20 Sided Gamified Podcast

Episode #123: Mark Fry- Author of Future War Commander 2 by Pendraken Miniatures!

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:55:52 GMT

Folks- please enjoy this conversation with Mark Fry, author behind the newly updated Future War Commander 2, recently published by Pendraken Miniatures! I absolutely love these rules, haven't been playing them for a number of years. When I saw that Mark was working on a newly renovated version of the game, I knew that I had to contact Leon and get him on the show! We had a blast recording this one- please check out the link below to Pendraken's website. They have a ton of army lists and a whole line of miniatures to be used with the game.

https://www.pendraken.co.uk/

20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice!

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

Next, I am huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at:

https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #122: Jim Wallman, Director of Stone Paper Scissors LtD and Master of the Megagame!

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- Jim Wallman is such an important person in the field of wargaming, having decades of experience in a number of facets of the profession and the hobby. Following my interview with Evan D'Alessandro, Evan's first recommendation to me was getting Jim on the show, particularly to discuss his pioneering of the "mega-game", which can best be described (IMO) as roleplay gaming meets historical wargaming meets a classroom lesson for a beer and wings. He was a fantastic interview- please enjoy!

https://jimwallman.org.uk/

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #121: Adam Watson- Kentucky Educators for Role Playing Games

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Surprise! I wanted to drop this episode to support a colleague in the gaming world- Adam Watson and his organization, Kentucky Educators for Role Playing Gaming. Adam is an author of book called "Tabletop Role-Playing Games in the Classroom- Infusing Gameplay into K-12 Instruction", which provides support to teachers who want to use role playing in the classroom. As a teacher, I recognize how valuable this is, as well as the professional development opportunities Adam runs on a fairly consistent basis. We talked about various topics, including a workshop Adam is running on March 17th, 2026. He is a wonderful guy and someone I look forward to collaborating with in the future. Please enjoy the episode!

https://www.amazon.com/Tabletop-Role-Playing-Games-Classroom-Instruction/dp/1476697558

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #120: Rob and Karissa from Game Bard LLC!

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Folks- please enjoy this interview between two similar organizations- 20SG and Game Bard LLC! Simply put, Rob and Karissa are awesome. They are spectacular classroom teachers that have not only embraced game based learning, but continually share out their ideas in order to build community. In this episode, we talk through some games they've used in the classroom (teaching English), as well as some of the driving forces behind Game Bard LLC. With any luck, you'll see a collaboration between our two companies in the future! Have fun with this one, folks!

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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The Game Group Spoketh: Episode #3- Nemesis Debrief with Kelly and Gerard!

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Friends- a few weeks ago, the game club got together and tried out Nemesis, an absolutely fantastic board game set in a sci-fi/Alien Universe type of setting. We get into the nitty gritty of things and go through basic mechanics and formulas the game uses. Huge thanks to Kelly for bringing the game, and running it. Also, this episode was great in the sense that we got to introduce all of you to Gerard- a long running member of our Tuesday gaming group. Please enjoy the episode!

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #119: Interested in Game Design Courses at the College Level? A Chat with Veronica Gregory (Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations) and Greg Loring-Albright (Game Designer: Keep the Faith)

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Folks- this episode was a real treat, and no, the title is not there just to get you interested! CLGS is a program at Central Michigan University that gives students an opportunity to play games and simulations in a variety of courses, and earn a minor in Game Design. Moreover, CLGS publishes its own educational boardgames and has numerous titles under its belt. This includes Greg Loring-Albright's game, "Keep the Faith". In this episode, we chat with Greg about his design, and Veronica Gregory about CLGS, what it does, and where it is headed. With any luck, a few of us on the 20SG design team will get out there to see what their program is all about! More on that later!

https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #118: The OG of OG Games: Kriegspiel (and other topics) with Jan Heinemann!

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Folks- if you've ever wondered about the OG of OG wargames, Kriegspiel, this is the episode for you! While not our only topic, professional wargaming guru Jan Heinemann (letsplayhistory on Instagram) and I discuss professional wargaming, Jan's entry points into wargaming, and the importance of game based learning in the modern world. Jan was a great conversationalist, and I truly hope we end up in the same room at some point- doing what we love- integrating education and games as one! Please enjoy the episode, and click on the link below to find out more about Jan, his work, and interests as a gamer.

https://about.me/jheinemann

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #117: The Art of Running a Wargame w/ Award Winning, Master GM Jeff Wasilewski

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Happy New Year from 20SG! We're kicking off the New Year with a bang- a conversation with an absolute delight of a wargamer- Jeff Wailewski! Jeff is a true Renaissance Man with a background in law and acting, and for purposes of this show, will provide great advice and tips about running a wargame. Jeff has been honored numerous times for his half roleplay, half wargame convention games that steal the show at nearly every con. The conversation was a blast to have- please enjoy!

20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want access to 12 exclusive episodes that drop on the 30th of each month- shows that are orchestrated and designed by you, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC See you there, and don’t forget your dice!

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

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Episode #116: 2025 Holiday Episode w/Kelly McManus

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Surprise! Following each of our own holiday parties, Kelly and I decided to record an impromptu episode covering - well- whatever we wanted! We bantered about recent games, goals for 2026, and some highlights from 20SG's year. Please enjoy the recording- and be prepared for anything! See you soon!

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #115: Live with the Medieval Wargamer!

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Friends- Several weeks ago, we had the chance to speak with Nick "the Medieval Wargamer", who hosts a popular YouTube Channel dedicated to- you guessed it- medieval wargaming! Nick and I had have a lot in common, specifically when it comes to our taste in wargaming rules, so it made total sense to have him on the show. At some point or another, Kelly and I are going to guest on his channel (more on that at some point or another), to talk all things wargaming. I was really inspired by Nick's story, and given how successful his channel is, I surmise we're going to be seeing much more of him as the years go on. Please enjoy the episode!

https://www.youtube.com/@MedievalWargamer

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #114: Dice in Wargaming: A Conversation with Evan D'Alessandro

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Friends! Happy Holidays! I hope everyone here in the states had a great Thanksgiving. And for those of you not in the states happy......December? Kidding aside, I had a killer time interviewing Evan D'Alessandro, a Ph.d. student in the Department of War Studies at Kings College London. Besides being a great guy and an interesting chat, Evan has done a lot in the field of wargaming. He's design and large many large scale games, and his website is filled with great information about the world of professional wargaming. I previously met Evan at the Connections Conference this summer, where I saw him deliver a fascinating presentation on the role dice play in many of our games. It was one of those episodes that immediately sparked topics for 3 more- all of which I hope Evan will be part of. Please enjoy!

https://evandalessandro.com/

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #113: Ryan Schaaf: Game Based Learning at Notre Dame of Maryland University

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Friends- Please enjoy my conversation with "games" specialist and educator Ryan Schaaf. His resume is such that I decided to take his bio directly from his website to plug in directly for your reading pleasure. To say Ryan is accomplished is the understatement of the century. Have fun with this one!

Professor, Educator, Author, Speaker, Futurist, Lifelong Learner, Global Citizen

Ryan L. Schaaf is an associate professor of Educational Technology at Notre Dame of Maryland University and a graduate faculty member in the DALET program for the Johns Hopkins School of Education. Before higher education, Ryan was a public-school teacher, instructional leader, curriculum designer, and technology integration specialist in Maryland. In 2007, he was nominated as Maryland Teacher of the Year.

Ryan enjoys presenting sessions and workshops with passionate people about teaching the digital generations, modern-day teaching and learning skills, game-based learning, and emerging technologies, practices, and trends in education.

Ryan has published several research articles related to the use of digital games as an effective instructional strategy in the New Horizons for Learning and the Canadian Journal of Action Research.

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Episode #112: Wargaming Pioneer, Matthew B. Caffrey Jr.

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy our most recent podcast with a true pioneer in the field of wargaming- Matthew B. Caffrey Jr. Matt is one of the kindest guys you'll ever meet- super easy to talk to, with tremendous amounts of knowledge about wargaming at the highest levels. Some of his stories, which came out in this episode, are absolutely fascinating, and he is true gem in our small, niche world of wargaming. I first met Matt at this summer's Connections Conference, held in Maryland, where the 20SG team ran a demo of Challenge to Power: The Medieval World. Hysterically, and without knowing it, Matt's family were the first folks to chat with us about the game, and gave us some incredible feedback. The next day, I was able to connect with Matt- and here we are! Please enjoy the episode!

https://sites.google.com/view/matthew-b-caffrey-jr/home?authuser=0

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #111: Simon Miller- Innovator, Designer, and Wargamer!

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Podcast Listeners- this episode was definitely a bucket list interview! For the next 90 minutes, enjoy our conversation with wargames author Simon Miller. Most well known for "To the Strongest", Simon is an experienced gamer and rules designer who, in my humble opinion, has done a lot for the world of ancient, medieval, and renaissance miniature wargaming. While TTS can be played in a competitive environment, it's one of those systems that lends itself to narrative games, and feels more like an ancient battle compared with the more geometric games of the 80s and 90s. Simon is a prolific collector and has massive armies, and is a consistent presenter and game master at wargaming conventions across the UK. Also- you'll get to relive my trauma of playing DBA (which don't get me wrong, I do like!) as a child in the early 90s! Enjoy the episode!!! Huge thanks to Peter Anderson, who co-hosted the episode, and introduced me to TTS roughly 10 years ago.

https://bigredbatshop.co.uk/pages/about-us

https://blundersonthedanube.blogspot.com/

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #110: Skirmish Wargaming with author Damond Crump! (Patrol: World War Two- Pacific Sky Games)

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy my conversation with author Damond Crump, author of "Patrol: World War Two". It was fantastic chatting with Damon and hearing his story of growing up in the gaming community. He talks quite a bit about game design, the Pacific Northwest, and his relationship with Bryan Shein of Pacific Sky Games. I absolutely love what this company is doing, and their new website looks fantastic. Please enjoy the episode, and get a copy of Damond's game today!

https://pacificskygames.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqIPfcOtL_9QLjUVpK1jiGS7N1QWiqzXgUjPeQRdFmkX3X43iKn

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And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #109: Spaces Battles with Rick Priestley!

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy my conversation with Rick Priestley, who returns from Episode #1 with a new game to discuss! Space Battles is a fascinating game, written by Rick and published by Wombat Wargames. There are a bunch of supplements, a miniatures line, and a ton of promise for future releases! The game has a modern feel, with vintage aesthetics. Rick is always a blast to chat with- we had an awesome time with this one. Have fun with this one! Here are some links for the game:

https://wombatwargames.com/

https://www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk/shop/wombat-wargames-c-251/

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #108: The Art of Game Design with Skaff Elias (Magic the Gathering)

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy the most selfish episode I've ever recorded- my conversation with Skaff Elias, one of the original playtesters, developers, and right hand man to Richard Garfield of Magic the Gathering the fame. As many of you know, Challenge to Power will be 20SG's first published game (more on this soon), and as it turned out, I knew that I would be talking with Skaff for the show. It seemed like a win-win to discuss game design with him. Easily one of the most enriching conversations I've had on the show. If I enjoyed it, I surmise you will as well! Get into it!

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Friendcast #18: The Art of Storytelling and Roleplay Gaming with Tony Marano of Little Wars TV!

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy my chat with friend and gaming contemporary Tony Marano of Little Wars TV! We focused our discussion on Tony and his love of old school RPGs. He is a veteran game master, storyteller, and all around D&D guru, and we had a blast talking about the history of RPGS, their connections with miniatures, and some strategies for running a good game. Have fun with this episode!

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

If you haven't had the chance, check out this article on game based learning written by Keith Law, in which he interviewed yours truly!

https://www.endlessmode.com/article/how-board-games-are-used-in-the-classroom

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #107: Iain McDonald of "Flags of War"- PLUS a Monologue from Jared about his Trip to Edinburgh!

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Folks- this is a two part episode spliced into one! It begins with a monologue about my history/gaming trip to Edinburgh, Scotland back in June of 2025. The first 45 minutes of the episode is about my experience in the city, and the historical tour I took to Stirling, Bannockburn, and a few other locations. If you don't wanna hear the monologue, fast forward to........

..........the 50 minute mark, where the episode transitions into a chat with the one and only Iain McDonald of "Flags of War". He is arguably one of finest makers of miniature wargaming flags around. Silly me when I realized he was from Scotland, and I could have worked out this interview in person! Regardless, this was a ton of fun to record- many of the experiences I recount happened hours after the actual events. If you get a chance, make your way to Edinburgh!

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #106: "The Well-Read Game: On Playing Thoughtfully" w/ Authors Matthew Farber and Tracy Fullerton!

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Hey Folks! Recently, I sat down with Matthew Farber and Tracy Fullerton to discuss their recent book, "The Well-Read Game: On Playing Thoughtfully". I've included a description of the book below. Critics have been raving about it, and it such an honor to discuss the purpose of their book, and connection to education. PS- you may notice that this episode still has the old intro/outro- apologies for that!

https://www.thewellreadgame.com/

In The Well-Read Game, Tracy Fullerton and Matthew Farber explore the experiences we have when we play games: not the outcomes of play or the aesthetics of formal game structures but the ephemeral and emotional experiences of being in play. These are the private stories we tell ourselves as we play, the questions we ask, and our reactions to the game’s intent. These experiences are called “readings” because they involve so many of the aspects of engaging with literary, cinematic, and other expressive texts. A game that is experienced in such a way can be called “well-read,” rather than, or as well as, “well-played,” because of the personal, interpretive nature of that experience and the way in which it relates to our reading of texts of all kinds.

