Liz Davidson

Beyond Solitaire

About the show

A podcast all about going not just Beyond Solitaire, but beyond the board! Join your host, Liz Davidson, for interviews that touch on gaming history, historical games, and the cultural significance of the games we play.

Newest episodes

Episode 256 - James Hunter and Dan Jolin on Senet Magazine

Nov 9, 2026 1 hr 20 min

This week on the pod, James Hunter and Dan Jolin, the minds behind Senet Magazine, discuss their work together and their mutual desire to elevate board games as an art form. https://senetmagazine.com/ Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 255 - Brandon Blackburn on Emergent Gaming Communities

Nov 2, 2026 54 min

This week on the pod, Brandon Blackburn, who is completing his Ph.D. on how gaming communities form around their passions, drops by to discuss his own forays into Chess, speedrunning, and RPG communities. Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 254 - Jason Walonoski on Gaming Ancient Greece

Oct 26, 2026 57 min

This week on the pod, Jason Walonoski drops by to discuss Epipolae, Rowing to Hades, and the joys of gaming Greek naval battles. https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1066-epipolae-the-athenian-expedition-in-sicily-415-413-bce.aspx Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

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All episodes

The newest 50 of 256 episodes

Episode 256 - James Hunter and Dan Jolin on Senet Magazine

Nov 9, 2026 1 hr 20 min

Episode 255 - Brandon Blackburn on Emergent Gaming Communities

Nov 2, 2026 54 min

Episode 254 - Jason Walonoski on Gaming Ancient Greece

Oct 26, 2026 57 min

Episode 253 - Alisha Volkman on The Game Crafter

Oct 19, 2026 46 min

If you've ever needed to print a nice prototype, The Game Crafter has probably been a part of your life. This week on the pod, Alisha Volkman drops by to discuss what the service can do for anyone hoping to do anything from print an early prototype to produce a small print run. Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 252 - Jeremiah McCall on Historical Problem Spaces

Oct 12, 2026 51 min

This week on the pod, Jeremiah McCall returns to update us on the publication of his new book, Designing Historical Games for Classrooms, and how he uses historical problem spaces to inspire and inform game design for himself and for his students. Jeremiah's book: https://www.routledge.com/Designing-Historical-Games-for-Classrooms-A-Practical-Guide-for-Educators/McCall/p/book/9781032595955 Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 251 - Gene Koo on Ephemerality in Games

Oct 5, 2026 58 min

This week on the pod, Gene Koo, designer of The Bonsai Diary and co-designer of Color Jam, drops by to discuss his paper-heavy game designs and an upcoming PAXU event devoted to unpublishable games. Check out Color Jam on KS: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lunarpunkgames/colorjam Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 250 - Ed Beach on Designing Historical Series

Sep 28, 2026 1 hr 2 min

This week on the pod, Ed Beach drops by to talk about designing historical board games such as Here I Stand and Virgin Queen, about being both a contributor to and an originator of a game series, and a bit about his work on Civilization. Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 249 - Sabrina Culyba on Transformational Gaming

Sep 21, 2026 50 min

This week on the pod, Sabrina Culyba of Ludoliminal drops by to discuss both her current company and her past as a designer of transformational video games--games designed to impact the players in life, and not just within the game. https://ludoliminal.com/ Download the book: https://www.transformationalframework.com/product/book-pdf/ Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 248 - Isaac Vega on Rose Gauntlet Entertainment

Sep 14, 2026 57 min

This week on the pod, veteran game designer Isaac Vega discusses Rose Gauntlet Entertainment, which he co-founded with Lindsey Rode, and its associated charitable foundation. rosegauntlet.com Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 247 - Alita Robertson on Kart

Sep 7, 2026 55 min

This week on the pod, Alita Robertson, Developer and Producer at Leder Games, drops by to discuss Kart--our upcoming game about kids having a downhill kart race through the neighbors' yards. It's excellent. Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ledergames/kart?utm_source=LederGames&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=KartKS Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 246 - Mark Diaz Truman on RPG vs. Board Game Design

Aug 31, 2026 1 hr 8 min

This week on the pod, Mark Diaz Truman of Magpie Games drops by to discuss the Root RPG, RPGs in general, and his recent adventures in board game design. https://magpiegames.com/ Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 245 - C. Thi Nguyen on Playing for the Right Reasons

