Know Direction Network

Latest Episodes:

Intrepid Heroes 179 – The Killer (Murder in Metal City Session 13) Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

At last our heroes find the Professor’s killer! But wait, he was trying to save the universe? Clearly there is more to the story.

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 135: Stable Times Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

In episode 135 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer Kristen Mott, whose game design journey began with creating games for her kids to play at home to supplement homeschooling.

We talk about how kids are great built-in playtesters, how her children’s interests were her thematic inspiration for designs, what kids learn through play, and the wild thematic evolution of Stable Times from a game about starfish, to tattooing sea monsters, to horses.

Other topics include how co-designing expands your skills, the value of feedback, her experience self-publishing, and the realities of waiting on contracts, ghosting, and publisher limbo.

The conversation also talks about adding personal Easter eggs to your game and the collection of real horses featured in Stable Times.

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Featuring:

Kristen Mott – Guest
Danielle Reynolds – Host

Intrepid Heroes 178 – The Escape (Murder in Metal City Session 12) Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Somehow our heroes need to escape the watchful eye of Striving law enforcement long enough to prove their innocence.

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

Starfinder 2nd Edition Actual Play Podcast

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Game Design Unboxed 134 – Wispwood Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

In episode 134 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with first-time game designer Reed Ambrose about his family-weight, tile-laying game Wispwood. Reed shares how his journey began with BoardGameGeek (BGG) contests just for fun, and how collaborating with published designers pushed his craft forward and helped him take design seriously.

We discuss why design contests like the ones on BGG are a great starting point (structure! deadlines!), how an UNPUB speed-pitching event helped Reed get on publishers’ radar, and the eerie folklore behind Wispwood, inspired by his fascination with the ghostly forest lights known as Ignis Fatuus.

We also cover what it’s like working with publishers, from building relationships to how pitches move through design and development teams, why having multiple themed prototypes matters, and the challenge of designing a solo mode that stays true to your game.

This episode also opens with a brief bonus interview previewing March’s upcoming UNPUB Festival, an annual event hosted by the volunteer organization UNPUB focused on unpublished games and designers. The intro-chat highlights the event’s offerings, from industry-led panels and workshops to large-scale playtesting opportunities. Check out the convention March 12-15, 2026!

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Featuring:

Reed Ambrose – Guest

Danielle Reynolds – Host

Know Direction Beyond 104: The Kimmel Conspiracy with Mike Kimmel Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Alex and James get to the bottom of The Kimmel Conspiracy. They ask Mike about his journey as a professional in the TTRPG industry (including his first appearance on the Know Direction Network, way back in the Know Direction RPG Superstar 2014 Special), his roles at Paizo, his work on the recent Starfinder 2e hardcover Alien Core, and hints at what to expect from the upcoming Tech Core.

Recorded live on Twitch.

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Intrepid Heroes 177 – The Set Up (Murder in Metal City Session 11) Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Someone has framed our heroes and now they need to prove it!

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

Starfinder 2nd Edition Actual Play Podcast

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Game Design Unboxed 133 – Honey Buzz Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

In episode 133 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer and Creative Director Paul Salomon about his innovative worker placement and tile-laying game, Honey Buzz. The conversation covers the creative path that led him from math, music, and juggling into tabletop game design, the balance between aesthetics and mechanics, designing with math in mind, and why a strong elevator pitch that clearly defines your game’s core theme and mechanics is essential when pitching.

The episode also includes a thoughtful discussion on collaboration and co-designing, the differences between game designers and game developers, and the sometimes awkward conversations that can come with crediting creative work.

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Featuring:

Paul Salomon – Guest

Danielle Reynolds – Host

Digital Divination 153 – Taking a Break Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Jason, John and Ron discuss Digital Divination’s upcoming hiatus and some of the things they’ll be working on during the down time. And about fighting a Tarrasque!

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Intrepid Heroes 176 – The Archives (Murder in Metal City Session 10) Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Our heroes are attacked as they investigate the university’s archives!

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

Starfinder 2nd Edition Actual Play Podcast

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Game Design Unboxed 132: Season 6 Recap Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

In episode 132 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, Amanda Rivera returns from behind-the-scenes to behind-the-mic as a guest host to chat with Danielle about GDU’s sixth season. They talk about how thematic season 6 was, recall insights about arguably one of the most common questions in game design (to pitch or self-publish), share how designers make games accessible and approachable, comment on the power of networking in the tabletop community, and share more about the amazing games and guests who were featured this season.

Danielle also shares previews of her upcoming games and expansions, discusses the trials and tribulations of the gaming industry in 2025, and highlights trends she’s noticed on the horizon.

Other interesting highlights from the season six recap:

How games can inspire connections between people (especially cooperative games that link players together with a common goal).
Networking, networking, networking!
How Amanda always needs to know the flavor text for who the first player is.
Danielle explains the definition of her term “art correction” rather than art direction.