Beyond Solitaire

Latest Episodes:

Episode 211 - Carly Kocurek on Coin-Operated Americans Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, Dr. Carly Kocurek (@sparklebliss.bsky.social) drops by to discuss the rise of arcade culture--and how we came to assume that video games are for boys, despite evidence to the contrary.
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 210 - Liam Liwanag Burke on Dog Eat Dog Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

This week, Liam Liwanag Burke, designer of Dog Eat Dog, drops by to discuss his game. A new edition is on the way from Central Michigan University as part of their new Art & System series. https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/b2acaafc-6009-4565-9ef4-54b97b09e193/landing
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 209 - Efka Bladukas on Game Coverage as Story Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 208 - Pat Harrigan on Zones of Control Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, I am joined by Pat Harrigan, who has published several academic volumes about games--most recently Zones of Control, which is co-edited with podcast alum Matthew Kirschenbaum. https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547925/zones-of-control/
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 207 - Clifford Ando on the Humanities Crisis at UChicago Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, Professor Clifford Ando of The University of Chicago drops by to talk about the effects of cutting humanities programs. As historical games enthusiasts, we should care about this issue. One article: https://www.compactmag.com/article/the-crisis-of-the-university-started-long-before-trump/
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 206 - Suzanne Sheldon on Restoration Games Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, Suzanne Sheldon (@425suzanne.bsky.social) drops in to talk about her work at Restoration Games, what it means to "restore" a game, and how to create an experience that really connects with players.
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 205 - Nigel Scarfe on Imagination Gaming Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, Nigel Scarfe drops by to discuss how his company, Imagination Gaming, helps students learn both academic and emotional skills in schools--and how games can also improve life in other settings, including prisons. https://imaginationgaming.co.uk/
Art & System Backerkit: https://cmichpress.com/2025/06/10/new-game-series-art-system-games-for-expanded-play/
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 204 - Gabe Barrett on Best with 1 Games Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, Gabe Barrett, publisher of the Solo Game of the Month series, drops in to talk about how he maintains such an intense publication pace and about what makes a good solo game. https://bestwith1.com/
Art & System Backerkit: https://cmichpress.com/2025/06/10/new-game-series-art-system-games-for-expanded-play/
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 203 - Emily Friedman on the Study of Actual Play Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, Dr. Emily Friedman (@friede.bsky.social), an English professor at Auburn University, comes by to discuss her work on actual play and how it has become part of her scholarship and classroom practice. You can join her Patreon for free to read her posts: https://www.patreon.com/c/ecfriedman/home
Art & System Backerkit: https://cmichpress.com/2025/06/10/new-game-series-art-system-games-for-expanded-play/
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 202 - J. Rey Lee on Unsettling Catan Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, J. Rey Lee (@jreylee.bsky.social), author of Unsettling Catan, drops by to talk about his upcoming book--which also happens to be the beginning of a new series of academic books focused on individual board games. Book: https://press.umich.edu/Books/U/Unsettling-Catan
Witch Hunt/Making History Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/witch-hunt-1649-making-history-a-game-double-feature
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

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