{"id":183734,"date":"2025-10-14T10:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/?p=183734"},"modified":"2026-02-24T23:55:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T04:55:29","slug":"repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/","title":{"rendered":"REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe title=\"S10E2 - Exploring Stephen Sondheim's Deep Relationship with Puzzles\" allowtransparency=\"true\" height=\"150\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;\" scrolling=\"no\" data-name=\"pb-iframe-player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.podbean.com\/player-v2\/?i=aqh27-1978ea8-pb&#038;from=pb6admin&#038;share=1&#038;download=1&#038;rtl=0&#038;fonts=Tahoma&#038;skin=1b1b1b&#038;font-color=auto&#038;logo_link=episode_page&#038;btn-skin=60a0c8\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CJ6ifOsk_xQ?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;The Shakespeare of our time.&#8221;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Stephen Sondheim practically reinvented musicals with his flair for theatrical storytelling through his lyrics and music. A lesser known fact is that Sondheim also played a huge role in the puzzling world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-attachment-id=\"184100\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/hero-repod-s10e2-barry-joseph\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1280,720\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"hero REPOD S10E2 Barry Joseph\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph-1024x576.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"iphone with man with short brown hair and blue eyes, smiling next to yellow book cover with dice and jigsaw pieces.\" class=\"wp-image-184100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Before he was famous for musicals like <em>West Side Story, Sweeney Todd,<\/em> and <em>Sundays in the Park with George,<\/em> Sondheim was the first puzzle editor for&nbsp;<em>New York Magazine<\/em> in the 1960s. Sondheim&#8217;s obsession with puzzles and games lasted his whole life. He discovered escape rooms while in his 80s, and played many of them! Sondheim famously said &#8220;art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos,&#8221; and the same could very much be said for puzzles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Barry Joseph joins us on REPOD to talk about his new book, <em>Matching Minds with Sondheim<\/em>, which dives into Sondheim&#8217;s love of puzzles and games. The types of puzzles spanned everything from crosswords, to treasure hunts, jigsaw puzzles, and parlour games. Little known fact\u2014Stephen Sondheim is credited with bringing British style cryptic crosswords to the USA! He also commissioned custom jigsaw puzzles as opening night gifts for the cast and crew of his Broadway shows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"259\" data-attachment-id=\"184111\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/repod-barry-joseph-company-puzzle\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-company-puzzle.png\" data-orig-size=\"240,259\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"repod barry joseph company puzzle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-company-puzzle.png\" data-id=\"184111\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-company-puzzle.png\" alt=\"jigsaw puzzle from musical &quot;company&quot; with woman surrounded by balloons.\" class=\"wp-image-184111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-company-puzzle.png 240w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-company-puzzle-139x150.png 139w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"241\" height=\"241\" data-attachment-id=\"184112\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/repod-barry-joseph-into-the-woods-puzzle\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-into-the-woods-puzzle.png\" data-orig-size=\"241,241\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"repod barry joseph into the woods puzzle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-into-the-woods-puzzle.png\" data-id=\"184112\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-into-the-woods-puzzle.png\" alt=\"jigsaw puzzle of &quot;into the woods&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-184112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-into-the-woods-puzzle.png 241w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-into-the-woods-puzzle-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-into-the-woods-puzzle-100x100.png?crop=1 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 241px) 100vw, 241px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" data-attachment-id=\"184113\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/repod-barry-joseph-passion-silouettes\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Passion-silouettes.png\" data-orig-size=\"320,240\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"repod barry joseph Passion silouettes\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Passion-silouettes.png\" data-id=\"184113\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Passion-silouettes.png\" alt=\"wooden jigsaw pieces cut into silouettes of people\" class=\"wp-image-184113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Passion-silouettes.png 320w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Passion-silouettes-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Passion-silouettes-150x113.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"231\" data-attachment-id=\"184114\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/repod-barry-joseph-sunday-silouette\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Sunday-silouette.png\" data-orig-size=\"320,231\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"repod barry joseph Sunday silouette\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Sunday-silouette.png\" data-id=\"184114\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Sunday-silouette.png\" alt=\"wooden jigsaw puzzle from sunday in the park with george with cutout shaped like a person\" class=\"wp-image-184114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Sunday-silouette.png 320w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Sunday-silouette-300x217.png 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/repod-barry-joseph-Sunday-silouette-150x108.