Best Tabletop Games Blog Podcasts (2025)

1
Hickory Dickory (Saturday Review) 7:35

2d ago7:35

7:35

Welcome to the Royal Scavenger Hunt of Tockton Clock. You are cordially invited. It is time to gather your team. Hop onto the big hand and journey around the clock face, pushing other mice off in the process. Don't waste any time though, because when the clock strikes midnight, the hunt is over. So be quick and line up your crew alongside Hickory D…

1
Brainwaves 160 - Trump Tariffs 1:08:31

14d ago1:08:31

1:08:31

It’s been a little longer between episodes but the whole team are back to tackle the only news that matters on the latest episode of Brainwaves. Headlines Trump tariffs turn tabletop topsy turvy https://us8.campaign-archive.com/?u=036529e593805041d1127c76d&id=c7c5d971eb https://rowanrookanddecard.com/what-the-new-usa-tariffs-mean-for-us/?v=7885444a…

1
Disney Villainous: The Worst Takes it All (Saturday Review) 9:02

16d ago9:02

9:02

Six scoundrels had gathered: Captain Hook was plotting his revenge, Jafar envisioned ruling unopposed, Maleficent smiled at the thought of thorns engulfing the kingdom, Prince John was devising new taxes to fill his coffers, the Queen of Hearts brooded over her next decree of decapitation, while Ursula lounged with a sly grin, imagining helpless so…

1
Malus Hortus (Saturday Review) 9:36

23d ago9:36

9:36

Suddenly, you come to. You've woken from a deep dream - or maybe it was a nightmare. You're lying on the cold ground. Your immediate thought is to check for injuries, but you only have some light bruises and scratches. Your memory seems worse though. Everything is a bit muddled. You can’t remember where you are or why you are here. You dimly recall…

1
Hearthstone deep dive: when game studies meets linguistics 1:25:07

29d ago1:25:07

1:25:07

In this episode we take a close look at the online collectible card game 'Hearthstone', which is part of Blizzard Entertainment's 'Warcraft' franchise, and three research papers which study the game in relation to language and communication. Hosts Dr. Ibi and Dr. Joe cover topics including: Humour, puns, and wordplay in Hearthstone; Linguistic diff…

1
Katmai: The Bears of Brooks River (Saturday Review) 7:25

30d ago7:25

7:25

As the long, dark winter looms, bears gather along the river, drawn by the promise of a feast. They fight for the best fishing spots, where leaping salmon offer a chance at survival. The strongest dominate the prime locations, while others perfect their own hunting techniques. Each catch is a battle, each meal a lifeline. Only those who have feaste…

1
Brainwaves 159 - CMON now 31:52

1M ago31:52

31:52

It’s been a while but we are back with all the latest tabletop news. From profit warnings to big projects being cancelled, tune in to the only tabletop podcast that brings you the stories that really matter. Headlines CMON Issues Profit Warning https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/03/13/board-game-crowdfunding-major-cmon-issues-profit-warning-s…

1
Pueblo (Saturday Review) 7:19

1M ago7:19

7:19

The sun beats down as you and the other craftsmen raise the walls, just like your ancestors once built their great stone villages. Be careful though, because if the Chieftain spots your signature stones, you will be penalised. As space runs out, only the most cunning will earn the Chieftain’s favour and successfully build their Pueblo by Michael Ki…

1
Radlands (Saturday Review) 7:40

1M ago7:40

7:40

The sun blazes over the wasteland as your tribe fights for survival, its fate tied to three fragile camps and its lifeblood measured in precious drops of water. A single rival warband looms on the horizon, ready to strike. You need to be ready to fight and unleash chaos. Every drop of water spent is a gamble, a step toward victory or ruin. When the…

1
Heroes of Timeline (Saturday Review) 11:28

2M ago11:28

11:28

In the grand arena, two teams stepped onto the sacred battlefield, chosen by fate to clash in a relentless battle. The indomitable Dragon Hunters, descendants of war heroes who once battled the Dark Flame dragons, faced the elusive ninjas of the Hidden Temple, protectors of the grand Gang Port, who in turn would fight either the unyielding Guards o…

