Episode 70: Playing It Forward

In this episode, we chat with Jaymee Shade of OMG Cute Tiles about her journey from Etsy to building a business around creativity and customization. What makes her tile company stand out? Custom-designed Mahjong tiles that let players bring their own personalities, passions, and ideas to the table! Join us as we explore the possibilities of creating a one-of-a-kind Mahjong set and discover what makes OMG Cute Tiles so unique.

What happens when the guys take a seat at the Mahjong table? In “Men Who Mahj,” we sit down with five men who are helping grow the game: Brent Reinke ( @mywifeplaysmahjong ), Andrew Keeler (@mister_mahjong), Andrew Baldino (@mahjongwithandrew), Phil Martin, and Lance Karp (@mahjwithlance). We explore the differences between men and women at the Mahjong table, what draws guys to this increasingly popular game, and how we can get more men on board with the Mahjong trend. From strategy and competition to camaraderie and community, these conversations prove that Mahjong isn’t just a game for the girls—it’s a game for everyone!

Ready to shop for your next Mahjong set? In Tile Shopping 101, we’re talking tile graphics, colors, size, and quality—and sharing our personal preferences and recommendations along the way. From hard-to-read designs to tiles that make an already complicated game even more confusing, we’ll help you know what to look for and what to avoid. Whether it’s your first set or your fifth, our goal is to help you find tiles you’ll love playing with long after the excitement of the purchase wears off!

When your hand isn’t coming together, do you stick it out or change course? In this episode, we’re talking all things pivoting in American Mahjong—from recognizing the signs that it’s time to switch hands to knowing when to hold your ground. We explore strategy, timing, exposures, backup plans, and the very real struggle of breaking up with a hand you’ve fallen in love with. Because sometimes the smartest move isn’t chasing the hand you wanted—it’s knowing when to let it go!

We sit down with Avery Burns of Rocky Mountain Mahjong to talk about the journey that made her the player, teacher, community builder, and Mahjong personality she is today. Avery shares her perspective on resilience, the power of kindness, and her passion for creating welcoming Mahjong communities through teaching and philanthropy. We also get into her serious side as a tournament player—including strategy, competition, and what it takes to play at the highest level—while having plenty of fun with the playful, over-the-top personality that makes Avery so much fun to watch and listen to. It’s a conversation about resilience, kindness, competition, community…and, of course, Mahjong!

In this episode, we’re Playing It Forward! We dive into the world of Mahjong events that give back, from creative tournament and gathering ideas to different ways to raise funds for a cause. We also explore meaningful ways to make a difference that don’t cost a dime. Whether you’re planning a big event or simply want to use your Mahjong community to do some good, we’ve got plenty of ideas to inspire you to play with purpose.

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of online American Mahjong—from playing against bots to sitting down at a virtual table with players from anywhere.  We’ll compare some of the most popular Mahjong apps and sites, talk about what we love, and share what first-time online players should know before they click “Join Game.” Is online Mahjong as fun as playing around the table with friends? Let’s find out!

We talk about Molly’s new app, TileTime, and then dive into the many sides of Mahjong Molly—as a teacher, mentor, influencer, strategist, and player. It’s a fun conversation about her approach to the game, the Mahjong community, and what she’s learned along the way.

What if your love language isn’t Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, or Physical Touch—but Mahjong? In this playful episode, we’re putting a Mahjong spin on the five love languages and exploring how each one shows up around the table. From setting up the perfect game to celebrating a friend’s big win, find out how you give and receive Mahjong love—and take our quiz to discover your very own Mahjong Love Language!

Pairs may be small, but they can have a BIG impact on your American Mahjong game! In this episode of Mahjong and Mics, we're talking all things pairs—from the golden pairs we desperately want to protect to the dangerous pairs that keep us hanging onto a hand that just isn't happening. When should you keep a pair? When should you break it? We'll explore the strategy, psychology, and downright emotional attachment that comes with those two matching tiles.