The concept of the “well-read game” exists at the convergence of literary, media, and play theories—specifically, the works of Louise Rosenblatt’s reader-response theory, Brian Upton’s situational game theory, Tracy Fullerton’s playcentric design theory, and Bernie DeKoven’s well-played game philosophy. Each of these theories, from their own perspective, challenges notions of a separate, objective, or authorial meaning in a text and underscores the richness that arises from the varied responses of readers, who coauthor the meaning of each text through their active engagement with it. When taken together, these theories point to a richer understanding of what a game is and how we might better value our experiences with games to become more thoughtful readers of their essential meanings.

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

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Episode #104: 20SG Travels to Gettysburg: Recapping with Austin and Matt from Mark's Game Room!

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- a few weeks ago, Kelly and I had the privilege of participating in an episode of Mark's Game Room, which covered the story of General Dan Sickles, and his infamous move into the Peach Orchard. Not only did we walk the battle with two of my former students (and Mark Fastoso, 11 time Emmy Award Winner), but we got a chance to refight part of the 2nd day of the Battle of Gettysburg in Mark's studio! It was a fantastic experience. This pair of episodes, dropping at the same time, interview several of the folks we spent the day with. In the case of Episode #104, it's with Austin and Matt- two fantastic gamers and all around great guys. Kelly and I had a great time chatting with them. Enjoy the episode, and if you haven't seen the Gettysburg video, please use the link below to give it a watch. It will not disappoint! And, if you're at Historicon this week, I hope you are rolling plenty of successes in whatever game you're playing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVzPRzE8hJI

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #105: 20SG Travels to Gettysburg: Recapping with Former Students Carter and Thomas!

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- a few weeks ago, Kelly and I had the privilege of participating in an episode of Mark's Game Room, which covered the story of General Dan Sickles, and his infamous move into the Peach Orchard. Not only did we walk the battle with two of my former students (and Mark Fastoso, 11 time Emmy Award Winner), but we got a chance to refight part of the 2nd day of the Battle of Gettysburg in Mark's studio! It was a fantastic experience. This pair of episodes, dropping at the same time, interview several of the folks we spent the day with. In the case of Episode #105, it's with two of my former students, Carter and Thomas. These guys grew up as gamers, starting in 4th grade and continuing into the present. I'm so proud of how far they've come, and selfishly, they made fantastic guests on the show! We talk about the Gettysburg experience, gaming in general, and what they're doing now! Enjoy the episode, and if you haven't seen the Gettysburg video, please use the link below to give it a watch. It will not disappoint! And, if you're at Historicon this week, I hope you are rolling plenty of successes in whatever game you're playing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVzPRzE8hJI

Also- Carter is the CEO of G8R Tech. If you have children looking to play serious sports AND you're worried about the danger of concussions, look no further than the safety and protection provided by Carter's products. I am so proud of the work he is doing. Give the G8R Tech website a look at:

https://g8rtech.com/

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #103: Alex Sotheran of the Youtube Channel, Storm of Steel

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- Join 20SG for a chat with Alex Sotheran, architect of "Storm of Steel", a Youtube channel dedicated to all things wargaming. Alex and I chatted about his show, love of wargaming, and a bit about his life as an archaeologist. I was particularly intrigued by his WW1 battlefield excavations. In a way, Alex is like a real like Dr. Indiana Jones! Please enjoy the show! Expect to see Alex on again sometime in the fall! Here is a link to his channel- check it out ASAP!

https://www.youtube.com/@StormofSteelWargaming

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #102: A Modern Day Featherstone, Grant, Bath- A Conversation with Sam Mustafa

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- the title of this episode says it all. Sam Mustafa, in my humble opinion, is one of the most important wargame designers of our era. If you've never played one of his games before, or read one of his rulesets, his impact is undeniable on the wargaming world. Here is Sam's bio, courtesy of wikipedia:

Sam Ali Mustafa (born 1965) is an American author and historian, and professor of history in the School of Humanities and Global Studies at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Receiving his B.S. at Virginia Commonwealth University, his M.A. at The University of Richmond and his Ph.D. at The University of Tennessee, Mustafa specializes in German history, the Napoleonic era, military history, and historiography.[1]

Aside from his scholarly and academic work, Mustafa is also the founder of "Sam Mustafa Publishing", which produces historical games such as the "Honour" series, "Lasalle", "Might and Reason", "Grande Armée", and others.

Please enjoy the episode!

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And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #101: Ninja Teaching, Games, and the Classroom: A Chat with Dr. Stephen Henderson Ed.D

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- as I get ready to depart for Edinburgh, Scotland, for a little teaching/podcasting excursion, I hope that you'll enjoy my conversation with Dr. Stephen Henderson. He is the author of the following text on games and education:

Ninja Teaching: Pedagogical Contraband and the Secret to Engaging Social Studies Instruction Paperback – September 9, 2024

We had a lovely conversation. Any time my NASAGA friends reach out and say, "hey, you should talk to this guy", it's a go! Here is Stephen's bio:

Dr. Stephen Henderson joined the William Penn University faculty in 2014. He specializes in Social Studies Education, American History, and Educational Leadership. His research interests include games and simulations and how these pedagogies can be incorporated into college classes.

Dr. Henderson is always trying new and exciting teaching methods in his courses. For example, he once experimented with reading historical fiction, instead of a history textbook, so that his students could grasp the accuracy of the character’s experiences while reading an exciting story. Dr. Henderson also loves teaching history through the use of simulations. Simulations allow students to experience history by immersing them in lifelike problem-solving experiences through role-playing, rather than merely reading about history in a textbook.

Aside from teaching, Dr. Henderson enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, hunting, running, and reading.

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Episode #100: Celebrating 20 Sided Gamified with Cory, Kelly, and Special Guest, Kevin Krause of the Krause Collection!

Fri, 23 May 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy and celebrate 20SG's 100th Episode with us! While part of this episode is some good ole' banter between Cory, Kelly and I about making it to 100, we also interview Kevin Krause, who has a popular youtube channel focusing on "The Krause Collection". He owns the world's largest collection of 15mm figures, spanning all of history, from Sumerians to the 1980s. Cory, Kelly and I connected with Kevin almost immediately, and it was lovely hearing his story of getting into the hobby. The episode felt great to record, and I hope it resonates with all of you. Also notable that our friend Titch White did the intro. All said, we had a blast, and have had a blast bringing all of this content to you. Please enjoy Episode #100!

To check out Kevin's youtube channel, use the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/@thekrausecollection15mmmin53

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Friendcast #17: Yuhan Kim: Historian, Author, Wargamer, and Former Student Gamer!

Fri, 09 May 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- for the first time in the history of the 20SG Podcast, we get to hear from a former student gamer- someone who was gaming throughout his time in school, and who was directly impacted by the work of HMGS Next Gen, Inc: historian, author, and wargamer, Yuhan Kim. I first met Yuhan while running events for Yale's Military History Club, alongside John Spiess and other HMGS folks. Yuhan is bright, savvy, dedicated, and a superb gamer. At the moment, Yuhan is working through law school, and writing books on various topics centered on military history. He has two volumes out on the French marshal Suchet, and an upcoming title on warfare in Korea through the 16th century. It was an absolute pleasure chatting with Yuhan, and I hope as listeners, you get a sense of why gaming can be such a great outlet, hobby, and learning tool for high school aged and college aged students. Please enjoy!

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-conquer-and-to-keep-suchet-and-the-war-for-eastern-spain-1809-1814-volume-1-yuhan-kim/1143570935

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Episode #99: What Makes a Great Game? Jared and Guest Co-Host Matt Rendar Chat with Alessio Cavatore!

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Folks- this was a special one for me, as I've admired Alessio Cavatore's work for 25+ years! We get into all things Alessio- his start in gaming, his role at Games Workshop, his love for Lord of the Rings, and his current career as a freelance wargames designer. Matt co-hosted the show with me, as we just finished up our own discussion of Red Jungle. Matt couldn't resist the chance to ask Alessio some questions! It was a lovely conversation, and quite insightful when it comes to effective game design. Please enjoy the episode, and be on the lookout for Episode #100, coming soon!

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Episode #98: Welcome to "Red Jungle", We've Got Fun and Games! w/game designer Matt Rendar

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Podcast Friends! Please enjoy my recent conversation with friend Matt Rendar, owner of Battle Tribe. Throughout the episode, we discuss Matt's recent endeavor- a skirmish game called "Red Jungle", which is in the process of being released. Matt went into depth on the world he's developing, what his inspirations were, and what his goals are with the game. While we talked about plenty of other topics, this was our primary focus. I hope you enjoy the show! Also, see the link below to Matt's youtube channel, where you can watch some previews of the game, to get you hyped!

https://www.youtube.com/@TheRendar/videos

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Episode #97: My Favorite Napoleonic Campaign System: Russ Lockwood, Peter Anderson, and the Joy of the Snappy Nappy Wargame Rules!

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Listeners- if you like Napoleonic wargaming, or continue to search for that campaign system that actually WORKS- you're in luck! Check out our latest episode with author Russ Lockwood, who designed the wonderful set of wargames rules, Snappy Nappy! He's been featured all over the place, including on the incomparable Little Wars TV, and his games are played all over the place both domestically and internationally. More than anything- Snappy Nappy, which I've both played and run myself, gives a feel for a Napoleonic campaign better than any other game I know of. Played across numerous tables, armies literally march across the room quickly, and players need to use a map to keep track of where they are which objectives they're heading towards! Also featured on this episode is my dear friend and wargaming confidant Peter Anderson, who is a multi-time award winning GM at HMGS cons, and simply put, one of the best GMs I know. He is warm, kind, and a living encyclopedia for anything related to the Napoleonic age. Each year, Peter runs or helps run a Snappy Nappy campaign in a day at the Portal, an awesome gaming store in Manchester CT, about 45mins from 20SG HQ. Peter is also an author himself, having wrote several rulesets/supplements for Piquet and Piquet related systems. I'll stop there- please enjoy this episode! And, check out the link below to see Peter's website, Blunders on the Danube!

https://blundersonthedanube.blogspot.com/

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Episode #96: Using Games to Fuel Discourse: Alessio Cavatore, Christopher McElroen, and Neal Wilkinson of the Fight for America! project

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:19:50 GMT

Podcast fans- I hope you are well on this Thursday evening! A few weeks ago, Kelly, Brian and I had the privilege to interview three remarkable people- renowned game designer Alessio Cavatore (Mordheim, Warmaster, Kings of War, to name a few) and Christopher McEleron and Neal Wilkinson from the american vicarious. Together, they created a project which is in part art installation, in part a LARP like theater, in part performance art, and in part one of the largest wargame style games you'll ever play- all focused on one of the more traumatic experience in recent American political memory- January 6th. In many ways, this episode was easily one of the heaviest we've done. That being said, I do think that the overall premise- that we as Americans need to have conversations about difficult topics- is important to explore, and what better way to do that than through an immersive gaming experience! Rather than explain the project further, I asked Chris and Neal to provide a description of the project. Give it a read, grab yourself a coffee, and fire up the episode. It was a good one! Please enjoy!

"Internationally acclaimed multi-media performance company the american vicarious presents Fight for America!, a mega-wargaming event that examines the gamification of American politics and the legacy of the January 6th Capitol riot. Created by artists Neal Wilkinson and Christopher McElroen, with game design by renowned designer Alessio Cavatore (Warhammer 40K, Bolt Action, Kings of War, Lord of the Rings), this immersive experience invites participants to step into the events of January 6, 2021—reshaping (or not) its outcome.

At the heart of Fight for America! is a massive 50’ x 50’ game board featuring over 12,000 hand-painted 28mm miniatures and a 15-foot-wide model of the U.S. Capitol. Led by a gamemaster in the form of Uncle Sam, up to 20 players take on roles in one of two factions: TEAM RED (protesters, both armed and unarmed) or TEAM BLUE (U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metro Police). As the game unfolds, strategic decisions shape the battlefield, forcing players to confront the question: What about America is worth fighting for?

Blending immersive performance with turn-based strategy, Fight for America! challenges players to navigate political extremism, uncertainty, and the escalating tensions of democracy itself."

http://www.FightforAmerica.games

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fightforamerica/fight-for-america

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Episode #95: Mark's Game Room Presents: "Glory", New Bedford, and Wargaming!

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 15:18:56 GMT

Friends- this is a very special episode, as we're previewing and showcasing the work of Mark Fastoso of Mark's Game Room. He's put together a great video- in some ways, a prototype of where he sees his channel going in the future. I don't wanna ruin the surprise, but the movie "Glory", starring Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes and others features prominently in the episode, as well as a miniature wargaming and a little bit of travel! Thanks to Mark for coming on the show to showcase all of this! It was a very moving episode. Enjoy! I've included a trailer for the show, as well as a link to Mark's Youtube page.

https://www.youtube.com/@MarksGameRoom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB_FPRsN0JU&authuser=1

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Episode #94: One of the Best in the Business: Uwe Eickert of Academy Games

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy our conversation with Uwe Eickert of Academy Games, publisher of some of the the finest historical board games on the market today. I absolutely love some of their titles, including Vikings 878 and 1775, the American Revolution. These games are perfect for the classroom, as their design philosophy prioritizes decision making with simple game mechanics. The conversation we had was pretty natural, and both Kelly and I agreed that we could have talked for hours longer. Have fun with this one, and be sure to check out the Academy Games website!

https://www.academygames.com/

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Episode #93: Returning to the Squared Circle- Author and Friend Mark Backhouse!!!

