The BoardGameGeek Podcast

Episode 106: Moe Poplar - Educational Historic Games?  - Top 5 Cooperative Games - Community and Color Changing Trees

Board game designer and owner of Ashy Feet Games joins me to talk about his views on the educational value of historical games. Our top 5 cooperative games with honorable mentions. And end talking about his tabletop community and how I touched some color changing trees.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:13 Who is Moe Poplar?

• Ashy Feet Games
• Shibuyan Knights 
• Crumb Snatchers 
• Dark Heists 
• Fabulous Freemen 

00:07:27 The Educational Value of Historical Games

• John Company

00:19:48 Top 5 Cooperative Games

00:20:46 The Mind

00:22:46 Pandemic

00:24:59 The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship -

00:27:46 Codenames: Critical Role Adventures

00:31:32 Spirit Island

00:33:19 Moe's Honorable mentions

00:33:34 Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game

00:34:02 Slay the Spire: the Board Game

00:34:48 Burgle Bros

00:36:37 Bomb Busters

00:39:06 The Gang: Deluxe Edition

00:42:47 Black Orchestra

00:45:02 The Crew Series and The Lord of the Rings: Trick Taker Series

• The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game

00:47:41 Honorable Mentions

00:47:46 Sail

00:48:10 Sky Team

00:50:24 Take Time

00:51:30 Tidal Blades 2: Wardian Sky

00:53:41 Moment of Positivity

00:56:56 Where can you find Moe?

• Ashy Feet Games Website
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• Tik tok
• Fabulous Freeman Kickstarter

01:00:19 Outro

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

Back Stormlight: War for Roshar on Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/war-for-roshar

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

Episode 105: Lizzy, Ben, & Josey - Where Game Mechanics Meet Art  - Top 3 Games for Bookworms - Fun weekend plans

Meet the designers and artist behind Bookwrym from Sword and Rose Press. We talk about how mechanics influence the art and vice versa in their game. For the book lovers, there’s a few game recommendations. And then we end with our fun weekend plans.

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:29 Get to know my guests

00:00:41 Lizzy Ives

00:01:28 Ben Kepner

00:01:53 Josey Tsao

00:04:48 How did they meet?

00:09:24 How did they get into board games?

00:11:42 How did Josey become a board game artist?

00:13:38 What's their favorite Book?

00:19:34 Where Board Game Mechanics, Meet art.

00:20:05 When did Josey come into the process?

00:23:15 Bookwyrm from Sword and Rose Press

• Kickstarter Link
• Instagram - @swordandrosepress 

00:24:02 Kitty fur babies in the game.

00:26:02 Cats and Plants expansion

00:27:43 Importance of good art and graphic design

00:29:24 Artist input

00:36:40 Layers of Discovery

00:38:06 Who's cats are in the expansion?

00:40:55 Real life in a fantasy world

00:44:43 Artist input is important

00:46:37 How important is graphic design?

00:49:04 A good artist is worth their weight in ... books.

00:53:49 Top 3 games for Bookworms

00:54:27 ContraBanter

00:56:38 Décorum

00:58:55 Spots

01:00:06 Detective: City of Angels

01:01:15 A Place for All My Books

01:04:22 Leaf

01:05:22 Rocca Town

01:07:01 The Lord of the Rings: Trick Taking Games

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

01:09:07 Roots: A Game of Inventing Words

01:10:38 Dune

01:12:03 Enchanted Ivy

01:14:03 My Shelfie

01:19:35 Moment of Positivity

01:29:04 Bookwrym on Kickstarter

01:31:24 Where can you find my guests?

01:31:36 Ben

• Ben Kepner’s Website
• Social Media: @kepneraptor (Instagram)

01:31:59 Lizzy

• Social Media: @lizzytacular (Instagram, Tiktok)
• Substack Newsletter: https://lizzyives.substack.com/

01:33:26 Josey

• Social Media: @joseytsao (Instagram)
• Website: https://www.joseytsao.net | https://ginkgohouse.co/ 

01:35:10 Outro

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

Back Stormlight: War for Roshar on Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/war-for-roshar

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

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.)

Back Stormlight: War for Roshar on Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/war-for-roshar

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.)

Back Stormlight: War for Roshar on Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/war-for-roshar

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.)

Back Stormlight: War for Roshar on Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/war-for-roshar

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.)

Back Stormlight: War for Roshar on Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/war-for-roshar

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.)

Back Stormlight: War for Roshar on Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/war-for-roshar

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.)

Back Stormlight: War for Roshar on Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/war-for-roshar

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.)

Back Stormlight: War for Roshar on Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/war-for-roshar

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