1
Gamified language learning: neither fun nor educational? 46:54

2M ago46:54

46:54

In this episode we discuss our experiences of using language-learning apps. Hosts Dr. Ibi and Dr. Joe cover topics including: What is gamification? Loss aversion, quizzes, and immersive learning The (im)balance between vocabulary and grammar Different needs for different audiences Apps such as Duolingo, LingoLegends, Memrise, Influent, and Earthlin…

1
Brainwaves Episode 158 - Possible Possums 54:34

2M ago54:34

54:34

The team are back to scour the corners of the world for the best in Tabletop Gaming News. This episode we cover mergers, departures, destruction, and we have an interview with those Rascals. Headlines Steve Jackson merges with Possum Games https://www.rascal.news/possum-creek-games-wanders-to-a-new-home-with-steve-jackson-games/ https://www.sjgames…

1
Biathlon Blast (Saturday Review) 9:05

2M ago9:05

9:05

The skiers were lined up at the starting line, rifles strapped across their backs, ski sticks in hand. They proudly represented their nations and each represented a different mix of skills. Some were faster going cross-country, others had better endurance and there were some with precision shooting skills. It would be a tense race. It would be a Bi…

1
Neon Hope (Saturday Review) 8:50

2M ago8:50

8:50

It seemed like a normal day until you listened to the voice message from your friend. It sounded urgent and like their life was in danger. They wanted to meet you at this club. You tried to call them back to find out more, but nobody answered. You started to worry and fear the worst, but you plucked up your courage. You just wished there still was …

1
Trick of the Rails (Digital Eyes) 7:44

3M ago7:44

7:44

It is the golden age of American railways. Rail stocks are all the rage, with new companies flooding the stock market all the time. The stakes are high, but you want to have a slice of the pie. The returns look great and investors get a say on a company's track-laying. To make it big, you have to be clever and know the Trick of the Rails by Hisashi…

1
Brainwaves Episode 157 - Diamond Dogs 46:02

3M ago46:02

46:02

It’s another bumper episode of Brainwaves as we bring you news from across the Tabletop globe. Diamond is in the rough, Asmodee avoids a hug, lawsuits get settled, and Iain gets to go off on one about ethics. All this, and more, on episode 157 of Brainwaves. Headlines Diamond files for bankruptcy https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58618/diamond-fi…

1
Death Valley: Highs & Lows (Saturday Review) 8:25

3M ago8:25

8:25

We were on a road trip. As our car was eating the miles, our journals and scrapbooks were filling up with photos, postcards and other souvenirs that would later remind us of the wonderful time we had. We were exploring towering peaks and massive canyons as we were making our way through this amazing desert, always being mindful of hazards. We loved…

1
'The gostak distims the doshes': deciphering gibberish-English in a text-based adventure game 48:02

3M ago48:02

48:02

In this episode we discuss Carl Muckenhoupt's challenging 'The Gostak'; a text-based adventure game in which the player has to decipher a gibberish version of English. Hosts Dr. Ibi and Dr. Joe cover topics including: How the game works Translation as game mechanic The syntax of English and what it tells us about the meaning of words Verb transitiv…

1
Senjutsu: Battle for Japan (Saturday Review) 12:00

3M ago12:00

12:00

Feudal Japan is in turmoil. The collapse of the ancient authority of the Ashikaga Shogunate has plunged the country into a brutal civil war, known to history as the Sengoku Jidai. Clans clash in a relentless struggle for power and prestige. Now it is your turn to enter this bloody conflict as a great warrior. This is Senjutsu: Battle for Japan by P…

1
Creature Caravan (Saturday Review) 9:53

3M ago9:53

9:53

The land of Arzium is facing a new threat. Ember Zombies have left their volcanic lands to the north and are walking through the previously peaceful lands that we call our home. You can easily recognise them with their charcoal bodies. Yet, there is hope. The city of Eastrey offers a safe haven for the creatures that are threatened by the malicious…

