Episode 94: Ambie Valdés- How Life Changes affect Board Games - Top 5 Kids Games, sort of - Loving on Family and Friends

Ambie Valdés from the Board Game Blitz podcast joins me to talk about how different stages in life change what and how we play board games. I talk about 5 games that are made for kids but adults also enjoy while you get a peek into what games Ambie’s twins enjoyed throughout the years. Ending with happy memories with friends and family. Happy 10 year anniversary to the Board Game Bliz Podcast!

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:36 Get to know Ambie

00:04:10 Life Changes and Their Impact on our Gaming tastes and playing

00:41:30 Top 5 Games made for Kids

00:42:25 Go Away Monster

00:44:26 Animal Upon Animal

00:47:15 My First Adventure: Finding the Dragon

00:51:13 My Little Scythe

00:54:26 Zombie Kidz Evolution

00:58:19 Drop It

01:00:39 MicroMacro: Kids – Crazy City Park

01:05:07 Rhino Hero

01:09:41 Unlock Series - Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories

01:13:09 Brick Like This!

01:16:42 Kids Chronicles: Quest for Moon Stones

01:21:20 Digging for Dinos

01:24:40 Moment of Positivity

01:28:18 Where can you find Ambie?

• Ambie’s Website
• https://portaly.cc/ambievaldes
• https://portaly.cc/BoardGameBlitz
• Board Game Day book by Ambie in the BGG Store

01:31:42 Outro

(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)

Register for Brave & Bold Learn-to-play events at Gen Con

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The Crew: Make Your Own Missions Contest during the month of May to celebrate the upcoming launch of The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth at Gen Con this summer. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVvJrK6T1E-95FancGXZPJcS9l6AzoEzxg3TTx6Mbdcfxqew/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101624608455211411169

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Episode 93: Mark Peebles - Types of Solo Modes - Top 5 Games with Great Solo Modes - Cooking and Gardening

My Twitch streamer friend, Mark, joins me to talk about different types of solo modes, our favorite games with great solo modes and a couple of things that brings us joy, cooking and gardening.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:20 Get to know MP aka Mr. Peebles aka Mark and HIs hobbies

00:07:21 Solo Games - Different Types and Modes

00:08:01 Discussing - Beat Your Own Score Mode

00:11:25 Automation / AI Bots Modes

00:17:29 Solo Only games

00:19:05 Campaign or Legacy Solo

00:20:39 Two-Handed Solo Play: Pros and Cons

00:23:40 Exploring Solo War Games

00:28:41 Top 5 Games with the Best Solo Modes

00:29:34 Black Forest

00:33:07 Delivery Witches

00:35:37 Boonlake

00:40:25 The Guild of Merchant Explorers

00:43:59 Hadrian's Wall

00:49:37  The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game 

• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – Trick-Taking Game

00:54:21 Tainted Grail: Kings of Ruin 

00:01:00:51 Cascadia

00:01:03:39 Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game

00:01:09:33 Planet Unknown

00:01:16:11 Honorable Mentions in Solo Gaming

00:01:16:30 Suna Valo: Solomodus

00:01:18:49 The Surprising Solo Mode of Fluxx

• https://www.looneylabs.com/solofluxx
• Dog Fluxx

00:01:25:26 Moments of Positivity

00:01:35:24 Where to find Mr. Peebles

• MPeebles on Twitch
• mpplays.com

00:01:37:38 Outro

(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)

Register for Brave & Bold Learn-to-play events at Gen Con

https://resurrection.games/products/brave-bold-bag-building-combat-game?variant=48030270587112&UTM_medium=referral&UTM_source=bggpodcast&UTM_campaign=gencon26

The Crew: Make Your Own Missions Contest during the month of May to celebrate the upcoming launch of The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth at Gen Con this summer. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVvJrK6T1E-95FancGXZPJcS9l6AzoEzxg3TTx6Mbdcfxqew/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101624608455211411169

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Episode 92: Banzainator - How to sell culled games - Top 5 Games that will never leave our collections - Running and Rainbows

Banzainator joins me to talk about selling our games, the games we will never sell, and enjoy running and rainbows.

