Happy Holidays, Cabalists! In episode 197 the whole games here for our special Christmas episode and we celebrate by returning to an older tradition by debuting a new Christmas song parody called The Inattentive Grinch. Then the we take a look at the newest game from Filip Neduk, Sanctum from Czech Games Edition and look back at Martin Wallace's Auztralia from Stronghold Games. Then after Tony T give us a good dose of tabletop gaming news, the gang presents their Christmas Wishlists. The Inattentive Grinch 00:59:44, Sanctum Overview 01:07:11, Sanctum Review 01:12:03, Auztralia Looks Back 01:38:30, News with Tony T 01:46:36, Christmas Wishlists 02:35:54, The Founders Secret Santa 03:18:16

In episode 34, Jess and Bender start us out by talking about their experience playing the massively multiplayer online roleplaying game, Atlas on an RP server with a social contact. Then we take a question from a lister regarding using board game miniatures in our roleplaying games. Then we finish off the show by talking about our recent experiences with playing one-shots.

Hey Now Cabalists! In episode 196 the gang starts out by discussing Chris' brand new hair color and Jamie's time at BGGcon in Dallas Texas. Then the Founders get busying reviewing Cthulhu Death May Die designed by Rob Daviau and Eric Lang and published by CMON and look back at Arkham Horror 3rd Edition, Blood Bowl and Cerebria. Then, since Tony T is traveling for Thanksgiving, Steve takes over the news duties while the rest of us goof around in the background. Then finally we discuss the concept of Loss Aversion in board gaming. Cthulhu Death May Die Overview 01:00:42, Cthulhu Death May Die Review 01:05:09, Cerebria, Blood Bowl and Arkham Horror Looks Backs 01:28:45, News with Tony T 01:38:40, Loss Aversion in Board Games 02:23:47

In episode 55, Chris and Jamie talk about a bunch of things that we're thankful for this Thanksgiving

The Founders are back for another episode chocked full of crazy gaming nonsense! Today the gang takes a look at Batman Gotham City Chronicles from Monolith Editions. Tony T goes ape hooking you up with the best gaming news in the biz while the rest of guy monkey around in teh background. Then finally the founders discuss the golden age of gaming, what games they would stock in a game store and Master Classes for board game design. Batman Gotham City Chronicles Overview 01:05:28, Batman Gotham City Chronicles Review 01:09:55, News with Tony T 01:44:41, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:29:06

In episode 33, The lords start by discussing Tremulus, a story telling role playing game of Lovecratian inspired horror and transition into collaborative story telling in modern RPGs. Then the gang takes a question from a listener regarding when it's okay to goof off and when it's time to get down to business. And lastly, the Lords talk about creating a back story for their character, the ways they go about it and what's important to them.

In episode 194, The gang starts out by discussing Jamie's new hobby of Resin 3D printing and jump into a bunch of games we've been playing including Clank! Legacy Acquisition Incorporated, Crown of Emara, Deep Blue, Rurik: Dawn of Kiev, Ecos: The First Continent and Awkward Guests and a few games of yesteryear including Ethnos and Pursuit of Happiness. Then Don and Jamie give a feature review of the newest game from Jonny Pac Cantin, Coloma! Then Tony T throws out a full rundown of the most important tabletop gaming news of the day while the peanut gallery quacks in the background. Then finally the Founders discuss Game Terms, buzzwords and other nonsensical ways that we all talk about the games we play.

In episode 54, a special fifth Wednesday edition of The Secret Cabal Express, Steve, Jesko and Jamie celebrate Halloween by geeking out over the horror movies they love! And we meet a new member of the Secret Cabal monster squad, The Creeper!

In episode 53 of the Secret Cabal Express, Steve, Jamie and Chris talk about H.P. Lovecraft and The Cthulhu Mythos! We discuss the hiustory of Lovecraft and the creation of the Mythos and then talk all about our favorite the stories, games, movies, TV shows and comics inspired by Lovecraft's work.

