Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword
A short, fun and occasionally not unintentionally educational podcast in which two fans of the New York Times crossword describe their puzzle-solving travails.
Sunday, February 15, 2026 - A masterpiece in a 21x21 grid
Michael Lieberman and Rebecca Goldstein are, individually, great crossword constructors: together they are greater, as today's puzzle makes abundantly clear. We loved the theme, we loved the clues, Sunday is indeed funday when it includes a crossword this refined.
Besides the numerous clues we tackled on the podcast, we would also like to draw your attention to 114A, Calls to task?, PAGES (😀); 87A, Rest area?, BED ( 🤭); and our favorite, 89D, Deck out?, DEAL (🤣).
Show note imagery: NOHO isn't just so-so, it's woah, woah! 😀
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:<...
Saturday, February 14, 2026 - A *lovely* Saturday crossword 🫶
This was a fine crossword by David Carp, his sixth for the NYTimes and his third to appear on a Saturday. The crossword was not outrageously difficult by Saturday standards, the clues were cute, and the grid itself was worth the price of admission. We have all the deets inside, so please, have a listen (and don't forget to subscribe, so you don't miss an episode).
Did you forget to send a special something to that special someone on this special day? Fear not, you can send a subscription to the NYTimes crossword anytime, 24x7. Just wander...
Friday, February 13, 2026 - In which we celebrate a great crossword *and* the Winter Olympics ⛸️
This was just what we want out of a Friday crossword: daunting, deliciously deceptive cluing and not an iota of crosswordese anywhere in the grid. Evan Mulvihill has succeeded on both counts, as you can hear in today's episode. Besides those clues covered therein, we liked 28A, Really fancy?, COVET; a numerically rich clue about something only the rich could afford, 32A, The 14.54-carat Apollo Blue, e.g., which sold for more than $42 million in 2017, DIAMONDEARRING; and the abfab 37D,
Ferruginous pigment, SIENNA (woah!). Nice work, Evan!
Show note imagery: SANMARINO, in all its glory!
<...Thursday, February 12, 2026 - An early Valentine's Day present 💝
Kareem Ayas has delivered a Valentine's Day present two days early, and both cohosts fell in love with it. The theme is a real chef's kiss, and the rest of the grid equally sweet. This is Kareem's ninth crossword, and they keep getting better and better. Send us number 10, please, ASAP! 😀
Show note imagery: Behold, the epic, nay, majestic, IBEX!
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop...
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 — A walrus, a carpenter and an oyster walk into a bar ...
This was a terrific mid-week crossword by Joseph Gangi, number seven since his auspicious debut in March of 2022. The theme was ... magnificent. It is almost guaranteed to make you LOL when you get it, so in the interests of not hugely spoiling the crossword, we'll say no more about it (other than encourage you to, naturally, listen to the podcast for the full 411).
Show note imagery: A Newfoundland (right) and a Labrador retriever (left), meeting with a host of dignitaries, including the premier of Newfoundland Labrador (the Honorable Dr. Andrew Furey, wearing the red tie)
...
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - A round of applause for the ol' CLAPOMETER! 👏
Any time a Hasbro toy makes an appearance in the grid it puts a smile on our faces, and so we are grinning as a consequence of today's crossword — a collaboration between Sarah Sinclair and Amie Walker.
The theme was terrific, the rest of the clues equally splendid. Making just his third appearance in the grid, we had at 44D, John _______, longtime writer for The New Yorker, MCPHEE; we had a debut at 37A, "Toy Story 2" character who says "I'm packing you an extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes, just in case" , MRSPOTATOHEAD; and finally we...
Monday, February 9, 2026 - SADIE Jones is in the grid (and ought to be on your reading list!)
It never ceases to amaze, how crossword constructors can take a simple phrase and spin it out into as good a puzzle as, say, this one, by Matthew Stock. We liked the theme, and, frankly, everything else in the grid. It included one of our favorite attractions, 15A, St. Louis's Gateway ___ National Park, ARCH; one of our favorite modern British writers, 9D, British novelist Jones, SADIE; and our favorite topographic feature, 40A, Steep-walled canyon, GORGE.
Today's episode also contains our latest JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), going to a debut constructor, no less! Deet...
Sunday, February 8, 2026 - Go, [Insert your favorite team here], Go!
This was a Super Crossword for a Super Bowl Sunday. The theme was straightforward but cute, and the rest of the puzzle featured a SEA of crafty clues. For instance, we had 24D, Quick hellos, HIS (ha!); 37D, Villainous chortle, HEHE (heh, heh); and 11D, Wee mewer, KITTEN (cute!).
