milestone - winning Worlds0:32:49 preparation and the road less traveled - Reid's learnings0:36:34 on speaking the metaphorical language of your teammates0:41:10 on Organized Play and the return of the Pro Tour0:48:56 casual vs. tournament Magic - it's not a competition0:51:04 how James feels about competitive Magic today0:55:08 Reid's edge in playing paper tournaments0:58:00 what makes a truly great player - consistent excellence1:02:28 Reid's life over the past couple of years---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Jesse Robkin is a writer, filmmaker and Magic player.Jesse is currently fundraising for her short film STRESS FRACTURE - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/stress-fracture-film0:01:30 confronting fears0:10:45 a new spin on a post-apocalyptic story0:15:21 the impending doom of the future0:22:18 creative freelancing - one year anniversary0:25:57 Jesse's new short film - "Stress Fracture"0:32:46 consistent themes in Jesse's creative work0:43:50 make the audience think0:47:58 how did Jesse become a storyteller?0:54:35 Jesse's writing method1:08:30 doing the work vs. delivering the work1:19:57 how to be self-aware in the editing process1:22:17 Jesse's routines for writing, editing, and doing laundry1:29:15 professional goals1:36:20 look backwards as well as forward 1:40:32 how Jesse got good at Magic - crossover with creative process1:43:45 Jesse's thoughts on Magic storytelling and lore1:49:44 Jesse's Patreon experience---Show notes: humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Spice8Rack (it/them) is a Magic content creator.--0:01:30 origin of the Spice8Rack name0:04:05 from bussing tables to YouTube "overnight" success0:13:17 Spice's performance and poetry background0:15:04 learning the YouTube meta / being in front of the camera0:22:50 feeding off the audience's energy0:28:52 humor and comedic timing in videos0:33:35 Spice's content goals / playing the YouTube "game"0:41:59 community feedback0:50:39 Spice's writing process0:58:44 the struggle with Patreon and Discord1:04:16 making content - self-fulfillment vs. finding an audience1:17:11 does Spice enjoy making the videos? (it depends)1:24:40 Spice's political beliefs and its practical impacts1:37:05 events that shaped Spice's political beliefs 1:41:34 dialectical materialism1:51:32 Spice's yearly in-person conversation ritual / nature of online discourse2:01:18 how Spice selects new books to read--Show notes: https://humansofmagic.com/Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Nathan Steuer is the 2022 Magic: The Gathering World Champion.--0:01:45 playing the Magic Online Championship Series (MOCS)0:06:03 mindset entering a tournament top eight0:10:03 writing and journaling0:11:23 Nathan's 2022 highlights0:15:31 books as inspiration0:19:22 taking the unconventional road - life, school and Magic0:30:04 why college wasn't the right fit for Nathan0:36:51 growth as a Magic player in 20220:42:56 breaking the ceiling - from grinder to Pro Tour level player0:45:23 coaching other players0:53:28 seeing the key moments - how Nathan developed this superpower0:57:26 is Magic a young person's game?1:00:40 has Magic negatively impacted Nathan?1:04:14 coaching vs. being coached1:09:10 looking back on winning Worlds--Show notes: humansofmagic.comPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Skyler Warfield is a Magic personality, Twitch streamer, and OnlyFans creator.--0:01:50 relationship to Magic - then vs. now0:06:38 Nerd Rage Gaming tournament circuit0:10:36 parasocial relationships0:14:04 Abe Stein0:16:59 NRG St. Louis travel story0:25:01 Jesse Robkin0:34:36 Skyler loves Valorant0:49:42 Skyler's streaming mindset0:55:24 the truth about hitting Twitch Partner0:58:55 playing Magic for fun vs. as a job1:01:18 being an OnlyFans creator - a deep dive1:27:37 thoughts on sex work and personal politics1:31:50 relationship with family1:33:38 sobriety - why Skyler did it1:40:57 rapid-fire questions: future of Magic, Culver's, creative writing1:45:43 significance behind the names: "Skyler" and "Belle Curves"--Show notes: humansofmagic.comPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Jean-Emmanuel Depraz is a professional Magic player from France.--0:01:40 intro0:03:13 on walking and thinking0:07:04 Legacy European Championships0:10:31 the team testing process0:17:15 on meditation0:23:50 mindset while playing Magic0:32:55 Magic origin story0:39:33 why JED wants to focus less on Magic now0:43:14 creating content vs. playing Magic0:50:38 taking Magic breaks0:57:27 what casual play means to JED1:03:22 being "in the zone"1:10:56 GP Warsaw - "the best day in my life"1:18:47 the lows of full-time competitive play1:23:47 the Magic Pro league experience1:29:10 captaining the Team World Cup1:31:18 the MKM dream-crush story1:39:10 view on open decklists in tournaments1:46:19 where JED's love for Limited comes from--Show notes: humansofmagic.comPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Josh Lee Kwai is the CEO of The Command Zone, and the creative force behind Game Knights and Extra Turns.--0:01:50 Miles Davis and Larry Bird0:06:27 maintaining the crazy0:11:55 YouTube and the competitive landscape0:17:57 the real work begins when you think it's "done" 0:22:11 kill your creative darlings0:25:30 how Josh develops the right company culture0:29:26 the four key values of the Command Zone0:37:10 how Josh keeps himself honest - his circle0:40:30 Josh's relationship with The Professor0:45:16 Command Zone is about entertainment and fun (above all else)0:48:48 the art of the nuanced position0:54:35 leading by example / pursuing things you love0:59:20 responsibility and control - the turning point1:03:21 what Josh learned from working in the restaurant industry1:05:36 Josh's childhood / the high school "decision"1:10:15 Josh studied theater and improv in college1:11:27 Josh's parents and siblings / growing up in a small town1:16:31 on being mixed race1:23:34 is Josh an introvert? / all-in, or stop1:25:22 creative influences for Command Zone1:27:54 the movie trailer creation process1:36:58 on previews and preview-marketing1:41:27 maintaining the fun energy of Game Knights1:44:57 how to keep it fresh - Command Zone and Game Knights--Show notes: humansofmagic.comPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
MTGNerdGirl is the CEO of TCG Studios and the founder of Degenerate Gaming and Tournament Grounds. Her new Commander show is called "Decked Out."--0:02:00 MTGNerdGirl's overall Magic 30 experience0:08:58 preparing for Magic Summit0:11:15 on managing multiple projects and possessing no chill0:16:04 MTGNerdGirl's Magic origin story0:19:25 MTGNerdGirl's poker career0:24:04 initial foray into streaming / building an audience0:30:28 staying motivated as a creator / advice for fellow creators0:36:15 Degenerate Gaming - "building something larger than yourself"0:41:39 Veggie Wagon0:45:03 building the Decked Out show0:51:19 pre-recorded vs. live content0:55:57 content planning for the long term0:59:09 MTGNerdGirl's thoughts on Twitch vs. YouTube1:05:39 thoughts on Magic's direction as a game1:09:04 looking back - growing as a creator1:12:04 breaking the 4th wall1:18:11 MTGNerdGirl - how did she come up with the name?--Show notes: humansofmagic.comPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Brian David-Marshall is a Magic player, Magic Pro Tour historian, and co-founder of Neutral Ground.--0:04:00 on being starstruck0:07:56 Brian on family0:13:03 Brian's comic book career0:23:10 letter from Jerry Siegel / Brian starts his own comic business0:30:17 first contact with Magic0:37:51 being part of Magic's earliest tournaments0:43:43 Neutral Ground0:50:10 memorable interactions with Magic players0:56:07 historical context - early era Magic, Alpha to Revised editions0:59:51 opening a Revised edition booster pack at Magic 301:00:54 the early days of Wizards of the Coast / Wizards sanctioned events1:05:58 Richard Garfield introduced Booster Draft to Brian (!)1:09:24 thoughts on the Magic Hall of Fame1:16:34 Dr. Garfield's legacy / the first IRL net-deck ever1:20:18 James's love letter to the Star Wars CCG1:24:27 Brian's start in Magic coverage / the Aaron Forsythe email1:35:19 standing on the shoulders of coverage giants1:40:29 "coverage is pretty lonely"1:43:43 "is Jon Finkel the greatest ever?"1:51:48 what kept Brian in coverage for so long1:55:48 most memorable commentary interviews / art of conversation2:05:50 Brad Nelson2:11:03 the overall metagame of Magic2:14:13 thoughts on coverage in 2022 / Hall of Fame induction wishlist2:21:15 the evolution of pro players shifting to Commander2:24:24 the era of perfect information2:27:47 recording Shuffle Up And Play with The Professor and Sheldon Menery2:38:06 Brian interviews James about Star Wars / "Andor is f***ing great"--Show notes: humansofmagic.comPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Looking back at 2022 for Humans of Magic - what worked, what could be improved, and what's next.01:43 highlight - consistency05:26 highlight - making it conversational13:45 highlight - putting myself into it27:17 to improve - content experimentation32:33 to improve - A/V quality35:54 to improve - fear of the new39:41 looking ahead - 2023Show notes: humansofmagic.comPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Chase "Manacurves" Carroll is a Commander content creator and video editor.--0:04:00 nicknames and alts0:07:25 life in a North Carolina college town0:10:41 Chase's Magic collection / the Magic origin story / getting into Commander0:20:33 funny deckbuilding gaffes / Kokusho and rules changes0:26:37 personal backstory / Chase LOVES the "Dead or Alive" fighting game0:35:30 path to content creation0:44:53 Chase studied to be a social worker / being open with mental health0:59:31 getting serious with Magic content / the art of collaborative deckbuilding1:09:49 advice for creators: "do what feels right"1:19:13 working with EDHRec / meeting the Command Zone crew / Post Malone & Joe Manganiello1:40:27 putting yourself out there as a creator - pros and cons1:52:19 on parasocial relationships1:57:54 how Chase sees the future of Magic2:02:55 rapid-fire questions - Magic wishlist, fave EDH product of 2022, "it's not for you"2:18:58 Chase's love of the band "Ghost"--opening track: The New Fools / We'll Do It All / courtesy of epidemicsound.comShow notes: humansofmagic.comPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Kicking off a special compilation series for Humans of Magic: "The Art of Content Creation." Part 1 is called "The Voice."--0:00:00 intro0:02:24 [Finding The Voice] Evart "aspiringspike" Moughon0:06:24 [Finding The Voice] The Asian Avenger0:07:54 [Finding The Voice] Rebell Son0:10:59 [Finding The Voice] Pleasant Kenobi0:13:02 [Finding The Voice] Sam of Rhystic Studies0:17:09 [Authentic Voice] Taalia Vess0:20:16 [Authentic Voice] Tappy Toe Claws0:27:48 [On Speaking Out] Alan of Mental Misplay0:30:05 [On Speaking Out] Pleasant Kenobi0:33:59 [On Speaking Out] Veggie Wagon0:37:06 [On Speaking Out] Tappy Toe Claws0:40:33 outro--Show notes: humansofmagic.comPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Jamie Topples is a Magic content creator and painter. Jon Rigatti is a Magic player and musician. Together, this incredible couple makes sweet Magic happen.--0:03:30 Jon is a musician / Jamie likes to sing and dance0:11:29 Jon introduced Jamie to Magic0:19:12 how Jamie started streaming Magic0:27:15 Jamie's first draft and LGS end boss0:31:44 Jamie's streaming motivation0:33:08 Jon's current relationship with Magic0:36:19 MTGO vs. Magic Arena0:41:47 2020 meetups - Taalia Vess, Lady Lavinias, Ben Wheeler and Hunter Pence0:46:20 "the last GP" and table talking with Jaberwocki, aka Logan Nettles0:48:43 shout-out to Melvin the Muppet0:50:59 how Jamie joined The Ponder Podcast0:52:20 Jamie was a massage therapist / Steve Rubin / talking Magic at weddings0:57:26 how Jamie and Jon first met (MUST LISTEN)1:04:44 joint passions: music, video games, card games1:07:48 sacred cows in Magic / Jamie goes IN on 17Lands.com1:18:24 spontaneity makes Magic drafts great1:20:05 balancing watchability vs. winning as a streamer1:24:42 losing gems SUCKS - James can relate1:28:07 Limited Resources, Marshall Sutcliffe and Luis Scott-Vargas1:33:10 Jamie had a dream about Marshall Sutcliffe...as Hoard Dragon1:39:26 the time Jamie registered 41 cards1:41:08 Jamie does painting commissions!1:48:50 Jamie's favorite band - Coheed and Cambria1:52:58 rapid-fire Q&A--opening track: Eoin Mantell / Whimsical Stroll / courtesy of epidemicsound.comShow notes: humansofmagic.comPatreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Alex "Higher" Heyer is a content creator specializing in the Competitive Elder Dragon Highlander (CEDH) format. He is a member of the Playing With Power collective.
