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Artwork for Piece Talks

Piece Talks

Rob Shields
Speed Puzzling
Jigsaw Puzzles
Competitive Jigsaw Puzzling
World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship
Competitive Jigsaw Puzzles
Puzzle Competitions
USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association
Puzzle Chess
Puzzle Community
Spain
Wicker Kittens
Ravensburger
World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation
Australia
Euro Jigsaw Jam
US Nationals
Worlds
Kristen
Jigsaw Puzzle Community
Valladolid, Spain

Discussions with competitors, organizers, and puzzle makers in the competitive jigsaw puzzle world. We cover speed puzzling, puzzle chess, and pretty much any other way that people are using jigsaw puzzles to compete.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes45Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesLeisure

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Artwork for Piece Talks

Latest Episodes

World-class puzzler Caryn Knill’s usual approach to preparing for competitions was by doing puzzles, but at some point she decided that there was probably a better way, so she turned to the tool that’s apparently everywhere these days: AI.

YouTube

Hanna Lehikoinen didn't stumble into competitive speed puzzling. She sprinted straight at it. Growing up in Finland, Hanna was surrounded by puzzles and competition in equal measure, and it turned out that was exactly the right training ground. When ... more

YouTube

Emma Quirke won the UK Nationals in 2025. Rachael Chambers won it in 2026. Does that make them bitter rivals? Quite the contrary! In this episode we dig in to their intertwined history, how their differing approaches to puzzling land them within seco... more

YouTube

EB and I are joined by several of the competitors that made a splash at this year's US Nationals. The theme that kept coming up over and over? How much everyone loved this year's event. Joining us are: Alice Rowe Jessa Douglas Josh Trauger Lewis Drac... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Caryn Knill
World-class puzzler and competitive speed puzzler
Whimsy Pieces / National and World puzzle competitor
Episode: #42 - Caryn Knill + AI
Hanna Lehikoinen
Competitive puzzler from Finland
Independent competitor, Finland
Episode: #41 - Hanna Lehikoinen
Emma Quirk
Puzzling competitor and World Series participant
British/Irish puzzle community
Episode: #40 - Emma Quirke and Rachael Chambers
Rachael Chambers
Puzzling competitor and World Series participant
British/Irish puzzle community
Episode: #40 - Emma Quirke and Rachael Chambers
Alice Rowe
Competitor mentioned as a participant
Episode: #39 - US Nationals: A Love Story
Jessa Douglas
Competitor and participant
Episode: #39 - US Nationals: A Love Story
Josh Trauger
Competitor and puzzle participant
Episode: #39 - US Nationals: A Love Story
Lewis Dracobly-Helsel
New to Nationals, competitor
Episode: #39 - US Nationals: A Love Story
Louise Jackett
President of the Australian Jigsaw Puzzle Association; co-founder of the Speed Puzzling World Series
Australian Jigsaw Puzzle Association (AJPA)
Episode: #38 - Louise Jackett

Hosts

Rob Shields
Host of Piece Talks
Andrew Bradburn
Featured guest

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 38 ratings
  • Awesome Speed Puzzling content

    I’m new to the speed puzzling scene and I’m really enjoying getting to know more about the top speed puzzlers. I can’t get enough of this podcast. Great stuff!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aswizzle
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent Podcast for Puzzle Enthusiasts!

    Rob asks the best questions and has a good sense of humour.The guests are very relaxed when being interviewed which makes for a great listening experience.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ONpuzzler
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the approachable pace and clear insights from top competitors.
The host asks sharp questions and keeps the conversation relaxed, making guests open up.
Guests come across as knowledgeable and credible, enhancing trust in event and industry discussions.
The show delivers actionable tips for attendees and aspiring guests, with a community-centric vibe.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#152
Australia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#185
France/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#96
Sweden/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#140
Finland/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#150
Hong Kong/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#159
Switzerland/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#42 - Caryn Knill + AI
Q: What was your experience like at your first US Nationals, and how did it shape your approach going forward?
I placed around 20th in solo, which surprised me in a positive way and showed me there was room to improve. The experience also helped me understand the team dynamics and the pace of competition.
#42 - Caryn Knill + AI
Q: When did you first hear about competitive jigsaw puzzling, and what drew you in?
I first heard about it around 2022–2023 after seeing videos of national competitions; I was intrigued by the challenge and the community more than the competition itself.
#42 - Caryn Knill + AI
Q: Tell me about your earliest puzzle memory.
My family did puzzles all the time, especially during holidays, and I loved watching light reflect off glitter pieces to make them fit perfectly; puzzles were a constant part of family life.
#41 - Hanna Lehikoinen
Q: Were there deliberate training strategies to improve for major events, and what did that involve?
Yes, she pursued several strategies including six-week focused training, analyzing techniques with peers, edge-first tactics, and practice puzzles like Remmsnburg 500s to build intuition.
#41 - Hanna Lehikoinen
Q: How did you hear about competitive speed puzzling and decide to try it?
Discovered via social media and Finnish puzzlers, leading to a quick dive into speed puzzles and Worlds participation.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Piece Talks

What is Piece Talks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show spotlights the competitive jigsaw puzzle world, with deep dives into speed puzzling, puzzle chess, team dynamics, event formats, and community-building. Topics across episodes frequently include nationals and world championships, organizational perspectives from puzzle publishers and associations, live-event logistics, and the evolving relationship between competition and community. Notable strengths include candid guest conversations with top competitors, organizers, and industry insiders, plus practical tips for attendees and aspiring guests. The format often blends tactical strategies, behind-the-scenes insights, and personal stories that illuminate what makes this niche sport engaging for participants and fans alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for Piece Talks?

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How many listeners does Piece Talks get?

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What are the audience demographics for Piece Talks?

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How many subscribers and views does Piece Talks have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Piece Talks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Piece Talks:

1. Dissectologists
2. Puzzle Chat
3. If Books Could Kill
4. Dear Hank & John
5. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

How many episodes of Piece Talks are there?

Piece Talks launched 2 years ago and published 45 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Piece Talks?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Piece Talks?

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Piece Talks?

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What guests have appeared on Piece Talks?

Recent guests on Piece Talks include:

1. Caryn Knill
2. Hanna Lehikoinen
3. Emma Quirk
4. Rachael Chambers
5. Alice Rowe
6. Jessa Douglas
7. Josh Trauger
8. Lewis Dracobly-Helsel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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