00:00:00 Intro

• BGG Podcast Episode 63

00:04:08 The Art of Selling and Culling Games

• Pirate Ship

00:15:45 Have you heard of Whatnot?

• Banzainator’s Profile
• Banzainator’s Referral link

00:21:45 Top 5 Games That Will Never Leave Our Collection

00:21:57 Takenoko

00:24:57 Castles of Burgundy - Special Edition 

00:28:48 Lords of Waterdeep

00:30:40 The Castles of Mad King Ludwig

00:33:37 Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure

00:36:28 Grand Austria Hotel

00:41:01 Three Sisters

00:42:56 Skull King

00:48:25 Yggdrasil

00:50:59 Scout

00:52:57 Moments of Positivity

• Starlight Children’s Foundation

00:56:52 Where can you find Banz?

• Banzainator’s Linktree

00:59:10 Outro

(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)

Register for Brave & Bold Learn-to-play events at Gen Con

https://resurrection.games/products/brave-bold-bag-building-combat-game?variant=48030270587112&UTM_medium=referral&UTM_source=bggpodcast&UTM_campaign=gencon26

The Crew: Make Your Own Missions Contest during the month of May to celebrate the upcoming launch of The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth at Gen Con this summer. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVvJrK6T1E-95FancGXZPJcS9l6AzoEzxg3TTx6Mbdcfxqew/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101624608455211411169

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Email: [email protected]

Designers and owners of Urban Professional Games, Ashwin Kamath and Rob Newton joins me to talk about the journey of getting Chicken Fried Dice from inspiration to crowdfunding. We then talk about 15+ Blank and write games that we enjoy. And share some happy moments with good food, good friends, good games, and a trip to Japan.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:17 Meet the Designers: Ashwin and Rob

• Urban Professional Games
• Coin Flip Games

00:06:24 The Journey of Chicken Fried Dice

• Chicken Fried Dice

00:28:57 The Importance of Community and Mentorship

00:37:36 Key Tips for Aspiring Game Designers

00:39:56 5 Blank and Write

00:41:35 Next Station: London

00:44:30 Let's Make a Bus Route

00:46:15 Three Sisters

00:49:49 Cartographers

00:52:45 Welcome To

00:55:17 Dice Cards

01:00:13 Silver and Gold

01:00:27 Tempus Imperium from Chris Anderson

01:02:32 Merchants of Magick: A Set a Watch Tale

01:06:18 Wok and Roll

01:11:10 Corinth

01:14:54 Cascadia: Rolling Rivers

01:19:24 Twice As Clever!

01:21:20 (Honorable Mention) Draft & Write Records

01:23:37 Moments of Positivity and Community

• Washington State Tabletop Game Alliance at the  Tokyo game market
• Tantrum con and Clarence Simpson
• Sweetlands

01:28:46 Where can you find Ashwin and Rob

•  Ashwin: BoardGameGhee on Bluesky and most socials 
• Rob: Coinflipgames on Bluesky 

01:30:35 Outro 

(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)

Register for Brave & Bold Learn-to-play events at Gen Con

https://resurrection.games/products/brave-bold-bag-building-combat-game?variant=48030270587112&UTM_medium=referral&UTM_source=bggpodcast&UTM_campaign=gencon26

The Crew: Make Your Own Missions Contest during the month of May to celebrate the upcoming launch of The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth at Gen Con this summer. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVvJrK6T1E-95FancGXZPJcS9l6AzoEzxg3TTx6Mbdcfxqew/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101624608455211411169

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Roberta Taylor joins me to talk about her games and the Canadian board game scene. We discuss games we wish we could get to the table more often. And we are looking forward to more warmth to our days and meeting up with friends to game.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:15 Getting to know Roberta Taylor

00:05:25 Exploring the Canadian Board Game Scene

• Eric M. Lang
• Sen-Foong Lim
• Daryl Andrews
• Christopher Chung
• Luke Parnell - Kerf Cut Games
• Bryan Bell
• (Please note that not all of the designers were mentioned but added them so people can look them up)