Show note imagery: The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, by BERNINI
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop...
Sunday, February 7, 2026 - Mark Diehl is back, and better than ever!
Mark Diehl has been writing NYTimes Crosswords - predominantly Friday and Saturday puzzles - since 1984. He's eased off as of late, his last appearing in 2020. But he's back with an ingenious Saturday crossword that charmed both cohosts. Check out today's podcast to find out why.
Show note imagery: Some SONYREADERS
Show note URL: The House of PUTTEES, one of many, many hilarious skits from the masters of deadpan, Bob & Ray.
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast...
Friday, February 6, 2026 - Look, it's a TINYHOME: 🏠 😀
There were some truly awesome clues in today's crossword. We definitely hit the highlights in the podcast, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention 44D, Stage name of South Korean rapper Park Jae-sang, PSY (Mike's favorite artist!); 47D, Tie one on at dinner, BIB (ha!); and an oldie but goodie, 21D, Parliament constituent, OWL. What a hoot!
Show note imagery: One of Disney's greatest creations, ITSASMALLWORLD
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, w...
Thursday, February 5, 2026 - Beep, beep! Honk, honk, honk! Beeeeeeep!
Today's crossword, a debut (huzzah!) by Dario Salvucci, was one of those puzzle-in-a-puzzle challenges that we just adore. In this case, one had to decipher some emoticon-like clues to get the correct answer. Jean cottoned on to the theme fairly quickly, and Mike, alas, had to piece it together after the fact. Still, the crossword was a gem, and kudos to Dario for such a fine work.
Show note imagery: Toronto's 401, not so much a highway as an oozing parking lot, at least at certain times of the day/week.
We love feedback! Send us...
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - Et tu, CATO?
Today's crossword leveraged a hilarious line from a very well-known sitcom, and with just the slightest change in syllabification, turned it into the foundation of a terrific theme. Sheer genius from the gifted minds of Hanh Huynh and Ted Mayer. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: DELHI, land of 16+ million people and — inevitably and indubitably — the best curry restaurants on the planet!
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to dr...
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - Shimmy on over to the SHAKESHACK! 🍔🧋
It's been almost 2 years since Nate Cardin last graced the pages of the NYTimes, and from our perspective that's almost 2 years too long. But he's back now, and in excellent form, with a wry theme and some amusing other clues. We were buoyed by the juxtaposition of 53A, Beyond well-done, BURNT, and 56A, Exceptionally good, in Gen Z slang, FIRE (a GUCCI of a clue, in our opinion 😀). We also were cheered by the appearance of both 57A, "Very funny!", HAHA, and 66A, "Say cheese!", SMILE. We did both while solving this excellent puzzle.
Besides the crossword, we...
Monday, February 2, 2026 - BOOYA — BOOYA was in the grid! 😀
The Cardinal Rules of Crossword Construction:
Rule # 1: never repeat an answer in the gridRule # 2: ignore rule 1 if it'll make for an especially awesome crosswordWe are pleased as punch to report that the authors of today's crossword — John Ewbank and Colin Thomas — have taken great pains to adhere to the aforementioned cardinal rules, and the result of that adherence is most gratifying: check out the podcast to find out why.
In addition, it's Monday, and we therefore have a new JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) to announce. No spoilers, but if it were a...
Sunday, February 1, 2026 - PIMLICO, home of Seabiscuit's greatest triumph!
Both cohosts found today's crossword, a collaboration between Lance Enfinger and John Kugelman, to be a real workout (mentally, of course: physically they were pretty much doing their best mannequin imitations throughout the entire process). The theme was intriguing, to put it mildly: and the clues were definitely crunchier than usual for a Sunday, making the happy music, when it did at last arrive, particularly gratifying. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: It's Seabiscuit and Jockey George Woolf in the lead, War Admiral and jockey Charles Kissinger right behind, a real nail-, er hoof-biter!
We love...
Saturday, January 31, 2026 - The Snellen chart - the one you *know*, but can't *name* 🧐
This was a strenuous Saturday workout, no doubt, with more misdirection then you'd see at a Penn & Teller performance. Consider 15D, "Science is ___ that works": Kurt Vonnegut, MAGIC (what a fabulous quip!); 31A, Dice rolls from Jail to Free Parking, in Monopoly, TENS (easy if you'd memorized the board!); and 8D, Part of a great deal?, ACE (what an ACE clue! 🙄). These are just a few of the many delights skulking about in the puzzle and brought to light in today's episode.
Show note imagery: The ol' SNELLEN chart (and ol' really does apply: it was created in 18...
