In this podcast, the host, Jacquie Harris, interviews game designers about the most joyful part of making games for them.
The point of this show is to have conversations about joy with people who engage with game systems and get joy from playing with them.
Games encourage systems thinking, and imagination, and these are important ingredients in shaping a revolutionary world.
I hope the joy sticks!
joysticks! with Tyler Crumrine: The joy of discovery
welcome to another episode of joysticks!
I got to sit down with a wonderful friend of mine, Tyler Crumrine, and talk about what it means when your players are "onto something."
You probably know Tyler from his map-labeling RPG Beak, Feather, & Bone. (https://possible-worlds-games.itch.io/bfb)
We talked about the Kleenex of RPGs (DND), RPG accessibility, and the liberatory future of game design (along with everything else, I could talk to Tyler for 100 hours).
Listen to exclusive interview questions at patreon.com/echolocationmedia (http://patreon.com/echolocationmedia)
I hope the joy sticks!
joysticks! is a podcast dedicated to the notion that games and their creation are an excellent way to be imaginative about systems and structures of society, and this imagination is a pillar of a more revolutionary world.
joysticks! is a product of echolocation media ltd., a small, queer-owned media business - your likes, subscriptions, and downloads mean a whole lot!
19 Dec 2025
joysticks! with Dr. Jason Cox: The joys of LARPing and learning
welcome to another episode of joysticks!
I got to sit down with Dr. Jason Cox, a professor whose work is about LARP and education! You may know his games-- Five Hundred Year Old Vampire, Cash and Crumbs, Mantle in the Museum (with Dr. Lillian Lewis) and What to do about Michael?
The was so much genuine joy and nuance in this conversation! LARP is amazing!
joysticks! is a podcast dedicated to the notion that games and their creation are an excellent way to be imaginative about systems and structures of society, and this imagination is a pillar of a more revolutionary world.
joysticks! is a product of echolocation media ltd., a small, queer-owned media business - your likes, subscriptions, and downloads mean a whole lot!
30 Oct 2025
joysticks! with AnnaMaria Jackson Phelps: the joy of connection
In this episode of joysticks! I had the privilege of talking to AnnaMaria Jackson Phelps about Violet Daisy (https://violetdaisygames.com/) games, about being a person breaking into making games, and also about making connections with and through games. I really enjoyed this conversation because I love talking about connection, and also because there was such a strong sense of community from games in AnnaMaria's words - these pockets of connection are the thing that sustain us in difficult times.
joysticks! is a podcast dedicated to the notion that games and their creation are an excellent way to be imaginative about systems and structures of society, and this imagination is a pillar of a more revolutionary world.
joysticks! is a product of echolocation media ltd., a small, queer-owned media business - your likes, subscriptions, and downloads mean a whole lot!
21 Oct 2025
joysticks! with Randy Flynn: The joy of building
This week I sit down with Randy Flynn - creator, most notably, of Cascadia (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/295947/cascadia), and its many forms, and talk about building in games, what makes games truly satisfying, and how it brings people together.
Be sure to check out Randy's latest Kickstarter for Cascadia: Alpine Lakes (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flatoutgames/cascadia-alpine-lakes), going on right now!
NB: in the discussion about "longest road" we mentioned Ticket to Ride, but were talking about Settlers of Catan.
joysticks! is a podcast dedicated to the notion that games and their creation are an excellent way to be imaginative about systems and structures of society, and this imagination is a pillar of a more revolutionary world.
joysticks! is a product of echolocation media ltd (https://www.echolocationmedia.com/)., a small, queer-owned media business - your likes, subscriptions, and downloads mean a whole lot!
for access to exclusive interview questions, and all behind the scenes content of echolocation media, check out the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/echolocationmedia (https://www.patreon.com/echolocationmedia)
19 Sept 2025
joysticks! with Fertessa Allyse: Games as Solutions, Games as Cultural Analysis, Games as Exploration!
In this episode of joysticks! jacquie harris sits down with Fertessa Allyse, creator of Wicked and Wise (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/331228/wicked-and-wise), Book of Villainy, Star Trek: Cryptic (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/386143/star-trek-cryptic-a-puzzles-and-pathways-adventure), Menagerie (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/450013/menagerie-unlock-the-wonders-of-a-miniature-world), and co-creator of Cascadia Junior. (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/433007/cascadia-junior)
joysticks! is a podcast dedicated to the notion that games and their creation are an excellent way to be imaginative about systems and structures of society, and this imagination is a pillar of a more revolutionary world.
joysticks! is a product of echolocation media ltd (https://www.echolocationmedia.com/)., a small, queer-owned media business - your likes, subscriptions, and downloads mean a whole lot!
for access to exclusive interview questions, and all behind the scenes content of echolocation media, check out the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/echolocationmedia (https://www.patreon.com/echolocationmedia)
28 Aug 2025
Making Games in the Industry, Making Games for Yourself, And Just Straight Up Making Stuff
In this second episode of joysticks! host, jacquie harris sits down with Banana Chan, a tabletop and analog game designer known for their co created work Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall (https://www.gameandacurry.com/home/product/jiangshi/), Betrayal at the House on the Hill Third Edition (https://shop.hasbro.com/en-us/product/avalon-hill-betrayal-at-house-on-the-hill-3-rd-edition-cooperative-board-game-for-ages-12-and-up-for-3-6-players/F4541), fun variations of Kids on Bikes (https://www.huntersentertainment.com/kidsonbikesrpg), Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Richten%27s_Guide_to_Ravenloft), and Banana's latest game, Forgery (https://www.gameandacurry.com/home/product/forgery/).
Check out Banana Chan's game company Read/Write Memory here: https://www.gameandacurry.com/home/ (https://www.gameandacurry.com/home/)
joysticks! is a podcast dedicated to the notion that games and their creation are an excellent way to be imaginative about systems and structures of society, and this imagination is a pillar of a more revolutionary world.
joysticks! is a product of echolocation media ltd (https://www.echolocationmedia.com/)., a small, queer-owned media business
for access to exclusive interview questions, and all behind the scenes content of echolocation media, check out the patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/echolocationmedia (https://www.patreon.com/echolocationmedia)
In this very first episode, joysticks! host, jacquie harris sits down with Rachel Fabi, a bioethics professor, jeopardy contestant, and creator of These Puzzles Fund Abortion to talk about the crossword puzzle community, the joy of creating crossword puzzles, and raising money for abortion funds.
You can support this cause at https://www.abortionpuzzles.com/ (https://www.abortionpuzzles.com/)
joysticks! is a podcast dedicated to the notion that games and their creation are an excellent way to be imaginative about systems and structures of society, and this imagination is a pillar of a more revolutionary world.
joysticks! is a product of echolocation media ltd., a small, queer-owned media business
support the patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/echolocationmedia (https://www.patreon.com/echolocationmedia)
Contact joysticks!
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of joysticks!?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
