Hey Now Cabalists! In Express 106, Tony, Don, and Jamie get together to discuss who they would carve into the side of a mountain to represent the tabletop gaming industry and community. Each of the Founders have very different criteria they used to make their list and each provide their own lineup of four iconic personalities who they feel should be immortalized in stone.
Good morning and happy Wednesday, Cabalists! Today the gang kicks things off by spotlighting Erik the Cabalist's homebrew Runebound scenario, packed with Secret Cabal references. Then they dive into the games they've been playing, including Baseball Highlights 2045, Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game, Obsession, Explorers of Navoria, Trick Shot, and a featured review of Moon from Haakon Gaarder. After Tony T's award-winning news segment, the gang launches into a discussion about hooks in board gaming - the things that get us fired up to try new games. Baseball Highlights 2045: 00:05:37, Metal Gear Solid The Board Game: 00:14:09, Obsession: 00:26:08, Explorers of Navoria: 00:38:34, Trick Shot: 00:46:18, Moon: 00:58:56, News with Tony T: 01:27:20, The Hook: 02:21:09. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/.
Hey now Cabalists and welcome to episode 318! Today don and Jamie lament how well are South County Brewing Company game night is growing and invite all the local caballos to join us. Then the gang dives into a bunch of games they've been playing including Rise and Fall, The Manhattan Project Energy Empire, Expeditions with Gears of Corruption, Massive Darkness 2 Hellscape, Tower Up and feature Beyond the Horizon by Dennis K. Chan. Then after Tony T gives us the best damn news program in the biz, we take some listener questions including how to plan games for a gaming weekend, how do we keep things fresh, and what are some great dad games. Rise and Fall: 00:05:42, The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire: 00:17:06, Expeditions : 00:22:04, Massive Darkness 2 Hellscape: 00:33:47, Tower Up: 00:39:17, Beyond the Horizon: 00:50:43, News with Tony T: 01:25:32, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:12:01. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/.
Hey Now Cabalists! In this month's Secret Cabal Express, Don and Jamie discuss the Three Bears of board gaming. Everybody knows the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and how everything in that house was either too big or too small or too hot or too cold... Well, Don and Jamie talk about some of the board games they love that have one weird little flaw. Maybe they're too complex, or too fancy, or maybe just a little too short. And then talk about some that are just right!
Hey now and welcome, Cabalists! Today, Steve gives an awesome movie recommendation based on the popular social deduction game Werewolves of Miller's Hollow! Then we cruise right into some of the great games we've been playing, including Finspan, Guards of Atlantis II, On Mars, Teotihuacan, Bloodstones, and a feature review of Brass Birmingham from the great Martin Wallace. Then, after Tony T's world-famous news segment, the gang talks about what makes an enduring classic. Finspan: 00:05:36, Guards of Atlantis II: 00:14:44, On Mars: 00:24:02, Teotihuacan: 00:36:36, Bloodstones: 00:43:23, Brass Birmingham: 00:53:36, News with Tony T: 01:28:53, Enduring Classics: 02:14:51, Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/.
Good morning and happy Friday Cabalists! Sorry the episodes late but Jamie has been sick as a dog all week long but the show is finally here. Today we dive into a bunch of games we've been playing including Chaosmos, QE, Box One, Revive, Tower Up presented by Dan King the Game Boy Geek and feature Evertstone Discovering Ignis from Sam McDavitt. Then after Tony T's world renown new segment we host another Short Topic Extravaganza with questions including how long is too long? How much does theme matter? And how the hell do you use BoardGameGeek? Chaosmos: 00:05:08, QE: 00:14:52, Box One: 00:22:52, Revive: 00:27:28, Tower Up with Dan King the Game Boy Geek: 00:40:42, Everstone Discovering Ignis: 00:55:31, News with Tony T: 01:27:05, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:31:43, Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/ and don't forget to use the promo code SECRETSETI at checkout. And please support our great friend Dan King the Game Boy Geek on Kickstarter today! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gameboygeek/game-boy-geek-season-13-2025
Board games are getting more expensive! Don, Chris, and Jamie get together to talk about the value of the hobby they've chosen. The group talks about gauging perceived value, the psychology of board game pricing, luxury and upgraded board games, crowdfunding, the fear of missing out, and what really matters to get the most out of your dollar.