Aug 24, 2026 1 hr 0 min

This week on the pod, Professor C. Thi Nguyen (@add-hawk.bsky.social) pops by to discuss his work on games, why we play them, and how dangerous it is to wind up playing by someone else's rules. Check out his books, Games: Agency as Art and The Score to learn more! You can also find him at https://objectionable.net/ Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 244 - Alice and Jessica Hong on FamBam Games

Aug 17, 2026 56 min

This week on the pod, sisters Alice and Jessica Hong drop by to discuss FamBam Games, the company they started together, and the process of making games that delight both their own large family and families around the world. https://fambam.games/ Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 243 - Morten Monrad Pedersen on Solo Design

Aug 10, 2026 54 min

This week on the pod, Morten Monrad Pedersen, head of the Automa Factory and designer of Skoventyr and Shajarat, discusses his takes on solo game design and what solo gaming means to him. https://automafactory.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 242 - Megan Rhodes Victor on Archaeogaming as Scholarly Play

Aug 3, 2026 58 min

This week on the pod, Prof. Megan Rhodes Victor (@archaeovictor.bsky.social) discusses her new edited volume, Archaeogaming as Scholarly Play, and her work as an archaeologist in the real world--and in video game settings. How do we note the passage of time and find meaning in digital worlds? She would be the one to ask. She can be found on Instagram as @archaeologicalvictor and on YouTube under the same handle. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 241 - Aaron Trammell on How D&D Changed the Way We Play

Jul 27, 2026 58 min

For the Season 13 opener, Aaron Trammell drops by to discuss his new book, How Dungeons & Dragons Changed the Way We Play. It's a fascinating look into the issues that come with quantifying bodies as a collection of stats, the religious ideas that went into the game, and more. The book will be out from Duke University Press in September: https://dukeupress.edu/how-dungeons-dragons-changed-the-way-we-play Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 240 - Shelly Jones on Board Game Cozy Mysteries

Jun 8, 2026 54 min

This week on the pod, Dr. Shelly Jones drops by to discuss their work as a scholar who incorporates games and RPGs into their work--and their career as an author who has written a series of cozy mysteries set at a game store. https://shellyjonesauthor.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Bluesky: @beyondsolitaire.bsky.social Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 239 - Denver Walker on Flying Pig Games

Jun 1, 2026 51 min

This week on the pod, Denver Walker comes by to discuss her life as a co-owner and CEO of a wargame company, as well as her own game designs. https://flyingpiggames.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 238 - Amabel Holland on Swords Against - Beginner's Box

May 25, 2026 1 hr 2 min

This week on the pod, Amabel Holland comes by to discuss her upcoming game--if it can be so called--and the mysteries that it holds. I am very excited to play it. https://hollandspiele.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 237 - David Thompson on Managing Multiple Designs

May 18, 2026 1 hr 0 min

This week on the pod, David Thompson drops in for our seasonal check-in! We discuss the progress of our games together, check in on David's work with several other co-designers, and discuss the status of our design philosophies in general. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 236 - Tilak Vyas on Line by Line

May 11, 2026 45 min

This week on the pod, Tilak Vyas drops by to talk about his poetry game, Line by Line, that is forthcoming from Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 235 - Ari Shapiro and Alyssa Stevenski on Library Gaming

May 4, 2026 53 min

This week on the pod, I chat with Alyssa and Ari, who coordinate gaming programs for teens in my local county library system. Some of them even include me! Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 234 - Paul and Liz on the Evolution of Foxes & Lions

Apr 27, 2026 1 hr 2 min

This week on the pod, Paul Wright and I discuss Foxes & Lions, how it has developed over the past year or so, and what we're excited about next. Also, it's on P500! Go support it here: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1229-foxes-and-lions-renaissance-city-states-in-the-age-of-machiavelli.aspx Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 233 - Waleed Ma'arouf on Design at Asmodee

Apr 20, 2026 1 hr 6 min

This week on the pod, Waleed Ma'arouf, a designer at Studio Big, discusses their work in education, how they joined the Arkham Horror LCG design team, and their current design work for a fresh crop of games. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 232 - Esther Wright on Rockstar Games and American History

Apr 13, 2026 1 hr 1 min

This week on the pod, Dr. Esther Wright (@enwright.bsky.social), a lecturer at the University of Cardiff, speaks about her work on Rockstar Games, the way they represent American history, and what we can learn from the stories they tell about America and themselves. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 231 - Brooks Barber on Hawk & Dove

