Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast

Mark Rosewater

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!

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20 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes20

Newest first

Friday · 31 min
#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.
Friday · 30 min
#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.
July 24 · 31 min
#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.
July 24 · 35 min
#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.
July 17 · 27 min
#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.
July 17 · 35 min
#1363: Online Negativity
I use this episode to talk about dealing with negativity online.
July 10 · 29 min
#1362: Mana Curve
In this episode, I explain what a mana curve is and how they impact how we design Magic sets.
July 10 · 31 min
#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.
July 3 · 30 min
#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.
July 3 · 31 min
#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.
June 26 · 32 min
#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.
June 26 · 30 min
#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.
June 26 · 33 min
#1356: Inertia
In this episode, I talk about the pressures of changing things that have been the same for decades.
June 19 · 34 min
#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.
June 19 · 29 min
#1354: Quirks of Limited Edition (Alpha)
In this episode, I talk about many of the weird elements of Magic's first set.
June 19 · 36 min
#1353: Emotional Response
In this episode, I cover one of the main goals of game design: to create specific emotional responses in the players.
June 12 · 31 min
#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.
June 12 · 29 min
#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.
June 12 · 30 min
#1350: Marvel Super Heroes Design
In this episode, I talk about designing Magic: The Gathering® | Marvel Super Heroes.
June 5 · 31 min
#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.

Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast

#1368: Getting the Banned Together, Part 2

#1367: The Hobbit Design with Annie Sardelis

#1366: Getting the Banned Together, Part 1

#1365: Dark Night of the Soul

#1364: Ravnica Allegiance

#1363: Online Negativity

#1362: Mana Curve

#1361: Rivals of Ixalan

#1360: Layers with Jess Dunks

#1359: Being a Magic Artist

#1358: Mood Swings Strategy

#1357: Aether Revolt

#1356: Inertia

#1355: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 5

#1354: Quirks of Limited Edition (Alpha)

#1353: Emotional Response

#1352: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 4

#1351: My Trip to LA in 2026

#1350: Marvel Super Heroes Design

#1349: All the Mood Swings Cards, Part 3