Friday, January 30, 2026 - Rejoice, rejoice, Robyn Weintraub has struck (gold) again 😀
Robyn Weintraub is one of our favorite constructors, and today's crossword shows why. It is, in a word, the clues. OK, technically that's two words, but we're feeling generous after having just enjoyed Robyn's handiwork. Pick a clue anywhere in the grid, at random, and you'll find it to be excellent. Repeat, and the result will still be excellent, there are no meh clues anywhere, at all: it's classic Robyn Weintraub.
Show note imagery: The Milky Way assembly line, yum!
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We...
Thursday, January 29, 2026 - Happy Antepenultimate Day!
This was a debut crossword by Kit Sheffield — kudos! — with a cute theme that must've been a bear to put into practice. Somehow Kit managed, though, and we are better off for it! Apart from the theme, today's crossword seemed a little crunchier than usual for a Thursday, with awesome clues such as 61A, "Think again!", NOPE; 42A, Sound made with a wince, OOF; and 66A, Five train in Brooklyn, NETS. Bravo, Kit!
Show note imagery: Not sure if we'd be as enthused with a giant glass of TANG about to annihilate us 😀
We love feedback...
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 - In the eye of the besolver ... er, beholder.
This was a fun mid-week crossword, built with HI (Human Intelligence), with just a skosh of (non-AI) assistance from Excel. (See the xwordinfo.com entry for the gory details).
The theme was, well, punny, and the surrounding clues intriguing. We liked 1D, It goes down in flames, ASH; a reference to a lady desperately in need of Aveda, 5D, Monster whose gaze remained lethal after her death, MEDUSA; and our favorite artist, 47D, Painter Matisse, HENRI. Mais oui!
Show note imagery: Your typical Wisconsin ICEHUT
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 🎵 Gonna fly like an eagle ... eventually 🎶
Miranda Kany and Tracy Bennett have teamed up to create a sweet Tuesday crossword, most definitely not for the birds (even though birds did manage to glide into the grid). We found the theme sweet, and the rest of the clues just right for a Tuesday. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Some COYOTEs are slyer than others.
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there a...
Monday, January 26, 2026 - Truffle pigs of the world, unite! 🐷
There's a lot of pressure on a Monday crossword. It needs to be easy (well, easier), entertaining, and educational. Today's puzzle definitely checks all the boxes:
Easier: 44A, Food court pizza chain, SBARRO ✅Entertaining: 6D, "Aiiiiieeeee!," SCREAM; ✅ and Educational: 28A, Purple yam used to flavor desserts, UBE.✅We've also selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner. Have a listen, and let us know if we got it right!
Show note imagery: A CHERUB, as seen, among other places, in Raphael's "Sistine Madonna."
We love feedback! Send us a text...
...Sunday, January 25, 2026 - Prince Edward Island, small in area, but huge in heart!
If you're a member of the Geek Squad or work at Apple's Genius Bar, you'll find today's crossword to be a breeze. If not, fear not: the crosses were not too difficult, as befits a Sunday puzzle. We have all the deets inside, so, if you need something to listen to while you're digging out from this weekend's snowcopalypse, we've got your back!
Show note imagery: Just one more thing ... Peter Falk in his most famous role, Columbo
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener...
Saturday, January 24, 2026 - Forget about grade inflation, this crossword merits an A+++++
Adrian Johnson and Ryan McCarty have a predilection for writing late-week crosswords, and they have a predilection for getting them published because they are awesome! The clues in today's puzzle, for example, universally ranged between amazing and woah! We give it a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale (obviously), and consider it a top contender for this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).
Show note imagery: Charlie PUTH, a fabulous singer-songwriter — seriously, check him out — making magic happen in his studio
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact I...
Friday, January 23, 2026 - Designer Geoffrey's favorite question: how ya' been, BEENE? 🙄
In the course of two days we've spanned the experience spectrum. Yesterday's constructor, Joe DiPietro, has published 142 (!) NYTimes crosswords. Today's, Joyce Keller, has published 2, both Fridays, and both excellent.
We covered the best-of-the-best clues in today's episode, but we'd also like to give a shoutout to 37D, Hangouts, HAUNTS (🧐); 51A, Out of joint?, FREE (😀); and 41A,
One may be carried in a concert hall, TUNE (🤣).
Besides the crossword, we have a gem of a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, featuring the world's RAREST ... wait for it ... gem. 💎 😇
Show note imagery: Geoffrey BEENE, looking sharp!
We love...