Apr 6, 2026 53 min

This week on the pod, Brooks Barber (rollplusfun@bsky.social) drops by to discuss his new venture, Hawk & Dove. He's starting a new historical games publishing business, moving his family to the Netherlands, and still designing games! https://www.hawkanddovegames.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 230 - Danielle Reynolds on Mass Market Design

Mar 30, 2026 53 min

This week on the pod, Danielle Reynolds (@tokengaymer.bsky.social) stops by to discuss her game design career, her current work at Relatable, and her dedication to paying it forward. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 229 - Taylor Shuss on Walkable City

Mar 23, 2026 54 min

This week on the pod, Taylor Shuss drops by to discuss his new game, Walkable City, which is all about urban planning. We also catch upon his historical designs and talk about design in general! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fowers/walkable-city-the-urban-planning-boardgame Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 228 - Joe Dewhurst on The Pure Land

Mar 16, 2026 57 min

This week on the pod, Joe Dewhurst discusses his upcoming game, The Pure Land, as well as his continued work as a game developer and COIN solo mode expert. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 227 - Shadi Torbey on inPatience

Mar 9, 2026 1 hr 2 min

Shadi Torbey, designer of the legendary Oniverse series, talks solo game design, running his own company, and being an opera singer. https://inpatience.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 226 - Bree Woodward on Creative Direction

Mar 2, 2026 58 min

This week on the pod, Bree Woodward of Asmodee's Studio Big drops by to discuss her current work as a creative director, how she got her start in video games, and her commitment to Women in Toys. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 225 - Dan Bullock on Penitent

Feb 23, 2026 1 hr 2 min

This week on the pod, Dan Bullock drops into talk about Penitent, a new release from Lock Horns, his game press. We also discuss game developers and our mutual hatred of dice. If you want Penitent, there are only 200 copies and you can preorder one here: http://lockhornsgames.com/products/penitent Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 224 - Jason Morningstar on The Blue Way

Feb 16, 2026 51 min

This week on the pod, Jason Morningstar joins me to talk about good RPG design and about his new edition of The Blue Way, forthcoming from Central Michigan University. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 223 - Pam Walls on Independent Game Design

Feb 9, 2026 1 hr 12 min

This week on the pod, I speak with @PamWallsGameDesign about game design, making life work as a full-time independent game designer, and that time she made a game for Bush's chili. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 222 - Jeremiah McCall on Designing Historical Games for Class

Feb 2, 2026 1 hr 2 min

This week on the pod, Jeremiah McCall returns to talk about the publication of his book, Designing History Games for Class. We also chat about his current educational designs, and about how he assigns game design projects to his students so that they learn more about history. https://gamingthepast.net/about/ Register for Kathleen Mercury's course, Deep Dive by Doing: https://cmichpress.com/product/course-registration-for-deep-dive-by-doing/ Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 221 - Diana Toma on Meeple Foundry

Jan 26, 2026 1 hr 0 min

Welcome to Season 12 of the Beyond Solitaire podcast! To kick things off, Diana Toma from Meeple Foundry is here to talk about translation, graphic design, and building an international team to work on games. Register for Kathleen Mercury's course, Deep Dive by Doing: https://cmichpress.com/product/course-registration-for-deep-dive-by-doing/ Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 220 - Adam Blinkinsop on Echo from the Dark

Dec 8, 2025 1 hr 1 min

For the Season 11 finale, designer and developer Adam Blinkinsop (@blinks.itch.io) talks about development for GMT, his approach to game design, and his current project: Echo from the Dark. P500: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1144-echo-from-the-dark.aspx I have a game of my own up on Gamefound right now! Check out Queen of Spies, a solo game I co-designed with David Thompson: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/saltandpepper/queen-of-spies The Cracked Mirror: https://cmichpress.com/product/fyov-duet/ Art & System: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/art-system-games-for-expanded-play Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 219 - Ted Caya on Take

Dec 1, 2025 52 min

This week on the pod, Ted Caya of Leder Games drops in to talk about his upcoming game, Take. Learn all about heists, why they are such oddly charming crimes, and how Ted translated that into board game form. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/take-game/take The Cracked Mirror: https://cmichpress.com/product/fyov-duet/ Art & System: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/art-system-games-for-expanded-play Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 218 - Jaysen Headley (Ezeekat) on Book + Game Coverage

Nov 24, 2025 1 hr 8 min

This week on the pod, Jaysen Headley, aka Ezeekat, drops in to talk about his live as both a booktoker and a maker of board game videos. And, more recently, his imprint with Bindery, which gives him the opportunity to bring cool books into the world. The Cracked Mirror: https://cmichpress.com/product/fyov-duet/ Art & System: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/art-system-games-for-expanded-play Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 217 - Carlos Ureta on the Art of Queen of Spies

