The BoardGameGeek Podcast

Episode 104: Tina Burns & Dr. Amelia Herbst  - Geek Girl Con - Women in Gaming - Finding Community

Tina and Amelia from the board of Geek Girl Con joins me to talk about the con, femme presenting designers, artist, and musicians in gaming, and how finding your community makes all the difference.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:28 Get to know Tina Burns

00:01:48 Get to know Dr. Amelia Herbst

00:02:48 Backgrounds and Perspectives on Gaming

00:05:05 What types of games do they like to play?

00:12:59 Introduction to GeekGirlCon

00:14:19 The Importance of Safe Spaces in Geek Culture

00:15:24 What's in a name?

00:17:02 GGC - Every Geek is welcome!

00:20:27 Growing up at GGC

00:21:16 Supporting GeekGirlCon

00:22:59 Volunteer Opportunities and Roles

00:25:16 5 Femme presenting designers, artist, musicians and their work

00:25:49 Scarlet Hollow - Abby Howard

00:28:03 King's Quest - Roberta Williams

00:29:31 Sanibel - Elizabeth Hargrave

00:31:02 Wyrmspan - Connie Vogelmann

00:32:25 Wingspan - Elizabeth Hargrave

00:33:32 River Market - Roberta Taylor

00:35:06 Elder Scrolls - Christiane Meister

00:36:54 Xbox - Asha Sharma and Sarah Bond

00:38:21 Forage - Beth Sobel

00:40:25 Celeste - Maddy Thorson, Gabby DaRienzo, and Lena Raine

00:41:41 Magic the Gathering: Secret Lair cards

00:44:52 Knitting Circle - Emily Vincent

00:46:18 Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus, and Ghosts of Saltmarsh, - Kate Welch

00:47:42 BioShock - Alyssa Finley

00:48:55 Menagerie: Unlock the Wonders of a Miniature World- Fertessa Allyse

00:51:57 Honorable Mention: Qwirkle - Susan McKinley Ross

00:52:43 Moment of Positivity

00:59:28 Where can you find Tina and Amelia?

• Geek Girl Con Website (Linktr.ee, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, Twitch, Youtube)
• Email: [email protected]

01:02:08 Outro

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

We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026

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

Episode 103: Curt Covert (Smirk and Dagger) - Exhibiting at Conventions- Games we’ve been playing lately (not from Smirk and Dagger) 

Join me as we get to know Curt Covert, the owner of Smirk and Dagger games. We discuss what goes into exhibiting at conventions. While we go through a lot of information, it’s definitely not everything. But it might help someone starting out or might be an interesting peek behind the curtain. Then, we talk about 5 games we’ve been playing lately. And of course, ending with something positive happening in our lives. Don’t be afraid to go up or reach out to Curt if you have questions about the board game industry. He’s truly a fountain of knowledge.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:16 Get to know Curt Covert

00:01:27 Smirk and Laughter

00:04:34 Trickarus

00:12:11 Main Topic: Exhibiting at Conventions

00:12:33 Curt's overall philosophy

00:16:14 Choosing the Right Conventions for Exhibiting

00:19:01 First Steps to getting a booth

00:24:19 Navigating Convention Spaces and Traffic Flow

00:33:03 Line Management at Conventions

00:37:54 Efficient Booth Breakdown Strategies

00:42:59 Planning for Conventions - when to start

00:43:56 Engaging Booth Promotions

00:49:37 5 games (not from Smirk and Dagger) that we've been enjoying

00:49:55 Wondrous Creatures

00:53:32 Dino Racer

00:57:42 Fliptoons

• Fliptoons Season 2

01:02:01 Clank! Catacombs

• Underworld Expansion

01:05:20 Drillers

01:09:06 Things in Rings

• Things on Strings

01:12:56 Rascally Rabbits

01:15:34 Ito

• One Round?

01:21:08 Codenames: Critical Role Adventures

01:24:13 The Gang

• The Gang: Deluxe Edition

01:30:38 Moment of Positivity

01:39:33 Where can you find Curt?

• Smirk and Dagger Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

01:40:36 Outro

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

We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026

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

Episode 102: Peter Vaughan - Crowdfunding Tips and Tricks - Top 5 Bag and Deck Building Games - Con Memories

Peter, one of the owners of Cardboard Alchemy, takes time away from his big Kickstarter for Whisperwood, to talk about what he has learned about crowdfunding, his favorite bag and deck builder, ending with some good memories from conventions.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:37 Who is Peter Vaughan?

• Cardboard Alchemy
• What the Food
• Flamecraft
• Andromeda's Edge

00:03:14 Whisperwood on KS

00:04:35 Main Topic: Kickstarting Board Games

00:04:55 Why Kickstarter?