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As prolific as Sondheim was with his musicals, he was equally invested in his puzzles and games. Guest Barry Joseph digs deep into all the different ways Sondheim incorporated puzzles into his creative work and daily life. If you found this topic interesting, be sure to get his book, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/46XCRWG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matching Minds with Sondheim<\/a><\/em> and check out <a href=\"https:\/\/matchingmindswithsondheim.com\/podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">his podcast <\/a>of the same name. I&#8217;d recommend starting with the two podcast episodes that featured our very own David and Lisa Spira: <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/matching-minds-with-sondheim-the-podcast\/id1832099442?i=1000722619437\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Escape Room Episode (ft. Lisa &amp; David<\/a>), <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/matching-minds-with-sondheim-the-podcast\/id1832099442?i=1000725668245\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jigsaw Puzzles Episode (ft. David)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"thank-you-to-our-sponsors\">Thank You to Our Sponsors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We are immensely grateful to our sponsors this season: REA Patreon Backers, PG&#8217;s Playhouse, Buzzshot, and COGS. We truly appreciate your support of our mission to promote and improve the immersive gaming community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"799\" data-attachment-id=\"181964\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/rea-patreon-membership\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/REA-Patreon-Membership.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"800,799\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"REA-Patreon-Membership\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/REA-Patreon-Membership.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/REA-Patreon-Membership.jpg\" alt=\"Text reads, &quot;REA Patreon Membership&quot; Image depicts Room Escape Artist's blue concentric puzzle logo with a pop art aesthetic.\" class=\"wp-image-181964\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/REA-Patreon-Membership.jpg 800w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/REA-Patreon-Membership-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/REA-Patreon-Membership-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/REA-Patreon-Membership-768x767.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/REA-Patreon-Membership-600x599.jpg 600w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/REA-Patreon-Membership-100x100.jpg?crop=1 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size has-custom-lineheight mb-0 pb-0 mt-0 pt-0\" id=\"morty-app\" style=\"line-height:1;font-size:51px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/c\/roomescapeartist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Support Room Escape Artist on Patreon<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Love escape rooms as much as we do? At <em>Room Escape Artist<\/em>, we\u2019ve been analyzing, reviewing, and exploring the world of immersive games since 2014. We help players find the best experiences, and push the industry forward with well-researched, rational, and reasonably humorous escape room and immersive gaming content and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By becoming a Patreon supporter, you&#8217;re not just backing a blog \u2014 you&#8217;re fueling a mission to make the escape room and immersive gaming community stronger, more thoughtful, and more connected. You can also access exclusive Patreon content such as the Bonus Aftershow, Spoilers Club, and get early access to escape room Tour tickets and REA articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-0 pb-0 mt-0 pt-0\">Your Patreon support goes toward our mission: paying our contributors, funding our infrastructure, and supporting deep research and industry advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2261\" height=\"2261\" data-attachment-id=\"183709\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2026\/03\/10\/repod-season-10-key-moments-editors-choice-by-steve-ewing\/pgwhite\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite.png\" data-orig-size=\"2261,2261\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"pgWhite\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite-1024x1024.png\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite.png\" alt=\"blue triangle on it's side with text reading &quot;PG's Playhouse&quot; on orange background\" class=\"wp-image-183709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite.png 2261w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite-600x600.png?crop=1 600w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pgWhite-100x100.png?crop=1 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2261px) 100vw, 2261px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size has-custom-lineheight mb-0 pb-0 mt-0 pt-0\" id=\"morty-app\" style=\"line-height:1;font-size:51px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/pgs-playhouse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PG&#8217;s Playhouse Podcast<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>If you love wordplay, puzzles, and trivia, this is the podcast for you! PG&#8217;s Playhouse recreates a fun game night with friends, all in a short, 30-minute format. Of course, what\u2019s game night without making new friends? We bring on different guests for the different episodes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each episode features a puzzle packed with wordplay and trivia, a short chat with the guest, and a segment exploring an interesting topic. I hope you\u2019ll take a listen and play along with us at PG\u2019s Playhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buzzshot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"341\" data-attachment-id=\"112962\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/buzzshot-logo\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buzzshot-logo.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"663,341\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"buzzshot logo\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buzzshot-logo.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buzzshot-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Buzzshot logo featuring a rounded square with a white &quot;Z&quot; surrounded by stylized z shaped graphics\" class=\"wp-image-112962\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buzzshot-logo.jpg 663w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buzzshot-logo-300x154.