Board Game Radio

Latest Episodes:

Episode 282 - CrowdFunding Debates, Board Game Bling, & Phil Walker-Harding Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

We’ve got a great show this week! We’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, including some new crowdfunding campaigns. We'll discuss gaming cynicism and table real estate. We debate some game night hypotheticals about consistent game nights and expansions versus bling! We finish the episode by drafting Phil Walker-Harding Games!

00:20 Introduction to Board Game Radio

07:21 This Week In Gaming

07:56 Upcoming Crowdfunding

11:34 Bestselling Games

14:24 What's On Your Mind?

14:49 Veteran Gamer Cynicism

28:02 Table Real Estate and Game Acquisition

36:36 Game Night Hypotheticals: Choices and Dilemmas

36:59 New vs. Old

40:25 Expansions or Bling?

43:44 Consistent Game Nights?

46:31 Discount or Speed?

50:57 Collection Selection: Phil Walker-Harding

Don't forget to check out our Discord!

https://www.boardgameradio.com/discord/

Episode 281 - Family Games & Gen Con Hotness Through The Years Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

We’ve got a great show this week! We’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discussing family games on BoardGameGeek, and revisiting GenCon Hotness!

00:00:20 Introduction & Follow-up

00:03:32 This Week In Gaming & Awesomeness

00:04:50 Exploring Personal Gaming Backlogs

00:09:23 Exciting News in Tabletop Gaming

00:14:01 Does BoardGameGeek Have a Family Games Problem?

00:34:42 Exploring Gen Con's Hotness Over the Years

00:37:13 2023 Gen Con Preview

00:45:59 2024 Gen Con Preview

00:51:51 2025 Gen Con Preview

00:58:27 2026 Gen Con Preview

01:00:42 Reflections on Game Quality and Hype

Don't forget to check out our Discord! https://www.boardgameradio.com/discord/

Episode 280 - Teachers, Awesomeness, and Dave Beck Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

We’ve got a great show this week! We’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discussing our thoughts on the hobby, visiting the Shelf of Shame Support Group, and chatting with Dave Beck of Paverson Games!

00:00:00 Introduction to Board Game Radio

00:03:28 Drillers Game Sales

00:08:18 Accountability Test #1

00:14:48 This Week In Gaming: Teacher Fund

00:17:36 Chess Joker: Review

00:31:03 What's On Your Mind? What would you miss?

00:41:06 The Shelf of Shame: Confessions and Reflections

00:46:55 Understanding Why Games Go Unplayed

00:55:46 Rethinking the Shelf of Shame

01:02:01 Interview: Dave Beck

01:05:16 Video Games to Tabletop Games

01:08:05 Balancing Academia and Entrepreneurship

01:11:54 Transitioning from Designer to Publisher

01:15:53 Class of 89 and Small Batch

01:25:10 Celebrating Awards and Recognition

01:31:18 The Impact of Board Game Arena

01:38:04 What makes tabletop gaming awesome?

Episode 279 - Magic, Hotels, and Monthly Games Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Michael and Doug share what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, including winning contests and new game releases. They also discuss expanding into other parts of the hobby, playing Stupid Money/Smart Money Gencon Edition, and closing out with a Monthly Game Roundup featuring Hell of a Deal, Circadia, Wild Magic, and Guillotine!

00:00:00 - Introduction to Board Game Radio

00:03:01 - Follow-Up and Community Engagement

00:06:22 - What's Awesome in Tabletop Gaming

00:09:05 - New Game Releases and Themes

00:12:07 - Experiences with Local Game Stores

00:16:24 - What's On Your Mind? Diving into Magic: The Gathering

00:24:20 - Community Challenges in TCGs

00:28:10 - The Barriers to Entry in Collectible Games

00:34:07 - Stupid Money, Smart Money: Gen Con Edition

00:53:25 - Monthly Game Roundup

01:03:30 - Diving into Circadia: Gameplay Mechanics and Strategies

01:12:08 - Wild Magic: Family-Friendly Fun and Strategic Depth

01:20:11 - Guillotine: A Classic with New Art

Episode 278 - GenCon 2026 Recap Show Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Doug and Michael do a thorough follow-up of GenCon. They dive into the show's headlines, along with their surprises, misses, and overall impressions.

