Best Sudoku Podcasts (2024)

1
From People Who've Done Hard Things (with Jordan Lundskog) | Episode 22 35:41

4h ago35:41

35:41

Telling your children that they can do hard things is one thing, but sharing stories of their ancestors—who faced great challenges—transforms that simple statement into a profound insight. When children learn that the same blood flows in their veins, the message evolves from a clichéd saying to a powerful assertion that inspires resilience. As the …

1
How to Build and Launch Successful Web Games Using AI 44:21

9m ago44:21

44:21

Daniel Tait is a prolific indie game developer who has created several popular puzzle games, including Mathler, CrossWordle, and Somplete. Despite not considering himself a professional programmer, Daniel has a knack for quickly building and launching games that capture players' attention. In this episode, we explore Daniel's journey from tinkering…

1
Turn It Into the Wind (with Erik and Emily Orton) | Episode 21 36:51

15h ago36:51

36:51

Ever wondered what it takes to turn an ordinary life into an extraordinary adventure? This episode features Erik and Emily Orton, a couple who have redefined family living through the power of intentional storytelling and daring choices. Inspired by Joseph Campbell's hero's journey, they left their stable life in New York City to spend a year saili…

1
One Game a Week: Two Years of Non-Stop Creation 33:21

7d ago33:21

33:21

Gabe Cornish is a game creator with over 40 published games on itch.io and a decade of experience in the game industry. He's worked on hit mobile titles like Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery at Jam City and more recently at Paradox Interactive. Gabe is passionate about making game development more accessible and sustainable for creators. In this epis…

1
Open Heart, Open Mind, Open Ears (with Maria Mendoza) | Episode 20 26:30

3h ago26:30

26:30

Many people take an AncestryDNA test just to get the ethnicity estimate, curious about where in the world their DNA is from. However, they often overlook that their results include a match list - thousands of people in the Ancestry network with whom they share DNA, indicating a family relationship. Sometimes a really close one. For adoptees like Ma…

1
Bootstrapping Chess.com Into 10 million Daily Players 52:04

14d ago52:04

52:04

Eric Albaest, co-founder and CEO of Chess.com, joins the podcast to discuss how he's revolutionized the world of online chess. With 5-10 million daily players and nearly $100 million in annual revenue, Chess.com has become the go-to platform for chess enthusiasts worldwide. Eric shares his journey from e-commerce to building a chess empire, startin…

1
Laugh 'Til We Cry (with Scott Seiffert and Lisa Dyson) | Episode 19 36:55

5d ago36:55

36:55

How does a country boy from Montana meet a city girl from Pennsylvania and create a life filled with laughter and deep connection? Meet storytelling powerhouses Scott Seiffert, Vice President at DreamWorks Animation, and his wife, Lisa Dyson, a dedicated middle school librarian and actress. Together, they reveal the profound ways in which stories—f…

1
Building Word Games Without Frameworks With Cassidy Williams 47:13

23d ago47:13

47:13

Cassidy Williams is a prolific content creator, developer advocate, and builder. Aaron Kardell and Joseph Rueter discuss Jumblie—a word game inspired by a coding challenge—and Cassidy's previous games. Cassidy shares her journey, the influence of her time in Spain, SEO, her love for board games like Agricola and Civ 6, and her stint as a mascot at …

1
Families Have Always Been Messy | Episode 18 29:22

26d ago29:22

29:22

When you are raised in a household of faith and then make choices that take you away from the path your parents envisioned for you since before your birth, it can cause them a lot of pain. Some parents work through their own pain and allow their love for you and the grace of their God to override their own disappointment and fears. Other parents re…

1
How to Build a Successful Art Career by Embracing Creative Selfishness 54:47

14d ago54:47

54:47

Peter Mohrbacher, creator of Angelarium, emphasizes the importance of creating art for yourself rather than trying to please others or meet market expectations. He argues that the best art comes from a place of "creative selfishness" - following your own obsessions and interests without worrying about external validation. This approach has allowed …

