The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast

Hear ye, loyal Cabalists! Gather now before the Lords of the Dungeon, for they convene to decree upon one of the greatest virtues of masterful game mastering: the noble arts of rhythm and pacing. Know this, how swiftly the tale unfolds, how boldly each scene marches onward, and how deftly the momentum is commanded shall determine whether thine adventurers remain enthralled or drift into idle distr...

Hey Now Cabalists! The gang is back from Origins Game Fair with some stories to tell, including Chris' doggie bag, alpacas running around the meetup, Flat Steve scaring the shit out of everyone, Sasquatch running amok, and more! Then we chat about a bunch of games we've been playing, including Defenders of the Realm, Feya's Swamp, Warhammer Quest: Darkwater, Raising Robots, Runebound, and our futu...

Hey now, Cabalists! It's Origins Game Fair week, and the Founders are jumping out of their pants and frothing at the mouth to get in some gaming this weekend! But today, we talk about a bunch of great games we've been playing, including Kingdom Crossing, Coimbra, After Us, Builders of Baldur's Gate, and Moytura, and we feature Armello from designer Rob Heinsoo. Then, after Tony T gives us all the...

Welcome, my good Cabalists. This day, the Lords of the Dungeon gather within the Ludus to discuss the rewarding of adventurers. Many a Game Master spends countless hours crafting challenges, encounters, and memorable characters, yet gives little thought to the rewards awaiting those who overcome them. A worthy reward is more than mere coin or treasure, it is the fruit of heroic labor and a force t...

The saga of Chris' yowling companion continues with a story of the broken foster cat! Then the gang gets into the game they've been playing including Dead of Winter, Star Wars The Deck Building Game, Dale of Merchants, Shackleton Base Expansion, Scales of Fate, and a feature review of Chaosmos from designers Matthew Austin, Dani Vigour, and Joey Vigour. Then after Tony T's wild and crazy news segm...

In Episode 118 of The Secret Cabal Express, Don, Chris, Tony, and Jamie discuss the many motivations that draw people to tabletop gaming and keep them coming back for more. The gang explores competition, mastery, socialization, a sense of belonging, relaxation, flow state, evangelism, teaching, and the joy of collecting. Enjoy!

Hey now, Cabalists! Today, Chris and Jamie kick off the show with a change of pace by reviewing the video game Mixtape. Then the gang dives into all the great board games they've been playing, including Orloj The Prague Astronomical Clock, Kemet Rise of the Gods, Coming of Age, Ark Nova, Catan On the Road, and the featured game Cysmic from designer Jason Blake. Then, after Tony T talks about all t...

Hearken, travelers, to this gathering of Game Masters, wherein the Lords speak of the folk who breathe life into realms of fantasy and adventure - the Non-Player Characters! From steadfast companions and black-hearted villains to merry fools and curious villagers, we unravel the craft of creating memorable souls to wander thy world. We speak of weaving these characters into grand tales, stirring t...

Hey now, and happy Wednesday, Cabalists! Today we kick things off with a full rundown and review of Untold: Chess Mates, the documentary exploring the controversy between Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann. Then we dive into the games we've been playing, including Spooktacular, Shackleton Base, Sniper Elite, For All Mankind, Druids of Edora, and a feature review of Feya's Swamp from Helge and Anselm...

I've got a special treat for you The Cabal today: one of the most respected board game designers working today, and a true OG Cabalist, David Thompson! You know Dave from his work on the Undaunted series, War Chest, Sniper Elite: The Board Game, Resist!, The Valiant Defense series, and many others. Today, Dave and I talked about his origin story as a gamer, tabletop role-playing games, how he got...

In episode 317 of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast, Don, Chris, and Jamie dive into a discussion about components in board games. They talk about components from the early years of the hobby and how they've evolved over time. The fellas also discuss how their taste for lavish components has changed throughout their years in the hobby. They gush about the stuff they love and bitch about the shit the...

Hey now, Cabalists! Today's episode opens with the most inane conversation you're ever going to hear in your entire lives—bar none. Then we dive into board games, including A Gest of Robin Hood, Take Time, Ark Nova: Marine Worlds Expansion, The Vale of Eternity, and French Toast, and feature Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods by Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia.  After Tony T's News segment, we tackle some...

Good morrow, esteemed Cabalists.  On this day, the Lords of the Dungeon convene in earnest discourse upon the noble Art of designing encounters within the realm of role-playing. They shall expound upon the intricacies of social dealings, the perils and stratagems of martial combat, and the treacherous trials imposed by the very environment itself, each bearing its own hazards and the promise of wo...

Good morning and happy Wednesday! Let's get busy with some of the great games the founders have been playing, including Echoes of Time, Dracula vs. Van Helsing, Dark Pact, First Giants, and Citizens of the Spark, along with a feature review of Rewild: South America from Bruno Liguori Sia. Then, after Tony T gives us the best gaming news he can find, we dive into the culture of play in your gaming...

Today, Chris, Don, and Jamie gather around the table to reflect on tabletop games of the past and how they've aged over the years. Have these classics matured like a fine wine, growing richer, deeper, and more nuanced with time, or have they gone sour, turning into vinegar?  The Founders bring their picks: two games that have stood the test of time, becoming more refined and one that hasn't fared...

Hey Now Cabalist! The show kicks off with Steve's mailbag and more about Tony Squatty Potties and then we dive into the games: LA-1, Star Wars Outer Rim, The White Castle, Clank! Catacombs w/ Lairs and Lost Chambers, Viticulture Bordeaux, and a feature review of Aquaria from Tomas Holek. Then after Tony T's News segment we take a bunch of questions from listeners.

Hearken, loyal Cabalists, and well met! This day the Lords gather in council to speak upon a matter of great import: the keeping of harmony within the fellowship of the gaming table, and the careful tending of the culture of play that binds our company together. Together shall the assembled Lords deliberate on how best to grant the players the experience they seek, and what rightful charge the Gam...

In Episode 340, Chris, Don, and Jamie tell stories about their time at TotalCon in Massachusetts including Chris' sleep eating, all the Mikes, and watching themselves poop. Then the gang gets into the games they've been playing including Nemesis Retaliation, Steam Power, Wizards of the Grimoire, Aces and Armor, The Druids of Edora with Dan King the Game Boy Geek, and a feature review of  Here Lies...

In Volume 1 of The Best of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast, we're cracking open the vault and revisiting some of the wildest, weirdest, and most unforgettable moments from the show's history. We're talking chicken wing sauce on the cards, Catwoman miniatures, Turkey Man, the Wood Booger, anal beads, Chris playing with a pig, Tony's bathroom habits and night terrors, and almost got kicked out of Or...

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 wit...

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 drago...

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,...

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.

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 p...

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...