Best PushStart Podcasts (2025)

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BONUS - Cube Gratitude 2025 11:10

Play Pause

28d ago11:10

11:10

Members of the community share what they're most thankful for this year in their cube journey. Thank you so much for your contributions! Recross the Paths will be taking a break during the month of December. More cube-shaped conversations to come in the new year! Email the show at [email protected]…

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Joey - Truly Maddening Tempo 39:09

1M ago39:09

39:09

Madness? This is TEMPO! In this conversation, Joey unpacks Truly Maddening Tempo, a decision-rich cube where every card can be used for three mana or less. We discuss the value of a consistent playgroup, making and breaking design rules, finding inspiration in other cubes, and much more. Truly Maddening Tempo on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cub…

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Sam - TL;DR || The Circle of Life 42:39

1M ago42:39

42:39

In this episode, Sam gives us an overview of both Too Long, Didn't Read, a cube where cards can't have more than five lines of text, and The Circle of Life, a cube where all of your creatures have emerge! We discuss Sam's experience at CubeCon, what he learned from feedback and what's next for his projects. We discuss considering feedback, balancin…

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BONUS - Post-Cube Vacation w/ Bones 13:00

1M ago13:00

13:00

A busy schedule means a quick bonus episode. Bones and I (on very little sleep) reflect on an amazing trip to visit friends and play games. Be part of Cube Gratitude! Send in an audio clip about what you're thankful for in the cube space. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsZ78VJIDazkuY8AZ4AKgsTVOKpwU_Ks3o4YpkkB0tui2cJw/viewform?usp=sharing…

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CrimsonYoshi - Hackett Cube 48:45

2M ago48:45

48:45

This week, John (CrimsonYoshi) guides us through the curated chaos of Hackett Cube, a low-powered environment that celebrates a mad scientist approach to repurposing cards from yesterday and today. We also explore his insightful blog detailing a year away from the project and the changes that came from the reflection. We unpack not designing at the…

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Tom - Volcano Manor 48:42

2M ago48:42

48:42

This week, Tom guides us through this deeply color-imbalanced, punishing environment where Black and Red rule and Bant offers power at a dangerous cost. This cube challenges players and design conventions in unexpected and delightful ways. We discuss building the best version of the experience you want, embracing what stands out about your project,…

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Celaena - The Menagerie: Critters and Creepers 49:37

2M ago49:37

49:37

Now we reach the grand finale, Animale, carnivale. Noises new to sea and land Issue from the skillful band. (Ogden Nash) In this conversation, Celaena guides us through The Menagerie: Critters and Creepers - a collection of fantastic beasts that defy cube conventions. This is also Celaena's first cube project! We discuss embracing the support of yo…

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An - A(n) Cube 42:31

2M ago42:31

42:31

This week, An helps answer the question "what's in a name?" Or perhaps, "what's a name in?" All 360 cards in the A(n) Cube feature An's name. We also explore her personal website where she documents different parts of her cube journey through writing. Join us as we explore thinking about thinking about cube, celebrating the joy of surprise, separat…

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Dan - Hoopin 56:28

3M ago56:28

56:28

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Leland - The An-Havva Inn 47:29

3M ago47:29

47:29

On this episode, Leland welcomes us into The An-Havva Inn, a medium-high-powered, graveyard-focused, bar cube. We explore the value of number crunching, how fixing impacts archetypes, and cherishing the Dermotaxis in your life. Leland is the host of a monthly conversational Magic-focused podcast. Be sure to check out Wild Dogs on Spotify and YouTub…

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Ben - bbsheps vintage 57:38

3M ago57:38

57:38

This week, Ben guides us through his gargantuan art project - a fully hand-drawn cube! Each card in bbsheps vintage cube was individually illustrated, painted, and cut out with a scalpel to prepare for the table. We discuss wrestling with perfectionism as an artist, evaluating legitimacy of proxies, putting part of yourself into things you care abo…

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Dirk - Trash Bag Cube 46:48

3M ago46:48

46:48

This week, Dirk talks about turning trash into treasure with the Trash Bag Cube, a collaborative project built from the local bargain bin. We also unpack his journey from a tournament grinder to a cube designer and what he's learned along the way. We explore creating positive discomfort, playing Magic for the love of the game, and remembering that …

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Andy - Lucky Paper's Cube Fellowship 57:43

4M ago57:43

57:43

Andy graciously shares his passion this week by introducing us to Lucky Paper's Cube Fellowship, an opportunity to support the community by equipping dedicated players to participate in grassroots cube events. We explore attempting to define the cube community, the necessity of intentionality in community- and relationship-building, the value and g…

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Heather - Urza's Saga Cube 48:17

