The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 339: Xenology and Board Game User Interface Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

In Episode 339, Don and Jamie kick things off by talking about their upcoming trip to TotalCon in Massachusetts. Then the gang dives into the games they’ve been playing, including Troyes, The Voynich Puzzle, 12 Rivers, On Mars, Toy Battle, 3 Tricky Pigs, and a feature review of Xenology by Dan Manfredini, published by Play to Z. After Tony T delivers his news segment, the fellas wrap things up with a discussion about how players interface with board games. Troyes: 00:05:45, The Voynich Puzzle: 00:11:07, 12 Rivers: 00:22:22, On Mars: 00:32:36, Toy Battle: 00:39:48, 3 Tricky Pigs: 00:53:50, Xenology Review: 00:56:47, News with Tony T: 01:25:09, Board Game User Interface: 02:26:17. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.

Dungeon Masters Ludus 02: The Spark Of Inspiration Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Hark and well met, noble Cabalists! Return ye now to the dust-laden tomes and candlelit halls of the Dungeon Master’s Ludus, that ancient library of wisdom and whispered lore. On this day, the Lords gather in solemn counsel to ponder a matter most sacred to all who bear the mantle of Storycrafter - the elusive spark of inspiration. Come then, and let us speak of where ideas flare bright as dragonfire bringing forth sagas of brave heroes, dark ruins, and fearsome beasts.

Episode 338: Cthulhu Dark Providence and a Short Topic Extravaganza Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Hey now and happy Cabal Wednesday! Today we bust into the episode talking about Don’s first foray into tabletop roleplaying games, then get into some of the games we’ve been playing, including Rising Sun, In Front of the Elevator, Chu Han, Versailles 1919, and Bebop. Don and Jamie then put the spotlight on Cthulhu Dark Providence, the newest edition of Martin Wallace’s classic A Study in Emerald, with Travis Chance lending his unique design flair to the mix. After that, Tony T gets down and dirty with his gaming news segment. And finally, the gang tackles a slew of listener-submitted questions. Rising Sun: 00:08:29, In Front of the Elevator: 00:19:21, Chu Han: 00:25:33, Versailles 1919: 00:32:54, Bebop: 00:39:08, Cthulhu Dark Providence Review: 00:56:47, News with Tony T: 01:33:15, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:34:08. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.

Express 115: The Best of 2025 Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Hey Now Cabalists! In today's Express Don and Jamie present the annual Best of 2025 in which they discuss the games we love from the past year.

Episode 337: Covenant and the Physicality of Board Games Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Welcome, Cabalists! It's time to get busy with another episode of The Secret Cabal, including a bunch of awesome games: Soothsayers, There and Back Again, Winds of Numa Sera, Nucleum, Cthulhu Dark Providence, and a feature review of Covenant from designer German P. Millan and Divir. Then, after Tony T gives us all the most important news stories from around the gaming industry, we talk about the physicality of board games. Soothsayers: 00:06:28, The Hobbit There and Back Again: 00:16:08, Winds of Numa Sera: 00:23:51, Nucleum: 00:35:43, Cthulhu Dark Providence: 00:47:00, Covenant Review: 00:56:47, News with Tony Y: 01:33:15, The Physicality of Board Games: 02:34:08. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.

Dungeon Masters Ludus 01: Session Zero and the Group Charter Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

Hearken, O Cabalist, and attend these words drawn from dust-laden halls and candlelit vaults of memory. Welcome to the first chronicle of the reborn Dungeon Master’s Ludus. On this day, the Lords of the Dungeon unseal the ancient tomes of wisdom, seeking to reveal the true art of fellowship between Game Master and players alike. Learn ways to forge adventuring companies bound by unity, tempered by trust, strengthened through cooperation, and guided by a shared yearning for the most glorious game that may be played. Huzzah!

Episode 336: The Pirate Republic and a Short Topic Extravaganza Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Hey Now Cabalists, and welcome to 2026! Today, the gang kicks off the episode with a bunch of great games they've been playing, including Obsession, Ankh, Oathsworn, Arydia, Charcuterie, and Earthborn Rangers, followed by a feature review of The Pirate Republic: Africa Gambit from Green Feet Games. Then, after Tony T gives you all the important tabletop gaming news, we wrangle a bunch of questions from our wonderful Cabalists. Ankh Gods of Egypt: 00:04:04, Oathsworn Into the Deepwood : 00:19:06, Arydia The Paths We Dare Tread: 00:32:05, Charcuterie The Board Game: 00:43:38, Earthborn Rangers: 00:49:10, The Pirate Republic Africa Gambit Review: 01:05:28, News with Tony Y: 01:45:12, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:33:53. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.

Express 114: Restarting Your Board Game Collection Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

Hey now, and happy New Year’s Eve, Cabalists! Today, Chris, Don, and Jamie get together to discuss a nightmare scenario: catastrophe strikes and their entire board game collection is completely destroyed. If they had to start over from scratch, which five games would they rebuild their collection with? It’s a tough question but we answer it today! Join the Discord at https://thesecretcabal.com/discord. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.

Happy Holidays from The Secret Cabal Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

Hey Now and Season's Greetings Cabalists! Jamie throws out a message about the holiday season podcast schedule and plugs a bunch of crap. We're taking the week of Christmas off. We'll be at TotalCon this coming February! (https://thesecretcabal.com/totalcon). You can late pledge for our 2025 Fundraiser! (https://thesecretcabal.com/kickstarter) Join the Discord! (https://thesecretcabal.com/discord). Happy Holidays everyone! See you in 2025. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.

Episode 335: Emberheart and Casual Games For The Holidays Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Hey now and Season’s Greetings, Cabalists! Today the gang celebrates both the holiday season and another successful Kickstarter! The fellas dive into some of the games they’ve been playing, including Nemesis: Retaliation, Thiefdom, Food Chain Magnate, Oltree, and Epochs: Course of Cultures, and they feature Emberheart from Mindclash, designed by Rob Fisher and Adam Porter. Then Tony T hooks you up with some festive news about big game publishers going out of business, and finally the Founders talk about playing games with their families over the holidays and give you some casual game recommendations. Nemesis Retaliation: 00:07:43, Thiefdom: 00:17:21, Food Chain Magnate: 00:26:30, Oltree: 00:39:05, Epochs Course of Cultures: 00:49:36, Emberheart Review: 01:03:42, News with Tony Y: 01:41:39, Casual Games For The Holidays: 02:38:09. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.

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