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0:03:30 parenthood 0:10:54 communication as parents 0:16:05 Higher's social work and philosophy for mentoring youth 0:25:00 Higher's childhood / getting into Magic 0:36:24 how Yu-Gi-Oh influenced Higher's Magic deckbuilding 0:42:30 multiplayer Magic: threat assessment and brewer's advantage 0:52:24 getting better at multiplayer Magic & CEDH 0:57:19 high-level post-game CEDH analysis: does it exist? 1:03:55 why CEDH? it started with Selvala 1:06:12 embracing Kenrith in CEDH 1:07:54 playing online, leveling up and mindset 1:16:05 on brewing decks and leaving a deckbuilding legacy 1:21:20 value of human connection above value of content metrics 1:22:50 the point when Higher became a content creator 1:28:35 "competitive" EDH - what does it actually mean? 1:33:30 content creator advice for collaborating with others 1:36:34 joining the Playing With Power collective 1:41:57 collaborating with The Professor for Shuffle Up And Play 1:46:54 Higher's creator goals 1:48:40 current relationship with Magic 1:50:58 Higher is a beatboxer - the LIVE performance 1:58:06 Higher makes music 1:59:05 why "Higher" as the name?
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opening track: Matt Large / High Drama / courtesy of epidemicsound.com
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Pleasant Kenobi, a.k.a. Vince, is a Magic and Warhammer 40K content creator.
0:03:25 being embarrassed by your own stuff / creating with time constraints 0:09:15 the role of luck, privilege and timing 0:11:49 recording "Dies to Removal" with The Professor 0:16:06 Magic 30 packs & the slippery slope of high-end Magic product 0:22:36 devil's advocate argument FOR the Magic 30 packs 0:26:29 negativity works - the YouTuber's dilemma 0:27:59 James bought the Duel Masters Black Lotus 0:32:20 recent adventures: Flesh & Blood Pro Tour, 40K tournament, 40K EDH collabs 0:35:15 how Vince got into Warhammer 40K / 40K economics / proxy minis 0:41:51 what Vince loves the most about 40K / balancing 40K and Magic 0:46:09 which community is worse: 40K or Magic? 0:51:44 the Games Workshop culture 0:54:56 The Horus Heresy / the art of speaking out about certain topics 1:01:53 the tenor of online conversations: "people are just more aware" 1:04:01 Vince has a mixed ethnic heritage / using his voice to impact others 1:07:02 on giving people second chances 1:11:39 on taking in, and responding to, community feedback 1:14:47 James enjoys Vince's tweets 1:16:33 art of the effective YouTube thumbnail 1:18:11 is Twitter 'real' for Vince? 1:23:23 Vince's first Magic preview card / WOTC corporate culture 1:26:31 is being a public personality all upside? James says no 1:30:07 how Vince feels about reaching 100K YouTube subs 1:32:19 future quantifiable, tangible goals 1:35:59 tension of creating both Magic and 40K content 1:40:40 would Vince build a content team to produce more? 1:42:43 James studies how to make better YouTube videos 1:48:21 on having a unique voice, and finding YouTube success despite low production quality 1:52:32 was Vince ever tempted to "pull the plug" on 40K content? 1:54:52 thoughts on the YouTube algorithm / aligning one's content principles to goals 2:01:59 is platform diversification worth it? 2:05:12 on expecting a "return" for content creation efforts 2:08:47 on creator motivation / "the key to overnight success is years of work" 2:12:32 how Vince celebrated the 100k subs milestone
opening track: Another Notion / Watch Me Go at It / courtesy of epidemicsound.com
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Rebell Son is a content creator, YouTuber, and UX designer.
3:20 playing 1v1 formats 8:03 on group-think and the need to play the cards to evaluate them 12:02 content creators are not incentivized to break formats 14:15 roots in the Modern format / competitive gaming issues 16:18 Rebell's first time playing Commander / playing Magic creates stories 19:02 attraction to puzzles 20:55 why Rebell gets angry as a gamer / Overwatch vs. MTG 25:30 Rebell's father 37:18 Rebell's mother 41:06 the concept of 'face' in families, the self, and Asian culture 47:14 on the complications of Asian-American identity 55:28 Rebell's accidental road to content creation: 1-minute CEDH games 1:04:37 breaking through: pushing the content 'envelope' further 1:10:19 expect the unexpected / experimentation vs. mastery 1:11:31 advice for content creators: "it's an endurance game" 1:23:37 Rebell's trans identity / the transition journey, as a creator and person 1:37:08 forays into the vtuber route: Rebell AI vs. human person 1:44:10 the intersection of business and content strategy 1:46:50 the "Untitled" project: it's all about the people 2:02:39 upgrading "Untitled": leveling up as a director and producer 2:07:31 more advice for creators: "always expect that this is NOT going to be the thing" 2:11:46 Rebell's relationship with the community / CEDH community evolution 2:20:51 Rebell on objectivity and problem-solving: go wide 2:22:58 what Rebell brings to the Commander Advisory Group (CAG) 2:30:05 the value of diversity of thought
opening track: DJ DENZ The Rooster / Christmas Morning Cartoons / courtesy of epidemicsound.com
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Brian Kibler is a Magic Hall of Famer, pro gamer, game designer and broadcaster.
3:30 a day in the life of a Hearthstone streamer 7:02 why Brian has stayed with Hearthstone for streaming 14:48 how Brian views and experiences Commander 24:05 Post Malone convinced Brian to play Commander 32:09 James's first encounter with the Kibler playmat 37:07 there is a Brian Kibler impersonator out in the wild 40:02 Brian explains Live Action Role Playing (LARP) 47:20 what Brian enjoys about LARP 51:52 Brian's history with pets 53:49 Brian's current relationship with Magic 55:07 how Brian feels about the new Magic Organized Play system 58:38 Magic is not a spectator sport - it's meant to be experienced 1:04:19 how Brian feels about Magic coverage (or lack thereof) 1:07:28 competitive Magic has a marketing/content problem 1:12:14 Magic products should focus on the less competitive player base 1:14:28 removing the "Pro Tour" name was a big mistake 1:15:33 games are fun when they contain randomness 1:19:18 designing the "VS System" card game - and why it failed 1:23:11 why Steam's Artifact failed 1:23:41 game incentives: legitimacy vs. prize pool 1:27:28 Brian's greatest Magic tournament ever 1:28:50 how Brian feels about his Magic career 1:31:34 how Brian strengthened his mental game 1:34:40 Brian's Hall of Fame induction ceremony 1:35:26 the time Brian trolled Harvard college admissions
opening track: Sture Zetterberg / Praying for Love (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of epidemicsound.com
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Alan of Mental Misplay is a content creator, kung fu practitioner, and student of gonzo journalism.
2:42 structuring content and accountability 10:10 streaming an EDH game: challenges & considerations 15:50 the hard reality of being a full-time creator 18:30 Alan's Magic and EDH origin story 24:35 Ramp Gang, Rebell Son and "let's record these games" 31:44 where Alan's showmanship comes from 38:41 did Alan play other constructed formats? 40:03 Alan breaks down CEDH and multiplayer dynamics 48:38 blurring the line between competitive and casual 55:42 the evolution of Alan as a player and personality 1:00:01 how the pandemic impacted Alan 1:03:56 Alan worked in sales for over a decade 1:09:00 Alan's parents 1:13:57 Alan's kung fu training and philosophy 1:29:25 James's forays into Buddhism and keeping an open mind 1:33:40 Temporal Extortion deck tech videos 1:41:27 the Mental Misplay aesthetic / Rebell is an innovator 1:45:52 gonzo performative chaos: doing floor coverage 1:57:39 Alan studied art, photography and industrial design 2:04:27 "breaking through" with content 2:08:55 Alan's mission: the travel and coverage show 2:22:05 the underlying motivation 2:32:10 has Alan ever performed stand-up comedy or improv?
opening track: Jett Everill / "Different Times" / courtesy of epidemicsound.com
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Michael Sinclair II is a tabletop RPG performer, voice actor, and Magic content creator.
