Think Out Loud

Portland podcaster and puzzle enthusiast explains what is speed puzzling

By Rolando Hernandez (OPB)
April 24, 2026 3:27 p.m.

Broadcast: Friday, April 24

Over the pandemic, the sale of puzzles skyrocketed. And while people of all ages enjoy piecing together jigsaw puzzles as a more leisurely activity, others take it at a much more serious and competitive level. Speed puzzling is a competition where everyone is given the exact same puzzle and individuals, duos or teams work together to complete it the fastest. Last month, USA Jigsaw Nationals brought together puzzle lovers across the country to Atlanta to compete. Portlander Rob Shields was one of the attendees. He is a speed puzzling enthusiast as well as the host of “Piece Talks,” a speed puzzling podcast. He joins us to share more on what he saw at the nationals and what makes speed puzzling so appealing.

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