Skip to content
Melo Podcasts Home
CategoriesLanguagesFollowing

Season 2, Episode 45 · Cube Engineers

Cube Engineers Episode 45: Educating Future Dental Professionals with Dr. Karl Self

4 Aug 2026 · 55 min

Play episode WhatsApp Download

Episode notes

We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites the legendary Dr. Karl Self from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry to discuss his contributions to the field of dentistry and dental education in the state of Minnesota. As the former Director of the Division of Dental Therapy and Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Dr. Self has helped educate thousands of dentists who now practice around the world! Learn about Dr. Self’s role in the introduction of…

Podcast

Cube Engineers

TrainmasterGT · Arts & Books · English

A podcast about Magic: The Gathering Cube, Game Design, and more by TrainmasterGT cubeengineers.substack.com

More from Cube Engineers All episodes →

  1. 8 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 21 min

    Cube Engineers Episode 50: Using Science to Build The Ultimate Cube!

    We are back on the rails again with the season 2 finale of Cube Engineers! What if we could combine science and game design theory to build a scientifically proven ultimate Cube? It’s more achievable than you might think! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites the creator of the Data Generated Vintage Cube, Daniel Smith (also known as l0gr1thm1k), to attempt to build the ultimate Cube using data science. The pair discuss the origins and function of the Cube generation algorithm, then use it to create a Cube using designs previously discussed on Cube Engineers! Finally, TrainmasterGT takes…

  2. 1 Sep 2026 · 56 min

    Cube Engineers Episode 49: Transport Fever 3 and Increasing Player Agency in Game Design

    We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Nico Heini, Publishing Manager for Urban Games, to discuss the upcoming title Transport Fever 3 . This game promises to offer more player agency than practically any other game in the genre and can serve as a tool for teaching game designers how to build higher-agency games. Learn how the new Node-Based Map Generation, Traffic Management, Light Rail, and Cargo Distribution Systems all provide players with a wealth of interesting gameplay decisions without overloading…

  3. E48 · 25 Aug 2026 · 53 min

    Cube Engineers Episode 48: No Counters? No Tokens? No Problem!

    We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In the episode, TrainmasterGT invites Lincoln (aka Kapernaumov), the creator of the world-famous Penrose Cube, to discuss the intricacies of designing Cubes without Counters or Tokens. Together, they explore the design constraints, power balancing, and mechanical workarounds necessary to build a compelling Cube without relying on external game objects. How does eschewing counters and tokens impact Cube design? Stay tuned to find out! All Aboard! REMINDER: Today is the final day to have your Cube included in the…

  4. E47 · 18 Aug 2026 · 57 min

    Cube Engineers Episode 47: A Colossal Discourse on Evolutionary Biology with Dr. Nick Longrich

    We are back on the rails again for another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Dr. Nick Longrich, Visiting Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Bath and founder of the Deep Time Foundation to discuss the philosophy of scientific discourse and evolutionary biology. Dr. Longrich has made many cool discoveries and played a role in resolving major controversies in the field of paleontology, including the description of Titanoceratops and the confirmation of Nanotyrannus as a distinct species. Find out how…

  5. S46 · 11 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 37 min

    Cube Engineers Episode 46: An Unexpected "The Hobbit" Cube Review

    We are back on the rails again for another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In the episode, TrainmasterGT once again invites the legendary Usman Jamil to review the new Hobbit Magic: The Gathering Set for Cube! Together, the pair go there and back again to discuss all of the coolest cards in The Hobbit. Are there any new cards that we can call our precious, or will this set be relegated to the dustbins of history like the lost cities of the Second Age? Can Middle-earth manage to draw our attention away from Minnesota and Clacton? These questions and more, answered today! All Aboard! Cube…

  6. S2 · E44 · 28 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 11 min

    Cube Engineers Episode 44: Bar Cubes: Disruption and Exhibition with Magic featuring Derek Gallen!

    We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! Grab a seat at the bar and order another round of your favorite deck; we’re in for a real treat! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Derek Gallen to discuss the origins and evolution of Bar Cube! Discover how one man’s quest to design a Cube that could fit in his pocket sparked a community movement that popularized an entire subgenre of Cubes. See what lessons Derek learned in order to facilitate his design goals and desired play patterns, and how it impacted his views on Magic as a social experience. All…

  7. 21 Jul 2026 · 58 min

    Cube Engineers Episode 43: Pride and Glory: Preserving Railroad History with Trevor Lombardi

    Priiiiiiide and Glor-ay! We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this edition, TrainmasterGT invites Trevor Lombardi, Railroad Operations Manager at the Colorado Railroad Museum and co-author of Pride and Glory: The Cimarron and Northwestern Railway Company, to discuss railway preservation and historiography. We discuss how Trevor’s origins as a camp director at Philmont Scout Ranch led to a career as a real railroader! Learn how railroad preservationists and historians conduct research, maintain track, and even restore locomotives! All Aboard! Cube…

  8. S2 · E42 · 14 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 1 min

    Cube Engineers Episode 42: The Bourbon (Cube) Dynasty: Cubecon 2026 Edition!

    In this episode, TrainmasterGT is once again joined by Usman Jamil to uncover the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. In this case, it is the Bourbon Cube by Noah (Islandponder)! Learn about this wonderful Cube, and why TrainmasterGT and Usman decided to pick it for the main event of Cubecon 2026! Along the way, learn about the history of the Magic community in Madison, Wisconsin, and how local Cube communities can fit into the wider tapestry of the Cubiverse. Cube Engineers is now on Patreon! Follow this link to find out how to support the show! All…

  9. 7 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 43 min

    Cube Engineers Episode 41: The Potential Pitfalls of Custom Cards

    We are back on the rails again with Season 2 of Cube Engineers!Most conversations around custom cards tout the benefits of the medium, but fail to adequately address the drawbacks of their implementation. In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Chris Taylor back again to examine the potential pitfalls of utilizing custom cards in a Cube, and whether or not these issues can be minimized. Along the way, the two explore some of their own custom designs which have proven problematic in the past, and what lessons they learned as a result. Should custom cards be a tool in every Cuber’s arsenal, or…

  10. 18 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 53 min

    Cube Engineers Episode 40: Marvelous Marvel Super Heroes Cube Review!

    In this episode, TrainmasterGT and Usman Assemble to discuss Earth’s Mightiest Magic Cards. Together, they discuss the set’s biggest standouts, misses, and build-around cards for Cube designers. Is Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes a triumph of game design, or did the design team Go Nuts when they pitched this one? Stay tuned to find out! Show Notes Usman’s New Website: Usmantherad.com! Usman’s Bluesky! Jund with Sarkhan the Mad Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Captain America and the Avengers for the SNES The Pack One Slick Ones Alchemy Episode Rush (the Band) “Yes and” “ The Soup Problem ” Cards…

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.

Get it on Google Play