Humans of Magic

Alex "Higher" Heyer is a content creator specializing in the Competitive Elder Dragon Highlander (CEDH) format. He is a member of the Playing With Power collective.

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0:03:30 parenthood

0:10:54 communication as parents

0:16:05 Higher's social work and philosophy for mentoring youth

0:25:00 Higher's childhood / getting into Magic

0:36:24 how Yu-Gi-Oh influenced Higher's Magic deckbuilding

0:42:30 multiplayer Magic: threat assessment and brewer's advantage

0:52:24 getting better at multiplayer Magic & CEDH

0:57:19 high-level post-game CEDH analysis: does it exist?

1:03:55 why CEDH? it started with Selvala

1:06:12 embracing Kenrith in CEDH

1:07:54 playing online, leveling up and mindset

1:16:05 on brewing decks and leaving a deckbuilding legacy

1:21:20 value of human connection above value of content metrics

1:22:50 the point when Higher became a content creator

1:28:35 "competitive" EDH - what does it actually mean?

1:33:30 content creator advice for collaborating with others

1:36:34 joining the Playing With Power collective

1:41:57 collaborating with The Professor for Shuffle Up And Play

1:46:54 Higher's creator goals

1:48:40 current relationship with Magic

1:50:58 Higher is a beatboxer - the LIVE performance

1:58:06 Higher makes music

1:59:05 why "Higher" as the name?

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opening track: Matt Large / High Drama / courtesy of epidemicsound.com

Show notes: humansofmagic.com

Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic

Pleasant Kenobi, a.k.a. Vince, is a Magic and Warhammer 40K content creator.

0:03:25 being embarrassed by your own stuff / creating with time constraints

0:09:15 the role of luck, privilege and timing

0:11:49 recording "Dies to Removal" with The Professor

0:16:06 Magic 30 packs & the slippery slope of high-end Magic product

0:22:36 devil's advocate argument FOR the Magic 30 packs

0:26:29 negativity works - the YouTuber's dilemma

0:27:59 James bought the Duel Masters Black Lotus

0:32:20 recent adventures: Flesh & Blood Pro Tour, 40K tournament, 40K EDH collabs

0:35:15 how Vince got into Warhammer 40K / 40K economics / proxy minis

0:41:51 what Vince loves the most about 40K / balancing 40K and Magic

0:46:09 which community is worse: 40K or Magic?

0:51:44 the Games Workshop culture

0:54:56 The Horus Heresy / the art of speaking out about certain topics

1:01:53 the tenor of online conversations: "people are just more aware"

1:04:01 Vince has a mixed ethnic heritage / using his voice to impact others

1:07:02 on giving people second chances

1:11:39 on taking in, and responding to, community feedback

1:14:47 James enjoys Vince's tweets

1:16:33 art of the effective YouTube thumbnail

1:18:11 is Twitter 'real' for Vince?

1:23:23 Vince's first Magic preview card / WOTC corporate culture

1:26:31 is being a public personality all upside? James says no

1:30:07 how Vince feels about reaching 100K YouTube subs

1:32:19 future quantifiable, tangible goals

1:35:59 tension of creating both Magic and 40K content

1:40:40 would Vince build a content team to produce more?

1:42:43 James studies how to make better YouTube videos

1:48:21 on having a unique voice, and finding YouTube success despite low production quality

1:52:32 was Vince ever tempted to "pull the plug" on 40K content?

1:54:52 thoughts on the YouTube algorithm / aligning one's content principles to goals

2:01:59 is platform diversification worth it?

2:05:12 on expecting a "return" for content creation efforts

2:08:47 on creator motivation / "the key to overnight success is years of work"

2:12:32 how Vince celebrated the 100k subs milestone

opening track: Another Notion / Watch Me Go at It / courtesy of epidemicsound.com

Show notes: humansofmagic.com

Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic

Rebell Son is a content creator, YouTuber, and UX designer.

3:20 playing 1v1 formats

8:03 on group-think and the need to play the cards to evaluate them

12:02 content creators are not incentivized to break formats

14:15 roots in the Modern format / competitive gaming issues

16:18 Rebell's first time playing Commander / playing Magic creates stories

19:02 attraction to puzzles

20:55 why Rebell gets angry as a gamer / Overwatch vs. MTG

25:30 Rebell's father

37:18 Rebell's mother

41:06 the concept of 'face' in families, the self, and Asian culture

47:14 on the complications of Asian-American identity

55:28 Rebell's accidental road to content creation: 1-minute CEDH games

1:04:37 breaking through: pushing the content 'envelope' further

1:10:19 expect the unexpected / experimentation vs. mastery

1:11:31 advice for content creators: "it's an endurance game"

1:23:37 Rebell's trans identity / the transition journey, as a creator and person

1:37:08 forays into the vtuber route: Rebell AI vs. human person

1:44:10 the intersection of business and content strategy

1:46:50 the "Untitled" project: it's all about the people

2:02:39 upgrading "Untitled": leveling up as a director and producer

2:07:31 more advice for creators: "always expect that this is NOT going to be the thing"

2:11:46 Rebell's relationship with the community / CEDH community evolution

2:20:51 Rebell on objectivity and problem-solving: go wide

2:22:58 what Rebell brings to the Commander Advisory Group (CAG)

2:30:05 the value of diversity of thought

opening track: DJ DENZ The Rooster / Christmas Morning Cartoons / courtesy of epidemicsound.com

Show notes: humansofmagic.com

Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic

Brian Kibler is a Magic Hall of Famer, pro gamer, game designer and broadcaster.