In episode 193, The Founders celebrate Halloween talking about Halloween Games and more! Today we jump into a deep dive review of Abomination the Heir of Frankenstein from Plaid Hat Games and look back at Eschaton from Archon Games one year later. Tony T wakes up to host another amazing tabletop gaming news segment. And then the gang ends with a spine-chilling Halloween themed Short Topic Extravaganza! Abomination Overview 01:10:55, Abomination Review 01:15:38, Eschaton Look Back 01:44:17, News with Tony T 01:54:43, Spooky Short Topic Extravaganza 02:29:47

In episode Jamie and Aaron give an in-depth look at the new dogflight miniatures Games from Games Workshop, Aeronautica Imperialis: Wings of Vengence

In episode 191 we start out by hearing about Chris' business trip to Atlantic City and talk about a bunch of games we've been playing. Then we jump right into an overview and feature review of Tzolkin The Mayan Calendar by Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini and published by Czech Games Edition. Then Tony T pins the wild meter in the red with his tabletop gaming news segment. And finally, we give you another Short Topic Extravaganza including discussion about if point salads are a bad thing, what we wanted to do when we grew up and end on what games make us the most competitive. Tzolkin The Mayan Calendar Overview 01:25:54, Tzolkin The Mayan Calendar Review 01:29:48, News with Tony T 02:02:50, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:35:26

The gang decides it's time for a RPG campaign change but this time we're going back to a campaign we played over 4 years ago and discuss how it is getting back into it after such a long hiatus. Then the gang talks about their one shot session of the End of the World role playing game published by Fantasy Flight Games. Then finally the Lords discuss the warrior role, roleplaying and discuss some of their favorite warriors in films and TV.

Today we explode into the episode covering a bunch of leftover games from our Gen Con trip! Then we jump feet first into Cthulhu: A Deck Building Game and the standalone expansion, Cthulhu: Horrors in Dunwich by Wyvern Gaming and Look back at one of the best games from last year, Root from Leder Games. Tony T, as always, gives the Cabalists the best damned tabletop gaming news segment in the history of gaming. And finally the gang leaves you with a roundtable discussion about Approachability in board gaming. Cthulhu: A Deck Building Games Overview 01:13:09, Cthulhu: A Deck Building Games Review 01:17:31, Root Look Back 01:48:20, News with Tony T 01:53:38, Approachability Discussion 02:38:31

Chris and Jamie get together to talk about all of their collections today and what they collected when they are kids. They go from Funko Pops, to model cars, guitars, toys, statues and more.

In episode 189 we start out with a big announcement that will take the show to a new level of awesome! Then we go through our Gen Con 2019 retrospective featuring Steve's first impressions, scooters, sunlight killing mold and bacteria, and more. Then we dive deep into Matt Leacock's newest design, Era: Medieval Age. Then we have a double feature look back of both Thunderstone Quest and The Reckoners. Then Tony T gives us a tour through all of the board game media news while we chirp in the background. And finally, we host another Short Topic Extravaganza featuring the waning of our gaming enthusiasm, gaming with fictional and historical characters and gaming with designer commentary. Era Medieval Age Overview 01:34:43, Era Medieval Age Review 01:39:09, Thunderstone Quest Look Back 01:59:58, The Reckoners Look Back 02:07:30, News with Tony T 02:11:36, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:45:49

The summer flu strikes again and Jesko is out of commission but the rest of the game sallies forth! First we talk about out first attempt at going back to a campaign we played 3 years ago. Then we take a question from a listener asking us what new Dungeons and Dragons class we would create. And finally in our discuss first time game masters and some tips that will help get you started on the right foot!

Hey Now Everyone! In today's episode Chris has some family things to take care of but we have Don sitting in for the show! We talk about some great games we've been playing and give you a feature review of Carnival of Monsters from the legendary designer Richard Garfield. Then Tony T takes over the mics to give you all the most important tabletop gaming news stories out there while the rest of us chirp in the background. And finally we discuss emergent narratives in board games. Carnival of Monsters Overview 01:07:31, Carnival of Monsters Review 01:12:22, Founders Update 01:39:03, News with Tony T 01:40:38, Emergent Narrative in Board Games Discussion 02:41:46

In the 50th episode of The Secret Cabal Express, the whole gang, Jamie, Tony, Chris, Steve and Don, who are rolling out to Gen Con 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana get together to discuss the shenanigans they plan on getting into at the convention, talk about Steve's first time going to Gen Con and what to expect, some advice to new convention attendees and then talk about a giant list of games releasing that they're excited about.

