Know Direction Network

Latest Episodes:

Intrepid Heroes 183 – The Undead (Hellbreakers Session 2) Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

When two Inner Sea superpowers go to war, the ripples are felt throughout the region. A group of intrepid heroes…or should we say intrepid rebels…. join a league of righteous freedom fighters to unshackle their people from the binds of infernal tyranny. Nefarious forces from without—and within—will do anything to stop these Hellbreakers.

Our heroes face off against giant undead bats!

Cast:
Jason Keeley – GM
Rue Dickey – Nolastri
Isis Wozniakowska – Misera
John Godek – Thadeus (Tad)
Ron Lundeen – Augustus
Mark Woolcott – Flak

Pathfinder Hellbreakers Adventure Path Actual Play Podcast

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Game Design Unboxed 139: Side Effects Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

In episode 139 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with Jade Shames and Ben Bronstein, co-founders of Pillbox Games and co-designers of this episode’s spotlight game, Side Effects.

They talk about how a mental illness–inspired card game idea (later titled Side Effects) sparked their collaboration and company, the power of bold visuals, why skeletons make perfect models, the balance between realism and accessibility, adjusting setup rules for varying player counts, and being innovative when it comes to product design for your games.

They also discuss homebrew variants, the all-too-familiar and disturbing medical side-effect warnings in commercials, and the hope that, if a misprint or typo occurs in print, it might become a collectible one day!

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Featuring:

Jade Shames and Ben Bronstein – Guests
Danielle Reynolds – Host

Know Direction Beyond 106: Galactic Ancestries Review Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

Alex and James share their thoughts on the latest Starfinder 2e hardcover: Galactic Ancestries.

Recorded live on Twitch.

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Intrepid Heroes 182 – The Journey (Hellbreakers Session 1) Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Our heroes begin the journey west and run into trouble!

Cast:
Jason Keeley – GM
Rue Dickey – Nolastri
Isis Wozniakowska – Misera
John Godek – Thadeus (Tad)
Ron Lundeen – Augustus
Mark Woolcott – Flak

Pathfinder Hellbreakers Adventure Path Actual Play Podcast

Listen Now!(mp3)

Watch Now!(mp4)

Game Design Unboxed 138: Song Survivor Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

In episode 138 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with Edwin D. Benton II, Founder and CEO of Doin’ the Most Games, about how his journey into game design stemmed from an addiction to app games like Words With Friends and a frustration with their limitations. This inspired him to build his own inclusive, slang-driven app where players could contribute words from around the world, a mindset that evolved into the world of tabletop card games, which were gaining popularity at the time. We talk about the spontaneous vacation sing-along moment that sparked Song Survivor, his playtesting process (from parties with friends to blind tests), his passion for designing for players with disabilities and specific cultural groups, hiring experts, packaging for mass market (why box size matters), and leveraging celebrity endorsements (and how to get them).

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Featuring:

Michael Mihealsick – Guest

Danielle Reynolds – Host

Intrepid Heroes 181 – The Gathering (Hellbreakers Session 0) Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Meet our heroes as they join the rebellion and begin their first mission!

Cast:
Jason Keeley – GM
Rue Dickey – Nolastri
Isis Wozniakowska – Misera
John Godek – Thadeus (Tad)
Ron Lundeen – Augustus
Mark Woolcott – Flak

Pathfinder Hellbreakers Adventure Path Actual Play Podcast

Listen Now!(mp3)

Watch Now!(mp4)

Game Design Unboxed 137: A Place for All My Books Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

In episode 137 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer and developer for Druid City Games, Michael Mihealsick who shares industry insights from years of working for multiple companies, taking on freelance projects, and continually refining his game design craft.

We discuss the rise of cozy game design and what that means for different players, the niche book-collecting concept featured in this episode’s game highlight, “A Place for All My Books,” and how ditching a victory point tracker allowed for a competitive game to still feel safe and inviting.
Other topics in this episode include how games can adopt an audience or become a lifestyle experience, the feeling of being “typecast” as a designer, the definition of laundry day and frankenstein in game designer language and artwork differences for the same game in different countries.

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Featuring:

Michael Mihealsick – Guest

Danielle Reynolds – Host

Intrepid Heroes 180 – The Finale (Murder in Metal City Session 14) Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

The exciting conclusion to Murder in Metal City!

Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City!

Cast:
Jason Keeley – GM
Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne
Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee
Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams)
John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious
Rue Dickey – Whose Boughs Are Lit Within (Boughs)
Tim Nightengale – Dexter Rayne

Starfinder 2nd Edition Actual Play Podcast

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Game Design Unboxed 136: Tricky Pigs Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

In episode 136 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer (and Danielle’s co-designer on Tricky Kids), Steven Ungaro, who shares his “zero-to-three-games-in-a-year-hero” design journey.

They discuss how discovering hobby games led him down the research rabbit hole many aspiring designers fall into, and how resources like the long-running Ludology podcast have evolved over the years.

Because it is Steven’s specialty, the episode covers a lot about trick-taking games, including designing for “bad hands,” the genre’s popularity in the Midwest, and making it more accessible to non-trick-takers.

They also talk about how playtest feedback can shift your perspective on terminology, mechanics, and rule clarity, common phobias in games, matching art aesthetics to theme, and how players can rely on familiar stories (like The Three Little Pigs) when learning new games.