chessfeels: conversations about chess, psychology & mental health
JJ Lang, Julia Rios
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 23, 2025 • 60min
45. what's underneath the floorboards
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-180266870Buy our really good merchTell us you love us by following us on twitterShow us you love us by giving us some money
Dec 15, 2025 • 53min
44. listening
do you hear that? the board is trying to talk to you. Buy our really good merchTell us you love us by following us on twitterShow us you love us by giving us some money
Dec 3, 2025 • 58min
43. collective unhappiness
The gang gets a phone call.
Nov 28, 2025 • 1h 5min
42. sit down, b3 humble
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. Buy our really good merchTell us you love us by following us on twitterShow us you love us by giving us some money
Sep 11, 2024 • 1h 45min
41: getting down and dirty (a very brief interview with Vjeko Nemec AKA Chessentials)
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. Check out the Chessentials blogSee if Vjeko has blocked you on TwitterBuy our really good merchTell us you love us by following us on twitterShow us you love us by giving us some money
Aug 21, 2024 • 38min
40: state of the union (we're sorry)
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. Buy our really good merchTell us you love us by following us on twitterShow us you love us by giving us some money
May 14, 2024 • 1h 4min
39: the adhd episode part 2
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. Listen to our original adhd episodeBuy our really good merchTell us you love us by following us on twitterShow us you love us by giving us some money
May 14, 2024 • 38min
38: a minisode about nothing
{∅}
Apr 5, 2024 • 56min
37: a conversation with Maya Marlette, chess thief
JJ and Julia interview Maya Marlette, a student of JJ's with a really cool chess backstory and an even cooler day job. Buy our really good merchTell us you love us by following us on twitterShow us you love us by giving us some moneyListen to Maya's podcast, Twilight Phase
Mar 21, 2024 • 60min
36: chess therapy (no, not like that)
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. Buy our really good merchTell us you love us by following us on twitterShow us you love us by giving us some money