It's Wednesday again and the gang is back for more Cabal nonsense. Unfortunately, Jamie is still under the weather with a not so great voice but that doesn't stop the Cabal from rolling. Steve takes over the announcer role today so I hope you enjoy the temporary change. In today's episode we give feature review to Heroes of Land Air and Sea from Gamelyn Games featuring two special guest reviewer, Don and AC. Then we look back at one of our favorite games, Gaia Project from Z-Man games. After Tony T finally gets his audio equipment back up and running, give throws some wild news your way followed by another Short Topic Extravaganza including Kickstarter projects with flaws, teaching your kids to game and Love, Death + Robots. Heroes of Land Air and Sea Overview 00:55:55, Heroes of Land Air and Sea Review 01:01:01, Gaia Project Look Back 01:34:07, News with Tony T 01:43:43, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:21:25

The gang starts out by talking about the brand new announcement of Cyberpunk Red, the companion tabletop RPG top the hot upcoming video game Cyberpunk 2077 that will be coming out at Gen Con. Then AC tells us all about his purchases at Origins and how they're going to turn his life around. The Lords take a question from a listener regarding the need to create balanced adventuring parties and finally do a roundtable discussion about the need for player goals in your campaigns to keep players motivated.

The Founders are back in full force with a new episode of The Secret Cabal! Today the Chris, Jamie and Don take a look at Capstone Games' new economic euro, Pipeline. Then the gang gives you a double feature look back of Dinosaur Island and A Feast for Odin one year later. The latter half of the show is Tony T solid with his wildly popular tabletop gaming news segment and then Tony puts on his robes and breaks out his gavel see justice done in the Cabalist's Court where we hear the complains, argue the points and Tony T passes judgment.

The plague patients are joined by Aaron from Lords of the Dungeon and our good buddy Don to about Origins Game Fair froggy voices and all. Then we go back in time two weeks to join the rest of the founders and discuss what games we've been playing. The Origins gang then returns to do a feature review of Clans of Caledonia from Karma Games. Tony T storms back onto the show to give us the best damn tabletop gaming news segment of all time and the show ends with another Short Topic Extravaganza including game recommendations for high theme, high depth and low complexity, what board games would make blockbuster movies and finally what are some of the hidden gem board games we've discovered. The Founders Games Played: 00:41:32, Clans of Caledonia Overview 01:26:45, Clans of Caledonia Review 01:30:20, Founders Update 01:56:30, News with Tony T 01:59:23, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:53:09

In today's episode the Lords start out by talking about the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon and the Brazilian car commercial recreating it in live action. Then the gang talks about the new Alien role playing game and the trend of RPGs being board gamifyied with cards, tokens and player boards. Then the Lords take a question from a listener asking if we prefer preexisting published campaign settings or homebrewing. Then finally the group lists many of the campaign settings that they would like to try one of these days.

In episode 184 the gang is back for a jam packed episode! Today we review Fantasy Flight's newest app driven board game, Lord of the Rings Journeys in Middle Earth and look back at Big Trouble in Little China one year later. Then Tony T gets down and dirty with the best damn tabletop gaming news segment in all of gaming media while the rest of us quack in the background. Then finally we have an in depth discussion about replayability in board games and what it means to us.

In episode 49 of the Secret Cabal Express, Jamie welcomes Honorary Founders Rodnedy Smith of Watch It Played and Marty Connell of Rolling Dice and Taking Names to talk about Origins Game Fair 2019 in Columbus Ohio, the shenanigans they plan to get into and the food and games they're looking forward to. Then The Three Amigos discuss fandom (spoiler free) including Game Conventions, board games, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Twin Peaks, Lord of the Rings, Games Workshop, Privateer Press and more. Please check out Rodney's channel, Watch It Played at https://www.youtube.com/watchitplayed and Marty's podcast at https://www.rolldicetakenames.com/ and also the Rolling Dice and Taking Names fundraiser at https://www.podpledge.com/project/458/Rolling-Dice-Taking-Names-19-20/home.

In episode 183 the Founders start out by announcing the dates of the Origins and Gen Con meetups, Chris talks about his trip to Michigan and a wardrobe mishap and then we chat about a bunch of the games they've been playing. Then the gang jumps into an overview and review of Space Gate Odyssey from Ludonaute and a look back at Lords of Helas from Awaken Realms with the Cabalists thoughts thrown in. Then Tony T joins the party to give us the best damn tabletop gaming new segment of all time while the rest of the founders chatter in the background. Then finally Steve, Chris and Jamie host a Short Topic Extravaganza featuring games still in shrink, our favorite dragons, gaming with our wives and the music and bands we love and the history of Steve and Jamie's punk rock band, Slow Andy. Then after the episode ends, Jamie gives us a bonus segment playing some Slow Andy tunes with a little talk up between each. Space Gate Odyssey Overview 01:05:44, Space Gate Odyssey Review 01:10:43, Lords of Helas Look Back 01:30:05, News with Tony T 01:39:08, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:21:45, The Music of Slow Andy 02:56:35

We start the episode by talking about Jesko's first game of the End of the World roleplaying game published by Fantasy Flight Games and transition into talking about Aaron's continuing bad luck with rolling dice. Then we talk about a couple of announcements from this week including Alien The Roleplaying Game and Shadowrun 6th Edition. Then finally we have a discussion about what we want out of roleplaying games and the importance of communicating with your group so that everyone's needs are addressed.