00:06:10 How Kickstarter has changed for Board Games

00:07:57 Trends and Changes in Crowdfunding

00:13:26 Tips for those starting out in crowdfunding

00:17:08 Whisperwood: Cozy, Crunchy, Combo-filled Bag Builder

00:23:24 Preparing for a Crowdfunding Launch

00:26:08 Kickstarter is live, Now what?

00:27:50 Marketing Strategies Post-Kickstarter

00:31:27 Top 5 Bag & Deck Building Games

00:32:49 Orleans

00:37:03 Altiplano

00:39:49 Cubitos

00:41:42 Concordia

00:43:57 Mystic Lands

• Ruins

00:46:28 Lost Ruins of Arnak

00:49:40 Tea Garden

00:53:07 Fliptoons

• Fliptoons: Season 2

00:56:26 Fishing

01:00:05 Moon colony Bloodbath

01:04:00 Honorable Mentions

• Wonderland’s War
• Quacks
• Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure
• Drillers

01:08:46 Moments of Positivity

• LFG Con

01:15:40 Where can you find Peter Vaughn on the Internet?

• Cardboard Alchemy’s:
• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Discord
• Youtube

01:20:16 Outro

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

We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026

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

Episode 101: Ilka Luza - How to Behave at the Table. - Top 5 Games We Like to Play on Repeat - A Surprise Gift and White Water Rafting.

Grab a drink and maybe some snacks because this is a longer episode. My super talented friend, Ilka Luza, joins me to discuss an important topic that’s not necessarily said out loud, some of our favorite comfort games, something that made us smile lately, and lots and lots of stories.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:40 Who is Ilka Luza

00:08:11 Prevention Theater

• Ep. 82 - Dave Luza
• Ep. 83: AnnaMaria Jackson-Phelps

00:10:22 How to behave at a table

00:21:04 Respect each other

00:28:59 Ending a game early

00:39:20 Phones at the table

00:46:10 Top 5 Games we like to play on repeat

00:47:07 Patchwork Doodle

00:49:06 Three Sisters: Harvest Edition

00:52:17 Azul

00:55:54 Lords of Waterdeep

01:02:06 Sanctuary

01:08:04 Takenoko

01:11:55 Wingspan

01:17:12 Mahjong

01:27:14 Cascadia

01:32:25 Akropolis

01:36:35 Honorable Mentions

01:36:45 Nokosu Dice

01:39:40 Fliptoons

01:49:11 Moment of Positivity

• Chris Long Prints

02:00:43 Where to Find Ilka?

• Ilka’s Website 
• Luzapalooza on Instagram, Twitch, and Youtube
• This Game is Broken podcast

02:03:25 Outro

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

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

Episode 100: Lainie - Convention Planning Insights and Tips - 5 Games from BGG's top 100 that we love - Board Game Con Friends

Happy 100th Episode to the BGG Podcast! Let’s peek behind the scenes of Board Game Geek events and conventions with someone who helps run them, Lainie! Then we look at BGG’s top 100 games via user ratings to talk about 5 we love. And share some joy in finding friends through conventions.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:18 Get to know Lainey

00:05:12 Convention Planning Insights and Tips

00:09:57 Managing Volunteers Effectively

00:21:40 What are the different BGG Events?

00:24:46 5 Games from BGG's top 100 that we love

00:26:37 Race for the Galaxy

00:28:40 Orleans

00:30:17 Power Grid

00:31:55 Grand Austria Hotel

00:34:04 Clank Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

00:37:10 Spirit Island

00:39:12 Castles of Burgundy

00:43:17 Obsession

00:46:25 Terraforming Mars

00:49:09 Darwin's Journey

00:52:15 Honorable Mention

00:53:33 Moment of Positivity

• Omaha Gaming Convention
• Board Game Wagon 
• OFPG
• Spielbound Board Game Cafe

01:02:41 Where to find Lainie

• BGG Con 2026
• Gen Con Hot Games Room
• Hot Games Room Email
• Lainie’s Email

01:03:40 Outro

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

We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026

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

Episode 99: Dutch Yoda - Gen Con vs Spiel - Top 5 BGG Gen Con Preview List 2026 - World Cup and the Beach Boys

My friend, Dutch Yoda, joins us all the way from around the globe to talk about the differences and similarities between the 2 biggest board game conventions in the world, Gen Con and Spiel. Then we had a hard time picking our Top 5 games from the BGG Gen Con Preview list for 2026. We then talked about how the World Cup and the Beach Boys brought a little joy in our lives. I hope you can stop by one of his streams and chat with him directly especially about coffee and crowdfunding.

