In this episode, I kick it with my good friend Pénélope from Penelope Gaming for a massive debrief on many of the games we played in Étourvy at Bruno Faidutti's annual gaming gathering. If we had another hour, we could've legally titled this episode "40 Fresh Plays from France", but we were too excited and spoke about some games for a while...and then crammed as many as we could when we discovered how long we were recording. We hope you enjoy!

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:08:09 Fresh Plays from France
  • 00:10:11 Rocket Rollout
  • 00:11:43 Citadels Duel
  • 00:14:52 Cardia: Tide & Storm
  • 00:20:59 Things in Rings
  • 00:28:27 Giants Moving Tiny Furniture
  • 00:37:14 ARCTICA
  • 00:47:26 Koro
  • 00:50:49 The Happiest Cat in the World
  • 00:54:51 Got Five!
  • 00:59:42 Amarok
  • 01:04:45 Ill-Illan
  • 01:10:17 Gaudi
  • 01:13:33 Botswana
  • 01:18:36 Minikin City
  • 01:24:07 Tea & Rum
  • 01:33:39 CATsle Builders
  • 01:39:57 Back 2 Back
  • 01:49:53 Excalibur!!!
  • 01:57:16 FaeKin
  • 02:02:11 Cheese Thief
  • 02:07:21 French Toast
  • 02:10:30 The Silver Bayonet: A Wargame of Napoleonic Gothic Horror
  • 02:12:37 Ofrenda
  • 02:16:11 Seashells
  • 02:18:52 Fruit Cocktail
  • 02:21:05 Moon Colony Bloodbath
  • 02:24:12 Vroom
  • 02:26:20 Fetching Feathers/Peacock
  • 02:27:03 MON: Emblems of Sengoku
• 02:29:37 Sign-off

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! 

For more content crafted by Candice, visit kickinitcreative.com

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In this episode, I kick it with Uli Blennemann (owner of Spielworxx) for a lovely chat about card-driven games (CDGs) –why they're awesome and which ones we dig most – and we also discuss a few games we've played recently and found memorable. Cheers!

• 00:00:00 Introduction
  • 00:01:30 LeiriaCon
  • 00:04:55 "moving house", heading to the UK for PunchedCon, GMT Weekend at the Warehouse
  • 00:11:48 new KIC podcast theme music?!
• 00:15:49 Fresh Plays
  • 00:16:03 The Old King's Crown
  • 00:21:14 Age of Galaxy (Second Edition)
  • 00:35:32 Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars (Toy Battle, Dogs of War)
  • 00:42:41 Space Empires 4X
• 00:59:00 The Beauty of CDGs
  • 01:07:50 Imperial Elegy + Big Multiplayer CDGs (Successors, Here I Stand, Virgin Queen)
  • 01:30:20 Uli's '5 CDGs for Doomsday' (Empire of the Sun, Pursuit of Glory, Weimar, Imperial Elegy, HiS, VQ)
  • 01:33:14 Candice's '5 CDGs for Doomsday' (Imperial Elegy, Land & Freedom, Founding Fathers, Wir sind das Volk!, Twilight Struggle (25th Anniversary Hall of Fame edition), Dual Powers)
  • 01:39:00 CDGs we want to try (Common Sense, Europe in Turmoil, Lenin's Legacy, Iron Storm)
• 01:46:07 Hubris: Twilight of the Hellenistic World
• 01:48:11 Sign-off

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! 

For more content crafted by Candice, visit kickinitcreative.com

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• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:00:45 Fresh Plays
  • 00:00:57 Emberheart
  • 00:15:35 Clinic: Deluxe Edition
• 00:33:30 Signoff

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! 

For more content crafted by Candice, visit kickinitcreative.com

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In this episode, my amazing pal Tim Williamson joins me to talk about our epic learning game of Imperial Elegy, as well as several other lesser-known gems we've been playing. We also discuss the joys of asymmetry in board/card games and our upcoming video series – My Favorite Faction.