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size mt-0 pt-0\" id=\"morty-app\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buzzshot.com\/repod\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buzzshot<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Buzzshot is Escape Room Software, Powering Business Growth, Player Marketing, and improving the Customer Experience. They offer an assortment of pre and post game features including robust waiver management, branded team photos, and streamlined review management for Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and Morty. Buzzshot now has integration with the other REPOD sponsors: Morty and COGS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-0 pb-0\"><strong>Special Offer for REPOD Listeners:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>REPOD listeners get an extended 21-day free trial plus <strong>20% off <\/strong>your first 3 months, with no set-up fees or hidden charges. Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/buzzshot.com\/repod\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>buzzshot.com\/repod<\/strong><\/a> to learn more about this exclusive offer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cogs.show\/#start\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"351\" data-attachment-id=\"125398\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/cogs-logo\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cogs-logo.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"800,351\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"cogs logo\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cogs-logo.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cogs-logo.jpg\" alt=\"logo for COGS, the C looks like a gear, and it's white text over a purple background\" class=\"wp-image-125398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cogs-logo.jpg 800w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cogs-logo-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cogs-logo-768x337.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size mt-0 pt-0\" id=\"morty-app\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cogs.show\/#start\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">COGS<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>COGS by Clockwork Dog is an easy to use software\/ hardware platform for running interactive events, including escape rooms, and other immersive experiences. They have plug &amp; play hardware that seamlessly integrates with their software so you can create a show with lighting and sound cues without having to write a single line of code.&nbsp;Map all kinds of inputs to outputs by building up simple logic steps which determine what you want to happen and when.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-0 pb-0\"><strong>Special Offer for REPOD Listeners:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-0 pb-0\">REPOD listeners can get the COGS Starter Set for only $130 + free shipping to the USA. This bundle is usually valued at $257. You can learn more and purchase your Starter Set at <a href=\"https:\/\/cogs.show\/#start\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>cogs.show<\/strong><\/a>. Use code <strong>REPOD<\/strong> at checkout.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"topics-discussed-in-this-episode\">Topics Discussed in this Episode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>00:00 Sponsor Break: Buzzshot, Escape Room Marketing Software<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>03:35 Sondheim&#8217;s Legacy in Musical Theater<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>07:34 Sondheim and the World of Puzzles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>16:08 Cryptic Crosswords: Sondheim&#8217;s Influence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>22:36 <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/matching-minds-with-sondheim-the-podcast\/id1832099442?i=1000725668245\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sondheim&#8217;s Love for Jigsaw Puzzles<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>25:58 Sponsor Break: Room Escape Artist Patreon\u2014Bonus Episodes, Spoilers Club &amp; More<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>30:10 Sondheim&#8217;s Puzzle Design Philosophy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>33:55 Dissecting Sondheim&#8217;s Approach to Lyrics and Games<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>34:57 Sponsor Break: PG&#8217;s Playhouse &#8211; Puzzles, Pals, and Trivia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>36:39 Sondheim&#8217;s Treasure Hunts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>39:19 The Influence of Sondheim on Escape Rooms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>42:30 <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/matching-minds-with-sondheim-the-podcast\/id1832099442?i=1000722619437\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sondheim&#8217;s Experience with Escape Rooms<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>49:52 Sponsor Break: Cogs By Clockwork Dog, Interactive Show Controls<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>50:51 Hostilities: Sondheim&#8217;s Cruel Parlor Game<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>54:39 Barry&#8217;s Journey in Education and Games<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>58:17 The Games for Change Organization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>59:42 Where People Can Find Barry&#8217;s Book<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>01:01:21 What Comes Next?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>01:03:08 Final Thoughts and Anecdotes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>01:04:21 Credits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>01:04:44 Paradiso Story<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leave a Voicemail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Got a question or thought for the podcast? You can submit a voice recording by calling the Room Escape Artist not-so-hotline that always goes straight to voicemail (551-227-7273).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"resources-mentioned-in-this-episode\">Resources Mentioned in this Episode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/matchingmindswithsondheim.