1
Police Don't Have Nothin' On Me (with Rusty Wright and Lisa Elzey) | Episode 17 37:56

19d ago37:56

37:56

What if the secrets to your family's past were hidden in plain sight, just waiting to be discovered? Rusty Wright’s quest began with a simple desire to know more about a grandfather he never met. What starts as a straightforward inquiry unfolds into an epic cross-country saga. Along the way, he discovers a draft card filled out in a surprising loca…

1
How to Create a Viral Puzzle Game From Scratch 1:08:26

1M ago1:08:26

1:08:26

Greg Karber is the creator of the hit murder mystery puzzle game Murdle. Greg shares the fascinating journey of Murdle's creation, from a simple puzzle made for a friend to a bestselling book series and popular daily online game. We dive into Greg's influences, how he monetizes Murdle, and the balance between game mechanics and storytelling. Check …

1
Fearless Women (with Cathy Hughes) | Episode 16 28:15

29d ago28:15

28:15

When children are raised knowing the stories of the strong, fearless women in their family tree they are more likely to feel empowered to chase their own dreams. Raised with tales of the trailblazing women in her family, Ms. Cathy Hughes, a pioneering entrepreneur and the first African American woman to head a publicly traded corporation, drew stre…

1
How to Design Board Games That People Love 40:20

28d ago40:20

40:20

Cole Medeiros' career in game design is driven by passion and authenticity. He started creating games as a child (GUBS in fourth grade) and has successfully transitioned this early interest into a professional career. His approach emphasizes the importance of genuine enthusiasm for the project, close collaboration with partners (as seen in his work…

1
Familial Sudoku (with Josh Harman) | Episode 15 24:41

2M ago24:41

24:41

Do you revel in solving a good brain teaser or completing a crossword puzzle? Climbing your family tree can feel a little like piecing together a tricky jigsaw. It is certainly about more than just collecting names on a pedigree chart like a simple dot to dot. Early in his career, Josh Harman was a young, slightly overconfident, product manager at …

1
How to Design Obsessive Games by Breaking the Rules 55:46

1M ago55:46

55:46

Zach Gage might be one of the most innovative game designers you've never heard of. He's the creator of Good Sudoku, Really Bad Chess, and 30+ other games that reimagine classic puzzles for the digital age. Now he's taking on the New York Times with Puzzmo.com We spent an hour exploring his creative process and the future of puzzle games. Check out…

1
What Is Your American Story? (with Mary Tedesco) | Episode 14 30:48

1M ago30:48

30:48

How did a simple search on Ancestry.com spark a lifelong passion, a stronger mother-daughter bond, and a stint as a host on a popular genealogy television show? Tune in to find out. As we celebrate Independence Day, join me as I chat with Mary Tedesco, the dynamic co-host of PBS's Genealogy Roadshow. Discover how her initial curiosity about her Ita…

1
Their Stories in Their Words | Episode 13 36:24

2M ago36:24

36:24

Imagine uncovering a letter from the 1800s that brings your ancestors’ harrowing Civil War experiences to life, in their own words. Finding a story written about someone in our family tree is a treasure. Finding a firsthand historical account—especially from a woman—is priceless. Martha Mills Brown and my great-granny Kerr were second cousins. In t…

1
How FreeCell Snuck Its Way Into Millions of PCs 36:45

2M ago36:45

36:45

Episode 29: Jim Horne is the creator of Microsoft FreeCell and xwordinfo.com. Jim shares his journey from early programming to joining Microsoft in 1988, where he secretly added FreeCell to Windows. His passion for crosswords led to writing for the New York Times and developing xwordinfo.com. Jim discusses his time at Microsoft, including sharing a…

1
We're Doing This Together (with Steve Cowan) | Episode 12 42:16

2M ago42:16

42:16

Have you ever wondered how family stories shape who we are today? I would like to introduce you to my dad. The storyteller who shaped my own journey into storytelling. Growing up immersed in his tales, it was inevitable that I would follow in his narrative footsteps. Now, as he enjoys his retirement years diving back into family history, our bond h…