Thursday, January 22, 2026 - Joe DiPietro pulls out all the stops 😀 🚦
If somebody has published 142 crosswords in the NYTimes, there's gotta be a reason ... and today's GUCCI crossword reminds us why Joe DiPietro gets published over and over again. It has an awesome theme, and nougat-like clues: tough to crack, but delicious on the inside.
In addition to our analysis of today's puzzle, we also have some terrific listener mail. So, to take advantage of all that goodness, just hit subscribe (so you never miss an episode!), download, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), a guarantee that the youngest eau-de-vie (spirit) in...
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - NIHAO, y'all! 🙄
Today's crossword, a collaboration between Ginny Too and Avery Gee Katz, had scads of splendid clues. In addition to those mentioned in today's podcast, we also were amused (and at times bemused) by 64D, The Three Kingdoms in Chinese history, e.g., ERA; 61A, Opportunity to dress up, OCCASION; and 31D, Let float, as a currency, UNPEG.
Show note imagery: Promo for The GREATESCAPE.
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, we're on FaceBook...
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 - HELLO, Hello, hello, he ...
This was a debut crossword by Jonathan Raksin and an auspicious start to what we hope will be a lucrative crossword-writing career. The theme was a hoot, and the supporting cast of clues played their roles to perfection. Hence our official (non-Yelp) review: 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Being Tuesday, we have, naturally, a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, and this time Jean is playing the role of inquisitor with Mike, by process of elimination, the inquisitee. Deets within.
Show note imagery: WAWA, the sad trombone gas station 😀 ⛽️
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Con...
Monday, January 19, 2026 - This crossword was capital!
Peter Gorman has produced his third NYTimes crossword since February of last year, each on a different day of the week, which is quite 62D, Chilly, COOL. We had several celebrities in the grid — 37A, Cosmonaut Gagarin, YURI; 41A, R&B singer whose album "SOS" spent 100+ weeks in the Billboard top 10, SZA; and from a slightly more distant epoch, 58D, Biblical ark builder, NOAH.
Being Monday, we have a JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) to announce, and the award goes to ... a most deserving crossword constructor, whose name is ... in today's podcast 😀.
Show no...
Sunday, January 18, 2026 - ¡Hola, MAMI! 😘
This was an excellent crossword by Rena Cohen, a Washington University in St. Louis student. If the university sounds familiar, that might be because another NYTimes crossword contributor, Sid Sivakumar, also hails from there. What are the odds? And we'll leave it to the reader to contemplate whether the appearance of 77A, Sloth in 2002's "Ice Age", SID, is coincidence or the result of meticulous planning.
Today's puzzle had a brilliant theme (covered thoroughly in today's episode) and many, many amusing clues. Among the latter was the informative 57A, Discontinued iPods designed to fit into watch pockets...
Saturday, January 17, 2026 - This crossword wasn't merely MKAY, it was parfait 😀 🤣
This was a fun Saturday crossword, which one of our cohosts (Jean) found to be an easy solve whereas the other (by process of elimination, Mike) found to be deucedly difficult. The reasons for both may be found on today's podcast.
A few other artfully-crafted clues that were left on the editing room floor* include 6D, ___ Carlos Jobim, father of the bossa nova, ANTONIO (careful: the music is uber-soothing); 52A, Bracket contents, TEAMS (oh, those kinds of brackets); and 39A, Artificially unsophisticated, FAUXNAIF.
Show note imagery: ARUBA, the westernmost territory of the Netherlands
*n...
Friday, January 16, 2026 - All hail APOLLOVII!! 🚀 🧑🏼🚀
This was a great cruciverbial workout by Kyle T. Dolan, whose crosswords tend to be on the challenging side, with 11 of his 19 NYTimes puzzles appearing on Friday or Saturday. The clues today were deviously clever, yet oddly obvious in hindsight. We have all the deets inside, plus a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment celebrating one of the great leviathans of the deep (but no, not that leviathan, the other one 😉).
Show note imagery: From l. to r., APOLLOVII astronauts Donn Eisele, Wally Schirra, and Walter Cunningham
We love feedback! Send us a text...
...
Thursday, January 15, 2026 - Are you fazed by FAZING? Fear not — it's only a phase 🙄😀
Today's crossword, a collaboration between Wendy L. Brandes and Barbara Lin, had an awesome theme that both cohosts temporarily missed in distinct and rather amusing ways that we will not describe here, so as to mildly increase suspense as you wait for the episode to download. While that is happening we would also like to draw your attention to 58D, Where the coffee and Wi-Fi might both be strong, CAFE 😀; 13D, Actor John who has granted more than 650 wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, CENA 😇; and, file this under "sad but true", 34D, About a third of an N.F.L. bro...
