Episodes

  • The Kindness We Find Through Mah Jongg
    Feb 15 2025

    It’s so good to be back recording after my big surgery. In today’s episode I welcome Laurie Kapp to the podcast. We discuss so much in this episode! Our love of mahj, the devestating Cali fires that ravaged communities and left so many people homeless, mahj sets, favorite sections and hands on the card and how we both strive to share kindness in our games and in our lives. Cozy up with a warm cup of tea or coffee and listen in as we talk about our favorite game— mah jongg!!

    www.bespokemahjong.com

    You can purchase both of Fern's books, Mah Jongg Mondays (her memoir) and Staunch (a historical fiction work), at Amazon.com or at your local independent bookseller.

    (Fern menions it in the outro, but Liam recommends listening to Fern's other podcast, Grey Gardens! You can find it on Apple Podcasts or via your podcatcher of choice. It has a lot of fun explorations of the Edies and the history surrounding the titular estate and the varying documentaries and movies made about them.)

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Playing With Blank Tiles
    Dec 7 2024

    After a five month break due to medical issues, Fern is back at the mic first with returning guest and funny friend Lorraine Urist. Listen in as they talk about life, mah jongg and friendship.

    In the second part of the podcast Fern welcomes Ashley Gomez and Linda Casey from The Dallas Mahj Club. The ladies explain how to play with “blanks.” It’s a popular house rule that’s a Texas favorite among players there. Who knew the extra blank tiles in your set could add a fun and exciting twist to the game!

    Enjoy the episode, and Fern (and Liam) are wishing everyone a happy and healthy winter holiday season!

    The next episode will be post-surgery sometime in February. Happy playing everyone!

    Friend of the show Karen Gooen's memoir Ellen, Discovered is now available as an audiobook on Audible.com!

    Mah's Helping Hand mah jongg highlighters can be purcahsed at mahshelpinghand.com

    You can purchase both of Fern's books, Mah Jongg Mondays (her memoir) and Staunch (a historical fiction work), at Amazon.com or at your local independent bookseller.

    (Also while we're here, Liam recommends listening to Fern's other podcast, Grey Gardens! You can find it on Apple Podcasts or via your podcatcher of choice. It has a lot of fun explorations of the Edies and the history surrounding the titular estate and the varying documentaries and movies made about them.)

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • East Coast Meets West Coast!
    Jun 10 2024

    In todays episode my special and always funny west coast mahj sista, Lorraine Urist, joins me to discuss our exciting in person meet up on Long Island. Mah jongg brought us together like it has for so many other players across the country. We talk about the new card, seeing eachother in person and playing on my electric table, Lorraine’s recent mahj event in California and of course there’s a funny story Lorraine will share with us! Thank you for listening in and waiting patiently for this episode to drop as I’m dealing with chemo treatment. Mwah! You guys are the best!

    Fern's two books, Mah Jongg Mondays (her memoir) and Staunch (a historical fiction story), can both be purchased on Amazon.com or from your local independent bookseller.

    Mah's Helping Hand Highlighters

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Let’s Talk About the 2024 Card!
    Apr 8 2024
    In today’s episode Karen Gooen joins me to discuss the new 2024 card. We’ll talk about new hands, patterns and rhythms, fall back hands and more. Go grab your card and let’s dive in! You can contact Karen at Bubbefischer@gmail.com or purchase her book Searching For Bubbe Fischer: The Path To Mah Jongg Wisdom on Amazon.com or at your local bookseller. You can find Renee's Reading Club on Facebook. Fern's two books, Mah Jongg Mondays (her memoir) and Staunch (a historical fiction story), can both be purchased on Amazon.com or from your local independent bookseller.
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    57 mins
  • Marvelous Mrs. Mahj
    Feb 12 2024

    In todays episode I welcome Ronni Rice, aka Marvelous Mrs. Mahj to the podcast. Ronni is a mahj teacher who brings her love of the game to players in the Los Angeles area. Get ready to listen in to another episode of Mah Jongg Mondays with conversation and topics that’s all about our favorite game!

    Ronnies's website can be found at www.marvelousmrsmahj.com

    Fern's interview on Sylvia & Me

    Lorraine Urist can be contacted for the upcoming mahj event on 4/7/2024 at maloram@aol.com or at (818) 419-9167 Fern's two books, Mah Jongg Mondays (her memoir) and Staunch (a historical fiction book), can both be purchased on Amazon.com or from your local independent bookseller.
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    56 mins
  • Mahj-X
    Dec 11 2023
    In todays episode Fern welcomes back Julie Alexander and Debbie Barnett to the podcast. They will discuss their new venture called Mahj-X along with who they are collaborating with and what Mahj-X is all about. Liam and I are wishing everyone a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season! www.mahjx.com Mahj-X on Instagram Mahj-X Facebook Group Fern's two books, Mah Jongg Mondays (her memoir) and Staunch (a historical fiction book), can both be purchased on Amazon.com or from your local independent bookseller.
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    57 mins
  • Lorraine’s Mah Jongg Tourn-event
    Nov 13 2023
    Fern welcomes the funniest lady of mah jongg back to the podcast. Lorraine shares her experience creating and running a mah jongg one day of fun play. No episide with Lorraine is without side splitting laughter, so buckle up and listen in to the latest episode of Mah Jongg Mondays! Fern's two books, Mah Jongg Mondays (her memoir) and Staunch (a historical fiction book), can both be purchased on Amazon.com or from your local independent bookseller.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Episode 121
    Oct 23 2023
    In today’s episode Fern welcomes Iris Pressman and Heather Samet to the podcast. This mother-daughter duo both play and teach mah jongg and will share their love, skill, tips and strategies with us. They will also mention some helpful tools for new players. Fern is excited to share the launch of her second book titled: Staunch. The Edies of Grey Gardens. Let’s listen in and get our mahj—on! You can purchase Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback. Flip book: stacey1955@gmail.com The American MahJong Practice app can be found on the AppStore. Mah's Helping Hand mah jongg highlighters Friend of the show Daron Barness is also an instructor, and her website can be found here.
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    55 mins