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The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast

Sports & Recreation Podcasts

Tune in every Wednesday to immerse yourself in The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast, dedicated to board games, card games, role-playing, and the miniatures hobby. Join The Secret Cabal Founders: Jamie, Chris, Steve, Don, and Tony T, as they present a captivating array of perspectives on board games, all delivered with a generous dose of irreverent nonsense. Explore the world of role-playing games with The Lord of the Dungeon, and accompany the Filthy Casuals as they delve into the miniatures gaming hobby in Battletome. The Founders and Lords are devoted to providing you with irreverent entertainment, thought-provoking commentary, and an enthusiastic experience centered around the hobbies we love.

Location:

United States

Description:

Tune in every Wednesday to immerse yourself in The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast, dedicated to board games, card games, role-playing, and the miniatures hobby. Join The Secret Cabal Founders: Jamie, Chris, Steve, Don, and Tony T, as they present a captivating array of perspectives on board games, all delivered with a generous dose of irreverent nonsense. Explore the world of role-playing games with The Lord of the Dungeon, and accompany the Filthy Casuals as they delve into the miniatures gaming hobby in Battletome. The Founders and Lords are devoted to providing you with irreverent entertainment, thought-provoking commentary, and an enthusiastic experience centered around the hobbies we love.

Language:

English


Episodes

Express 93: Crowdfunding

3/27/2024
Today, Don and Jamie dive into a discussion about Kickstarter, Gamefound, Backerkit and Indiegogo... it's all about crowdfunding! We talk about the impact it's had on the consumer and the industry, and we give all our crowdfunding stats - the good, the bad, and the ugly. And yes, Don's is ALL ugly.

Duration:00:58:34

Episode 293: Obsession and a Short Topic Extravaganza

3/20/2024
Hey now Cabalists! Today the gang dives into some of the great games they've been playing including Sunrise Lane, Vale of Eternity, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Sanctum, Harrow County and go deep with a feature review of Obsession by Dan Hallagan. Then after Tony T gives us one whopper of a tabletop gaming news segment, the Founders go through a series of listener submitted questions including when do mistakes become cheating and how to get better at eurogames. Obsession Review 00:59:38, News with Tony T 01:33:45, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:44:04

Duration:03:25:27

Episode 292: Wonderland's War and Improving Upon Perfection

3/6/2024
Everyone knows that we talk about Tony taking long turns but today we got actual data! After we pick on T for his slow play, we jump into the games we've been playing including Tony's BGA games, Glass Road, Terrorscape, Bloodstones, and our great friend Dan King the Game Boy Geek joins us to talk about Aqua Biodiversity in the Oceans. Then Tony and Don give a feature review of Wonderland's War. Tony T gives us one of the single greatest news segments ever delivered in the history of board game media. And finally, Don leads a conversation about perfect games, if they're perfect and improving upon perfection. Wonderland's War Review 01:07:33, News with Tony T 01:47:36, Improving Upon Perfection 02:55:44

Duration:03:32:38

Express 92: Designer Spotlight Martin Wallace

2/28/2024
Today, Don and Jamie embark on yet another exploration into the works of the renowned board game designer, Martin Wallace - a personal favorite of Jamie's. They delve into a myriad of his noteworthy games, discussing their standout features, and examine how Wallace has continually honed and refined his design approach throughout his illustrious career.

Duration:01:06:56

Episode 291: Djinn and A Short Topic Extravaganza

2/21/2024
Hey now and Happy Wednesday wonderful Cabalists! Today the gang gets down to business talking about all the awesome games they've been playing including Last Light, Wyrmspan, Luna, Studies in Sorcery, Her Story, and a feature review of Djinn by Benjamin Schwer and Pegasus Spiele. Then Tony T kicks out the best damned tabletop gaming news segment in the entire universe. And finally, the Founders get down to business with some listener submitted questions with topics including are semi-cooperative games inherently broken? And what are some of your personal neuroses? Djinn Review 00:59:20, News with Tony T 01:28:19, A Short Topic Extravaganza 02:23:20

Duration:03:07:06

Lords of the Dungeon 72: Our Favorite Characters and Character Idiocracies

2/14/2024
Hark, Cabalists, for another tale unfolds in the annals of the Lords of the Dungeon! As the merry band rejoices in their reunion, they entertain a listener's query, recounting cherished characters of yore. Delving into character quirks, they ponder virtues and pitfalls with wisdom and mirth. Together, let us embark on this journey through imagination and camaraderie, reveling in storytelling and fellowship. Embrace the adventure, for in kindred spirits, the joys of the tabletop know no bounds!

