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Welcome Back to the Table! On this episode,What does it really mean to "find your table?" This week, Malcolm and Arcadia return from Gen Con 2026 with a fresh perspective on the world's largest tabletop gaming convention—and it has very little to do with dice, demo halls, or shopping bags. Instead, they reflect on a weekend spent discovering that the best experiences often happen away from the scheduled events: behind Booth 720 with the incredible team at Oddfish Games, watching Dr. Christina Stiso's vision for Leviathan Rising come to life as players experienced the game for the very first time, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and witnessing firsthand the passion that fuels independent tabletop publishing.
The conversation explores Gen Con from a side most attendees never see. Malcolm and Arcadia share what it was like stepping behind the booth instead of standing in front of it, becoming part of the convention rather than simply attending it. From introducing players to new worlds, to seeing strangers become excited over a game's possibilities, to working alongside creators who have invested years into bringing their ideas to life, they discuss how conventions are built on far more than products—they're built on people. Along the way, they revisit highlights from the weekend, including an unforgettable evening with the Glass Cannon Network's live Call of Cthulhu performance, wandering the endless Exhibit Hall, and even the memorable weather that briefly reminded everyone that not every encounter at Gen Con is on the event schedule.
As the convention halls emptied each evening, a different tradition emerged. Every night became a search—not for exclusive games or celebrity designers—but for an open table somewhere among the crowded restaurants and overflowing hotel lobbies of downtown Indianapolis. Those late-night meals became the backdrop for some of the weekend's most meaningful conversations, where friendships were strengthened, collaborations were born, and the idea behind Finding Atoria revealed itself in the most literal way possible. Sometimes finding your table isn't about where you play; it's about who pulls up a chair beside you.
Join us as we look back on a weekend that reminded us why this hobby continues to grow—not because of blockbuster releases or sold-out events, but because of the people who create, share, teach, and welcome others into the community. Whether you've attended Gen Con for decades or dream of making your first trip, this episode is a celebration of the friendships, stories, and unexpected moments that make tabletop gaming more than a pastime. It's a reminder that every great adventure begins with a simple invitation: "Is this seat taken?"
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Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Contact Us on Our Socials:
A production of WordLeaf Media
