Subject Matter: Table Top

About Subject Matter: Table Top

From the dungeons of Gloomhaven and the battlefields of Root, to the shores of Catan and the rails of Ticket to Ride, popular board games couch complex subjects within richly thematic gameplay. Millions of people find joy in the experiences that these games create, but what else do we get from playing them? In this podcast, Steve Gotzler and Jordan Tynes explore the world of tabletop games with people who possess a deep understanding of the various themes, settings, systems, or content that we encounter in them. What does an economist think about while playing Monopoly? What about a quilter sitting down for a round of Patchwork? A planetary geologist and Terraforming Mars? Or a farmer and Agricola? Steve, Jordan, and their guests consider how games communicate information about the variety of subjects they take up. They also ask how games can influence players’ feelings about each other, and the world that they inhabit. From the physical components strewn about the table, to the rules we share while playing, sit down for a round of playful discussion about the cultural relevance of tabletop gaming.

Publisher

Jordan and Steve

Category

leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 May 2022

Latest episode

24 Apr 2025

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Apr 2025

   Designer Deep Dive #7: Jo Kelly

   SMTT sits down with game designer, Jo Kelly, to discuss their newly released Molly House, along with Cole Wehrle of Wehrlegig Games. Tune in to hear more about the inspiration behind Molly House, as well as the process of researching this important -- but often under-represented -- moment for queer history in the UK!

2. 

   11 Jan 2025

   Bark Avenue with Corey the Village Dog Walker

   Corey the Village Dog Walker discusses dog park etiquette, balancing human and animal interactions, and the unique pressures and pleasures of walking dogs in New York City.

3. 

   13 Dec 2024

   Causal Catch-Up #10: PAX Unplugged 2024

   PAX Unplugged attendees and SM:TT game designers share insights from the con, highlighting innovative tabletop experiences that redefine the genre.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

12 ratings

Spotify

4.7 / 5

13 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

28

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

Contact Subject Matter: Table Top

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.