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matching Minds With Sondheim Website<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/matching-minds-with-sondheim-the-podcast\/id1832099442\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matching Minds with Sondheim Podcast<\/a> ft. Room Escape Artist\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/matching-minds-with-sondheim-the-podcast\/id1832099442?i=1000722619437\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Escape Room Episode (ft. Lisa &amp; David)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/matching-minds-with-sondheim-the-podcast\/id1832099442?i=1000725668245\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jigsaw Puzzles Episode (ft. David)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Purchase <em>Matching Minds with Sondheim<\/em> on Amazon (affiliate link)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/42JqTi7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hardcover<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/46XCRWG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kindle<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sondheim Books Mentioned:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Robert L. McLaughlin\u2019s <em>Stephen Sondheim and the Reinvention of the American Musical<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>James Lapine\u2019s oral history,<em> Putting It Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created &#8220;Sunday in the Park with George.&#8221;<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1998 Meryle Secrest biography<em>: Stephen Sondheim: A Life<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stavepuzzles.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stave Puzzles<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/category\/company\/paradiso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Paradiso Reviews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Barry Joseph<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"786\" data-attachment-id=\"184102\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/barry-joseph-heashot-smaller\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-Joseph-heashot-smaller.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"663,786\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;pokemon&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1759406243&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Barry Joseph heashot (smaller)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Barry Joseph&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-Joseph-heashot-smaller.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-Joseph-heashot-smaller.jpg\" alt=\"man with short brown hair and blue eyes, smiling.\" class=\"wp-image-184102\" style=\"width:317px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-Joseph-heashot-smaller.jpg 663w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-Joseph-heashot-smaller-253x300.jpg 253w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-Joseph-heashot-smaller-127x150.jpg 127w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-Joseph-heashot-smaller-300x356.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-Joseph-heashot-smaller-600x711.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Instagram: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/matchingmindswithsondheim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@MatchingMindswithSondheim<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Barry Joseph is the Principal of Barry Joseph Consulting, a leader in innovating solutions for learning in a digital age, and the co-founder of the Games for Change Festival. As an early developer of after-school game design youth programming and an adjunct instructor at New York University, Barry has been a national leader in games-based learning and games for social impact, producing dozens of curriculums, games, and exhibits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Collaborators and clients have included the American Museum of Natural History, Girl Scouts of the USA, the RAND Corporation, the MacArthur Foundation, and City College of New York. Barry has been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, CBS Morning News, All Things Considered, and many more. He authored Seltzertopia and co-founded and directs the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum. Learn more at his website MatchingMindsWithSondheim.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"support-repod\">Support REPOD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/c\/roomescapeartist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Subscribe to Patreon for bonus content<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Please rate and review our podcast!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for listening!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support Room Escape Artist&#8217;s Mission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are lots of ways to support Room Escape Artist, like buying from <a aria-label=\"Amazon (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/shop\/roomescapeart\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=6220&amp;awinaffid=651019&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Etsy<\/a> after clicking into the links included in this post or backing us on <a aria-label=\"Patreon (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/roomescapeartist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Patreon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The money that we make from these helps us to grow the site and continue to add more value to the community that we love so much. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The Shakespeare of our time.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":184100,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[586398298],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-183734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reality-escape-pod"],"acf":[],"is_reblog":null,"post_id":null,"blog_id":null,"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"586398298","yoast-structured-data-blocks-images-cache":null,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"escape room podcast","_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"62","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Stephen Sondheim loved puzzles and games and designed many. Author Barry Joseph comes on REPOD to tell stories about Sondheim's puzzles.","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"8","_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp":"","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim - Room Escape Artist<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Stephen Sondheim loved puzzles and games and designed many. Author Barry Joseph comes on REPOD to tell stories about Sondheim&#039;s puzzles.