PODCAST · leisure
Around the Board
by Andy Barnett, Daniel Connors, Kelly McClaflin, and John Theisman
A show where four board game enthusiasts discuss board game topics, news, and parodies.
Episodes
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Ep 93 Tableau Builders Don't Exist!
Today, Kelly takes the day off, so it’s just Andy, Daniel, and John as they have a Great Game Debate about Res Arcana! Then we’ve got a pop quiz, where we talk about mechanisms that do — and don’t — appear on Board Game Geek. After that, we’ll tell you our Top 3 Tableau Builders. And finally, we...
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Ep 92 - Abroad in Europe
We have a brand-new segment on Around the Board! Introducing High Low Ruffalo, where we each bring a good game, a bad game, and a weird game to the table. You never know what we're going to pull out!Then we head across Europe to review Abroad, the euro game all about traveling through Europe with…
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Ep 91 - Kelly is Wrong
Kelly is Wrong! This episode of Around the Board is all about one thing: Kelly’s questionable taste in board games!We kick things off with the new hotness, Kano, and everyone gives their thoughts in our Hot or Not review segment.Then things take a turn as we take turns accusing Kelly of making…
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Ep 90 - Top 10 Gen Con Games w/ Ryan Guerra of How I Roll
Gen Con 2026 may be over, but the conversation is just getting started! Andy, Daniel, and John are joined by Ryan Guerra from @howiroll to create a collective Top 10 list of the best games they played at Gen Con 2026. But there’s a twist—each host gets TWO vetoes! Who will put a game on the list...
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Ep 89 - Over the Rainbow Blvd
Please welcome our special guest: Scott Morrison from Steelwing Games https://www.steelwinggames.com/ and Lucky Duck games! https://luckyduckgames.com/usa/Scott brings a refreshing level of maturity, expertise, intelligence and relevance that is sorely lacking in our original cast of characters....
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Ep 87 - Do You Feel Lucky?
Episode 87 features Tim Aberli from the YouTube channel Board Game Rundown. We start with The Great Game Debate and discuss (argue) about whether or not this game that’s near and dear to Tim (Clank) still holds up today. Next is another regular segment: Play, Shelf, Trade. We take a look at three...
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Ep 88 - Gen Con 2026 Preview
GEN CON 2026 SPECTACULAR!In this episode, Andy, Daniel, John and Kelly dive into the sea of games available at Gen Con and each have selected their top five. Their lists were then submitted to producer Randy to insure there were no crossovers. What we end up with is 20 unique games that we have...
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Ep 86 | The 1st French Kiss Awards
The French Kiss Awards are here! 💋🏆At Around the Board, we don't always agree on board games. In fact, disagreements are usually half the fun. But every once in a while, a game comes along that earns the highest honor we can give: a unanimous French Kiss Award.In this video, Andy, Daniel, John,...
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Ep 85 - Top 10 Cozy Board Games
What makes a board game “cozy”? Is it relaxing gameplay, charming artwork, peaceful themes… or just the perfect game to enjoy with friends and family on a quiet night?In this video, the Around the Board crew counts down our Top 10 Cozy Board Games! From calming strategy games to feel-good...
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Ep 84 - Puppets in Deep Water
Around the Board is diving deep into water-themed board games with special guest Gruffus from @PuppetTabletop ! First, we take a look at Endeavor: Deep Sea and share our thoughts on the latest underwater strategy game making waves in the hobby.Then things get tough as we answer the ultimate gamer...
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Ep 83 - War! What is it Good For!?
In this episode, we take a look at Wroth, the new game from @ChipTheoryGames and share our first impressions.Then it’s time to “Play Shelf Trade” featuring Small World, El Grande, and Mission: Red Planet—which games are worth keeping, and which ones are heading out?After that, we tackle a tough...
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Ep 82 - Sam Healey Talks Crap
@SamHealey6 from the Flipside of Board Games joins us for an episode that gets… messy in the best way 😂We’re talking all about crappy games (yep, you read that right), starting with a deep dive into the brand new title Night Soil. Is it surprisingly good, or just plain stinky? You’ll have to...
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Top 10 Board Games of All Time | Top 50 Conclusion | 2026
Daniel and Kelly continue their top 50 games of all time series.Pull up a chair and join us Around the Board!E-Mail us at [email protected] our Facebook Page at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1374236329514579Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aroundtheboard_atb/0:00...
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Ep 81 - 10 Games to Play With Apostle Paul (That Are Not Religious Themed)
What board games would the Apostle Paul actually bring to the table?Daniel and John join Joe and Ray from the @ChristianBoardGamersLTN podcast for a hilarious top 10 countdown of games we’d play with the Apostle Paul. From surprisingly solid picks to choices that might make you seriously question...
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Ep 80 - Gateway to Games
Join Andy, Daniel, Kelly, and John as we explore the world of gateway board games!First, Andy puts Carcassonne on the table for a great game debate. Then we each share the first three gateway games that brought us into the hobby. After that, we make some predictions about which games available...
