Matching Minds with Sondheim: The Podcast in an open invitation into the puzzle-loving, game-designing mind of Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim. Based on the acclaimed book by Barry Joseph, each episode uncovers the hidden world of Sondheim’s lifelong passion for treasure hunts, cryptic crosswords, parlor games, and more. Join Barry and his guests—puzzle-makers, game designers, and Sondheim aficionados—as they explore how Sondheim’s playful designs delivered moments of clarity and connection for friends, colleagues, and anyone who’s ever been captivated by his genius. Whether you’re a musical theater fan, a puzzlehead, or just Sondheim-curious, this series invites you to match minds with Sondheim. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network.
The Latest Podcasts
ep25 Writing Sondheim: A Conversation with Art Isn’t Easy’s Daniel Okrent
Dan Okrent visits Matching Minds for his FIRST interview (woot! an exclusive) about his highly anticipated biography “Sondheim: Art Isn’t Easy” (pub. March 17). Okrent explains the project evolved from a short biographical essay into a thematic, research-heavy...
ep24 Matching Minds on Broadway Nation
In this excerpt from David Armstrong’s Broadway Nation podcast, recorded at a studio overlooking the theater district, Barry and David compare their distinct, Broadway-themed, research-driven books, shared educator backgrounds, and surprising overlaps in their...
ep23 Matching Minds at BroadwayCon, with 3 special guests
Come with Matching Minds to BroadwayCon in New York City during a frigid snowstorm! This episode features special guests and Broadway stars Etai Benson, George Lee Andrews, and Marty Morris, sharing their connections with Sondheim's puzzles and games. Etai recounts...
ep22 Stephen Sondheim and Cryptic Crosswords
Today’s topic: Stephen Sondheim’s passion for cryptic crosswords. Joined by guests Natan Last, Katie Grogg, Ben Zimmer, and Galen Fott, the conversation explores Sondheim's 1968 stint as the puzzle editor for New York Magazine, his influence on the American cryptic...
ep21 10 Playful Songs of Sondheim
Name ten tracks by Sondheim that highlight his love of games and puzzles. That was the challenge posed to me by Donald Feltham, who invited me back to his streaming Broadway Radio Show. We discussed songs like “10 Years Old,” an unproduced gem from the 1960s, “When?”...
ep20 Do we need another book about Stephen Sondheim? A talk at the Drama Book Shop
Do we really need another book on Sondheim? That’s the driving question behind Barry’s recent appearance at the venerable Drama Book Shop in New York City. For the 20th episode of the Matching Minds with Sondheim podcast, explore the book-ey-ness of Matching Minds....
ep19 How Sondheim Gamified New York City – a talk at The Museum of the City of New York
Join the audience at the Museum of the City of New York as I guide them on a tour of How Stephen Sondheim Gamified New York City. This new talk explores the unique ways Sondheim incorporated the city into his games and puzzles. Through various anecdotes and historical...
ep18 About the Author: Barry on the Broadway Radio Show
From an interview with Donald Feltham on his Broadway Radio Show, join Barry on his journey writing a book on Stephen Sondheim's love for puzzles and games, spurred by birthday gifts from his wife. Barry shares how interviewing over 120 people, many of whom were...
ep17 Steve is Love – Merrily We Play Along
Celebrate the upcoming cinematic release of Broadway’s Merrily We Roll Along with this special episode, including an interview with Maria Friedman, the show’s innovative director. Maria shares insights into Sondheim's work, his love for puzzles and games, and how her...
ep16 Give us more to HEAR: Bonus episode
Give us more to HEAR: Bonus episode Let me give you more to hear! A bonus episode. Revisit my interview with Richard Schoch, author of How Sondheim Can Change Your Life, exploring how Sondheim's works and different analytical lenses bring out varied interpretations....