1
Say Yes to Creativity: Tracy Fullerton's 10-Year Project 58:30

2M ago58:30

58:30

Episode 28: Tracy Fullerton is a pioneering game designer, educator, and USC Games Program Director emeritus. The conversation covers Tracy's extensive career in game design, her creation of the game 'Walden,' and her unique approach to blending philosophy with gameplay. Tracy opens up about the decade-long development of 'Walden,' the challenges a…

1
Continue to Say His Name (with Kelley Dixon-Tealer and Alva Marie Jenkins) | Episode 11 36:03

2M ago36:03

36:03

Hawkins Wilson, a Texas freedman, was sold away from Virginia as a young boy. Time and distance did not dim his memories of childhood family and friends nor his emotional connection to them. Twenty-four years later, he wrote to his "dearest relatives" through the Freedman's Bureau, introducing himself to them, not as the boy they had known but as t…

1
Sega’s Downfall Was… Sega? 1:04:20

2M ago1:04:20

1:04:20

Episode 27: Blake Harris is the acclaimed author of "Console Wars" and "The History of the Future." Blake shares his journey from a struggling screenwriter to a successful author, diving into the intense rivalry between Sega and Nintendo that defined a generation of gaming. He reveals insights into the internal conflicts at Sega that contributed to…

1
We'll Always Keep Searching (with Emily Paulson) | Episode 10 41:13

2M ago41:13

41:13

We commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day sharing the deeply moving story of Second Lieutenant William Joseph McGowan. The life of this young pilot ended on D-Day. In 2019, his remains were located in a field in France by a team from Nova Scotia and then delivered to a lab in Omaha where he was finally identified after 75 years, missing in actio…

1
Building Games at the NY Times: Interview With Jeff Petriello 1:06:03

2M ago1:06:03

1:06:03

Episode 26: Jeff Petriello, a game producer at the New York Times and a game design educator at NYU Game Center, shares his unique journey from producing movies to producing games played by millions of people. Go behind the scenes at the New York Times, learn what it's like to shepherd hits like Wordle, and create games from scratch like Strands. W…

1
One Person's Trash | Episode 9 18:13

3M ago18:13

18:13

When an unexpected email unearthed irreplaceable family heirlooms, it reminded me that people—including our own relatives—are often not quite what they seem. My grandpa’s youngest sister, Aunt Madeleine, was always a bit of an enigma within our family—emotionally distant and reserved. More than once she said things that left us all a little stunned…

1
Will He Reply? The Wordle Game That Got Away 32:02

3M ago32:02

32:02

Right before the New York Times announced they acquired Wordle in the low-mid seven figures, Aaron attempted to buy Wordle, and wordle.com. Listen to Aaron's story on why he started building games, and how that led to his attempt to purchase the popular daily word game that took the world by storm. How close did he get? Listen and find out! -- (00:…

1
L'dor V'dor - From Generation to Generation (with Howard Hochhauser) | Episode 8 23:52

3M ago23:52

23:52

Serena never spoke of her life before she married into the Hochhauser family. They knew she was from Eastern Europe and based on her age and the timing of her immigration, they knew she had suffered through the events of the Holocaust and survived. But, how she did so was a story that was never told. Nearly two decades after Serena’s death a set of…

1
How Canuckle Became a Canadian Favourite 49:18

3M ago49:18

49:18

Episode 24: In this episode, explores the journey of Mark and Jeff Rogers, creators of Canuckle and Canoku games, inspired by Wordle. It delves into their background, game development process, hiatus, renewal with added features, community engagement strategies, collaborations with other game creators and notable organizations, partnerships for spo…

1
And Then I Heard A Meadowlark Sing (with Sunny Morton) | Episode 7 27:05

3M ago27:05

27:05

Genealogist Sunny Morton didn’t even know someone was missing from her family tree until a single mention in an obituary led her to a Nun. Sister Mary Bertilla. This single name sparked a long search that culminated in the discovery of a remarkable, yet nearly forgotten, woman who dedicated herself to faith and service. Her story, encapsulated in a…

