The Spiel

This episode features geeky pairings galore. Books, movies, board games, and music, plus refreshing libations and light summer snacks.

This episode features a treasured collector's item and a game/science discussion that includes monkeys with machetes, impervious turtles, and sex starved moths.

Raise a glass and join the fun. This episode features segments with playful folks from Saskatchewan and Sydney: Scotch Council and My Favorite Game.

Doug Richardson makes a triumphant return as co-host for Season 21, PLUS three new segments: Game Lab with Lucio Rodriguez, Spiel-lunking the Game Cave with Brynn Symington, and The Playground with James Englehardt.

In our season finale, two award winning games earn our Meeple Crown for 2025. These games embody the essence of Major Fun and The Spiel of Approval. Congratulations to Fromage and Hot Streak!

Rick Hammerle and Katherine Rosland join the show to chat about our experiences at the world's largest game fair, plus a side quest to Scotland.

Chelsea Steenbock, Chair of Play with Your Food, joins me for a wide ranging conversation. We talk about how games have shaped our lives and how our passion for play enables us to build community and serve others.

Two segments with two amazing Canadians - Matt Robertson and Roger Leroux. Plus a GenCon recap with Erwin and Gubbins.

A con report, a solo game about coming out, and big news brewing in the Spielaverse.

Onion pie, killer aliens, and a car sold to fund a game convention.

Bruce Voge chats about games based on ideas or topics that seem downright un-gamifiable. Toy maker Jason Hsieh tells us about his favorite game, What's the Point? Lucio Rodriguez shines the Back Shelf Spotlight on Heroscape, a genre bending battle game.

Season 20 begins with flourish and 3 Gs... Growth, Gubbins, and GAMA! Growth: We introduce a new format for the show. Gubbins: Co-Op Corner, a new segment hosted by Gubbins makes its debut. GAMA: Erwin Susara and I recap our adventures at the GAMA Expo.

In our season 19 finale, two award winning games earn our Meeple Crown for 2024. These games embody the essence of Major Fun and The Spiel of Approval. Congratulations to Life in Reterra and Daybreak!

Play eight cards in a line from left to right to catalog your adventure across a mysterious land. Then, the journey back begins. Each card will score in reverse order from right to left. Can you build the best lineup and become a world renowned explorer?

In Life in Reterra players build a new world on top of the old, placing terrain tiles and buildings to form communities. Buildings will unlock new rules and scoring potential and the very shape of the lands you create will help your new society succeed.

In Age of Comics players try to build a publishing empire during the dawn of the genre. With the right story, the right art, a head for business and a lot of moxie, you can build a fan base for a new hero and claim a spot in this ever expanding pantheon.

Imagine the love child of Blackjack and Rummy raised with the doting influence of its uncle, Stud Poker. That’s Flip 7. Try to assemble a set of 7 cards one by one each round in a race to rake in big points. This is press your luck at its finest.

In Forest Shuffle, you create a network of trees, hoping to form a balanced habitat for creatures, large and small. Growth always comes at a price, though. For some things to thrive, others must fall to the forest floor.

Tiny Laser Heist is a dexterity game where players rob gems from a mini museum using tiny hands to manipulate locks and avoid tripping alarms. But beware people who aren’t on your team can make your job even harder!

Assist the production of Georges Melies' silent film Journey to the Moon by orchestrating scenes and sequences from script to screen.

DroPolter: Ghost vs Palm Muscle is a whimsically absurd dexterity game. Drop your lucky charms in just the right order, then nab the ghost and win a tiny bell.

In 1859, Barcelona's expansion followed the first truly modern plan. A grid of wide streets divided into blocks and essential services in every area. Can you build this new Barcelona, using intersections and actions to balance the needs of all?

Mojo is a game of a mixed blessings. Everyone starts with eight cards and wants to shed as many as they can. If you end the round, grab the Mojo and hope have the lowest score. If so, that Mojo is good luck. If not, your score pays the price.

Himeji Castle, the white heron, is the center of power and culture for the region. Your clan has a plan to gain favor and influence, but there are rivals across all levels of life at the castle. Each family member you place has an important role to play.

Fun begins at the ends in Butts on Things. Collect as many cards with keisters by pairing posteriors on the tails of any row or column on the table. You’ll be over the moon when you find a way to cap off any line with a nice set of cans.