Duration:01:03:28

Lords of the Dungeon 71: Goofing Off vs Getting Serious and Game Master Preparation

2/14/2024
Gather 'round, noble Cabalists, for a profound sojourn with The Lords of the Dungeon! Today, amidst the swirling ether, we delve into the essence of balance, pondering the interplay of jest and gravity within our gaming realms. From merry jests to weighty matters, we traverse this delicate dance. Yet, our journey extends further, into the labyrinth of campaign preparation. What lore suffices, and what is excess? With minds keen and hearts resolute, we seek equilibrium, uniting frivolity and earnestness. Thus, let us embark on quests imbued with ancient wisdom and boundless imagination!

Duration:01:07:55

Episode 290: Witchcraft and The 10 Worst Games of All Time

2/7/2024
Well alright Cabalists, you know it's time for another wild and crazy episode of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast. Today we pick on Tony T for mispronouncing everything before diving into all the great games we've been playing including Clash of Cultures Monumental Edition, Dune War for Arrakis, Frostpunk, Obsession, Go, and Arkham Horror The Road to Innsmouth followed by a feature review of Witchcraft by our great friends David Thompson, Trevor Benjamin, and Roger Tankersley. Then after Tony T gives you history's greatest tabletop gaming news segment, the gang discusses the 10 worst games rated on Board Game Geek. Is it a fair ranking? We'll find out. Witchcraft Review 01:04:37, News with Tony T 01:35:52, The 10 Worst Games of All Time 02:38:53

Duration:03:07:50

Battletome Vol 10: AC's Two Year Project and The Horus Heresy

1/31/2024
Welcome Ye Gods of War! Today's chronicle unravels as these Filthy Casuals prattle on about their quaint endeavors in miniature craftsmanship. Jamie regales tales of his Dwarven Warband, while Mike boasts of a Norse Blood Bowl Team, and the gang trifles akin to plundered baubles from Etsy peddlers. Then, the enigmatic AC unveils a grand design, the colossal two-year odyssey culminating in a full lance of Adeptus Titanicus - a testament to the freebooter's audacity. The saga unfurls into a parlance concerning Games Workshop's freshest bounty, the Legions Imperialis.

Duration:01:02:25

Express 91: The Best of 2023 and Lookback

1/24/2024
Hey Now Cabalists! In today's Express Don and Jamie present the annual Best of 2023 and Lookback Special in which we look back at the past year and discuss the games we played and reviewed!

Duration:01:20:26

Episode 289: After Us and Irksome Irritants

1/17/2024
Hey now! Episode 289 kicks off with Chris taking over the show to leading us down the path his mind walks. Then the gang talks about some games they've been playing including The Fox Experiment, Plum Island Horror, Speakeasy Blues, Crusaders Thy Will be Done, and Everdell Digital. Then Chris, Don and Jamie feature After Us from Florian Sirieix and Pandasaurus Games. Then Tony T gives you the best Damned tabletop gaming news programing that your ears ever beheld. And finally the founders discussed their irksome irritants, the things they find annoying about board games and the hobby, and how they would fix them. After Us Review 00:46:26, News with Tony T 01:22:35, Irksome Irritants 02:17:29

Duration:03:00:36

Lords of the Dungeon 70: What We Want to Play in 2024 and Player Choice in RPGs

1/10/2024
Hail, noble Cabalists! In this inaugural episode of the year 2024, the gallant assembly delves into Jess and Bender's enduring Vampire the Masquerade campaign. Each Lord then shares their fervor for a new game in this annum, and the fellowship engages in a lively discourse on player choice, the illusion thereof, and the ensuing consequences. Join this convivial gathering as they traverse the realms of whimsical revelry!

Duration:01:09:57

Episode 288: Raising Robots and The Shelf of Shame Challenge

1/5/2024
Happy New Year Cabalists! We're sorry the show is a few days behind schedule but better late than never! Today the gang talks about some of the crap they got for Christmas and a bunch of the games they've been playing including The Thing: The Boardgame, Stationfall, Kutna Hora City of Silver, The Stifling Dark, Go, and a feature review of Raising Robots from Nauvoo Games. Then Tony T makes sure you're up to date on all the most important chess anal bead news. Then finally the Founders present some of their most shameful shelf of shame games and the others vote on which ones they commit to playing! Raising Robots Review 00:58:43, News with Tony T 01:27:18, The Shelf of Shame Challenge 02:31:20

Duration:03:20:07

Express 90: The Island of Misfit Games with Special Guests

12/27/2023
Don and Jamie are joined by The Secret Cabal Elf to discuss The Island of Misfit Games! Just like in Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer in which Rudolph, Hermey and Yukon Cornelius discover the Island of Misfit Toys, Don, Jamie and Elf discuss the strange, broken, or unattractive - yet fun to play - games that need to find good homes. Also, the gang is joined throughout the episode by their great friends Chaz Marler and Rodney Smith of Watch It Played, Joel Eddy of Drive Thru Games, and Dan King the Game Boy Geek to give their favorite misfits.

