Best Dan Iverson Podcasts (2025)

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Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - 🎵 You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, ASSAI is just ASSAI 🎶 🙄 16:11

11h ago16:11

16:11

This was an impressive debut crossword by Ingrid Steffensen. The theme definitely and deservedly takes center stage, and the rest of the clues were at exactly the right level of difficulty for a Tuesday. We approve! In other news, Jean's in the very hot hot seat for our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, so have a listen, and, as always, let us know what y…

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Monday, June 23, 2025 - You! Will! Like! This! Crossword! 😀 4:59

1d ago4:59

4:59

For those of you pondering the title of today's episode, fear not: all, well, nearly all, will be revealed in today's podcast, covering Zhouqin Burnikel's 28th Monday crossword, among a very respectable 82 that she has had published in the NYTimes. Show note imagery: While this might seem like a high tech torpedo bay, it is in fact possibly a claus…

1
Sunday, June 22, 2025 - The only podcast crafted with the sockdolager in mind 14:01

2d ago14:01

14:01

To paraphrase Yoda, the pun is strong in this one, a crossword by the mother and daughter team of Ruth B. Margolin and Hannah Margolin, the latter whose impending marriage inspired the aforementioned puns. So, congrats to the Margoli team for the publication and the nuptials! Show note imagery: A sockdolager, visualized We love feedback! Send us a …

1
Saturday, June 21, 2025 - Christina Iverson & Doug Peterson pull out all the stops! 17:43

4d ago17:43

17:43

This was a quintessential NYTimes Saturday crossword - tough, fair, and fun. It was constructed by two veteran crossword constructors -- Christina Iverson and Doug Peterson -- who we have come to cherish for making crosswords ... just like this one! Deets inside. As is tradition on Saturday, we have identified our JAMCOTWA™️ -- Jean And Mike Crossw…

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Friday, June 20, 2025 - Happy Solstice Day! 15:17

5d ago15:17

15:17

This was a pleasing Friday crossword - the grid looked daunting, and the clues were definitely on the hard side (Mike in particular wallowed in the bottom third of the grid), but it was overall a great end to the work week. We have deets inside, as well as a delectable Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, so check it out now! Show note imagery: The stunning …

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Thursday, June 19, 2025 - Happy Juneteenth!! 19:12

6d ago19:12

19:12

The NYTimes crosswords are always good, but this one stands alone, definitely worth a chef's kiss and even possibly a hug -- it was that exceptional. The theme was stupendous, and absolutely essential to solving the puzzle, for reasons that we delve into, in detail, in today's episode. Show note imagery: TAIO Cruz, author of (among other great work…

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RCS DIRTY THURSDAY – with Late Model #93, Kelsi Pederson and Kyle Rehm of BAJA Racing - 6-19-2025 1:14:38

6d ago1:14:38

1:14:38

June 19, 2025 - NLRA Late Model #93, Kelsi Pederson and Kyle Rehm of BAJA Racing join us today to discuss Kelsi's debut season in Late Models and preview the BAJA races at River Cities Speedway this Sunday at 2:30pm. Check out the Dirty Thursday YouTube channel for over 100 of our latest episodes - / @gfbsdirtythursday Show is recorded at Grand For…

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Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - Eli Cotham cranks it up! 13:37

7d ago13:37

13:37

Although this was a Wednesday crossword, some seriously Friday-level clueing did manage to make its way into the grid. Jean had to exert considerable mental effort, and Mike had to consume almost an entire bowl of Lucky Charms™️, before -- working independently, as is their custom -- they were able to get to the happy music. This was an awesome Wed…

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Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - The only thing messy about today's crossword was... MESSY 15:27

8d ago15:27

15:27

This was Tarun Krishnamurthy's second NYTimes crossword. It was just as good as his first, and considering that he wrote it while still in high school, we can anticipate him constructing a long, long string of great puzzles. A few clues (not mentioned in the podcast) of note include 26D, Get tangled up, RAVEL (oh, so that's what happens when you do…

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Monday, June 16, 2025 - A not-at-all LOOPY Monday crossword 13:32

9d ago13:32

13:32

This was the second crossword and collaboration between Jill Rataloff and Michelle Sontarp. Both are lawyers, and while they might be, and it would be awesome if they were, partners in the firm Cross, Down and Diagonal, Attorneys at Law, that is only speculation on our part. The puzzle itself was great -- a gentle Monday with several surprising clu…

1
Saturday, June 14, 2025 - Medic! 17:51

11d ago17:51

17:51

This was yet another highly challenging NYTimes crossword, but, since it was a Saturday, we were not surprised in the least. [Truthfully, we thought that maybe Will would give us a break after yesterday's mental marathon, but nooooo... 😀]. So, written at exactly the right level of difficulty, and with stellar cluing throughout, today's oeuvre by Ba…

1
Friday, June 13, 2025 - Evan Mulvihill delivers the goods! 14:49

12d ago14:49

14:49

Friday crosswords are supposed to be a challenge, and we can only imagine Evan Mulvihill cracking his knuckles while saying "I got this". And what we got out of the deal was this excellent, challenging Friday puzzle. Definitely worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, for reasons that we make clear in today's podcast. Show note imagery: Yes, beas…

1
Thursday, June 12, 2025 - Double, double, toil and trouble 12:04

13d ago12:04

12:04

It took just one teensy-weensy act to shift this crossword from nigh-well impossible to fun and eminently doable. Unfortunately, that act was to figure out the theme. If you know, in your heart of hearts, that an answer is correct, yet won't fit, then one word should emblazon itself in your frontal lobe, and that word should be ... rebus! Deets ins…

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RCS DIRTY THURSDAY – with NOSA Sprint 10T, Bob Martin & Crew Chief, Torey Martin - 6-12-2025 1:17:49

13d ago1:17:49

1:17:49

Former River Cities Speedway NOSA Sprint driver, #10T, Bob Martin & Crew Chief and Son, Torey Martin join us to reminisce on Bob's River Cities' days, talk racing, and catch up with them on their latest updates! Check out the Dirty Thursday YouTube channel for our latest 100 episodes - https://www.youtube.com/@gfbsdirtythursday Show is recorded at …

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Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - Quick, get your shades, this is one brilliant Wednesday crossword! 13:06

14d ago13:06

13:06

If crosswords were paintings, today's would be hanging in the Louvre, it is that good. The theme is a winner, but the rest of the clues are magnificent. We're not just speculating here, though, we have proof -- all of which can be found in today's episode. Show note imagery: The mighty MISSISSIPPI We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: W…

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Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - Was this a fine crossword? To quote 10D, YESREALLY! 15:07

15d ago15:07

15:07

Today's grid had a few surprising entries. One that in particular caught our eye, because it has never caught our eye, was 30A, Altar constellation, ARA. It is located in the southern hemisphere, and, alas, never visible from Northeast Wisconsin (and when we've been in the southern hemisphere, we forgot to look). We also liked 44A, Flim-________, F…

1
Monday, June 9, 2025 - Expect the unexpected! 13:40

16d ago13:40

13:40

Even if you do expect the unexpected, we predict that you'll still laugh when you figure out today's crossword, as the theme is delightful. Note that if you do not figure it out, fear not, we have the 411 for today's puzzle right here, and, if we may be permitted the indulgence of mixing 14th and 21st century English, cordially beseech thee to have…

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Sunday, June 8, 2025 - An eerily attractive crossword grid 😉 20:54

17d ago20:54

20:54

This was John Kugelman's twelfth NYTimes crossword in about 2 years, and today's puzzle makes it clear why he keeps getting published. The theme was fantastic, and there were enough challenging clues everywhere else to transform this into one of the tougher Sunday's we've seen in a while. We have the deets inside, so please, subscribe / download / …

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Saturday, June 7, 2025 - SACRA bleu, this crossword was a BEAUT! 😀 12:40

18d ago12:40

12:40

Today's crossword was Blake Slonecker's 9th in the NYTimes, and his 4th Saturday, so he definitely knows how to write challenging clues. The grid here was impressive, with 4 full-width and 4 full-height answers -- no easy feat. And the clues were engaging, amusing, and educational. Apart from the clues mentioned in today's podcast, we did appreciat…

1
Friday, June 6, 2025 - A perfect Friday crossword 19:14

19d ago19:14

19:14

What, you may ask, makes for a perfect Friday crossword? We're not sure about the what, but we are about the who: Adrian Johnson, the author of today's and 5 prior NYTimes Friday crosswords, definitely knows how to make one. Both hosts found his latest to be exceptionally tricky, but, ultimately (with a little luck, a lot of experience solving past…

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Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 1 debut author, 3 debut answers, an ♾️ amount of solving satisfaction 😍 18:35

20d ago18:35

18:35

This crossword had a most ingenious theme. Jean spotted it at once, enabling her to solve the puzzle in a goodly time; Mike, alas, solved it in a not-so-goodly time, meaning he had more time to savor all the ingenuity packed into Timothy Gaetz's debut crossword (bravo, Timothy!). All the themed clues were outstanding, but the non-themed ones weren'…

