Positively Board Gaming

• Therapeutic Benefits of Board Games and the Anticipation for Vantage

  What do anticipation and emotional connection have to do with board games? Everything. In episode 16 of Positively Board Gaming, hosts Mitchell Whitfield and Jamey Stegmaier share how board games help during hard times—and how the excitement of waiting for a new release like Vantage can be just as meaningful as playing it. This episode dives deep into the therapeutic value of gaming, the psychology behind pre-release hype, and the joy of comfort games. Jamie discusses his long-awaited game Vantage and what went into its carefully timed rollout. Mitchell opens up about how board game content helped him through medical challenges. Plus, hear their thoughts on new and upcoming titles like Roth, Tend, Runar, and more. If you’ve ever found joy in gaming when life felt heavy—or gotten giddy over a shipping notification—this one’s for you. 0:00 – Intro + Sweet 16 Celebration 2:45 – Launching Socials for the Show 5:30 – Sweet Treats: Fudge Cake & Crab Cake Hush Puppies 13:40 – Stonemaier Vantage Coins & Components 17:55 – Kinfire Chronicles: Final Thoughts 23:10 – Gaming Cruise + Fjord Games 29:45 – The Psychology of Anticipation 42:15 – Crowdfunding Projects We’re Excited About 52:30 – The Therapeutic Value of Gaming 1:02:15 – Comfort Games and Emotional Connection 1:11:50 – Community Call to Share Your Stories “Anticipation is its own kind of joy.” — Jamie Stegmaier “Board games were my therapy—my escape, my connection, my comfort.” — Mitchell Whitfield Vantage board game, Stonemaier Games Vantage, Kinfire Chronicles, board game therapy, comfort games, board game anticipation, board game hype, Roth Chip Theory, Tend IV Studio, Runar board game, gaming cruise, Fjord games, Linda’s Fudge Cake, therapeutic board games, board game psychology, board games under $50, games with great table presence, Mistborn board game, surprise game mechanics, best value board games, Dice Miner, Fire Tower game, 20 Strong game, Sushi Roll board game, Red Rising Stonemaier, Spots board game, Compile card game, tactile board games, beautiful board games, Stonemaier Games podcast, board games we played at 13, Daggerheart RPG, Critical Role, Daggerheart, nostalgic board games, Scotland Yard board game, Blarney board game, Magic The Gathering, board game memories, cooperative board games, RPGs vs board games, legacy games history, Dungeons and Dragons influence, Stonemaier Games podcast, board game stories, board game podcast, Jamey Stegmaier, Mitchell Whitfield, Board game reviews, board game unboxing, tabletop gaming, tabletop games, board games, board game design, game highlights, board game highlights, board game trivia, board game memories, game night tips, D&D, RPG, RPGs, RPG board games, rpg game reviews, rpg reviews, board game podcast, Watergate board game, historical board games, Comic Hunters game, Night of the Ninja, Fringe board game, NHL board game, board game design challenge, Stonemaier Games, Jamie Stegmaier podcast, punctuation in games, board game night treats

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• Historical Games...and Designing the Ultimate Board Game

  From grammar debates to nostalgic board game nights, this episode of Positively Board Gaming is full of surprises. Mitchell and Jamey kick off with s’mores Rice Krispie Treats and Trader Joe’s gummies, then dive deep into historical board games like Watergate, Comic Hunters, and Night of the Ninja. Plus, Mitchell pitches his dream board game based on the TV show Fringe and a fantasy NHL legacy game—complete with minis and an app! 0:00 – Grammar, commas & the Oxford Comma Society 5:20 – Treats of the day: s’mores Rice Krispie Treats & Trader Joe’s gummies 11:38 – Manicures, self-care, and pampering 17:55 – Game night recap: Night of the Ninja & Comic Hunters 27:00 – Topic of the day: Historical board games 31:15 – Watergate & thematic design challenges 42:20 – Fringe board game pitch: multiverse mechanics & asymmetry 53:00 – NHL legacy board game fantasy 1:00:32 – Call for listener ideas: What game would you ask Jamey to design? board games under $50, games with great table presence, Mistborn board game, surprise game mechanics, best value board games, Dice Miner, Fire Tower game, 20 Strong game, Sushi Roll board game, Red Rising Stonemaier, Spots board game, Compile card game, tactile board games, beautiful board games, Stonemaier Games podcast, board games we played at 13, Daggerheart RPG, Critical Role, Daggerheart, nostalgic board games, Scotland Yard board game, Blarney board game, Magic The Gathering, board game memories, cooperative board games, RPGs vs board games, legacy games history, Dungeons and Dragons influence, Stonemaier Games podcast, board game stories, board game podcast, Jamey Stegmaier, Mitchell Whitfield, Board game reviews, board game unboxing, tabletop gaming, tabletop games, board games, board game design, game highlights, board game highlights, board game trivia, board game memories, game night tips, D&D, RPG, RPGs, RPG board games, rpg game reviews, rpg reviews, board game podcast, Watergate board game, historical board games, Comic Hunters game, Night of the Ninja, Fringe board game, NHL board game, board game design challenge, Stonemaier Games, Jamie Stegmaier podcast, punctuation in games, board game night treats

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• Affordable Games with Great Table Presence and Surprises in Games

