The BoardGameGeek Podcast

Fortnightly casual conversations with passionate gamers who geek out about board games, the mechanisms behind them, and the people who create them.

The BoardGameGeek Podcast is a leisure podcast hosted by BoardGameGeek, with 99 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

BoardGameGeek hosts The BoardGameGeek Podcast, a leisure show with 99 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #101

  Episode 101: Ilka Luza - How to Behave at the Table. - Top 5 Games We Like to Play on Repeat - A Surprise Gift and White Water Rafting.

  Aug 14, 20262h 4m

  Episode 101: Ilka Luza - How to Behave at the Table. - Top 5 Games We Like to Play on Repeat - A Surprise Gift and White Water Rafting. Grab a drink and maybe some snacks because this is a longer episode. My super talented friend, Ilka Luza, joins me to discuss an important topic that’s not necessarily said out loud, some of our favorite comfort games, something that made us smile lately, and lots and lots of stories. 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:40 Who is Ilka Luza 00:08:11 Prevention Theater Ep. 82 - Dave Luza Ep. 83: AnnaMaria Jackson-Phelps 00:10:22 How to behave at a table 00:21:04 Respect each other 00:28:59 Ending a game early 00:39:20 Phones at the table 00:46:10 Top 5 Games we like to play on repeat 00:47:07 Patchwork Doodle 00:49:06 Three Sisters: Harvest Edition 00:52:17 Azul 00:55:54 Lords of Waterdeep 01:02:06 Sanctuary 01:08:04 Takenoko 01:11:55 Wingspan 01:17:12 Mahjong 01:27:14 Cascadia 01:32:25 Akropolis 01:36:35 Honorable Mentions 01:36:45 Nokosu Dice 01:39:40 Fliptoons 01:49:11 Moment of Positivity Chris Long Prints 02:00:43 Where to Find Ilka? Ilka’s Website Luzapalooza on Instagram , Twitch, and Youtube This Game is Broken podcast 02:03:25 Outro (Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.) Web : https://boardgamegeek.com/ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeek Twitter : https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeek Email : podcast@boardgamegeek.com

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #100

  Episode 100: Lainie - Convention Planning Insights and Tips - 5 Games from BGG's top 100 that we love - Board Game Con Friends

  Jul 31, 20261h 4m

  Episode 100: Lainie - Convention Planning Insights and Tips - 5 Games from BGG's top 100 that we love - Board Game Con Friends Happy 100th Episode to the BGG Podcast! Let’s peek behind the scenes of Board Game Geek events and conventions with someone who helps run them, Lainie! Then we look at BGG’s top 100 games via user ratings to talk about 5 we love. And share some joy in finding friends through conventions. 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:18 Get to know Lainey 00:05:12 Convention Planning Insights and Tips 00:09:57 Managing Volunteers Effectively 00:21:40 What are the different BGG Events? 00:24:46 5 Games from BGG's top 100 that we love 00:26:37 Race for the Galaxy 00:28:40 Orleans 00:30:17 Power Grid 00:31:55 Grand Austria Hotel 00:34:04 Clank Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated 00:37:10 Spirit Island 00:39:12 Castles of Burgundy 00:43:17 Obsession 00:46:25 Terraforming Mars 00:49:09 Darwin's Journey 00:52:15 Honorable Mention 00:53:33 Moment of Positivity Omaha Gaming Convention Board Game Wagon OFPG Spielbound Board Game Cafe 01:02:41 Where to find Lainie BGG Con 2026 Gen Con Hot Games Room Hot Games Room Email Lainie’s Email 01:03:40 Outro (Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.) We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026 Web : https://boardgamegeek.com/ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeek Twitter : https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeek Email : podcast@boardgamegeek.com

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #99

  Episode 99: Dutch Yoda - Gen Con vs Spiel - Top 5 BGG Gen Con Preview List 2026 - World Cup and the Beach Boys

  Jul 17, 20261h 53m

  Episode 99: Dutch Yoda - Gen Con vs Spiel - Top 5 BGG Gen Con Preview List 2026 - World Cup and the Beach Boys My friend, Dutch Yoda, joins us all the way from around the globe to talk about the differences and similarities between the 2 biggest board game conventions in the world, Gen Con and Spiel. Then we had a hard time picking our Top 5 games from the BGG Gen Con Preview list for 2026. We then talked about how the World Cup and the Beach Boys brought a little joy in our lives. I hope you can stop by one of his streams and chat with him directly especially about coffee and crowdfunding. 00:00 Intro 00:51 Get to know Dutch Yoda 02:24 How you became Dutch Yoda 03:17 Start in the hobby 05:43 Exploring Gen Con vs. Spiel 14:54 Food Culture at Conventions 18:02 Media Events: A Contrast Between Gen Con and Spiel 26:01 Flea Markets: A Unique Experience 28:16 Travel Logistics and Airport Experiences 31:09 Availability of Games Post-Conventions 42:57 Community and Connections at Conventions 47:01 Top Five Games from BGG Gen Con 2026 Preview List 47:54 Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons - Ravenloft 49:48 Entropy 55:45 Sniper Elite: Expansions (Escalation & Operation Kraken) 57:46 Wondrous Creatures: Winterfall Expansion Omaha Gaming Convention 01:00:55 Frosted Blooms (A Dutch Connection) 01:04:51 Fliptoons Season 2 01:09:34 Wingspan Pocket 01:12:03 Three Sisters: Harvest Edition 01:16:35 Endangered: Australia (Expansion) Endangered: Giant Panda scenario 01:22:33 Mountain Goats: Legacy Legacy of Yu Tiny Mountain Goats 01:26:51 Honorable Mentions 01:27:35 Rascally Rabbits 01:30:17 Jason and the Argonauts Hercules and the 12 Labors 01:32:33 Whisperwood 01:36:15 Perennial 01:38:09 Electrify 01:42:09 Moments of Positivity 01:49:38 Please follow Dutch Yoda on the web! Twitch @DutchYoda Youtube , Instagram , and Bluesky @DutchYodaPlays 01:51:58 Outro Please note: this episode was pre-recorded so that it could be edited on time. Therefore, there might be a few games that were posted on the BGG Preview list after this episode was recorded. (Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.) We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026 Web : https://boardgamegeek.com/ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeek Twitter : https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeek Email : podcast@boardgamegeek.com

