Dissectologists

This week on Dissectologists, I sat down with Becca Taylor and Faith Lindell-Taylor from the USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association.We talked about the organization’s origin story, its role in competitive puzzling, and the many ways USA JPA is helping puzzlers find each other, whether they are racing against the clock or simply looking for people who also want to talk about puzzles all day. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dissectologists.substack.com

This week on Dissectologists, I sat down with Kelly Striemer, the founder of Villager Puzzles, a women-owned puzzle company known for its artist-centered approach and commitment to human-made art.We talked about puzzles as a way to unwind after long days, what it means to build a business around art, who gets paid when creative work succeeds, and why ownership matters. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dissectologists.substack.com

This week on Dissectologists, I sat down with Liza Fireman, puzzle collector, creator of Puzzles by Liza, and the Guinness World Record holder for the largest collection of puzzles.We talked about Ravensburger's history, quality, what it's like to tour the factory where millions of puzzles are made, and the enormous effort required to document more than four thousand puzzles for a world record.But what surprised me most was where the conversation ended up.Because after four thousand puzzles, the thing Liza remembers most isn't a puzzle at all. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dissectologists.substack.com

This week on Dissectologists, I sat down with Adam Gray, a speed puzzler, content creator, and host of Puzzled and Chatty.We talk about the first-ever Jigsaw Puzzle World Series in Germany and what happens when a hobby becomes organized, competitive, documented, and (whether the rest of the world realizes it yet or not) a sport. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dissectologists.substack.com

This week on Dissectologists, I sat down with Aimee Stewart, a self-taught, multi-media artist whose work has become some of the most beloved imagery in the puzzle world.Her puzzles are known for their richness and detail, but more than that, they’re immersive. They’re the kind of images people don’t just complete, they come back to them.And in this conversation, we explored why. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dissectologists.substack.com