1
Brainwaves Episode 156 - New Trousers 24:37

4M ago24:37

24:37

The whole team is back for the first Brainwaves of the year. Join us as we dive into the latest tabletop gaming news from Hasbro rolling the dice on gambling to chess clashing with the wrong trousers! All this and more on episode 156 of Brainwaves. Headlines Hasbro rolls the dice https://igamingbusiness.com/company-news/games-global-unveils-excitin…

1
Golem Run (Saturday Review) 9:56

4M ago9:56

9:56

In a distant future, giant clay figures are pitted against each other in a race through a desolate terrain. They are controlled by racers who have secretly bet on a specific creature to cross the finish line first. However, all racers have control over all of the creatures and can change their bets during the race. The locals call this chaotic cont…

1
Brainwaves Special Edition - Dragonmeet 2024 30:39

4M ago30:39

30:39

This podcast contains all the interviews that I conducted during Dragonmeet 2024. Thanks so much to everyone that took the time to talk to me. The interviewees are: Jason, Always Checkers Publishing Chris, Beyond Cataclysm Mike, Planet Smasher Games Shaan, RPG Taverns Finbar and Gary, Game Therapy UK Our Links Thanks very much for listening. If you…

1
Top Table Award 2024 (Saturday Review) 9:43

4M ago9:43

9:43

With 2024 now being officially over, it's time for me to crown the top game of the year. However, in a slight change to the usual proceedings, this time around I am going to announce a total of four awards. After all, one game is never enough. So, here goes... Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/01/04/top-table-award-2024-…

1
2024 - A Year in Review (and a look ahead…) (Saturday Review) 8:40

4M ago8:40

8:40

As another year draws to a close, it's time to look back, take stock and also glimpse ahead. So let me share how 2024 was for me and give you an idea of what 2025 has in store. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/12/28/2024-a-year-in-review-and-a-look-ahead-saturday-review/ Useful Links 10x10 Challenge: https://boardgamege…

1
Dungeon Champs (Saturday Review) 5:21

4M ago5:21

5:21

In the dark and damp tunnels, creatures lurked. Brave heroes dared to venture deep into the labyrinth, hoping to defeat fiends and undead creatures, while avoiding spells. It was a battle to the death and whoever came out victorious would enter the annals of the Dungeon Champs by Matt Garbutt from Outland Entertainment. Read the full review here: h…

1
Brainwaves Episode 155 - Christmas Joyride 56:47

4M ago56:47

56:47

It’s the last cast of the year and we have a full team in the studio to bring you the latest tabletop gaming news. From people taking off their masks, to copyright disputes, and awards news. Listen to the only cast to bring you the really important industry news. Headlines Has Powerboats been taken for a Joyride? Joyride vs Powerboats thread https:…

1
Haggis (Saturday Review) 8:14

4M ago8:14

8:14

Take some sheep's heart, liver and lungs, mince them together with some chopped onion, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt, mix in some stock and cook it all together in the animal's stomach for about an hour. Add some neeps and tatties and enjoy your Haggis by Sean Ross from Portland Game Collective. Read the full review here: ⁠⁠⁠https://tabletopgamesb…

1
The Six of VIII (Saturday Review) 6:26

5M ago6:26

6:26

Passions flamed and power waned. Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. First Catherine of Aragon, who had the most time to establish loyal supporters and powerful allies, then Anne Boleyn, queen for less than a year. They were followed by Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr. These were The Six of VIII…

1
Immersive Thematics - board games that draw you in (Topic Discussion) 7:51

5M ago7:51

7:51

I love a good game with an atmospheric setting. I want to feel the cold as my meeples climb up the mountain, hear the bees as I place my apple tree hexes in my cider orchard, smell the smoke and the grease when my trains operate or see the next station that my underground train enters. A game that whisks you away and fully immerses you in another w…

1
Real cultures in games: humour, accents, and how you hold your pizza 48:52

5M ago48:52

48:52

In this episode, we talk about the representation of real cultures in video games. Hosts Dr. Ibi and Dr. Joe discuss: The scope of ‘culture’, from architecture to penis jokes Nationality, regionality, mainstream, and stereotypes Accents and how people feel about them Games such as Grand Theft Auto, Assassin’s Creed, Life is Strange, Thank Goodness …

