I’m thrilled to take you on a journey through my puzzling year of 2024! From writing a book, competing in the World Championships and enjoying some shared puzzle time, this episode takes you through the highlights and countless completed puzzles of the past year.  It’s been an incredible journey, which wouldn't have been possible without you. Thank you for being part of my puzzling journey, whether through this podcast, my newsletter, or just sharing your love for puzzles with me. I’d love to get some feedback, so please comment on this episode or send me a DM on Instagram.

Once again huge thanks! 🧡

As the year winds down, it's time to celebrate our incredible puzzle community with the annual Jigsaw Puzzle Culture Awards! 

These awards are all about honoring puzzle culture and the people who make it shine. Now we are looking for nominees. Do you know someone who deserves recognition? Fantastic! You can nominate them using the nomination form, open until Sunday, December 8, 2024. Early next year, you'll also get the chance to vote for the winners!

This episode of The Puzzle Podcast dives into the growing trend of digital puzzling and its impact on puzzle culture. How jigsaw apps and online platforms are reshaping the puzzling experience? Can traditional puzzles thrive alongside their digital counterparts and what the future holds for puzzle enthusiasts worldwide?

This episode is produced in commercial collaboration with Ou La La Puzzles.

What's it like to start a puzzle business? In this special episode, we’ll hear the story of Sanger Safarian, the founder of the new European puzzle rental service, Ou La La Puzzles. We'll discover how Sanger turned her passion for puzzles into a thriving business, explore how Ou La La Puzzles is shaping puzzle culture through its rental service, and discuss the unique community Sanger's building along the way. Whether you're a casual puzzler or a dedicated speed puzzler, you’ll enjoy hearing about the creative themes, sustainability efforts, and the importance of personalization in the puzzling experience.

Read more about Ou La La Puzzles here 

If you have explored different puzzle brands, you’ve probably noticed that some puzzles just feel different - they are more satisfying and durable, simply just better. Let's explore why: what makes a jigsaw puzzle premium quality? 

Monica (@PuzzledAboutEverything) joins us and gives a sneak peek to the life of a puzzle influencer. Monica shares her #mypuzzlestory - how did she end up as a puzzle influencer, what inspires her, how does she do her famous deconstruction videos, and what are the pro’s and con’s of content creation? 

In addition to her engaging, inspiring and fun social media presence, Monica is also known for her puzzle events, from puzzle pub gatherings to cruises! You’ll find Monica’s tips for organizing puzzle events here

Volunteer work has had a huge impact on puzzle culture, so today we dig deep on what it's like to run a puzzle association. Valerie Coit from USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association (USAJPA) joins us and shares her insights on what it's like to do volunteer work in a puzzle association and how the local puzzle culture has developed in the USA. Val also shares her #mypuzzlestory 

For all the volunteers: thanks for giving your time and energy for this hobby and community!

You’ll find USAJPA here: USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association

Thoughts about World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships 2024: what were the highlights and downsides of the event? How did the competition go and would I go again next year?

Extra episode! World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation co-Vise President Val Coit shares her thoughts on what to expect from the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships 2024 and gives us a sneak peek behind the scenes.

PS. I'm going to join Val in the Pairs Round A live stream as a co-host!

You can watch  the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship -live stream here: World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation WJPF - YouTube
And you’ll find the schedule here: Schedule WJPC 2024 (worldjigsawpuzzle.org)

Speed puzzle coach Emilia Liberman (@puzzlewithemilia) shares her speed puzzling tips for pairs and teams and tells us about her coaching. But first, we discuss the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships 2024, which are about to begin today!

World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship -live stream: World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation WJPF - YouTube