Hey now Cabalists! Today the game kicks off the show by moaning and complaining about all their problems but get right into the gaming with Ostia Pirates Expansion, Forest Shuffle, Ticket to Ride, Fled, Rebirth, and a feature review of Freedom Five A Sentinels Comics Board Game. Then Stevie S takes over for Tony T to give you all of the most important news from around the tabletop community. Then the Founders finish off the show with a discussion about mastering board games. Ostia Pirates Expansion: 00:04:15, Forest Shuffle: 00:10:51, Ticket to Ride: 00:19:49, Fled: 00:26:47, Rebirth: 00:32:23, Freedom Five: 00:42:10, News with Stevie S: 01:16:32, Mastering A Game Discussion: 02:11:50, Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/ and don't forget to use the promo code SECRETSETI at checkout.
The episode starts off with a bang as Steve talks about his experience eating at PornHub and Chris scolds Tony for forcing him to buy a Squatty Potty. We then unfortunately move on to the board games we've been playing including River of Gold, Chu Han, Andromeda’s Edge, Creature Caravan, Cthulhu Death May Die Fear of the Unknown, and feature Atlantis Exodus, a new one coming down the pike from Capstone games! Then Tony T gives you the best damn table top gaming News segment in the history of tabletop gaming news segments. And finally, the gang takes questions from the listeners with topics including what are the current go-to gateway Games? How do you guys make all those noises at the beginning of the extravaganza? And what are your irrational biases? Atlantis Exodus Review 01:04:03, News with Tony T 01:34:19, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:34:15. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/ and don't forget to use the promo code SECRETSETI at checkout.
Today, Jamie is joined by Honorary Founder Rodney Smith to chat about their adventures into a variety of exciting new hobbies. They kick things off with a dive into the immersive world of tabletop wargaming, teasing their upcoming trip to Washington, DC, for the highly anticipated Circle DC convention. From there, they segue into their shared love for vinyl collecting, swapping stories about some of their all-time favorite albums. Naturally, no hobby chat would be complete without a detour into the realm of coffee and espresso, a passion both share with great enthusiasm. Finally, they wrap things up with a lively discussion about Rodney’s latest obsession: Gunpla. Rodney's enthusiasm is so contagious that, despite Jamie's resistance, it’s only a matter of time before he’s fully drawn into the world of Gundam model building.
Hey Now Cabalists! The Founders are back on the day before the day of Steve's birth - so everyone jump over to the Discord and wish him a happy birthday! The gang talks about a bunch of games that they've been playing including Age of Innovation, Unsettled, Divide et Impera, Mille Fiori, How Do you Doodle and feature SETI Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence from Tomas Holek and Czech Games Edition. Then Tony T whips up a whirlwind of wonder with his wonderful news segment. And finally the gang discusses the 2024 Shelf of Shame Challenge and challenges themselves again with a new batch of games. SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Review 00:56:56, News with Stevie S 01:39:42, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:41:55
Hey Now and Happy New Year Cabalists! 2025 kicks off with AC from Lords of the Dungeon sitting in for Tony T as he's traveling for the holiday. We dive into a bunch of games we've been playing including Star Trek Captains Chair, Great Western Trail New Zealand, Clank Catacombs, Fallout, Compile Main 1, and feature Endeavor Deep Sea designed by Carl de Visser and Jarratt Gray and published by Burnt Island Games. Stevie S takes over Tony T's newsman role for the day and gives you all the most important news stories from the tabletop gaming world. Then finally the gang takes questions from listeners including games we cant get to the table but refuse to get rid of, the TV shows we recommend, and how our hobby habits have changed over the years. Endeavor Deep Sea Review 00:52:36, News with Stevie S 01:30:36, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:26:25