00:00 Intro

00:51 Get to know Dutch Yoda

02:24 How you became Dutch Yoda

03:17 Start in the hobby

05:43 Exploring Gen Con vs. Spiel

14:54 Food Culture at Conventions

18:02 Media Events: A Contrast Between Gen Con and Spiel

26:01 Flea Markets: A Unique Experience

28:16 Travel Logistics and Airport Experiences

31:09 Availability of Games Post-Conventions

42:57 Community and Connections at Conventions

47:01 Top Five Games from BGG Gen Con 2026 Preview List

47:54 Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons - Ravenloft

49:48 Entropy

55:45 Sniper Elite: Expansions (Escalation & Operation Kraken)

57:46 Wondrous Creatures: Winterfall Expansion

• Omaha Gaming Convention

01:00:55 Frosted Blooms (A Dutch Connection)

01:04:51 Fliptoons Season 2

01:09:34 Wingspan Pocket

01:12:03 Three Sisters: Harvest Edition

01:16:35 Endangered: Australia (Expansion)

• Endangered: Giant Panda scenario

01:22:33 Mountain Goats: Legacy

• Legacy of Yu
• Tiny Mountain Goats

01:26:51 Honorable Mentions

01:27:35 Rascally Rabbits

01:30:17 Jason and the Argonauts

• Hercules and the 12 Labors

01:32:33 Whisperwood

01:36:15 Perennial

01:38:09 Electrify

01:42:09 Moments of Positivity

01:49:38 Please follow Dutch Yoda  on the web!

• Twitch @DutchYoda
• Youtube, Instagram, and Bluesky @DutchYodaPlays 

01:51:58 Outro

Please note: this episode was pre-recorded so that it could be edited on time. Therefore, there might be a few games that were posted on the BGG Preview list after this episode was recorded.

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

We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026

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

Episode 98: Aaron B. (Game Enthus) - The Remaster’s Era - Top 5 Games We Like to Teach - Lunch Time Gaming & Getting Recognized

Hey everyone! I’m excited to introduce Aaron, also known as Game Enthus on social media, who’s joining me to chat about all those games that are getting remastered, remade, updated with a second edition, brought back, or republished with some tweaks. We’re gonna try to nail down what exactly defines the “Remaster’s Era” of tabletop gaming. Then, we’ll share our top 5 favorite games to teach others. We’ll wrap up with some feel-good stories about gaming with coworkers during lunch and those moments when we get recognized. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention—we usually team up to teach a game on the Learn and Play schedule at PAX Unplugged. So, if you’re heading there, come join us for a fun game!

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:54 Get to know Aaron B.

00:06:08 The Remasters Era in Board Games

00:33:06 Top 5 Games we Enjoy Teaching

00:35:51 Hues and Cues

00:39:22 River of Gold

00:41:54 Panda Royale

00:45:20 Wok and Roll

00:47:30 So Clover!

00:50:02 Duck and Cover

00:53:13 Faraway

00:56:36 Cities

• Cities USA

01:00:10 Green Team Wins

• Green Team Wins Again

01:03:28 Seti: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence 

• Kanban EV
• Sweet Lands

01:08:00 Honorable Mentions

01:08:05 Chicken Fried Dice

01:10:55 Takenoko

01:12:33 Moments of Positivity in Gaming

01:16:52 Where can you find Aaron?

• Game Enthus on Lintree
• Game Enthus Podcast Website
• Aaron’s Youtube Channel - @GameEnthus
• The Five By Podcast Website / BGG Listing

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

We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026

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

Episode 97: Cole Smith - Games that Combine 2 Mechanisms well - Top 5 Area Control Games - A Frame Job & Good Food

Canadian board game and graphic designer, Cole Smith, joins me to talk about his current published games, games that combine 2 mechanisms well, and his favorite mechanism, area control, games.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:21 Get to Know Cole Smith and his games

• Tanuki 
• Sauros 
• 3 Magi 

00:05:58 The Journey of Game Design

00:08:23 Cole's Favorite Mechanism or Game that inspires him

00:14:42 Games that Blend 2 Well-Known Mechanics Well

• Lost Ruins or Arnak
• Dune Imperium
• Endless Winter: Paleoamericans
• Patchwork
• Cascadia and other Flatout line of games
• Sauros
• Rumble Nation
• Radlands 
• 7 Wonders Duel
• Sagrada 
• Nokosu dice
• King of Tokyo
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Trick Taking Game
• Iliad
• Tag Team
• Arcs

00:33:32 Top 5 Area Control Games

00:37:57 The King is Dead: Second Edition

00:40:18 Rumble Nation

00:41:46 Waddle

00:44:35 Ankh: Gods of Egypt

00:47:25 Marrakech

00:50:50 Rumble Nation (Overlap)

00:51:09 Sunrise Lane

00:54:27 Scythe

00:58:45 Foundations of Rome

01:03:16 Root

01:07:26 Patrician

01:10:29 Honorable Mentions

01:10:40 Big Boss

01:12:59 Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon

01:15:01 Ahoy

01:16:02 Moment of Positivity

01:20:09 Where can you find Cole?

