“Some things do make me angry. When people, you got this whole life, it seems like it lasts forever, and you just tow the line. You don’t ever step out of the line, you don’t ever ask the questions, you don’t ever challenge authority; you just do what you’re supposed to do...What kind of legacy is that? You just lived and then you died.” Writer and Magic player John F Rizzo was loved, and hated, for his articles back in the “old day.” With self-deprecating wit and self-indulgent stylings, he made a name for himself by being one of the most entertaining losers around. On a nice afternoon, we chatted about life, bad jobs, changing interests, and a whole lot more.

As always, send feedback to me on Twitter @mattmendoza or via email acrossthetablecast@gmail.com. Also, please leave the podcast a review on iTunes, it helps get it out there. Follow the cast @acrossthecast for updates and new episodes. 

And don't forget to leave me a comment on ManaDeprived.com!

Thanks for listening!

“I mean, worst case scenario, you make mistakes, it’s a good story, you learn from it and you move on. That’s kind of the philosophy of ‘The Bridge,’ I guess, is publicizing our mistakes because they’re hilarious.” Almost 20 years ago, Executive Producer John Douglass started playing Magic in Louisville, Kentucky. Almost two years ago, he started a “hang-out” style podcast called “The Bridge” with some friends. Now, he’s become the new Content Manager for LegitMTG.com. We talked all about his journey from player to community pillar, his big family, the all boys Catholic school he attended, his relationships with former castmembers, and much more.

As always, send feedback to me on Twitter @mattmendoza or via email acrossthetablecast@gmail.com. Also, please leave the podcast a review on iTunes, it helps get it out there. Follow the cast @acrossthecast for updates and new episodes. 

And don't forget to leave me a comment on ManaDeprived.com!

Thanks for listening!

"You are worth it, you are awesome, no one is doing anything wrong if they want to be with you." Before his transformation, musician Bill Boulden aka Spruke, was a wunderkind of sorts. An expert programmer and a budding musician, he was hampered by low self-esteem and self-hatred, the kind experienced by many of the last generation to feel nerd shame. Then, he became this wicked, confident, music-making, podcast host who is simultaneously crushing two very different careers? We talked at length about how music is science, programming is art, school is easy, and much, much more. His newest album Lies Synthpop Told Me is available on iTunes or wherever digital music is sold. And his electro-house podcast Bump in the Night hits MTGCast.com every Monday.

As always, send feedback to me on Twitter @mattmendoza or via email acrossthetablecast@gmail.com. Also, please leave the podcast a review on iTunes, it helps get it out there. Follow the cast @acrossthecast for updates and new episodes. 

And don't forget to leave me a comment on ManaDeprived.com!

Thanks for listening!

"Anything you can do in Magic, I've probably done it." GGsLive's Rashad Miller isn't joking when he says this. Credits to his name include: Level 3 Judge, Pro Tour competitor, and now, "contractor for Hasbro." What he means, of course, is that he's a lifelong gamer who turned this love into a successful video company that covers Grand Prix across North America. We spoke before his trip to Worlds in Amsterdam where he would be in front of the camera, rather than behind. And, to address a certain part of the conversation, I used Worlds as an opportunity to dive head-first into watching coverage; you'll know when you get there.

As always, send feedback to me on twitter @mattmendoza or via email acrossthetablecast@gmail.com. Also, please leave the podcast a review on iTunes, it really helps get it out there. Follow the cast @acrossthecast for updates and new episodes. 

A special thanks to KYT and Mana Deprived for sharing the podcast.

Thanks for listening!

A couple months ago, Marshall made the leap and quit his day job to become a professional poker player and Magic content producer. In this episode, recorded at Grand Prix KC, we chat about how that's going for him, how he got started, and what it's like "living the dream" (spoiler: not as glamorous as you might think). 

About 18 minutes in, there's a short break in our conversation where we recorded one part, took a break so he could work, then recorded the second part, just so you're aware of the jump.

Feedback? Contact me on twitter @mattmendoza or via email at acrossthetablepod@gmail.com Follow the cast on Twitter for updates and new episodes, every Thursday! @acrossthecast

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My friend Joe Hemmann will not, sadly, be known as the player who won a Grand Prix with the oft-marginalized Living End deck. He will, however, go down in history as a guy who made a big, big mistake. We all make mistakes. We're all thrown off by the occasional curveball. So, we talked about it, himself, his deck, what that kind of success means, and how he was able to laugh off such a beautiful punt.

Feedback? Contact me on twitter @mattmendoza or via email at acrossthetablepod@gmail.com Follow the cast on Twitter for updates and new episodes! @acrossthecast

Thanks for listening!

Equipped with +2/+1 Sword of Beard and Northern Accent, Rob McKenzie achieved his Level 3 status at our hometown Grand Prix in Kansas City. A fixture in the midwestern judge community, he helps with everything from local events to Grand Prix to SCG Opens and more. To boot, he organizes a slew of events for local and regional judges including an upcoming conference that he announces in this episode! For his effort, he's been deemed a Captain by his Regional Coordinator and is a crucial key to shrinking the vast expanse that is his region. He's an all-around stand-up guy and I'm excited to have talked with him. He can be contacted via email at robbit@gmail.com.

Feedback? Connect with me on Twitter @mattmendoza or via email at acrossthetablepod@gmail.com. Keep up to date with the show on Twitter @acrossthecast for new episodes, guest information, updates, and more! Also, don't forget to visit KCCompetition.com for news about local to KC events, strategy, and much more.

Thanks for listening!

Part of the team behind the playmat that just might change it all, Alan Hubbard sits down to talk about his project, the egMat. We also touch upon his history with the game and some very prominent players. You can find Alan and the mat at egMats.com. Feedback? Hit me up on Twitter @mattmendoza or follow @acrossthecast for the latest updates! You can also like the cast on Facebook, Across the Table. Thanks for listening!

Hailing from the Great White North, Kar Yung Tom, or KYT, has been appropriately dubbed "Captain Canada," not only for his recent tournament success, but for his country's rallying site, ManaDeprived.com. We chatted after Day 2 of the largest Magic event in history, Grand Prix Las Vegas. 

Feedback? Find me on Twitter @acrossthecast or on facebook at Across the Table. You can also email me at acrossthetablepod@gmail.com 

Thanks for listening!