Hey Now and Season's Greetings Cabalists! It times for the 13th annual Secret Cabal Holiday Special! Today the Founders dive into their stories from PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia and discuss the games they've been playing including Civolution, Dominion, Endeavour Deep Sea, Portmanteau and feature Doggerland from Super Meeple. Then after Tony T throws out the jolliest tabletop gaming news segment in history the gang goes wild with the ever-popular Newlywed Game Founders Edition! Doggerland Review 01:03:47, News with Tony T 01:41:14, Newlywed Game 02:36:26
Hey now Cabalists! For those of you are on your way to Pax Unplugged in Philadelphia today, we're happy to fill your ear holes with another episode of the Cabal while you travel! First off, The Founders dive into a bunch of games we've been playing including Undaunted 2200 Callisto, Wrath of Fire Mountain, Darwin’s Journey, Kelp Shark vs Octopus, Raising Robots, and a feature review of Fromage from Road To Infamy Games. Then Tony T gives you one of the best damned tabletop gaming news segments that's ever been produced. And finally, the gang takes questions from listeners including am I crazy for rebuying the same game multiple times and what do I do about my philistine friends. Enjoy! Fromage 00:55:29, News with Tony T 01:32:59, Peak Froth 02:19:33
Today, Don, Tony, and Jamie dive headfirst into the remarkable world of Ryan Laukat, the visionary game designer, artist, and founder of Red Raven Games. Together, they explore a wide range of his celebrated games, highlighting their unique elements and discuss how Ryan and his his creative partner and wife, Malorie, have evolved and perfected their design philosophy over the years.
Hey now amazing Cabalists! It's Wednesday again and it's time for some more wild, crazy, and bombastic Cabal nonsense! Some of the games we talked about today include Nucleum, Wizards and Co, Harmonies, Deep Shelf, Aliens Another Glorious Day in the Corps and a feature review of Black Forest by the great Uwe Rosenberg. Then after Tony T feeds us all the news we need to hear the gang discusses what puts them in their happy place. What gets them to "Peak Froth". Black Forest 01:03:07, News with Tony T 01:33:49, Peak Froth 02:22:25
It's Wednesday again and the gang is back for more Cabal nonsense. In today's episode that Founders talk about Descent Legends of the Dark, Expeditions Gears of Corruption, Freedom Five, Alien Fate of the Nostromo, The Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle Earth and feature Creature Caravan from Red Raven Games and designed by Ryan Laukat. Then after Tony T throws some wild and crazy news your way the boys takes some listener questions including table hogs, games we just can't part with, and what Big Box editions do we want. Enjoy! Creature Caravan 00:50:23, News with Tony T 01:17:20, A Short Topic Extravaganza 02:01:44
Greetings, aficionados of the inexplicable! Gather round as Steve, Tony, Bender, Don, and Jamie embark on a journey through the thrilling realms of the unexplained. The gang dives into a lively discussion on belief and skepticism surrounding Bigfoot and other cryptids, exploring different views on their existence. They then shift gears to discuss extraterrestrial life, sharing perspectives on whether we’re alone in the universe. Finally, Jamie presents the tale of the Hopkinsville Goblins, sparking a deep-dive conversation into this infamous encounter and the mystery behind it. Today, we descend into the mystifying abyss, beckoning you to join us in The Secret Cabal Presents: The Mysteries of the Unknown. Cryptids 00:02:30, Extraterrestrials 00:21:26, Hopkinsville Goblins Story 00:39:16, Hopkinsville Goblins Discussion 00:59:31
Hey now Cabalists and happy 100th episode of The Secret Cabal Express! Today Don, Jamie, and Chris are celebrating Oktoberfest by swilling beer and listing our favorite games that released at Spiel 2024 in Essen Germany! It's a Polka-Fest here at the secret cabal and we're fired up! The only thing we're missing is a plate of bratwurst, pierogies, and sauerkraut! Kick back, pour a beer, and celebrate with the Founders. PROST!