4M ago48:17

48:17

This week, Heather guides us through a tour of fascinating projects, starting with Urza's Saga Cube where players begin with the namesake card in their pool. From an Ancient Tomb-centric Dan-Dan variant, to a land-rich and threat-light desert, to a Rochester Planechase draft, there's plenty to be inspired and encouraged by. We discuss constructed i…

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Jake - The Casebook of Tamiyo Planeswalker 45:08

4M ago45:08

45:08

Get a Clue! This week, Jake guides us through his mystery-inspired, blue-focused environment that centers around a Clue-creating emblem. He also talks about some of his work writing creative text for Wizards of the Coast. We discuss balancing flavor and mechanics, using every part of a design element, the value of Tamiyo in Magic fiction, and much …

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Chris - Cube Support Network 49:11

4M ago49:11

49:11

This week, Chris shares some experiences from his local cube community that shape how he engages with the game. We unpack lessons he's learned on how you can support those around you wherever you fit in the group. We explore interrogating decisions, knowing when to ask for help, seeking inspiration outside the game, and much more. Chris is iwasacas…

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J.Mul - Prismatic Desert 43:22

5M ago43:22

43:22

Recross the Paths crosses the ocean for this week's chat! In this colorful conversation, J.Mul guides us through the Prismatic Desert, an all-gold desert cube. Together we explore embracing challenging experiences, learning valuable lessons in spite of outcomes, meeting your heroes, and much more. Prismatic Desert on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.co…

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Derek - Falls Cube 41:42

5M ago41:42

41:42

This week, Derek guides us through Falls Cube, a beautiful medium-powered Eternal environment that has evolved over more than a decade. We discuss pivot archetypes, taking steps to welcome people into your cube, the joy and privilege of sharing cube with your family, and much more. Falls Cube on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/FallsC…

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Kyle & Conor & Sam - The Chicago Cube 51:33

5M ago51:33

51:33

Three heads are better than one! This week, the team behind the Chicago Cube shares their philosophy for the project and the value of working as a team. We explore the use of lighthouses in cube design, trusting your friends, a reasonable amount of trash talk, and much more. The Chicago Cube on CubeCobra⁠https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/TheChica…

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Alex W - The Oldest School 49:22

5M ago49:22

49:22

There's no school like the Oldest School! Alex guides us through The Oldest School, a nostalgic retro-frame environment where Shivan Dragon and Serra Angel rule. We discuss recreating the feel of playground Magic, the power of Thawing Glaciers, creating the cube only you can create, and more. The Oldest School on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cu…

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Jesse - Showdown at the Okk Corral 29:10

5M ago29:10

29:10

Saddle up for a wild ride through the Okk Corral! Jesse guides us through this bespoke (bespokke?) environment that celebrates everyone's favorite lumbering goblin. We discuss the importance of goals, giving players space to explore, depth behind the gimmicks, and more. Showdown at the Okk Corral on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/Ok…

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Brendan - The Kuleshov Cube 47:20

6M ago47:20

47:20

This week, Brendan guides us through The Kuleshov Cube, a non-Red, enchantment- and graveyard-focused cube. We meander through discussing the Jace test, Crash Bandicoot, legibility, tentpole cards, package-based design, and more. Brendan on bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/griselbrand.com Brendan is haganbmj on Discord The Kuleshov Cube on CubeCobra:…

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Zoydraft - Pink Sleeves 34:29

6M ago34:29

34:29

Pink Sleeves was all my joy, Pink Sleeves was my delight. This week, Stephen guides us through Pink Sleeves, the blog and the eponymous cube. We discuss atomic effects, a library of agency, how accessibility and simplicity aren't the same, and much more. Pink Sleeves (the Blog): https://zoydraft.tumblr.com/ Pink Sleeves (the Cube) on CubeCobra: htt…

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Reflections on Year One 16:22

6M ago16:22

16:22

Recross the Paths is one year old! Kade takes a moment this week to celebrate how far the project has come. For those curious, the first episode aired as a podcast on June 25th, 2024. Regular interviews resume next week. Email the show at [email protected]

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Bones - Sticker Cube 1:08:05

6M ago1:08:05

1:08:05

This week, my good friend Bones gives us a tour through the Sticker Cube, a wild project about building community through collaborative game design. We unpack the particulars of his version as well as the resources he's made available for you to create your own. We discuss managing mental load in complex projects, breaking singleton, lots of artist…

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Noah - Alternate History || Unsanctioned Old Frame Formats 56:21

7M ago56:21

56:21

This week I'm joined by Noah, the Cube Dungeon Master. We wax poetic about Old-Frame formats like Old School as well as the Alternate History Powered Cube, his take on a Vintage environment without select design decisions from the last five years. We discuss the vibes-spreadsheet spectrum, Descartes, the Cube Dungeon, and much more. Noah on CubeCob…