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:48:49 GMT

Friends- for our second posting of January, we have our friend Mark Backhouse returning to the 20SG studio! Mark is a wonderful guy and an equally capable rules author, historian, teacher, and wargamer. This episode was recorded very, very early this past weekend while I supervised my MUN team at YMUN. We had a blast chatting. While we covered a number of different topics, our main focus was his new supplement for his popular game, "Strength and Honour". Please enjoy!

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The Game Group Spoketh: Episode #2- Happy New Year and Shogun!!!!

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Friends- Happy New Year from 20SG and the Tuesday Night Game Group! Please enjoy this discussion of the classic board game Shogun, also known as Samurai Swords and Ikusa. We had a ton of fun playing it, and we hope you get something out of the discussion. Huge thanks to Kelly, Chris, and Brian for taking the time to chat. Keep an eye out for more episodes of TGGS!

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Episode #92: 2024 Holiday Episode!

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:00:16 GMT

Please enjoy the 2024 20SG Holiday episode! I'm joined by Kelly (fresh off his trip to PAX) and the "Big Dog", Titch White, who is always raring to go for a pod. We chatted about all sorts of topics- Gladiator 2, PAX, historical board gaming, and many more. Please enjoy the show, and keep a lookout for the next pod which will drop in January 2025!

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Episode #91: Emmy Award Winning Mark Fastoso-of Mark's Game Room!

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:14:24 GMT

Friends- please enjoy this episode featuring Mark Fastoso, multi-time, Emmy award winning producer from PBS and host of the popular youtube channel Mark's Game Room! In addition, Mark is an accomplished author, having written Fireball Forward (WW2 wargaming ruleset) and other popular titles! Kelly and I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with him, and we'll certainly connect with him in the future for another episode. Have with this one, and check out the link below which will take you directly to Mark's youtube page.

https://www.youtube.com/@MarksGameRoom

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Episode #90: Matt Fisher of Your Hobby Place (Virginia, West Virginia)

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 21:36:21 GMT

Friends- please enjoy this interview with Matt Fisher of Your Hobby Place, with 3 locations in VA and WV. This is one of the premier game stores in the Northeast, with a significant presence at most large scale gaming conventions including HMGS Historicon, Nova, etc. In addition, Matt is an uber-gamer, who also operates a company called Slayer Games, and wrote the RPG "DragonSlayer". Matt and I had a lot in common, which made for a great conversation. Please check out the links below, that way you can see what DragonSlayer is all about, as well as the YHP. Enjoy the show!

https://www.slayergames.co/

https://yourhobbyplace.com/

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Friendcast #16: The Return of Titch White!

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:00:40 GMT

Friends- please enjoy this Friendcast recorded with none other than Titch White! You all know that when it comes to chemistry, it's not really a "friendcast" without the big dog. We got into all sorts of topics- American politics (how can we not?), what happens when you get into the "rut" with a wargaming project, and the fun of making late night purchases to satisfy all of our gaming needs. Please enjoy the show!

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Episode #89: Jim Dietz of the Dietz Foundation

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 15:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy our conversation with Jim Dietz of the Dietz Foundation. Jim was great to talk to- former teacher, hall of fame college volleyball coach, big time gamer, and president of a non-profit called the Dietz Foundation. I will put a link to the foundation's bio below, but ultimately, Jim is all about bringing games to as many teachers as possible, and has tons of contacts within the world of gaming. I met Jim at Historicon and noticed all of the cool games he had, including "1979", "Kremlin", and "Littoral Commander". While not all of his games are political in nature, many of them are, which I appreciated given the use of such games in the classroom. All said, it was a lovely conversation. Also- it got heavy at times. Jim wanted me to put the following in the show notes (once you listen to the episode, you'll understand why)

"the story about my grandfather. The child of the worker wound up an engineer not a doctor."

Please enjoy the episode!

https://dietzfoundation.org/about-the-foundation/

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Episode #88: Richard Garfield + Skaff Elias- The Designers Behind Magic the Gathering, King of Tokyo, and Many More!

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:00:52 GMT

Friends- please enjoy my interview of Richard Garfield + Skaff Elias! Their contributions to the gaming hobby are many, and almost too numerous to mention here. That being said, if you Google either of these gentlemen, here is what will stand out: Richard is the designer of Magic the Gathering, the genre defining, innovator of innovator type games that is the backbone behind collectible card games. Skaff was with him through every step, and an integral component to the history of the game. All of that being said- what drew me to Richard and Skaff was actually King of Tokyo, which I had just played a few weeks ago. A quick email back and forth led these guys to the show, of which I'm super grateful! Please enjoy the conversation- and forgive how nervous I sound throughout the episode!

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Episode #87: Wargaming Rules 101- "The Sword and the Flame" w/ Jenni Paperman

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy our discussion of "The Sword and the Flame", one of most enduring sets of wargaming rules in the history of wargaming! Kelly and I sat down with longtime enthusiast Jenni Paperman, whom I met over the summer at Historicon. Jenni has been a fixture in the Albany area wargaming scene for years, and is well versed in the hobby, which includes running numerous gaming conventions in the Schenectady area. Also worth pointing out- she and her family (who all wargame) have a ridiculously cool gaming space. We were lucky enough to see some photos, and got the invite to come out to do some playing! Also, I do think this is an important episode as Jenni gave us her perspective on being a woman in a male dominated hobby. I say this often- I am not a crusader and have never seen myself as such. That being said, some of her stories made my head spin, and I do hope things change for the better as the hobby grows. I hope you enjoy this episode!

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The Game Group Spoketh: Episode #1- What are the Qualities of a "Good" Gaming Group?

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:00:49 GMT

Friends- "The Game Group Spoketh" is a new podcasting addition to the 20SG lineup, fitting nicely alongside our regular episodes and "Friendcasts". As many of you know, I've had a fairly consistent game group since 2009, when I first met Brian (@nuklearangel on Instagram) that summer. Since that point, Brian and I have gone through many iterations of our Tuesday club, with people coming in and out for a variety of reasons. These episodes are dedicated to exploring different topics related to game clubs, whether they are focused on board games, roleplaying games, and tabletop miniatures games. Each episode will ONLY consist of members of the Tuesday night group, with some familiar names you may have heard on the show- Scott, Chris, Mike, Brian, and Kelly. On this episode, the group will focus on the question of game clubs themselves- what makes them "good"? What are the characteristics that make a club worth attending on a weekly basis? In the case of Brian and I, we've consistently gamed for over 15 years together. I hope you enjoy the banter, camaraderie, and everything in between throughout this episode. More to come in the future!

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Episode #86: Historical Wargaming in Board Game Form: Jared Interviews Steve Kling of the Historical Game Company, LLC!

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:00:07 GMT

Friends- please enjoy my chat with Steve Kling from the Historical Game Company, LLC. Steve was an absolute delight to have on the show. Not only is he an accomplished lawyer, but he is also a magnificent game designer (link below), an author and historian in every sense of the word, the subject of a documentary on warfare around St Louis during the American Revolution, and a multi-time moderator of a successful conference on the American Revolution. He was a warm, intelligent, personable guest- please enjoy the episode!

https://www.thgcpublishing.com/about

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Episode #85: Kelly Interviews Historian Todd Braisted!

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 14:00:37 GMT

When Kelly told me about the fact he was working alongside historian Todd Braisted, I used my overlord type power to demand an interview! Thankfully, Kelly obliged. If you like history and the kind of research that goes into putting together a scenario or oob, this is the episode for you! See Todd's bio below. Enjoy the episode!!!

Todd Braisted is an author and researcher of Loyalist military studies. His primary focus is on Loyalist military personnel, infrastructure and campaigns throughout North America. Since 1979, Braisted has amassed and transcribed over 40,000 pages of Loyalist and related material from archives and private collections around the world. He has authored numerous journal articles and books, as well as appearing as a guest historian on episodes of Who Do You Think You Are? (CBC) and History Detectives (PBS). He is the creator of royalprovincial.com, the largest website dedicated to Loyalist military studies. Braisted is a Fellow in the Company of Military Historians and a past-president of the Bergen County Historical Society.

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Friendcast #15: Would You Survive "Aliens: A Cooperative Survival Game" ? Sci-Fi Wargaming with Brian, Matt, and Kelly!

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 14:00:20 GMT

Friends- please enjoy this Friendcast in which the gang talks all things Alien and Sci-Fi wargaming! Given how we all like the Aliens universe in so many different ways, Kelly walked us through a discussion of the newest film (Alien: Romulus), as well as great game of Aliens the board game from Gale Force 9. We had an absolute blast chatting with one another, which includes team members Brian Dewhurst and Matt Rendar from Battle Tribe. Please enjoy the show!

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Episode #84: Ethan "Mad Guru" Reiff- Master Terrain Builder, Northwest Frontier Expert, Lifelong Wargamer

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 14:00:48 GMT

Friends- what happens when you pit two NEW YORK wargamers head to head in the same Zoom space? a great episode- that's what! If you've never heard of Ethan Reiff, here is the low down- He's been wargaming since the 1970s, and moved out to LA to work in Hollywood a number of years ago. His pseudonym on The Miniatures Page, and on is own blogs/pages is the "Mad Guru", a nod to the famous Gunga Din movie from back in the day. On the wargaming front, his blog, "Maiwand Day", is one of the most well known sites dedicated to colonial wargaming and the NorthWest Frontier, which is how I stumbled upon Ethan's work back in the early 2010s. I'd also argue it's one of the BEST blogs out there about wargaming (alongside Peter Anderson's "Blunders on the Danube"). Ethan's terrain is remarkable, and was the template for my own NWF game this past Historicon. On the other side of the coin, Ethan and his writing partner have led a very successful career in Hollywood, penning stories/scripts for movies such as Kung Fu Panda, Robin Hood (2010), and the TV show Knightfall, Season 2, from 2019. They easily have a dozen or more other writing credits. Also, if you remember the Ridley Scott "Napoleon" episode, we discuss what Ridley Scott did with Ethan's script at the end of his episode- it's quite the story! So, this is a banger of an episode- we talk fast, move fast, interrupt each other, get into it, and put the New York terror into Kelly! Please enjoy the show!

http://maiwandday.blogspot.com/

https://maiwandday.com/

"Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign

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Episode #83: The Life of an Indie Wargames Author- Paul Howells of Pandyman Entertainment

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:00:47 GMT

Friends- I hope the week is treating you well! Last weekend, Kelly and I had a lovely conversation with Paul "Pandy" Howells of the UK. He is the owner (along with his wife) of a small indie wargames company called Pandyman Entertainment, which has put out two titles thus far- "Trench Offensive" and "Threat Level: Emergency Response". We connected with Paul at Salute, and based on what we saw from the company, decided that he'd be a good fit for the show. This turned out to be the understatement of the century given how EASY it was to talk to him on air. Paul is bright, witty, self deprecating, and quite experienced in the wargaming world. He worked as a game designer for a number of popular companies before deciding to make the move towards Pandyman Entertainment and a life of working for oneself. Like I said above, Paul was one of the easiest conversations we've ever had, and I do think that this episode will be great for anyone looking for inspiration to write their own game. Please enjoy the episode!

https://www.pandyman.co.uk/

https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

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Friendcast #14: Jared, Kelly, and Adam Talk Wargaming, Sitka, and Inspiration with James "mogsymakes" Morris!

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 14:00:45 GMT

Friends- we've all been long overdue for a Friendcast! Please enjoy the conversation between Jared, Kelly, Adam, and James Morris! The impetus for the show was a few kind words from Adam (thomashillwargamers) about James Morris, and a request to get him on the show. A quick glance at James' contribution to the wargaming world- numerous articles for various wargames' magazines, author of Midgard Heroic Battles, several publications with Warhammer Historical, an awesome blog and website at www.mogsymakes.net, and many, many more. More specifically, Adam had read one of James' articles about Sitka, and we talked a ton about Adam's award winning game from Historicon. Without James, the game more than likely never would have happened. If you're looking for a feel good, pick me up type of episode, this is it! Enjoy!

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Episode #82: Wargaming as a Means of Understanding Modern War: A Discussion with Dr. Gian Gentile of RAND

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 14:00:39 GMT

Friends- If you ever wanted to see wargaming work at the highest and most critical level, then you're going to enjoy this episode quite a bit. Gian Gentile is the associate director of RAND Arroyo Center, the United States Army's sole federally funded research and development center for studies and analysis. Gentile is also a senior historian at the RAND Corporation. His research focuses on U.S. Army total force policy, military doctrine and organization, history, innovation and transformation, and strategy. Gentile completed 32 years of active service in the U.S. Army where he served in a variety of command and staff assignments in the United States, Korea, and Europe. Prior to his time at RAND, he was Director of the Military History Program at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Gentile did two combat tours in Iraq: In 2003 he was a Brigade Combat Team Executive Officer in the 4th Infantry Division in Tikrit, and in 2006 he commanded a cavalry squadron in the 4th Infantry Division in west Baghdad. His book, Wrong Turn: America's Deadly Embrace of Counterinsurgency, was released by The New Press in June 2013. He has also published widely in professional and scholarly journals, and in major national and international media. He has been a visiting fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. For his work at RAND on issues relating to the proper mix between the Active and Reserve Army Components, Gentile was awarded the Bronze and Silver Medals for excellence in research and writing.

