Positively Board Gaming

• 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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• Geekway Highlights, and New-to-Us Games

  From Geekway to the West, to Biscoff KitKats from Iceland, Episode 11 is packed with joy, new discoveries, and heartfelt appreciation for the board gaming community. Mitchell Whitfield and Jamey Stegmaier reconnect after a tech-disaster hiatus to explore new-to-them games, the power of teaching games, and why the cost of fun doesn’t have to break the bank. After a brief break due to a tornado and a hack, Jamey and Mitchell are back — and they waste no time jumping into the things they love most: games and shared experiences. Jamey shares his experience at Geekway to the West, where he played 15 new games and taught 10 others, highlighting titles like Rajas of the Ganges: The Card Game, Panda Royale, and Nuns on the Run. Mitchell dives into his recent plays of Dixit, Comic Hunters, and The Witcher: Path of Destiny, emphasizing the joy of discovering new favorites and the emotional connection tied to nostalgic artwork and immersive storytelling. The episode also celebrates the unsung heroes of game nights — the people who patiently and passionately teach others how to play. [Chapters] 0:00 – Welcome Back + Life Updates 3:15 – Treats of the Day: KitKat from Iceland & Molcajete 9:55 – First Time Playing Dixit 16:32 – Geekway to the West Highlights 21:15 – Jamey’s Favorite Geekway Games 29:50 – The Joy of Teaching Games 34:12 – Comic Hunters Review 42:45 – The Witcher: Path of Destiny Impressions 50:30 – Cost vs. Value in Games 53:40 – Convention Tips & Snack Smuggling 57:50 – Wrap-Up & Listener Callout “You can’t dress up a game that doesn’t resonate with you.” — Mitchell “Fifteen new games in three days… and I’d do it again.” — Jamey “Teaching a game is one of the purest joys in this hobby.” — Mitchell Geekway to the West, Dixit board game, Comic Hunters review, Witcher Path of Destiny, Panda Royale game, Rajas of the Ganges card game, teaching board games, inclusive board game conventions, best games for game night, tableau building games, new to me board games, fun games for 8 players, budget board games, Biscoff KitKat, board game podcast, Jamey Stegmaier, Mitchell Whitfield

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• Underrated Games...and What Makes a Great Gateway Game?

  Double digits and double the fun! In episode 10 of Positively Board Gaming, Mitchell and Jamey celebrate reaching a milestone, share underrated game recommendations, and dive deep into what makes a great gateway game. 0:00 – Episode 10! Welcome & recording banter 2:15 – Sweet Treat of the Day: Queso Fundido & Milano cookies 10:40 – The impact of tariffs on board game shipping 24:00 – What makes a great gateway game? 42:10 – Jamie’s top 3 underrated board games 48:50 – Mitchell’s favorite overlooked game: Night of the Ninja 55:00 – Room to grow: How gateway games teach strategy over time 1:02:30 – Seven Wonders as a gateway game 1:07:45 – Game collecting & prepping to teach 1:13:00 – Jamie teases next week’s topic gateway board games, underrated board games, Dice Throne board game, Stonemaier Games, Jamie Stegmaier, Mitchell Whitfield podcast, Blob Party game, Night of the Ninja review, Mysterium Park game, Seven Wonders gateway, how to introduce people to board games, best beginner board games, board game shipping tariffs, board game collecting tips, hobby board gaming podcast, board game recommendations, board games, board game podcast

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