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Nick Z - Red Cube Wins! 47:14

7M ago47:14

47:14

This week I'm joined by Nick, a positive part of the New York cube community. Beyond dog talk, we discuss the benefits of escapism, cubing for mental health, as well as a Recross the Paths first - a live cube update! Nick on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/60f9818508b0a5103bac14d0 Red Cube Wins! on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/o…

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Zach - Turning Inspiration into Questions 59:06

7M ago59:06

59:06

This week, the incomparable Zach Barash and I joyfully meander through conversation on parenting, self-toppling carts, implicit promises, creative projects being icebergs, and much more. Zach on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/611d11c41821250566960dc8 Cascade Cube on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/cascadecube Email the sh…

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Sam Pratt - Samp's Arena Cube 50:44

7M ago50:44

50:44

What do you want out of a cube draft? In this episode, Sam talks through his experience as an avid retail limited player and how it relates to cube play and design. We discuss building toward open-endedness, power-forward design, the Twobert module, and much more. To hear more of Sam, check out his podcast, Rough Drafts! Rough Drafts (Sam's limited…

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Parker - Atavus 45:32

8M ago45:32

45:32

This week, Parker of Lucky Paper walks us through Atavus, an accessibility-focused environment that asks (and answers) foundational questions. In this conversation we discuss curatorial triangulation, helping players navigate a cloud of probability, Braum's ice cream, not listening to feedback, and much more. Parker on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.…

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Jane - The Ball Pit 1:00:00

8M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

We're having a ball! In this conversation, Jane unpacks her inaugural experiences with The Ball Pit, a desert cube where every card can be played face-down as Chromatic Sphere. Join us on this wild ride as we explore cultivating community, competitive improvisation, gravedigging for artists, and much more. The Ball Pit on CubeCobra A Firsthand Acco…

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Illuminous - Chromatic Cubes 33:55

8M ago33:55

33:55

This week, Illuminous gives us an overview of the Chromatic Cube project, a mono-colored (and colorless) exploration of color-focused cubes. We discuss singleton breaks, striving for an ideal goal, building on cube clones, and more. Illuminous is @tobyknight2013 on Discord Illuminous on CubeCobra - https://cubecobra.com/user/view/62bd188b9ed2640f77…

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Dave - The G.O.A.T. Peasant Cube 40:39

8M ago40:39

40:39

A G.O.A.T. by any other name would still be a sweet draft! This week, Dave guides us through his synergy-driven peasant environment. We discuss designing for synergy in an increasingly powerful game, "the Box," inspiration for your own cube invitational, and more. Dave is dnolan08 on Discord Dave on CubeCobra https://www.cubecobra.com/user/view/5d8…

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Alex - Upkeep | Alatta 53:53

8M ago53:53

53:53

In this conversation, Alex and I talk about cube and not about cube. We explore Upkeep, Alex's zine about cube as an outlet for other creativity, community, and chaos. Buckle up and enjoy the ride through unintentional therapy, a probably-stolen binder, heartache about foil stamps, and much more. Alex on CubeCobra - https://cubecobra.com/user/view/…

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BONUS - Feedback with Friends 12:44

9M ago12:44

12:44

Enjoy a brief archival recording this week! Jake, Joe, Bones, and I talk about feedback on a quick car ride. Midwinter: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/midwinter World War of the Spark: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/wwrav

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Scott - The Garden 54:33

9M ago54:33

54:33

"Garden as though you will live forever" - William Kent In this episode, Scott (the mind behind Upkeep New York and Cube for a Cause) shares his insight on The Garden, a context-shifting cube where players start with a Lotus Field in play. We discuss stretch goals, Type 1 cubes, the value of aesthetics in cube design, and much more. The Garden on C…

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May - Find the Fun || May's Fae Cube 53:54

9M ago53:54

53:54

May (also known as Myagic) unpacks finding the fun through May's Fae Cube! In this conversation we discuss aesthetics vs. gameplay, objective subjectivity, cube being like an ant farm, and much more. May on CubeCobra May's Fae Cube on CubeCobra May on BlueSky May is on the Uber Cube podcast! Email the show at [email protected]…

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Danny - Soskube || Cogwork Librarian 57:52

9M ago57:52

57:52

On this episode, Danny guides us through the graveyard-focused Soskube: the Second Hand. We also explore Cogwork Librarian, a tool he developed for advanced cube-building queries and creation. We discuss building toward target gameplay goals, reinventing projects that have lost their spark, using resources to go from idea to table more quickly, and…

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Ollie - The Creatureless Cube 51:54

