PODCAST · leisure
Mindful Games Lab
by Clay Capra
Mindful Games Lab is a podcast about mindful gaming, board games, and tabletop games as tools for presence, connection, and well-being. Each episode explores how play can help us slow down, reduce stress, and create more meaningful experiences—without focusing on winning or optimization.Hosted by Clay, a lifelong gamer with over ten years of game industry experience, the show features thoughtful game spotlights, reflective conversations, and inspiring guests who believe games can have a positive impact on our lives.For questions or comments: podcast at mindfulgameslab dot com
Episodes
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The 5 Games Everyone Should Check Out at Gen Con 2026
Planning your Gen Con 2026 schedule? Looking for the best new board games to check out? In this episode of the Mindful Games Lab Podcast, Clay shares his Top 5 most anticipated games of Gen Con 2026, plus a few honorable mentions and two exciting solo games that deserve a spot on your radar....
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How Two Sisters Built Fambam Games
In this episode of the Mindful Games Lab podcast, Clay visits with sisters Alice and Jessica from Fambam Games to explore how board games create connection, spark laughter, and bring people together across generations. The conversation dives into the origins of hit party games like Not So...
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Meeple Lady: Finding Connection Through Board Games
In this episode of the Mindful Games Lab Podcast, we sit down with Meeple Lady, board game blog writer, podcast host, and passionate member of the tabletop gaming community to explore how games can create meaningful connection in our lives. We talk about her journey from playing classic games...
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Castlenuovo 1539 Review & Strategy Tips | A Tense Historical Block Wargame
What does it feel like to defend a fortress when the odds are impossible? In this episode, we explore Castlenuovo 1539, a tense two-player historical block wargame about the 1539 siege between Spanish defenders and Ottoman forces. I share what it's like to play, why the hidden information and...
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Mistwind Review: Strategy Tips and a Mindful Take on This Pickup & Deliver Game
What if your delivery route wasn't roads—but ever-shifting winds in the sky? In this episode, we take a deep dive into Mistwind, a unique pickup-and-deliver board game from First Fish Games. You'll learn what it feels like to play, how the dynamic movement system creates a satisfying puzzle, and…
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Roll the Dice: A Mindful Experiment for Your Next Game Night
Roll the Dice: A Mindful Experiment for Your Next Game Night What if one simple question could transform your game night? In this episode of Mindful Games Lab, we explore 52 Mindful Board Game Prompts for Game Night, a simple way to bring more awareness, connection, and memorable moments to the...
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The Mindful Game Night: Turning Ordinary Evenings into Meaningful Ones
Can a board game really transform an ordinary evening into something meaningful? In this episode, we explore how to create a mindful game night — and why intentional play can deepen connection, spark wonder, and strengthen real-life relationships. You'll learn: How board games can turn a routine...
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Flip 7: Why You Always Flip One Card Too Many
Flip 7 is a fast, simple push-your-luck card game—but knowing when to stop is harder than it looks. In this episode of the Mindful Games Lab Podcast, we dive into Flip 7, the push-your-luck card game that makes everyone at the table lean in. You'll learn when it's smart to take the points, when...
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Why I No Longer Rush Through Board Games
Why I No Longer Rush Through Board Games How slowing down helps you enjoy games, people, and moments more Do you ever finish a board game night feeling like you played a lot of games—but didn't really experience them? In this episode of Mindful Games Lab, Clay shares why he stopped rushing…
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Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game – Strategy Tips, Flaring Metals, and Mindful Play
What does Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game teach us about power, restraint, and focus? In this episode of Mindful Games Lab, Clay dives into Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game from Brotherwise Games, exploring beginner-friendly strategy, when it's actually worth flaring your metals, which characters...
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Undaunted 2200 Callisto : Complete Overview of the Sci-Fi Tactical Board Game
In this episode, Clay explores Undaunted: 2200 Callisto, the newest and boldest entry in the Undaunted series—now blasting off into full sci-fi territory. If you've ever wondered what Undaunted would feel like with mechs, lunar colonies, elevation mechanics, and high-stakes tactical skirmishes,...
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Kinfire Council Review: Strategy, Suspicion & Standout Gameplay
Kinfire Council: When Saving the City Means Watching Your Back Din'Lux is hanging by a thread — and the greatest threat might be sitting right across the table from you. Join Clay as he dives into Kinfire Council, the gorgeous worker placement game where players must rebuild magical lighthouses…
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Nature Board Game – Survival Tips, Best Traits, and Hunting Strategies
In Nature from North Star Game Studio, survival isn't about brute strength—it's about clever adaptation. Join Clay from Mindful Games Lab as he dives into this fast-paced, beautifully illustrated board game where every round is an evolutionary arms race. Discover the game's origin story, learn…
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Exploring Vantage – An Open-World Storytelling Adventure
In this episode, we take a deep dive into Vantage, the epic new open-world board game from Stonemaier Games and designer Jamie Stegmaier. Whether you're playing solo or with friends, Vantage offers a rich, narrative-driven experience filled with exploration, choice, and surprise. You'll learn how...
