The Board Game Shenanigans Podcast

E20: The Azul’s and Origins Game Fair.

With the recent release of Azul: Queen's Garden it seemed only fitting for Bob and Natasha to review all four Azul's and give you their thoughts.  In this episode, they compare all four and share with you their favorite version. In this week's discussion topic they look forward to Origins Game Fair and share what they enjoy most about the convention. If you are going to Origins don't forget to say Hi!

E19: Interview With A Publisher: Grand Gamers Guild

This week's episode is going to be a little different. Normally Bob and Natasha review a few games, but not this week. They got a chance to sit down with the owner of Grand Gamers Guild, Marc Spectre. They discuss kickstarter and the process from the publisher's perspective. Marc is currently running a kickstarter project for an expansion to the Artemis Project, which ends June 3rd. Check it out!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/grandgamersguild/the-artemis-project-satellites-and-commanders
 

E18: The Castles of Burgundy, Marco Polo and The Bodhana Group.

In this week's episode Bob and Natasha look at some now classic Euro games, The Castles of Burgundy and The Voyages of Marco Polo. We also get to hear about Natasha building an awesome Rube Goldberg Machine with her son.
In the discussion topic this week, Bob and Natasha had the opportunity to talk with the Executive Director of the Bodhana Group, Jack Berkenstock Jr. Jack shares how Bodhana came to be and how they use games and RPG's. The Bodhana Group is a nonprofit that advocates the use of tabletop gaming as a directed therapeutic and clinical practice that can benefit personal growth as well as enhance social and educational services to individuals and families.

E17: Underwater Cities, Quacks, Tapestry and Board Games In Mental Health Part 2.

In this week's episode Bob and Natasha review another Vladimir Suchy game Underwater Cities. They also discuss the popular push your luck game, The Quacks of Quedlinburg. And finish off their reviews with the civilization game that really isn't a civilization game, Tapestry.
In the discussion topic Bob and Natasha continue on with their interviews of mental health professionals who utilize board games in the therapy sessions.  This week they are joined by Jeff Parker a LMSW who practices out of the central Arkansas area. Jeff discuss his experiences with games and mental health and also talks about building a tiny house.

E16: Orleans vs Altiplano and Using TTRPG for Therapeutic Growth.

This week Bob and Natasha are back comparing games. This week they take a look at a couple of bag building classics, Orleans and Altiplano. Which one do they like better? Natasha also finally had a chance to sit down and play Alhambra, so it seems only fitting that they discuss this Queen Games classic.
In the second part of the episode they are continuing with their series on games and mental health. This week they are excited to sit down with the Founder and Executive Director of Game to Grow, Adam Davis (He/Him). Game to Grow is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the use of games for therapeutic, educational, and community growth. Game to Grow’s weekly therapeutic social skills groups help over 150 participants around the world become more confident, creative, and socially capable using games of all kinds, most notably Dungeons and Dragons and Minecraft.
 

E15: Fleet Vs Three Sisters and Using Board Games in Mental Health.

In this week's episode Bob and Natasha discuss Fleet: The Dice Game and its successor Three Sisters. Natasha tries her best to get the bottom of why Bob dislikes roll and writes. Does she succeed?
The month of May is mental health awareness month and we are super excited to have a special guest joining us this week. Shayna (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in mental health for 3 years. Shayna specializes in individual and group work and is very passionate about integrating games, crafts, movies, music, and other forms of pop culture into sessions. Shayna cohosts her own podcast called Mental Mages and has a board game instagram with her husband @acoupleoboredgamers

E14: Project L, GWT, Calico and Losing in Board Games

This week Bob and Natasha review Project L, Great Western Trail and Calico. They also take a look at Bob's least favorite game of all time. The topic this week was sparked from a Facebook post asking if people intentionally lose games to their friends and family to get them to like playing board games with them. Bob and Natasha weigh in with their thoughts on losing in games.

E13: Pulsar, Praga and How did we get into the hobby?

In this week's episode, Natasha shares her thoughts on the two Wingspan Expansions and her experience playing through Machi Koro Legacy with her son.  Then it is on to two heavy hitters, Pulsar 2849 and Praga Caput Regni. Spoiler, Bob gives out his first 10/10 rating. Which game could it be? Finally in this week's discussion topic Bob and Natasha share their stories on how they got into the hobby. From childhood to present, they share their journey. 

E12: Terraforming Mars Vs Ares Expedition and Scoring in Board Games.

In episode 12, Bob and Natasha take a look at Terraforming Mars the original big box card game and compare it to its new version Ares Expedition, which is still a card game.  They will also be reviewing Grand Austria Hotel.  In the discussion topic this week they look at scoring in board games.  What kind of scoring do they like the best? Which do they dislike the most? 

E11: The West Kingdom Trilogy and Artwork in Games.

Architects, Paladins, Viscounts, which game is best of the three? That is what Bob and Natasha will be discussing in this week's episode. They review and compare all three of the games by Shem Philips and S J Macdonald.  And what better week to discuss artwork after reviewing three beautiful games.  Who are some of our favorite artists? Listen and find out!