Puzzle Chat

Puzzle Chat

The Puzzle Chat podcast is your all-access pass to the thrilling world of puzzles with Jeff and Denice for Puzzle Month (All of January) and beyond. From fun challenges to fascinating stories, we’ve got puzzles to play, puzzle hacks to learn, and plenty of Puzzle Day and Puzzle Month fun. Learn more about the puzzle culture! What is Puzzle Month? This special month was started as an extension of Puzzle Day, which is celebrated annually on January 29th. Both Puzzle Day and Puzzle Month were founded by Jodi Jill, a professional puzzle maker and lifelong puzzle enthusiast. Her love for puzzles inspired her to share the joy of puzzling with people around the world. For over 30 years, Puzzle Day has been a day to honor puzzles of all kinds, and Puzzle Month takes it a step further - encouraging puzzle fans to enjoy puzzles for the entire month of January! Denice and Jeff want to share that love of puzzles with the world!

Episodes

January 29, 2026 14 mins

Happy Puzzle Day! Celebrated on January 29th!

It's here! Puzzle Day, which is also International Puzzle Day, is celebrated every year on January 29th. Listen to the latest Puzzle Chat episode called Puzzle Day Reminds Us that Puzzles Spark Creativity, Fun Play on January 29. Explore how this celebration highlights the joy, imagination, and connection puzzles bring into our lives and how it's celebrated on this one special ...

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How fun is it to celebrate puzzles on a day dedicated entirely to them? Listen to Puzzle Chat for an episode we call Puzzle Day Fun: Why to Celebrate on January 29th. Explore why this date has become such a joyful tradition for puzzle fans everywhere. On this episode of Puzzle Chat, we talk about the meaning behind Puzzle Day, why January 29th matters, and how this celebration brings comfort, creativity, and connection to your puzz...

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How powerful are your Puzzle Day memories when you think about the puzzles you have solved over the years? Our latest episode of Puzzle Chat entitled Puzzle Day Memories: Why Puzzles Are Emotional Anchors. We talk about how certain puzzles stay in your heart long after the pieces are back in the box and why these quiet moments become some of the strongest emotional anchors in your life. On this episode of Puzzle Chat, we explore ho...

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How meaningful are the small routines you enjoy every time you puzzle? Listen to this episode called Puzzle Day Rituals as we explore the simple habits that make January 29 feel special. Puzzle Day rituals are the tiny moments that turn puzzling into comfort, connection, and joy. On this episode of Puzzle Chat, we share how these rituals shape your puzzle experience and why they matter more than you might realize.

Including:

  • Why ...
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How energized do you feel when you start the year with a puzzle? Listen to this episode of Puzzle Chat called Puzzle Day Brain Boost: Why You Need to Play Puzzles in January as we explore why puzzles are the perfect way to wake up your mind after the holidays. Tune in as we talk about how puzzles help you refocus, reset, and find clarity during the first month of the year.

Including:

  • Why January is the ideal time for a mental res...
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How much does your favorite puzzle say about the way you think? Take a listen to Puzzle Chat where on this episode called Puzzle Personality: How Puzzles Reveal Your Hidden Thinking Style as we explore how jigsaws, crosswords, word searches, and number puzzles quietly reveal your natural strengths. If your wondering about your personality, listen as we break down the surprising ways your puzzle preferences reflect your focus, creat...

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A missing puzzle piece can stop you cold. In Find, Fix or Accept: How to Deal With a Missing Puzzle Piece, we look at what really happens when your perfect picture suddenly has a gap. One moment you feel calm. The next you are checking the floor, your sleeves, and even the family pet. This episode of Puzzle Chat shows you how to search with purpose, how to repair with confidence, and how to find peace when the piece is truly gone.

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    How satisfying are the sounds you hear when you puzzle? In this episode of Puzzle Chat called Puzzle Noises: Satisfying Sounds of Jigsaw Puzzles, Crossword Puzzle and More we explore the quiet clicks, taps, flips, and scribbles that make puzzling feel so soothing. On this episode of Puzzle Chat, we talk about why these small sounds bring comfort, focus, and joy to your puzzle moment.

    Including:

    • The soft click of a jigsaw puzzle p...
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    How confident are you solving a jigsaw puzzle without the box? Listen to this episode called Jigsaw Puzzle Playing Without the Puzzle Box Image Free Challenge. Considered the Mt. Everest of puzzle challenges, the Jigsaw Puzzle Playing with the Box Challenge isn't for the weak of heart. On this episode of Puzzle Chat, we share ideas on how to focus on this challenge to complete the jigsaw puzzle. 

