chessfeels: conversations about chess, psychology & mental health

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45. what's underneath the floorboards Dec 23, 2025

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JJ talks about their year in chess that was and wasn't, which turns into a conversation with Julia about grief, loss, and self-knowledge. JJ references their essay on substack, which begins here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-180266870

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44. listening Dec 15, 2025

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do you hear that? the board is trying to talk to you.

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43. collective unhappiness Dec 03, 2025

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The gang gets a phone call.

42. sit down, b3 humble Nov 28, 2025

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We're back! JJ and Julia have made several recordings in the past year, and are finally ready to start rolling them out. Here's the first one, it's about humility.

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41: getting down and dirty (a very brief interview with Vjeko Nemec AKA Chessentials) Sep 11, 2024

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The teacher (JJ) becomes the student when their coach (CM Vjekoslav Nemec, aka @Chessentials_) joins JJ and Julia to talk about the emotional highs and lows of playing competitively, particularly when one's identity is wrapped up with being a chess player. Then the coach (Vjeko) becomes the patient when their (unofficial) therapist (Julia) gets to the bottom of why their lows feel so low.

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40: state of the union (we're sorry) Aug 21, 2024

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It's been a while! JJ and Julia check in to tell everyone where they've been and where we (you! and us!) are going next.

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39: the adhd episode part 2 May 14, 2024

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JJ and Julia return to a fan favorite topic: adhd. This time, instead of hyperfocusing on their personal experiences with adhd, they hyperfocus on adhd testing, diagnosing, and, of course, what your opening choices say about your neurodiversity.

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38: a minisode about nothing May 14, 2024

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{∅}

37: a conversation with Maya Marlette, chess thief Apr 05, 2024

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JJ and Julia interview Maya Marlette, a student of JJ's with a really cool chess backstory and an even cooler day job.

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Listen to Maya's podcast, Twilight Phase

36: chess therapy (no, not like that) Mar 21, 2024

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Julia and JJ switch hats now that JJ is cured. They discuss how to find and keep motivation for chess studying when time and energy are in short supply.

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