10M ago51:54

51:54

"Creature spells? Where we're going, we don't need Creature spells!" - Ollie, probably On this episode, Ollie guides us through The Creatureless Cube and - spoiler alert - there may be some creatures along the way. We discuss building with packages, cube as shared game design, serving your players, and more. The Creatureless Cube on CubeCobra Ollie…

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Tyler - The Jund Cube 55:31

10M ago55:31

55:31

Join us in the Junderdome! In this episode, Tyler - the tyrant of The Jund Cube - guides us through this accessibly harsh tri-color environment. We discuss curating for an ethos, pitfalls and opportunities of color-restricted environments, ease-of-brain, and more. The Jund Cube on CubeCobra Tyler on CubeCobra Tyler on BlueSky Tyler is tylerpug on D…

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Mike - Ikoria at Home 44:20

10M ago44:20

44:20

Me: Can we draft Ikoria? Mike: We have Ikoria at Home. This week, Mike guides us through the 'big three' pillars of the Ikoria at Home cube - the iconic cycling archetype, kindred humans, and mutating monsters - and many of the design decisions that impact its ongoing curation. We discuss finding and building cohesion, balancing humility and intent…

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Haiyue - Casting || Oops! All Pips 52:17

11M ago52:17

52:17

This week, Haiyue unpacks the art of casting for coverage and casting ultimatums! We discuss following an emotional cadence, building for greed, holding onto the reins of your own projects, and more. Oops! All Pips on CubeCobra Haiyue on Bluesky Haiyue on Twitter Email the show at [email protected]…

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Jabs - The Modern Darlings Cube 39:56

11M ago39:56

39:56

"The modernity of yesterday is the tradition of today, and the modernity of today will be tradition tomorrow." - Jose Andres In this thoroughly Modern conversation, Jabs takes us through The Modern Darlings Cube, a nostalgic museum of pre-Magic Origins constructed Modern with some thoughtful twists. We discuss digging deep to support archetypes, te…

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Anthony - Cube Tools 55:26

11M ago55:26

55:26

This week, Anthony of Lucky Paper talks through several of the cube design tools he's helped craft as well as the joy of curating cubes and play groups. We explore building thoughtful processes, chains of eroding frustrations, and doing the best you currently can. All of the tools referenced are hosted on luckypaper.co Anthony on CubeCobra Anthony …

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Ian - The Bant Cube || Cuberviews 46:13

11M ago46:13

46:13

Blink and you'll miss it! This week, Ian shows off the value and fun of the Bant Cube. We also talk about his ongoing interview project, Cuberviews. We explore building from cards you own, designing in ways you enjoy, learning from varied perspectives, and more. Find Cuberviews anywhere fine podcasts are hosted! Ian on CubeCobra The Bant Cube on Cu…

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Gwen - Loam Cube || CubeCobra 57:22

12M ago57:22

57:22

When in Loam... This week, Gwen guides us through the intricacies of Loam Cube and talks about his role as the founder and admin of CubeCobra. We unpack considering archetypes in a color-imbalanced environment, convincing players to try new cubes, the joys and challenges of passion projects, and more. Gwen is dekkaru on Discord Loam Cube on CubeCob…

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Desert Cube Primer - Bones 27:25

12M ago27:25

27:25

This conversation is a landing place for curious designers and players about the particulars of building and interpreting land-restricted draft environments - Desert Cubes! Bones brings his tremendous expertise on the format to help highlight numbers, design ideas, and high-level ideas to help guide you toward your own positive Desert experience. T…

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Arlo - Pushstart || The $5 Fair 'Nuff Cube 55:51

1y ago55:51

55:51

This week, Arlo, the famous (or infamous) gaytransmulldrifter, guides us through a wild ride of projects and philosophy. We discuss how boring Jace, the Mind Sculptor is, building things your friends enjoy, whether you can actually be good at cube design, and more. ⁠Arlo's Podcast⁠ on Soundcloud Arlo on CubeCobra Pushstart on CubeCobra The $5 Fair …

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Rojja - Lots of Spaghetti at Lots of Walls 51:31

1y ago51:31

51:31

This week, Rojja shows off the bespoke and eclectic Rusty Box o' Goblins (also called the Cash Box). We discuss moonshine-flavored cards, jam sessions, the dangerous idea that other people were right all along, and more. Rusty Box o' Goblins on CubeCobra Photos of the Box! Email the show at [email protected]…

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BONUS - Drive to CubeCon (w/ Bones) 1:05:32

1y ago1:05:32

1:05:32

I took things slow for the holidays this week, so enjoy a totally self-indulgent custom design retrospective with my friends Bones and Kyle. Bones and I have worked on several custom projects over the years and we burn some windshield time reminiscing on the good, the bad, and everything in between. Regular interviews will resume next week! Email t…