In this interview, we touch on Gian's upbringing, career in the military, and all of the wargaming he has been doing with his associates in an attempt to better form an understand of Russian foreign policy and strategy in the Baltic as well as Ukraine. This was one of my (and Kellys) favorite interviews. Please enjoy it!

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Episode #81: From One NASAGAn to Another- 20SG Welcomes JS Bragg of Miami University to the Show!

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 03:59:00 GMT

Friends- to celebrate of another school year (my 21st), my interview with fellow NASAGAn (North American Simulations and Games Association) JS Bragg will drop at 11:59pm on September 2nd. This was a lovely conversation that ranged from our collective love of NASAGA, Blood on the Clocktower (a truly awesome game), and all the game related work JS has done with his own school, Miami University in Ohio. JS is a longtime educator and went in depth about their experience in the field of Student Engagement and Leadership, using games as a major bonding tool for the students. Please enjoy the conversation, and for all you educators, here's to a great start to the year!

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Episode #80: Building a Gaming Program from the Ground Up: A Chat with Aaron Pace from the HopeTown School in Wyong, New South Wales!

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 19:00:00 GMT

Friends- Aaron Pace is a Student Support Officer (and I'd argue, a teacher!!!!) from the HopeTown School in Wyong, New South Wales. I met him quite awhile ago through HMGS Next Gen, Inc, as he was asking for a little advice in building a game program. Now- I've had many of these types of conversations in the past, but it's rare that I get to see the finished product! Needless to say, Aaron reached out to me over the summer and the work he has done is simply put- remarkable. If you've ever wanted to start a game program within your community but don't know what to do or how to start, this is absolutely the episode for you! Please enjoy!

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Episode #79: So You're Interested in Napoleonic Wargaming? I Have a Guy....20SG Interviews David Brown, Author of General d'Armee 2!

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 14:00:21 GMT

Avid Listeners! Please enjoy this conversation with David Brown, author of General d'Armee 2 as well as other titles. If you're interested in learning more about this ruleset, or Napoleonics in general, there is no way I could offer up a better guest. David is well read, well informed, and truly passionate about the period. Kelly and I chatted with David for 60+ minutes and look forward to having him on again, potentially to support his newest rules endeavor centered around ancient warfare. Please have fun with this episode!

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Episode #78: Games as a Training Tool for Peacekeeping Missions: Major Tom Mouat MBE

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:00:31 GMT

Friends! I hope you're all well! Please enjoy this rewarding conversation with Major Tom Mouat MBE. I'm going to post his official biography below- but before I do, I have to say that this was one of the more fascinating conversations I've had on the show. Tom is an absolute master of his craft, using both professional and casual wargames to literally defend his country. While most of the conversation was lighthearted, there were also some heavy moments, as Tom described some of his deployments across the world. Ultimately- if you ever needed a reminder that games are powerful, just listen to Major Tom Mouat go through the ways in which he has trained folks using various simulations, and what those trained folks were able to achieve with that training. Check out Tom's bio, as well as a few other 20SG tidbits below!

"Tom Mouat MBE is the Directing Staff Officer for Simulation and Modelling at the Defence Academy of the UK. He holds an MSc in Defence Modelling and Simulation and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education. In his 37 years’ service in the British Army he has served worldwide, including operational tours in Bosnia and Iraq, designed and run training events from Battlegroup to Corps level and spent five years in Defence Procurement as a Requirements Manager in the acquisition of Simulation Systems. He holds commendations from the Ministry of Defence Chief Scientific Officer and the Head of Defence Procurement, and has been a contributing author to a number of books on wargaming. He is also currently on the Management Board of the Connections UK professional wargaming conference."

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Episode #77: Author, Podcaster, and All Around Head Guru of Wargaming: 20SG Welcomes Henry Hyde to the Show!

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 14:00:58 GMT

Podcast Listeners- buckle up your seat belts for this one, as the legendary "Head of the Table" (in my humble opinion) of wargaming is here- Mr. Henry Hyde! Henry was an absolute blast to chat with, so much so that I agreed to do his own "Battlechat" podcast, which has over 100 episodes recorded. Henry has been involved in the hobby for decades, working on wargaming magazines, authoring wargaming books such as "The Wargaming Compendium", "Tabletop Battle Tactics"(1 + 2), and putting out content to help grow the gaming world. We dove deep in this episode, getting into Henry's interests, career, and his own personal battle against cancer. Mental Health was a big part of this show as well, and will pair nicely with Episode #76 with Dr. Amelia Herbst. As I said, it was an honor and pleasure chatting with Henry- I loved his positivity and acumen for gaming on the whole! Check out his websites at:

https://henryhyde.co.uk/

https://battlegames.co.uk/

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Episode #76: Gaming and Mental Health: Kelly Interviews Dr. Amelia Herbst, PsyD

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 14:00:12 GMT

Friends- Please enjoy our first episode diving into the connection between gaming and positive mental health. Kelly took the lead in interviewing Dr. Amelia Herbst, who specializes in using different types of games to help support people in their own mental health journeys. This is an important concept here at 20SG, as we hope that the show a) demonstrates how powerful games can be to people and b) is a positive force unto itself for anyone listening. I'll do an injustice to Amelia's work if I keep going, so it's better for you to check out the link below (which will take you to Amelia's website) and listen to the show! Thank you to Kelly for conducting the interview!

https://www.wanderingshrink.com/about

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Friendcast #13: Wargaming, Camaraderie, and the Seventh Dimensional Portal: The 20SG Team Debriefs Historicon 2024!

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 14:00:58 GMT

Friends- this is a doozy of an episode! Names you should be familiar with- Kelly, Titch, Adam, Brian, and yours truly got together to debrief all the fun we had at Historicon 2024! Some of the topics include the experience we had running our games, the awesome people we met at the con, and absolute fun of our "family and friends" Kings of War game, the weird coincidences Adam experienced in running Sitka, Brian and company visiting the Seventh Dimensional Portal, and yours truly doing his very best to avoid talking about his own game! Listening back, this episode was very, very funny, and I sincerely hope you enjoy it. Huge thank you to the HMGS team for putting on a fantastic convention! Have fun with this one!

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Episode #75: Freddy Silburn-Slater- Rising Star in the World of Wargames Rules

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 14:00:22 GMT

Friends- today on the pod we've got the next big thing in wargaming- Freddy Silburn-Slater from the UK. Freddy is a lovely guy and a blast to chat with. We met at Salute (right near the Osprey Publishing booth) and hit it off fairly quickly. He is the author of "A War Transformed: WW1 on the Doggerland Front", which is a super creative, fun game established in a totally unique alternative/weird setting. Freddy has a keen mind for crafting the kind of narrative that folks will want to come back to again and again. Furthermore, rumor has it that Freddy has been working with another substantial company developing it's first wargame, but I cannot confirm or deny anything at the moment! Please enjoy the episode- I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Freddy and I hope you have fun listening!

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Episode #74: The Game Based Approach at the University Level- Dr. Franklin Rausch Returns!

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:00:25 GMT

Friends- Dr. Franklin Rausch of Lander University has been a friend to 20SG even before 20SG was a thing! He is a wonderful educator who seems to be pushing the boundaries of how and why a game based approach can be so valuable to our youngest students to our oldest. Alongside Kelly, we get into it and chat all things education, wargaming, and how those two mediums intertwine. Frank and Kelly also have a ton in common regarding public/living history, so they got it going in the episode. Please enjoy the show!

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Episode #73: Historicon 2024 Friday Recap w/ Jared and Titch (VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!)

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 12:26:55 GMT

Good morning friends! I'm on about 4 hours sleep, sitting at my Northwest Frontier table here on the second floor of the Lancaster Convention Center. Yesterday, Titch and I waxed philosophical about all things Historicon, topics including the dealer area, flea market, wargaming rules, and many other topics. If you don't like profanity- be advised! In my exuberant enthusiasm, I certainly got into the zone during recording! Titch is always the easiest guy to talk with, and we had a total blast recording the episode. Please enjoy!

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Episode #71: The Masters of 3mm Wargaming- John and Greg from PicoArmor!

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- I'm posting this episode from my lodging space in Lancaster PA- home of Historicon 2024! Kelly, Titch and I got in yesterday and it's been a whirlwind thus far! Now- the first episode I'll be dropping today, for your consumption, is my conversation with John and Greg from Pico Armor. They are one of the best- if not THE best- in the field when it comes to the smallest scale miniatures- 3mm! I have tons of their stuff, and when I saw that the Greg was spearheading a new project which took the classic game PanzerBlitz and turned it into a minis game, I knew I had to have them on! If you're here at the con, find these guys and say hello! Please enjoy the conversation!

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Episode #72: Historicon 2024 Live- First Impressions with Jared and Kelly!

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Fans of the show- in the words of the immortal Bruce Buffer, we......are......live! From the sold out Lancaster Convention Center.....it's time!!!!!! 5 rounds at the most premier historical wargaming convention in North America! This first episode was recorded around 5pm on Thursday from the new 20SG HQ on the second floor of LCC. It's a great spot. Hugely thankful for having HMGS host us, and we're gonna do our best to give you an accurate record of everything going on here at the con. This episode is all about first impressions- if it sounds overly enthusiastic and somewhat manic- that's because it is! We're stoked to be here! Enjoy!

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Friendcast #12: How to Start a Wargaming Project in 2024 w/Titch and Cory: Part #3: Tips from Professional Game Masters!

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- the tables are turned once again in which a friend of the show takes over the helm! In this episode, part 3 of continuing Friendcast about wargaming projects in 2024, Titch crafted a series of great questions for Jared and Cory about being a game master (GM). We did our best to give quality, thorough answers about what to do and not to do when putting together a game for friends, family, or strangers at a convention. I warn you- this is one of the most meticulous episodes we've recorded. It is super, super specific, a huge credit to Titch who put a lot of time and thought into drawing out the best answers from us. So, if it sounds like those questions were thought out- they were!!!!! Thanks Big Dog!

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Episode #70: Get Hyped for Historicon w/ 20SG GM's Jared, Kelly, Gavin, and Adam

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 14:00:00 GMT

For our 70th (yes 70th!!!!) episode, we start to get hyped for Historicon 2024 which begins Wednesday, July 17th. The 20SG table will be running beginning Thursday afternoon, and over the course of the con, Kelly, Gavin, Adam and myself will run a total of 7 games. If you're interested in playing, chatting, or you just want to meet the team, swing by to say hello! To get hyped for the con, we devoted an entire episode to talking about the games we're running, what the inspirations were, and what we're most excited about regarding the convention. We're stoked to be a part of the con, and as always, we'll record at least 1 episode while we're there. If you have interested in the AWI, Dark Ages, fur trading in Alaska, or the Northwest Frontier, this episode is for you. Please enjoy!

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Episode #69: One of My Favorite Current Games: Bloody Big Battles w/Chris Pringle and Vincent Tsao

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- for my second posting following the July 4th holiday here in the states, I present to you one of my favorite historical wargames- Bloody Big Battles. It is a phenomenal game for many, many reasons, and to showcase the rules, I brought on the man himself, Chris Pringle! Chris has a long history in the wargaming world, and BBB is one of his finest rulesets. Along with fan and scenario designer Vincent Tsao, we chatted all things BBB, including the origins of the game, some basics about how to play, and where the game is headed in the future. It was an awesome discussion- please enjoy!

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Episode #68: Talking Shop with Joe McCullough: Author, Game Designer, and Innovator

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- this is a real special one. From the moment I started this podcast, Joe McCullough was one of the folks I wanted to have on as a guest. He is arguably one of the finest contemporary game designers out there right now, penning titles such as Frostgrave, Stargrave, Oathmark, and many others. It was a delight chatting with him about his start in the hobby, his transition to living overseas, and his thoughts on being a full time rules author. Please enjoy!

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Episode #67: Clash of the Titans: The Yarkshire Gamer Meets Peter from Baccus Miniatures! PART 2

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 14:00:49 GMT

Only on the 20 Sided Gamified Podcast folks! In this meaty, 2 hour episode, Kelly and I finish our conversation with Ken AKA "The Yarkshire Gamer". However- there is a little bit of a twist. Due to a timing issue on my end (or, was it?) Peter from Baccus Miniatures (owner, rules author, and maker of the finest 6mm figures there are) hopped into the Zoom space and it turns out he knows Ken! Instead of editing or splitting the episodes, we simply kept going and did the first "megasode" in 20SG history. Please enjoy it!!! And, please check out Baccus Miniatures at the following site:

https://www.baccus6mm.com/

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Episode #66: The Yarkshire Gamer: The Man, Myth, and Legend PART 1

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 14:00:21 GMT

Friends- Please enjoy our conversation with Ken Reilly, AKA the "Yarkshire Gamer". I first came across Ken's work on his "Yarkshire Gamer" blog, and noticed just how prolific he was when came to his painting and attention to detail. From there, I checked out his podcast, Youtube videos, interviews, and lastly, his work on Instagram. Ken's dedication to miniature gaming is only surpassed by simply how delightful he is to talk to, solidified by our in person meet up at Salute 2024. We hit it off and knew that at some point, 20SG would be invaded by all things Yarkshire! So, enjoy part 1 of our conversation with Ken, and if I were you, I'd blast right into part 2 for a surprise special guest who got a certain joy out of ribbing our new friend!!! Yes- we chatted with Ken twice!

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Friendcast #11: Oh How the Tables Have Turned: Ray Kimball of 42 Ed Games Interviews Jared!

