The Game Table Podcast - a Podcast where we take a look at various board, card, and other tabletop games.
What
We talk about a variety of tabletop games. Each episode we try to focus in on a single game – or occasionally a group of games – and discuss our thoughts. The goal is to give you an idea of how it plays to decide if its a good fit for you and your table. We love bringing people into the hobby and introducing new folks to games. We hope that this podcast helps you in your tabletop journey.
When
We release new episodes every week. A typical month includes the following:
– Two Featured Table Review. These reviews are our premiere focus. It’s what we started with and what we will lean on as we grow.
– One Kid’s Table Review. These reviews are focused on kids games. Usually, one or more of Jared’s kid’s (Faith, Joy, and Hope) join in on the discussion!
– Two Top Reviews. These reviews focus on games that we believe play best with two players.
Who
Ian and Jared became friends through a church retreat. After the retreat, they found out they were both into board games and started going to the same game night. From there a friendship and an obsession grew. Many late nights of dogfights in Star Wars: X-wing or trying to save the world in Marvel Champions, their gaming interests have grown and evolved over time.
Join the conversation on Discord!
We would love your feedback and to be able to discuss games, the hobby, or just life in general!
Thanks for joining us at the table!
Hey there, I'm Ian! Co-Host with Jared at The Game Table Podcast.
I have been gaming for as long as I can remember. My journey started out like many others, with games like Monopoly, the Game of Life, and Risk. I eventually stumbled upon two games called Puerto Rico and Nuclear War, and that began my fascination for games and the expansive world of board gaming. From there, I began to collect and play many different types of board games, and it’s something I’m passionate about to this day!
I love the experience that gaming provides; friends bonding at the table, all focused on the same thing: having fun. A few of my favorite games are Marvel Champions, Wingspan, and Terraforming Mars.
I will play (almost) any game (sorry to any Monopoly fans out there, I’ve hung up my monocle and top hat for good), and always enjoy sharing my opinion honestly so that everyone can get connected to a game they will love.
Thanks for tuning in! Can’t wait for you to join us as we dive into the world of gaming!
Ian Mansfield
Hello there! My name is Jared, and I'm the other Co-host of The Game Table Podcast along with my good buddy, Ian.
I can not tell you how excited I am to start this journey of podcasting! It has been an exciting, intimidating, and – at times – overwhelming world (I’m sure me being a perfectionist has nothing to do with it ). My hope for this podcast is that both Ian and myself are able to provide some entertainment, insight, and a little bit of joy as we look at the various games of the tabletop industry.
I’ve always loved games. Growing up, I played a lot more video games than tabletop games. My wife and I love finding things to do together and we were given the opportunity to dip our toes into tabletop games. Before I knew it, we had a collection that spans a wall and a half that have seen many board and card games come and go. Somewhere in the middle of all that, we found D&D… but that’s a whole other story (We love that too!).
As I have spent time in this hobby, I’ve had the opportunity to learn my tastes, other people’s tastes, and what looks beyond amazing but will never see the light of day because both time and responsibilities are a thing. Learning what other people will enjoy and navigating them through an evening of interactive communal fun has become a real passion of mine. Part of my passion for this podcast is to be able to show others what they may or may not like, and I hope we figure out how to achieve that through this endeavor.
Again, I’m so excited to start this journey and I am beyond humbled by anyone who will walk with us down this unknown path. Thank you so much for even just reading this. Whether you listen or move on, may your dice rolls and your card draws be blessed, and your experiences at the table be ones to remember forever.
Jared Snyder
Hi friends! I’m Kalee, the host of Table Topics - along with a wonderful rotating cast of contributors.
I suppose my intro to gaming was like any other. My parents did a great job looking for games that aligned with our interests. One of my early favorites was Herd Your Horses, and I’ve always been a sucker for the classics like Chinese Checkers and Mad Gab. My dad and late Papaw were sharks at card games, and my mom and sister are theater queens who commit to performance party games.
In adulthood, I’ve dipped into deeper waters. I was introduced to the idea of co-ops, real-time games, and incredibly long games when I met my boyfriend’s family. And somehow we survived that to be together–now married–ten years later. I’ve stayed in the hobby and founded my own collection, which features Spirit Island and Flamecraft, as well as a wealth of puzzles and puzzle games which will always be a happy place for me. Comparatively recently, I’ve also broken into RPG’s, and find myself navigating the slippery slope of becoming a ‘forever DM.’
My appreciation for games is part of my love for story, and effort, and things created. As a designer, I love the different ways games can be navigated and inhabit a table. Not to mention my deep appreciation for small, beautiful things like distinct markers, coins, and dice. I also fall in love with the art that is displayed and the humor that comes through in board games.
But Kalee, your podcast is about drama!
Yup. Sure is. I find it super entertaining. And I think sharing stories about our gaming experiences enhances the hobby, and can aid in the relationships games foster. So tune in to Table Topics, and let’s talk about it!
Kalee Holdren
