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Artwork for Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast

Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast

Mark Rosewater
Magic: the Gathering
Murders At Karlov Manor
Game Design
Game Mechanics
Card Design
Wizards Of the Coast
Erik Lauer
Devotion
Alpha
Mechanics
Mana Cost
Battles
Innistrad
Cons Of Tarkir
Toxic
Intimidate
Infect
Fading
Iterative Process
Vanishing

Join Magic: The Gathering Head Designer Mark Rosewater as he shares stories, insights, and more while driving to work. Listen and learn more about how Magic is made!

PublishesDailyEpisodes1324Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast

Latest Episodes

This podcast is another in my ongoing quest to talk about every Magic expansion. In it, I talk about the third set in the Scars of Mirrodin block, New Phyrexia.

Do I have 30 minutes of content about collector numbers? It turns out I do.

In this podcast, I respond to a post that proposed Magic should "stick to its fantasy roots." As a Magic historian, I make the case that Magic has been stretching the boundaries of what fantasy is since Limited Edition (Alpha). For those who like dee... more

For this week's podcast, I sit down with Magic: The Gathering® | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Lead Designer Eric Engelhard to talk about the set's design.

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Eric Engelhard
Lead designer, lead set designer of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Wizards of the Coast
Episode: #1321: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Eric Engelhard
Frank Kusumoto
Creator of The Dojo, early Magic online community leader
The Dojo/Magic Dojo
Episode: #1317: The Magic Dojo with Frank Kusumoto
Melissa DeTora
Head of the Casual Play Team
Magic: The Gathering
Episode: #1297: Commander Design with Melissa DeTora
Chris Mooney
Lead Designer for the Avatar: The Last Airbender set
Wizards of the Coast
Episode: #1293: Avatar: The Last Airbender with Chris Mooney
Corey Bowen
Lead set designer of Spider-Man for Magic: The Gathering
Wizards of the Coast
Episode: #1273: Marvel's Spider-Man Set Design with Corey Bowen
Jesse Falcon
A representative from Marvel who engaged in interviews at the event
Marvel
Episode: #1264: San Diego Comic-Con 2025
Lauren Bond
Creative lead for Tarkir Dragonstorm.
Magic: The Gathering
Episode: #1231: Tarkir: Dragonstorm Creative with Lauren Bond
Adam Prosak
Lead Set Designer for Tarkir Dragonstorm
Wizards of the Coast
Episode: #1229: Tarkir: Dragonstorm Set Design with Adam Prosak
Yoni Skolnik
Lead set designer for Aetherdrift
Magic: The Gathering
Episode: #1213: Aetherdrift Set Design with Yoni Skolnik

Host

Mark Rosewater
Host and head designer of Magic: The Gathering; long-time design historian and podcast host.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.6k ratings
  • Amazing insights on the behind-the-scenes of a game I've played on and off since the fall of 1995.

    Podchaser
    4
    Waddler
    4 months ago
  • Best way to catch up on what’s happened in Magic

    I played shortly after the game first came out, and then stepped away for 30 years. I’ve been listening to this podcast constantly for about a year now and I’ve learned so much about the game, where it came from, what they’ve been doing over the years, and where it’s going. This podcast is an invaluable resource.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sumorai
    United States7 months ago
  • Amazing

    I’ve been listening to this podcast for a while,and it’s just so awesome. A friend introduced me to magic and I’ve loved it ever since. I have Arena. I recently got my first commander deck, and I’m eagerly awaiting the Edge of Eternities drop. Thank you Mark Rosewater for this amazing podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    /53)/5!
    United States8 months ago
  • Perfect timing

    Episode released for another Drive to FNM. 😁

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DR_AVCM
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Great show, longtime listener

    Love Mark’s podcast. Only minor criticism is that his microphone seems to be popping and crackling lately, so he might have to get a new one soon. Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Mr. Fletcherr
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A few listeners wish for more structured episodes and less emphasis on interview-heavy formats.
Listeners praise in-depth design insights and behind-the-scenes history.
Fans appreciate Mark's passion and breadth of knowledge, with some noting audio quality issues.
Guests and topics are described as highly informative for aspiring designers and long-time fans alike.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#15
United States/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#91
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#29
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#67
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#189
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#31
Australia/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#1317: The Magic Dojo with Frank Kusumoto
Q: How did the dojo come to be?
Frank explains that in 1996 he started compiling Usenet posts and other early Magic content into a centralized site, driven by the lack of a single place for players to discuss Magic. Over time, it evolved into a hub for tournament reports, deck lists, and theory, attracting top players who wanted a shared metagame and a platform to publish their insights.
#1226: Replies with Rachel and Sarah
Q: What's your favorite story of your dad's health?
Rachel struggles to pinpoint a specific story, mentioning Mark's tendency to share many anecdotes from his childhood and college days. She recalls how he often tells funny stories.
#1213: Aetherdrift Set Design with Yoni Skolnik
Q: How did you ensure that vehicles remain a fun and diverse part of the game?
By ensuring each vehicle has alternate purposes and not solely relying on them for deck success.
#1170: Duskmourn Vision Design with Annie Sardelis
Q: What is your favorite part of the set?
We got a set that embodies the fun of horror while navigating the challenges of game design.
#1171: Duskmourn Art with Ovidio Cartagena
Q: How did you make a set that captures the feel of 80's horror?
We pulled from not just the 80's but also the 70's and used colored light to create an uncanny atmosphere.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on insider storytelling and design philosophy from a premier game creator, offering behind-the-scenes looks at how Magic-like systems are built, tested, and refined. Across episodes, listeners gain deep dives into mechanics evolution, set design, and the balance between fun, clarity, and complexity, all delivered through candid anecdotes and design rationales. A standout trait is the host's expertise and long-running, in-depth explorations of development history, which attract designers, enthusiasts, and strategists curious about how iconic systems come to life. The format often blends historical context with practical insights for aspiring designers and industry listeners, making it valuable for those evaluating brand str... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. MTGGoldfish Podcast
2. Limited Resources
3. The Command Zone
4. MTGGoldfish Commander Clash Podcast
5. Lords of Limited

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 13 years ago and published 1324 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Eric Engelhard
2. Frank Kusumoto
3. Melissa DeTora
4. Chris Mooney
5. Corey Bowen
6. Jesse Falcon
7. Lauren Bond
8. Adam Prosak

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