You have 3 more days to get in on our 2019 Kickstarter to help the Cabal continue for another year! Jump over the Kickstarter now to support! First off we talk about the Great Chicken Wing Scandal, cow manure interrupting a game day and the $160 miniature presentation. Then we give a feature review of Fantasy Flights newest game, Star Wars Outer Rim and look back at Thanos Rising one year later. After Tony T blasts the tabletop gaming news all over us, we get down and dirty with That Junkie Feeling We Feel including why we love games, what makes us back Kickstarters, collectible card games, miniatures games, and all sorts of wacky junkie rituals we do. Star Wars Outer Rim Overview 01:02:37, Star Wars Outer Rim Review 01:07:35, Thanos Rising Look Back 01:32:35, News with Tony T 01:41:02, That Junkie Feeling We Feel 02:26:21

In episode 48 of the Secret Cabal Express, Tony and Jamie dig into Quantic Foundry's new Board Game Motivation Profile tool meant to collect market research data on the motivations of board gamers found at https://apps.quanticfoundry.com.

Alrighty Cabalists, Wednesday is back with another episode of The Secret Cabal and today we go back 5 years to take a look at a reimplimentation of the classic dice allocation game in H.P. Lovecraft's Kingsport Festival from Passport Game Studios. Then we take a look back at Civilization A New Dawn, the streamlined tabletop port of the popular Civilization video game series from Fantasy Flight Games. After Tony T hooks us up with a damn fine tabletop gaming news segment, the gang hosts a short topic extravaganza including discussion on gaming awards, games we'd love to explore deeper and popular YouTuber hand hygiene. Kingsport Festival Overview 01:00:06, Kingsport Festival Review 01:04:03, Civilization A New Dawn Look Back 01:27:15, News with Tony T 01:31:07, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:16:47

Bender is starting a new campaign with some friends using the Mutants and Masterminds ruleset and he talks about his character and learning the new system. Then the gang discuses the new Fallout roleplaying game based on the popular video game franchise. Finally we discuss using the voice and text chat software, Discord, as a supplement to their role playing campaigns. The group us split on how we should be using it and we come to an agreement that works for everyone.

Hey Now Cabalists! Today is the big day, our 2019 Kickstarter is live! First, stop the podcast, jump over to Kickstarter and support the Cabal for another year of podcasts and video goodies. Now that you did that, press play again. Today the gang talks about Wingspan and how crazy expensive this game is right now. Then after we go though a bunch of the games we've been playing we take a deep dive look at Wingspan and look back at The Pursuit of Happiness one year later. Tony T picks all the best news stories and presents them to you as the rest of the Founders chirp in the background. Then finally the guys talk about each of their favorite game designers, why they like them and some of their favorite games by the designer. Wingspan Overview 01:01:26, Wingspan Review 01:06:05, The Pursuit of Happiness Look Back 01:27:45, News with Tony T 01:33:38, Our Favorite Game Designers 02:26:37

In episode 47 of the Secret Cabal Express, Jamie, Chris and Steve start off by talking about making Top 50 list videos and our upcoming Kickstarter. Then we jump into a story about a game we recently played that wasn't so good but how we managed to have fun anyway. We discuss some other games that even though they aren't the best designed games of all time, we still manage to like them.

Hey Now Cabalists! Today we dive right in with some conversation about Shadows of Brimstone, Funko Pops and get into some the games we've been playing over the past couple of weeks. Then we hook you up with a feature review of a game everyone is going bananas for, Vindication and look back at Rising Sun one year later. After Tony T brings you his award winning news segment with the gang chirping in the background, we host another short topic extravaganza featuring topics about which one of us wins and loses the most, sore winners and losers, mechanisms we're tired of and which games we'd gamble our lives playing. Vindication Overview 01:06:12, Vindication Review 01:11:03, Rising Sun Look Back 01:34:26, Founders Update 01:44:14, News with Tony T 01:46:45, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:43:40

Today the Lords start the episode by revealing the winners of the Art and Arcana books and then go into a campaign update for their current Dungeons and Dragons game. Then we announce a new contest for two cabalists who entered the Art and Arcana contest, we play the Opening Announce Game Show in which Jamie sees if the other Lords can figure out what settings the locations from the previous 24 episode's announces come from.

