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 73: Tabletop Trends and Gaming Guts

In episode 73 Tony, Don and Jamie jump into a discussion about the Pokemon and Trading Card frenzy going on at Wal-Mart. They discuss a video featuring a swarm of savages descending upon the trading card section and causing a scene. Then the gang discusses Tabletop Trends and Gaming Guts - when a good thing because a fad in the gaming community and when that fad turns into an all-out gut.

May 26, 20211 hr

Episode 231: Nidavellir, Chimera Station and a Short Topic Extravaganza

Don't Forget The Secret Cabal's 2021 Fundraiser Launching on Wedneday June 2nd! The Gang is back again for another dose of meshugenah nonsense and gaming chatter including Expedition to Newdale, Trick Shot, Paranormal Detective, Merchants Cove, Lions of Lydia, and Lost Ruins of Arnak. Then Don, Chris and Jamie jump into a full review of Nidavellir designed by Serge Laget and look back at both Chimera Station and Star Trek Ascendency one year later. And of course, Tony T is all fired up to give y...

May 19, 20213 hr 17 min

Lords of the Dungeon 50: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and Our Game Group Reboot

In episode 50, The Lords celebrate because they're finally getting back together to game in person after more than a year of online gaming! Then they take a question from a listener asking them what they like about the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay RPG setting. And finally, they discuss when they do get back together for in-person gaming, what things can they do to enhance the experience so that its more fun than it has ever been?

May 12, 202159 min

Episode 230: Deranged and Returning to Normalcy

Awwww yeah! It's time for another dose of Secret Cabal Insubordinate Nonsense! Today the gang starts out by talking about 2021 being the 10th anniversary year and promoting their upcoming Kickstarter on June 2nd. Then they dive into the games they've been playing including Red Rising, Stacadia Quest, SpellTable, 50 Clues The Pendulum of the Dead, Cavemen: Quest for Fire and Mr. Jack. Then Don, Steve and Jamie jump into a feature review of Deranged from designer German Tikhomirov and published by...

May 05, 20213 hr 5 min

Express 72: The Four Types of Immersion

In episode 72 Chris, Don and Jamie discuss the four types of immersion as defined in the book "Patterns In Game Design" by Staffan Björk and Jussi Holopainen. The four types include Sensory-motoric Immersion, Cognitive Immersion, Emotional Immersion and Spatial Immersion. The gang talks about how each of these traditionally video game related categories relate to tabletop gaming.

Apr 28, 20211 hr 7 min

Episode 229: After the Empire, Viticulture and Two Truths and a Lie

The Founders are back again for some meshugenah nonsense in episode 229! Today the gang talks about some games they've been playing which include Blitz Bowl Season 2, Endangered, Broom Service, Sherlock Files, Tribond and Beyond the Sun. Then Jamie and Don dive into a feature review of After the Empire from Grey Fox Games and look back at Viticulture Essentials edition from Stonemaier Games one year later. Then Tony T does what Tony T does best - giving you the best damned tabletop gaming news r...

Apr 21, 20212 hr 55 min

Lords of the Dungeon 49: Making Skills More Exciting and Our Favorite RPG Moments

In episode 49, Bender talks about his new Star Trek Adventures Campaign and Jamie and the gang discuss Cyberpunk Red. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding making game systems and skills more exciting. Then finally the group tells their favorite gaming stories and discuss why they were fun moments.

Apr 14, 20211 hr 8 min

Episode 228: Res Arcana, Underwater Cities and a Short Topic Extravaganza

Hey Now Cabalists! It's time for your weekly dose of board gaming nonsense from the kings of nonsense and board games, The Secret Cabal Founders! Today the gang gives wishes Tony T a happy birthday and allows him to talk about microplastics and then we jump into the games we've been playing including Glass Road, Tiny Towns and it's Fortune expansion, Magic Legends on PC, Merlin, Labyrinthos and Gloomier. Then Don and Jamie jump into a feature review of an amazing game from Tom Lehmann, Res Arcan...

Apr 07, 20213 hr 1 min

Battletome Vol 2: Monsterpocalypse and Games Miniatures Gamers and Board Gamers can Play Together

Enter, Ye Gods of War! In Volume Two of Battletome, a podcast about the miniatures gaming hobby! Bender, Aaron and Jamie discuss all the games and hobby project they've been getting into lately including Warhammer 40k, Age of Sigmar, Flames of War, Gaslands and Lasting Tales. Then Aaron and Jamie give a full review of Privateer Press's kaiju brawling game, Monsterpocalypse! Then Don and Steve join Jamie and Aaron to discuss games that miniatures gamers and board gamers can play together, and bot...

Mar 31, 20212 hr 14 min

Express 71: The Cost and Value of Board Games

In episode 71 Tony, Jamie and Don discuss the components, gameplay, designer credit, publisher and many other factors that contribute to the cost of and perceived value of board games.