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #98

  Episode 98: Aaron B. (Game Enthus) - The Remaster’s Era - Top 5 Games We Like to Teach - Lunch Time Gaming & Getting Recognized

  Jul 3, 20261h 19m

  Episode 98: Aaron B. (Game Enthus) - The Remaster’s Era - Top 5 Games We Like to Teach - Lunch Time Gaming & Getting Recognized Hey everyone! I’m excited to introduce Aaron, also known as Game Enthus on social media, who’s joining me to chat about all those games that are getting remastered, remade, updated with a second edition, brought back, or republished with some tweaks. We’re gonna try to nail down what exactly defines the “Remaster’s Era” of tabletop gaming. Then, we’ll share our top 5 favorite games to teach others. We’ll wrap up with some feel-good stories about gaming with coworkers during lunch and those moments when we get recognized. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention—we usually team up to teach a game on the Learn and Play schedule at PAX Unplugged. So, if you’re heading there, come join us for a fun game! 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:54 Get to know Aaron B. 00:06:08 The Remasters Era in Board Games 00:33:06 Top 5 Games we Enjoy Teaching 00:35:51 Hues and Cues 00:39:22 River of Gold 00:41:54 Panda Royale 00:45:20 Wok and Roll 00:47:30 So Clover! 00:50:02 Duck and Cover 00:53:13 Faraway 00:56:36 Cities Cities USA 01:00:10 Green Team Wins Green Team Wins Again 01:03:28 Seti: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Kanban EV Sweet Lands 01:08:00 Honorable Mentions 01:08:05 Chicken Fried Dice 01:10:55 Takenoko 01:12:33 Moments of Positivity in Gaming 01:16:52 Where can you find Aaron? Game Enthus on Lintree Game Enthus Podcast Website Aaron’s Youtube Channel - @GameEnthus The Five By Podcast Website / BGG Listing (Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.) We hope you will come join us for fun games with all the fun people at BGG.CON 2026. https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon or https://tabletop.events/conventions/bgg.con-2026 Web : https://boardgamegeek.com/ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeek Twitter : https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeek Email : podcast@boardgamegeek.com

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #97

  Episode 97: Cole Smith - Games that Combine 2 Mechanisms well - Top 5 Area Control Games - A Frame Job & Good Food

  Jun 19, 20261h 22m

  Episode 97: Cole Smith - Games that Combine 2 Mechanisms well - Top 5 Area Control Games - A Frame Job & Good Food Canadian board game and graphic designer, Cole Smith, joins me to talk about his current published games, games that combine 2 mechanisms well, and his favorite mechanism, area control, games. 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:21 Get to Know Cole Smith and his games Tanuki Sauros 3 Magi 00:05:58 The Journey of Game Design 00:08:23 Cole's Favorite Mechanism or Game that inspires him 00:14:42 Games that Blend 2 Well-Known Mechanics Well Lost Ruins or Arnak Dune Imperium Endless Winter: Paleoamericans Patchwork Cascadia and other Flatout line of games Sauros Rumble Nation Radlands 7 Wonders Duel Sagrada Nokosu dice King of Tokyo The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Trick Taking Game Iliad Tag Team Arcs 00:33:32 Top 5 Area Control Games 00:37:57 The King is Dead: Second Edition 00:40:18 Rumble Nation 00:41:46 Waddle 00:44:35 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 00:47:25 Marrakech 00:50:50 Rumble Nation (Overlap) 00:51:09 Sunrise Lane 00:54:27 Scythe 00:58:45 Foundations of Rome 01:03:16 Root 01:07:26 Patrician 01:10:29 Honorable Mentions 01:10:40 Big Boss 01:12:59 Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon 01:15:01 Ahoy 01:16:02 Moment of Positivity 01:20:09 Where can you find Cole? BGG Designer Page Instagram @Cole_Designs_Games 01:21:24 Outro (Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.) You can flip your game night by picking up DNUP. https://www.dnup.game/en/ Web : https://boardgamegeek.com/ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeek Twitter : https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeek Email : podcast@boardgamegeek.com

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The BoardGameGeek Podcast. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.