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So, You Find Yourself at Gen Con… Now What?
Welcome to a jam-packed guide to Gen Con — the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America! Whether it's your first time attending or you're a seasoned veteran, this episode is your ultimate prep companion. Host Clay walks you through everything you need to know to get the most out of…
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Almoravid: Medieval Warfare, Strategy, and the Legend of El Cid
In this episode, Clay dives deep into Almoravid, the second entry in Volko Ruhnke's celebrated Levy & Campaign series from GMT Games. Set in the gritty landscape of 11th-century Iberia during the Spanish Reconquista, Almoravid is a game of feudal logistics, political tension, and brutal siege...
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Ironwood – A Clash of Industry and Nature
Mindful Games Lab Podcast with Clay In this episode, Clay dives deep into Ironwood, the highly thematic two-player strategy game from Mindclash Games. Discover the core conflict between the industrial Ironclad and the mystical Woodwalkers, as they battle for control over the powerful Larimor...
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Meeples On The Ground with Sarah Trager
Clay visits with Sarah Trager from Meeples On The Ground. We talk about some amazing games for you to check out and important game convention advice that is not easy to follow.
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Gift of Tulips with Carla Kopp
Clay visits with Carla Kopp from Weird Giraffe Games. We talk about Gift of Tulips and the amazing team of women who worked on it. We dive into what to do if you're stuck on a game design and what you must know if you want to pitch a design to a publisher.
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Electric Orchard
Clay talks with Ryan Schneider from Saint Paul Games about Electric Orchard. Find out the most important skill you need to go from idea to Kickstarter launch.
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Dune Imperium
Clay talks about the board game Dune Imperium by Dire Wolf. Find out what it's like to play and get some strategy tips to give you an edge.
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Bunkers & Badasses
Clay visits with designer Ian Moss and developer Marshall Britt of Bunkers & Badasses published by Nerdvana Games. Find out why it's the Coolest est game in the world. Based on the game-within-a-game from Gearbox Entertainment's Borderlands series, Bunkers & Badasses is a tabletop roleplaying game!
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Don't Starve Together
Clay and special guest talk about Don't Starve Together by Klei Entertainment. Find out what it's like to play and why it's a great game for couples.
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Ed Linder Episode
Clay visits with Minnesota-based award-winning filmmaker, actor and game industry fan Ed Linder. During this episode you will learn: What makes a good story? Qualities that make a great film director A list of excellent games to introduce new people to Great advice for getting starting making…
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Bye, Felicia!
In this November 2020 Episode Clay talks about the party game Bye, Felicia! Find out what it's like to play Bye, Felicia You can even play along right during the podcast! 1:03 Zapotec Publisher Board&Dice 2:36 Star Wars™: Squadrons https://www.ea.com/games/starwars/squadrons 3:11 Endless Winter -...
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Girl Meets Nerd
In this October 2020 Episode Clay visits with Megan and Tristan from the "Girl Meets Nerd" Podcast. Find out all about the Nerdverse Find out Megan's favorite part of the Nerdverse You will learn about the best game to play as a couple as well as a great video game to play as a couple Find out…
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Fort
Clay talks about the deck building game Fort by Leder Games where kids collect pizza, toys and build the coolest fort. 1.09 Bonfire 2.48 Fantastic Factories: Manufactions 4.14 Prince of Persia The Sands of Time 5.04 Fort 5.28 SPQF 6:00 Fort Theme 6:27 Macaroni Sculpture 7:00 What's a deck builder...
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Breakdancing Meeples with Ben Moy
Ben Moy on Clay's Mindful Games podcast September 2020 Clay interviews Ben Moy designer of Breakdancing meeples published by Atlas games. Learn the best thing you can do to start a game design. Find out the most important skill for a game designer to focus on! https://claycapra.com/...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Mindful Games Lab is a podcast about mindful gaming, board games, and tabletop games as tools for presence, connection, and well-being. Each episode explores how play can help us slow down, reduce stress, and create more meaningful experiences—without focusing on winning or optimization.Hosted by Clay, a lifelong gamer with over ten years of game industry experience, the show features thoughtful game spotlights, reflective conversations, and inspiring guests who believe games can have a positive impact on our lives.For questions or comments: podcast at mindfulgameslab dot com
HOSTED BY
Clay Capra
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Mindful Games Lab have?
Mindful Games Lab currently has 28 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Mindful Games Lab about?
Mindful Games Lab is a podcast about mindful gaming, board games, and tabletop games as tools for presence, connection, and well-being. Each episode explores how play can help us slow down, reduce stress, and create more meaningful experiences—without focusing on winning or optimization.Hosted by...
How often does Mindful Games Lab release new episodes?
Mindful Games Lab has 28 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Mindful Games Lab?
You can listen to Mindful Games Lab 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 Mindful Games Lab?
Mindful Games Lab is created and hosted by Clay Capra.
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