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 15:02:22 GMT

Friends- this surprise release episode developed out of Ray Kimball (42 Ed Games, NASAGA) interviewing me (Jared Fishman!) for the NASAGA Blog regarding the formation of 20Sided Gamified LLC and the podcast. When Ray sent me the list of questions I thought to myself, "this could be a unique opportunity to pull back the curtain", and really give fans of the show an opportunity to get into my brain and understand the modus operandi of what I do and how I see the future. I had a ton of fun answering Ray's questions, and it was a great moment to see what 20SG guests go through on a weekly basis! Huge thanks to Ray for doing this, and I hope you enjoy a look into how and why the show comes together the way it does!

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Episode #65: Timeless Legacy, Brilliant Future: Cory + Jared Interview Jacob Fathbruckner of Ral Partha Miniatures

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy our chat with Jacob Fathbruckner, owner of Ral Partha Miniatures. Ral Partha is one of those figure lines that both has an unbelievable nostalgia to them as well as obvious way forward into modern miniature wargaming. I absolutely love these miniatures, and I'm not alone given the reaction from folks upon hearing that this podcast was recorded! When you're done listening, give Ral Partha's website a look and feast on all of the pics. Jacob is doing a phenomenal job pushing the company forward- he was a delight to chat with!

https://ralparthalegacy.com/

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Episode #64: Why I Love Kings of War by Mantic Games PART 2 w/ Rob Phaneuf of the Counter Charge Podcast!

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 14:00:00 GMT

20SG Team- we're back with more Kings of War material! If you enjoyed episode #63 and simply can't get enough of your KoW or Mantic Games fix, here is our second episode about the game, this time with Rob Phaneuf of the Counter Charge podcast! I got hooked up with Rob through Cory Ring (1/4 of 20SG's 4 Horseman stable) , who couldn't recommend him enough when it came to his knowledge and expertise of the game. I've listened to a bunch of his podcast episodes, which tackles all elements of KoW in a longform format. I love his show, and I certainly enjoyed our conversation on the 20SG platform! I hope you enjoy the show!

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Episode #63: Why I Love Kings of War by Mantic Games PART 1 w/ Jared, Kelly, and Adepticon GM/Mantic Fanatic Mike Carter

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 14:00:00 GMT

20SG Team! Welcome! Please enjoy the first of a 2 part series on why I love Kings of War by Mantic Games so much. It's such an elegant set of rules, beloved by many around the world. If you remember, 20SG ran some events at several universities (SUNY New Paltz and Marist College) using these rules, and to say everything went smoothly would be an understatement. The game is great for beginners and veterans alike, and I love how no-nonsense the system is. To showcase my love for these rules (and the company), I brought on Mike Carter, who runs a popular blog on KoW, and is a fixture of the wargaming scene in the Midwest. I discovered Mike's blog when I was searching for a good QRS to help facilitate my own games. He is a wonderful guy. If you've never played KoW and want to know more about the system, this is absolutely the episode for you. Please enjoy!

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Episode #62: A Conversation about Clausewitz w/ Dr. Nicholas Murray (Part 2)

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:00:30 GMT

Friends- please enjoy the 2nd half of my conversation with my friend Nick Murray. You might remember that I aired my first conversation with Dr. Murray a few weeks ago, in which we talked all things wargaming, game based learning, etc, and focused on Nick's experiences working at the Naval War College and Johns Hopkins University. In this episode, we spent quite a bit of time talking about Clausewitz, whose text "On War" is one of the most important on the topic of war, why they are fought, and how they are fought. Please enjoy the episode. While I teach this "stuff" at in my own elective at Brunswick, Nick is the EXPERT of EXPERTS. I learned so much in this conversation, and even fixed a few errors in my own understanding of the text. It was an honor chatting with Nick, and I can't wait to get him over to school to help me with some games!

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Episode #61: In The Wargaming World, The Saying is Not "Happy Little Trees"- it's Happy Little 3D Buildings! w/ Cory Ring and Kirk from the Miniature Building Authority

Fri, 31 May 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Yes, this is a long title! However, once you listen to the interview, you'll see why! The Miniature Building Authority is one of the OG's of 3D buildings for wargamers and roleplayers alike. The buildings come painted- to a ridiculously specific degree. Anyone that has seen their 25mm/28mm Medieval Castle, or has played in any of the Gnome Wars games at an HMGS convention knows exactly what I'm talking about. And if you don't, that's the whole point of the podcast! Get to know Kirk of MBA as he goes through his business practices, history in the hobby, and thoughts moving forward as the wargames figure/terrain world begins to modernize. I've included a link to the MBA website. Please enjoy the episode!

https://www.miniaturebuildingauthority.com/

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Episode #59: Your Adventuring Party Arrives at its Destination: Roleplaying Gaming, Travel, and Fun with Adventure Away Maryland!

Fri, 24 May 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Hey everyone- please enjoy this interview we conducted with Wayne from "Adventure Away". Their business model is simple- provide your gaming group with lodging, good food, and a comfortable bed, alongside a professional roleplaying experience using D&D5E or your favorite ruleset. Wayne was a great person to talk to- I loved his approach to storytelling and game design, and thoroughly enjoyed his warm demeanor. Have fun with this one- it was a real joy to record! If you want to check out Adventure Away's website, please go to:

https://www.adventureawaymd.com/

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Episode #60: Achtung Panzer!, Epic Battles (The Punic Wars), and Other News: Marcus Vine of Warlord Games

Fri, 24 May 2024 14:00:00 GMT

For our 60th episode, Kelly and I spoke to Marcus Vine of Warlord Games. I've always been a fan of Warlord Games, given what they've done to modernize historical wargaming, and I appreciate that Marcus is always up for a chat on the show. We talked all things Warlord, including the new games in our episode title, as well as a few hints about Bolt Action 3.0. We always enjoy talking with Marcus, and this episode was a ton of fun to record. Expect to see some more Warlord updates in the coming months! I hope you are excited for this one!

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Episode #58: The Best in Tabletop Gaming: The NOVA Open (8/28-91) w/ Mike, Owen, Jared, and Kelly

Fri, 17 May 2024 14:00:33 GMT

20SG Fans- I'm excited to bring you one of the more "fun" recordings Kelly and I have done- a conversation with Mike Sibilia and Owen Beste of the NOVA Open. We had an absolute blast talking with these guys, who are right around our age and just as passionate about all things tabletop wargaming. If you've never heard of NOVA, it's the largest wargames convention on the East Coast of the US, and is devoted to tournaments, seminars, open gaming, and painting competitions. The con is held in the same place my Model UN team performs at each year- a beautiful spot 10 minutes from all the major sites in Washington DC. Mike, Owen, Kelly and I discussed all things NOVA- how it started, what it encompasses, and what it's like to be part of the hysteria. This was a real fun one- please enjoy the conversation and check out NOVA's website below!

https://www.novaopen.com/

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Episode #56: Steve Jackson: The Innovator. Need I Say More?

Mon, 13 May 2024 10:15:59 GMT

Friends- Kelly and I had the utmost pleasure to interview Steve Jackson from Steve Jackson Games. It was an absolute honor. Steve was warm, friendly, and a treasure trove of knowledge about all things games. We kept this episode light and did our best to provide Steve space to tell his story. I sincerely hope you enjoy this one. I will not lie- I was a little nervous- I hope it's not too apparent during the interview!!! Enjoy!!!!

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Episode #57: CARnage2 Kickstarter Release Party w/ Jared, Kelly, and One Charming Australian! (Brian)

Fri, 10 May 2024 14:00:15 GMT

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sjgames/carnage-2-stl-cars-weapons-and-more-for-auto-combat-games/description

Friends- please use the link above to check out the CARnage2 Kickstarter! Kelly, Brian and I had the delight of painting up some of these fine vehicles, which we plan on gaming with sooner rather than later. I genuinely have been a fan of Steve's work since the early 90s, and have used versions of CarWars in my classroom many times. Expect our video episode to drop on our Youtube Channel sooner rather than later. If you need visuals to go with the podcast, images of ALL our painted cars are on the 20SG IG page. Also, check out some details regarding the Kickstarter below. Please enjoy the episode, and have fun getting to know the most charming motherf*****g Australian in the history of Australia- Brian Dewhurst! Check out his IG page @nuklearangel as soon as possible!

Pledge Tiers:

● $1: Spectator Level

○ Includes:

■ Pledge Manager Access

■ CARnage Amateur Night Starter Pack

■ CARWARS license plate keychain STL

● $30: Arena Ticket

○ Includes:

■ CARnage 2 STL Files

■ Unlocked Stretch Goals

● $65: Season Pass

○ Includes:

■ CARnage STL Files

■ CARnage 2 STL Files

■ Unlocked Stretch Goals

● $1000: Superfan Ticket (LIMIT 5)

○ “A figure of yourself as a Superfan! Work with our design team to create your

superfan, who will be sculpted as an STL, become part of CARnage 2 and the

CAR WARS canon, and be sent to you as several physical prints. Also includes

everything from the Season Pass pledge level.

○ Includes:

■ Custom Superfan STL

■ 3D prints of your custom Superfan

■ CARnage 2 STL files

■ CARnage STL files

■ Unlocked Stretch Goals

■ Exclusive CARWARS keychain STL

Stretch Goals: WILL BE REVEALED THROUGHOUT CAMPAIGN

● First stretch goal:

○ Set of new weapons from Sonic Strike, Tailgate Trouble, and Aggressive

Arsenal

■ Total of 14 STLs

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Episode #55: Viking Sagas Come to Life in the Classroom- Dr. Erik Ellis (Hillsdale College) + Greg Wagman (Ravenfeast, Little Wars TV))

Fri, 03 May 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- a few weeks ago, a serious collaboration came together between 20SG, LWTV (Little Wars TV), and Dr. Erik Ellis of Hillsdale College. For some time, Erik has been developing a specific wargame to help support his graduate students in learning about specific Viking sagas, with a goal to bring those adventures to the game table. In seeing the efficacy of game based learning, Erik and his students brought their game to middle school students, and are in the process of developing a module which any teacher could use to do the same in their classroom. Where does Greg Wagman of LWTV fame fit in? Ravenfeast- a game born and bred in the LWTV game room- are the rules Erik is using to fight out the Viking sagas in question! If you want to hear about this process, and see a "plan come together", do not hesitate in checking out this episode!

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Episode #54: Wargaming in 10mm-Massive Wargames with Richard O'Connor

Fri, 03 May 2024 14:00:00 GMT

A few months ago, I was doing my usual dive on Instagram looking for some interesting games with gorgeous miniatures. I half stumbled onto my friend Leon's page (Pendraken Miniatures) and came across photos of a ridiculously sized Napoleonic game using huge blocks of 10mm figures. I was intrigued and made a comment of how much I liked the look of the game. Within 30 minutes, we had the GM of the game, Richard O'Connor, scheduled for the podcast! We had an awesome chat in the weeks preceding our journey to Salute. Since that point, Richard put on Leipzig with his wargaming club, and sent me tons of photos once the game was over. Please enjoy our conversation, and without delay, check out Pendraken Miniatures!

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Episode #53: Dr. Nicholas Murray- Author, Wargamer, and Teacher PART 1

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 16:46:05 GMT

Friends- Earlier today, I had the absolute pleasure of finishing a two part conversation with Dr. Nicholas Murray- or "Nick" as I like to call him. To record all of his accolades in this bio would be an undertaking. To put it simply, he is an authority on game design, game implementation, and strategic thinking, and has spent years using games as a teaching tool. He worked at the Naval War College here in the US, and currently works at Johns Hopkins University as a wargame designer and instructor in the Strategic Thinkers Program (School of Advanced International Studies). He, along with Chris Pringle (author of Bloody Big Battles), have published three books on Carl von Clausewitz, and Nick himself has written numerous papers and books on his own. Nick came up in the field under the tutelage of folks like Hew Strachan at Oxford University, and continues to carve out an interesting path both in academic and the gaming world.

Having recorded our initial conversation back in the Fall, I felt it was finally time to release part 1 of this conversation. Expect to see part 2 in the near future- as in, the next two weeks!

I learned SO much in talking with Nick, and I hope you do as well. He is as humble and easy to talk to as he is brilliant, particularly in his understanding of Clausewitzian theory and it's application and reflection in tabletop wargaming. Please please please enjoy!!!

https://sais.jhu.edu/users/nmurra10

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Friendcast #10: The Mysterious, Curious Case of Shawn Taylor Part 2!

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:00:55 GMT

Friends- Aady can't figure it out- I can't figure it out. Numerous times, we have both tried to fix the file containing the interview I conducted with my buddy Shawn Taylor- author of many, many titles includes one of favorites, Great War Spearhead 2. I do have a theory- given the amount we talked about UFOs and spirits on the episodes, I can only imagine that it was foul play.....

If this sounds intriguing to you, listen to the episode, which miraculously WORKED the 4th time Aady looked at it. And no- I'm not yucking this up to build drama around the episode. Everything I'm saying is true. Or is it?

Enjoy!

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Episode #52: Is It Possible There is Someone as Busy as Me? My Interview with Bob Sinnott of Battle for Salvation + Tabletop Bob!

