Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast
Join Magic: The Gathering Head Designer Mark Rosewater as he shares stories, insights, and more while driving to work. Listen and learn more about how Magic is made!
Episodes
#1388: Predefined Artifact Tokens
There are a number of frequently used artifact tokens that have their rules attached to their definition in the rules. I talk about them in this episode.
#1387: Reality Fracture Limited with Ben Weitz
In this episode, I sit down with Ben Weitz, lead play designer for Reality Fracture Limited, to talk about how we approached the set for Limited.
#1386: Unenfranchised Players
I talk a lot about our enfranchised players. This episode covers the other end of the spectrum.
#1385: Being Scary
Magic has had three different evergreen keywords to express that a creature is scary (fear, intimidate, and menace). In this episode, I walk through the history of all three.
#1384: Concurrency 2026
Four years ago, I recorded a podcast episode where I talked about all the things we were working on at the time. Everything I talked about has been released, so it's time for a new concurrency podcast where I talk about things we're working on right now.
#1383: Reality Fracture Creative with Meris Mullaley
In this podcast, I sit down with Meris Mullaley, the creative lead for Reality Fracture, to talk all about its creative elements.
#1382: What Went Wrong – March of the Machine: The Aftermath
This is the start of a new series I'll do from time to time called "What Went Wrong?" In it, I examine something we made that didn't work out. I'll explain why we made it and examine the problems it had. I begin by discussing March of the Machine: The Aftermath.
#1381: Reality Fracture Design with Yoni Skolnik
In this podcast, I sit down with Yoni Skolnik, the lead set designer for Reality Fracture, to talk about the set's design.
#1380: Atogs
This podcast is the history of one of Magic's hungriest creature types, one I had a huge hand in designing.
#1379: Fresh Out of Design – Reality Fracture
Back in December of 2023, I handed off the vision design for Reality Fracture. I recorded this for you to hear my thoughts at the time of handoff.
#1378: Getting the Banned Together, Part 7
This is the final part of a seven-part series based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later get banned or restricted.
#1377: Innovation
One of the important parts of doing Magic design is coming up with things players haven't seen before, but how much innovation is the right amount? In this podcast, I talk all about that issue.
#1376: Getting the Banned Together, Part 6
This is the part six of a seven-part series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam where I discussed the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later get banned or restricted.
#1375: Supply Channels
Once we print Magic cards, how do we get them to you, the players? This podcast talks about the various ways we do that.
#1374: Getting the Banned Together, Part 5
This is part five of a new series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam, where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later be banned or restricted.
#1373: Boston
My family took a vacation to Boston, so I talk about my trip and Boston's history with Magic.
#1372: Getting the Banned Together, Part 4
This is part four of a new series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam, where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later be banned or restricted.
#1371: San Diego Comic-Con 2026
In this episode, I talk about my trip to the latest San Diego Comic-Con.
#1370: Getting the Banned Together, Part 3
This is part three of a new series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam, where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later be banned or restricted.
#1369: MagicCon: Amsterdam 2026
In this episode, I talk about my trip to Amsterdam for the latest MagicCon.
#1368: Getting the Banned Together, Part 2
This is part two of a new series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam, where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later be banned or restricted.
#1367: The Hobbit Design with Annie Sardelis
In this episode, I sit down with Magic: The Gathering® | The Hobbit™ Set Design Lead Annie Sardelis to talk about the making of the set.
#1366: Getting the Banned Together, Part 1
This is the start of a new series, based on a talk I gave at MagicCon: Amsterdam, where I talk about the design of all the cards I had a major hand in that would later be banned or restricted.
#1365: Dark Night of the Soul
There comes a time for many players where the game changes in such a way that it moves away from what they loved most about it. I talk about this phenomenon and detail my own personal "dark night of the soul" experience.
#1364: Ravnica Allegiance
This is another in my series where I attempt to give every Magic expansion an episode of my podcast. Today, I talk about Ravnica Allegiance, the second set of our third visit to Ravnica.
#1363: Online Negativity
I use this episode to talk about dealing with negativity online.
#1362: Mana Curve
In this episode, I explain what a mana curve is and how they impact how we design Magic sets.
#1361: Rivals of Ixalan
This episode is another in my series where I talk about every Magic expansion. Today, I talk about Rivals of Ixalan, the second set in the Ixalan block.
