PODCAST · leisure
Subject Matter: Table Top
by Jordan and Steve
From the dungeons of Gloomhaven and the battlefields of Root, to the shores of Catan and the rails of Ticket to Ride, popular board games couch complex subjects within richly thematic gameplay. Millions of people find joy in the experiences that these games create, but what else do we get from playing them? In this podcast, Steve Gotzler and Jordan Tynes explore the world of tabletop games with people who possess a deep understanding of the various themes, settings, systems, or content that we encounter in them. What does an economist think about while playing Monopoly? What about a quilter sitting down for a round of Patchwork? A planetary geologist and Terraforming Mars? Or a farmer and Agricola? Steve, Jordan, and their guests consider how games communicate information about the variety of subjects they take up. They also ask how games can influence players’ feelings about each other, and the world that they inhabit. From the physical components strewn about the table, to the rule
Episodes
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Designer Deep Dive #7: Jo Kelly
SMTT sits down with game designer, Jo Kelly, to discuss their newly released Molly House, along with Cole Wehrle of Wehrlegig Games. Tune in to hear more about the inspiration behind Molly House, as well as the process of researching this important -- but often under-represented -- moment for…
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Bark Avenue with Corey the Village Dog Walker
In this episode, SM:TT is joined by Corey the Village Dog Walker, to play Bark Avenue, a game about walking dogs in New York City. They discuss dog park etiquette, balancing people skills with pooch skills, and the various pressures, and pleasures, of working with animals on the bustling streets…
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Causal Catch-Up #10: PAX Unplugged 2024
New Casual Catch-Up episode is now available! In this episode, we discuss our recent trip to Philadelphia for PAX Unplugged. You'll also hear from the designers and developers of several stand-out SM:TT games that we spoke with at the con.
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Casual Catch-Up #9: Settler-Colonialism and Sovereign Games
New casual catch-up is out! In this episode, Jordan and Steve spend some time discussing the impacts of settler-colonialism on board games, and celebrating the work of the indigenous designers whose games often cut against the grain of colonial play. Games by Indigenous Creators Dog Eat Dog by…
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John Company with Philip Stern
In this episode, SM:TT is joined by Philip Stern, a historian of the British empire, to play John Company 2nd Edition, a game about the rise and fall of the British East India Company. They discuss the colonial origins of the modern corporation, the complex historical relationship between public...
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Lacrimosa with Michael Goetjen
In this episode, SM:TT is joined by Michael Goetjen, a musicologist whose research focuses on eighteenth-century opera and the music of Mozart, to play Lacrimosa, a game about Mozart’s final and unfinished composition: “The Requiem.” Together, they discuss the rumor mill of the 18th century music...
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Votes For Women with Lisa Tetrault
Happy International Women’s Day! — In this episode, SM:TT is joined by Lisa Tetrault, a historian of U.S. democracy, to play Votes for Women, a game about the struggle for women’s suffrage in America and the historic passage of the 19th amendment. They discuss the obstacles faced by social...
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Designer Deep Dive #6: Banana Chan
In this designer deep dive, SMTT talks with Banana Chan, co-designer of Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall and owner and co-founder of Game and a Curry. Banana talks about finding a way into the world of RPG design, what types of games inspired the development of Jiangshi and offers some advice...
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Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall with Michelle King and Heidi Kim
At long last, the first full-episode of season 2 has arrived! — SM:TT sits down with MIchelle King and Heidi Kim, scholars of Chinese history and Asian American literature respectively, to play Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall, a tabletop RPG about an immigrant family struggling against...
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Casual Catch-Up #8: Time and Tabletop
Jordan and Steve catch up with each other after some time away from your feeds. In this episode, they spend a while discussing the many layers of time in tabletop gaming.
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Designer Deep Dive #5: Damon Stone
The second of two Designer Deep Dives we recorded on the ground at GEN CON in August. In this episode, SMTT talks with designer Damon Stone. Damon tells us why Monopoly is the perfect game to rip-up and start again, and shares how he got started as a designer in the industry, eventually working…
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Designer Deep Dive #4: Jay Dragon
Check out the first of two Designer Deep Dives, we recorded on the ground at GEN CON this past August. In this episode, SM:TT talks with Jay Dragon of Possum Creek Games. Hear about Jay’s journey from LARP instructor, to tabletop designer, and now editorial director at Possum Creek Games. We hear...
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Casual Catch-Up #7: GenCon 2023 SMTT Takeaways
New Casual Catch-Up episode is now available! Hear us discuss some of our favorite SMTT games from GenCon, and share other highlights from an epic week in Indy!
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Casual Catch-Up #6 GenCon 2023 SM:TT Preview
SM:TT is headed back to GenCon in a few short weeks! In this casual catch-up we chat about what we’ve been playing, and discuss the new games that we’re excited to preview at the con! If you’re attending the convention drop by our Trade Day session on Aug. 01 and say hi!
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Casual Catch-Up #5: Intro to Season 2
Welcome to Season 2 of SMTT! Join Steve and Jordan as they briefly review the first season of the podcast and get excited for the year ahead!