Mar 24, 202156 min

Episode 227: Hallertau, Clinic and The Founders Play Insider

The Founders are back for your weekly dose of Secret Cabal Gaming Action and nonsense! Today the gang starts out by talking about the first them most of them have been together in person in a long long time as they fulfill the 2020 Kickstarter rewards for all the Cabalists! Then they dive into some games they've been playing including Nusfjord, Guilds of London, Anachrony, Victim: The Cursed Forest and MicroMacro: Crime City. Then, Jamie, Tony Chris and Don host a feature review of the new Uwe R...

Mar 17, 20213 hr 4 min

Lords of the Dungeon 48: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

In episode 48, Jamie tries to justify pledging to the Zombicide Undead or Alive Kickstarter by asking the gang if they'd like to play in an old west roleplaying game like Deadlands... so he can use the miniatures. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding arguments in the group resulting campaign gridlock. And finally, the gang talks about Where Did It All Go Wrong? When campaigns, players and game masters screw up, make bad choices or just walk the wrong way and it all goes downh...

Mar 10, 20211 hr 9 min

Episode 226: Grand Austria Hotel, Chronicle of Crime and Managing a Game Collection

Hey Now Cabalists! In episode 226 the Founders begin by talking about Chris' Shelf Disaster Watch 2021 and the pool started by the Board Game Geek Cabalists and then jump into some games they've been playing including Hallertau with a surprise visit from Judge Topper, Favor of the Pharaoh, Trekking The World, H. H. Holmes Murder Castle, Fake Artist Goes to New York and Charterstone Campaign Update from Tony. Then Don and Jamie dive into a feature review of Grand Austria Hotel from Lookout Games ...

Mar 03, 20212 hr 49 min

Express 70: Mystery Board Games with Dan King the Game Boy Geek

In episode 70 Jamie and Steve welcome Honorary Founder Dan King the Game Boy Geek to talk about Dan's currently running Kickstarter Campaign, his causal game recommendations for Jamie's family, Jamie's top three Dan King recommendations and Mystery Board Games.

Feb 24, 202156 min

Episode 225: Dwellings of Eldervale, Puerto Rico and a Short Topic Extravaganza

It's that time again for another Cabal episode and this time the gang rattles off a bunch of great games the Founders have been playing including The Shining, Bloodborne, Tapestry, Renature, Dice Throne Adventures and By Stealth and Sea. Then Don and Jamie jump into the feature review segment to talk about the brand-new hotness everyone is chirping about, Dwellings of Eldervale and look back at a classic board game everyone should play at least once, Puerto Rico. And of course, as always, Tony T...

Feb 17, 20213 hr 23 min

Lords of the Dungeon 47: Problems All Tabletop Role Playing Gamers Experience

In episode 47, Bender starts out by talking about his Muppets in space Star Wars campaign and has chosen to switch gaming systems to Star Wars Edge of the Empire from Fantasy Flight Games. Then the Lords take a series of questions form listeners describing problems situations that many role playing groups experience and how they've dealt with them in the past.

Feb 10, 202159 min

Episode 224: Praga Caput Regni, Flotilla, Maracaibo and Movies, TV and Board Games

The Founders are back for another jam-packed episode of The Cabal. The gang jumps into a bunch of games they've been playing including Dice Throne Adventures, Biblios, Risk Legacy update, Etherfields and Slay the Spire. Then Jamie, Don and Chris get into a feature review of Praga Caput Regni by Vladimír Suchý and a double header look back of both Flotilla and Maracaibo. Then after Tony T's news segment, the Founders discuss movies tv shows and intellectual property board games. Praga Caput Regni...

Feb 03, 20213 hr 2 min

Express 69: Theme, Lore and Backstory in Tabletop Games

In episode 69 Jamie, Steve and Aaron start out by talking about some video games they've been playing lately including, Slay the Spire and Hell Let Loose and transion into a long discussion about how theme, lore and backstory can enrich the gameplay of many tabletop games.

Jan 27, 202155 min

Episode 223: Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps and A Short Topic Extravaganza

Hey Now Cabalists, the Founders are back for another installment of your favorite 3-hour dose of insubordinate nonsense! Today the gang chats up a bunch of awesome games including Risk: Legacy, The Shores of Tripoli, Dwellings of Eldervale, What Do You Meme?, Survive Escape from Atlantis and Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef. Then we jump right into a feature review of Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps from Gale Force Nine. Tony T is on point yet again with the most astounding tabletop ga...

Jan 20, 20212 hr 56 min

Lords of the Dungeon 46: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and Challenging Combat

In episode 46 the gang gets together to talk about Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition from Cubicle 7. The Lords are into their second month of play and give their thoughts on the system so far. Then the group takes a question from a listener regarding adversarial Game Masters and the challenge of combat - what is too much, Death and Dying and the Game Master fairness.

Jan 13, 20211 hr 1 min

Episode 222: Dune Imperium, Sanctum and Reprints, Reimplementations and Nostalgia

It's a brand new year and the Founders and back with another jam packed episode! Today the gang goes on about a bunch of great games including Endeavor Age of Sail, 1960 The Making of the President, Clank! The Mummy's Curse, Glen More 2 Chronicles, Mystery of the Abbey and Everdell. Then Don, Tony and Jamie dive into a feature review of Dune Imperium from Dire Wolf Games and look back at Sanctum from CGE. Then after Tony T gives his world renowned performace as a throughly prepared newsman the g...

