The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast - podcast cover

The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast

The Secret Cabal Founderswww.thesecretcabal.com
Tune in every Wednesday to immerse yourself in The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast, dedicated to board games, card games, role-playing, and the miniatures hobby. Join The Secret Cabal Founders: Jamie, Chris, Steve, Don, and Tony T, as they present a captivating array of perspectives on board games, all delivered with a generous dose of irreverent nonsense. Explore the world of role-playing games with The Lord of the Dungeon, and accompany the Filthy Casuals as they delve into the miniatures gaming hobby in Battletome. The Founders and Lords are devoted to providing you with irreverent entertainment, thought-provoking commentary, and an enthusiastic experience centered around the hobbies we love.
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Episodes

Express 58: Questions, Misconceptions and WTFs of Board Game Publishing with Stephen Buonocore

In episode 58, We start out today's episode with a special message to the Cabalists and then right into the episode proper. Today the Chris, Don and Jamie are joined by their very good friend Stephen Buonocore of Stronghold Games to discuss the board game publishing industry. Stephen answers all of our and the Cabalists questions about what it takes to publish a board game in today's industry. If you want to hear more about publishing, check out Stephen's podcast called Board Games Insider at Bo...

Mar 25, 20201 hr 12 min

Episode 203: Underwater City and Win Loss Attribution

Hey Now Cabalists! Today we open but announcing the date of our next Kickstarter which will be May 1st, 2020. Then we jump into talking about a bunch of games we've been playing including On Mars, CO2: Second Chance, Feudum, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Fast Sloths, Bruges and Terror in Meeple City. Then we jump into a feature review of Underwater City designed by Vladimír Suchý and published by Rio Grande Games. Then after Tony T gives us his wild and crazy News segment, we discuss Win/Los...

Mar 18, 20203 hr 18 min

Lords of the Dungeon 37: Puzzles, Letting your DM Down Easy and Playing Religious Characters in Fantasy Games

In episode 37, the lords begin by discussing a recent encounter from their own game involving a puzzle that was a bit too hard for them to figure out and how they feel about puzzles as encounters. Then the gang takes a question from a listener regarding how to talk to your dungeon master about a game in which the players aren't having fun. How do you let them down easy? And finally, the Lords jump the main discussion about clerics and other religious characters and the ins and outs of playing a ...

Mar 11, 20201 hr 16 min

Episode 202: Clinic: Deluxe Edition and a Short Topic Extravaganza

Alrighty Cabalists! It's time for another jam-packed episode of The Secret Cabal starting off with a new Chris Movie Review this time featuring the new Lovecraft adaptation of Color Out of Space. Then we jump into the games we've been playing including: Undaunted, Charterstone, Aftershock San Francisco and Venice, Cooper Island, Terraforming Mars, Ettin, Last Will and Castles of Burgundy. Then the gang gets into a feature review of Clinic: Deluxe Edition designed by Alban Viard, published by AVS...

Mar 04, 20203 hr 44 min

Express 57: Replayability with Honorary Founder Dan King The Game Boy Geek

In episode 57, Jamie, Steve and Don welcome longtime friend and Honorary Founder, Dan King, The Game Boy Geek. Dan starts out by giving Jamie some recommendations for great casual games to take back to his family and then we talk about Dan's currently running Kickstarter to fun his YouTube review channel. Then the gang goes deep into a discussion about replayability and lists some games that they feel are extremely replayable.

Feb 26, 20201 hr 11 min

Episode 201: Chronicles of Crime, Dinogenics and The Effect of Complexity on Your Fun

Hey Now Cabalists! In episode 201 the gang gets back to basics after our raucous 200th episode celebration. Today we talk about all sorts of great games including Empires of the Void 2, Barrage, Sorcerer City, Underwater Cities, Bunny Kingdom, Backgammon, Celestia, Blood Rage and Caylus 1303. Then Don, Steve and Jamie throw a feature review of Chronicles of Crime from Lucky Duck Games at you, followed up by a look back at DinoGenics from Ninth Haven Games. Then after Tony T's legendary news segm...

Feb 19, 20202 hr 51 min

Lords of the Dungeon 36: Altered Carbon and High vs Low Level Campaigns

In episode 36, the Lords start out by talking about trying a new game for a few months and discuss the new Altered Carbon RPG raising funds on Kickstarter now. Then the gang takes a question from a listener regarding if magic were real. Then finally the Lords talks about playing in high and low level campaigns and how to make them fun.

Feb 12, 20201 hr 14 min

Episode 200: Puerto Rico, Our Favorite Games We've Reviewed and A Look Back at the Past 8 Years

Today the Founders celebrate their 200th episode anniversary by going over the past 8 years and each giving two of their favorite games they've ever reviewed - think of it like a giant-sized Games of Yesteryear mixed with 10 Look Back segments. Then Don, Tony and Jamie go back to review a legendary board game that defined a genre, Puerto Rico. Then after Tony T's news segment, the guys take a look back at the past 8 years of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast and discuss what they've build and rete...