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RCS DIRTY THURSDAY - with NOSA/IMCA Sprint #25, Jerzee Rosinski & Greenbush Race Park Announcer, Dan Wiskow - 6-5-2025 1:16:18

20d ago1:16:18

1:16:18

NOSA/IMCA Sprint #25, Jerzee Rosinski & Greenbush Race Park Announcer, Dan Wiskow join the show to recap their 2025 seasons thus far, get a sneak peak at a special Greenbush trophy, and look ahead to the rest of the race year! Check out the Dirty Thursday YouTube channel for our latest 100 episodes - https://www.youtube.com/@gfbsdirtythursday Show …

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Wednesday, June 4, 2025 - OPDOC - A Spiderman villain or an NYTimes feature, something like that ... 16:03

21d ago16:03

16:03

It is unclear when "crunchy" was first used to categorize crosswords, but what is clear is that today's was definitely a crunchier than usual Wednesday - just the way we like it! Need proof? Check out today's episode, when we run through the crunchiest of the crunchy clues, for your edification and amusement. Show note imagery: T.S. Eliot, not look…

1
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - TAUPE, the perfect color choice for a toupee 🙄 16:17

22d ago16:17

16:17

There was a lot to love in today's crossword, but it had us at 25A, Ref. work with definitions for "colour" and "aluminium", OED (our favorite reference work of all time). We became even more smitten thanks to 27A, Andy Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans," e.g., POPART; and the kicker had to be the shoutout to one of our favorite foodstuffs, 30D, Vegan…

1
Monday, June 2, 2025 - Yup, this crossword was dee-lish! 8:19

23d ago8:19

8:19

This was a very fine sophomore crossword by Anthony V. Grubb, appearing almost exactly one year after his NY Times debut (also a Monday). The theme was cute; the clues, at an apposite Monday level, included a few gems. For instance, 19D, Superfan, in slang, STAN (we're big STAN STANs 😀); 31D, Pink Nintendo character from Planet Popstar, KIRBY (we'r…

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Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Time to dust off those Jumble skills! 16:08

24d ago16:08

16:08

If you grew up on Jumble (as, apparently, the author did), then you'll feel right at home tackling this awesome homage to anagrams, an impressive debut by Sam Brody. Ironically, the word anagram does not have an anagram, and so it is with great pride that we introduce the newest word in the English language, gramana, (n., a feeling of bliss that a …

1
Saturday, May 31, 2025 - Happy Last Day of May! 16:20

25d ago16:20

16:20

Today's puzzle was an enjoyable albeit challenging tag-team effort by Adam Aaronson and Ricky Cruz. Jean got through it in good time, Mike ... got through it, slowed down in numerous areas, but primarily by his refusal to accept that [DELETED, NO SPOILERS] was a real word. In other news, we've selected our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The W…

1
Friday, May 30 2025 - ALLABOARD ... the crossword express! 🚂 😀 15:42

26d ago15:42

15:42

This was a fine end-of-work-week crossword by Rafael Musa, his 19th for the NYTimes and his 9th Friday, so he certainly knows this day well! Though seemingly not hugely difficult, it was a good warmup for Saturday, with fun late-week clues, such as 24D, 4 is a good one, in brief, APSCORE (🧐); 51D, Like some orders, TALL (😀); and 38D, Mythical land …

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Thursday, May 29, 2025 - You'd probably need to be in Mensa to get the clue about Mensa 😉 15:39

27d ago15:39

15:39

The constructor of today's crossword, John Kugelman, is mostly known for his Sunday crosswords: but somehow he managed to squeeze all that ken into a 15x15 grid, and the result is this fine Thursday oeuvre. Some particularly noteworthy clues include 2D, Anarchist Sacco, NICOLA (yes, it's Wikipedia time 🙄); 1D, Something to wear on a run, SKICAP (⛷)…

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RCS DIRTY THURSDAY – with Wes Irwin of Living Like Outlaws & RCS Expert Meteorologist, Brina Seng - 5-29-2025 1:10:36

27d ago1:10:36

1:10:36

Wes Irwin of Living Like Outlaws & RCS Expert Meteorologist, Brina Seng join the show to preview the World of Outlaws races at River Cities Speedway this Friday. For more info on Living Like Outlaws, visit their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/livinglikeoutlaws Check out the Dirty Thursday YouTube channel for our latest 100 episodes - http…