2:30 intro / career aspirations 5:03 Michael's critique of computer science 9:11 Michael recently moved back to the Pacific Northwest 15:00 what Michael loves about the Pacific Northwest 17:56 formative experiences in the US Navy 24:55 exploring communities: kink, BDSM and marginalized folks 35:55 Michael's multicultural childhood 48:47 life coaching: experience & takeaways 1:00:05 how Michael feels about his identity and roots 1:03:40 how Michael became a content creator through Dungeons & Dragons 1:10:37 the process of becoming a D&D character 1:19:32 the voice acting origin story 1:23:26 Michael's source of empathy 1:26:06 family dynamics 1:28:28 Michael's D&D career highlights 1:32:06 what Michael would tell folks who've never played D&D before 1:38:44 how Michael got into Magic: "interesting and scary" / Rakdos gang 1:47:19 working with The Professor, Jesse and Skyler 1:52:51 Michael's creator progression & the future
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Taalia Vess is an actor and multimedia content creator.
3:06 intro 6:10 Taalia's coffee routine 10:26 Taalia's diet 11:27 life of a creator: upcoming events 12:53 Taalia is opening up her own LGS 14:57 from Twitch to Whatnot 20:48 what will Taalia's LGS be like? 24:39 leaving the comfort zone as a creator 29:26 authenticity 33:15 parasocial relationships 35:59 being around toxic and controlling people 37:27 how Taalia started making Magic content 42:43 Taalia was an actress 43:59 early streamer growth: how Taalia did it 47:42 finding a support network: then vs. now 50:01 being in male-dominated communities 53:24 the internet makes us misbehave 57:39 working with ZBexx and other female creators 1:02:37 is there an endgame for equality and equal representation? 1:08:13 being in control as a content creator 1:12:39 how Taalia deals with burnout 1:19:16 Hunter Pence and the witches store 1:23:23 first time playing Magic 1:24:46 Taalia loves anime and horror films 1:29:28 how Taalia got into the horror genre 1:34:27 Taalia wanted to be a model 1:39:25 k-drama talk 1:41:54 Taalia's anime recommendations 1:48:44 Taalia's watching these TV shows 1:54:29 rapid-fire Q&A: Pokemon, video games, fashion, dogs 2:11:34 why the name "Taalia Vess"?
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Ben Seck is an Australian Magic: The Gathering player and Creative & Game Design Director.
Ben is one of the top Limited format players in the game, and the only player to have won a Grand Prix in Africa.
2:58 intro 7:24 Seattle vs. Barcelona lifestyle 14:47 career progression in the American tech industry 18:58 Ben's parents / Asian upbringing / finding Magic 23:16 landing on a game design career / nature of learning 27:46 Magic's rise alongside the early World Wide Web 35:53 ethical play in Magic 38:13 Australian Magic community 40:17 nature of offenses / societal rules / inclusion 47:38 casual vs. competitive gaming communities 51:25 what would cause Magic to fail 58:57 inside Wizards of the Coast 1:02:36 "Magic is one of the best ways to self-actualize" 1:09:14 game design goals / digital ownership / mental models 1:18:57 behavioral psychology of players / moral obligations in design 1:22:34 how to have BALANCED game discourse 1:30:14 "Magic is getting too expensive" 1:37:53 meeting Brian David-Marshall / boat ride with BDM / cooking competition 1:47:51 cooking origin story / game design gig at Upper Deck 1:52:26 game design aspirations: "auditioning" for Wizards of the Coast 2:01:52 biggest learning at Upper Deck: listen first 2:10:02 how Ben views EDH / Magic as game engine 2:19:53 creating Limited content with LSV and Marshall Sutcliffe: planning & execution 2:26:57 Marshall Sutcliffe is the BEST at what he does 2:33:52 takeaways from recording "reverse set reviews"
Show notes: humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Tappy Toe Claws is a cosplayer, content creator and microbiologist.
3:30 intro 6:51 better work situation = happier 12:16 Magic origin story 16:26 starting cosplay at 14 years old 22:06 Tappy as a kid 26:11 favorite Pokemon team 29:11 college & Midwestern cosplay: Daisho Con 34:44 what keeps Tappy engaged with cosplay? 41:17 cosplay integrity - does it exist? 44:34 generalists vs. specialists 50:53 nature of human debate 52:47 what IS cosplay? 58:53 what would you say to cosplay fans? 1:07:55 being "in character" / asking for a photo 1:19:11 lessoned learned: energy levels, costume goals 1:24:34 deeper into the Magic cosplay community 1:29:55 working with The Professor 1:33:33 Jhoira Office Hours: the origin story 1:44:23 going bigger as an MTG content creator 1:49:05 Ral Zarek 1:52:15 Game Knights 1:55:11 authenticity / public positions / identity politics 2:07:54 pressure to make statements? / cultivating a community 2:11:42 "are we all just f**ked?" 2:25:21 maintaining motivation 2:32:42 drawing boundaries
Show notes: https://humansofmagic.com/
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Crim Nguyen, a.k.a. The Asian Avenger, is a musician and content creator.
3:15 hair talk 8:37 present-day grind 11:05 family 12:47 fear of flying 15:48 dealing with fear 17:42 Crim’s content creation evolution / being on multiple platforms 24:52 “can I be entertaining regardless of the game?” 27:33 changing lanes as a creator: “isn’t it fucking scary?” 32:06 reframing success and failure / switching games 36:32 planning and not planning / Devin Nash 41:21 Humans of Magic: on YouTube! / be bold and learn along the way 43:03 creating is open-ended: but you can be your harshest critic 44:58 expect the unexpected / do it for yourself 49:50 keep shooting your shot / be persistent 52:10 has Crim ever been intentionally inauthentic? 56:25 turning your energy level DOWN, not UP 59:13 content: what’s working and what isn’t? 1:03:21 how to easily burn out? focus on metrics 1:05:19 the Dunning-Kruger effect 1:09:14 is Crim a perfectionist? 1:10:50 dealing with burnout: “this saved my streaming life” 1:23:17 seeking variety / not sitting still 1:29:20 musings: the INTERVIEWER role / inside the Humans of Magic studio 1:36:57 how much accomplishment is enough? 1:39:14 “what anime do you like, James?” 1:41:26 focusing on one hobby / “my fandom goes in cycles”
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Alexander Hayne is widely considered to be the greatest Canadian Magic player of all time. He is the Pro Tour Avacyn Restored Champion.
6:36 is Alex old-school? 8:09 from learning Magic to playing the Pro Tour 12:17 present-day relationship with Magic 16:27 figuring out what’s next 18:02 the fire vs. the grind 21:48 depression & the rear-view mirror 26:11 “mistakes shape who I am” 29:03 tools from therapy 36:10 mental health stigma 38:26 PT Barca mindset 47:41 winning PT Barca & unforeseen consequences 52:20 being a relatively unknown player 54:29 negative side of Magic fame 59:43 chasing another PT top eight / hall of fame eligibility 1:04:41 on streaming 1:08:02 “plays nearly perfect all the time” 1:10:14 habits & diminishing returns 1:14:20 the period when Alex worked the hardest 1:18:08 humility vs. bravado 1:20:08 heels in today's game 1:21:13 art of trolling 1:29:50 is pro gatekeeping real? / to be the best? network 1:43:20 objective truth, do we want it? 1:50:05 state of content today / PVDVR is the content GOAT / attention spans 2:01:05 passion as a creator: find your lane 2:08:01 writing fiction / reading over 3,000 books 2:17:04 what should WOTC do in the short term? long term? 2:26:15 rant on the current Modern format / Alex’s favorite formats of all time
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Dom Harvey is a high-level Magic: The Gathering player and content creator. He writes for Star City Games and runs the Dominaria's Judgment podcast.
3:23 intro 10:15 UK to Canada: "my life was going nowhere" 17:29 being a Brit who doesn't like soccer 22:15 the most Canadian thing Dom has picked up? 23:27 it's about the gathering 27:38 on prize splits and feel-bads 32:37 the fire 35:38 growing up with competitive Magic 41:05 oral history of Pro Tour Philadelphia: concept to reality 51:08 James's favorite part of the oral history 57:38 state of MTG content & creator incentives 1:11:35 dealing with burnout 1:15:31 what would (younger) Dom do? 1:16:20 path to SCG commentator 1:24:44 streaming: yay or nay? 1:27:15 future goals 1:29:41 deck-building & creativity
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Deathsie is a Magic content creator and Limited specialist. He has been ranked number one in several games, including Magic Arena, Marvel Snap, Tetris Effect, and King of Stackers (Tetris).
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Milan Bhayana is one of the youngest players to qualify for the Magic Online Champions Showcase (MOCS) and Magic Pro Tour.
He is a Top Chef competitor and owner of the 'lilchefmil' Tik Tok account with 921K followers.
[3:42] Attending school online [6:39] Offline connections matter [11:32] College aspirations [14:16] Building a Tik Tok account with his sister [18:27] Top Chef experience [22:40] Top Chef takeaways [24:15] Parents [28:28] Magic origin story [31:33] Learning mindset: Magic and cooking [34:19] Magic Online during class [39:21] Magic Online shout-outs: boomer-zoomers [41:15] Why are zoomers playing Magic? [42:17] Future MTG competitive play goals [45:21] Future Tik Tok goals
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Joseph Johnson is an actor and content creator.
[9:12] First Comicon experience / meeting John Wick [12:45] Becoming a character / art of improv [17:20] Acting: nature vs. nurture [22:37] Art of improv / having fun with it [26:15] Working in the film industry [29:07] Empathy vs. ego / the importance of your circle [35:12] "The pandemic made me realize I need to step my game up" [37:08] Falling in love with acting [43:57] Lessons from the community [46:34] Ambition / staying in the game [52:10] Positive influence of parents [58:52] Growing up in Flint, Michigan [1:04:43] Diffusing a dangerous situation [1:09:42] BLM [1:17:52] Tabletop Jocks vision [1:20:45] 'The Cookout' / representation matters [1:31:14] Normalizing black nerd culture [1:39:22] Attention to detail: the Tabletop Jocks aesthetic [1:43:09] Learnings / areas to grow [1:49:05] Community mailbag [1:57:47] Why Magneto is Joe's favorite X-Men character [2:00:42] Advice for first-time content creators
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Veggie Wagon is a comedian and content creator.
[7:14] Moving to Medford, Mass [13:36] Chemistry degree to acting career [18:00] Veggie as actor [20:41] Performing for others as a kid [23:15] Growing up adopted [32:24] Weight of self-expectation [35:46] On family [41:29] Charity work: motivation [45:49] A content creator's responsibility [51:49] Masks we wear as creators [54:19] Gathering Support: lessons learned [1:07:12] Origin of 'Veggie Wagon' name [1:12:31] Influences: Back to the Future [1:23:34] Measuring success [1:29:49] Live versus recorded comedy [1:41:41] influences: Jackie Chan [1:51:01] Make something for yourself -- but don't take too long [1:57:04] Community mailbag
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Melissa DeTora is a Senior Game Designer at Wizards of the Coast and currently leads the MTG Casual Play Design team. She is the first woman to Top 8 a Magic Pro Tour.