1
Crafting Delight With Words 38:19

3M ago38:19

38:19

Episode 23: In this episode, we dive deep into the creative process behind the game WordPeaks with its creator, Devin Spikowski. Discover the inspirations, design decisions, and the unique journey from concept to a game enjoyed by thousands. Check out Devin's Games and Resources: https://vegeta897.github.io/word-peaks/ https://twitter.com/vegeta897…

1
This Gathering Place (with Shelly Cowan) | Episode 6 30:06

3M ago30:06

30:06

Imagine sitting down at a family dinner where every bite is seasoned with laughter, love, and connection. You're invited to a conversation with my sister-in-law, Shelly Cowan, about an overly large family table and the powerful traditions it supports. The mother of five boys, Shelly didn't just build a table with her dad, she crafted a space of pro…

1
The Beauty of Games With Frank Lantz 1:07:25

4M ago1:07:25

1:07:25

Episode 22: This conversation features a deep and insightful discussion with Frank Lantz, the director of the New York University Game Center and an award-winning game designer. Throughout the interview, Lantz explores the intricate relationship between games, culture, and education, highlighting how games can serve as a potent medium for both arti…

1
Out of Obscurity (with Kevin Giddins and Camlyn Giddins) | Episode 5 25:21

4M ago25:21

25:21

Raised in the New York foster care system, Kevin Giddins knew his biological mother's name but not much else. But, an AncestryDNA test led him to her doorstep and an extraordinary reunion. His daughter Camlyn, caught the whole thing on film. The three of us have a meaningful conversation about the essence of these family relationships and the roles…

1
The Whole Tree (with Sunny Mahe) | Episode 4 23:54

4M ago23:54

23:54

Cultural nuances, defining moments, and raw honesty. My conversation with my dear friend, Sunny Mahe has all of these things. We also dive deep into the power of faith and family. From her Tongan heritage to her ten children, I am so inspired by the way that resilience and friendship flourish within the walls of her home. The stories that live ther…

1
Bliss It Was In That Dawn To Be Alive (with Eric Allen) | Episode 3 37:22

4M ago37:22

37:22

Have you ever wondered about the faces in those old family photos tucked away in grandma's attic? Join me as Eric Allen (Vice President of Marketing at Ancestry) and I explore the power of pictures in helping us to discover, preserve, and share our family stories. Whether it's a box of grandpa's slides from the 1940s or mom's photo album from the 1…

1
Grandma's Love for the Theater (with Lisa Elzey and Will Swenson) | Episode 2 36:29

4M ago36:29

36:29

Ruth Hale, an icon in Utah's theater world, always knew she was adopted. But, it wasn't until her grandson, actor Will Swenson, decided to take a DNA test at the urging of my producer, Lisa Elzey, that the mystery of her parentage had a hope of being solved. And, you won't believe what we uncovered! Listen in as Lisa and I share the story of sealed…

1
The Story That Lives In Me | Episode 1 34:44

4M ago34:44

34:44

From a childhood rooted in family stories to a long-standing family mystery that required solving, follow me on my journey into family history. Be reminded of the painstaking efforts once required to climb a family tree —from county by county searches in Ohio courthouses to scrolling through microfilms in Salt Lake City's vast library. And rejoice …

1
Sell or Scale? The Strategic Sale of Semantle 44:05

4M ago44:05

44:05

Episode 21: David Turner created Semantle.com, a unique word-guessing game focusing on semantic relationships. Turner shares insights on his journey from ideation to acquisition, his creative process, and upcoming projects like a graphical adventure game. We also chat about game design challenges, user testing, creativity in game development, and e…

1
Stories That Live In Us | Trailer 1:25

4M ago1:25

1:25

I created this podcast to inspire you to form deeper connections with your family - past, present, and future. All families are messy and life is constantly changing but we don’t have to allow that to disconnect us. I’ve spent my whole life discovering the power of family history and I know that sharing the stories that live in you can change every…

