Explore every episode of the podcast Board Game Radio

This week on Board Game Radio, Doug and Michael tackle a question every campaign gamer eventually faces: What do you do with a campaign game after you’ve finished it? Keep it on the shelf as a trophy? Pass it along? And should our answer change if the campaign can actually be played again?

In This Week in Gaming, we’re looking ahead to Game Store Day on November 7 and celebrating the local game stores that help keep the tabletop community rolling.

Then Troll er No? returns! We’ve collected some wonderfully brutal negative BoardGameGeek reviews—but some of them are completely made up. Can we tell the real internet trolls from the imposters?

Finally, Michael puts on his salesman hat for Play or Pass. He’ll pitch games from his collection to Doug, answer Doug’s questions, and try to convince him that these games deserve a spot at the table. Will Doug agree to play…or send them straight to the pass pile?

Visit BoardGameRadio.com, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and join the conversation at BoardGameRadio.com/discord.

Subscribe to Board Game Radio on your podcast platform of choice, and if you enjoy the show, consider leaving us a 5-star review.

If it’s about games, it’s on the table!

00:00:00 Crowdfundin' Carl

00:01:12 Intro to Board Game Radio

00:01:56 Follow-Up and Community Engagement

00:04:08 The Appeal of Simplified Games

00:09:25 This Week In Gaming

00:09:48 Game Store Day and Local Support

00:11:36 A Gluttony of Crowdfunding Campaigns

00:16:52 What's On Your Mind?

00:17:30 Advantageous Moves

00:27:20 Campaign Games: To Keep or Not to Keep?

00:27:38 When To Move On From Campaign Games?

00:38:05 Troll er No?

00:39:26 7 Wonders: Architects

00:49:28 Rebirth

00:55:58 Play or Pass: Game Hole Con Edition

00:57:31 Bean To Bar

01:01:25 Brink

01:03:33 World Order

This week on Board Game Radio, Doug and Michael dig into the art—and occasional pain—of teaching board games. What parts of teaching trip us up the most, and which games have proven especially difficult to get to the table?

In This Week in Gaming, we talk about CMON’s $19 million capital raise and Chip Theory Games working with Jennifer Graham-Macht to bring Neon Knight to a wider audience.

Then it’s time for The Great Game Guessing Game! We’ve each dug up an obscure game from before 1995, and the other host has to figure out what the game is about based on the title alone. What could possibly go wrong?

Finally, it’s List Time with our High-Five Games We’ve Cooled On—games we once enjoyed or were excited about, but that just don’t hit the same way anymore

Plus, we follow up on your trick-taking questions from Discord.

Visit BoardGameRadio.com, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and join the conversation at BoardGameRadio.com/discord.

Subscribe to Board Game Radio on your podcast platform of choice, and if you enjoy the show, consider leaving us a 5-star review.

If it’s about games, it’s on the table!

00:20 Introduction to Board Game Radio

02:58 This Week In Gaming

03:24 Jumpmasters: A New Favorite Game

15:01 Chip Theory Games Expands

17:47 CMON Raises Cash

19:48 What's On Your Mind?

20:17 Difficulty Teaching Games

30:54 The Great Game Guessing Game

31:42 Higgly Piggly: The Plastic Farm Game

35:15 Time Agent

38:41 Rootie Kazootie Word Game

42:30 Times to Remember

48:21 High Five Games We've Cooled On

This week on Board Game Radio, Doug and Michael celebrate one of the best parts of tabletop gaming: introducing the hobby to new players and seeing that moment when a game unexpectedly clicks.

Then, are you playing the wrong game with the wrong people? We talk about how the group around the table can completely change the experience.

We also debut a brand-new segment: Geek Sequence! Can we correctly rank a lineup of games based on a single BoardGameGeek metric? This week, we put our knowledge of game complexity to the test.

Finally, it’s our Monthly Game Roundup, featuring four games that have been hitting our tables:

🌱 Tend — IV Studio

👑 Rebel Princess: Deluxe Edition — Bezier Games

🏙️ Machi Koro: Life — Pandasaurus Games

⚔️ Brave & Bold: Bag Building Combat Game — Resurrection Games

We’ll tell you what we played, what stood out, and what we thought about each one.

Visit BoardGameRadio.com, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and join the conversation on Discord at BoardGameRadio.com/discord.

Subscribe to Board Game Radio on your podcast platform of choice, and if you enjoy the show, leave us a 5-star review.