• 00:00:00 Introduction
  • 00:01:53 Dual Gauge
  • 00:07:12 Root in NY
• 00:08:33 Fresh Plays
  • 00:09:02 Imperial Elegy
  • 00:34:27 Auf Teufel komm raus 
  • 00:43:08 Wild Serengeti
  • 00:47:30 Embers
  • 00:51:33 Slay the Spire: The Board Game + Too Many Bones
  • 00:54:50 Stupor Mundi
  • 01:01:28 Faust vs Mephisto
  • 01:07:49 King and Peasant
• 01:12:41 Exploring Asymmetry + "My Favorite Faction"
  • 01:12:50 Root, Spirit Island, Terra Mystica/Gaia Project, Prussian Rails, Dual Gauge
  • 01:14:20 COIN games, Oracle of Delphi, Guards of Atlantis II, Dûhr: The Lesser Houses, Cosmic Frog, Argent: Consortium, Too Many Bones
  • 01:18:49 The Loop, Fate of the Fellowship
  • 01:19:57 Vast
  • 01:21:30 The Defence of Procyon III
  • 01:26:35 KeyForge
• 01:31:21 Sign-off

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! 

For more content crafted by Candice, visit kickinitcreative.com

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In this episode, I kick it with W. Eric Martin to catch up on life beyond BGG, Board Game Beat, and to discuss our grand plan to get old games to the table more often.

• 00:00:00 Introduction
  • 00:00:44 Catching up with WEM [Con Crawl + Board Game Beat]
• 00:27:16 Fresh Plays
  • 00:28:09 Symbiosis
  • 00:37:16 Ortus Regni
  • 00:50:46 DNUP (Revolve!)
  • 01:01:35 Mayor of Chicago
• 01:12:47 Cult of the OLD Games of the Month
  • 01:14:07 Venedig
  • 01:16:24 Seasons
  • 01:18:45 Planet Steam
  • 01:21:51 Wabanti
  • 01:27:54 Ginkgopolis
  • 01:30:22 Aztlán
  • 01:38:07 Galaxy Trucker
• 01:53:36 Sign-off

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! 

For more content crafted by Candice, visit kickinitcreative.com

We've got official merch now! Be one of the first to rock the first run of KIC swag!

My mom came to visit and she was brave enough to accept my invite to record with me. Thanks so much for listening!

• 00:00:00 Introduction
  • 00:03:40 my mom's favs (Skip-Bo, Scout, Pinochle, Dominoes, Farkle, Can't Stop, Super Mega Lucky Box)
• 00:06:17 Extended Fresh Plays
  • 00:06:31 Bayou Boss
  • 00:15:20 High Noon at Showdown Saloon
  • 00:23:15 Bear Market
  • 00:28:28 Muffin's Kitchen
  • 00:33:48 Wild Wild Avocado
  • 00:37:07 Draftosaurus
  • 00:39:10 Shady Lady
  • 00:42:38 Zuuupa!
  • 00:58:08 No Mercy (Fruit Fight)
  • 00:47:47 Down-Up (Revolve!)
• 00:53:36 Sign-off

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! 

For more content crafted by Candice, visit kickinitcreative.com

We've got official merch now! Be one of the first to rock the first run of KIC swag!

Taylor Reiner in the house! In this episode, we chat about thematic trick-taking games, games we played at TJ in Cinncinati, and what it takes to become a Greek Gaming Godess. Thank you for listening!