00:00:20 - Welcome Back to the Studio

00:01:27 - Reflecting on Gen Con Experience

00:06:26 - Crowd Management and Venue Expansion

00:08:06 - FOMO and News Coverage at Gen Con

00:11:41 - Weather Challenges at Gen Con

00:12:34 - Game Announcements and Highlights

00:18:21 - All Play's New Game Lines

00:26:10 - Restoration Games and Unmatched Updates

00:32:46 - Final Thoughts and Reflections

00:35:27 - Excitement Over New Games

00:39:31 - Surprises from Gen Con

00:49:30 - Misses and Regrets at the Convention

00:53:07 - Reflections on Future Conventions

01:03:41 - Overall Experience and Takeaways

Episode 277 - GenCon Day 2 Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Doug and Michael discuss their Day 2 at GenCon! They discuss experiences in the exhibit hall, the Allplay new game announcements, AEG Big Game Night, and more!

Episode 276 - GenCon Day 1 Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Doug and Michael discuss their Day 1 at GenCon! They discuss experiences in the exhibit hall, the hottest games, and instant reactions to a great first day at the convention!

Episode 275 - Harrison Dunn, Gencon, and Blind Rank Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

In this week's episode, Doug and Michael share Michael's 2026 purchasing plan, talk solo games, discuss convention tips, preview Gencon with guest Harrison Dunn, and play a game of Blind Rank!

00:00:20 - Introduction & Follow-up

00:03:28 - Michael's Board Game Buying Challenge

00:11:15 - What's Awesome This Week in Gaming

00:22:37 - What's on Your Mind? - Convention Tips and Tricks

00:31:13 - Gencon Preview with Harrison Dunn

01:19:40 - Blind Rank

Episode 274 - Phill Klamm, Lorcana, and Troll Er No Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode we’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discuss reprinting games and going on game buying sabbatical. Lastly we chat with guest Phill Klamm about all things Disney Lorcana and play a game of Troll er No with him!

00:00:20 - Introduction and Follow-Up

00:02:45 - This Week in Gaming

00:08:19 - What's On Your Mind?

00:08:50 - Reprints of Older Games: A Trend Analysis

00:16:48 - Not Buying Games

00:25:38 - Introduction to Phill Klamm and Lorcana

00:28:41 - Overview of Lorcana: The Trading Card Game

00:31:42 - Phil's Journey into Competitive Play

00:34:39 - What Keeps Phil Engaged in Lorcana

00:37:24 - Accessibility and Cost of Playing Lorcana

00:40:35 - Understanding the Mechanics of Lorcana

00:43:36 - Family Involvement and Community in Lorcana

00:46:35 - Getting Started with Lorcana

00:49:25 - Threats and Future of Lorcana

00:52:43 - Pack Opening and Final Thoughts

00:56:19 - The Excitement of Opening Packs

00:59:11 - The Joy of Gaming and Learning

01:00:32 - Troll or No: The Game Begins

Episode 273 - Paul Salomon, The Spiel Des Jahres, and Giant Thumbs Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

This week we’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discuss industry awards and balancing fun with winning, chat with designer and developer Paul Salomon from GameHead Games, and play a game of The Great Game Guessing Game.

00:00:20 - Introduction and Follow-Up on Expansion Extravaganza

00:02:20 - This Week In Gaming: Spiel de Jahres Winners

00:10:00 - Industry Awards: Value and Insights

00:18:07 - Discussion on Playing for Fun vs. Winning

00:25:30 - Special Guest: Paul Solomon

00:26:54 - Journey into Board Games

00:28:29 - Role of Creative Director at Game Head

00:30:34 - Current Projects and Exciting Developments

00:32:44 - Designing vs. Developing Games

00:37:44 - Working with Designers and Publishers

00:42:47 - Signing Games from Renowned Designers

00:45:43 - Game Development Insights and Strategies