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:00:13 GMT

Friends- as many of you know, I constantly express my love hate relationship with that controversial company, Games Workshop. For once, we have an almost wholly positive episode about said company, given that I interviewed one of its devotees- my longtime friend, Bob Sinnott. Bob is a familiar face in both the world of education and gaming. He is a teacher at Windward, located in Westchester County, and an instructor at Discovery Camp where he runs all sorts of game related activities. He is also an absolute fixture on the 40k tournament scene, helping to run the Battle for Salvation club located in West Harrison, NY (where I grew up), and play on its competitive team. Bob, or Bobby as I like to call him, as been in my life for decades, as he used to frequent the deli I worked at for years and years. By the time he got into gaming, I was long gone, and I only realized later on what a fixture he truly had become. Bobby really opened my eyes to the realities of 40k tournament play, and talked quite a bit about what it takes to be a solid competitive player. He is eloquent, clear, and incredibly easy to talk to. Please enjoy the episode- selfishly, it was a special one for me!

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Episode #50: Salute 51 Convention Recap w/the 20SG Team!

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy this recap of Salute 51, which we recorded onsite in London, England. Without sounding dramatic, it's one of the better shows we've recorded (at least from my perspective). The show should give you a good sense of what the adventure was like for Titch, Kelly and I. Please enjoy!

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Episode #51: Kelly Interviews Kenny from Rogue State Games!

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- one of the goals of the pod is to highlight some game shops that the team really enjoys. For Kelly, his hometown, go to, gaming store is called Rogue State Games in Mahwah, NJ. In this episode, Kelly took the lead in interviewing the store's owner, Kenny, to get a sense of what it's like running a game shop, the importance of community, and the sinister potential of sucking presidents of game LLCs into Star Wars Unlimited! It was a ton of fun, and great to see Kelly take the helm for the first time!

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Episode #49: Hello London! The 20SG Team Explores the City

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 07:42:48 GMT

Friends- hello from across the pond! Titch and I debrief our first travel day and excursion into London. We get into some details about the things we did, ate, and saw. Please enjoy the episode and thanks for coming along on the journey with us!

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Episode #48: Jack and Samuel of Masterstroke Games- A Special Salute 51 Episode!

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 10:22:05 GMT

For my 3rd posting of the day, we have Jack and Samuel Gassmann, designers of Force of Virtue from Masterstroke Games! They reached out to me earlier in the year, and it just so happened they were also attending Salute 51, both as attendees and game masters! We covered a lot of ground in this episode, including a discussion of HEMA, game design for Force of Virtue, and what these guys will be presenting at Salute 51. It was a great talk and I appreciate how candid Jack and Samuel were! Please enjoy the episode!

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Episode #47: Phil Andrews: Lead Organizer and Planner of Salute 51!

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 10:14:58 GMT

Please enjoy our next Salute 51 themed episode with none other than Phil Andrews! Phil is a member of the South London Warlords and the chief architect of this year's wargaming convention. He kindly took time out of his day to speak with me about the planning of Salute, as well as some of the details a first timer should expect. Given that they are expecting between 6000-8000 attendees, this is next level planning on the part of Phil and his team! Please enjoy our conversation, and thanks again to Phil for coming on the show.

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Friendcast #9: Gearing up For Salute 51 w/Kelly + Titch!

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 10:09:33 GMT

Friends- come along for the planning of 20Sided Gamified LLC's journey to Salute 51! Titch, Kelly and I plan out the adventure on-air and get into every detail of what we're excited about, what we want to see, and how we want to tackle this doozy of a con!

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Episode #46: The Battle of Qadesh at SUNY New Paltz: Jared and Kelly Debrief the Event!

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 19:19:48 GMT

Loyal Audience! Please enjoy this podcast which was recorded YESTERDAY immediately following our wargaming event at SUNY New Paltz. Kelly and I, along with long time friend and mentor Dr. John Manning, ran two scenarios for Dr. Bezerra's classes, each of which focused on the Battle of Qadesh (1274 BCE). We put a lot of time into crafting the scenario, playtesting it over and over to ensure that both sides had the opportunity to win. The students had a blast, and dare I say, everyone involved saw the value of game based learning. Kelly took a ton of photos and video, interviewing students about their experience to get a better sense of what they enjoyed about the experience. We'll more than likely build some sort of montage for our Youtube page. Please enjoy the episode, and keep a look out for a second episode about more of the strategies that were used in real life as well as the game when it comes to fighting Qadesh.

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Episode #45: Dungeon Crawling with Jon and Brynn Hage of Sleeping Giant Gaming!

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:00:36 GMT

Friends! Today, we bring back Jon Hage from Sleeping Giant Gaming! You may remember a short video we made from PAXUnplugged in which we conducted a very short interview with the company. This time around, we have Jon and his daughter, Brynn, on the show for a full conversation. Brynn is the artist in the family and is responsible for all of the maps and illustrations in SGG products. It was lovely speaking with them both!

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Episode #44: When Your Company is Synonymous with Gaming: Will and Randy of Steve Jackson Games

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:00:50 GMT

This was a really big one for Kelly and I. Steve Jackson Games is one of those companies that should be on the Wikipedia page when you type in "gaming", "games", or "hobbies". This is a company that's been around for over 40 years and has published some of the most recognizable products in the world of games, including Munchkin, Car Wars, Ogre, and GURPS. Will and Randy couldn't have been nicer, and we all collectively realized that this would end up being more than a single episode of conversation (in fact, we'll be interviewing Steve Jackson HIMSELF sooner rather than later). We originally set out to talk about the new Car Wars rules (which we did successfully), but quickly veered off into other areas as well. Huge thanks to the guys for coming on. Please enjoy!

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Friendcast #8: How to Start a Wargaming Project in 2024 w/Titch, Cory, and Dave Taylor: Part #2:

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 14:00:52 GMT

Friends- please enjoy the 2nd installment of our "how to start a wargaming project". On this episode, Titch, Cory, Dave Taylor and I talk paints, painting, and the techniques we use when painting our miniatures. We were all loose for this episode (especially me, hence the introduction) and had an absolute blast chatting. Thanks to all the guys for participating. Collectively, we have about 150 years of painting experience! Enjoy the show and be sure to check out the links below!

https://www.davetaylorminiatures.com/

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Episode #43: Game Based Learning in the Classroom: A Conversation with Matthew Farber ED.D, University of Northern Colorado

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- today on the pod, Kelly and I chat with the amazing Matthew Farber of UNC. This guy is way too accomplished for me to just blather about, so I pulled his bio right from his website (it's below this blurb). This was a fun, intense, deep conversation about games, education, and how they manifest in the classroom. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Matthew Farber, Ed.D. is an Associate Professor of educational technology at the University of Northern Colorado and the founder of the Gaming SEL Lab. His research is at the intersection of game-based learning (GBL) and social and emotional learning (SEL). He studies how playing and making games can cultivate empathy, perspective-taking, and ethical decision-making. He also works in youth initiatives around game design as a form of self-expression.

Dr. Farber has been invited to the White House, to keynote for UNESCO, and he has been interviewed about games and learning by NPR, The Washington Post, Fox News Radio, APA Monitor on Psychology, EdSurge, The Denver Post, The74, Fast Company, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. He is an advisor to Peekapak, Quandary (MIT’s Learning Games Network), Evolved Play, and Slam Out Loud, and has advised Noggin (Nick, Jr.). He is also a frequent UNESCO MGIEP, iThrive Games Foundation, and Games for Change collaborator, an Edutopia contributor, a Certified BrainPOP Educator, a Classcraft Ambassador, and a member of the iCivics Educator Network.

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Episode #42: Miniatures that Look Alive: Taylor Holloway from Creature Caster

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 14:00:17 GMT

Friends- My guest this week is none other than Taylor Holloway from the venerable and awesome company Creature Caster. They make absolutely gorgeous models, along with gaming rules and other game related products. Kelly and I met Taylor at PAX 2023, and within a few minutes of chatting, it was clear that we'd do a whole episode about the company. This was a wild one- please enjoy!

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Episode #41: This Wargaming Fella Needs No Introduction: Tony from Little Wars TV!

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy this conversation with our friend Tony from Little Wars TV. Probably one of the more casual episodes we've done yet. We talked about anything and everything game related as well as some other juicy topics and controversies. Kelly and I are excited given that we're gonna see Tony this summer at Historicon, and we got the invite to do some podcasting at the LWTV HQ this summer. Should be a blast. Have fun with this episode!

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Episode #40: Westchester Community College: When an Institution Boardgames, Roleplays, and Wargames as Part of Its Programming

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 14:00:26 GMT

Friends- please enjoy our 40th!!!! episode with the faculty of Westchester Community College! There is a vibrant gaming scene at the college, located in Valhalla, NY, with games being presented in classrooms as well as after hours. This was a wild one to record given the fact that there were 6 voices in the space, and I wanted to make sure everyone was heard. Huge thank you to Steve, Scott, Julie, and Houston for being part of the show. Listeners- this is the episode for you if you want to hear more about gaming on an institutional level. Have fun listening!

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Friendcast #7: How to Start a Wargaming Project in 2024 w/Titch + Kelly Part 1:

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- please enjoy this friendcast with Titch + Kelly! Here us go at it with tips on how to get a wargaming project off the ground in 2024. While we were a bit "loose" in this episode (which was kind of the point) I do think it's a pretty comprehensive look at the behemoth that wargaming can be, with tips on how to overcome some of the hurdles. We had a great time- and please keep an eye out for part 2!

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Episode #39: The Mozart of Historical Wargaming: Richard Clarke of the Too Fat Lardies

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 14:00:49 GMT

Friends- I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Richard Clarke, mastermind behind the Too Fat Lardies. TFL can be described in many ways- they are a wargaming group, a company, and even simpler, a group of friends that all share wargaming in common. Their rules are prolific and some of the most played historical wargames in the world, everything from Chain of Command, to What a Cowboy, to I Ain't Been Shot, Mum. I would also argue that TFL rules bridge a nice gap between "fun" and "complexity". Richard and I touched on numerous topics including his start in the hobby, views on wargaming rules, and some of the conflict with The Miniatures Page (TMP) a number of years ago. It was a great chat, and I'm thankful Richard was interested in coming on the show!

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Episode #38: The Princeton Tandem, Part 1: Alyssa Faden- Cartographer and D&D Legend

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- This episode was recorded on location at Princeton University, during some downtime at PMUNC 2023. Alyssa Faden is, simply put, one of the finest cartographers I've ever come across. In so many regards, she is a legend in the D&D map-making world, helping Dungeon Masters/Storytellers bring their games to life, and provide a creative boost. All of her work is hand drawn and detailed to perfection. Our conversation was wide ranging and super fun. If you're interested in checking out Alyssa's work, please go to:

https://www.alyssafaden.com/

Enjoy the show!!!

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Episode #37: The Princeton Tandem, Part 2: Jason Matthews, Designer of Twilight Struggle

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Friends- This episode is part 2 in a short series I'm calling the Princeton Tandem, as I recorded these during a short downtime period during PMUNC 2023. Jason Matthews is one of the finest game designers out there. When Kevin Bertram of Fort Circle Games told me, "I know this guy", I knew I had to reach out for an interview. Twilight Struggle, if you're a history teacher or political science teacher, is THE GAME, no matter what! It's played all over the place, in schools, game clubs, comic stores- you name it. Jason is a great conversationalist, with TS being only part of the conversation. We have a lot of overlap in terms of education, and it was interesting to hear about the lobbyist work, amongst other things, that Jason does for a career. Loved talking to him- I hope you enjoy listening!

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Episode #36: Do you have what it takes to be a Scrabble champion? A chat with one of the GOATS, Will Anderson!

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 14:00:05 GMT

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Friends- I don't know how often we think of Scrabble in the same light as other strategic games. In fact, it is very strategic, and requires a ton of skill, practice, and discipline to get good. In this episode, I had the utmost privilege of interviewing friend and Scrabble guru Will Anderson. He is so personable, warm, and kind, and it awesome learning more about his rise through the ranks of the Scrabble elite despite finding the game later in life. I am not afraid to admit that beyond our friendship, I am simply astounded at the way his brain works, and I love asking him questions to better understand how he thinks. I also think that many of the topics we covered within the show, especially when it comes to the importance of practice, can play a role in the life of any gamer. We had an awesome conversation, and Will is planning on coming back on the show in the future to chat again. I sincerely hope you enjoy the show!

Will can be found on youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/@wanderer15

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Episode #35: The Dynamic Duo of the Gaming World: Steve and Shelby of @armchairemperor

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 14:00:44 GMT

20 Sided Gamified Listeners- If you’re a fan of this show and want access to 12 exclusive episodes that drop on the 30th of each month- shows that are orchestrated and designed by you, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC See you there, and don’t forget your dice!

patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC

For today's show, Kelly and I interview our friends Steve and Shelby, who go by the moniker @armchairemperor on Instagram. While we talked about many things, a lot of our conversation focused on an extensive project these two worked on for Historicon 2023. Shelby is quite the terrain builder, and went into detail about making a 54mm replica of Fort William Henry to go along with scenario + rule design by Steve, who also painted up all the wonderful figures used in the game. The games were a real hit at the con! Beyond that, we simply had a lovely chat. Please enjoy the show!

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Friendcast #6: Kelly, I, and the Art of the Bulls***t

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 14:00:09 GMT

On this episode, Kelly and I chat about different games, HMGS Next Gen, Inc "stuff", and other topics casual in nature. I find these types of episodes to sometimes be the most fun to record, so please enjoy!