00:06:03 Canadian Publishers

• KTBG / Burnt Island Games 
• Hot Banana Games 
• First Fish Games
• Off the Page Games
• Roxley
• Inside up Games
• Scorpion Masqué 

00:09:23 Canadian Conventions

• Terminal City Tabletop Con
• Breakout Con
• Toon con
• FallCon 
• GOBfest 

00:16:14 Female presenting Canadian Designers

• Erica Bouyouris

Helaina Cappel

• Marie Wong and Pauline Kong
• Stephanie Kwok
• Alara Cameron
• Shannon McDowell

00:19:16 Canadian Content Creators

• Mandi Hutchinson - Salt and Sass Games Podcast
• Foster the Meeple
• Watch it played
• Kovray

00:29:10 5 games we don't get played nearly enough

00:29:58 Wicked and Wise

00:31:38 SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence 

00:34:04 Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends 

00:36:48 Endeavor Deep Sea

00:40:33 Targi

00:42:46 The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship 

00:45:29 Smug Owls

00:47:42 Nostalgic Comfort Games - Takenoko and Lords of Waterdeep

00:51:06 Paperback

00:53:53 Creature Comforts and Cascadia

00:59:06 Moment of Positivity

01:04:09 Where can you find Roberta?

01:08:26 Outro

Register for Brave & Bold Learn-to-play events at Gen Con

https://resurrection.games/products/brave-bold-bag-building-combat-game?variant=48030270587112&UTM_medium=referral&UTM_source=bggpodcast&UTM_campaign=gencon26

The Crew: Make Your Own Missions Contest during the month of May to celebrate the upcoming launch of The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth at Gen Con this summer. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVvJrK6T1E-95FancGXZPJcS9l6AzoEzxg3TTx6Mbdcfxqew/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101624608455211411169

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Designer and Publisher, Marcus Ross, joins me to talk about his experience at the Toy Fair in New York. He challenges me to come up with a list of fun Roll-and-Move games. Ending with us talking about robots and wontons.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:37 Getting to know Marcus Ross

00:03:35 Marcus's Favorite Game

00:09:41 Marcus's experience at the Toy Fair in New York

00:26:33 Top 5 Roll and Move Games

BGG’s Roll, Spin, and Move list

00:30:33 Thunder Road: Vendetta

00:33:39 Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar

00:36:46 Colosseum 

00:39:21 Marrakech

00:42:16 Mountain Goats (Mountain Goats: Legacy)

00:45:21 Magical Athlete (Hot Streak)

00:49:15 Ready Set Bet

00:52:57 Formula D

00:53:49 Stuffed Fables

00:55:22 Honorable "Dismention" - Clue

00:55:46 Deep Sea Adventure

00:59:09 Moment of Positivity

01:04:52 Where can you find Marcus and his games?

Bluesky

Discount Salmon & Letter Go at the Spielbound Board Game Cafe 

Jingle Bell Roll from Chris Couch Games

Seoul Journey currently on Backerkit

Water Bear Games

01:06:41 Outro

(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)

Register for Brave & Bold Learn-to-play events at Gen Con

https://resurrection.games/products/brave-bold-bag-building-combat-game?variant=48030270587112&UTM_medium=referral&UTM_source=bggpodcast&UTM_campaign=gencon26

The Crew: Make Your Own Missions Contest during the month of May to celebrate the upcoming launch of The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth at Gen Con this summer. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVvJrK6T1E-95FancGXZPJcS9l6AzoEzxg3TTx6Mbdcfxqew/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101624608455211411169

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Justin Bell is back! He joins me to discuss all of the extra stuff we buy to make our board game experience better. This can be everything from upgrading bits from cardboard to wooden components to the perfect bags to always have on hand. Also, how much we love player aids. Then we discuss our top 5 games of 2025. Ending with how everyone should touch grass and bring baked goods to conventions.

