Board Game Academics Podcast
Every week, Board Game Academics sits down with a member of our community to discuss their work with tabletop games. Discussions include previews of upcoming presentations by authors, deep dives into recently published papers, discussion of the broader use of tabletop games in practice and research, and much more.
October 2025
Kathleen Mercury, BGA Board Member, Game Designer, Educator
Episode 13
Chris is joined by Kathleen Mercury, M.A.T., M.E.T., a member of the Board Game Academics board, game designer, and educator with extensive experience using tabletop games. She has presented at NASAGA, GenCon, UMSL and many others, and was the 2024 Keynote Speaker at GenCon.
September 2025
The Cognition of Game Playing: Learning Cognitive Psychology by Playing Board Games
Episode 12
Chris is joined by Dr. Stephen Blessing, one of the presenters at this year’s Board Game Academics Conference, who will be presenting “The Cognition of Game Playing: Learning Cognitive Psychology by Playing Board Games.”
A Critical Role: Academic Success Advisors Leveraging Tabletop Gaming, Gamification, and AI in the Classroom for Academic Probation Students
Episode 11
Chris is joined by Sean Milligan, David Runge, and Andrew Buchmann to discuss their paper, “A Critical Role: Academic Success Advisors Leveraging Tabletop Gaming, Gamification, and AI in the Classroom for Academic Probation Students,” published in Volume 2 of Board Game Academics.
“Laws Are Threats..”: The Cubby’s, Marxist Ideology, and the Politics of Humor in Dimension 20’s Fantasy High
Episode 10
Chris is joined by Tarae McQueen, one of the presenters at this year’s Board Game Academics Conference, who will be presenting “Laws Are Threats..”: The Cubby’s, Marxist Ideology, and the Politics of Humor in Dimension 20’s Fantasy High”
A Discussion with BGA Keynote Speaker Eric Zimmerman, Designer, Professor, NYU Game Center
Episode 9
Chris is joined by Eric Zimmerman, game designer, co-founder of Gamelab and The Institute of Play, and Arts Professor at the NYU Game Center.
August 2025
Jason Matthews, Designer (Twilight Struggle, 1960: The Making of the President), Chairman, GAMA Educational Committee
Episode 8
Chris is joined by Jason Matthews, a designer on classics like Twilight Struggle, 1960: The Making of the President, and 1989: Dawn of Freedom. Jason is currently working with Fort Circle Games, for which he designed United States v. Aaron Burr, and is the Chairman of the GAMA Educational Committee.
The Social Paradox of Gaming and Introverts with Matthew Makak
Episode 7
Chris is joined by Matthew Makak to discuss their podcast, work in the industry, and recent Victory Points essay, “The Social Paradox of Gaming and Introverts.”
Chicago ’68 and Historical Framing in Games with Yoni Goldstein
Episode 6
Chris is joined by Yoni Goldstein to discuss their work on Chicago ’68, an upcoming game about the 1968 Democratic Convention riots in Chicago.
Deep Blue Sea: Board Games as a Framework for Computer Science with Stephen Hall
Episode 5
Chris is joined by Stephen Hall to discuss their research and article from the 2025 Volume of Board Game Academics: Deep Blue Sea: Board Games as a Framework for Computer Science.
Lacan Plays Catan: Unconscious Desire in Tabletop Gaming with Paul Hoard
Episode 4
Chris is joined by Dr. Paul Hoard to discuss their upcoming presentation at the Board Game Academics Conference: Lacan Plays Catan: Unconscious Desire in Tabletop Gaming.
July 2025
Roleplaying Games, General Education, and Understanding Culture with Dr. Stephanie Hedge
Episode 3
Chris is joined by Dr. Stephanie Hedge to discuss their upcoming presentation at the Board Game Academics Conference: Roleplaying Games, General Education, and Understanding Culture
Gamification as Educational Tool with Christopher Rondeau
Episode 2
Chris is joined by Christopher Rondeau (University of Tulsa) to discuss their upcoming presentation at the Board Game Academics Conference: Gamification as Educational Tool.
Endgame: Playing at Dying with Dr. Laura Davies and Dr. Emma Reay
Episode 1
Chris is joined by Dr. Emma Reay (University of Southampton) and Dr. Laura Davies (University of Cambridge) to discuss their upcoming presentation at the Board Game Academics Conference: Endgame: Playing at Dying.