If it’s about games, it’s on the table!

00:00:20 Introduction to Board Game Radio

00:04:43 This Week In Gaming

00:05:22 Wow Factor For New Gamers

00:08:59 New Buying System Consequences

00:15:47 Magic: The Gathering Update

00:20:07 What's On Your Mind?

00:20:50 The Impact of Group Dynamics on Gaming Experience

00:33:30 The Inception of Game Collection Reduction

00:40:54 Geek Sequence

00:41:37 Ranking Games by Complexity

00:49:54 Family Games By Dr. Reiner Knizia

00:54:21 Monthly Game Roundup

00:54:54 Brave & Bold: Bag-Building Combat Game

01:02:00 Machi Koro: Life

01:09:17 Trick-Taking Games: Rebel Princess Review

01:19:16 Tend: A Complex Flip and Write Experience

We’ve got a great show this week! We’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, including some new crowdfunding campaigns. We'll discuss gaming cynicism and table real estate. We debate some game night hypotheticals about consistent game nights and expansions versus bling! We finish the episode by drafting Phil Walker-Harding Games!

00:20 Introduction to Board Game Radio

07:21 This Week In Gaming

07:56 Upcoming Crowdfunding

11:34 Bestselling Games

14:24 What's On Your Mind?

14:49 Veteran Gamer Cynicism

28:02 Table Real Estate and Game Acquisition

36:36 Game Night Hypotheticals: Choices and Dilemmas

36:59 New vs. Old

40:25 Expansions or Bling?

43:44 Consistent Game Nights?

46:31 Discount or Speed?

50:57 Collection Selection: Phil Walker-Harding

Don't forget to check out our Discord!

https://www.boardgameradio.com/discord/

We’ve got a great show this week! We’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discussing family games on BoardGameGeek, and revisiting GenCon Hotness!

00:00:20 Introduction & Follow-up

00:03:32 This Week In Gaming & Awesomeness

00:04:50 Exploring Personal Gaming Backlogs

00:09:23 Exciting News in Tabletop Gaming

00:14:01 Does BoardGameGeek Have a Family Games Problem?

00:34:42 Exploring Gen Con's Hotness Over the Years

00:37:13 2023 Gen Con Preview

00:45:59 2024 Gen Con Preview

00:51:51 2025 Gen Con Preview

00:58:27 2026 Gen Con Preview

01:00:42 Reflections on Game Quality and Hype

Don't forget to check out our Discord! https://www.boardgameradio.com/discord/

We’ve got a great show this week! We’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discussing our thoughts on the hobby, visiting the Shelf of Shame Support Group, and chatting with Dave Beck of Paverson Games!

00:00:00 Introduction to Board Game Radio

00:03:28 Drillers Game Sales

00:08:18 Accountability Test #1

00:14:48 This Week In Gaming: Teacher Fund

00:17:36 Chess Joker: Review

00:31:03 What's On Your Mind? What would you miss?

00:41:06 The Shelf of Shame: Confessions and Reflections

00:46:55 Understanding Why Games Go Unplayed

00:55:46 Rethinking the Shelf of Shame

01:02:01 Interview: Dave Beck

01:05:16 Video Games to Tabletop Games

01:08:05 Balancing Academia and Entrepreneurship

01:11:54 Transitioning from Designer to Publisher

01:15:53 Class of 89 and Small Batch

01:25:10 Celebrating Awards and Recognition

01:31:18 The Impact of Board Game Arena

01:38:04 What makes tabletop gaming awesome?

In this episode, Michael and Doug share what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, including winning contests and new game releases. They also discuss expanding into other parts of the hobby, playing Stupid Money/Smart Money Gencon Edition, and closing out with a Monthly Game Roundup featuring Hell of a Deal, Circadia, Wild Magic, and Guillotine!

00:00:00 - Introduction to Board Game Radio

00:03:01 - Follow-Up and Community Engagement

00:06:22 - What's Awesome in Tabletop Gaming

00:09:05 - New Game Releases and Themes

00:12:07 - Experiences with Local Game Stores

00:16:24 - What's On Your Mind? Diving into Magic: The Gathering

00:24:20 - Community Challenges in TCGs

00:28:10 - The Barriers to Entry in Collectible Games

00:34:07 - Stupid Money, Smart Money: Gen Con Edition

00:53:25 - Monthly Game Roundup

01:03:30 - Diving into Circadia: Gameplay Mechanics and Strategies

01:12:08 - Wild Magic: Family-Friendly Fun and Strategic Depth

01:20:11 - Guillotine: A Classic with New Art

In this episode, Doug and Michael do a thorough follow-up of GenCon. They dive into the show's headlines, along with their surprises, misses, and overall impressions.