Nov 17, 2025 49 min

This week on the pod, David Thompson and I had the illustrator for our game, Carlos Ureta, on to discuss his work with us. Thanks to him and to his colleagues at Meeple Foundry, our game looks great, if I do say so myself. Find him on Instagram at @carlosu.g to see more of his work. Queen of Spies comes to Gamefound on Dec. 4 and can be found here: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/saltandpepper/queen-of-spies The Cracked Mirror: https://cmichpress.com/product/fyov-duet/ Art & System: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/art-system-games-for-expanded-play Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 216 - Fertessa Allyse on Designing for IPs

Nov 10, 2025 51 min

This week on the pod, Fertessa Allyse (@fertessa.bsky.social), game designer and veteran of Prospero Hall, talks about how she got started in game design, what it's like to work on a large team, and how to design games for kids. The Cracked Mirror: https://cmichpress.com/product/fyov-duet/ Art & System: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/art-system-games-for-expanded-play Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 215 - Ricky Royal on Deckers and Oath

Nov 3, 2025 58 min

Ricky is back on the podcast to talk about his recent work, our recent work together, and solo design in general! If you haven't checked out his channel recently, head over to Box of Delights on YouTube for some solo gaming goodness. The Cracked Mirror: https://cmichpress.com/product/fyov-duet/ Art & System: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/art-system-games-for-expanded-play Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 214 - Hannah Fair on Playing with the Anthropocene

Oct 27, 2025 44 min

This week on the pod, Hannah Fair, who studies the way humans impact the environment, discusses an article she wrote about how islands and the humans who inhabit them are presented in board games. The article: https://islandstudiesjournal.org/article/84743-playing-with-the-anthropocene-board-game-imaginaries-of-islands-nature-and-empire Art & System: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/art-system-games-for-expanded-play Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 213 - Gonzalo Maldonado on Salt & Pepper Games

Oct 20, 2025 1 hr 0 min

This week on the pod, Gonzalo Maldonado, one of the co-founders of Salt & Pepper Games, drops by to talk about how he became a game publisher and how his business has developed. (@saltandpeppergames.bsky.social) Salt & Pepper will be publishing David Thompson's and my second design, Queen of Spies. It goes live on Gamefound Dec. 4: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/saltandpepper/queen-of-spies Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 212 - Rachel Billingsley on Marketing at GMT

Oct 13, 2025 51 min

In this episode, Rachel Billingsley drops by to talk about her work as Director of Marketing at GMT and what it's like to be part of a family wargame business. Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 211 - Carly Kocurek on Coin-Operated Americans

Oct 6, 2025 51 min

This week on the pod, Dr. Carly Kocurek (@sparklebliss.bsky.social) drops by to discuss the rise of arcade culture--and how we came to assume that video games are for boys, despite evidence to the contrary. Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 210 - Liam Liwanag Burke on Dog Eat Dog

Sep 29, 2025 1 hr 8 min

This week, Liam Liwanag Burke, designer of Dog Eat Dog, drops by to discuss his game. A new edition is on the way from Central Michigan University as part of their new Art & System series. https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/b2acaafc-6009-4565-9ef4-54b97b09e193/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 209 - Efka Bladukas on Game Coverage as Story

Sep 22, 2025 1 hr 3 min

Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 208 - Pat Harrigan on Zones of Control

Sep 15, 2025 54 min

This week on the pod, I am joined by Pat Harrigan, who has published several academic volumes about games--most recently Zones of Control, which is co-edited with podcast alum Matthew Kirschenbaum. https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547925/zones-of-control/ Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 207 - Clifford Ando on the Humanities Crisis at UChicago

Sep 8, 2025 1 hr 2 min

This week on the pod, Professor Clifford Ando of The University of Chicago drops by to talk about the effects of cutting humanities programs. As historical games enthusiasts, we should care about this issue. One article: https://www.compactmag.com/article/the-crisis-of-the-university-started-long-before-trump/ Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/ Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @beyondsolitaire Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

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Episode 256 - James Hunter and Dan Jolin on Senet Magazine

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Podcast details

Created by: Liz Davidson
Status: Active
Latest episode: Nov 9, 2026
Episodes: 256
Release period: Weekly
Avg. episode length: 58 min
Explicit: No
Language: English

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