Michelle Kasper launched the Euro Jigsaw Jam virtual competition series within four months of having her passion for speed puzzling ignited by a YouTube video, despite never seeing an online competition herself.
In this episode, we talk about what it took to bring the idea together, the vibrant community that makes it happen, and what led her to creating her own puzzles.
--------
1:45:45
--------
1:45:45
#19 - Michaela Keener
In this episode of Piece Talks, I sit down with Michaela Keener. She takes us back to the early days of the modern competitive puzzling era, from the excitement of the first Duluth Derby to how the pandemic fueled the rise of "puzzlegram" and the unique world of puzzle influencer culture.
Michaela shares her personal journey, including how the pressure of early influencer status and a documentary almost led her to step away from the sport. She talks about the about the pivotal moment at the 2023 NE Regionals, where she began her transformation from a performance-driven mindset to a growth mindset, a philosophy she applied during the intense 2023 Worlds Individuals Finals.
We also delve into her unique practice methods, from mastering the art of calming and refocusing mid-puzzle to training in public spaces to conquer distractions. It’s an inspiring story of resilience and growth!
--------
1:27:53
--------
1:27:53
#18 - Devon Donaldson
Canadian champion Devon Donaldson brings her big heart and thoughtful spirit to Piece Talks! Devon won the Canadian Nationals Individuals in 2023, the Teams in 2024, and the Pairs in the recent 2025 Canadian Nationals.
In this episode, Devon gives us a deep dive into the world of Canadian speed puzzling. She reflects on the highlights of the 2025 Canadian National Championship and the journey that led her there including how she navigated the plateaus in her puzzling growth.
We also talk about Canadian puzzlers to watch for at this year’s Worlds in September, and what she’s doing to help develop the next wave of Canadian puzzlers.
--------
1:42:09
--------
1:42:09
#17 - Kelly Walter
Kelly Walter swept the 2025 US Nationals. In this episode we talk her experiences at the major competitions, and how her approach has evolved over time, including a change in her mindset (and playlist) at the start of an event.
--------
1:34:01
--------
1:34:01
#16 - 2025 US Nationals Wrap Up
In this MEGA episode, I talk about the 2025 US Nationals with:
EB Caron
Conner DeLaat, Kimberly DeLaat, and Josh Trauger
Alice Rowe
Zak Hill
Faith Taylor and Valerie Coit
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.
USA