1
Mysticana: A Foundation Deck (Saturday Review) 8:09

5M ago8:09

8:09

The elements are alive in our realm. The water element can douse the deadly flames of the fire element that would otherwise leave behind deeply scorched earth, while the earth element itself has the power to consume the waters of a dozen seas. The three elements are in constant battle, balancing each other out at times in infinite variations of the…

1
Box Clever - board games where the box is integral (Topic Discussion) 7:20

5M ago7:20

7:20

I am a hater of air and a lover of compact design. What I mean by that is that I don't like games where most of the box is empty, with components just floating around. I prefer it when the product design is clever and either has a good insert or otherwise makes everything compact. If a game goes the extra step and makes the box itself an integral c…

1
Brainwaves Episode 154 - Taxing Times 30:10

5M ago30:10

30:10

It’s a cast of finances, awards, lawsuits, and political games as Oliver and Iain cross the world in the episode 154 of Brainwave to bring you the best in Tabletop Gaming News. Headlines Tariffs and Trade Rules Tax Tabletop Publishers https://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/2024-11-10 https://www.compliancegate.com/general-product-safety-regulation/ ht…

1
Doomlings: Upgrade Pack (Saturday Review) 6:47

5M ago6:47

6:47

Space: an endless void with countless stars, some of which capable of harbouring a planet that can support life. Yadda, yadda, yadda. You already know the spiel. So, without further ado let me introduce the Doomlings: Upgrade Pack by Justus and Andrew Meyer from Doomlings. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/11/23/doomling…

1
Thematic Mismatch - how board game themes can help or hinder (Topic Discussion) 7:57

5M ago7:57

7:57

I have always felt that the theme or setting of a game can really help with learning it. In a game about the Spice Routes, for example, it will be instinctively clear why there are mechanisms to exchange resources of different types with each other or for money. After all, that's what the spice trade was mainly about. However, a game's theme or set…

1
Stamp Swap (Saturday Review) 7:59

5M ago7:59

7:59

Rejoice, my friends! It’s time for our annual convention, where collectors from around the world gather to trade their tiny postal treasures. We must prepare our most beautiful and best-arranged collection and show it to the expert crowd. If we do well, we may walk away with the top prize at this year’s Stamp Swap by Paul Salomon from Stonemaier Ga…

1
Brainwaves Episode 153 - World Worries 30:06

6M ago30:06

30:06

It’s been a mix of huge stories and not much else in the last few weeks. Iain and Jamie bring you the lowdown on what is going on at World of Game Design, who is bagging awards, hasbro’s financials, and what size of country the population of D&D Beyond could establish. All this, and more, on episode 153 of Brainwaves Headlines WOGD investigation by…

1
Star Trek: Away Missions - Commander Scotty: Federation Expansion (Saturday Review) 6:57

6M ago6:57

6:57

Aye, let me tell ye, it's nae just another day in the engine room! There we were, mindin' our own business, when a ripple in time itself plucks me and three of me trusted crewmates right out of our own century! Next thing ye know, we're smack dab in the aftermath of the Battle of Wolf 359. We've got to deal w' snarlin' Klingon warriors, Romulan spi…

1
Give and Take - games with interesting player interaction (Topic Discussion) 9:14

6M ago9:14

9:14

I know that some people hate player interaction. They prefer a multi-player solitaire experience, where they are in full control of their destiny. If they win, it's down to how well they played. However, I quite like player interaction, both negative and positive. Being able to form temporary alliances that are eventually broken or having a way of …

1
Arcs (Saturday Review) 8:15

6M ago8:15

8:15

The spacefaring cultures were moving their forces through the gates and across the systems, changing the control in the clusters in the Reach. The balance of the court was also no longer guaranteed. Agents were making their influence known and securing their positions. It didn't take long for the first battles to start, damaging cities and spacepor…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Tabletop Games Blog Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen