Episode 19 – Buy Now, Cry Later

In this nineteenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re swapping impulse buys for clever hacks and asking the age-old question: how do you keep up with your favourite hobbies without emptying your wallet? 💸🎲🧃

From the irresistible lure of limited-edition minis to that “just one more booster pack” feeling, we’ve all felt the sting of hobby spending. This week, we’re getting real about budgeting in the worlds of wargaming, board gaming, and trading card games—and sharing our tips, tricks, and personal pitfalls along the way.

We chat about the true cost of staying current, the psychology behind “fear of missing out,” and how to separate must-haves from marketing magic. Expect discussions on pre-owned treasures, DIY alternatives, community-driven resources, and how to make your money stretch without sacrificing the fun.

Along the way, we ask: Is the £100 core box always worth it? How do you set limits in a hobby built on collection and expansion? And are we really saving money if we spend less on more games? (Hint: it depends on who you ask.)

So tighten your belts, hide your credit cards, and join us for a wallet-friendly wander through the highs and lows of hobby budgeting. 🎯📉🧩

Hosted by your fiscally-fluctuating favourites:

Mike Hearnden

Whether you’re ballin’ on a budget or justifying your next big splurge, this episode has something for every thrifty (or not-so-thrifty) nerd. 🎧💰♟️

Episode 18 – Choke Slam a Terminator

In this eighteenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re turning our attention from dice rolls to data sets as we dive headfirst into the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence. 🤖💥🧠

From Skynet nightmares to ChatGPT daydreams, we’re talking AI in all its forms—how it’s infiltrating nerd culture, reshaping creativity, and occasionally stealing our thunder (and our D&D character voices). Whether it's generating art, running game sessions, or powering your next sci-fi villain, AI is everywhere—and we’ve got thoughts.

We share our own experiences using AI tools in gaming, storytelling, and content creation—what’s helped, what’s hindered, and where we draw the line between innovation and invasion. Expect some big questions: Is AI the ultimate GM? Can it truly create, or is it just remixing our ideas in a shiny new wrapper? And most importantly, who wins in a cage match: an AI dungeon master or a T-800 with a folding chair?

Along the way, we wrestle with the ethical side of AI, its potential for storytelling, and how the nerdy spaces we love are evolving in response. Whether you’re cautiously curious or already training your own robo-companion, this episode is your portal to the future (with a few nostalgic detours).

So charge your batteries, check for rogue algorithms, and join us as we explore the weird, wild intersection of tech and tabletop. 💻🎮🎲

Hosted by your analogue adventurers in a digital age:

Mike Hearnden

Plug in, power up, and prepare for a critical hit to your understanding of AI. 🎧⚙️

Episode 17 – The AMoG Expo-reience

In this seventeenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re swapping folklore for floor plans and trading legends for lanyards—it’s convention time! 🎲🎟️🧭

Fresh off our trip to the UK Games Expo, we’re breaking down our full AMoG Expo-reience: what we saw, what we bought, and what blew our minds. From massive minis to indie gems, chaotic demos to carefully curated stalls, we bring you all the highlights (and a few low rolls) from one of the biggest events in the tabletop calendar.

Expect plenty of gushing about beautiful board game art, surprise discoveries in the demo halls, and some wallet-emptying impulse buys. We also chat about the vibe of the con, standout booths, upcoming releases we’re excited for, and why events like these matter for fans and creators alike.

Along the way, we ask: What makes a good con experience? How do you balance exploration with exhaustion? And is there such a thing as too many dice? (Spoiler: no.)

So grab your badge, ready your backpack, and join us for a post-convention cool-down filled with games, geekery, and just a touch of exhaustion. 🧩🛍️

Hosted by your tabletop tag-team:

Mike Hearnden

Whether you're a con veteran or dreaming of your first badge scan, this episode is your all-access pass. 🎧✨🎲

We were at the UK Games Expo this weekend just gone, so while we recover, enjoy this bonus episode of EXP-lore! We’re putting away the codices and picking up résumés—because it's job interview time, and the only qualification you need is imagination (and maybe a few questionable personality traits). 🧑‍💼🎭💼

That’s right—we’re playing FunEmployed, the party game where absurd job interviews meet even more absurd credentials. Ever tried to land a job as a vampire hunter armed with a juice cleanse and crippling anxiety? We have. And it only gets weirder from there.

Join us as we bluff, boast, and bungle our way through fake interviews, stacking wild qualifications to sell ourselves for roles ranging from crime scene cleaner to cult leader. It’s improv chaos, creative carnage, and more than a few moments we’ll regret putting on record.

This isn’t your usual EXP-lore deep dive—it’s a lighthearted detour into the ridiculous, the ridiculous-er, and the absolutely-unhirable. Whether you're here for the banter or just love a good party game meltdown, this one’s for you.

So grab a buzzword, fake some experience, and get ready for the most unqualified episode yet. 🤡📄🎙️

Hosted by your barely-employable interviewees:

Mike Hearnden

HR would not approve—but you definitely will. 🎧💥📎

Episode 16 – Better the Monster You Know

In this sixteenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re lighting the campfire, sharpening our stakes, and cracking open the cryptid files—because we’re talking monsters. 🐉👹🧌

From childhood terrors to mythological giants, we each reveal our favourite monsters from folklore, pop culture, and beyond. Expect a mix of the iconic, the obscure, and maybe even a few you’ve never heard of—plus a few that might be lurking just behind you. 👀

We also take a deep dive into how folklore evolves, tracing the line from ancient legends to modern internet monsters. Ever wonder how Slender Man, the Backrooms, or analog horror became part of the modern mythos? We explore how today’s digital campfires—Reddit threads, creepypasta, ARGs—are reshaping the monsters we fear (or root for).

Along the way, we ask: Why do some monsters stick with us? What do they say about us, our culture, and our fears? And is it really better the monster you know?

So grab your silver bullets, pack your garlic, and tune in for a monstrous mix of lore, laughs, and late-night paranoia. 🦇📚🎧

Hosted by your favourite folklore fanatics:

Mike Hearnden

Whether you’re hunting shadows or just love a good scare, this episode is for you. 💀✨🔥

Episode 15 – Tournamoments

In this fifteenth episode of EXP-lore, it’s time to lock and load, roll initiative, and maybe bring a snack—because we’re diving into the wild world of tabletop tournaments. 🎲🏆💥

Fresh from a recent Warhammer 40k tournament, we break down the highlights, lowlights, and hilarious misfires from the battlefield. From epic plays to minor disasters, we relive the moments that made it all unforgettable.

But it's not just about our games—we’re laying down the law with some dos and don’ts of tournament etiquette. Whether you’re a grizzled veteran or a first-time player, we’ve got tips to keep your game clean, your opponent happy, and your reputation intact.

Then, we broaden the lens and look at how other game systems run their tournaments. From skirmish games to card battles, we compare structures, formats, and community vibes—what works, what doesn’t, and what tabletop events could learn from each other.

So grab your codex, double-check your army list, and join us as we explore the tactical, the tense, and the occasionally tilted world of competitive gaming. ⚔️🧠🎙️

Hosted by your tournament tacticians:

Mike Hearnden

Whether you're chasing trophies or just trying to survive round three, this episode is for you. 🎧📏🔥

In this fourteenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re swapping dice for dragons as we dive headfirst into the mythic realm of fantasy fiction. 🐉📚✨

From ancient epics to modern sagas, we explore the rich history of fantasy storytelling—how legends, folklore, and classic literature laid the groundwork for the genre we know today. We trace the lineage from Tolkien to tabletop, dissect the DNA of modern fantasy worlds, and shine a light on the creators who shaped (and sometimes reshaped) the genre.

Then, things take a sharper turn as we tackle a thorny topic: plagiarism in fantasy. Where’s the line between homage and theft? We unpack some controversial cases and ask how originality fits into a genre built on archetypes and ancient tropes.

Whether you're a fan of grimdark epics, enchanted forests, or just want to know why everyone’s obsessed with worldbuilding, this episode is for you. 🧙‍♂️📖🔥

Hosted by your fantasy fiction fans:

Mike Hearnden

So grab your spellbook, light a torch, and join us on a journey through the fantastic (and sometimes fraught) landscape of fantasy fiction. 🎤🗺️👀

 🎲⚔️

Carrying on from where the boys left off last, escaping the besieged village of Leverac! 🚀 Will they get out? Why is the village under attack? When will the spend their Hero Points? Tune in to find out! 🏰🧙‍♂️ This is EXP-lore like you’ve never experienced before—let the quest begin! 🔮🎉

EXP-lore is hosted by:

You can find out more about us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk

Join us next week for more geeky goodness and nerdy ramblings!

In this thirteenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re shuffling the deck and cracking open the board game cupboard to talk about our favourite tabletop pastime. 🎲♟️🃏

We dive into the world of board games—where our love for them began, what keeps us coming back to the table, and the gateway games we’d recommend to anyone looking to get into the hobby. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or someone who still thinks Monopoly is peak design (we forgive you), there’s something in this one for everyone. 🧩🧠💬

Then, after the break, we ask: where should you start if you're looking to get into board games? We also recap the upcoming events for AMoG this year and have a few tangents along the way! 

It’s an episode full of nostalgia, game night memories, and a little friendly debate about cardboard classics and hidden gems.

Hosted by your board game buffs:

Mike Hearnden

So grab a meeple, pass the snacks, and join us for another turn in the wonderful world of All Mana of Games! 🎤📦✨

In this twelfth episode of EXP-lore, we’re trading dice rolls for real talk as we dive into the world of women in tabletop gaming. 🎲💬💪

We have a frank discussion about inclusive gaming spaces, chatting about representation, visibility, and the power of seeing yourself at the table—whether that’s behind a DM screen or playing your favourite board games. ✨🧝‍♀️📚

Then, after the break, we lighten things up and ask the ultimate geeky question:

It’s an episode full of heartfelt convos, world-hopping dreams, and as always, plenty of laughs.

Hosted by your ever-curious crew:

Mike Hearnden

So pull up a chair, roll for initiative, and join us for another round of All Mana of Games goodness! 🎤📖✨