• BGG Designer Page
• Instagram @Cole_Designs_Games

01:21:24 Outro

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

We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026

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

Episode 96: Arwen Kathke - Vision Accessibility in Board Games - Top 5 Food-Themed Board Games - Hanging out with loved ones and friends

The amazing Arwen Kathke joins me to talk about her Cardboard Time podcast and her passion to increase vision accessibility in board games. We get hungry talk about our top 5 food themed games and going down some rabbit holes. Ending with good memories of hanging out with loved ones and friends.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:29 Get to know Arwen

00:01:49 How did the Cardboard Time Podcast start?

00:03:01 Why the name Cardboard Time?

00:07:12 Vision Accessibility in Board Games

• Colorblind Games

00:18:01 Top 5 Food-Themed Board Games

• Sang Kee Peking Duck House
• BGG “Theme: Food Cooking” Tag List

00:24:24 Formage & Formaggio: We Love Cheese

00:32:13 Point Salad: A Game for Everyone

• Point Galaxy

00:35:52 Coffee Roaster: A Solo Experience

• In Front of the Elevators

00:40:13 Three Sisters: Harvest Edition: Expanding the Game

00:47:41 Chicken Fried Dice: Real-Time Roll and Write

• Ashwin and Rob on BGG Podcast Ep. 91

00:51:35 Wok and Roll: Nostalgia in a Game

00:55:00 Diced Veggies: A Unique Chopping Mechanism

00:59:14 Sushi Go Party!: A Fun Twist on Drafting Games

Honorable Mentions

01:04:39 Pizza Roles - Yummy Deduction Game

01:07:44 Sweet Lands - The Charm of Heavy Strategy Games

01:13:26 Moments of Positivity

• Big Gay Dinner - Rose Gauntlet Foundation
• BGG Spring 2026
  • Buc-ee’s
  • Sheetz

01:27:45 Where can you find Arwen?

• The Cardboard Time Podcast on Spotify
• Cardboard Time Website
• Bluesky: @CardboardTime
• Instagram: @Cardboard_Time
• Youtube:@CardboardTime
• Conventions: 
  • Origins Game Fair
  • Omaha Gaming Con (added after the recording)
  • Pax Unplugged 

01:31:51 Outro

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

We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026

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

Episode 95: Emily Vincent - Usability & UI Design in Board Games, 10+ Hidden Small Box Gems, Libraries, and cats calling in the Spring

Please come join me and meet this wonderful human and talented designer, Emily Vincent. We connect about cats, what makes a sandwich, and fonts. We discuss how UI design and accessibility design concepts are implemented in board games. Then we talk about 10+ small box games that we think fell under the radar or don’t get enough love. And end with cats, libraries, and hearing about her upcoming games.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:31 Who is Emily Vincent?

00:06:35 Playtesting Games

• Boston Game Makers’ Guild
• ProtoSpiel Online
• Break My Game Discord
• UnPub

00:07:41 Rapid Fire Questions

00:11:49 Applying Usability / UI Design Concepts to Game Design

00:36:31 Exploring our Top 5 Hidden Gems in Small Box Games

00:38:33 Newfoundland Jam

00:41:38 Cat Rescue

00:45:10 No Regerts: The Game of Art and Poor Life Choices

00:47:46 Big Sur

• Strange Worlds Above the Clouds

00:50:54 Tootin' & Hollerin'

00:55:04 Espresso

00:57:57 Pass the Buck: A Game of Corporate Responsibility Management

01:02:26 Lunar Skyline

01:06:14 Holiday Hijinks #1: The Kringle Caper and series

01:10:23 Wok and Roll

01:12:47 Honorable Mentions

01:13:17 Trickadee

01:14:13 Bandido

01:16:06 Neko Syndicate

01:20:53 Moments of Positivity

01:28:49 Where can you find Emily?

• Instagram @ Pink Hawk Games
• Website: http://pinkhawkgames.com 
• Discord: EmilyKeepsKitties
• Building the Game podcast

01:32:12 Outro

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

We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026

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