Duration:01:20:08

Episode 287: World Wonders and the Newlywed Game Founders Edition

12/20/2023
Ho Ho ho and Season's Greetings Cabalists and welcome to the 12th annual Secret Cabal Holiday Special! Today the Secret Cabal elves dive into their stories from PAX Unplugged in Philidelphia, debut a brand new holiday song parody sung by Chris, and discuss the games they've been playing including Fun Facts, How do you Doodle, Masters of the Universe Clash for Eternia, Distilled, Unsolved Hunt for the Truth, Hamlet and feature World Wonders by Arcane Wonders and Ze Mendes. Then after Tony T throws out the jolliest tabletop gaming news segment ever to beam across the North Pole airwaves the gang engages the ever-popular Newlywed Game Founders Edition! World Wonders Review 01:07:39, News with Tony T 01:39:19, Newlywed Game 02:29:20

Duration:03:30:56

Lords of the Dungeon 69: Casual Game Mastering and Inspiration

12/13/2023
Hark, noble Cabalists, and be greeted with mirth! On this day's tale, the Lords do convene to regale thee with the saga's crescendo in Jesse's dragonlance campaign. A query from a gentle listener, pondering the art of casual game mastering, finds its home in the discourse. Yet, lo and behold, the most savory discourse unfolds as they delve into the rich marrow of inspiration—whence cometh our ideas, and doth it pass muster to filch from other realms of media?

Duration:01:02:06

Episode 286: Last Light and a Short Topic Extravaganza

12/6/2023
You know what time it is Cabalists, it's time for some irreverent nonsense! The gang is back in action and we're getting busy with some of the games we've been playing including Anunnaki Dawn of the Gods, Iki, Mystic Vale, Lands of Galzyr, Oltree Undead and Alive and featuring Last Light designed by our good buddy Roy Cannaday and published by Grey Fox Games. And of course, he is back with another installment of the greatest tabletop gaming News segment in the entire universe. And then the founders get into some short topics submitted by listeners including house ruling, games we were wrong about, and are there any games that are too formidable for us to learn? Last Light Review 01:05:13, News with Tony T 01:38:54, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:49:10

Duration:03:36:16

Battletome Vol 9: One Page Rules

11/29/2023
Welcome Ye Gods of War! Today, esteemed hobbyists, the Filthy Casuals engage in discussions regarding the Night Lords, A Song of Ice and Fire Tactics, contemplate the Legions Imperialis, explore Snap Ship Tactics, and evaluate the merits of Pro Acryl and Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats. Following this, the squad immerses itself in the latest phenomenon of miniatures wargaming – One Page Rules. Our noble brothers dissect Grim Dark Future Firefight and Age of Fantasy Skirmish, imparting wisdom on the creation of your own chapters. May you find enlightenment in their endeavors on the battlefield. For The Emperor!

Duration:01:21:07

Express 89: The Anatomy of a Game Review

11/22/2023
Well Cabalists, we're closing in on the end of the year and the founders are working on how they're going to make 2024 a great year of Cabal podcasting. Today Don and Jamie get together to discuss how the Cabal reviews board games and how they plan to make it more comprehensive in the future. Join the gang as they discussed the anatomy of a board game review.

Duration:01:09:39

Episode 285: Apiary and Minis, Meeples, and Standees

11/15/2023
Hey Now and welcome to another jam-packed of the Cabal! Today the gang gets down to business talking about some awesome games they've been playing including Blood on the Clocktower, Horrified, Sea Salt and Paper, Empire’s End and Everdell Farshore. Then the Founders dive into a feature review of Apiary from Connie Vogelmann and Stonemaier Games. Tony T takes the bull by the horns in his award-winning tabletop gaming news segment. And finally, the boys discuss the age-old question - miniatures versus meeples versus cardboard standees. Apiary Review 01:04:04, News with Tony T 01:36:54, Minis, Meeples, and Standees 02:45:22

Duration:03:18:33