
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Community, belonging, and solving puzzles (really fast).
LINKS:
EPISODE NOTES:
While some of us casually work on puzzles over days (or weeks) with family during holidays, some others of us complete puzzles in mere minutes. These folks are called Puzzle People.Â
In this 2-part series, you’ll meet a Guinness Book of World Record Holder (Tammy McLeod), professional puzzlers (Sarah Schuler), influencers (Karen Kavett), competitors, and even join Leslie as she tries to complete a puzzle as quickly as possible…kind of.Â
But this isn’t just a story about solving puzzles—it’s about how a global crisis sparked new traditions, deepened human connection, and turned an isolating time into a foundation for community and belonging. In this episode, part 1, Niche to Meet You marks 5 years of COVID through the lens of competitive speed puzzling. In a world that often feels fragmented, puzzling remains a reminder that we’re always finding ways to come together—piece by piece.
Thank you to Springbok Puzzles for sponsoring this story. We are so grateful for your support!
ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU:
Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special.Â
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.
SHOW CREDITS:Â
Senior creator/host: Leslie Thompson
Associate Script Editor: Chris ThiessenÂ
Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin Gift
Episode mastering by Kevin Morris
Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre
4.5
7272 ratings
Community, belonging, and solving puzzles (really fast).
LINKS:
EPISODE NOTES:
While some of us casually work on puzzles over days (or weeks) with family during holidays, some others of us complete puzzles in mere minutes. These folks are called Puzzle People.Â
In this 2-part series, you’ll meet a Guinness Book of World Record Holder (Tammy McLeod), professional puzzlers (Sarah Schuler), influencers (Karen Kavett), competitors, and even join Leslie as she tries to complete a puzzle as quickly as possible…kind of.Â
But this isn’t just a story about solving puzzles—it’s about how a global crisis sparked new traditions, deepened human connection, and turned an isolating time into a foundation for community and belonging. In this episode, part 1, Niche to Meet You marks 5 years of COVID through the lens of competitive speed puzzling. In a world that often feels fragmented, puzzling remains a reminder that we’re always finding ways to come together—piece by piece.
Thank you to Springbok Puzzles for sponsoring this story. We are so grateful for your support!
ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU:
Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special.Â
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.
SHOW CREDITS:Â
Senior creator/host: Leslie Thompson
Associate Script Editor: Chris ThiessenÂ
Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin Gift
Episode mastering by Kevin Morris
Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre
38,617 Listeners
43,824 Listeners
90,778 Listeners
27,244 Listeners
32,146 Listeners
26,185 Listeners
7,735 Listeners
43,230 Listeners
11,932 Listeners
1,434 Listeners
15,881 Listeners
136 Listeners
157 Listeners
214 Listeners
553 Listeners