#1360: Layers with Jess Dunks
One of the most complicated elements of the Magic rules is something known as "layers." I sit down with the man in charge of the rules, Jess Dunks, to help walk through an introduction to layers.
#1359: Being a Magic Artist
In this episode, I talk about the weird fact that I'm a published Magic artist on an evergrowing number of cards. Note that I recorded this before Bicycle Elemental was made public.
#1358: Mood Swings Strategy
Here, I talk about the basic strategy when playing Mood Swings. To make sure everyone gets their full allotment of Magic design episodes, this episode is bonus content.
#1357: Aether Revolt
This episode is another in my series to talk about every Magic expansion. Here, I talk about Aether Revolt, the second set in the Kaladesh block.
#1356: Inertia
In this episode, I talk about the pressures of changing things that have been the same for decades.
#1355: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 5
This episode is part five of a five-part series. In it, I go through every single Mood Swings card, in collectible number order, and talk about how they were designed, including many of the changes they went through and some strategic tips on how to play them. Note: This is a bonus episode for this week.
#1354: Quirks of Limited Edition (Alpha)
In this episode, I talk about many of the weird elements of Magic's first set.
#1353: Emotional Response
In this episode, I cover one of the main goals of game design: to create specific emotional responses in the players.
#1352: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 4
This episode is part four of a five-part series. In it, I go through every single Mood Swings card, in collectible number order, and talk about how they were designed, including many of the changes they went through and some strategic tips on how to play them. Note: This is a bonus episode for this week.
#1351: My Trip to LA in 2026
I just returned from a trip to Los Angeles, California, where I went to a red carpet event celebrating Magic: The Gathering® | Marvel Super Heroes. I then spent three days doing interviews about the set at Summer Game Fest. This podcast talks all about that trip.
#1350: Marvel Super Heroes Design
In this episode, I talk about designing Magic: The Gathering® | Marvel Super Heroes.
#1349: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 3
This episode is part three of a five-part series. In it, I go through every single Mood Swings card, in collectible number order, and talk about how they were designed, including many of the changes they went through and some strategic tips on how to play them. Note: This is a bonus episode for this week.
#1348: High Mana Value Spells, Part 2
This episode is part two of a two-part series where I talk about the designs of all the cards that have a mana value of 11 or higher.
#1347: High Mana Value Spells, Part 1
This episode is part one of a two-part series where I talk about the designs of all the cards that have a mana value of 11 or higher.
#1346: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 2
This episode is part two of a five-part series. In it, I go through every single Mood Swings card, in collectible number order, and talk about how they were designed, including many of the changes they went through and some strategic tips on how to play them. Note: This is a bonus episode for this week.
#1345: Landfall
In this episode, I talk about the history of one of Magic's greatest mechanics, landfall.
#1344: Depth
In this episode, I talk about the pros and cons of the depth of Magic's gameplay.
#1343: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 1
This episode is part one of a five-part series. In it, I go through every single Mood Swings card, in collectible number order, and talk about how they were designed, including many of the changes they went through and some strategic tips on how to play them. Note: This is a bonus episode for this week.
#1342: The Rule
What is "the rule"? Why does Magic have it? (It didn't always.)
#1341: The Phyrexian War Arc
In this episode, I talk about putting together the larger story arc of the Phyrexian War storyline from Throne of Eldraine through March of the Machine.
#1340: The Design of Mood Swings
How did I make Mood Swings into a simple, fast-paced trading card game? This episode talks about my 28 years of iteration and, for those of you interested in how a person designs a game from scratch, walks through how I created the game.
#1339: Journey Into Nyx
This episode is another in my series to talk about every Magic set release. Today, I discuss the third set in the original Theros block, Journey Into Nyx.
#1338: The History of Mood Swings
In 1998, I came up with the idea of a more accessible trading card game. That game is called Mood Swings and goes on sale starting June 1 on MagicSecretLair.com. This podcast talks about my 28-year journey to get it made.
#1337: MagicCon: Las Vegas 2026
In this episode, I talk about all about my adventures at MagicCon: Las Vegas 2026.
#1336: The Importance of Goat Guy
Who is Goat Guy? Why is he important? There's only one way to find out.
#1335: Born of the Gods
This is another in my quest to do an episode on every Magic set release. This one is about the design of Born of the Gods, the second set in the Theros block.
