chessfeels: conversations about chess, psychology & mental health Podcast By JJ Lang Julia Rios cover art

chessfeels: conversations about chess, psychology & mental health

chessfeels: conversations about chess, psychology & mental health

By: JJ Lang Julia Rios
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chessfeels is a podcast about chess culture, improvement, and psychology from chess teacher JJ Lang and therapist Julia Rios. Tune in for irreverent conversations about this game we're all obsessed with.2026 JJ Lang and Julia Rios Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • 45. what's underneath the floorboards

    45. what's underneath the floorboards
    Dec 23 2025

    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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    1 hr
  • 44. listening

    44. listening
    Dec 15 2025

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

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    53 mins
  • 43. collective unhappiness

    43. collective unhappiness
    Dec 3 2025

    The gang gets a phone call.

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    58 mins
All stars
Most relevant
I just heard one episode, now this is my favorite podcast ever. I am an avid chess fan, but I struggle mentally with the game. This podcast is perfect for me. For most serious chess players, this podcast should be very insightful, encouraging, and inspiring. I strongly recommend a listen if you are a chess player. On the other hand, don't expect chess improvement tips from this podcast. It is more of the human aspect that we chess players all struggle with. I have never come across a podcast that deals with this. I am so happy to have come across this. I hope that this podcast keeps going strong.

Fantastic, insightful and unique

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I normally do not bother to read or even write reviews to podcasts. This is my first time. I feel compelled to comment after the last reviewer trashed the content. I am not sure why he felt the need to be so negative. It is very clear that JJ & Julia have known each other for a very long time and they are great friends! They do indeed come out of the gate a little slow getting into the psychology aspects of chess; however, if the last guy would have been a little patient (could that be why his ELO is 200?) and gotten to episode three he would feel differently! I found this episode to be very helpful! Honestly, it makes me wonder if I could get Julia as my therapist. All kidding aside, I want to check and see if she does remote sessions.

As I said above, it is very clear these two are lifelong friends! I personally feel that it makes the content fun to listen to. After a while of listening to them I felt like I was getting to know them!

Keep the content coming! I am really enjoying it!

The other guy got it wrong...

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I am a chess beginner and I thought this podcast would actually help me improve my game and ability to persevere while playing it.
It seems however; that is two people just rehashing old ideas and just saying wherever comes to their mind without a clue as to where the subject is going. I wanted to give it a chance but I honestly I could only stomach the first episode and maybe 20 minutes of the second one.

Not what you would expect at all

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