3:30 a day in the life of a Hearthstone streamer

7:02 why Brian has stayed with Hearthstone for streaming

14:48 how Brian views and experiences Commander

24:05 Post Malone convinced Brian to play Commander

32:09 James's first encounter with the Kibler playmat

37:07 there is a Brian Kibler impersonator out in the wild

40:02 Brian explains Live Action Role Playing (LARP)

47:20 what Brian enjoys about LARP

51:52 Brian's history with pets

53:49 Brian's current relationship with Magic

55:07 how Brian feels about the new Magic Organized Play system

58:38 Magic is not a spectator sport - it's meant to be experienced

1:04:19 how Brian feels about Magic coverage (or lack thereof)

1:07:28 competitive Magic has a marketing/content problem

1:12:14 Magic products should focus on the less competitive player base

1:14:28 removing the "Pro Tour" name was a big mistake

1:15:33 games are fun when they contain randomness

1:19:18 designing the "VS System" card game - and why it failed

1:23:11 why Steam's Artifact failed

1:23:41 game incentives: legitimacy vs. prize pool

1:27:28 Brian's greatest Magic tournament ever

1:28:50 how Brian feels about his Magic career

1:31:34 how Brian strengthened his mental game

1:34:40 Brian's Hall of Fame induction ceremony

1:35:26 the time Brian trolled Harvard college admissions

opening track: Sture Zetterberg / Praying for Love (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of epidemicsound.com

Show notes: humansofmagic.com

Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic

Alan of Mental Misplay is a content creator, kung fu practitioner, and student of gonzo journalism.

2:42 structuring content and accountability

10:10 streaming an EDH game: challenges & considerations

15:50 the hard reality of being a full-time creator

18:30 Alan's Magic and EDH origin story

24:35 Ramp Gang, Rebell Son and "let's record these games"

31:44 where Alan's showmanship comes from

38:41 did Alan play other constructed formats?

40:03 Alan breaks down CEDH and multiplayer dynamics

48:38 blurring the line between competitive and casual

55:42 the evolution of Alan as a player and personality

1:00:01 how the pandemic impacted Alan

1:03:56 Alan worked in sales for over a decade

1:09:00 Alan's parents

1:13:57 Alan's kung fu training and philosophy

1:29:25 James's forays into Buddhism and keeping an open mind

1:33:40 Temporal Extortion deck tech videos

1:41:27 the Mental Misplay aesthetic / Rebell is an innovator

1:45:52 gonzo performative chaos: doing floor coverage

1:57:39 Alan studied art, photography and industrial design

2:04:27 "breaking through" with content

2:08:55 Alan's mission: the travel and coverage show

2:22:05 the underlying motivation

2:32:10 has Alan ever performed stand-up comedy or improv?

opening track: Jett Everill / "Different Times" / courtesy of epidemicsound.com

Show notes: humansofmagic.com

Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic

Michael Sinclair II is a tabletop RPG performer, voice actor, and Magic content creator.

2:30 intro / career aspirations

5:03 Michael's critique of computer science

9:11 Michael recently moved back to the Pacific Northwest

15:00 what Michael loves about the Pacific Northwest

17:56 formative experiences in the US Navy

24:55 exploring communities: kink, BDSM and marginalized folks

35:55 Michael's multicultural childhood

48:47 life coaching: experience & takeaways

1:00:05 how Michael feels about his identity and roots

1:03:40 how Michael became a content creator through Dungeons & Dragons

1:10:37 the process of becoming a D&D character

1:19:32 the voice acting origin story

1:23:26 Michael's source of empathy

1:26:06 family dynamics

1:28:28 Michael's D&D career highlights

1:32:06 what Michael would tell folks who've never played D&D before

1:38:44 how Michael got into Magic: "interesting and scary" / Rakdos gang

1:47:19 working with The Professor, Jesse and Skyler

1:52:51 Michael's creator progression & the future

Show notes: humansofmagic.com/

Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic

Taalia Vess is an actor and multimedia content creator.

3:06 intro

6:10 Taalia's coffee routine

10:26 Taalia's diet

11:27 life of a creator: upcoming events

12:53 Taalia is opening up her own LGS

14:57 from Twitch to Whatnot

20:48 what will Taalia's LGS be like?

24:39 leaving the comfort zone as a creator

29:26 authenticity

33:15 parasocial relationships

35:59 being around toxic and controlling people

37:27 how Taalia started making Magic content

42:43 Taalia was an actress

43:59 early streamer growth: how Taalia did it

47:42 finding a support network: then vs. now

50:01 being in male-dominated communities

53:24 the internet makes us misbehave

57:39 working with ZBexx and other female creators

1:02:37 is there an endgame for equality and equal representation?