Alrighty Cabalists, the Founders are back for another wild and crazy episode of The Cabal! Today the gang talks about Chris' Top 50 games of all time and runs down a bunch of games they've been playing. Then we have a feature overview and review of Shadows of Brimstone from Flying Frog and a look back at Empires of the Void 2 from Red Raven Games. Then Tony T goes ape delivering the best damn gaming news segment of all time while the peanut gallery quack in the background. Then finally the gang hosts another short topic extravaganza featuring the golden age of entertainment and what would a Secret Cabal board game be like. Shadows of Brimstone Overview 00:46:46, Shadows of Brimstone Review 00:52:17, Empires of the Void 2 Look Back 01:18:43, News with Tony T 01:21:35, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:04:42

In episode 46 of the Secret Cabal Express, Jamie welcomes Honorary Founder Dan King, The Game Boy Geek, to discuss what traits and qualities games can have that will get us fired up, frothing at the mouth, jumpin out of our pants and wild to buy, play and keep a game in our collections - We're discussing what makes up a board game's X-Factor.

Hey Now! It's time for some more Secret Cabal Nonsense! Today we chat about some games and hobby junk we've been getting into including: Shadows of Brimstone, Nemesis, Discover Lands Unknown, Hand of Fate Ordeals, Hand of Fate on Steam, Architects of the West Kingdom, Auztralia, Chronicles of Crime, Villainous, Magic the Gathering: Arena, and Evolution Digital on Steam. Then we get into an overview and review of Wendake from Renegade Games and a look back at Gaslands from Osprey Publishing. After Tony T goes through all the most important news items in the entire world, we get into a discussion about player interaction and goes off the rails as usual. Wendake Overview 01:14:14, Wendake Review 01:18:56, Gaslands Look Back 01:47:30, News with Tony T 01:50:50, Player Interaction Discussion 02:28:10

Hey Now Cabalists! Today the lords start out by reviewing the recently released book called Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana: A Visual History and present a contest to win a copy of the book. Then the gang takes a question from a listener wondering how we manage getting in gaming while life continues to get in the way which transitions into playing role playing games online via video conferencing. Then the main topic of the show regards playing characters with humanity and understanding the ramifications of your actions and how your characters would actually feel doing what they're doing.

Today the founders go bananas with a feature review of the newest dinosaur park management game, Dinogenics from Ninth Haven Games and designed by Richard Keene. Then the gang takes a look back at Stefan Feld's Merlin on year later. Since Tony T is traveling this week, Steve fills in as the news host giving a rundown of all the happenings around the tabletop gaming world. Then finally the founders host another Short Topic Extravaganza including games we used to love but don't want to play, pirate themed games, asymmetry in games and what characters we would be in games. Dinogenics Overview 01:04:52, Dinogenics Review 01:09:46, Merlin Look Back 01:33:22, News with Steve S 01:39:49, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:23:41

It's the fifth Wednesday of the month and the normal podcasts have a week off so Jamie takes the opportunity to give The State of the Cabal Address. In this podcast Jamie discusses the podcasts, the video production, side projects, fundraising and how the money is used, sponsorship, reviewing and other behind the scenes aspects of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast.

In episode 45 of the Secret Cabal, Steve and Jamie take a break from talking about games to discuss some of the movies and TV shows they're excited about coming up in 2019!

Today the founders get busy with a review of the newest game from Awaken Realms, Nemesis and talk a look back at The Expanse one year later. After Tony T busts out the greatest news roundup in the history of tabletop gaming media the gang talks about their hopes and predictions for the new year. Nemesis Overview 01:07:53, Nemesis Review 01:13:24, The Expanse Look Back 01:43:33, News with Tony T 01:49:30, Hopes and Predictions for 2019 02:19:10

The gang is back together to kick off 2019 with a listener submitted question about disruptive and mischievous behavior in role playing games. Then end the episode with a full discussion about giving your characters flaws and hindrances to make them a more well rounded and realistic character.

In episode 44 of The Secret Cabal Express Bender, Aaron and Jamie talk about the joy the find in the miniatures hobby. They discuss the tools you'll need, assembly, priming, painting, basing, and a bunch of techniques they've learned to use over the years.

It's a new year and the Founders are back to give a year chocked full of gaming nonsense! Today we give you an overview and review of Professor Evil and the Citadel of Time and a look back at Defenders of the Realm one year later. Then Tony T goes bananas with his news segment while the peanut gallery quacks in the background. Then finally the gang talks about their favorite games released in 2018, their favorite game they reviewed in 2018 and finally talks about their most anticipated games coming in 2019