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim - Room Escape Artist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Stephen Sondheim loved puzzles and games and designed many. Author Barry Joseph comes on REPOD to tell stories about Sondheim&#039;s puzzles.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Room Escape Artist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-14T14:01:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-25T04:55:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Peih-Gee Law\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Peih-Gee Law\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Peih-Gee Law\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b814320565e72735a577874a660a5964\"},\"headline\":\"REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-14T14:01:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-25T04:55:29+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1193,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Reality Escape Pod\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/\",\"name\":\"REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim - Room Escape Artist\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-14T14:01:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-25T04:55:29+00:00\",\"description\":\"Stephen Sondheim loved puzzles and games and designed many. Author Barry Joseph comes on REPOD to tell stories about Sondheim's puzzles.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg\",\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"caption\":\"iphone with man with short brown hair and blue eyes, smiling next to yellow book cover with dice and jigsaw pieces.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Room Escape Artist\",\"description\":\"Well-researched, rational, and reasonably humorous.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Room Escape Artist\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/12\\\/rea-logo-pop-art-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/12\\\/rea-logo-pop-art-1.png\",\"width\":300,\"height\":308,\"caption\":\"Room Escape Artist\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b814320565e72735a577874a660a5964\",\"name\":\"Peih-Gee Law\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/a3c1462ec6243d35bef5e0c258575f6fe17d0db90129d60e382cd59ca30d5fee?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/a3c1462ec6243d35bef5e0c258575f6fe17d0db90129d60e382cd59ca30d5fee?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/a3c1462ec6243d35bef5e0c258575f6fe17d0db90129d60e382cd59ca30d5fee?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Peih-Gee Law\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/roomescapeartist.com\\\/author\\\/peihgeelaw\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim - Room Escape Artist","description":"Stephen Sondheim loved puzzles and games and designed many. Author Barry Joseph comes on REPOD to tell stories about Sondheim's puzzles.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim - Room Escape Artist","og_description":"Stephen Sondheim loved puzzles and games and designed many. Author Barry Joseph comes on REPOD to tell stories about Sondheim's puzzles.","og_url":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/","og_site_name":"Room Escape Artist","article_published_time":"2025-10-14T14:01:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-25T04:55:29+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Peih-Gee Law","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Peih-Gee Law","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/"},"author":{"name":"Peih-Gee Law","@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b814320565e72735a577874a660a5964"},"headline":"REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim","datePublished":"2025-10-14T14:01:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-25T04:55:29+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/"},"wordCount":1193,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg","articleSection":["Reality Escape Pod"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/","url":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/","name":"REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim - Room Escape Artist","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg","datePublished":"2025-10-14T14:01:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-25T04:55:29+00:00","description":"Stephen Sondheim loved puzzles and games and designed many. Author Barry Joseph comes on REPOD to tell stories about Sondheim's puzzles.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"caption":"iphone with man with short brown hair and blue eyes, smiling next to yellow book cover with dice and jigsaw pieces."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2025\/10\/14\/repod-s10e2-barry-joseph-matching-minds-sondheim\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"REPOD S10E2: Barry Joseph: Matching Minds with Sondheim"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/","name":"Room Escape Artist","description":"Well-researched, rational, and reasonably humorous.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/#organization","name":"Room Escape Artist","url":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/rea-logo-pop-art-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/rea-logo-pop-art-1.png","width":300,"height":308,"caption":"Room Escape Artist"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b814320565e72735a577874a660a5964","name":"Peih-Gee Law","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a3c1462ec6243d35bef5e0c258575f6fe17d0db90129d60e382cd59ca30d5fee?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a3c1462ec6243d35bef5e0c258575f6fe17d0db90129d60e382cd59ca30d5fee?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a3c1462ec6243d35bef5e0c258575f6fe17d0db90129d60e382cd59ca30d5fee?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Peih-Gee Law"},"url":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/author\/peihgeelaw\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hero-REPOD-S10E2-Barry-Joseph.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p57yLY-LNs","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=183734"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":191722,"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183734\/revisions\/191722"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/184100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=183734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=183734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=183734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}