00:00:20 - Welcome Back to the Studio

00:01:27 - Reflecting on Gen Con Experience

00:06:26 - Crowd Management and Venue Expansion

00:08:06 - FOMO and News Coverage at Gen Con

00:11:41 - Weather Challenges at Gen Con

00:12:34 - Game Announcements and Highlights

00:18:21 - All Play's New Game Lines

00:26:10 - Restoration Games and Unmatched Updates

00:32:46 - Final Thoughts and Reflections

00:35:27 - Excitement Over New Games

00:39:31 - Surprises from Gen Con

00:49:30 - Misses and Regrets at the Convention

00:53:07 - Reflections on Future Conventions

01:03:41 - Overall Experience and Takeaways

In this episode, Doug and Michael discuss their Day 2 at GenCon! They discuss experiences in the exhibit hall, the Allplay new game announcements, AEG Big Game Night, and more!

In this episode, Doug and Michael discuss their Day 1 at GenCon! They discuss experiences in the exhibit hall, the hottest games, and instant reactions to a great first day at the convention!

In this week's episode, Doug and Michael share Michael's 2026 purchasing plan, talk solo games, discuss convention tips, preview Gencon with guest Harrison Dunn, and play a game of Blind Rank!

00:00:20 - Introduction & Follow-up

00:03:28 - Michael's Board Game Buying Challenge

00:11:15 - What's Awesome This Week in Gaming

00:22:37 - What's on Your Mind? - Convention Tips and Tricks

00:31:13 - Gencon Preview with Harrison Dunn

01:19:40 - Blind Rank

In this episode we’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discuss reprinting games and going on game buying sabbatical. Lastly we chat with guest Phill Klamm about all things Disney Lorcana and play a game of Troll er No with him!

00:00:20 - Introduction and Follow-Up

00:02:45 - This Week in Gaming

00:08:19 - What's On Your Mind?

00:08:50 - Reprints of Older Games: A Trend Analysis

00:16:48 - Not Buying Games

00:25:38 - Introduction to Phill Klamm and Lorcana

00:28:41 - Overview of Lorcana: The Trading Card Game

00:31:42 - Phil's Journey into Competitive Play

00:34:39 - What Keeps Phil Engaged in Lorcana

00:37:24 - Accessibility and Cost of Playing Lorcana

00:40:35 - Understanding the Mechanics of Lorcana

00:43:36 - Family Involvement and Community in Lorcana

00:46:35 - Getting Started with Lorcana

00:49:25 - Threats and Future of Lorcana

00:52:43 - Pack Opening and Final Thoughts

00:56:19 - The Excitement of Opening Packs

00:59:11 - The Joy of Gaming and Learning

01:00:32 - Troll or No: The Game Begins

This week we’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discuss industry awards and balancing fun with winning, chat with designer and developer Paul Salomon from GameHead Games, and play a game of The Great Game Guessing Game.

00:00:20 - Introduction and Follow-Up on Expansion Extravaganza

00:02:20 - This Week In Gaming: Spiel de Jahres Winners

00:10:00 - Industry Awards: Value and Insights

00:18:07 - Discussion on Playing for Fun vs. Winning

00:25:30 - Special Guest: Paul Solomon

00:26:54 - Journey into Board Games

00:28:29 - Role of Creative Director at Game Head

00:30:34 - Current Projects and Exciting Developments

00:32:44 - Designing vs. Developing Games

00:37:44 - Working with Designers and Publishers

00:42:47 - Signing Games from Renowned Designers

00:45:43 - Game Development Insights and Strategies

00:52:42 - Understanding the Board Game Industry

00:56:52 - The Social Aspect of Gaming

01:00:38 - The Great Game Guessing Game

This week Doug & Michael discuss upcoming releases from Stonemaier Games, Horrible Guild, and Pandasaurus Games, express gratitude to a local game store, ponder the best way to introduce new games, and the plethora of small box games available. The finish the episode by reviewing expansions for Faraway, Castle Combo, Honey Buzz, and Return to Dark Tower.