1
Shaping Words with Grant Warman: The Story of Polygonle 40:40

4M ago40:40

40:40

Episode 20: Grant Warman, the creator of Polygonle and Quadragonal word games, discussing the game mechanics, user feedback, collaboration with other games, and plans for future projects. Check out Grant's games and links: https://polygonle.com/ https://quadragonle.com/ https://www.reddit.com/r/polygonle/ https://discord.gg/ https://www.facebook.co…

1
Waffle: How this game reached 500k daily players 1:08:58

4M ago1:08:58

1:08:58

Episode 19: James Robinson runs the ever-popular game, Wafflegame.net. In his first-ever podcast, he shares the history of Waffle, where it is headed, and how it has reached 500,000 daily players. James discusses the game's design, user feedback, and the human-centric approach to game creation. Themes include his accidental success, and the future …

1
“It's either Minesweeper or smoking, I can't write if I have to give up both.” 55:07

5M ago55:07

55:07

Episode 18: Today's episode join me and lets explore the fascinating journey of Minesweeper through an interview with Damien Moore, the visionary behind MinesweeperGame.com. Delve into the origins of Minesweeper, the celebrities who played this game, its evolution, strategic gameplay, online community, and the intricate mathematics that define this…

1
GDC Unplugged: Our First Trip to the Game Developer Conference 13:11

5M ago13:11

13:11

Hey, Good Game podcast hosts Nate Kadlac and Aaron Kardell attend the GDC conference in San Francisco for the first time. They share their experiences at the event, interactions with different booths, and their plans for potential future participation. Check out Hey GG's games and links: https://www.hey.gg/ https://lilsnack.co/ https://poki.com/ ht…

1
From Crosswords to Squeezy: Jeff Chen's Creative Adventure 50:31

5M ago50:31

50:31

Episode 16: Today's episode features an interview with Jeff Chen, the creator of the new game Squeezy, discussing his journey in creating the game, his experience in puzzle making and writing, including the challenges and successes. Jeff also shares his writing experience and the upcoming puzzle book collaboration with Stuart Gibbs. He emphasizes t…

1
Will Sudoku ever be stopped? 53:48

6M ago53:48

53:48

Episode 15: In today's episode features an interview with Jeff Widderich, the president of Syndicated Puzzles, who discusses his background, experience on Dragon's Den, game creation, the challenges faced in the puzzle industry, and the future of game design. Widderich shares insights on the importance of spatial thinking, the necessity for new and…

1
Nerdle: The Math Game Bill Gates Loves to Play 42:23

6M ago42:23

42:23

Today we're excited to sit down with Richard Mann, the CEO and founder of Nerdle, a math game similar to Wordle. Richard discusses the development of Nerdle, the challenges of creating math games that are fun for kids, the game's advertising model, the launch of a new game called 2D Nerdle, and the importance of user feedback. We also dive into how…

1
BONUS: How To Earn a Living From Your Game, How Game Creators are Using AI, and more 37:00

6M ago37:00

37:00

We're back with Joseph, Nate, and Aaron! They discuss the past 12 episodes of the podcasts, what stood out from our conversations, how game creators earn a living from their games, and the differences between creators. The conversation ends with reflections on the progress of their business, Hey Good Game, and its growth strategy in buying and buil…

1
How Lil Snack is Redefining Daily Games 47:12

6M ago47:12

47:12

Lil Snack is a new daily game platform created by Eric Berman and Travis Chen. They talk about their approach to creating a new game every day with the desire to be an app recommended by friends in text messages. They credit AI for their ability to be nimble, noting that the technology helps with the middle part of their creative process such as re…

1
Kings, Pawns, and Coders: Turning Passion into Chessworld.net 54:59

7M ago54:59

54:59

Our recent chat with the creators of ChessWorld pushes the edges on what you might know about correspondence-style Chess as a game. Tryfon (aka Kingscrusher) and his brother Nick share how maintaining ChessWorld allows them to pursue a passion for playing chess while also earning a living. They talk about how Tryfon’s enjoyment of chess guided the …

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