[8:03] Melissa's WOTC journey: Intern -> Senior Game Designer [9:47] What is Play Design? [13:38] Play Design -> Casual Play Design [17:41] Playtesting Commander during COVID-19 [23:26] Designing for "Casual" [25:57] Play Design interactions with Commander RC and CAG [28:21] Too many treasures / Dockside Extortionist is OP [29:36] Arcane Signet [32:06] "I'm still learning things every day" / "I don't want to go to FNM" [37:58] Melissa's mentors [43:21] Design story: Tovolar [46:33] Looking back: Mutate, Companion mechanics [53:46] Looking back: past sets [56:43] Self-criticality as a designer [58:41] Self-criticality as a player [1:00:39] Mindset change: PTQ to PT [1:02:36] "You are probably bad at Magic" [1:05:38] Raphael Levy [1:09:22] Playtesting at the DeTora residence / Joel Larsson, pathfinder [1:13:15] Parents and Magic [1:14:22] Pump It Up [1:24:06] Women in Magic: then vs. now
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Jon Corpora is the Content Manager for TCGPlayer and producer of the YouTube series Pretty Deece.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Kacem "Noxious" Khilaji is a gaming content creator.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Sam is the creator of Rhystic Studies, a YouTube channel that focuses on the art and culture of Magic: The Gathering.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
CommandFests: a vendor's perspective -- featuring Michael Caffrey of Tales of Adventure.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Breaking down the TCGPlayer acquisition of ChannelFireball & BinderPOS with Michael Caffrey, Edward Nguyen, and Douglas "DJ" Johnson.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Phil Gallagher is an MTG content creator and owner of the ThrabenU YouTube channel.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
ZBexx is a content creator and the Queen of MTG Cosplay.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Rich Cali is a Legacy format enthusiast, SCG Syracuse Open Champion, and ChannelFireball writer.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Shivam Bhatt is a Commander Advisory Group member and host of the Casual Magic podcast.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Gerry Thompson is a professional Magic player, content creator, and co-host of the Arena Decklists podcast.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Amy the Amazonian is a Twitch partnered streamer, engineer and card gamer.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Tariq Patel is a doctor and the Flesh and Blood US National Champion.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Pete Hoefling is the President and Founder of Star City Games.
[00:08:27] Pete's childhood & SCG origins. [01:15:00] SCG Tour -> SCG CON. [01:41:35] Statement on SCG CON vax requirements.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Voxy is a content creator and Twitch streamer.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Eilidh "AliasV" Lonie is a content creator, commentator and self-proclaimed crazy cat lady of Magic. She is the co-host of the Elder Dragon Hijinks Commander series on YouTube.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
This Ukrainian Life: voices from Ukrainian Magic.
The players speak out and have a message for WOTC, Hasbro and the global MTG community.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: serpents.band
Rachel is a podcaster, Commander Advisory Group member, and comedian.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
Carmen is a Game Designer for Wizards of the Coast, cube queen, and esports caster.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music: @kuplasound
LegenVD is a YouTube content creator.
New Capenna preview cards coming this week! twitter.com/humansofmagic
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Evart "aspiringspike" Moughon is a streamer and content creator, best known for his work on the Modern format.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Emma is a freelance tabletop writer, podcaster and member of the Pauper Format Panel.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Olivia is a Commander player, Commander Advisory Group member, metalsmith, streamer and general bad-ass.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Saffron Olive is a content creator, streamer and content manager for MTGGoldfish.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Cedric is a Magic content creator and founder of Coalesce Apparel & Design.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Kai Sawatari is a Magic player, streamer and artist. He can be found streaming (in 3 languages!) at twitch.tv/sawatarix
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Tiago Chan is a former pro Magic player from Portugal. He has 2 Pro Tour Top 8s, won Nationals and won the last Magic Invitational. He is best known for designing the card Snapcaster Mage.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Kenji Egashira, a.k.a. "Numot the Nummy," is a Magic player and streamer based out of Seattle, Washington.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
David Rood is a former Canadian pro Magic player and master of the Limited format. He has one team Pro Tour win, one team Pro Tour second place finish, and one team Masters second place finish.
David is currently the TCGs manager at Hairy Tarantula Games in Toronto, Ontario.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Ross is a mathematician, content creator, co-host of VS Live! on Star City Games, and co-host of the MTG Rants podcast.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Patrick is a Star City Games content creator, game designer and former professional Magic player.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Mark is an American pro Magic player and former Pro Tour champion.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Sam is the creator of Rhystic Studies, a YouTube channel that focuses on the art and culture of Magic: The Gathering.
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Adam is the father of Dana Fischer, a 10-year old gamer who plays Magic.
Adam helps Dana with all things Magic. He has had an illustrious MTG career in his own right, with a number of Pro Tour appearances.
Watch Dana's stream: twitch.tv/FischerMagic
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Dana Fischer is a 10-year old gamer who plays Magic. She is the youngest person to make Day 2 and win cash at a Grand Prix tournament.
Watch Dana's stream: twitch.tv/FischerMagic
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Anuraag Das is a streamer, content creator, and Legacy format enthusiast.
Watch Anuraag's stream: twitch.tv/anzidmtg
Show notes: humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Noah Weil is a father, lawyer, former pro Magic player, and ex-WOTC member. His podcast is called "Gathering Stories: The History of Magic."
For show notes, please visit humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Ellie of the Veil is an MTG streamer and content creator. Follow her on Twitter at @ellieoftheveil.
For show notes, please visit humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Autumn Burchett is a streamer, MPL member and Star City Games writer. They became the English National Champion in back-to-back years in 2017 and 2018, and then in 2019 won Mythic Championship I in Cleveland.
For show notes, please visit humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Austin Bursavich is a high-level MTG player and streamer. He was banned from competitive play on May 24, 2020.
For show notes, please visit humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Ally Warfield is an MTG streamer and Rivals League member. Her notable tournament finishes include a Grand Prix Top 4, MCVII Top 16, and MagicFest Online Top 8.
For show notes, please visit humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Reid Duke is an MTG Hall of Famer and member of the Magic Pro League.
For show notes, please visit humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Jim Davis is a professional Magic player, content creator and winner of the 2015 SCG Tour Players Championship. Find Jim on Twitch, Twitter and YouTube: "JimDavisMTG"
James's YouTube channel: "Past in James" -- https://bit.ly/38XRDfL
James's book: “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” -- humansofmagic.com
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Matt Sperling is a content creator, member of the Rivals league and 2019 Mythic Championship finalist. His YouTube channel is called "Magic: The Gathering for Advanced Players."
New book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available. Details at humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound.
Bloody is a Magic player and streamer: twitch.tv/bloody.
New book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available. Details at humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound.
The Professor is the creator of Tolarian Community College, the #1 subscribed Magic: The Gathering YouTube channel.
New book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available. Details at humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound.
Zac Hill is the co-founder and COO of The Future Project. He is a former lead game designer at Wizards R&D and a Pro Tour veteran with a Top 8 finish at PT Honolulu '09.
New book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available on Amazon. Get more details at humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound.
Here is the "Ask Me Anything" episode, in which I answer YOUR submitted questions. Find the question list at humansofmagic.com.
New book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available on Amazon. Get more details at humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound.
Lucas Esper Berthoud is a lawyer, professional Magic player and Pro Tour Aether Revolt champion. He is based in São Paulo, Brazil.
New book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available on Amazon. Get more details at humansofmagic.com.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound.
Andrea Mengucci is a member of the MPL, Mythic Invitational champion, content creator, and major advocate for the Legacy format.
New book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available on Amazon. Get your copy today!
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound.
Vincent Chandler, a.k.a. Pleasant Kenobi, is an MTG content creator, Minotaur lover, and self-proclaimed Man with the Best Beard in Magic.
New book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available on Amazon. Get your copy today!
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound.
Julian Knab, a.k.a. ItsJulian, is the creator of the Legacy Premier League and host of the Everyday Eternal podcast. Find all his projects at itsjulian.com.
Special announcement: new book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available on Amazon. Get your copy today!
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound.
Crim Nguyen, a.k.a. The Asian Avenger, is a streamer, content creator, and musician.
Special announcement to our listeners & fans: new book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available on Amazon. Get your copy today!
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Riley Knight is an Australian writer, commentator, teacher and history buff. He is the co-host of “Arena Boys” and creator of “Half-Arsed History: A Very Serious History Podcast.”
Special announcement to our listeners & fans: new book “Humans of Magic: Interviews with the Game's Greatest Minds” is now available on Amazon. Get your copy today!
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Vincent "Deathsie" Chu has an extensive esports background -- TV show host, commentator, team manager, and competitor. He is a Twitch Partner and professional Magic streamer best known for his mastery of the Limited format.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
TarmoKat is a Magic cosplayer and lover of all things Golgari. She is best known for her character portrayals of Deathrite Shaman, Vraska, and Liliana.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
AliasV is an Arena Mythic Championship Commentator, Twitch Partner, YouTuber and self-professed Crazy Cat Lady.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Jonathan is a Canadian Magic player best known for his mastery of the Grishoalbrand deck in the Modern format. In 2018, Jonathan finished 4th in Grand Prix Toronto and won the Star City Games Team Open in Las Vegas. He is a regular member of the First Strike podcast and can be found on Twitter as @finalnub.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Gabriel Nassif is one of the greatest players to have ever played Magic, with 9 Pro Tour top eights, including 2 wins. He is a full-time streamer and member of the Magic Hall of Fame.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Paul Cheon is a commentator for Magic and esports relationship manager at Wizards of the Coast. In the past, he has held roles as a professional Magic player, full-time streamer and member of the Wizards Play Design team.
Music in this episode is brought to you by @kuplasound
Bryan Gottlieb is the host of the Arena Decklists and Head GAMs podcasts. Bryan is also a trained lawyer and play-by-play commentator for Star City Games.
Music in this episode is brought to you by Kupla. Check out Kupla's latest album "Imaginary" on all the places you find music.
Marshall Sutcliffe is the host of the Limited Resources podcast, play-by-play commentator for major Magic events (Mythic Championships, MPL Weeklies, Grand Prix), and owner of the MTG Breakdown YouTube channel.
