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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1330Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast

Latest Episodes

This podcast talks about the history of Charms in Magic.

In this podcast, I talk about the design of Secrets of Strixhaven.

This podcast is all about how Magic design interacts with nostalgia.

It's been over a decade since I did a podcast about Blogatog, my blog where I answer questions daily, so I felt it was time for a second podcast on it.

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Lindsey Bartell
In charge of Secret Lair
Wizards of the Coast / Magic: The Gathering
Episode: #1325: Secret Lair with Lindsey Bartell
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
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 States8 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 States9 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
#11
United States/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#64
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#7
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#32
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#35
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#225
United Kingdom/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#1325: Secret Lair with Lindsey Bartell
Q: Explain to the audience how the Secret Lair queue works and why it was designed this way.
The queue enforces fairness by lining up customers in the order they arrive and provides stability for the website and payment processor, preventing chaos during high-traffic drops. Early access through a pre-queue during the hour before go-time assigns a random position, and people must stay near their computers for the first five minutes after launch to monitor fluctuations in wait times and adjust as throughput scales.
#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.

Audience Metrics

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

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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 1330 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. Lindsey Bartell
2. Eric Engelhard
3. Frank Kusumoto
4. Melissa DeTora
5. Chris Mooney
6. Jesse Falcon
7. Lauren Bond
8. Adam Prosak

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