  Looking for games under $50 that still wow on the table? In this episode of Positively Board Gaming, Mitchell Whitfield and Jamey Stegmaier spotlight affordable board games with stunning table presence—and the surprise mechanics that keep them coming back for more. 0:00 – Introduction and mic mishaps 4:25 – Treat of the day: Ice cream and lemon blueberry cake 12:45 – Jamey’s Father’s Day, Mistborn, and surprise win conditions 25:02 – Game surprises and adventure games like Destinies 35:01 – Top 5 affordable games with table presence 36:30 – Honorable mentions: Spots & Red Rising 42:18 – #1: Fire Tower 44:05 – #2: 20 Strong 45:40 – #3: Dice Miner 47:10 – #4: Sushi Roll 48:35 – #5: Tiger and Dragon 51:02 – Jamey’s pick: Compile 54:15 – Final thoughts and listener feedback prompt “The card didn’t just let you win—it made you earn the win. That’s good design.” – Jamey Stegmaier “You don’t need to spend $150 to get a game that makes people stop and say: what is that?” – Mitchell Whitfield board games under $50, games with great table presence, Mistborn board game, surprise game mechanics, best value board games, Dice Miner, Fire Tower game, 20 Strong game, Sushi Roll board game, Red Rising Stonemaier, Spots board game, Compile card game, tactile board games, beautiful board games, Stonemaier Games podcast, board games we played at 13, Daggerheart RPG, Critical Role, Daggerheart, nostalgic board games, Scotland Yard board game, Blarney board game, Magic The Gathering, board game memories, cooperative board games, RPGs vs board games, legacy games history, Dungeons and Dragons influence, Stonemaier Games podcast, board game stories, board game podcast, Jamey Stegmaier, Mitchell Whitfield, Board game reviews, board game unboxing, tabletop gaming, tabletop games, board games, board game design, game highlights, board game highlights, board game trivia, board game memories, game night tips, D&D, RPG, RPGs, RPG board games, rpg game reviews, rpg reviews

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• Games we Played as Kids...and the Importance of D&D to the Hobby

  What board games were you playing when you were 13—and do they still hold up today? In Episode 13 of Positively Board Gaming, Mitchell Whitfield and Jamey Stegmaier explore their childhood favorites and dive deep into the nostalgic joy of games like Risk, Magic: The Gathering, Scotland Yard, and more. They also discuss how Dungeons & Dragons helped shape the modern tabletop landscape—and why RPGs like Daggerheart might be your next big adventure. From chocolate chip cookies and European vacations to tightrope walkers and collectible dice, this episode is packed with personal stories, gaming inspiration, and heartfelt moments. Whether you’re a legacy gamer or new to tabletop RPGs, you’ll find something to love in this conversation about memory, play, and connection. 0:00 – Welcome and pet memories 3:02 – Sweet Treat of the Day: Europe & vegan cookies 12:44 – Games we played at 13 21:55 – Scotland Yard, Bridge, and Blarney 28:20 – The lasting influence of D&D 37:05 – Daggerheart, Critical Role, and the RPG-board game crossover 47:19 – Easy-entry RPGs and hybrid board games 53:55 – Nostalgia, memory, and gaming joy 58:14 – Wrapping up with humor and gratitude board games we played at 13, Daggerheart RPG, Critical Role Daggerheart, nostalgic board games, Scotland Yard board game, Blarney board game, Magic The Gathering 90s, board game memories, cooperative board games, RPGs vs board games, legacy games history, Dungeons and Dragons influence, Stonemaier Games podcast, board game stories board games we played at 13, Daggerheart RPG, Critical Role, Daggerheart, nostalgic board games, Scotland Yard board game, Blarney board game, Magic The Gathering, board game memories, cooperative board games, RPGs vs board games, legacy games history, Dungeons and Dragons influence, Stonemaier Games podcast, board game stories, board game podcast, Jamey Stegmaier, Mitchell Whitfield, Board game reviews, board game unboxing, tabletop gaming, tabletop games, board games, board game design, game highlights, board game highlights, board game trivia, board game memories, game night tips, D&D, RPG, RPGs, RPG board games, rpg game reviews, rpg reviews

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• Starting a Board Game Collection...and Recommending Games

  What makes a great board game collection—and how do you start one without getting overwhelmed? In this episode of Positively Board Gaming, Mitchell and Jamey explore the joys and pitfalls of beginning a board game collection, and how weather (and s’mores) can’t stop a great game night. Despite a thunderstorm, 12 guests showed up for Jamey’s game night, prompting a heartfelt conversation about what motivates us to play—rain or shine. Mitchell dives into how to thoughtfully build a game collection from scratch, including practical tips on avoiding overwhelming purchases, playing with your group in mind, and choosing games that are fun, portable, and easy to table. The duo also exchange recent game night stories and sweet treats—from licorice-infused Icelandic chocolate, to s’mores-flavored Nothing Bundt Cakes. Jamey shares his first experience playing Night of the Ninja—a recommendation from Mitchell—and how the game’s rotating allegiances made it a hit. They wrap with reflections on the joy of recommending a game that really clicks and tease what’s to come in episode 13: their rebellious teenage phase. 0:00 – Intro banter & rebellious episode tease 2:12 – How bad does weather need to be to cancel game night? 8:19 – Game night food & the Nothing Bundt Cake experience 13:45 – Icelandic licorice chocolate and candy chat 19:20 – Starting your board game collection 30:25 – Jamey's first board games & Mitchell’s beginner picks 43:18 – Avoiding game overload and enjoying your collection 51:00 – The joy of recommending games that land 58:42 – Jamey finally plays Night of the Ninja 1:06:10 – Why rotating teams work so well 1:14:01 – What’s next & comments request “Just make sure you’re acquiring games at a pace that you’re able to enjoy.” — Mitchell Whitfield “I think one of the best feelings is recommending a game and watching it really click for someone.” — Jamey Stegmaier board game collection tips, beginner board games, Night of the Ninja review, how to start a board game collection, best gateway games, board game podcast, licorice chocolate Iceland, Nothing Bundt Cakes s’mores, social deduction games, family board games, board game podcast, Jamey Stegmaier, Mitchell Whitfield

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