1
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - 🎶 Traditiiiiiiiiion, tradition 🎶 🎻 18:35

28d ago18:35

18:35

This was a clever Wednesday crossword, and not just because its author, Peter A. Collins, slipped 21A, Understanding, KEN, and 22D, Astuteness, ACUMEN, into the grid. It was, inevitably, the theme that made this crossword shine, and you'll discover the meta-joke in that assessment when listening to today's episode (or when you've solved the crosswo…

1
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - Just like 5D, this crossword was ALLGOOD! 15:33

29d ago15:33

15:33

This was a fine Tuesday crossword by Ginny Too, with a twee theme that lent itself to some amusing segues, as you will discover in today's episode. We also have our Triplet Tuesday segment, so to see how Jean does (hint: A frequent source of water on a farm), check out today's episode. Just a friendly reminder that solving the NYTimes crossword has…

1
Monday, May 26, 2025 - In today's episode, we drill down on dental definitions 🙄 10:48

30d ago10:48

10:48

This is Ari Halpern's third NYTimes crossword, but his previous crossword appeared seventeen years ago. We're hoping that's because Ari found other things to do in the interim, and not because he's suffered 16 years worth of rejection. Although, if he had, this would make for a gripping story of perseverance and redemption; and since Ari's day job …

1
Sunday, May 25, 2025 - 🎵 All together now ... like an Einstein-Rosen bridge, over trouuuubled waters🎵 🙄 19:19

1M ago19:19

19:19

This was a brilliant crossword by Dylan Schiff. Solving it was terrific fun, but creating it must've been a real bear (to borrow from a recent NYTimes Crossword answer). You'll see why when you check out today's episode. Show note imagery: An OTTAWA senator, carrying one of the most lethal weapons ever created ... the hockey stick! 😱 We love feedba…

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Saturday, May 24, 2025 - Today's crossword contained, literally, a PLEASANTSURPRISE 12:46

1M ago12:46

12:46

Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a tad on the easy side (for a Saturday), but it nonetheless had some brilliant clues. Among these were 32D, Eton ___ (traditional English dessert), MESS (yum!); 28D, Shelters from the heat?, SAFEHOUSES (har!); and 54D, Magnum and Spade, for short, PIS (book 'em, Dano!). In other news, we have our JAMCOTWA …

1
Friday, May 23, 2025 - No, AKEE is not how you feel after eating an AKEE 🙄 17:10

1M ago17:10

17:10

Our intrepid cohosts -- solving, as always, independently -- had very different experiences whilst filling in the grid. Jean got through this relatively readily, whereas Mike muttered many imprecations and not a few desperate incantations on his way to the happy music. Deets inside, as well as a great Fun Fact Friday segment about, well, we don't k…

1
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - If crosswords were paintings, this'd be the Mona Lisa 🖼️ 15:05

1M ago15:05

15:05

This crossword was the embodiment of what makes the NYTimes Crossword so outstanding: a fantabulous theme amid a sea of novel and some LOL supporting clues. Just check out today's podcast, and then raise a glass in honor of David J. Kahn, creator of today's masterpiece. [Oh, and then raise it a second time in the direction of Will "Funnier! Make it…

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RCS DIRTY THURSDAY – with Street Stock #19, Cole Greseth & Scott Iverson of RCS Concessions - 5-22-2025 1:00:21

1M ago1:00:21

1:00:21

Street Stock Driver #19, Cole Greseth & RCS Head of Concessions, Scott Iverson join the show to break down Cole's big start to his 2025 season, get the low down on the latest RCS concessions, and so much more!! Keep up with Cole Greseth’s racing social media on his Facebook - bit.ly/4k4sMfz - To see the full Scott Iverson RCS Concessions tour visit…

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Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - A crossword so good you'll wish it was SOSTENUTO! 13:56

1M ago13:56

13:56

There was art in today's grid -- specifically at 29A, "The most beautiful deception of all," per Debussy, ART, and more generally, everywhere else; because only the most artful of crosswords make their way into the hallowed NYTimes crossword pantheon. Beyond the brilliant themed answers (discussed at length in today's episode), a few examples of th…

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Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - It's NIGH well about time NIGH made a comeback! 😀 18:38

1M ago18:38

18:38

This was Rena Cohen's first Tuesday crossword, and like the other three that she has constructed for the NYTimes, it was excellent: a brilliant theme and a constellation of ingenious clues made the whole puzzle shine. It's definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and if you're still skeptical, today's episode will surely put those qualms to r…