• 00:00:00 Introduction
  • 00:04:32 KIC Web Updated
• 00:08:49 Fresh Plays
  • 00:09:04 Codenames App (Mines)
  • 00:14:34 For the Gods! + Fantasy Realms: Greek Legends
  • 00:26:35 Shady Lady
  • 00:29:21 Finger Crane Game Championship
  • 00:35:50 Fire in the Lake
  • 00:45:25 Pacific Typhoon
• 00:48:40 TJ Gaming + Thematic Trick-Taking Games
  • 00:49:10 Take Time
  • 00:58:08 Ghost Lift + Yonkai no Yokai
  • 01:03:09 Peanut's Talent Show
  • 01:12:39 No Loose Ends
  • 01:16:58 A Midsummer Night's Dream
  • 01:24:01 The Slasher
  • 01:32:49 My Own Sunny Day
  • 01:38:13 Rowdy Partners
  • 01:45:55 A Very Civil Whist
  • 01:55:14 Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game, Shards of Creation, 30 to Go, ESP: Experiment in Supersensory Perspicacity
  • 02:00:33 Tricky Landing
  • 02:04:04 (Robo)Tricked Out
  • 02:08:52 Mü, Ouroboros Trick, Final Binary, Kusoge Trick
• 02:19:26 Sign-off

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! 

For more content crafted by Candice, visit kickinitcreative.com

We've got official merch now! Be one of the first to rock the first run of KIC swag!

In this episode, I kick it with Cole Wehrle, who's a friend, but also one of my absolute favorite game designers. Cole shares some exciting updates about on his new publishing company (Buried Giant Studios). Then we both had a lot of fun Fresh Plays to share before we discussed what we find awesome about multi-use cards in board games, and eventually share some of our favs. Thanks so much for listening!

• 00:00:00 Introduction
  • 00:01:25 Exciting Updates! Buried Giant Studios & Wehrlegig 
  • 00:06:47 Squawk 'N' Roll - my newsletter
  • 00:08:55 Birthday Arcs Campaign...let's goooo!
• 00:14:07 Fresh Plays
  • 00:15:32 Winter Break Family Gaming (Indonesia, Root, Sceptre 1027 A.D.)
  • 00:19:07 Yubitsume
  • 00:21:58 Bomb5
  • 00:27:54 Cross Bronx Expressway
  • 00:30:52 People Power
  • 00:35:38 Wizard
  • 00:38:36 Baghdad: City of Peace (Calimala, Sankore, Forest Shuffle, Web of Power)
• 00:51:24 The Magic of Multi-Use Cards
  • 00:51:54 multi-use card examples (Desolate, Concordia, Land & Freedom)
  • 00:57:50 Virgin Queen
  • 01:01:04 Triumph & Tragedy
  • 01:02:33 Dune: Imperium
  • 01:03:38 Concordia
  • 01:06:36 Glory to Rome
  • 01:07:29 Race for the Galaxy (San Juan)
  • 01:09:42 Gloomhaven
  • 01:12:04 Guards of Atlantis II
  • 01:19:09 Oath
  • 01:24:25 Combat Commander: Europe (Tank Duel, Fields of Fire)
• 01:36:13 Sign-off

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! 

For more content crafted by Candice, visit kickinitcreative.com

We've got official merch now! Be one of the first to rock the first run of KIC swag!

In this episode, I kick it with 1822PNW designer Ken Kuhn to discuss our 2026 26x5 Solo Gaming Challenge. We're both super pumped about it and had a great time discussing several awesome games we've been and/or are planning to play solo this year. Any and all are welcome to jump on this 1-"man"-bandwagon with us. Thanks so much for listening!

