@maro254.bsky.social

2 days ago

#1328: Nostalgia | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1327 This podcast is all about how Magic design interacts with nostalgia.

My second "Drive to Work" podcast this week is about how nostalgia affects how we design Magic: share.transistor.fm/s/3b8efe44 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

2 days ago

#1327: More Blogatog | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1327 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.

This week's first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1327) is a second post on Blogatog, my daily blog. The first podcast on it was over ten years ago: share.transistor.fm/s/c8244970 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

1 week ago

#1326: How I Have Changed as a Designer | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1326 Last year, I celebrated my 30th anniversary of working at Wizards of the Coast and on Magic. In this episode, I look back and explore how I've changed as a designer over the last three decades.

For this week's second "Drive to Work" (#1326), I talk about how I've changed as a designer over three decades of making Magic: share.transistor.fm/s/3276f99f audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

1 week ago

#1325: Secret Lair with Lindsey Bartell | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1325 In this episode, I sit down with Senior Director Lindsey Bartell to talk about Secret Lair.

In this week's first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1325), I sit down with Lindsey Bartell, the senior director of Secret Lair, to talk all about it: share.transistor.fm/s/369ad987 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

2 weeks ago

#1324: New Phyrexia | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1324 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.

My second "Drive to Work" (#1324) is another in my quest to talk about every Magic expansion. Today, I talk about the third set in the Scars of Mirrodin block, New Phyrexia: share.transistor.fm/s/e60a9a40 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

2 weeks ago

#1323: Collector Numbers | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1323 Do I have 30 minutes of content about collector numbers? It turns out I do.

This week's first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1323) is all about collector numbers: share.transistor.fm/s/b8edc5c6 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

#1322: Stretching Boundaries | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1322 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 sin...

This week's second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1322) dives back into Magic's history to show that stretching the boundaries of fantasy has been in Magic's DNA from the beginning: share.transistor.fm/s/1f79879a audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

#1321: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Eric Engelhard | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1321 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.

This week's first "Drive to Work" podcast is an interview with Eric Engelhard, the lead designer of #MTGxTMNT, who talks about the set's creation: share.transistor.fm/s/c5b0f2e7 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

4 weeks ago

#1320: Slideshow | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1320 One of our latest design processes involves a slideshow where we show off every card in an upcoming set and make final comments before everything is locked down. In this podcast, I talk all about the ...

For my second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1320), I talk about something we've done near the end of design for over twenty-five years, the slideshow: share.transistor.fm/s/85ffa828 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

4 weeks ago

#1319: Energy | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1319 This podcast is all about the journey of the energy mechanic, from its original inception during Mirrodin design all the way to its first appearance in Kaladesh and beyond.

This week's first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1319) is all about the history of energy, starting in Mirrodin design and taking over a decade to find a home: share.transistor.fm/s/6f5ba384 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

1 month ago

#1318: Layering Your Mechanics | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1318 This podcast is a companion to this year's "Nuts & Bolts" column. I talk all about how to slowly add mechanics to your set.

This week's second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1318) is a companion to this year's "Nuts & Bolts" column where I explain how to slowly add mechanics to your set: share.transistor.fm/s/9b84f14b audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

1 month ago

#1317: The Magic Dojo with Frank Kusumoto | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1317 The Magic Dojo was the very first major online gathering spot for the Magic community. In this podcast, I speak with its creator, Frank Kusumoto, to talk all about it.

In this week's first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1317), I sit down with @frank-af-1.bsky.social to talk all about The Magic Dojo, the very first major online gathering spot for the Magic community: share.transistor.fm/s/f0b1a0ad audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

1 month ago

#1316: Mirrodin Besieged | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1316 This podcast is another in my quest to record a podcast about every Magic expansion. This time, I talk about Mirrodin Besieged, the second set in the Scars of Mirrodin block and a set with one of the ...

My second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1316) is another in my ongoing quest to talk about every Magic expansion. In this episode, I discuss Mirrodin Besieged, the second set in the original Mirrodin block: share.transistor.fm/s/eb5328c8 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

1 month ago

#1315: Evasion | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1315 In this podcast, I talk about a core element of every design: making sure your creatures can get through and help the game end.

My first "Drive to Work" episode (#1315) is a look at how we handle evasion (aka making sure your creatures can get through so the game ends): share.transistor.fm/s/c5c8278c audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

1 month ago

#1314: BroadwayCon 2026 | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1314 Every year, my oldest daughter Rachel and I attend BroadwayCon, a convention dedicated to Broadway, and each year I make a podcast about it, taking all the things I learned and comparing them to Magic...

For my second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1314), I talk about my yearly visit to Broadwaycon with my eldest daughter Rachel. What does a convention about Broadway teach me about Magic design? I explain: share.transistor.fm/s/a312416c audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

1 month ago

#1313: Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Design with Jadine Klomparens | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1313 In this podcast, I sit down with Jadine Klomparens, the play design lead for Lorwyn Eclipsed, to talk about how the set was structured and balanced.