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Top 50 Board Game of All Time 20 - 11 | 2026
Daniel and Kelly continue their top 50 games of all time series.
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Top 50 Board Game of All Time 30 - 21 | 2026
Daniel and Kelly continue their top 50 games of all time series.
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Top 50 Board Games of All Time 40 - 31 | 2026
Daniel and Kelly reveal their 40-31 best games of all time, continuing the top 50 series
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Top 50 - 41 Board Games of All Time | 2026 Edition
Kelly and Daniel run down their top 50 games of all time.
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Ep 79 - March Madness of Board Game Kickoff
Daniel, Kelly, and John take a look at the 2026 March Madness of Board Game contestants. To fill out your own bracket check out Google Spread Sheet Deadline is March 15th:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bjKmvs8vm_M5PswpqanGbISRLmliBCuAxpFdk0MIrxQ/edit?usp=sharingJoin our Facebook Group to...
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Ep 78 - Top 10 Board Game Movies We Want To See
This episode, we’re building a collective Top 10 list of board games we want to see turned into movies. Sounds easy? Think again.Each host gets two vetoes, meaning no pick is safe. How many games will each host manage to get onto the final list? Will anyone’s favorites get completely shut down?…
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Ep 77 - Marble Games
This episode puts John’s taste in board games under the microscope! 🎲We kick things off with a review of the new hit game 12 Rivers, breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and whether it lives up to the hype. Then it’s time for Play Shelf Trade, as we compare three marble-powered games: Potion...
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Ep 76 - Top 5 Most Anticipated Board Games of 2026
The future of board gaming is looking very exciting! 🎲In this episode of Around the Board, Andy, Daniel, Kelly, and John each count down their Top 5 most anticipated board games of 2026. From big-name designers to surprising new titles, we’re sharing the games we can’t stop thinking about and…
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Ep 75 - Super Dread
Chris is back in this episode of Daniel is Wrong! We dive into the pre-production copy of Bagged and Boarded, followed by a fun round of Play, Shelf, Trade featuring Origin Story, Freedom Five, and Age of Comics. After that, John Kelly and Chris team up to tell Daniel that his takes on board…
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Ep 74 - Best Games of 2025
Today we’re wrapping up the year with our big end-of-year recap! We’ll share the best game that was new to us, the game that disappointed us the most, the one that totally surprised us, and finally… our pick for the best game of 2025!So sit back and join us Around the Board!E-Mail us at...
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Ep 2 - 10 Games that Make us Feel Merry - Across the Board
Daniel and John sit across the board and talk about the game that bring them the most joy. Are these games good? Maybe not. Will these games make you laugh and have a great time. Absolutely!
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Ep 73 - Top 10 Board Games Every Gamer Should Play Once
Andy, Daniel, Kelly, and Ty are back with another gloriously unhinged Around the Board Top 10! This time we’re trying—TRYING—to build the ultimate list of games every board game hobbyist should play at least once.Who’s going to get their picks in?Who’s going to get veto-slapped into oblivion?And...
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Ep 72 - Andy is Wrong!
In today’s episode of Around the Board:Andy kicks things off by bringing Rajas of the Ganges to the table for our Great Game Debate! Will he convince the crew it deserves more love, or will the table turn against him?Next, Kelly challenges the group to a Shelf Trade featuring three dice placement...
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Ep 71 - Essen Preview
John and Daniel take a look into games that are set to be released at the Spiel Essen. Which ones look exciting and landed on our radar. We are ready to grab these games as soon as they hit the shore. @capstonegames @Ludonautes @IelloFrance @nerdlabgames8895 @AdamsAppleGames ...
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Ep 69 - Three Game Series
Today on Around the Board it’s a full three-game series of baseball board games! We kick things off with the new hotness Bat Flip Dynasty—and yes, we’re giving away a copy to one lucky viewer! From there, we step up to the plate with the classic Baseball Highlights: 2045 to see if it still holds...
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Ep 70 - Top 10 Games to Start Your Collection
Today, Tim Aberli from @BoardGameRundown joins us on Around the Board for a special Top 10 episode! We’re counting down the Top 10 Board Games to Start Your Collection With—the perfect picks if you’re just getting into the hobby or looking for solid essentials to kick off your shelf.If you…
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Ep 68 - Lightning Train and Meeple-A-Thon
In this episode of Around the Board, we're diving into everything you need to know about the Play to Win lineup at Meeple-A-Thon! We go through the exciting list of games you can play for a chance to take home, and break down the new Play to Win model being introduced at conventions — what’s...
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Ep 67 - Flippin' Good Time
Around the Board is back to its regular scheduled programing as we take you on another game packed show. First Johns brings us another round of Board Games: Believe It or Not. Then Daniel while introduce our Hot or Not game, Fliptoons. Then Daniel will talk about judging games. How many times do...