• 00:00:00 Introduction
  • 00:03:13 Board Game Arena
• 00:14:05 Fresh Plays
  • 00:14:28 Cross Bronx Expressway (Land & Freedom, Hegemony)
  • 00:30:21 Legendary Encounters: The Matrix (Earthborne Rangers)
  • 00:40:56 The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship
• 00:52:25 Our 26x5 Solo Gaming Challenge for 2026
  • 00:53:12 Our Game Selection Process
  • 00:58:56 Our Attack Plans
  • 01:11:50 Short Games
    • 01:12:39 52 Duels
    • 01:15:44 Turing Machine
    • 01:17:27 Banned Books
    • 01:19:07 Fortitude
    • 01:20:35 Resist! (Witchcraft)
    • 01:22:12 The Dreadheart
    • 01:22:36 Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs
    • 01:26:10 Skytear Horde: Monoliths
    • 01:32:41 Sylvion
    • 01:34:37 Wallet Games (ROVE, Food Chain Island, Palm Island, Dragons of Etchinstone)
    • 01:35:19 Sonic Roll
    • 01:36:38 Warp's Edge
    • 01:37:17 The Lost Expedition
    • 01:38:32 20 Strong
    • 01:39:57 Onoda
  • 01:41:22 Medium Games
    • 01:41:39 Spirit Island: Nature Incarnate
    • 01:42:02 One Deck Dungeon
    • 01:47:56 Coffee Roaster
    • 01:49:37 Space Hulk: Death Angel
    • 01:51:13 Terra Mystica
    • 01:53:04 Paperback: Adventures
    • 01:54:52 Escape from Hades
    • 01:55:31 Nemo's War
    • 01:56:13 This War of Mine
    • 01:57:13 Halls of Hegra
    • 01:58:08 Lanzerath Ridge
    • 01:58:42 Kreel Manor
    • 01:59:58 Deckers
  • 02:01:29 Beasty Games
    • 02:02:07 Civolution
    • 02:06:55 Fields of Fire: Deluxe Edition
    • 02:11:24 Mage Knight
    • 02:12:35 Leaving Earth
    • 02:14:07 Hoplomachus: Victorum
    • 02:15:24 Dragons Down
    • 02:16:53 Comanchería & Navajo Wars
    • 02:18:37 Roads & Boats
    • 02:19:29 Hill of Doves
    • 02:21:02 Infernal Machine
    • 02:22:06 D-Day at Omaha Beach
    • 02:22:40 The Mission (The Plum Island Horror, Space Empires 4x)
• 02:28:26 Sign-off

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! 

For more content crafted by Candice, visit kickinitcreative.com

We've got official merch now! Be one of the first to rock the first run of KIC swag!

In this episode, I kick it with Kimberly from Tabletop Tolson. We gush about our favorite games we played in 2025 that weren't released in 2025. Considering we're both omni-gamers, we had a laughter-filled chat about a diverse group of awesome games. Sadly, I realized after the fact, that I skipped over mentioning Argent: The Consortium (?!?!) in my top 10. **facepalm** ...but we did at least put "new" games on each others' radars. Hope you enjoy the episode! 

Thanks so much for listening!

• 00:00:00 Introduction
  • 00:01:16 Firstimer BGG@SEA Twinsies!
• 00:06:32 Fresh Plays
  • 00:07:11 Blood on the Clocktower
  • 00:13:08 Super Auto Pets Card Battle (also mentioned Challengers & Tag Team)
  • 00:23:52 Lords of Baseball
  • 00:28:07 Super Mega Lucky Box
• 00:32:50 Our Top 10 "New to Me" Games of 2025
• 00:36:31 Kimberly's Honorable Mentions (Knarr, Nature, Sanctuary)
• 00:44:56 Candice's Honorable Mentions (Don Quixote: The Ingenious Hidalgo, Blue Moon Legends, Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space, Not Alone, Yunnan, Thunder Alley)
  • 00:54:54 Confusing Lands
  • 00:57:15 The Witcher: Old World
  • 01:01:41 The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game
  • 01:05:15 ito
  • 01:09:07 Neko Syndicate
  • 01:12:32 Tales of the Arthurian Knights
  • 01:16:30 Spirits of the Wild: Awakening
  • 01:19:36 The Defence of Procyon III
  • 01:24:16 ERA
  • 01:28:23 The LOOP
  • 01:30:40 Age of Galaxy
  • 01:34:42 Imperium the Contention
  • 01:36:57 The Anarchy
  • 01:40:06 Leaving Earth
  • 01:43:40 Obsession: Characters
  • 01:47:57 Iwari
  • 01:53:00 Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West
  • 01:56:16 Primal: The Awakening
  • 01:34:06 TEMBO: Survival on the Savanna
  • 02:05:39 Black Rose Wars: Rebirth
• 02:12:57 Sign-off

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! 

For more content crafted by Candice, visit kickinitcreative.com

We've got official merch now! Be one of the first to rock the first run of KIC swag!