1:08:13 being in control as a content creator

1:12:39 how Taalia deals with burnout

1:19:16 Hunter Pence and the witches store

1:23:23 first time playing Magic

1:24:46 Taalia loves anime and horror films

1:29:28 how Taalia got into the horror genre

1:34:27 Taalia wanted to be a model

1:39:25 k-drama talk

1:41:54 Taalia's anime recommendations

1:48:44 Taalia's watching these TV shows

1:54:29 rapid-fire Q&A: Pokemon, video games, fashion, dogs

2:11:34 why the name "Taalia Vess"?

Show notes: humansofmagic.com/

Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic

Ben Seck is an Australian Magic: The Gathering player and Creative & Game Design Director.

Ben is one of the top Limited format players in the game, and the only player to have won a Grand Prix in Africa.

2:58 intro

7:24 Seattle vs. Barcelona lifestyle

14:47 career progression in the American tech industry

18:58 Ben's parents / Asian upbringing / finding Magic

23:16 landing on a game design career / nature of learning

27:46 Magic's rise alongside the early World Wide Web

35:53 ethical play in Magic

38:13 Australian Magic community

40:17 nature of offenses / societal rules / inclusion

47:38 casual vs. competitive gaming communities

51:25 what would cause Magic to fail

58:57 inside Wizards of the Coast

1:02:36 "Magic is one of the best ways to self-actualize"

1:09:14 game design goals / digital ownership / mental models

1:18:57 behavioral psychology of players / moral obligations in design

1:22:34 how to have BALANCED game discourse

1:30:14 "Magic is getting too expensive"

1:37:53 meeting Brian David-Marshall / boat ride with BDM / cooking competition

1:47:51 cooking origin story / game design gig at Upper Deck

1:52:26 game design aspirations: "auditioning" for Wizards of the Coast

2:01:52 biggest learning at Upper Deck: listen first

2:10:02 how Ben views EDH / Magic as game engine

2:19:53 creating Limited content with LSV and Marshall Sutcliffe: planning & execution

2:26:57 Marshall Sutcliffe is the BEST at what he does

2:33:52 takeaways from recording "reverse set reviews"

Show notes: humansofmagic.com/

Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic

Tappy Toe Claws is a cosplayer, content creator and microbiologist.

3:30 intro

6:51 better work situation = happier

12:16 Magic origin story

16:26 starting cosplay at 14 years old

22:06 Tappy as a kid

26:11 favorite Pokemon team

29:11 college & Midwestern cosplay: Daisho Con

34:44 what keeps Tappy engaged with cosplay?

41:17 cosplay integrity - does it exist?

44:34 generalists vs. specialists

50:53 nature of human debate

52:47 what IS cosplay?

58:53 what would you say to cosplay fans?

1:07:55 being "in character" / asking for a photo

1:19:11 lessoned learned: energy levels, costume goals

1:24:34 deeper into the Magic cosplay community

1:29:55 working with The Professor

1:33:33 Jhoira Office Hours: the origin story

1:44:23 going bigger as an MTG content creator

1:49:05 Ral Zarek

1:52:15 Game Knights

1:55:11 authenticity / public positions / identity politics

2:07:54 pressure to make statements? / cultivating a community

2:11:42 "are we all just f**ked?"

2:25:21 maintaining motivation

2:32:42 drawing boundaries

Show notes: https://humansofmagic.com/

Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic

Crim Nguyen, a.k.a. The Asian Avenger, is a musician and content creator.

3:15 hair talk

8:37 present-day grind

11:05 family

12:47 fear of flying

15:48 dealing with fear

17:42 Crim’s content creation evolution / being on multiple platforms

24:52 “can I be entertaining regardless of the game?”

27:33 changing lanes as a creator: “isn’t it fucking scary?”

32:06 reframing success and failure / switching games

36:32 planning and not planning / Devin Nash

41:21 Humans of Magic: on YouTube! / be bold and learn along the way

43:03 creating is open-ended: but you can be your harshest critic

44:58 expect the unexpected / do it for yourself

49:50 keep shooting your shot / be persistent

52:10 has Crim ever been intentionally inauthentic?

56:25 turning your energy level DOWN, not UP

59:13 content: what’s working and what isn’t?

1:03:21 how to easily burn out? focus on metrics

1:05:19 the Dunning-Kruger effect

1:09:14 is Crim a perfectionist?

1:10:50 dealing with burnout: “this saved my streaming life”

1:23:17 seeking variety / not sitting still

1:29:20 musings: the INTERVIEWER role / inside the Humans of Magic studio

1:36:57 how much accomplishment is enough?

1:39:14 “what anime do you like, James?”

1:41:26 focusing on one hobby / “my fandom goes in cycles”

Show notes: humansofmagic.com

Patreon: patreon.com/humansofmagic