00:00:20 - Introduction to Board Game Radio

00:00:59 - Follow-Up on Previous Games

00:02:19 - This Week In Gaming

00:13:47 - Celebrating Local Game Stores

00:20:07 - What's On Your Mind?

00:20:21 - Choosing Games for New Players

00:33:31 - Discussion on Small Box Games

00:44:12 - Expansion Extravaganza

00:45:04 - Faraway: Under Starry Skies

00:49:40 - Castle Combo: Out of the Oubliette!

00:56:15 - Honey Buzz: Fall Flavors

01:06:49 - Return to Dark Tower: Covenant Expansion

In this week's episode Doug and Michael discuss the latest news and headlines including a new edition of Parks and data from Origins Game Fair. In addition, they also speculate on complainers in the hobby, reveal their high-five American themed games, and conclude last week's monthly game roundup with Frosted Blooms, Fox Grove, and Spooktacular.

00:00:20 - Introduction to Board Game Radio

00:20:42 - What's On Your Mind? - The State of Online Discourse in Gaming

00:39:00 - List Time - High-Five American Themed Games

00:56:52 - Monthly Game Roundup

00:57:34 - Spooktacular

01:03:36 - Frosted Blooms

01:13:16 - Fox Grove

In this week's show we'll be discussing some of the latest headlines like the Origins Game Fair, share what's on our minds including game complexity and the difficulty of reviewing games. We're gonna compete to guess games in redacted reviews, and we'll finish off the episode with a roundup of some of the games we've played recently, such as Root, First Class Letters, and Paper World!

00:00:20 - Introduction to Board Game Radio

00:01:30 - Follow-Up on Schaudenfreude Game

00:09:31 - Podcast Growth and YouTube Appeal

00:11:02 - This Week in Gaming: Origins Game Fair Highlights

00:11:43 - Origins Award Winners Discussion

00:19:21 - Attending Origins In The Future

00:25:13 - Creating Community in Board Game Retailing

00:28:03 - What's On Your Mind? The Essence of Game Reviews

00:39:06 - Understanding Complexity in Board Games

00:47:17 - Redacted Reviews

01:01:51 - Monthly Game Roundup

01:02:21 - Root

01:07:54 - First Class Letters

01:13:47 - Azul

01:15:20 - Paper World

01:21:06 - Wingspan - Digital

In this Episode Doug & Michael discuss some of the latest headlines like the Catan Championships and the latest Dominion expansion, share what’s on our minds about Bog Box Games and crowdfunding, ask stupid money/smart money questions about Deluxe Editions and Convention expenses, and we’ll finish off the episode with new segment called Collection Selection in which we draft deck-building games like Clank! and Lost Ruins of Arnak!

00:00 Introduction to Board Game Radio

06:29 This Week in Gaming: New Releases and Trends

12:19 Catan National Championship and Community Engagement

18:17 Exciting New Games and Expansions

22:01 What's On Your Mind?

22:15 Discussion on Big Box Games and Their Value

25:05 The Allure of Big Box Games

28:49 The Evolution of Crowdfunding in Board Games

36:55 Stupid Money, Smart Money: Crowdfunding Insights

52:08 The Value of Game Demos

56:19 Collection Selection: Drafting Deck Builders

In this episode Doug & Michael talk about the latest news including Amigo reprints and Asmodee. They also debate who spends more money, Trading Card Game Players or Board Gamers, followed by there takes on dice or cards as randomizers. A new segment, Great Moments in Gameschooling, highlights a father son design project. Lastly, they reveal their favorite games from 2021.

00:00 - Introduction to Board Game Radio

03:14 - Reflections on Recent Conventions

06:04 - Industry Trends and Revenue Insights

08:16 - New Game Releases and Updates

11:16 - Amigo Games Finding Homes

13:58 - Asmodee Crowdfunding Report

16:56 - BoardGameGeek Origins & Gencon Previews

20:11 - What's On Your Mind?

20:48 - TCG Players or Board Gamers

30:17 - Dice vs. Cards: The Randomizer Debate

35:15 - Great Moments in Game Schooling: Baseball Card GM

48:44 - List Time: Top Games of 2021

This week, Doug and Michael recap their experiences at ACD Expo 2026, one of the tabletop gaming industry’s premier retailer trade shows held in Madison, Wisconsin.

The hosts discuss the biggest trends from the show floor, including the growing popularity of trading card games and trick-taking games, along with standout titles from publishers across the industry. Highlights include upcoming releases such as Fox Grove, Frosted Blooms, For All Mankind, One Round?, Thunder Road: Ignition, Trickarus, and many more.