Music in this episode is brought to you by Kupla. Check out Kupla's latest album "Imaginary" on all the places you find music.
Luis Scott-Vargas is a professional Magic player, member of the Magic Hall of Fame, and Vice President of Marketing at ChannelFireball.com. He hails from Oakland, California, and is widely considered to be the greatest Magic troll of our generation.
Humans of Magic is sponsored by CardBoard Live. CardBoard Live revolutionizes card & board game streaming by providing you with dynamic real-time information for games like Magic: The Gathering.
Cyrus Corman-Gill is an above-average Magic player. He is an Eternal Weekend Finalist, Star City Games Open champion, Vintage Super League quarterfinalist, online grinder (of the card game variety), and Twitch streamer. Cyrus also enjoys sending out cool tweets and acting as the wrestling heel of the Magic world.
Humans of Magic is sponsored by CardBoard Live. CardBoard Live revolutionizes card & board game streaming by providing you with dynamic real-time information for games like Magic: The Gathering.
Matej Zatlkaj is a man of many talents: professional Magic player, WOTC commentator, and team manager for Hareruya Pros.
Humans of Magic is sponsored by CardBoard Live. CardBoard Live revolutionizes card & board game streaming by providing you with dynamic real-time information for games like Magic: The Gathering.
Matej Zatlkaj is a man of many talents: professional Magic player, WOTC commentator, and team manager for Hareruya Pros.
Humans of Magic is sponsored by CardBoard Live. CardBoard Live revolutionizes card & board game streaming by providing you with dynamic real-time information for games like Magic: The Gathering.
Jonathan Sukenik is a Gold level professional Magic player. You can find him on Magic Online under the name Watchwolf92. Jonathan can also be seen crushing souls on the SCG and PT circuits.
We cover fun topics like Jonathan’s Magic sportsmanship, his earliest tournament successes, and a step-by-step walkthrough of the members of the Sukenik School of Crushing. We also ruminate on life and other random absurd things.
This is the last Humans of Magic episode of the year. Yes, it’s time for a holiday break. See you in 2019!
Links:
Through the Looking Glass: Grixis Delver with Jonathan Sukenik https://theepicstorm.com/looking-glass-grixis-delver-jonathan-sukenik/
The Humans of Magic interview with AJ Kerrigan https://humansofmagic.com/2018/07/18/aj-kerrigan/
GK MTG by Travis Perlee https://gkmtg.pro/
Beijing Orlov Legacy Tournament sponsored by CardBoard Live — December 15-16, 2018 https://www.reddit.com/r/MTGLegacy/comments/9v7xwz/beijing_orlov_december_1516_legacy_announcement/
CardBoard Live https://cardboard.live/
—
To support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/jameshsu
Get email updates: http://eepurl.com/dK0KFY
Don’t call Andrew Elenbogen an overnight success.
Andrew won Pro Tour Guilds of Ravnica through a combination of hard work, sacrifice, and a strong drive to get better at the game. His journey this year was a challenging one, notably marked by personal tragedy.
Despite the hardships, Andrew has done a lot of great things for the Magic community in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He also has a lot of strong opinions about things that you wouldn’t expect.
Learn about Andrew's story on the latest Humans of Magic.
Andrew is sponsored by CardBoard Live: https://cardboard.live/
To support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/jameshsu
Get email updates: http://eepurl.com/dK0KFY
“Magic is a game about change…we’ve been spending the last twenty-five years figuring out how to make it even better.”
The legendary Mark Rosewater, Head Designer for Magic: The Gathering, joins “Humans of Magic” to discuss the finer nuances of designing for the best game on the planet. Hear Mark talk about why building a Magic set is like building a house, how his process has evolved, and why you should be excited about Magic’s future.
Timestamps:
2:55 Introductions 6:00 Mark’s family and Rosewater gaming night 10:16 Playing games with Richard Garfield 12:00 Mark’s role at Wizards—the “building a house” metaphor 14:26 What feeds exploratory and vision design? 17:58 What skillsets do Magic designers need, at each stage of the process? 22:42 The evolution of the design process—then vs. now 27:55 Designing the house for different player demographics 30:32 Compartmentalized design teams—what are the tradeoffs? 34:21 “Game design is about iteration” 40:58 Inspiring everyone working at Wizards to live the core values 44:12 Transparency, open communication, and cross-team collaboration 47:17 What does Magic need to do to stay relevant? 49:04 Thoughts on the state of Organized Play? 49:57 What advice would Mark give to a younger version of himself? 52:01 What advice would Mark give to a first-time tournament player?
Enjoy!
To support the Humans of Magic podcast go to: www.patreon.com/jameshsu
Kar Yung Tom, a.k.a. KYT, joins "Humans of Magic" for a candid conversation about his competitive roots, fakers on the Internet, and the power of social media.
KYT is the founder of manadeprived.com. He produces the amazing First Strike Podcast and serves as the Social Media Coordinator for Face to Face Games.
KYT's Twitter: https://twitter.com/kytmagic
First Strike podcast: http://magic.facetofacegames.com/podcasts/first-strike/
To support the Humans of Magic podcast go to: https://www.patreon.com/jameshsu
Emma Handy joins the “Humans of Magic” podcast for a no-holds-barred interview.
Emma talks openly about being in the public spotlight as a transgender woman, her darkest and brightest moments, key friendships, the Magic grind, and more.
Don’t miss this conversation with one of the essential voices in Magic today.
WARNING: this podcast contains adult language and topics related to self-harm, suicide, depression, and taking illegal substances. Listener beware.
To support the podcast please visit: www.patreon.com/jameshsu
Emma Handy joins the “Humans of Magic” podcast for a no-holds-barred interview.
Emma talks openly about being in the public spotlight as a transgender woman, her darkest and brightest moments, key friendships, the Magic grind, and more.
Don’t miss this conversation with one of the essential voices in Magic today.
WARNING: this podcast contains adult language and topics related to self-harm, suicide, depression, and taking illegal substances. Listener beware.
To support the podcast please visit: www.patreon.com/jameshsu
“Humans of Magic” presents: AJ Kerrigan.
What twenty-year old can say that he’s played Magic for literally half his life? AJ broke into the competitive Magic scene as a youngster and has never stopped improving his mental approach with the game.
After a rough patch in the public spotlight, he has come out stronger and wiser than ever. Learn about how AJ optimizes performance, surrounds himself with a great group of friends, and plays Magic with purpose.
Here is our full conversation, in which we discuss:
- AJ’s Magic origin story
- Lessons learned as a content creator
- Playing Magic for the right reasons
- His experiences in the Magic judging community
- Why he loves playing The Epic Storm in the Legacy format
- His best friend in Magic, Jonathan Sukenik
- Similarities between gaming and options trading ...and much, much more!
Enjoy!
“Humans of Magic” presents: Jon Finkel. Jon is one of the greatest Magic players ever and a member of the Magic Hall of Fame. To use a basketball analogy, he is undeniably the Michael Jordan of Magic. Jon is a Managing Partner at Landscape Capital Management, LLC, a hedge fund that prides itself on investing in non-traditional ways.
Here is our full conversation, in which we discuss:
- Jon’s first encounters with Magic
- Pro Tour memories
- Being part of the Ultimate Guard Pro Team
- Impressions on the state of the game today
- Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan
- Jon’s scholarship fund for Magic players: gamershelpinggamers.org ...and much, much more!
Enjoy!
--
Jon Finkel -- @Jonnymagic00
“Humans of Magic” presents: Ari Lax. Ari is the Pro Tour Khans of Tarkir Champion, member of Team Massdrop, and writer for Starcitygames.com.
Here is our full conversation, in which we discuss:
- The process of preparing for Pro Tours: before, during, and after
- Similarities between preparing for the Pro Tour vs. job interviews
- Leveling up as a player
- Balance: finding it, or lack thereof
- How to have good debates or conversations with people
- Advice for new tournament players ...and much, much more!
Enjoy!
--
Ari Lax -- @armlx
I am pleased to present this conversation with Alix and Jesse Hatfield. The Hatfields have left an indelible mark on the growth and evolution of the Legacy format (previously “Type 1.5”) for well over a decade. They contributed to some of the most influential decks ever built — Enchantress, Threshold, and Cephalid Breakfast, amongst many others.
Alix and Jesse also share stories of how the Northern Virginia community fostered, and continue to foster, a culture of innovation and teamwork.
Time stamps:
[01:55] Introduction
[04:30] Legendary card debates: Stifle vs. Blue Elemental Blast
[10:00] Background: growing up and first contact with Magic
[14:15] Earliest Magic card memories
[15:55] Magic’s initial allure
[19:00] First Type 1.5 tournament at the Lucky Frog
[21:32] First Type 1.5 decks played
[23:03] Mindset: what kept them going back to play
[25:12] The process of winning and tweaking decklists
[29:33] Mark Perez’s impact on the Virginia Type 1.5 community
[31:20] Other key figures: Anwar Ahmad, David Gearhart, Ian McInnes, Matt Elgin, Jack Elgin
[33:18] Anwar’s earliest influences on James as a Legacy player
[36:53] A history of friendly rivalry: Northern Virginia vs. New York / Crashing a Syracuse tournament for the first time / Major car accidents
[44:23] Format evolution, ban lists, and overall player growth
[47:57] Early banned & restricted list announcements
[51:35] The advent of ‘Threshold’ in Legacy
[55:38] Earliest ‘Threshold’ builds and card choices
[57:25] Reading Magic theory and its impact on ‘Threshold’
[59:48] Friends who contributed to ‘Threshold’ deck evolution / How Nimble Mongoose became a card
[1:03:10] Key decks of the format: Threshold, Goblins, Solidarity
[1:05:10] Tweaking ‘Threshold’ builds with different color splashes
[1:06:34] New card printings: Counterbalance and Tarmogoyf
[1:09:15] The Flash Hulk era
[1:11:53] First impressions of Tarmogoyf
[1:13:42] Creating Cephalid Breakfast
[1:15:53] Vintage and Legacy champs at Gen Con / How ‘Canadian Threshold’ came to be
[1:18:50] “Too Much Information” article series: origin, goals, reception
[1:30:51] Thoughts on the Legacy format today: is the metagame balanced and how does data support the conclusion?
[1:40:00] Call to action and shout-outs: data collection in the community
[1:41:01] Going forward, who are the key folks impacting the game in a positive way?
"I love Magic so much, I want it to be presented for what I know that it is -- and that's the best game on the planet."