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Pax Pamir with Waleed Ziad
SM:TT is joined by Waleed Ziad, a historian and professor of Religious Studies, to play Pax Pamir: 2nd Edition, a game about geo-political conflict in 19th century Afghanistan. They discuss the politics of colonial archives, war games, and the possibilities for dismantling historical narratives…
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Critical Care with Brandon Pang and Lakshman Swamy
SMTT sits down with Brandon Pang, a critical care doctor at Boston Medical Center to play Critical Care, a game about practicing medicine in the ICU. They are also joined by Lakshman Swamy, an attending intensivist at BMC, and the game’s designer! Along the way, they discuss the challenges of...
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Designer Deep Dive #3: Wehrlegig Games
Check out our latest installment of the Designer Deep Dives, as SMTT talk with Cole and Drew Wehrle of Wehrlegig Games. Hear about the origin story of their company, and how they've crafted a unique approach to publishing subject matter designs that confronts the political questions we raise by...
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POTS! with Bryan Burns
SMTT is joined by archeologist, Bryan Burns, to play the game POTS! Along the way they discuss ceramics, the virtues of friendship, and the iconography of social life in Ancient Greece.
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Designer Deep Dive #2: Elizabeth Hargrave
Join SMTT for their conversation with the internationally acclaimed board game designer, Elizabeth Hargrave! Hear about her approach to developing games with strong scientific themes, such as the renowned Wingspan and her forthcoming title, The Fox Experiment!
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Terraforming Mars with Savannah Mandel
SMTT sits down with space anthropologist, Savannah Mandel, to take up "humanity's greatest project"... Terraforming Mars! Check out Savannah's projects: https://www.savannahmandel.com/ More info on Terraforming Mars: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/167791/terraforming-mars
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Casual Catch-Up #4: Spooky Game Spectacular!
Find out what games we play during the spookiest season of the year... and which mechanics make them feel so scary! Thanks to Justin Armstrong for the spooky intro/outro music!
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Designer Deep Dive #1: Omari Akil
Tune in for our first Designer Deep Dive with Omari Akil, CEO of Colorway Game Labs, diversity advocate, and table top auteur! Hear about the many ventures currently underway in the "Akilaverse"! Check out Omari's wonderful projects: https://www.omariakil.com/ https://www.colorwaygamelabs.com/...
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Casual Catch-Up #3: Trick-Taking
Steve and Jordan sit down for another casual conversation about "trick-taking" and highlight a few particularly memorable games that thematically integrate this timeless game mechanic!
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Casual Catch-Up #2: GenCon 2022 SMTT Takeaways
Jordan and Steve are back from GenCon 2022! In this Casual Catch-Up, hear about the highlights from their trip and find out which new games are being considered for future SMTT episodes!
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Casual Catch-Up #1: GenCon 2022 SMTT Preview
In SMTT's first "Casual Catch-Up", Steve and Jordan discuss which games have caught their attention in the weeks leading up to their annual trip to GenCon!
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STRIKE! with Chris Wike
Steve and Jordan play STRIKE!: The Game of Worker Rebellion with Chris Wike, a labor organizer with the United Steelworkers (USW). In this cooperative game, they attempt to outwit and outlast the tyranny of corporate rule by sustaining the movement, fighting back, and taking care of each other.
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Welcome to Subject Matter: Table Top!
Welcome to Subject Matter: Table Top! In this episode, get to know your hosts and learn about why they started this podcast.
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Bee Lives with Heather Mattila
Jordan and Steve play Bee Lives with Heather Mattila, a biologist who studies the social behavior of honeybees. Together they race to dominate limited resources within a changing environment to see who will become the true Queen Bee! bzz bzz.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
From the dungeons of Gloomhaven and the battlefields of Root, to the shores of Catan and the rails of Ticket to Ride, popular board games couch complex subjects within richly thematic gameplay. Millions of people find joy in the experiences that these games create, but what else do we get from playing them? In this podcast, Steve Gotzler and Jordan Tynes explore the world of tabletop games with people who possess a deep understanding of the various themes, settings, systems, or content that we encounter in them. What does an economist think about while playing Monopoly? What about a quilter sitting down for a round of Patchwork? A planetary geologist and Terraforming Mars? Or a farmer and Agricola? Steve, Jordan, and their guests consider how games communicate information about the variety of subjects they take up. They also ask how games can influence players’ feelings about each other, and the world that they inhabit. From the physical components strewn about the table, to the rule
HOSTED BY
Jordan and Steve
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Subject Matter: Table Top have?
Subject Matter: Table Top currently has 29 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Subject Matter: Table Top about?
From the dungeons of Gloomhaven and the battlefields of Root, to the shores of Catan and the rails of Ticket to Ride, popular board games couch complex subjects within richly thematic gameplay. Millions of people find joy in the experiences that these games create, but what else do we get from...
How often does Subject Matter: Table Top release new episodes?
Subject Matter: Table Top has 29 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Subject Matter: Table Top?
You can listen to Subject Matter: Table Top 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 Subject Matter: Table Top?
Subject Matter: Table Top is created and hosted by Jordan and Steve.
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