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 - This crossword was positively GUCCI!!😀
As the week progresses, the crossword constructors get more opportunities to add spice to the mix, and Joseph Gangi, author of today's fine puzzle (edited, as always, by the legendary Will Shortz), has been spending overtime in the kitchen, the result of which is the effervescent grid you see before you (or will see if you visit our favorite site, xwordinfo.com).
Besides our cutting-edge analysis, we also have (speaking of cutting) some listener mail regarding CUTCO. So for all of that, you are cordially invited to download, listen up, and enjoy today's episode.
Show...
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - CUTCO, slicing prices with their own products!
This was a debut for Nate Hall, and he does a bang-up job. The theme was perfect for a Tuesday, and there were some marvelous clues throughout the grid. Jean's favorite was 44D, Pet sitters?, LAPCATS, whereas Mike's was definitely 22A, Creature that moves at an average speed of 0.03 miles per hour, SNAIL. 🐌
Besides our tour through the grid, in honor of Tuesday we have another Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your enjoyment: this week Jean shows why she is the Queen of Triplet Tuesday.
Show note imagery: Speaking of queens ... arguably the greatest arena rock rockers...
Monday, January 12, 2026 -Booyah, it's a HOYA! 🙄
This was a classy Monday crossword, and the fact that Carolyn Davies Lynch and Christina Iverson are in the marquee has a lot to do with it. The clues just seemed to have a little more pizzaz. We covered most of them in the podcast, but there were others:
a puzzle within a puzzle: 44A, Man's name that's a citrus fruit spelled backward, EMIL; a word that we just love to say: 46D, Source of motivation, in modern lingo, INSPO; anda real ear-worm clue if there ever was one: 10D, Mary who sings "In every job that must be...Sunday, January 11, 2026 - A PHIne crossword indeed 😉
Hopefully you remember your Greek lessons, listeners, because they — or at least one of them, which we hope for comedy's sake took place on a PHIday — will come in particularly handy today. And now that we've got your curiosity piqued, don't PHIght it — download today's podcast to find out what all the PHIuss, er, fuss, is about.
Show note imagery: The birthstones, from Garnet to Turquoise
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, we're on Fac...
Saturday, January 10, 2026 - Looking for a RAFT of great clues? KAC's got you covered!
This was a fine Saturday crossword by Kamereon Austin Collins, his 25th for the NYTimes and his 17th Saturday opus.
There were a slew of great clues in the grid, including 6D, "That dis was goo-ood!!", OHSNAP; 33D, Meemaw, NANA; 55A, Art form featuring performers in kishin (demon) and okina (old man) masks, NOHTHEATER; and a reminder of one of our absolute favorite football lines, 52D, "___ Given Sunday" (1999 football drama), ANY.
Show note imagery: A pair of WATERHORSEs, an example of a Celtic kelpie
We love feedback! Send us a text...
<...
Friday, January 9, 2026 - No two ways about it, this was a fantabulous crossword!
Greg Snitkin and Glenn Davis have collaborated on two crosswords, both Fridays, and both fantabulous. Today's had some novelties, including 3 superb debuts: 14A, Winning like crazy, ONAHEATER (woah!); the award-winning 34A, Stealthy flier, AIRMARSHAL (hey, what happened to the second L??); and the equally splendid 61A, He's great for the time being, MRRIGHTNOW (brilliant!).
In addition to today's puzzle, we have a fun fact for Fun Fact Friday, and if the suspense of what that might be is getting to you, here's a BIG hint: look to today's episode title.
Show note imagery...
Thursday, January 8, 2026 - Beware the Grim ... Rebus??
This was a delightful Thursday crossword by Mallory Montgomery and Zhou Zhang. Jean got through it at gazelle-like speeds, whereas Mike, who made the tyro's mistake of following his own advice, was less gazelle, more giraffe. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Rochester, Jane EYRE, and Adele (well before her breakout album, 19).
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - EPIC or ACK? You be the judge!
Our co-hosts had almost comically differing experiences solving today's crossword. Jean found it to be ... a breeze, whereas Mike found it to be a category 5 hurricane, which he will dub Hurricane Adrianne, after the creator of said hurricane, er, puzzle, Adrianne Baik. Apparently Adrianne was able to quickly and remotely rifle through Mike's memory palace (more like a memory shanty, but nvm), identify everything he didn't know, and then put it into a crossword. Well played, Adrianne!
For all the deets of what turned out to be a walk in the park / EPIC cruciverbial battle, subscribe, download, l...