In my first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1313), I sit down with @thequietfish.bsky.social to talk about the play design of #MTGLorwyn: share.transistor.fm/s/13c7d79f audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

1 month ago

#1312: Kai Budde | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1312 I spent eight years working on the Pro Tour overseeing the feature matches and final-day video coverage. Those eight years just happened to overlap with the greatest run in professional Magic where Pr...

My second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1312) is all about Kai Budde who sadly passed away last week: share.transistor.fm/s/0b9a0a16 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

1 month ago

#1311: Lorwyn Eclipsed Creative with Neale LaPlante Johnson | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1311 In this podcast, I sit down with Neale LaPlante Johnson, the creative lead of Lorwyn Eclipsed, to talk all about the worldbuilding for the set.

My first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1311) is an interview with Neale LaPlante Johnson, the creative lead for #MTGLorwyn to talk all about the worldbuilding of the set: share.transistor.fm/s/622dfb0b audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

2 months ago

#1309: Subgames | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1309 In this podcast, I talk about a very narrow type of design: Magic cards that interrupt the game and initiate a subgame.

Today's first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1309) is all about subgames: share.transistor.fm/s/08b2e3a5 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

2 months ago

#1308: Lorwyn Eclipsed Vision Design | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1308 In this podcast, I talk all about the vision design for Lorwyn Eclipsed.

Today’s second “Drive to Work” podcast (#1308) is about the vision design of #MTGLorwyn: share.transistor.fm/s/05c0279e audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

2 months ago

#1307: Why Blocks Aren't Returning | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1307 A common topic on my blog is why some players want to return to blocks. I spend this podcast talking through the various reasons this is unlikely to happen.

Today’s first “Drive to Work” (#1307) talks about why blocks won’t be returning: share.transistor.fm/s/52adac08 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

2 months ago

#1306: Subjectivity in Design | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1306 Part of a designer's job involves figuring out what to include and what not to include. In this podcast, I talk about subjectivity in Magic design.

My second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1306) talks about subjectivity in design: share.transistor.fm/s/387c66e6 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

2 months ago

#1305: Alara Reborn | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1305 In this podcast, I talk about the third set of the Shards of Alara block.

My first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1305) is looking back at the third set in the Shards of Alara block, Alara Reborn: share.transistor.fm/s/63bc2401 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

2 months ago

#1304: Upkeep | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1304 In this podcast, I call the upkeep step the appendix of Magic. Why? Listen in as I talk all about the origin and history of upkeep.

My second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1304) is about the upkeep step. Why do I call it the appendix of Magic? This podcast will explain: share.transistor.fm/s/99d06be6 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

2 months ago

#1303: Conflux | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1303 In this podcast, I talk about the second set of the Shards of Alara block, Conflux.

My first Drive to Work podcast (#1303) is about the second set in the Shards of Alara block, Conflux: share.transistor.fm/s/a1d3f9de audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

3 months ago

#1302: 30 Years, Part 4 | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1302 This is my fourth and final episode talking about 30 big design evolutions since I started working at Wizards of the Coast in October 1995. This is based on a three-part series I did in my Making Magi...

My second podcast, and last of 2025 (#1302), is the fourth and final part of my “30 Years” series talking about the 30 biggest design innovations since I got hired: share.transistor.fm/s/1c8ac87d audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

3 months ago

#1301: Resources | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1301 There are a lot of costs you can pay other than mana. In this episode, I talk about different types of resources in Magic.

Today’s first “Drive to Work” (#1301) is all about the various resources other than mana you can use as a cost: share.transistor.fm/s/842bb763 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw ##WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

4 months ago

#1300: 30 Years, Part 3 | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1300 This is part three of a four-part series talking about 30 big design evolutions since I started working at Wizards of the Coast in October 1995. This is based on a three-part series I did in my Making...

My second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1300) is part three, of four, of my "Thirty Years" series where I examine the thirty biggest design innovations since I started working at Wizards in October of 1995: share.transistor.fm/s/b943d8cf audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

4 months ago

#1299: Color Pie Evolution | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1299 In this episode, I talk about how the color pie has evolved over the last three decades.

My first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1299) is a look at how the color pie has evolved over time: share.transistor.fm/s/afec83bc audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff

@maro254.bsky.social

4 months ago

#1298: 30 Years, Part 2 | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1298 This podcast is part two of a four-part series talking about the 30 big design evolutions since I started working at Wizards of the Coast in October 1995. This is based on a three-part series I did in...

My second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1298) is part two, of a four-part series, talking about the twenty biggest design inn ovations since I started my job in October of 1995: share.transistor.fm/s/89712c39 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff