Life Beyond Board Games – Details, episodes & analysis

Getting into board gaming! How do we all get into this wonderful rabbit hole? Stella, Melissa, Candice and Eric talk about our experience, shares some secrets, and more. 
Find us on Facebook Group and drop us a line, love letters, chat about the topics you hear - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast

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Our podcast link - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2441648.rss
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast/
Meeple University - https://www.youtube.com/MeepleUniversity

Ever wondered what happens when board gamers leave their cozy game caves and brave the wild world of conventions? In this episode of Life Beyond Board Games, join Candice, Melissa, Eric and Stella unpack the madness of board game conventions and share our favorites. 

First-timers, gaming on the sea, and walking the plank stories await—plus a bit of jetlag wisdom. Whether you're a seasoned con-goer or just in it for the tournaments, you’ll laugh, nod, and maybe question your next convention options. Also, please share what your favorite convention is in the comments. 

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Our podcast link - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2441648.rss
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast/
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In this surprisingly heartwarming episode of Life Beyond Board Games, your trio—Stella (alleged basement keeper), Eric (probably innocent-NOT), and Melissa (eyewitness to none of it)—explore how board games magically turn lonely nights into legendary friendships.

You’ll hear real stories of people going from “I have no one to play with 😢” to “Can we PLEASE stop scheduling four-hour games on weeknights?!”😆 It’s all about how cardboard and dice somehow unlock human connection better than your therapist’s icebreaker questions.

Whether you're in it for the games, the feels, or just here to confirm Eric might be a dungeon master in more ways than one—this episode has it all.

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Our podcast link - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2441648.rss
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast/
Meeple University - https://www.youtube.com/MeepleUniversity

Ever experienced that tense silence when someone flips out after losing a game of Catan? Or watched in horror as greasy fingers handle your precious cards? You're not alone, and we're here to commiserate.

In this brutally honest conversation, Melissa, Stella, and Eric dive into the behaviors that make us all want to quietly pack up our games and never invite certain people back. From the player who spends five excruciating minutes contemplating their Santorini move to the person who's mysteriously "on their phone" during rule explanations only to ask the same questions repeatedly.

Whether you're looking for validation that you're not being unreasonable, seeking strategies to handle difficult gaming situations, or simply enjoying the catharsis of hearing others share your pain, this episode delivers with a healthy dose of humor and practical advice. And yes, we settle once and for all which of us smells the best at game night.

Have you encountered these behaviors or—dare we admit it—been guilty of them yourself? Follow us and share your own board game blunder stories. We'd love to hear what drives you crazy at the gaming table!

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Our podcast link - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2441648.rss
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast/
Meeple University - https://www.youtube.com/MeepleUniversity

Ever walked into a board game meetup and wondered, “Am I at the right place?… Should I bring my own games?” 😅 Whether you're the host, the guest, or that mysterious person who always brings a 4-hour euro at 9:30pm—we’ve got stories. In this episode, we spill the meeples on what makes a board game meetup awesome or awkward.

Is it okay to show up fashionably late? Should snacks be mandatory? What happens when someone actually flips the table? Alright, we may not talk about that... but please share your story in the comments!

Tune in, laugh with us (or at us), and check out Stella's own board game meetup in Melbourne via the Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/WePlayBoardGames

"Send us a love letter"

Our podcast link - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2441648.rss
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast/
Meeple University - https://www.youtube.com/MeepleUniversity

 In this episode, we reveal the shocking truth: there is life outside of board games! Dun dun dunnn.... Who knew? From the wild adventures of playing musical instruments, to pickle balling. 

We've already seen five times (episodes) to the daring feats of doing this hobby, we spill the beans on what keeps us entertained when we’re not rolling dice or turning our brain to a mush. Spoiler alert: it involves food, questionable skills, and probably a bit of jealousy. Tune in for laughs, chaos, and a sneak peek into our non-board gaming lives! 

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Our podcast link - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2441648.rss
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast/
Meeple University - https://www.youtube.com/MeepleUniversity

Ready to unbox the mysteries of your true tabletop persona? No more rolling the dice on who you are— it’s time to face the ultimate character sheet of you. Are you the mastermind scheming three steps ahead? The chaos gremlin who thrives on conflict? Or the noble pacifist who'd rather yeet themselves out of danger than fight?

Only one way to find out—take the survey! Then brag (or cry) about your results in the comments via Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Let's get cracking! 

📝 Survey link: https://apps.quanticfoundry.com/surveys/start/tabletop/

Enjoy Episode 5, and may your dice always roll in your favor! 🎧🔥

"Send us a love letter"

Our podcast link - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2441648.rss
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast/
Meeple University - https://www.youtube.com/MeepleUniversity

 Remember that first board game you bought? Oh, the excitement! You ripped off the plastic, admired the shiny new pieces, and thought, This is it. My new hobby. Then you got a second one—just a little treat. Your brain lit up with endorphins. Then came the third, the tenth… suddenly, you're drowning in a sea of cardboard, with 50, 100, maybe even 300 games staring at you! 

Or maybe you buy a game, played it once, and thought, well, that was a mistake. So you sold it for half price and used the cash to…buy another game😂. In this episode, we share the highs and hilarious regrets of collecting (and desperately culling) our ever-growing board game collection... and where to buy board games on a budget 🎲😂 

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Our podcast link - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2441648.rss
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast/
Meeple University - https://www.youtube.com/MeepleUniversity

We've all been there (probably?..).  Sitting there, sweating bullets, praying no one notices that you’re the sneaky traitor—or worse, that you have no idea how to lie convincingly. Social deduction games: thrilling or straight-up stress-inducing? Do you feel guilty deceiving your friends, or do you thrive on betrayal like a true mastermind?
This episode, we dive into the chaos and comedy of social deduction games—whether you love them, fear them, or avoid them like an off fish tacos. Plus, we’ll share some totally ethical tips on how to, uh… convincingly mislead your friends. What are your best deception tactics? Spill the secrets (we promise we won’t use them against you… probably). 

"Send us a love letter"

Our podcast link - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2441648.rss
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast/
Meeple University - https://www.youtube.com/MeepleUniversity

Remember that first board game meetup you went? How was it? We share our experience of our first board game meetup. Important question - is Carcassonne a peaceful game...or not? 😆
Find us on Facebook Group and drop us a line, love letters, chat about the topics you hear - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast

"Send us a love letter"

Our podcast link - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2441648.rss
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifebeyondboardgamespodcast/
Meeple University - https://www.youtube.com/MeepleUniversity