Join us as we share our favorite discoveries, discuss emerging trends, and take a look at what’s coming next in tabletop gaming.

In this episode Doug and Michael follow-up on some Spiel des Jahres News and Speculate on Bluey Catan. They also discuss games ending in ties and the allure of weird games. Then, they play a game of Troll er No about Return to Dark Tower and Marvel United. Lastly, the finish with a monthly game roundup including titles such as Lost Cities, Cozy Stickerville, Lone Wolves, Catan: On the Road, and Cloudspire.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Follow-Up

00:10:13 - This Week In Gaming

00:22:45 - What's On Your Mind: Ties in Gaming

00:29:03 - The Allure of Weird Games

00:35:43 - Troll or No: A Game of Reviews

00:55:24 - Monthly Game Roundup

00:56:33 - Lost Cities

00:59:11 - Cozy Stickerville

01:05:49 - Lone Wolves

01:10:19 - Catan: On the Road

01:16:25 - Cloudspire

In this episode Doug and Michael discuss the latest news in gaming, including the Spiel Des Jahres nominees. We also discuss gamer's and their obsession with box sizes. We play a round of game night hypotheticals that delves into collection size, game costs, and personal or family gaming. We finish the episode some older titles we've played recently including New York 1901, Steam Time, and Legendary: James Bond.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Follow-Up Discussions

00:05:52 - This Week In Gaming

00:31:36 - What's On Your Mind?

00:42:50 - Game Night Hypotheticals

01:01:28 - Retro Retread: New York 1901

01:07:55 - Steam Time

01:13:47 - Legendary: James Bond

Join Doug and Michael as they explore the latest in board gaming, including the Board Game Geek Awards. Doug discusses a recent flea market experience. Michael features campaign games in Play or Pass, such as ISS Vanguard, Cloudspire, Kinfire Chronicles, and Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread. We finish off the episode with Campaign Chronicles as we dive into a spoiler-filled breakdown of Pandemic: Season 1!

00:00 - Introduction and Overview

01:04 - This Week In Gaming: Board Game Geek Awards

30:06 - What's On Your Mind? Flea Market Experience

42:00 - Play or Pass: Campaign Games

59:15 - Campaign Chronicles: Pandemic Legacy Season 1

This week we'll be discussing some of the latest headlines including a slew of game announcements. We'll chat about what’s on our mind like solo games and deck-building. We play the Great Game Guessing Game and try to figure out what the game Ulcer is about! Lastly we finish up by analyzing whether games such as Kingsburg, Sushi Go Party!, and Great Western Trail are underrated, overrated or perfectly rated!

00:00 - Introduction to Board Game Radio

01:26 - This Week In Gaming

21:57 - What's On Your Mind?

33:38 - The Great Game Guessing Game Begins

56:13 - Goldilocks: Game Ratings Discussion

In this episode, we explore the latest in board gaming, including reprints of Guillotine and The Voyages of Marco Polo and Mensa Select Winners. We explore the concept of lifestyle games, their impact on the hobby, and share insights on promoting the hobby. We play a game of Redacted Reviews. To close the show we talk about what we've been playing including Citizens of the Spark, Luthier, Magical Athlete, and Emberheart.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:07 - This Week In Gaming

00:20:08 - What's On Your Mind?

00:35:37 - Redacted Reviews: The Game Guessing Game

00:52:13 - Monthly Game Roundup: What We've Been Playing

Join us as we explore the latest in board gaming, share insights on unplayed gems, and discuss the evolving landscape of collectible card games. We also Blind Rank some games!

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introductions

00:01:12 - This Week In Gaming

00:24:51 - What's on Our Mind?

00:39:42 - Blind Ranking Board Games

00:53:53 - Shelf of Shame Support Group

This week, Doug and Michail discuss some of the latest headlines, like the reprinting of Mechs vs. Minions. They also talk about large publishers crowdfunding and content creator objectivity. Then we debate smart money and stupid money in the hobby and finish by revisiting our top games from 2016!

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:17 - This Week In Gaming

00:21:43 - What's On Your Mind?

00:37:08 - Stupid Money, Smart Money

01:00:03 - Top 10 Games of 2016

board games, crowdfunding, game industry, game reprints, hobby trends, game design, industry challenges, content creation board games, 2016 top games, game design, Scythe, Mansions of Madness, Clank, gaming experiences, game collection, game value, hobby games

Join us as we explore upcoming releases from The OP, discuss the balance between old and new games, and play a fun game of Troll or No with Andrew from The OP. We even chat about what games we'd play with the most unlikely of table guests!

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:45 - Publisher Spotlight

00:29:13 - Troll er No?

00:41:03 - What's On Your Mind?

01:01:52 - Who's At the Table?

Join Doug and Michael as they explore the latest in board gaming, including new game announcements, discuss whether being terrible at a game influences our opinion of that games, and share the games we've been playing in the Monthly Game Roundup.

00:00 - Introduction to Board Game Radio

04:01 - Ad: Gaming Snack Mittens

07:20 - This Week In Gaming

21:22 - What's On Your Mind?

35:52 - Monthly Game Roundup

Join Doug and Michael as they explore the latest in board gaming, share humorous airport gaming stories, discuss upcoming game releases, and dive into thought-provoking hypothetical scenarios about game night dilemmas and game design. This episode offers insights into solo gaming, the impact of paid previews, and creative ideas for themed games like grilling and TSA security.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:07:28 - Ad - Shelf of Shame Storage Cloth

00:09:36 - This Week In Gaming

00:23:48 - What's On Your Mind

00:36:26 - Game Night Hypotheticals

00:56:37 - Make It A Game

Join us as we explore the intricacies of board game design, publishing challenges, and our personal shelves of shame. We delve into topics like game insert frustrations, industry insights, and upcoming game releases, all sprinkled with humor and industry anecdotes.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:05:16 - Sponsor Spotlight: Super Deluxe Monopoly

00:09:18 - Latest Board Game News and Updates

00:22:00 - What's On Your Mind - Inserts

00:32:08 - Understanding the Challenges of Board Game Publishing

00:41:52 - Board Game Blitz

00:54:51 - Shelf of Shame: Confessions of Unplayed Games

Join Doug and Michael as they explore the latest in board game news, share insights on game complexity, play mats, game acquisition, and play Redacted Reviews, a fun game review challenge. Lastly, in the Goldilocks segment, they discuss which games are overrated, underrated, and just right!00:00:00 - Introduction00:04:46 - Board Games as Home Decor00:07:54 - Deluxe Game Components00:10:49 - Deluxification of Games00:13:58 - The Rules Ratio Concept00:16:52 - Essen Spiel Expansion00:21:09 - Discussion on Scenarios in Board Games00:29:08 - The Value of Neoprene Playmats00:34:17 - Transitioning from New Games to Accessories00:40:17 - Redacted Reviews: Guessing Game00:50:37 - Goldilocks: Game Ratings Discussion00:52:45 - Game Ratings and Player Counts00:55:27 - Exploring Pandemic Legacy00:58:03 - Sushi Go: A Drafting Delight01:01:13 - Castles of Burgundy: A Euro Game Classic01:03:58 - Junk Orbit: A Unique Space Adventure01:08:21 - Captain Flip: A Rising Star

In this episode of Board Game Radio, hosts Doug and Michael discuss the latest happenings in the board game industry, including Asmodee's acquisition of a popular title and the implications for the market. They delve into the accuracy of playtime estimates for games, share their thoughts on deluxe editions, and engage in a fun guessing game about obscure board games. The episode wraps up with a roundup of games they've played recently, highlighting their experiences and insights.

00:00 - Introduction

04:21 - This Week In Gaming

15:31 - Discussion on Play Times

29:04 - The Great Game Guessing Game

44:24 - Monthly Game Roundup

In this episode of Board Game Radio, hosts Doug and Michael discuss the latest news in the board game world, including Netflix's upcoming Ticket to Ride movie and the announcement of Forbidden Legacy. They delve into the concept of analysis paralysis in gaming, exploring the right balance of decision-making time during gameplay. The conversation also touches on the benefits of 3D printing for board games, followed by a fun segment where they blind rank various games. Finally, Michael pitches new games from his collection, including Ember Heart, Ironwood, and Voidfall, while Doug shares his thoughts on each.

00:00 - Introduction

07:08 - This Week In Gaming

21:11 - Analysis Paralysis in Gaming

27:39 - 3D Printing for Board Games

32:51 - Blind Rank

48:52 - Play or Pass

In this episode of Board Game Radio, Doug and Michael discuss various topics including new game releases and industry news. They explore the concept of hidden gems in the gaming world, share their thoughts on mechanics and themes they are cooling on, and play a game of 'Troll er No' where they compete over negative comments about popular games. The episode wraps up with a recap of the games they've been playing recently, including American Bookshop and Rowdy Partners.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Rebranding Discussion

00:03:17 - Nomad: Folding Gaming Table

00:06:24 - Industry News and Updates

00:21:29 - Do Hidden Gems Really Exist?

00:29:22 - Cooling on Mechanisms or Themes

00:36:49 - Game Review Challenge: Troll or No?

00:48:47 - Misfit Heroes

00:51:59 - Chocolate Factory

00:55:58 - Exploring Fractured Sky: A Unique Gaming Experience

01:01:52 - The Sims Board Game: A Missed Opportunity

01:04:54 - American Bookshop: A Trick-Taking Delight

01:10:21 - Rowdy Partners: Teamwork in Wrestling

In this episode of Board Game Radio, hosts Doug and Michael discuss the transition from their previous podcast, Game Schooler, to their new format. They share their excitement about the new show, the importance of having fun in gaming, and the variety of games available. The episode features a segment called 'Operation Name That Game' and culminates in a discussion of their top 10 games from 2025, highlighting their personal favorites and the experiences that shaped their gaming year.

00:00 - Introduction to Board Game Radio

04:52 - This Week In Gaming: Board Game Radio

17:44 - What's on Your Mind: Crowdfunding Predictions

25:21 - Understanding Board Gaming for Non-Gamers

31:06 - Operation Name That Game: A Fun Challenge

42:49 - Top 10 Games of 2025

In this reflective episode of the Game Schooler podcast, hosts Doug and Michael celebrate 250 episodes by looking back on their journey, discussing the evolution of their show, and sharing their plans for the future. They emphasize the importance of educational games, community engagement, and the need to shift focus from traditional game reviews to more enjoyable conversations about gaming. As they prepare for season two, they express gratitude for their listeners and the support they've received throughout their journey.

In this episode of the Game Schooler Podcast, hosts Doug and Michael revisit their top 10 games from 2024, discussing various titles and their experiences with each game. They explore a range of themes including cooperative gameplay, unique mechanics, and the joy of family gaming. The conversation also highlights the importance of community engagement and the excitement surrounding new game releases, especially during the holiday season.

In this episode, Michael and Doug explore Michael's top 25 board games of all time, discussing various themes, mechanics, and personal experiences with each game. From cooperative games like Cthulhu Death May Die to classic strategy games like Ticket to Ride, the conversation delves into what makes each game special and the joy of playing with friends and family. The hosts also reflect on the impact of nostalgia and game complexity on their preferences, encouraging listeners to share their own top games.

In this episode of the Game Schooler podcast, hosts Doug and Michael explore the concept of curating a board game collection down to just 24 games. Doug shares his personal list of games he would keep, discussing the criteria behind his selections, the mechanics of each game, and the sentimental value they hold. The conversation delves into various genres, including strategy, family, and cooperative games, while also highlighting the unique aspects that make each game special.

In this week’s episode we'll cover Ticket to Ride: United Kingdom, Stranger Things: Upside Down, answer questions in the School of Gaming and say Thank You to some very important games!

00:00 - Introduction to The Game Schooler Podcast

02:31 - Ticket To Ride: United Kingdom

11:54 - Ad - Pawn Porter

13:06 - Stranger Things: Upside Down

24:26 - Ad - The Gimmies

25:41 - Welcoming New Players to the Table

31:21 - Eco-Friendly Packaging: Worth It or Waste?

38:45 - Ad - Dreamboard

40:26 - Thank You Notes

In this week’s episode we'll cover Ticket to Ride: Pennsylvania and Deep Regrets, answer questions in the School of Gaming and discuss where the Hotness from Gen Con 2023 is today!

00:00 - Introduction

02:18 - Ticket To Ride: Pennsylvania

17:22 - Ad - CoverCraft Workshop

18:32 - Deep Regrets

35:01 - Ad - Pack It Back: Board Game

36:40 - School of Gaming: Card Games vs. Board Games

43:03 - School Gaming: Game Length and Fulfillment

46:38 - Ad - Ogre's Hoard Game Store

47:46 - Gen Con 2023 Hotness Review

In this week’s episode we'll cover Mille Fiori, Maki Master, answer questions in the School of Gaming and discuss What’s Awesome in Tabletop Gaming.