I broke my recording hiatus after REALLY getting into the GAM Podcast, one of the finest competitive Magic podcasts around. Bryan Gottlieb co-hosts the show and is a poker-player-turned-bartender-turned-lawyer. So when the opportunity to interview Bryan came up, I knew that I had to go for it.
Here is our full conversation, in which we discuss:
- Bryan's childhood
- The art of content creation
- Career and life choices
- Helping others in unorthodox ways
- Why Magic is the greatest game ever
- ...and much, much more!
Enjoy!
--
Bryan Gottlieb -- @BryanGo GAM Podcast - @TheGAMPodcast
I am excited to share this conversation with Dan Signorini, a.k.a. Nitewolf9 on MTGTheSource. Dan and David Gearhart created the “Team America” deck, which started off as an elaborate joke and has evolved into the BUG / Grixis Delver decks of today. Chance are, if you have ever played or played against a Delver deck, you have been influenced by Dan’s deck building choices.
Dan is a long-standing member of the North Virginia Legacy community, which includes players such as Alix Hatfield, Jesse Hatfield, Anwar Ahmed, David Gearhart, David Price, Damon Whitby, and many others. Together, the group has developed influential decks such as Canadian Threshold, Solidarity, Dredge, Zoo, and (of course!) Team America. Dan was also one of Bob Huang’s early mentors. Bob has, in turn, popularized the de facto Grixis Delver build that we know so well today. It is no exaggeration to say that Dan and his group have been instrumental to the development of the Legacy format, and “Type 1.5” before that.
Furthermore, Dan has had a strong influence on me. When I started playing competitive Magic almost ten years ago, he was the person I learned from. Dan was the one to offer me advice on how to play the “Team America” deck and matchup tips. I would not be creating content today, or playing Magic at all, without his kindness and support.
For these reasons, this episode is very special to me. In true “Humans of Magic” fashion, the discussion touches on everything Dan cares about – family, community, music, martial arts, competitive mindset, and more. Dan speaks openly about a wide variety of topics, and I hope that you enjoy listening to it.
Time stamps:
[03:17] Introduction [09:28] Eternal Weekend [13:58] Dan’s day job [16:57] Childhood and family background [29:33] Dan’s best friend in high school [33:20] Learning martial arts [39:48] Diffusing conflict [44:08] Being curious about life [46:02] First Magic experience [48:18] The North Virginia Magic crew [54:52] On being open-minded [56:30] From Suicide Black to Team America [1:05:00] Curio Cavern [1:07:26] Thoughts on the current Legacy format [1:13:03] The ban of Sensei’s Divining Top – correct? [1:16:25] Ban Deathrite Shaman? [1:18:56] Ban Delver of Secrets? [1:21:21] More thoughts on Legacy [1:29:37] On playing well in high-level competition [1:32:50] How Dan has helped other players develop [1:34:35] What Dan’s learned from the community [1:36:14] Goals [1:37:05] Things Dan would tell himself, if he could go back five years [1:39:22] On happiness [1:41:26] Things that piss Dan off [1:46:22] Tips for new competitive players
Jarvis Yu is back. He was my first guest on the show, and I am excited to have him back. In this two-part series, I sit down with Jarvis for an in-depth conversation.
Part 1 is Jarvis’ year in review. Jarvis opens up about his accomplishments, goals, and insights for the coming year. He is also brutally honest about where he needs to improve in order to reach the next level. As Jarvis plays on the Pro Tour and is a regular on Team Massdrop East, you may find his observations helpful to your own player development.
Part 2 (THIS EPISODE) is a Legacy Lands mini-primer straight from the master himself. As one of the most accomplished Lands players on the planet—two Grand Prix Top 8 finishes, including 1 win, and a Top 16 finish—Jarvis is uniquely qualified to speak on this subject. We cover deck basics, matchups, card choices, and more. Definitely give this episode a listen if you want to unlock the intricacies of the deck.
For maximum Jarvis, make sure you listen to both parts. I hope that you enjoy listening to this double-header series as much as I enjoyed recording it.
Subscribe to “Humans of Magic” on iTunes today. And if you like what you hear, leave a review on iTunes to support the cause. And tell a friend, too :)
Read full text transcripts of “Humans” audio interviews here: www.humansofmagic.com
Jarvis Yu is back. He was my first guest on the show, and I am excited to have him back. In this two-part series, I sit down with Jarvis for an in-depth conversation.
Part 1 (THIS EPISODE) is Jarvis’ year in review. Jarvis opens up about his accomplishments, goals, and insights for the coming year. He is also brutally honest about where he needs to improve in order to reach the next level. As Jarvis plays on the Pro Tour and is a regular on Team Massdrop East, you may find his observations helpful to your own player development.
Part 2 is a Legacy Lands mini-primer straight from the master himself. As one of the most accomplished Lands players on the planet—two Grand Prix Top 8 finishes, including 1 win, and a Top 16 finish—Jarvis is uniquely qualified to speak on this subject. We cover deck basics, matchups, card choices, and more. Definitely give this episode a listen if you want to unlock the intricacies of the deck.
For maximum Jarvis, make sure you listen to both parts. I hope that you enjoy listening to this double-header series as much as I enjoyed recording it.
Subscribe to “Humans of Magic” on iTunes today. And if you like what you hear, leave a review on iTunes to support the cause. And tell a friend, too :)
Read full text transcripts of “Humans” audio interviews here: www.humansofmagic.com
Martin Juza is a “Magic: The Gathering” Hall of Famer, Platinum Pro, and self-proclaimed “Professional Tourist.” His list of achievements is nothing short of astounding: 3 Pro Tour Top 8s, 26 Grand Prix Top 8s (including 4 wins), and over 500 lifetime Pro Points. Martin is also widely considered to be one of the best Limited players of all time.
What do we talk about? • Martin’s childhood in the Czech Republic • Martin’s first Magic experiences and how he leveled up as a player • How Martin overcame the odds to turn “pro” and travel the world • Martin’s favorite places to visit — including an active volcano! • Martin’s thoughts on the current state of Limited
Subscribe to “Humans of Magic” on iTunes today. And if you like what you hear, leave a review on iTunes to support the cause. And tell a friend, too :)
Read full text transcripts of “Humans” audio interviews here: www.humansofmagic.com
This week, I want to share a conversation that I had with 21-year old wunderkind Noah Walker. Noah is a Magic player, competitor, basketball enthusiast, and...camp counselor?!?
In fact, the conversation started off quite slowly. Noah was not quite sure what to make of some stranger asking him questions over Skype.
But once we started talking about his passion for helping kids, and how he is giving back to the same summer camp that he has attended since he was eight years old...
EVERYTHING CHANGED.
We ended up having quite a good talk about everything. Family. Growing up in Massachusetts. Facing defeat and picking yourself back up. The Boston Celtics. The importance of possessing the proper mindset, especially in the heat of competition.
I certainly knew very little about Noah at the beginning of our conversation. But I walked away from our chat extremely impressed. And to think that Noah is only 21 years old -- that is pure awesome!
That is why I am excited to share this recording with you, as part of the "Humans of Magic" series.
Intro music from https://www.bensound.com
Tifa Robles wears many hats. She is the founder of the Lady Planeswalker Society, a gamer, and a mother. We first talk about her day job in gaming and how she brings the passion to gamers on a national level. Tifa also shares her principles for building inclusive gaming cultures, and the trials and tribulations of starting LPS. Last but not least, Tifa shares what it is REALLY like to be a mother — and how it has given her greater happiness and joy.
Will Jonathan is a sports psychologist. mental performance coach, and Channel Fireball contributor. In this conversation, Will gives me advice on how to improve my mental game. According to him, it is all about focusing on process instead of results. And guess what -- it worked! Right after talking to Will, I Top 4’d a big Magic tournament during the same week! How’s that for some practical advice?
"Humans of Magic" interviews Christian Calcano, esteemed Gold Level Pro and Pro Tour Amonkhet Top 8 finalist. We go into Christian's backstory and how he feels about the game today.
Please share this podcast with your friends! We have a lot of great content planned for this year -- subscribe now to make sure you don't miss any episodes.
We are back with the first 2017 episode of “Humans of Magic”! Our first guest of the year is Kai Sawatari.
Kai is half-German, half-Japanese, all amazing. He’s a serious Legacy player with 4th and 17th place finishes at Grand Prix events.
This podcast was hilarious. We talk about: - How Kai’s father would let him win at games! - Getting destroyed by a Goblin Charbelcher deck when he was 12 years old! - Irrational confidence! - Bromance! - Japanese culture and the crazy smiley guy! - The biggest mistake Kai ever made as a competitive player! (spoiler: it involves sleeving up Terminus)
Too many exclamation marks, for sure. Hope you enjoy the listen!
I am pleased to have Wilson Hunter on “Humans of Magic.” Wilson is a co-host of the amazing “The Brainstorm Show” podcast, a father, and an intense competitor. Or to use his words — ultra-competitive! We talk about parenthood, the origins of his competitive drive, and growing up with Magic friends that inspire each other to perform better everyday. Wilson also self-reflects on taking losses hard, working with the community to improve his game, and the guilt that he feels in having a hobby like Magic. It gets deeply personal in places, and that’s where the learning happens. I’m grateful to know a great competitor and human being like Wilson, and hope that you’ll enjoy the listen.
Roland Chang is the only player to have won both the “Magic: The Gathering” Vintage and Legacy format World Championships. He is a mainstay on the East Coast Eternal Magic scene. What you may not know about Roland, however, is that he was close to leaving the game for good. A seriously unfortunate event almost led him down that path, but the power of the community brought him back. Like all of us, he has had his share of adversity and comebacks.
In this 1:1 interview, Roland opens up about his childhood and handling the weight of familial expectations. He talks about his involvement in social activities, seeking life balance, and finding a significant other. Join us for a glimpse inside one of the game’s fiercest competitors.
“And then I decided that’s how I want to conduct myself…and it’s worked out very well for me.”
Matt Pavlic is one of my best friends. He also happens to be the person that led me down the path of competitive Magic. I’ve had almost a decade of amazing gaming memories, in no small part due to Matt’s influence. I could not be where I am today were it not for his steady friendship and support.
Most notably, Matt’s matured a ton over the years as a person. In this conversation, he talks about growing up fast and getting a new outlook on life. He’s worked hard for everything that he has, and as a result, he has a bright future ahead of him. I am truly honored to have my friend on “Humans of Magic” to share his perspective.
“The negative stuff just kind of hits you a little bit harder.”
