Episodes
Look, before anyone starts - I looked it up and the plural of octopus is octopuses - so don't come here with your knock-off latin and claim it's "octopi". Now that's out of the way, On this episode of Sporadically Board we are joined by Kelp-Boy himself, Carl Robinson (or Karl Robinson, as I like to call him).  He's talking to us about his experiences with the scammers and ne'er-do-wells who have been selling fake copies of his extremely successful game, Kelp. We also talk about other stuff...
Published 11/10/24
Sometimes life gets so busy that you let time get away from you, and realize that it's been far too long since you've had a proper chat with a friend. Such has been the case with our guest who's been part the show since the very beginning, the lovely Matthew Jude. Quick hugs and hurried greetings at conventions aside, it's been a while since we've been able to spend a dedicated amount of time chatting with Matthew. Well, THAT ENDS NOW! On this very special episode of Blossom, Matthew chats...
Published 10/28/24
Hello everyone! While uploading this, I realized that I never named the last one. I'm taking suggestions on what the official title of Episode 113 should be. Leave those suggestions in the comments below. Also, here's another one! It discusses the Dice Tower Retreat. I remember very little about this recording since I've been to Las Vegas and Europe for over two weeks, and I just got home. It was recorded before I left. I'm pretty tired, and at this point I don't trust myself not to type...
Published 10/08/24
WARNING: Mike is not on this episode. Dan is left to host for himself. The results are predictable. Thankfully we have TWO guests to compensate!   Super-designer Frank West is here! We're especially appreciative as he's knees deep in the Kickstarter campaign for his upcoming game, Emberleaf! also, Super-human Luke Prior is here! We're especially appreciative as he's knees deep in spotted dick. Also, he works for Gamefound.   As I wasn't in this episode, I have no idea what they talked...
Published 09/23/24
The Yanks take over Manchester, England and things will never be the same! In this episode, Mike and Dan talk about: AireCon NW British Airways Them Prices (I assume. I can't remember exactly, but it's not like Dan WON'T complain about the cost of things) Meal Deals The fact that Boot's has the bougiest meal deals The superiority of Starbars Games? Also, we have the newest of our "Educating Evan" segments, where Dan's son Evan joins us to discuss his experiences at the convention. All of...
Published 09/09/24
Welcome to a VERY SPECIAL EPISODE of Sporadically Board. AireCon NW has just ended, and while Dan drove home with nary a care, Mike braved the horrors of British Airways and the Manchester Airport to eventually get home to the US. His luggage arrived days later. While at AireCon, Dan put together a cracking quiz show where Mike, Zee and Camilla (from The Dice Tower) represented the United States against the entire UK represented by Dan's ridiculous questions and the audience.  This battle...
Published 08/23/24
Can you believe it? We said we were going to do something, and we've actually stuck to it for a few episodes. You're going to need to rent a storage shed to contain all of the entertainment you're getting from us. In this episode we discuss: Gen Con AireCon Chaka Khan The Wrath of Khan There was a lot of other stuff too, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Also we recorded it yesterday, and I've forgotten most of it. PANDERING PLAZA: Please visit the Kickstarter preview page for Mike...
Published 08/11/24
Hold onto your hats as we're releasing podcasts thick and fast at the moment (well, this is the second this month anyway).  And in this episode we finally able to announce the date of our Kickstarter for "I Made You a Mixtape" - the game that Mike and I have been working on for the past two years.  Hurrah! If you would like to follow the project on Kickstater (and we would really really appreciate it if you did)  then you can do so by following this link: ...
Published 07/31/24
NEW FORMAT ALERT: In an attempt to always be on the cutting edge of podcast technology, Dan and I are trying a new format for the podcast. Don't worry, the same rambling, nonsensical claptrap you know and loathe remains, but it's just more condensed! NOW you can experience Mike and Dan in shorter bursts, more often. [pause for innuendo] We begin this new adventure here, at episode 108. To be honest, there's so much entertainment packed into these 50 minutes that it would have been...
Published 07/21/24
As you know, Dan and I like to keep things light and frothy in most circumstances (it's also the way Dan prefers his Venti, Quad, Half-Caff, Non-Fat, No Foam, Extra Hot, Peppermint, White Chocolate Mocha with Light Whip, 2 Pumps of Sugar-Free Vanilla, 1 Pump of Classic, a Dash of Cinnamon, a Splash of Soy Milk, Double Blended, with Chocolate Drizzle on Top and a Light Dusting of Matcha Powder order at Starbucks).   But on rare occasions, we need to get down to BUSINESS. You may not realize...
Published 06/22/24
We used to have guests on this podcast quite regularly. Then we didn't. Such are the vagaries of life. But sometimes. Sometimes you run across someone who's artistic vision is so pure and unsullied that you simply must invite them onto your podcast so that you can shove them back towards the mainstream, and crush any artistic joy they once had. Our guest this episode is the wonderful Taylor Reiner, who is the creator of the "Taylor's Trick Taking Table" You Tube channel that focuses on trick...
Published 05/26/24
Sound the trumpets! Ring the bells! Trim the hedges! Yes, it's time for another incomparable, inconceivable, incompetent epidode of Sporadically Board.   LISTEN - as Dan quizzes Mike about hip new phrases buzzing around the zeitgeist. YEARN - as Dan discusses the pleasures of cheese on Christmas Cake. QUIVER - as Mike elucidates on why he wants to be a guava. GENUFLECT - to the mailbag altar, spilling its contents all over the Internet. WEEP - at the omission of A Few Acres of Rubbish.