00:00 - Introduction

04:03 - Mille Fiori

17:04 - Ad - International Factory Cologne

17:39 - Maki Master

29:54 - Ad - BacKallax

31:17 - School of Gaming

48:52 - Ad - Personal Rules Lawyer

49:51 - What's Awesome In Gaming

 In this week’s episode we'll cover Kingdomino: Origins, The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth, answer questions in the School of Gaming and discuss changes in the hobby in the new segment, Game Schooler Reacts!

00:00 - Introduction

03:34 - Kingdomino: Origins

15:01 - Ad - Chameleon

15:36 - Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth

28:49 - Ad - Dice Alarm For Weak-Wristed Rolls

29:59 - School of Gaming

38:00 - Ad - Gaming Snack Mittens

39:08 - Game Schooler Reacts: Changes in the Hobby

In this week’s episode we'll cover Caldera Park, Newton, answer questions in the School of Gaming and recap our experience at Gamehole Con!

00:00 - Introduction to Game Schooler Podcast

01:58 - Caldera Park

14:17 - Accruals: The Budget Balancing Game

15:13 - Newton

29:51 - Deluxe Edition Stickers

30:52 - Enjoying Games You're Not Good At

38:46 - Confidence and Doubt in Gaming

45:48 - Shelf of Shame Storage Cloth

46:44 - Gamehole Con Experience Recap

In this week’s episode we'll feature an extended School of Gaming, and play Game Schooler Blind Rank, Troll Er No?, and the Great Game Guessing Game!

03:21 - School of Gaming

24:44 - Ad - People In A Room

25:37 - Game Schooler Blind Rank

34:43 - Ad - Portable Convention Shower

36:20 - Troll Er No - 7 Wonders

40:45 - Ad - Board Game Vacuum

41:37 - The Great Game Guessing Game

In this week’s episode we'll cover Santorini: Second Edition, Forest Shuffle, discuss Unboxing Videos in the School of Gaming and play Troll er No?

00:00 - Introduction to the Game Schooler Podcast

03:07 - Santorini: Second Edition

14:22 - Marriage: The Game

15:20 - Forest Shuffle

30:54 - Immaculate Game Kit: Protecting Your Game Investment

31:58 - School of Gaming: Unboxing Videos

39:30 - Utility Gaming Pants

40:35 - Troll or No: The Game Review Challenge

In this week’s episode we'll cover MicroMacro: Kids - Crazy City Park, Ticket to Ride: Europe, discuss Solid Game Stores in the School of Gaming and play The Great Game Guessing Game!

00:00 - Introductions & Follow-up

03:25 - Micro Macro: Kids - Crazy City Park

12:47 - Super Deluxe Monopoly

14:01 - Ticket to Ride Europe

25:05 - The Automatic Rating Changer

26:45 - Solid Game Stores

33:21 - Game Schooling and Building Connections

38:28 - The Appeal of Spin-Off Games

42:36 - Nomad: Foldable Gaming Table

43:43 - The Great Game Guessing Game

In this episode of the GameSchooler Podcast, hosts Doug and Michael discuss various tabletop games, including '10 Days in the National Parks', 'Toy Battle', 'SuperStore 3000', and 'River Valley Glassworks'. They share insights on gameplay mechanics, strategies, and the overall experience of each game, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and the evolution of their podcast.

00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness

04:19 - 10 Days in the National Parks

13:10 - Ad - Gotcha! The Game of Parental Dominance

14:09 - Toy Battle

25:05 - Ad - Advanced Gamer Stimulus Expansion

26:29 - Superstore 3000

36:55 - Ad - Meeple Musk - Convention Scents

38:07 - River Valley Glassworks

In this week’s episode we'll cover Don’t L.L.A.M.A. Dice, Point Galaxy, Finspan, and Teach Witches!

00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness

11:09 - Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice

18:54 - Metal Coins Collection

20:32 - Point Galaxy

31:49 - The BacKallax

34:01 - Finspan

46:23 - Fantasy Orc Dungeon Tropes: The Miniatures Game

47:57 - Tea Witches

In this week’s episode we'll discuss the future of the Game Schooler Podcast, and cover Parks Second Edition, Graft, Tag Team, and Fountains!

00:00 - Introduction to the Game Schooler Podcast

03:55 - Parks Second Edition

15:15 - Graft

23:49 - Tag Team

34:48 - Fountains

50:12 - Carl's Crowdfundin' Countdown