Gerry Thompson is a consummate pro and all-around good guy. His Magic accomplishments are plentiful. But there is another side to Gerry that he recently opened up about, in a groundbreaking Reddit post: “A Rebuttal: The Lifestyle of the Professional Magic The Gathering Player.” It’s a hard-hitting look at what it means to be a Magic pro. More importantly, Gerry opened up about this lifelong struggle with depression. It’s a great piece and I encourage you to read it if you haven’t done so already.
After reading the article, I knew that I absolutely had to talk to Gerry about the themes he explored in his writing. In this 90-minute conversation, we talk about depression, perspective, life goals, and the power of community. While the topics were heavy, we had fun in the process.
This is not your typical Magic strategy podcast. Rather, it’s about what it means to be human. You won’t want to miss it.
--- Show notes ---
“A Rebuttal: The Lifestyle of the Professional Magic: The Gathering Player” by Gerry Thompson https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/58slc5/a_rebuttal_the_lifestyle_of_the_professional/
“Gamers and Depression” by Noah Weil http://www.starcitygames.com/php/news/print.php?Article=11045
“Leffen: Resurrection” series http://www.redbull.com/us/en/esports/episodes/1331816544534/cultivation-season-2-leffen-resurrection-episode-1
“Everybody’s on their own journey, on their own spiritual path.”
If you follow Magic, chances are you’ve heard of Bob Huang. Bob is the 2015 Legacy Champion and one of the game’s top Eternal format players. He’s put several popular Delver variants on the map and has had a major impact on how the game is played. But what you might not know about Bob is his world view and perspective on life. In this talk, we discuss some of the recent things he’s gone through, the trip of a lifetime that opened his eyes to possibilities, and his changing relationship with competitive Magic. Don’t miss this chance to get to know one of the game’s brightest minds.
This week, we interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for a different kind of interview. I appear on the Power Nine Magic podcast starring Mikail Lo to spread the word about a book I wrote called "Magic: The Addiction."
That's right -- I wrote a book about Magic. It's about my personal experiences, but it's also a little bit more than that. I hope that you'll give the book a chance, because I poured my heart and soul into it. It took me down into many dark places, but there is redemption at the end.
Take a listen and you'll know what I mean. And not to worry -- we'll get back to the regular show next week.
“When I get a challenge, I really just want to be the best at what I do.”
Michael Bonde is a fixture in the Danish Magic scene, and one of the game’s most outgoing personalities. He created Magic history by becoming the first European player to win a Star City Games Open. He has also enjoyed two Top 4 finishes in Grand Prix events, along with a 17th place finish at Pro Tour Madrid. Through skillful play and collaboration with the game’s top talent, Michael has become a powerful force to be reckoned with.
In this no-holds-barred conversation, I speak to Michael about his lifelong passions for learning, teaching, and competition. He shares his earliest childhood memories, and explains how joining the military contributed to his personal and Magic development. Michael also talks openly about staying true to his goals, and the dedicated life of the grind. The overarching theme is that of self-improvement — Michael is constantly looking to raise the bar, both for himself and others. Tune in for an inside look at one of the game’s fiercest competitors.
Time stamps:
[4:20] Introduction [7:15] The Pro Tour grind [9:18] Childhood and family background [11:15] Sibling rivalry and love of sport [14:11] Rifle skills // The art of the grind [17:20] Earliest Magic memories [21:22] Discipline and the Danish military [26:33] The power of routine // New experiences [30:28] A burgeoning military career // Learning to lead [35:29] Kosovo [41:11] Transitioning back to civilian life [43:20] Adjusting to the academic world [48:02] Balancing life priorities [49:55] Leveling up in competitive Magic // Love of the game [55:53] Thomas Enevoldsen, Martin Dang, and the Secret Society of Good Magic Players [1:01:07] American life and the allure of the Pro Tour [1:07:26] Playing all the time and its positive impacts [1:09:32] Magic goals [1:11:06] Breakthrough: 17th place at Pro Tour Madrid [1:14:56] How Michael plans to further improve his game [1:17:35] Preferred style of play [1:20:02] Helping friends succeed [1:22:40] Detrimental effects of being committed to the game [1:26:25] “Magic is the place where I want to be” [1:28:58] Gratitude // Conclusion
“The most important lesson I’ve learned is letting that which truly does not matter, go.”
Damon Whitby, also known as “Parcher” on The Source, is one of the elder statesman of the Legacy format. He’s been advancing the format for over a decade. These days he can usually be found terrorizing opponents with his Dredge deck, although he has played a wide range of archetypes over the years.
This episode is filled with Damon’s experiences and musings on life. Never one to hold back, he talks about his rough childhood and what lies beneath his gruff exterior. Damon also talks about the mid-Atlantic Magic scene and some of the best players he’s interacted with. In many instances, the discussions verged into personal and life-related observations. The honesty really came through in this conversation.
As someone who grew up with The Source, I hope that I have done Damon justice in representing his views and that you will enjoy this recording.
Time stamps:
[4:33] Introduction [7:01] Early childhood // family history // Seattle memories [12:00] Hanging out with the punks [14:57] Hooked on wargames [19:58] Joining the army [20:40] Games Workshop in Maryland [22:47] Magic first impressions [27:24] Breaking out of casual play with Pros-Bloom [30:59] Meeting top local players and pros: Matt Linde, Kyle Rose, Brock Parker [36:10] How “Huey” Jensen got his nickname [38:06] Building the White Weenie deck that Linde won Nationals with [39:47] Mike Long and Tongo Nation [41:22] The greatest match ever played in Rochester draft [43:50] Success at ’98 Regionals [45:59] Transitioning to Extended and Legacy // First contact with The Source [48:32] The Virginia crew: Anwar Ahmad, The Hatfields, David Gearhart, Dan Signorini, Dave Price, and Jesse Krieger [53:25] Virginia vs. Syracuse rivalry [54:27] Perceptions of Legacy and its legitimacy [58:06] Alix Hatfield: the best deck builder [1:02:20] Mental preparation and honing one’s deck over time [1:05:31] The importance of format knowledge [1:08:43] The luckiest man in the world with Cabal Therapy? [1:10:39] “Where other people have decision trees, I see my job as pruning the trees.” [1:14:32] Dredge puts the fear into opponents // Letting opponents beat themselves [1:20:12] Team Dredge goes on a tear // Keeping things fresh [1:25:39] “I am my [tournament] record” — a fallacy [1:27:53] Learning to let go of things that don’t matter [1:29:23] On being direct [1:31:47] Perceptions people have of Damon [1:24:16] On legitimately disliking some people [1:36:22] “You don’t break somebody else’s rice bowl to refill your own.” [1:38:04] Origins of the name Parcher [1:39:22] Dan Signorini [1:45:32] Helping Dan prepare for PT Honolulu // Shaheen Soorani // Alex Majlaton [1:47:32] From one generation to the next [1:48:54] Ben Friedman’s rapid growth as a person [1:52:10] Jarvis Yu [1:55:14] “At his heart, Dan is a gigantic nerd” // judging a book by its cover [1:59:44] Why BBD is a great player [2:04:50] The power of listening // Signal to noise in the online community [2:07:10] Generalizing Magic lessons to life [2:12:50] How has the game been detrimental to Damon? [2:17:03] Shoutout to the mid-Atlantic area
“There’s really no reason to not be direct about what you want, or what you’re going for.”
Alex Majlaton is a pretty darn good Magic player, with 26 Pro Tour appearances and 8 Grand Prix Top 8’s. He is doing solid work as the mathematical mind behind Team East-West Bowl. But more importantly, he’s humble about his status as a player and incredibly passionate about giving back to the community.
Alex and I talk about his early childhood days, forays into competitive Magic, learning from experiences, and more. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to chase Pro Tour dreams, this episode is worth the listen.
Time stamps:
[3:15] Introduction [5:50] Growing up [9:02] Childhood hobbies [10:21] Washington, DC / Maryland / Baltimore [13:42] How Alex got into Magic [16:12] Earliest Magic decks [18:11] Alex’s two favorite cards of all time [20:37] Getting competitive — the why and how [27:04] The advantages of being a mathematician [30:20] The Pro Tour scene / First major success with Affinity [33:09] Affinity for Affinity (pun intended) [36:49] Alex’s approach to Magic improvement [39:11] No sacred cows — a learning breakthrough at the Pro Tour stage [44:35] Lessons from Pro Tours / Quantitative approach to Limited [49:46] Maintaining the fire [51:34] Questions that people ask Alex about [55:16] Contributing to the community = personal improvement [57:51] Team East-West Bowl / Breaking the format / Analyzing Limited [1:01:46] Magic-related goals [1:04:57] What needs to happen for Magic to advance as a game [1:07:03] How Alex plans to get from Silver to Gold status [1:09:23] What would Alex tell himself, if he could go back five years? [1:12:58] Shout-outs to Ben Friedman, Team East-West Bowl, the Maryland community, and Andrew Mitchell
What does it mean to be the best at Magic? What’s the real life cost of getting too involved in the game? As content creators, why do we do the things that we do? My audio interview with Jonathan Alexander, creator of the Grinding Station deck, concludes with Part 3.
“Humans of Magic” has been slower to release as of late, due to my real-life commitments. Nonetheless, I intend to continue interviewing cool people. Please keep listening and let me know what you think.
Check out Jonathan’s web site here: http://theweeklywars.wordpress.com/
Time stamps — Part 3:
[02:48] Legacy goals [05:41] How he plans to become the greatest [08:02] On the power level of Miracles, and not playing it [11:30] Miracles answers: “People are not willing to go far enough” [13:35] What would happen if the Legacy format had an upheaval? [16:46] Effort commensurate to success [18:42] On the recognition of effort and hard work [22:58] The negative impacts of Magic [26:12] “I definitely always wanted to do what I wanted to do” [27:25] The challenges of the grinder lifestyle [31:31] The best part of competitive Magic [34:43] “Most of the time, if you did not win the tournament, you did not deserve to win…” [37:14] The impossibility of complete consistency // X, Y and Z [40:31] How Jonathan started his blog, The Weekly Wars [41:24] Coming up with topics for the blog [46:13] Writing content in an open, accessible manner // Giving back to the community [49:18] Doing things for the love of it [51:41] Content for the masses — Jonathan’s criteria for doing it [53:46] The Storm Box (which has now been updated!) [55:48] Martin Juza likes Grim Tutor! // Be careful of the card readers
Jonathan Alexander is a Legacy-format specialist, and a good friend. What started as an innocent discussion about Magic turned into an epic podcast of sorts. Probably the most fun I’ve had so far recording for this show. At one point we asked each other, 2 hours in, if we wanted to stop or keep going. The answer was an encouraging KEEP GOING. And so we did.