00:00:00 Intro

00:02:03 Justin's Journey in the Board Game Industry

BGG Podcast Episode 30

The Five By Podcast

00:04:36 Favorite Game Mechanics and Personal Collection

00:17:20 The Art of Kitting Out: Personal Experiences and Tips

Sunrise Tornado Playmat

P’Kup

00:33:52 Player Aids: Enhancing the Gaming Experience

Every Game Needs a Player Aid Article

00:36:09 The Debate on Game Inserts

00:39:39 Upgrades for Game Night

Microfiber Bags “Size of Justin’s Hands”

Modern Meeple

Allplay

00:46:38 Top 5 Games of 2025

00:47:16 Ayar: Children of the Sun 

00:50:26 SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

00:53:09 Jungo / Hachi Train /  Nanatoridori

00:55:56 Citizens of the Spark

00:58:21 Masters of Crime: Rapture 

01:01:48 Endeavor: Deep Sea

01:06:21 Speakeasy

01:11:06 Sanctuary

01:13:30 Vantage

01:18:03 Pergola

01:21:23 Moment of Positivity

01:25:22 Where can you find Justin Bell?

Meeple Mountain

Instagram @JustinBellSays 

X @JustinBellSays 

01:26:41 Outro

(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)

Register for Brave & Bold Learn-to-play events at Gen Con

https://resurrection.games/products/brave-bold-bag-building-combat-game?variant=48030270587112&UTM_medium=referral&UTM_source=bggpodcast&UTM_campaign=gencon26

The Crew: Make Your Own Missions Contest during the month of May to celebrate the upcoming launch of The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth at Gen Con this summer. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVvJrK6T1E-95FancGXZPJcS9l6AzoEzxg3TTx6Mbdcfxqew/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101624608455211411169

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Email: [email protected]

Episode 87: Andrew Stiles - HIs experience and tips for designers working with publishers - Top 5 games we take everywhere

Get to know Andrew Stiles and his incredible journey to being a published designer. We talk tips for meeting with publishers, pitches, and sell sheets. Then we talk about 5 games that we usually will have with us, just in case. Then end with celebrating meeting people, other board gamers, and the next generation of gamers.

00:00:00 Introduction to Andrew Stiles

00:01:53 Andrew's Journey into Game Design

00:04:22 Inspiration Behind Wine Cellar

00:06:49 The Process of Getting Published

00:10:48 Balancing Hobbies and Game Design

00:15:24 Networking and Pitching to Publishers

00:21:59 The Art of the Sell Sheet

00:25:36 Thoughts on Rejection and Persistence

00:27:38 Crafting the Perfect Pitch

00:30:59 Collaboration with Publishers to develop games

00:32:03 Designing with Expansions or Promos in Mind

00:34:04 Managing Multiple Prototypes

00:34:20 Summary - 3 Key Tips for working with publishers

00:35:00 5 Games we take everywhere

00:36:46 Forest Shuffle

00:38:35 Flip 7

00:40:51 Azul Travel Edition

00:43:24 Duck and Cover

00:45:52 Voyages

00:49:02 Scout

00:51:17 Marvel Remix

00:53:11 Trinket Trove

00:56:54 Wine Cellar and Lost Cities

00:59:28 Rumble Nation

01:03:10 Moment of Positivity

01:10:32 Where to find Andrew and His Games

Andrew Stiles on Facebook

Tantrum Con, Gama, Origins, Gen Con, and maybe Pax Unplugged

Tabletop Submarine & the Dice, Camera, Action Podcasts

Digging for Dinos 

           Garden Club & Pedal

            Wine Cellar

3Tricky Pigs

01:14:42 Outro

(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)

Register for Brave & Bold Learn-to-play events at Gen Con

https://resurrection.games/products/brave-bold-bag-building-combat-game?variant=48030270587112&UTM_medium=referral&UTM_source=bggpodcast&UTM_campaign=gencon26

The Crew: Make Your Own Missions Contest during the month of May to celebrate the upcoming launch of The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth at Gen Con this summer. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVvJrK6T1E-95FancGXZPJcS9l6AzoEzxg3TTx6Mbdcfxqew/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101624608455211411169