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #34: Embrace the Darkness with Gehenna Gaming w/ Ian and Nick

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 14:00:05 GMT

Friends- anyone who listens to this podcast regularly knows that your faithful host is a huge fan of the World of Darkness and White Wolf Games. If Gothic Horror makes you uncomfortable, this is not the episode for you! Gehenna Gaming started out as a game group of WoD fans, and morphed into a full fledged company that was responsible for the dozens of Vampire the Masquerade tables at PAX Unplugged 2023! They provided the STs running the games, and had a booth in the main vendor hall with all the exhibitors. In this chat, we discussed the founding of Gehenna Gaming, some basic concepts regarding the World of Darkness, and spoke about GG's upcoming game, Eldritch Automata! We will absolute have Ian and Nick back on in the future, and I hope to get in some games with them at some point or another! Remember- if horror and really "messed up" plots are not for you, I would not recommend this episode!

Some links specific to Gehenna games, including their soon to be released game, Eldritch Automata!

Website: https://gehennagaming.com

Eldritch Automata: https://links.gehennagaming.com/ea

Discord: https://discordapp.com/invite/Twb5m6d

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #33: Warlord Games is the Mothership of Modern Historical Wargaming w/ Marcus Vine, Tournament Director and Content Creator for Warlord Games

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 23:57:08 GMT

If you read the title of this particular podcast, need I say more? Warlord Games is by far the most recognizable, relevant, historical wargaming forward company out there. This is not to say that there aren't other important companies and manufacturers out there- of course there are! But when it comes to modern wargaming companies, it's hard to argue against everything that Warlord has been doing since its inception, whether we're talking about Bolt Action, Black Powder, its Epic line, etc. In this interview, Kelly and I had the chance to chat with Marcus Vine, Hobby Content Producer and Tournament Coordinator for Warlord Games. It was an absolute blast talking with him, as he was able to give us a good sense of what Warlord's values are as a company, and got into some detail about the educational opportunities Warlord has dove into. Huge thank you to Marcus to taking the time to chat with us. Please enjoy the show!

Also, friends, depending on when you listen to this episode, Firelock Games has ONE MORE DAY for its 20 Sided Gamified sale! Use the coupon code nextgen10 to get a discount on your purchase (valid through 12/22).

Finally, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #32: Inside the Mind of Robey Jenkins: Author of Horizon Wars and Owner of Precinct Omega Games

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:18:16 GMT

Friends- Robey Jenkins is author of the Horizon Wars series, a fabulous game of SciFi combat. Originally, he published his work through Osprey Publishing, but since has launched his own company called Precinct Omega Games. What stood out more than anything from this interview was Robey's dedication, creativity, and willingness to open up about his journey in game authorship. While we had some technical difficulties recording, Robey was kind enough to do a monologue "goodbye and thanks" plug at the end of the show. I hope you enjoy the episode, and please do check out Robey's page at the following location:

https://www.precinctomega.co.uk/

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Finally- don't forget about the current Firelock Games sale, which lasts until 12/22 and is directly connected to this show. If interested in picking up some stuff, please go to

www.firelockgames.com

Use the coupon nextgen10 to get a discount on your purchases!

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Episode #31: A Potential Reason to Buy Property in Ohio: Adam Sharp from the Thomas Hill Wargaming Group

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:19:56 GMT

Friends- Kelly and I only interviewed Adam a few days ago, but couldn't help but post the conversation immediately. While not necessarily "affiliated" with Firelock Games, Adam and his Thomas Hill Wargamers crew (from Ohio) love their games, and even have been showcased in some of Firelock's books! Because of this, it made sense to post the pods together, as we talked so much about the Firelock team with Adam. Ultimately, I've been impressed by the Thomas Hill Wargamers ever since I saw their amazing WW1 trench board at Historicon 2024. Additionally, they have been published in a few wargaming magazines. They have an amazing game club and are prolific when it comes to their online presence- hence how we came into contact. I loved doing this interview. Frankly, this interview is exactly why I got into podcasting, as while I knew a lot about the wargaming club, I knew very little about Adam. He has lived quite the life, doing work on behalf of farmers everywhere. He has traveled the world, worked in government, lived in DC, and has even taken a gamified approach to working out the kinds of problems farmers could have in catastrophe. It was a fascinating conversation. Also- I do want to point out that this little family unit- created by this pod- will be a lot of fun to get together with this summer. Cigars? Rum? Wargaming? Maybe a little danger? Should be a blast! I hope you enjoy this podcast (and the Firelock episode) as much as I did!

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #30: Pirates, Trenches, Knights, and Florida: Mike and Rufus from Firelock Games

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:07:08 GMT

Hello there friends! I hope all of you are having a wonderful day. For today's episode, I present to you Mike and Rufus from Firelock Games. This was an exceedingly fun interview to conduct, and I can absolutely tell that these guys are passionate about their product. We talked a ton about the history of Firelock Games, where the company came from, how it developed, and where it's headed in the future. Simply put- their games are really fun, so much so that we're running a 10% off coupon through the podcast, as a thank you to 20 Sided listeners. Go to Firelock's website https://www.firelockgames.com/ and put in the code nextgen10. This will hook you up on whatever you'd like to purchase, whether that's Blood and Plunder, Blood and Valor, or any of the fine products they sell. I can't wait to meet these guys in person at next year's Historicon 2024!

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #29: You Really Don't Think We've Forgotten About Historical Wargaming, Do You? : A conversation with Hayes Wauford of Camel City Wargamers and the Triangle Simulation Society

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 10:47:14 GMT

20 Sided fans! I hope you're doing well out there, wherever you are! For today's show, I bring you the magnificent wargamer and educator, Hayes Wauford! Hayes and I met through the podcast itself, as well as HMGS Next Gen, Inc, the non-profit I help to run alongside John Spiess and Jim Stanton. I started following his pages on Instagram @camelcitywargames and @trianglesimulationsociety and noticed the professional and gorgeous games he was putting on in the American South. Then we realized that we grew up right around the same time, and had similar backgrounds in running wargames and other types of games for school programs. In that moment, I realized that Hayes would be an awesome guest. I did this talk solo, and had a killer conversation. I hope that you enjoy it. If you're a gamer and always wanted to get a sense of how to put on an educational game for kids, this is the episode you want to take a listen to!

And friends, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

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Episode #28: PAX Saturday Recap: Two Podcasters Walk into a Tavern....

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 13:08:01 GMT

For our final PAX episode, Kelly and I talk about Saturday's comings and goings and some highlights of the day. We discuss some of our video interviews (which will air soon) with Archon Games, as well as Dire Wolf Games, and talk about some of the very cool products we found at their booths. In addition, we talked purchases, our experience in the roleplaying area of the con, and final thoughts on the trip. Please enjoy the show!

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Friendcast #5: Napoleonic Wargaming and a Review of Ridley Scott's "Napoleon" w/ Kelly McManus and Matt Rendar of Battle Tribe

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 03:46:14 GMT

Hey all! I know we've been spoiling you with with content these last few days, but when Aady told me this one was done, I couldn't help but post it. Enjoy Kelly, Matt and I get wild and crazy over the recent Napoleon movie. We also got a chance to talk a bit about the black hole that is Napoleonic wargaming. It's a good one, so buckle your seatbelts!

And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!

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Episode #27: PAX Friday Recap: Let the Journey Begin.....w/ Kelly McManus

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 12:51:56 GMT

Friends- Kelly and I are recording live from PAX Unplugged 2023! We got in yesterday, and the whole event has been magnificent thus far. This recording was made last night around 10:00pm. We provide a little context for the convention, discuss our gratitude for being here, and plug some of the really cool vendors we met throughout our walkthrough of the main convention center.

Also, this is the first episode we've put out acknowledging our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% of your first month!

https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

Please enjoy the show!

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Friendcast #4: Surprise! The Thanksgiving Holiday Special w/ The All Powerful Co-Host, Kelly McManus

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:00:36 GMT

Friends! Surprise! This week's pod comes a day early, and is meant to celebrate Thanksgiving and YOU! The 20 Sided team is quite thankful for all the support in 2023, and we wanted to bring you a fun filled (and only sort of cynical) episode that you can listen to in the more quiet moments of the Thanksgiving holiday. Now, should you want to enjoy it with the whole family- do you! It was a ton of fun to record. Ultimately, we mused on many topics, but the one that came up a few times was something along these lines- "when you're celebrating the holiday, are you thinking of ways to sneak out and get some hobby in?" If that's YOU, you'll absolutely love this conversation. Whatever you do, and however you celebrate, please enjoy the day, and enjoy the podcast!

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Episode #26: An Ancient Wargame that Feels Appropriate: An Interview with Author Mark Backhouse (Strength and Honour)

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 20:46:27 GMT

Please enjoy the conversation I had with Mark Backhouse, author of "Strength and Honour". To me, this is one of my favorite ancient wargames, and one that has the FEEL of the kinds of battles described by authors like Polybius, Tacitus, and Livy. This is in stark contrast with other rulesets focused more on tournament play, list building, min-maxing, etc. Mark is a school teacher like myself, and we hit it off pretty quickly. The talk was informative, interesting, and I hope you get something out of it. Have a great weekend all! Get some gaming in!

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Episode #25: The King of 10mm Scale: The Lowdown from Leon Pengilly of Pendraken Miniatures

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 15:20:48 GMT

While I embarrassed myself confusing Black Sabbath's home city on this podcast (shame, shame, shame), it doesn't mean the conversation wasn't good! Shame aside, I had a lovely talk with Leon Pengilly, owner of Pendraken Miniatures. The company is one of the worlds most important manufacturers of 10mm scale miniatures. Leon walked me through the day in, day out life of a business owner that specializes in miniatures, and it was awesome to hear about the ways in which he runs his enterprise. Leon was great to talk to and I look forward to seeing him in person at Salute 2024! I am a massive fan of the company, and how to inspire the audience to check out his different wargaming lines. Please enjoy the podcast!

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Episode #24: Games are For Everyone! A Joyous Chat with Starla and Mik from "Our Family Plays Games"

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 15:07:26 GMT

On today's episode, Starla and Mik from "Our Family Plays Games" came by to talk about their company's founding, their favorite games, and what they see as their role in the gaming community. To quote my engineer, who listened to this pod last night, "joy was oozing off the audio file". Easily one of my favorite interviews ever. OFPG is truly ensuring that everyone gets a seat at the table, and their message is plastered all over the internet, on their social media pages, and live, in person at gaming cons around the country. Please enjoy!

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Episode #23: The Intersection of Roleplay Gaming, History, and Culture- A Talk with Logan and Kitty from Coyote and Crow Games

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 22:06:59 GMT

Today on the pod we've got Logan and Kitty from Coyote and Crow Games. I had an absolute blast speaking with them, as they broke down the history, methodology, and mechanics of the popular roleplaying game, Coyote and Crow. This is a Science Fantasy game exploring a major "what if"- what if the indigenous people of the Americas never came into contact with Europeans coming overseas beginning in the 15th century? The kind of dedication, time, and energy that both Logan and Kitty put into the world building aspect of the game is simply remarkable, and the conversation we had touched on so many different avenues. We didn't get to finish the conversation, so expect another podcast in the future!

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Episode #22: Historicon, Biology, and New Friends: A Conversation with Dr. Gavin Lawson of Bridgewater College

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 10:33:48 GMT

Please enjoy this short but great podcast with Dr. Gavin Lawson. He is professor of Biology from Bridgewater College in Virginia, who just so happens to be a gamer, and just so happens to have a ton of experience gamifying education for students. Gavin and I met at Historicon 2023, becoming acquainted quickly. When he reached out regarding the rules I used for my Belleau Wood scenario, I asked him if he might have interest being on the pod. He said yes, and here we are! While the pod was on the short side, it was a really fulfilling conversation. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope to see Gavin again in the future for some gaming!

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Friendcast #3: The Big Game vs the Small Game in Historical Wargaming: w/ Titch White and Cory Ring from Cigar Box Battles

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:45:39 GMT

On today's Friendcast, 2 of my good buddies, Titch White and Cory Ring from Cigar Box Battles have come on the show to discuss the age old question in historical wargaming: the big game vs the little game. In other words, what has more merit- the massive miniatures game that requires 14 players and 10,000 miniatures on the table? Or, is there more merit to the smaller game on a 4x4 table with 10 miniatures per side? We debate this question, talk about the hobby, and discuss even more on this Friendcast!

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Episode #21: Public Policy and the Power of Gamification: Dr. Thomas O'Toole of the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, Cornell University

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 13:00:41 GMT

Hello friends! This week on the pod, I spoke with Dr. Thomas O'Toole. He is the Executive Director of Public Affairs Programming at the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, at Cornell University. Tom and I met at Brunswick School, after I a) saw a really cool Cold War Simulation in our printer and b) found out that there was a guest professor running a simulation for some upper school students. I sat in on the game, and needless to say, I immediately said to myself, "I gotta get this guy on the pod!". Tom is a great guy- I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with him as he explained how he got into games, and how he uses them within the public policy courses that he runs. Have fun listening!

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Episode #20: The Fixture of Fixtures of the Wargaming Scene- Dave Taylor of Dave Taylor Miniatures and Games Workshop Fame

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 10:31:23 GMT

For our 20th episode of the pod, I spoke with Dave Taylor. If you don't know who Dave Taylor is (shame, shame, shame!), he came to the US several decades ago to work on Games Workshop's US team. He has been here ever since, and is as prolific as anyone I know when it comes to wargaming, miniatures painting, and publishing. In addition to maintaining his own site, Dave Taylor Miniatures, Dave also writes for Wargames Illustrated, helps HMGS with its painting contests, and all in all, is always "around" when it comes to the hobby. I loved speaking with him! Please enjoy the show!