#1334: Identity
In this episode, I talk about the role games can play in a person's identity and how that affects our approach to designing Magic.
#1333: Secrets of Strixhaven Creative with Lauren Bond
In this episode, I sit down with Creative Lead Lauren Bond to talk about the worldbuilding of Secrets of Strixhaven.
#1332: Video Production
For eight years, I was in charge of overseeing final-day video production for the Pro Tour. In this podcast, I talk all about it.
#1331: Secrets of Strixhaven Set Design with Reggie Valk
In this podcast, I sit down with Reggie Valk, set design lead for Secrets of Strixhaven, to talk about the set's design.
#1330: Charms
This podcast talks about the history of Charms in Magic.
#1329: Secrets of Strixhaven Design
In this podcast, I talk about the design of Secrets of Strixhaven.
#1328: Nostalgia
This podcast is all about how Magic design interacts with nostalgia.
#1327: More Blogatog
It's been over a decade since I did a podcast about Blogatog, my blog where I answer questions daily, so I felt it was time for a second podcast on it.
#1326: How I Have Changed as a Designer
Last year, I celebrated my 30th anniversary of working at Wizards of the Coast and on Magic. In this episode, I look back and explore how I've changed as a designer over the last three decades.
#1325: Secret Lair with Lindsey Bartell
In this episode, I sit down with Senior Director Lindsey Bartell to talk about Secret Lair.
#1324: New Phyrexia
This podcast is another in my ongoing quest to talk about every Magic expansion. In it, I talk about the third set in the Scars of Mirrodin block, New Phyrexia.
#1323: Collector Numbers
Do I have 30 minutes of content about collector numbers? It turns out I do.
#1322: Stretching Boundaries
In this podcast, I respond to a post that proposed Magic should "stick to its fantasy roots." As a Magic historian, I make the case that Magic has been stretching the boundaries of what fantasy is since Limited Edition (Alpha). For those who like deep dives into Magic history, this episode is for you.
#1321: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Eric Engelhard
For this week's podcast, I sit down with Magic: The Gathering® | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Lead Designer Eric Engelhard to talk about the set's design.
#1320: Slideshow
One of our latest design processes involves a slideshow where we show off every card in an upcoming set and make final comments before everything is locked down. In this podcast, I talk all about the evolution of the slideshow.
#1319: Energy
This podcast is all about the journey of the energy mechanic, from its original inception during Mirrodin design all the way to its first appearance in Kaladesh and beyond.
#1318: Layering Your Mechanics
This podcast is a companion to this year's "Nuts & Bolts" column. I talk all about how to slowly add mechanics to your set.
#1317: The Magic Dojo with Frank Kusumoto
The Magic Dojo was the very first major online gathering spot for the Magic community. In this podcast, I speak with its creator, Frank Kusumoto, to talk all about it.
#1316: Mirrodin Besieged
This podcast is another in my quest to record a podcast about every Magic expansion. This time, I talk about Mirrodin Besieged, the second set in the Scars of Mirrodin block and a set with one of the most unique Prereleases of all time.
#1315: Evasion
In this podcast, I talk about a core element of every design: making sure your creatures can get through and help the game end.
#1314: BroadwayCon 2026
Every year, my oldest daughter Rachel and I attend BroadwayCon, a convention dedicated to Broadway, and each year I make a podcast about it, taking all the things I learned and comparing them to Magic design. This podcast is about this year's trip.
#1313: Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Design with Jadine Klomparens
In this podcast, I sit down with Jadine Klomparens, the play design lead for Lorwyn Eclipsed, to talk about how the set was structured and balanced.
#1312: Kai Budde
I spent eight years working on the Pro Tour overseeing the feature matches and final-day video coverage. Those eight years just happened to overlap with the greatest run in professional Magic where Pro Tour legend Kai Budde won seven Pro Tours in five years. This podcast honors Kai, who sadly passed away last week, talking all about that epic run.
#1311: Lorwyn Eclipsed Creative with Neale LaPlante Johnson
In this podcast, I sit down with Neale LaPlante Johnson, the creative lead of Lorwyn Eclipsed, to talk all about the worldbuilding for the set.
#1310: Color Matters
In this podcast, I talk about a big theme from Lorwyn Eclipsed called "color matters."
#1309: Subgames
In this podcast, I talk about a very narrow type of design: Magic cards that interrupt the game and initiate a subgame.
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