Just when I told myself I was following enough chess podcasts. This hit at just the right time in my life. Over the past year two things have happened in my life. I began playing chess regularly for the first time in decades. And I began seeing a therapist for the first time. So a podcast that speaks to both of those aspects of my life is fantastic. While there isn’t a lot in terms of the mechanics and craft of chess, there is a lot of insight given to the challenges presented in being the human seated at that board. There have been a lot of great insights that have helped me in striving for better mental health and that in turn has helped me find a mental place of being more comfortable around the emotional pitfalls of playing chess. The conversations are entertaining and the chemistry between the hosts is charming and infectious. I’m glad I finally tracked this one down.

I tried a couple of these pocasts. A little too much millenial-speak. To use the vernacular, "Like, y'know, literally" not much about chess. Everything is "amazing." Skip this one

Co-hosts with great chemistry tackling interesting topics.

I could listen to Rios all day, but that's not possible, because this podcast shows up only now and then. I don't like to clutter my podcast list, so it's difficult to give this podcast 5 stars., Julia, are you going to podcast regularly (i.e., 1x or more per week)? Better yet, why aren't you a Twitch superstar?

This is a great way to add mental health insights into peoples life through chess! Thank you for having John Bartholomew as a guest

Fun to listen to but I’d prefer some more actual chess psychological analysis.

I’m obsessed. Julia is so smart and funny and beautiful and captivating. JJ is a beast, and his teaching methods sound very effective. Who knew chess and therapy could be so cool? Fun show that offers takeaways to improve your game

Exactly what I’ve been looking for. Incredibly interesting, thoughtful, informative conversation on chess obsession, psychology and everything else true chess nerds long for. Thank you for sharing your insights! -generalanxiety

I love this podcast so much! The witty banter, the in-jokes, all the feels. I just want to listen to JJ and Julia chat about whatever, and since it happens to be chess they’ve chosen to talk about - what a nice bonus! I love the focus on the psychology of chess, and every episode makes me feel “seen”… sometimes in a not so comfortable way, but that’s OK. The pod also really motivates me to learn more about chess, or at least more about chess Twitter, so I can someday hope to understand all the jokes, since I know I’ll never really find out the answer to “Why am I like this?”

Let me say up front that there are much better chess pods out there. The hosts come off as annoying millenials and that also seems to be their target audience. They're going for this off beat, irreverent vibe, but it just doesn't work for me. I'm wondering if their listeners even play chess. It was tough to listen to and I couldn't get past a few episodes.

This podcast is amazing. I love it so much. What other podcast drops the f-word and bleeps the F-word? As a heartfelt take on chess culture, the humor and topics are pretty niche, but it's a perfectly me-shaped niche that has become my happy place. Which honestly surprised me because I'm not that fun at parties, although I do constantly ask "why am I like this?" The first episode I stumbled on made me laugh and cry, and I immediately went back to ep. 1 to listen in order. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

I honestly cannot tell if the show is actually sponsored by Chessable or not…and I love that. Makes me laugh, makes me think about my relationship with chess and how I want to ensure chess and I have a happy, healthy, and long-term relationship. The show also makes me want to try frozen lasagna…

Only 30 minutes in to latest ep, but already I know this is exactly what I want to be listening too. Thanks.

I’ve laughed out loud many times while listening to this podcast. The hosts are irreverent and sarcastic, with episodes sometimes seeming like they are bounding down a rabbit hole of sexual innuendo and angst, only to reverse course and explore cultural and psychological topics from the chess world in a manner both lucid and illuminating.

This podcast is great! JJ and Julia talk about things that I've thought about many times, but which few chess players discuss. They've talked about addiction to blitz (I can relate), mental health. aggression, the shortcomings of present-day chess culture, and many other topics. They're both smart people who love the game, and their conversations are always fascinating. Highly recommended!

This is the chess podcast I didn’t know I wanted, but now can’t live without. The conversations between the co-hosts Julia and JJ are both unique and engaging, as well as incredibly insightful. It is also extremely scary how often I feel they could be talking about me as they delve into each topic. Thanks Julia and JJ for letting us all be a fly on the wall as you peel away the layers as to why we are all infatuated with both the good and the bad in chess.

Chessfeels is a must listen for anyone in the chess world, from professionals & teachers to students & hobbyists. The combination of humor and real-life psychological insight framed in a conversation about chess is unmatched.

After coming along and listening to several different types of podcast the approach that these to take is rather refreshing. I would encourage you to grab your favorite drink sit back relax and let the entertainment and unique insights of not only what’s on the chessboard within your own personal psyche…. Unfold and become an abstract painting that you can admire for days to come.

Here is my glowing review, as requested. In all seriousness, I love that this podcast goes over the less talked about psychological side of chess. It’s really fun to listen to and learn about. Also hearing about adult improvers is tiresome when you aren’t improving much 🤣 The host’s banter with each other is absolutely amazing and makes you feel like you’re in a room having a conversation with friends.