What better way to kick off the first podcast of 2026 than by catching up with my old friend (and former boss) Lyle Lowery! Over the course of his career Lyle has been editor-in-chief of two of the biggest magazines in wargaming history and it was a delight to chat with him about his journey as a gamer and now industry professional. We talked about his time at Privateer Press and Games Workshop, of course, as well as what it was like upending his life to move from the US to England before we got into the details of his current career as a consultant and editor for a number of games companies. These days he's working very closely with Factory Fortress, publishers of Trench Crusade, and even spilled a few secrets about the project he's spearheading for them!

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Hi all, for the last podcast of the year I was joined by my old friends and former Press Gang comrades-in-arms, Craig Caton and Paul Shoemaker to tell me all about CaptainCon! Going into it's 12th year, CaptainCon has become a staple of the North East US's convention circuit. Taking place each February in Warwick, RI, CaptainCon is an event full of miniatures games, painting competitions, boardgames, and more (like "rum appreciation classes). Tickets and a few hotel rooms in their room block are still on sale, so check out this fantastic gaming convention now!

As usual, this podcast was exclusive to Brush Wielders Union members for a few days before being released to general audiences.

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Longtime friend, BWU member, and regular podcast guest, Dave Taylor returns this episode for an informal chat about the state of miniatures painting as craft and art. Dave is of course well known for his work as a hobbyist and publisher of some of the most beautiful miniatures art books on the market (get 'em now). I was delighted to just pick his brain and chat about the trends, tools, and what he's working on both as a painter and publisher, and his overall relationship with the hobby.

Up and coming company Goblin Hobbies made quite the stir at Adepticon this past spring with the release of their highly antcipated stamping kits and I was delighted to talk to the guys behind it all! Goblin Hobbies may be a new venture but Brent and Casey have been mainstays of miniatures hobby media for years via their channels, Goobertown Hobbies, eBay Miniature Rescues, and as the hosts of Paint Bravely: The Podcast.

We talked about their backgrounds in the hobby but got into the nitty gritty of their enamel stamping plate kits, what went into manufacutring them, and how they chose the dozens of icons available. I haven't used these myself (they sold out at Adepticon before I could get one!) but now that they're available again I'm excited to try them out soon.

As usual, this podcast was exclusive to Brush Wielders Union members for a few days before being released to general audiences.

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My guest this month was Cailon, co-founder of The Nailon Realm, creators of Dungeon Dinkies 3d printed miniatures and statues. Cailon and I chatted about the challenges of digital sculpting to meet their mission statement of "simple, fun, for everyone". We had a great talk about sculpting, running a company, and creating minis with the express purpose of helping people begin their miniatures painting journey. He was also kind enough to offer a 15% off coupon for BWU members (available for members in a separate post).

Find The Nailon Realm across the internet via their Linktree.

As usual, this podcast was exclusive to Brush Wielders Union members for a few days before being released to general audiences.

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This month I was joined by Alex Huntley, founder of Warp Miniatures and the creator of ArcWorlde! ArcWorlde is a fantasy skirmish game where warbands, heroes and monsters are pitted against each other in the field of combat. There are beasts to slay, treasures to discover, objectives to capture and rival Commanders to defeat. By using these rules, your imagination, and the wide range of ArcWorlde miniatures available, you and your friends can play out epic tales within the eponymous fantasy realm.

I was really taken with the ArcWorlde minis when I saw them at Adepticon this year and was immediately taken by their charming miniatures. Alex talked with me about his artistic inspirations, being an miniatures industry auteur, and of course, all about the imminent Kickstarter for his latest warband, the Gremlins! Anyone who follows the Kickstarter before launch and then backs it will receive a bonus special gremlin figure, as well!

As usual, this podcast was exclusive to Brush Wielders Union members for a few days before being released to general audiences.

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July's podcast guest is Wingshan Huntley, making her first foray into game development with the upcoming Siren's Oath: The Tides Turning from her imprint, Twisted Spire. Wingshan describes her game as "a one-shot tabletop game ritual for 3–5 players, where you and your coven of mermaid witches shape a city’s destiny through evocative storytelling, gut-punch choices, and stunning sculpts by Warp Miniatures."

Wingshan and I had a really fascinating conversation about her relationship with gaming (which began in the womb...), fine art, the female gaze, and how all of those subjects converge in her first tabletop game. Siren's Oath: the Tides Turning will debut on Gamefound in just a few weeks but you can stay informed on Gamefound and even get a free STL mini by signing up for updates.

You can also find Wingshan and Twisted Spire on Bluesky and Instagram.

As usual, this podcast was exclusive to Brush Wielders Union members for a few days before being released to general audiences.

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My guest this month is Dan Zehrer, founder of the paint company described as a sleeper hit of Adepticon 2025, Bear Cavalry Paints! This ecologically conscious paint company operates out of Oregon State here in the great Pacific Northwest and have been making some fantastic paints for about a year now. I picked up their original set this past winter and was really impressed with the quality so I was excited to talk with Dan about everything that goes into their products. Dan shared some titbits about the career path that led him to found Bear Cavalry, discussed a little of the chemistry behind making paints, and teased some future collaborations with games and companies like Trench Crusade and others!

As usual, this podcast was exclusive to Brush Wielders Union members for a few days before being released to general audiences.

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My guest this month is Kevin "Burky" Burkhardsmeier, founder and owner of Gametoppers! I backed their Kickstarter back in 2020 for their 6x4' table topper, the "Mycroft" and it's since become my most-used gaming peripheral. I really love this product so I was excited to get the chance to speak with its creator on the podcast. Burky was kind enough to talk about the background of their company, what goes into making their game toppers, neoprene mats, and other accessories. He also gave us a few exclusive teases about some really cool stuff that will be available through their next Kickstarter, estimated to launch on June 10th.

Find Game Toppers at their own website, on Facebook, Instagram, and sign up for their newsletter to stay informed on their upcoming Kickstarter launch.

As usual, this podcast was exclusive to Brush Wielders Union members for a few days before being released to general audiences.

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Returning to the podcast this month are miniatures war gaming royalty, Andy Chambers and Gav Thorpe, here to talk about the imminent release of their game Zeo Genesis! Zeo Genesis s a scalable skirmish miniatures battle game of big armor suits locked in kinetic action. You may remember their last appearance on this podcast in 2023 but the game has come a long way since then and will be crowdfunding on Game Found in just a few days, on April 29th.

Andy and Gav were kind enough to chat with me about how the game has developed over the past two years, their plans for the game's initial two player starter set, how they're navigating the tricky waters of a tariff uncertainty, their efforts to manufacture plastic miniatures in the United States, and how the game will be supported as an ongoing retail product with physical models as well as STLs. I had the chance to take a look at prototypes of the game last month at Adepticon and I'm very excited to see it all coming together.

As usual, this podcast was exclusive to Brush Wielders Union members for a few days before being released to general audiences.

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