Jan 06, 20213 hr 20 min

Battletome Vol 1: Warcry Review and Our Miniatures Gaming and Hobby Projects

Enter, Ye Gods of War! In Volume One of Battletome, a podcast about the miniatures gaming hobby, Bender, Aaron and Jamie discuss all the games and hobby project they've been getting into lately including Aeronautica Imperialis, Kings of War: Armada, Warhammer 40,000 9th edition, Aaron's Kharadron Overlords Age of Sigmar Army, Don't Look Back, Blood Bowl Second Season and the Duncan Rhodes Painting Academy. Then Aaron and Jamie give a full review of Games Workshop's small model count, fantasy ski...

Dec 30, 20201 hr 42 min

Express 68: Holiday Gift Giving with Rodney Smith of Watch It Played

In episode 67 Jamie, Don and Chris are joined by their great friend Rodney Smith of Watch It Played to talk about what they've been up to this holiday season, how to give great gifts to the gamers in their lives and some of the best gifts they've given and received in the past. From all of us here at the Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast, we hope you have a wonderful, joyous, and safe holiday season!

Dec 23, 20201 hr 7 min

Episode 221: Altar Quest, Cthulhu Death May Die and A Potpourri of Short Topics of Yesteryear Extravaganza

Hey Now and Happy Holidays Cabalists! In the holiday special of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast the Founders start out talking about Steve's Facebook and delivering Grub Hub woes and discuss a bunch of games the group’s been playing including Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Chronicles of Crime Welcome to Redview, New York Zoo, Honey Buzz and Dixit. Then sandwiched between our famous holiday tunes the founders hook you up with a feature review of Altar Que...

Dec 16, 20203 hr 15 min

Lords of the Dungeon 45: Fantasy Grounds, Maturing as Gamers and Collaborative Worldbuilding

In episode 45 the Lords start out by updating their throughs on online gaming during the pandemic and talk about the software they've been using to game - Fantasy Grounds on Steam. Then the gang takes a question from a listener about maturing as a role player - Where as it used to be fun to fight and argue during game, it's not more fun to get along and be cooperative. Then the show is closed with a discussion about Collaborative Worldbuilding and how it might inject some much-needed energy into...

Dec 09, 20201 hr 2 min

Episode 220: Viscounts of the West Kingdom and The Sins of the Rulebook

Hey Now Cabalists! The gang is back for another nonsense filled episode of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast. Today we start out hearing Tony's complaints about Kickstarter and discuss some games we've been playing including Altar Quest, Dune Imperium, Smartphone, Inc, Charterstone, Unmatched, and King’s Dilemma. Then the crew jumps into our feature review of Viscounts of the West Kingdom designed by Shem Phillips and published by Renegade Games. Tony T, as always, throws down the best damned news...

Dec 02, 20203 hr

Express 67: Trend Setters and Unique Board Games For Your Collection

In episode 67 Don and Jamie get together to talk about board games that set the trends and revolutionized board game design and some that have stood the test of time and some that have faded into obscurity. Then we list of some of the most unique games we have played that you might want to add to your collection.

Nov 25, 20201 hr 10 min

Episode 219: The Castles of Tuscany, Coloma and Outdated and Innovative Mechanisms in Game Design

Good morning and happy Wednesday to all of you wonderful Cabalists out there! Today we dive into talking about the games we've been playing including: Whistle Mountain, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Beyond the Sun, Pan Am, Gloom Digital and Raiders of the North Sea Digital. Don, Jamie and Chris hook you up with a feature review of Stefan Feld's newest creation, The Castles of Tuscany from Ravensburger and we take a look back at Coloma by Jonny Pac and published by Final Frontier Games. Then Tony T manag...

Nov 18, 20203 hr

Lords of the Dungeon 44: Dungeons and Dragons Video Games, An OP Character and Playing Rogues in Fantasy Campaigns

In episode 44, Jamie starts out by talking a little bit about Baldur's Gate 3 now in early access on Steam and the gang reminisces about some old Dungeons and Dragons video games they've played in the past. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding dealing with a player character that is lovingly known as "Cheat Code" because he is so overpowered. Then the group gives into a discussion about playing Rogues in roleplaying games and the various archetypes they enjoy playing.

Nov 11, 202059 min

Episode 218: Lost Ruins of Arnak, Everdell and A Short Topic Extravaganza

It's time for another wild and crazy episode of The Secret Cabal! And today the gang takes a look at a slew of games including Haunted Mansion Call of the Spirits, Barrage, Curious Cargo, Small World and Black Orchestra. Then Chris and Jamie feature review Lost City of Arnak from CGE and the whole gang looks back at Everdell from Starling Games one year later. Then after Tony T regales us with his informative news segment, the guys take questions from the listeners including our favorite game me...

Nov 04, 20202 hr 56 min
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