There are 3 parts to this talk, that’s how crazy it was. Unfortunately (fortunately?), our hour-long discussion on hip-hop didn’t make the final cut. Jonathan and I probably need to create our own podcast show at some point.
Jonathan’s web site: https://theweeklywars.wordpress.com/
Time stamps — Part 2:
[02:32] Grinding Station origins [04:35] The perfect storm (of a metagame) [09:23] Putting it to the test with 200+ players [12:36] The natural Tendrils revelation [14:38] Card evaluation tendencies [16:31] “That was only because it was the card I wanted.” [20:04] The complexity in the game // learning through observation [21:42] Thoughts on Team America [24:39] Having a point of view [26:06] Why Jonathan didn’t play Storm in Prague [28:59] Shout out to Rodrigo Togores, GP Prague winner [30:08] Best high-level tournament finishes [32:02] Prague preparations and changing decks [34:15] “With Canadian, you’re not playing the matchup lottery that hard.” [36:35] Minimizing variance / Why Miracles is so good [38:48] Deck selection and having the right goals [40:37] “The hard part about Magic is getting X, Y, AND Z right.” [42:31] The joy of blind Cabal Therapy [45:41] Pascal Wagner, the fastest Storm pilot ever [47:38] “Can you tell me about your relationship with Kai Sawatari?” [52:46] The bromance triangle in Seattle / a debt of gratitude [54:35] No regrets [55:35] Going back to Storm [56:59] Playing Magic Online for the first time / dabbling in the Standard format [1:00:11] Goals
Jonathan Alexander is a Legacy-format specialist, and a good friend. What started as an innocent discussion about Magic turned into an epic podcast of sorts. Probably the most fun I’ve had so far recording for this show. At one point we asked each other, 2 hours in, if we wanted to stop or keep going. The answer was an encouraging KEEP GOING. And so we did.
There are 3 parts to this talk, that’s how crazy it was. Unfortunately (fortunately?), our hour-long discussion on hip-hop didn’t make the final cut. Jonathan and I probably need to create our own podcast show at some point.
Jonathan’s web site: https://theweeklywars.wordpress.com/
Time stamps — Part 1:
[03:21] Intro / the metric system [06:54] Jonathan's own intro [08:17] Family background and brief personal history [12:42] There and back again: university in Berlin [16:04] Homework? What's that? [18:09] Memorable teenage moments [23:06] Amsterdam [26:37] "It's all upside to not drink, in my eyes." [30:25] Happiness [31:13] Earliest gaming experiences [32:31] Playing Magic for the first time, and getting competitive [36:32] First Legacy deck [39:09] Local German Legacy scene [43:26] Initial breakthroughs in competitive Magic, and Mental Misstep [46:33] All time favorite decks [47:58] An ode to Canadian Threshold [51:44] The art of quoting stuff out of context / trolls [53:08] Good stuff deck vs. tempo deck / why he doesn't play Grixis delver [56:16] Incredible run at Bazaar of Moxen with Canadian Threshold [1:05:04] “Don’t be afraid to use your cards as Lightning Bolts.” [1:07:17] Starting to play Storm and the beginnings of Grinding Station
"Magic is kind of mind-blowing."
Mike Turian is one of the greatest Limited players ever in the history of the Magic Pro Tour, and a bona fide Hall of Famer. He is also a key driving force within Wizards of the Coast, having held key roles in R&D, Organized Play, Technology, Magic Online, and Magic Duels teams.
In this no-holds-barred conversation, I talk to Mike about both his illustrious playing career (Part 1) and the decade that he's spent at Wizards of the Coast (Part 2). Mike has tons of great stories and learnings to share, so please do come along for the ride!
Time stamps -- Part 2:
[02:06] How Mike started working at Wizards [05:22] The most important advice that Randy gave Mike at the beginning [06:53] Working at Wizards vs. being a competitive player — tough decision? [09:28] Winning for the community vs. for yourself [11:08] Summary of Mike’s different roles at Wizards [11:57] Insights Mike gained from the Market Research team [14:53] The best way to provide user feedback for Magic Online [15:58] The Magic expansion sets that Mike led from a development perspective [16:38] Leaving R&D to drive the Planeswalker Points program [17:14] How hard was it to leave R&D? [20:36] Most memorable R&D moments [23:25] Developing the planeswalker card type [26:35] “With [Jace, the Mind Sculptor] we wanted to make a card that people loved, and I think we accomplished that.” [31:09] Favorite cards that Mike’s worked on [36:23] Advice for folks who want to work in Magic R&D [42:10] Mike’s current role in the Brand team — what does it involve? [46:53] Most exciting thing in Mike’s current role [49:54] Advantages of working in the digital domain [52:08] Favorite colleagues [55:27] The unsung heroes of Wizards [56:48] Personal and career goals — and the one competitive goal he’s yet to achieve [58:15] The competitive fire, and the purity of tournament Magic
Photo Credit: Wizards of the Coast
"Magic is kind of mind-blowing."
Mike Turian is one of the greatest Limited players ever in the history of the Magic Pro Tour, and a bona fide Hall of Famer. He is also a key driving force within Wizards of the Coast, having held key roles in R&D, Organized Play, Technology, Magic Online, and Magic Duels teams.
In this no-holds-barred conversation, I talk to Mike about both his illustrious playing career (Part 1) and the decade that he's spent at Wizards of the Coast (Part 2). Mike has tons of great stories and learnings to share, so please do come along for the ride!
Time stamps -- Part 1:
[03:21] Introduction [09:49] Growing up in Pittsburgh [12:04] Earliest gaming experiences [15:51] Being competitive with his best friend [19:42] Playing Magic for the first time [29:24] Getting hooked on tournaments [32:40] Booster drafts with two packs, not three [34:34] The appeal of the Limited format [36:06] Learning the basics of Limited [38:45] The outside world through The Duelist magazine [41:10] Making a splash in larger events [43:21] Playing against Brian Kibler in Grand Prix Toronto [45:02] Mike’s first Pro Tour in Chicago [46:18] Randy Buehler [50:05] Being part of a team and preparation process [55:17] Teaming up with Gary Wise and Scott Johns [1:00:04] Skills learned through team play [1:01:10] Best Magic memories [1:03:10] On sportsmanship [1:04:16] What the Hall of Fame means to him [1:06:17] Mike’s Hall of Fame achievements [1:09:25] Focusing on Limited vs. Constructed [1:11:16] Mike’s criteria for Hall of Fame membership
Photo Credit: Wizards of the Coast
Bryant Cook is the innovator and creator of The Epic Storm deck, which is approaching its ten-year anniversary. He joins me to discuss the origins of the 1.5 format, the strong Syracuse, NY scene, and his earliest tournament successes. We also talk about fun stuff like reading opponents, table banter, and beating a turn 1 Griselbrand. This is one conversation you won't want to miss.
Time stamps:
[01:02] Introduction [03:28] Family background and origins [04:52] Earliest gaming experiences [06:18] Playing sports [06:52] Playing Magic for the first time [08:31] His first tournament [10:34] On never splitting prizes in a tournament [12:15] Improving as a player and first major tournament success [15:00] The Syracuse crew [16:29] The 1.5 scene in New York and origins of The Source [17:22] Playing combo for the first time [18:47] The beginnings of The Epic Storm [22:17] The beginnings of The Epic Syndicate [23:54] How Magic friends have helped him in life [25:15] Applying Magic learnings to life [25:49] First major success with The Epic Storm [27:22] Playing in Jupiter Games events and SCG Opens [30:10] Getting nervous at high-level events [32:48] Reading opponents [36:25] The origins of The Epic Storm website [38:30] Why he writes content [39:23] Dealing with online trolls and haters [40:59] Why Magic? [42:36] Why he is competitive [43:31] Tournament mindset and habits [46:35] Table banter with opponents [48:02] Codes of conduct and ethical gaming [49:13] Most challenging Magic-related situation [51:05] Best Magic moments [55:19] Future evolution of The Epic Storm [56:38] Magic-related goals [59:43] Life-related goals [01:01:19] What would Bryant tell himself if he could go back 5 years?
Paulo Vitor Damo Da Rosa is one of the biggest names in Magic today. The Brazilian sensation joins me to discuss his life, defining tournament moments, and the one big goal he is still chasing. We also geek out about competitive bridge, League of Legends, and how to write a great Magic article. This is one conversation you do not want to miss.
Rodrigo Togores is one of the best Storm combo players on the planet. He's also super humble and fun to talk to. I talk to the Grand Prix Prague champion about his competitive gaming past in multiple card games. Rodrigo also takes me through the play-by-play of the biggest tournament of his life.
"If I'm not moving forward in some way, I feel like I'm just burning daylight."
Ben Friedman is one of the true Magic phenoms. At 23 years of age, he's already enjoyed incredible tournament success -- 3 GP Top 8s, 2 Pro Tour Top 16s, and 1 Pro Tour Top 32. Not only that, but Ben is in the running for future Hall of Fame consideration. He's a brilliant high-level Magic player, and this is only the beginning.
In this free-flowing conversation, Ben goes beyond the game to discuss his views on friendship, forks in the road, life lessons, and much more.
Thomas Enevoldsen is one of the best Danish Magic players on the planet, with two Grand Prix Top 8s, a Magic World Cup win, and 13 Pro Tours played. Thomas talks about his childhood, a lifetime of competition, and what Magic means to him. Along the way, he also talks about a critical friendship that has kept him going strong over the years.
Anh Dao is one of the best Legacy grinders in the Bay Area and a good friend of mine. We talk about his childhood in Hawaii, first forays into competitive Magic, dedication to get better, and how to play with the right mindset.
Caleb Durward is the ultimate grinder and brew-master. He's also a super funny guy. I talk to Caleb about his early playing days, breaking out at GP Columbus, scumbag betrayals, the grinder lifestyle, and much more.
I talk to Travis Woo about his love of games, crushing drafts with his brother, competitive pursuits, dealing with the online community, performing TEDx talks, and more. Travis provides plenty of food for thought.
Julian Knab is a well-known gamer and grinder, and co-founder of the Legacy Mediocre League. He's also a good friend of mine. We enjoy a free-flowing conversation about his gaming background, love of video games, and competitive journey. Many shared laughs are had along the way.
Jarvis Yu is a class act, and the consummate Magic player. We talk about his childhood, methods for improvement, and how his math background has helped him excel at the game. Jarvis also shares some exciting tournament moments.