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Get to know Daniel Newman, board game designer and owner of New Mill Industries. We discuss the indie game markets that have been popping up at conventions over the last couple of years. They are a wonderful place to find unique games that only have very small print runs. And you get some insights on what the Tokyo Game market is like. We then talk about trick taking games that stood out to us from Japan and America. Some games might be hard to get but they might be interesting enough to you that you will want to hunt down. Then we talk about the mahjong resurgence and how Daniel connects to his son through Pokemon.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:23 Getting to know Daniel Newman

00:02:27 The Journey of a Game Designer

00:04:35 The Indie Game Market Phenomenon

00:09:25 Defining Indie Games and Their Market

00:12:08 Criteria for Indie Game Market Participation

00:19:45 5 Trick Takers that Stood out to us

Skull King and Mythical Dice baseline

00:24:01 Where to buy Japanese Games

       https://trickyimports.com/

       Tanoki games

       UK - travel-games.co.uk

      Amazon.jp

      booth.jp

      Consolidation services: Buyee

00:28:58 Bid Coin

00:32:09 No Loose Ends

00:34:45 Karaoke Trick

00:36:50 Cat in the Box

00:39:08 Recurrring

00:41:21 Mu and More

      Zoo and More - Taylor Reiner - Seers catalog

00:45:47 Sumida River

00:48:04 Mystery Tricks

00:53:24 I'm the CEO

00:56:41 The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, Trick-Taking Game

00:58:56 Vegeterrors

01:00:12 Tezuma Trick

      The Six of VIII

01:03:36 Honorable Mentions

01:03:54 Rebel Princess (Zombie Princess)

      Spring Cleaning / Haunted Mouse

01:05:02 Rascally Rabbits

01:08:07 Moment of Positivity: The Resurgence of Mahjong

01:12:07 Connecting Generations Through Pokemon

01:13:38 Where to find Daniel & New Mill Industries

      Daniel Newman on Bluesky

     New Mill Industries Website

01:14:58 Outro

(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)

Register for Brave & Bold Learn-to-play events at Gen Con

https://resurrection.games/products/brave-bold-bag-building-combat-game?variant=48030270587112&UTM_medium=referral&UTM_source=bggpodcast&UTM_campaign=gencon26

The Crew: Make Your Own Missions Contest during the month of May to celebrate the upcoming launch of The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth at Gen Con this summer. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVvJrK6T1E-95FancGXZPJcS9l6AzoEzxg3TTx6Mbdcfxqew/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101624608455211411169

Web: https://boardgamegeek.com/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeek
Email: [email protected]

Happy new year! And welcome to the 1st episode of 2026. Christina and Dan “Shoe” are the hosts of Going Analog. They join me to talk about our gaming goals for 2026. We talk about our top 5 pretty / not ugly euro style games. And then Shoe gets a little sappy in the moment of positivity while Christina gets hungry. Let us know if you think any of these games are not euros and let us know your gaming goals / resolutions for the new year!

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:30 Who is Shoe & Christina?

00:05:12 Board Game Goals for 2026

00:29:25 The Aesthetics of Euro Games

00:29:53 Top 5 Pretty Euro Games

00:35:15 Obvious Choice: Takenoko

00:38:36 Older Gem: Coimbra

00:40:35 Stunning Presence: River of Gold

00:42:49 Art and Strategy: The Gallerist

00:44:50 Unique Mechanics: The White Castle

00:46:34 Thematic Depth: Formosa Tea

00:50:22 Serene Gameplay: Pergola

00:52:19 Exploration and Strategy: Stroganoff

00:54:58 Charming Aesthetics: Flamecraft

00:57:19 Prohibition Era: Speakeasy

00:01:00:18 Honorable Mentions: More Beautiful Games

00:01:03:13 Moments of Positivity: Gratitude and Good Food

00:01:07:58 Where to find Going Analog

Going Analog’s Website

00:01:08:47 Outro

(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeek
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeek
Email: [email protected]