Feb 05, 20203 hr 43 min

Episode 199: Flotilla, Nemesis, Professor Evil and the Citadel of Time and The Death of the Acquisition Disorder

The Founders are back for a another game packed episode starting out with Chris and his grasshopper taco and a bunch of games we've been playing including; Taverns of Tiefenthal, Wavelength, Cryptid, Blitzkrieg!, The Grizzled, Crystal Palace, Caverna: The Cave Farmers and Dream Phone. Then after we review Flotilla and look back at Nemesis and Professor Eveil, Tony T, as always, gives us the greatest tabletop gaming news in the entire world of gaming while the rest of us quack in the background. ...

Jan 22, 20203 hr 34 min

Lords of the Dungeon 35: Campaign Settings of the Past and Wizards in Role Playing Games

In episode 35, Jesko talks about his first time Dungeon Mastering a game of Dungeons and Dragons, Jamie talks about his Christmas Presents, we take questions from listeners regarding Eberron and campaign settings from the past they would like to see make a return and finish the episode by talking about Wizards and magic, roleplaying wizards and their favorite magic users from movies, TV, comics and books.

Jan 15, 20201 hr 15 min

Episode 198: Maracaibo and a Short Topic Extravaganza

Hey Now Cabalists and Happy New Year! First, we start off with a challenge from a Cabalist on our forums and then get busy with some games we've been playing including: Flotilla, Era: Medieval Age, Fast Sloths, Tapestry, Istanbul The Dice Game, The Others and Cthulhu Death May Die! Then we announce a new series of T-Shirts featuring Steve's artwork. Then we get busy with a feature review of Maracaibo from Alexander Pfister and Capstone Games. Then after Tony T throws some tabletop gaming news at...

Jan 08, 20203 hr 5 min

Episode 197: Sanctum, Auztralia and Our Christmas Wishlists

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 Inatten...

Dec 18, 20193 hr 33 min

Lords of the Dungeon 34: Atlas, Using Board Game Minis for RPGs and One-Shot RPGs

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.

Dec 11, 201958 min

Episode 196: Cthulhu Death May Die, Cerebria and Loss Aversion in Board Games

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...

Dec 04, 20192 hr 56 min

Episode 195: Batman Gotham City Chronicles and a Short Topic Extravaganza

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 Ci...

Nov 20, 20193 hr 12 min

Lords of the Dungeon 33: Tremulus, Collaborative Story Telling, When to Goof Off and Writing Backstories

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.

Nov 13, 20191 hr 15 min

Episode 194: Coloma and Game Terms, Buzzwords and The Way We Talk About Games

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 impo...

Nov 06, 20193 hr 23 min

Express 53: H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos

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.

Oct 23, 201950 min

Episode 193: Abomination The Heir of Frankenstein, Eschaton and a Spooky Short Topic Extravaganza

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 ...

Oct 16, 20193 hr 20 min

Lords of the Dungeon 32: Feast of Legends, Mothership, Microtransactions and Dice Mechanisms

In episode 32, the gang starts off by talking about the new tabletop role playing game designed and released by Wendy's, Feast of Legends. Then we discuss a new trend in local game stores regarding microtransaction gumball machines providing players with in-game bonuses for their pay to play Dungeons and Dragons games. Then we talk about Mothership, a Sci-Fi Horror Roleplaying Games from Tuesday Night Games. Finally we talk about dice mechanisms and whether or not the impede upon immersion.

Oct 09, 20191 hr 24 min

Episode 192: Everdell, Too Many Bones, War Chest and Board Game Expansions

In episode 192, The gang starts out by going back to some of the Short Topics from the last episode and updating with some new information followed up by something of the games we've been getting into lately. Then we jump into a deep dive review of Everdell from Chip Theory Games and look back at both Too Many Bones from Chip Theory Games and War Chest from AEG. Then after Tony T gives us a rundown of all the most important news items from around the tabletop gaming world, we have a roundtable d...

Oct 02, 20193 hr 11 min

Episode 191: Tzolkin The Mayan Calendar and A Short Topic Extravaganza

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...

Sep 18, 20193 hr 8 min

Lords of the Dungeon 31: A Campaign Reborn, The End of the World and Warriors in Role Playing Games

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.

Sep 11, 20191 hr 29 min

Episode 190: Cthulhu A Deck Building Game, Root and Approachability in Board Games

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 ...

Sep 04, 20193 hr 21 min

Express 51: We Are Collectors

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.

Aug 28, 20191 hr 2 min

Episode 189: Era Medieval Age, The Reckoners, Gen Con 2019 and a Short Topic Extravaganza

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 backg...

Aug 21, 20193 hr 29 min
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