Published 04/27/24
Dan and I are known for our encyclopedic knowledge of most things in life. Board games? Sure. Puddings? Absolutely. Mechanical Engineering? Obviously. What many people don't realize is that we are also experts in AI technology and the societal and moral implications therein. Well, after this episode, there will be no question. Honorary Doctorates will assuredly be forthcoming. In addition to that, in this episode we also cover: "Horse or Human": Dan's new game show, soon airing on...
Published 03/25/24
Can it be so soon? It seems like only 2 months ago that a Sporadically Board episode came crashing through the Internet to wash over your earholes in a soothing wave. Well, it's true. We're back, and we come to you with a MAJOR EXCLUSIVE ANNOUNCEMENT!  You, our beloved listeners, are being given a worldwide exclusive announcement before it gets revealed to the teeming masses of the ignorant. You, just by virtue of having impeccable taste in podcasts, will be able to tease, infuriate, and...
Published 02/04/24
This episode was DEMANDED by the entire Board Game Snobs Community, and let me tell you, that guy was super annoying. Gaby and Jerry join us to talk about... ...honestly I have no idea. We played a couple of game shows, one by Dan and one by Jerry.  We talked about Jerry living in an area known primarily for death. We proposed ridiculous insurance claim scenarios for Gaby. Dan talked about windshield screens, whatever those are. I'm sure I talked about stuff. Also, Jerry got...
Published 12/06/23
After the multimedia extravaganza that was Episode 100, we keep the fireworks going by inviting first time guest and first time designer Carl Robinson. Carl has designed Kelp, a two-player asymmetrical game that offers players a unique opportunity to delve into the natural world of Pyjama Sharks and Common Octopuses, set in a South African kelp forest. Those were absolutely my words alone, and not a cut and paste from Board Game Geek. In addition to discussing the story behind that game,...
Published 10/17/23
Episode 99. You know how sometimes when there's some kind of big numerical milestone looming on a podcast, the episode just before it is a lackluster placeholder type of episode? Well, we were going to do that but Gaby was unavailable, so instead Dan and I come to you with this episode that is chock full of spicy, saucy, sassy, succulent, spectacular content. Also, lots of poop talk.   Tune in to hear... A BRAND NEW game that Dan actually prepared beforehand! A new segment called,...
Published 09/18/23
Well, what do you know? Another freshly baked episode comes piping hot out of the SpoBo oven, and it's ready for your hungry ears. I'd blow on it first if I were you, but I'll also understand if you're willing to char your canals if you just can't wait. In this episode, Mike and Dan discuss: Dan's bathroom renovation Dan's family vacation to Canterbury Dan's 5 star meal in Canterbury Uncle Ben's Mexican Rice (see above) 2 Falafel (see above above) Mike's globetrotting Gen Con Dan's can't...
Published 08/12/23
Episode 97! Three away from a major milestone. Although as we've said in the past, that number is slightly suspect in the sense that every one of our episodes is at least 4 times the length of our "peers". Also, we pack more into a single episode than our "peers" will in a year. Speaking of packing it in, in this episode we cover: Pirate Dads Sweet, Sweet New Merchandise and Logo Gen Con Preview Discussion Educating Evan Hughes on classic games Chest Hair I'd like to see our "peers" cover...
Published 07/17/23
Dan and Mike are recording with alarming frequency these days. Frankly, it seems suspicious if you ask me. However, as I'm one of the people participating and since I have no ulterior motive that I'm comfortable divulging, you'll all just have to go with us and enjoy the ride. And what a ride it is! On this episode, Dan and Mike discuss: The lie that is castor sugar. Why Dan's scones taste tangier than they should. The relationship between game designers and publishers. Also, we have a...
Published 06/12/23
Hot off the presses, here's episode 95! We invite special guest Ben Maddox of the fantastic Five Games For Doomsday podcast along for the ride, and what a ride it is. On this episode we discuss: Care Bears. The 2023 Spiel des Jahres Nominations. Mike's Root Canal. The many podcasts involving the participants that have lost the BGG Golden Geek Award, and how ultimately, the common denominator among them is Dan. Ben's new venture into RPGs, discussing both 1,000 Year Old Vampire, and also...
Published 05/30/23
In this episode, Mike and Dan discuss the Coronation of the King of England, (including Dan's taxes being used to fund it), and Free Comic Book Day!   We also discuss importing board games from parts of the world we don't live in, and mass market thriller novels.   You wanted your episdoes more frequent? Well, be careful what you ask for. Pretty soon we'll be like the Board Game Snobs and recording our shopping lists.
Published 05/07/23
Well, it's that time again. The time when all board game podcasts are pitted against each other in a no holds barred competition of bloodsport. Remember Bloodsport? With Claude Van Damme? They called him "The Muscles From Brussels". I digress. It's Golden Geek Awards time! While we like to be self-deprecating here at Sporadically Board, the truth is that Dan and I are proud that we've been able to keep this endeavor going for as many years as we have, and we still very much enjoy doing it....
Published 04/14/23
Mike talks about his upcoming move back to the Midwest. Dan talks about stealthily eating crisps while recording a professional podcast. Aire Con and Dice Tower West battle it out in a "Battle of the Board Game Conventions". Actually they don't. But that would have been an ace idea. Why didn't we think of that? Also, some games.
Published 03/20/23