    Including:

    • Avoiding chaos by...
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    Do you have Puzzle Neck? On this episode of Puzzle Chat entitled Puzzle Neck, we look at why we need to take care of our body when playing jigsaw puzzles. If you're playing puzzles more than a few hours a week, it's important to consider if you might get Puzzle Neck. Including:

    • How Puzzle Neck Ruins Your Puzzle Playing.
    • Why Your Jigsaw Puzzle set up is Important.
    • When to Force Yourself Take a Break When Playing Puzzles.
    • W...
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    January 16, 2026 11 mins

    The table is set. The puzzle is out. Everyone insists they’re “just here to relax,” but somehow the tension starts building before the border is even finished. In this episode of Puzzle Chat, we dive into the unspoken social rules of jigsaw puzzles at home which we have called How Jigsaw Puzzles Start Family Fights.

    You’ll meet the classic puzzle personalities who lives at your home (and a few pals who invite themselves over), from ...

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    Your personal jigsaw puzzle sorting styles reveal a lot about how your brain works. The puzzle world is divided into two passionate camps. There are the strict border builders and the chaotic color hunters. In this episode of Puzzle Chat we dive into the most controversial debate in the hobby.

    • The pros and cons of digging for edge pieces versus sorting by texture or shade first.
    • Why switching your sorting method might be the key ...
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    Finding true jigsaw puzzle winter blues relief starts with the box you choose to open. When the world outside is dark and grey the last thing you need is a puzzle full of storm clouds or shadows. In this episode of Puzzle Chat we discuss why you should banish the drab pieces until spring and embrace the rainbow.

    • Why working on a difficult monochromatic puzzle can actually worsen your mood during the winter months.
    • The concept of ...
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    A jigsaw puzzle border challenge is the quickest way to inject some adrenaline into your relaxing hobby. It's a new puzzle challenge that was started by the founder of Puzzle Day. We usually think of puzzling as slow and quiet but sometimes it is fun to race against the clock. In this episode of Puzzle Chat we discuss a simple game that focuses entirely on building the frame.

    • How to set up a friendly competition with friend...
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    Picking the right jigsaw puzzle snacks is the secret to a happy stomach and a clean board. We all get the munchies during a long session but nobody wants orange Cheeto dust on their clouds. In this episode of Puzzle Chat we explore the tastiest ways to fuel your brain without ruining your masterpiece.

    • Why hard pretzels and grapes are the unsung heroes of puzzle night.
    • The funny but genius trick of using chopsticks to eat chips wh...
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    The jigsaw puzzle box top is your only map to victory yet it usually ends up sliding flat onto the table or falling onto the floor. It seems like a small annoyance but constant adjusting breaks your flow and hurts your neck. In this episode of Puzzle Chat we finally fix the mechanics of where to put the lid.

    • Why propping the box against a lamp or water glass is a recipe for disaster.
    • DIY solutions to keep the image vertical and e...
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    The guests have finally gone home and the decorations are packed away. The house is quiet, but you might be feeling the heavy slump of the post-holiday blues. Instead of rushing into stressful resolutions, this is an invitation to slow down and reset. In this episode of Puzzle Chat, we explore the concept of the Jigsaw Puzzle Detox. It's a gentle, effective way to clear your mind and beat the January gloom. It might be a quiet...

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    The sound of jigsaw puzzle piece clicks is the ultimate reward for your brain. It signals order. It signals success. In this episode of Puzzle Chat we explore the satisfying auditory side of the hobby. We discuss why that tiny snap releases dopamine and keeps you hunting for the next fit.

    • Why your brain craves the instant feedback loop of a perfect lock.
    • The difference in sound between high quality cardboard and wooden puzzles.
    • Ho...
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    We all have a comfort zone. Maybe you only build landscapes. Maybe you strictly buy one brand. But 2026 is the year to shake things up. In this episode of Puzzle Chat we look at the hobby through the eyes of a true dissectologist. We explore why sticking to the same old images might be holding you back. We discuss why stepping into the unknown is the best thing you can do for your brain.

    • What the term dissectologist actually mea...
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    Jigsaw Puzzle Glare turns a relaxing evening into a headache. If you find yourself bobbing your head just to see the difference between a dark blue piece and a black one, your lighting is wrong. In this episode of Puzzle Chat we fix your setup so you can stop squinting and start solving.

    • Master the simple "side wash" angle to banish the shine instantly.
    • Discover why your "warm" light bulbs are lying to you abo...
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