1
Monday, May 19, 2025 - We're agOG about today's crossword 😉 8:52

1M ago8:52

8:52

This was a fun, fast, frothy Monday crossword. It would be a great crossword to solve with the young'uns, for reasons that will become evident as you listen to today's episode. Also, as presaged in yesterday's episode, we do indeed have a Joke for your consideration. It might not leave you ROTFL, but hopefully it will at least make you TYCS (Tip Yo…

1
Sunday, May 18, 2025 - A big ola! to those who sell OLLAS 😏 14:16

1M ago14:16

14:16

Today's crossword seemed (to at least one of our cohosts) to be slightly crunchier than the usual Sunday, thanks to clues like 3D, "Ci vediamo in giro!" , CIAO; 70A, Pauperism, so to speak, RAGS (um, ok); and 61D, Arbiters of taste, CONNOISSEURS (or as they are known nowadays, influencers). To be clear, we are not complaining: we like a little crun…

1
Saturday, May 17, 2025 - The "toughest crossword of the week" lives up to its name! 15:44

1M ago15:44

15:44

This was an excellent Saturday crossword -- with some Ginsu-knife-sharp cluing, and just a light dusting of pop culture references -- which is precisely the reason why it is now the latest winner of our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️). Deets inside, so have a listen, and then tell all your friends and relations about us on so…

1
Friday, May 16, 2025 - MEGASTORE - when you're running low on MEGAs 🙄 17:28

1M ago17:28

17:28

Today's puzzle was a trifle easier than your typical Friday, which means -- by the Law of Conservation of Crossword Difficulty™️ -- you can expect tomorrow's crossword to be a morsel harder (on average, and of course YMMV depending on what you know and if you remember it). Regardless of the difficulty, though, we predict that it will be fun, challe…

1
Thursday, May 15th, 2025 - Today's puzzle BELIEs the notion that nobody knows what BELIE means 😉 13:38

1M ago13:38

13:38

This marks Simeon Siegel's 17th crossword since 2020, and while he might not be OVERPROUD, it is most certainly something to celebrate. The theme was particularly NOteworthy, and, YES, we meant to write NO just NOw. Confused? Today's podcast will bring enlightenment, so we encourage you to step out of the darkness and into the light, so to speak, b…

1
RCS DIRTY THURSDAY - With Lightning Sprint/NASCAR Arca Driver, Bryce Haugeberg - 5-15-2025 1:04:05

1M ago1:04:05

1:04:05

Lightning Sprint #22/NASCAR Arca Driver #06, Bryce Haugeberg joins us to talk about winning the Lightning Sprint feature season opener at River Cities, his current run in NASCAR Arca, and much more! Keep up with Bryce this season on his Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/brycehaugeberg22 Help support GFBS at this donation link - https://bit.l…

1
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - Featuring potatoes: the origin story! 14:21

1M ago14:21

14:21

Today's crossword was by award-winning crossword constructor Rebecca Goldstein and, if not award-winning, deserving-of-award crossword constructor Adam Wagner. Unsurprisingly, the result was ... award-winning, or at least worthy of 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, for reasons that we will let you discover (no spoilers here, nary a one!) by listening t…

1
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - ELATION! A crossword with ELATION in the grid 😀 😉🙄 12:16

1M ago12:16

12:16

This was a nice Tuesday crossword by Joe Rodini, his second for the NYTimes. He's now been published on Monday and Tuesday, so ... 5 to go, Joe! Today's theme was a bit messy, but that's by design, as you'll discover when you check out today's episode. Of course, it's also Tuesday, and today Jean's in the hot seat for Triplet Tuesday; so keep liste…

1
Monday, May 12, 2025 - 🥳 Celebrating the 500th appearance of the OREO in the NYTimes crossword!!🎉🎈 7:19

1M ago7:19

7:19

It is hard to believe that today marks the 500th appearance of OREO in the NYTimes crossword, but that's the word according to xwordinfo.com, and they oughta know! Now that might sound like Nabisco has architected one of the greatest product placement campaigns in the history of advertising. Truth be told, though, from the beginning of the NYTimes …

1
Sunday, May 11, 2025 - Danger, Will Robinson! Extremely hard crossword approaching 13:42

1M ago13:42

13:42

Brendan Emmett Quigley is famed for writing tough crosswords, and he has the pedal to the metal today. First, the grid: it is the standard 21x21 Sunday, but has only 54 black squares, a record. So, that means more to figure out, i.e., more fun! While clue difficulty is often a YMMV affair, we can say that, in general terms, some of these clues woul…

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