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Ep 66 - Top 10 Gen Con Games 2025
Andy, Daniel, John and our friend Ty have come home from Gen Con with all the exciting new games played. Which 10 stuck out to us the most? Which 10 will make the cut? Which ones will get receive the Veto?Buy the book, Reclaiming the Table for Jesus by Joe Bragg @ChristianBoardGamersLTN...
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Ep 65 - Gen Con 2025 Most Anticipated Games for you to Check Out
We are hyped about Gen Con 2025 and we want you to be excited to! We went through the list of games being released and demoed at Gen Con, and picked out 10 games each that we are excited to check out this year!
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Ep 64 - Dice Tower Award Predictions
John and Daniel take a look at the Dice Tower Award 2024 Nominees and give our predictions.
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Ep 63 - A Shameful Top 10
Andy, Daniel, Kelly and John will compete to have their Shelf of Shame games added to this Top 10 Shelf of Shame Games! 0:00 Intro09:02 Kelly's 112:15 Andy's 114:52 Daniel's 118:23 John's 122:19 Kelly's 224:47 Andy's 228:27 Daniel's 231:54 John's 235:06 Kelly's 339:04 Andy's 342:23 Daniel's…
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Spiel des Jahres of the West
Kelly and Andy spent the weekend at Geekway to the West and decide to report it. Then Andy shares his new found love of Flip 7 with the group, in our Hot or Not Review. Next we talk about going to buying cons vs playing cons. Finally we end the show by looking at the 2025 Spiel des Jahres...
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Ep 61 - Blank Span
Welcome to Around the Board! In this episode, we delve into the world of "Span" games with four engaging segments. We kick things off with a review of the hottest game in town, Finspan. Next up is a Play Shelf Trade where we rank and compare the three "Span" games. Then, we dive into the debate…
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Ep 60 - We're All In
Welcome to Around the Board! Join us today for four exciting segments. In the first segment, we dive into the world of co-op card games with reviews of Fellowship of the Ring, Sail, and The Grizzled. Next up, we take a closer look at the new hot game on the market, The Gang. Then, get ready for a...
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Top 50 Board Games of All Time - #10 - #1
John and Daniel run down their top 50 games of all time.
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Top 50 Board Games of All Time - #20 - #11
John and Daniel run down their top 50 games of all time.
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Top 50 Board Games of All Time - #30 - #21
John and Daniel run down their top 50 games of all time.
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Top 50 Board Games of All Time #40 - #31
John and Daniel finish their top 50 board games of all time!
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Ep 59 - Set Collection
Welcome to Around the Board! In this episode, we delve into a shinny new game, River Valley Glass Works, discussing whether it's a hot or not. Following that, we jump into a thrilling round of Play Shelf Trade featuring three popular set collection games; Sushi Go, Splendor, and Point Salad. We...
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Episode 58 - Christian Adjacent
Join Daniel and John as they team up with Joe and Ray from Christian Board Gamers Podcast for a special YouTube video! Together, they embark on a Play Shelf Trade adventure using board games like Ezra and Nehamia, The Flood, and Ierusalem . Stay tuned as they delve into a game of Believe It or…
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Top 50 Games of All Time 50-41
John and Daniel run down their top 50 games of all time.
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Ep 57 - Last Week of Summer with Designer Shawn from Allies or Enemies
In this episode, we have a special guest, Shawn, the designer of the upcoming game, Last Week of Summer, and host of @AlliesorEnemies joining us. Shawn kicks off the show with an exciting insight into Last Week of Summer. Then, we delve into a nostalgic trip back to the 80's with a Play Shelf…
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Ep 56 Most Anticipated Board Games of 2025 and 2025 Predictions
Join Chris, Daniel, Kelly and John as they discus which games they are looking forward to in 2025. 0:00 Intro 5:15 FBC Game Con 7:13 2025 Anticipated Games 8:05 Last Week of Summer 10:55 World Order 14:07 Point Galaxy 16:35 Citizens of the Spark 19:51 Pulitzer 23:15 Coalitions 26:02 Diatoms 28:06...
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Ep 55 - Best Board Games of 2024
Four Board Game Enthusiast recap their 2024. We talk about the Best Game that came out in 2024, the game that surprised us the most, the game we played the most, and the best new to us game. Join us Around the Board 0:00 Intro 8:46 FBC Game Con 10:31 Most Played Game 11:47 Marvel Champions 14:31...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Around the Board have?
Around the Board currently has 105 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Around the Board about?
A show where four board game enthusiasts discuss board game topics, news, and parodies.
How often does Around the Board release new episodes?
Around the Board publishes regularly with 105 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Around the Board?
You can listen to Around the Board on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Around the Board?
Around the Board is created and hosted by Andy Barnett, Daniel Connors, Kelly McClaflin, and John Theisman.
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