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Friendcast #2: Command Systems in Wargaming: When is it Too Little or Too Much? With Kelly and Steve!

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 13:00:38 GMT

On this edition of everyone's favorite Friendcast, Kelly, Steve and I chat about command systems in wargames. When is a command system so EXTRA that you sit around doing nothing, hoping for your troops to move? When is it too little, where a gamer has little to think about other than how many dice they need to roll? All this and more on Friendcast #2!

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Episode #19: What I'd Like to Call a Big Deal: Interview with Wayne Arthur Turner from Battlefront Miniatures and Flames of War

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 13:00:23 GMT

Much as you can tell by the title, I really felt this was a "big deal" kind of podcast. Wayne Arthur Turner has worked for Battlefield Miniatures for a number of years, writing sourcebooks for the standard Flames of War game as well as Team Yankee. He was a blast to talk to- the kind of conversation I wish was happening in person, following by a Flames of War game and possibly a pint or two (sorry kids, role model hat off!). Like I said, it was so much fun to talk with him, which gave me a great sense of where the company started, where it is now, and what it's doing. Thanks Wayne, for coming on! For all you listeners out there, please enjoy!

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Episode #18: Gamified Education at West Point and Beyond- A Chat with Ray Kimball of 42ed Games

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:59:16 GMT

Hey there friends! Today on the pod is none other than Ray Kimball of 42ed Games. I first met Ray at NASAGA 2022, where I got the chance to play his Cuban Missile Crisis simulation, which was an absolute highlight for me. Only then did I find about his career in the US Army, along with all the work he has been doing with 42ed Games. We had a robust discussion about gamified education, and talked up the ever closer NASAGA 2024 Conference in St Louis. I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did recording it!

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Episode #17: Who Said Historical Simulations/Games Can't be Immensely Fun? Kevin Bertram and Tory Brown from Fort Circle Games

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 10:30:05 GMT

Today on the pod 20 Sided Gamified features two fantastic, interesting, easy to talk to boardgame designers- Kevin Bertram and Tory Brown of Fort Circle Games. Located in/near Washington DC, Fort Circle Games, with CEO and founder Kevin at the helm, is dedicated to designing games that take complex historical events and transform them into easy to learn games. With popular titles like "The Halls of Montezuma" and "Shores of Tripoli", Kevin has designed and curated games that are both educational and fun. Tory Brown, an author working with Fort Circle, was also featured on the pod as her game "Votes for Women", about Women's Suffrage, has really been the talk of the town in so many gaming circles. Again, much like the other titles in the Fort Circle library, this is an exceedingly playable game which also serves as a wonderful educator and teacher all at once. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with both Kevin and Tory, and hope to pair up with them in the future to do some classroom work, given that their titles are literally perfect for any academic setting. Please enjoy the show!

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Friendcast #1: Is Your Army/Character/Genre Choice in a Game a Direct Reflection of You as a Person? With Kelly and Steve!

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:20:49 GMT

On a "friendcast", I shoot the breeze with friends both near and far on different topics related to gaming. In this particular case, Kelly, Steve and I discuss how much a player's army choice (or character choice in an RPG) is a reflection on them. For example- is a player a "bad" person for playing Germans in WW2, or insurgents in Iraq? If you play a psychotic rogue hellbent on murder in D&D, does that say something about you? Get ready for a rollercoaster of a friendcast! Please enjoy!

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Episode #16: When a Plan Comes Together: Talking Game Development with Jamey from Stonemaier Games

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:14:39 GMT

Had an amazing conversation with Jamey from Stonemaier Games. It was one of those "do you want to be on the pod?" conversations that I've had a bunch of times, but never did everything come together as smooth as this one. Jamey was super easy to talk to, and it was nice going back in time to think about the beginning days of Magic. In terms of content, we also spoke a lot about the trials of running a game company, particularly one as successful as Stonemaier. It was, simply put, a lovely chat. I hope that you enjoy it!

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Episode #15: From Canada With Love: Shawn Taylor, Author of Great War Spearhead

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 22:31:18 GMT

Shawn Taylor is the author of numerous wargaming rulesets, including a personal favorite of mine, Great War Spearhead. In this wide ranging conversation, Shawn and I discussed all sorts of things related to the First World War, as well as more tangential topics such as Games Workshop, Canada, and military service. It was a really fun chat, one that I hope you enjoy as much as I did recording it!

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Episode #14: What is NASAGA 2023 w/ Veronica Brown and Jeremy Caddel

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 12:01:50 GMT

On this episode of the pod, I interview Veronica Brown and Jeremy Caddel, two wonderful people who have been knee-deep in planning for NASAGA 2023, being held October 18th-21st in St. Louis, Missouri. NASAGA stands for North American Simulations and Games Association. The organization runs a yearly conference in which game enthusiasts, designers, educators, and people within the corporate world come together for workshops, seminars, and other activities centered around game based learning and practical application. And, beyond that, and arguably most important, participants have FUN getting together to talk all things games! I had a blast doing this interview as both Veronica and Jeremy sit on NASAGA's board of directors, and are the best people to give a sense of what NASAGA is all about, and what it might be like for someone to attend a conference. Please get to know Veronica and Jeremy through the pod, and enjoy! Should you want to attend the conference or need more information, all of those questions will be answered toward the end of the interview. I hope to see you at the con!

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Episode #13: Rule Writing with Eric Farrington: The Podcast Brought Back from the Dead!

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 17:29:32 GMT

There are multiple reasons why this particular podcast should be at the top of your listening queue. First and foremost, Eric Farrington is a killer rules writer/author whose titles include "Men of Bronze", "Wars of the Republic", and "Castles in the Sky", all published through Osprey Games. The conversation was really fun, given how much of an expert and enthusiast he is for games and game design. It was one of those conversations where I could easily see myself sitting down to roll some dice with Eric, and talk shop! The other reason you should listen to this podcast is because it almost was lost in space. Long story short, there was an issue within the 20 Sided Studio which I caught very late, and miraculously, my producer and I were able to find the raw file and transform it into the typical A+ listening experience we're known for. So in that sense, please grab your favorite beverage, or prepare yourself for whatever physical drive you're about to take, and get ready to listen to an interview that was nearly lost, without the help of a friendly Necromancer. Please enjoy!!!!

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Episode #12: Wargamer, NYPD Sketch-Artist, Iraq Veteran, and Owner of Battle Tribe! A "What Has This Guy Not Done" Conversation with my Friend Matt Rendar

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 12:31:33 GMT

What has this guy NOT done??? Sit back and enjoy this conversation I had with the incomparable Matt Rendar, owner of Battle Tribe, and wargamer extraordinaire. I had so much fun talking to Matt about his many life experiences, everything from the tabletop, to real life battles, to art, and everything in between. Easily one of the more humbling pods I've done thus far. Please enjoy! Also, be on the lookout for a little collaboration Matt and I did together, though my role in said collab was as minimal as me sending Matt a photo.....

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Episode #11: Psychology, College, and Gaming- Down the Rabbit-Hole with Dr. Steve O'Rourke

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 11:45:47 GMT

On this episode of the podcast, I chat with Dr. Steve O'Rourke, who is a professor of psychology at Westchester Community College. We talked at length about how he arrived at the school, how he implements games in the classroom, and what it's like to build community through gaming. This was a really easy conversation and I could tell quickly that Steve was a kindred spirit, as we had much in common. Please enjoy the episode!

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Episode #10: Collaborative World Building at RIT: A Deep Dive with Professor Trent Hergenrader

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:55:53 GMT

Today on the podcast I interview a friend, collaborative partner, and key player within the field of game based learning in the classroom- Professor Trent Hergenrader of RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology). Trent is, in my eyes, a pioneer of gaming pedagogy. Having seen his work first hand at NASAGA conferences, as well as at some of teaching conferences I ran at Hackley, he is an innovator, and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to gamification, collaborative world building, and teaching in general. This is a conversation you won't want to miss, as Trent goes in depth about how he does what he does inside the creative writing classroom.

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Episode #9: Historicon 2023 Recap Series: Tony + Miles of Little Wars TV

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:49:21 GMT

20 Sided Gamified went live on Saturday night, July 22nd, 2023! Tony and Miles came by to chat about Little Wars TV, Historicon, and what it's like being one of the most popular wargaming groups around. If you have no experience with Little Wars TV, this podcast will give a little insight into who they are and what they do. They are massive promoters of the hobby, and their video episodes and games on location are simply amazing. Over the next few weeks, I hope to have more folks from Historicon 2023 on the pod, give listeners a little perspective on what it's like to attend a wargaming convention, or any gaming convention for that matter. The fact that I was completely exhausted and loopy during this podcast made it all the more better!

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Episode #8: Building Community Through Games: Chelsea Viteri of Washington University

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 10:58:28 GMT

Chelsea Viteri is the Program Coordinator and an instructor within Washington University's Global Citizenship Program. We talked about community building, the intersection between games and theater, and the importance of travel to raise student's global awareness. Chelsea is going to be on the presenters at NASAGA 2023, being held October 18-21 in St Louis. For more information, please use the following link: https://www.nasaga.org/2023

Please enjoy the podcast- Chelsea was a ton of fun to talk with and I look forward to her participation at this year's NASAGA conference!

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Episode #7: Sprucing Up The Ole'Gaming Table: Cory Ring from Cigar Box Battle

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 12:35:52 GMT

Friends! If you've ever sat down to do some gaming, of any sort, and thought to yourself, "I need to upgrade my game mat/felt/tabletop", then this is the podcast for you! Cory Ring, one of the most low key innovators in the gaming community, founded Cigar Box Battle mats many, many years ago. If you're using a highly crafted battle mat with images of fields, asteroids, stars, water features, etc, it's more than likely his! Or, if it's not, whomever you made your purchase from probably got the idea from seeing his company in action! Definitely not trying to be inflammatory here, but in all seriousness, Cory is one of those innovators I hope everyone gets to know. This was a fun podcast, and I will certainly have Cory on again in the future!

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Episode #6: A Catchy Name and Even Better Games: A Conversation with Martin Goddard of Peter Pig Miniatures

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 22:41:33 GMT

Please enjoy this (dare I say) raucous conversation with Martin Goddard of Peter Pig Miniatures. Peter Pig has one of the most extensive lines of 15mm historical wargaming figures- period- end of story. The line is unbelievable and covers a wide variety of figure lines including WW1, WW2, Vikings, Mexican Revolution, etc. Even more interesting are the various rulesets the company has to offer, which Martin has curated over a long period of time. It was a fascinating conversations, and a very personal one for yours truly, as Peter Pig's Square Bashing really resonated with me back in the early 2000s. Please enjoy!

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Episode #5: What it Means to be a Prolific Rules Writer: Talking Shop with Barry Hilton of the League of Augsburg

Wed, 10 May 2023 13:28:45 GMT

20 Sided Gamified fans! Today on the pod we've got a real legend within the wargaming community- Barry Hilton of "Beneath the Lilly Banners" fame! Barry is a prolific writer of rules, and a staple in the community. We talked about his start in the hobby, how he became an author, and his thoughts on the state of wargaming in 2023. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with him, and I hope you get something out of the conversation!

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Episode #4: Tabletop Battles with BelloLudi Strategy Games: Peter van Dop

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 16:46:51 GMT

Greetings friends! Today on the pod we've got much talked about author Peter van Dop in tow! If you haven't come across Peter's name, he is the owner and rules author of BelloLudi games, a series of supplements that can both stand alone as interesting games themselves, but are also meant to bring in new players to the historical miniatures hobby. I had a blast speaking with him, and I hope you enjoy listening!

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Episode #3: Games and the College Classroom: Talking Shop with Dr. Franklin Rausch

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:42:14 GMT

Today on the pod, we've got Dr. Franklin Rausch from Lander University, which is located in Greenwood, South Carolina. Frank is an award winning professor of history, who also happens to be a big advocate for game based learning in the classroom. His primary area of study is Asian history, with an emphasis on Korea. However, Frank is also well versed in Japanese and Chinese history, as well as interdisciplinary studies such as his course on the history of comic books in both the east and west. He is a wonderful guy, and I absolutely loved to hear about his experiences teaching using different game based models. Please enjoy!

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Episode #2: The Antidote to IGO-UGO- Brent Oman and the Field of Battle Series

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 21:30:41 GMT

On today's pod, Brent Oman, author of the tremendous Field of Battle series of miniature wargames, and most recently, Battle Command, comes on to discuss his theories on gaming, game design, and the rewards of rules' authoring. It was a fun conversation and covered everything from Brent's earliest forays into gaming, as well as the plans he has for future publications. If you've never played Piquet or any of Brent's Field of Battle games, this podcast will give you great insight into why you should head immediately to https://www.piquetwargames.com/ and poke around! Please enjoy the show!

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Episode #1: A Conversation with Rick Priestley

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:00:57 GMT

Today on the pod, Jared will be talking to a luminary figure in the gaming world- Rick Priestley of both Games Workshop, and more recently, Warlord Games fame. The conversation went in many directions and covered a wide variety of topics. If you've never come across Rick before, he is an absolutely lovely human being that's stamped his mark on many different games, from a design, play testing, and implementation lens. He was a pivotal figure in the creation of Warhammer Fantasy Battle, Warmaster, Bolt Actions, and many, many other titles. We also made some connections to education and thought about the benefits of gaming on the young mind. Please enjoy!

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