James Geist James Geist

#151: Adam from The Cardboard Carnival

James is joined by Adam, one of our Hacendado patrons, and co-host of the new Cardboard Carnival podcast. Join us as we discuss Adam's unique experience starting a podcast with his young daughter. We'll also talk recent plays of Rayroads, Fukuzatsu, Panda Royale, and A Place for All My Books. Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#150: Building a Gaming Group

James is joined for the first time by Jon as they talk all about building a game group. Impossible? Or are you just not trying hard enough. Hear their personal experiences and efforts to make a group that sticks. Also recent plays of Mexica, Gods & Mortals, Kuhhandel Master, Das Pferd Von Troja and more! Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#149: Next level Kids Play w/Joe!

Joe returns from a long hiatus to join James and talk all about gaming with his growing kids. Hear his thoughts on TCGs, Arcs, and a surprising face turn on Knizia? Also recent plays of 1841, Razzia, and Mr Diamond. Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#148: Rise of the Abstracts

Finally, Abstracts get their day on Dads on a Map! Trenton & Cody join James to talk all about this often ignored genre - what these games bring to the table, what makes them special, and some of their favorite recommendations. Also recent plays of Puerto Banana, Mamma Mia, Medina, & Ponte del Diavolo. Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#147: Live from DoaMcoN Jr 2026

James & handful of DoaM friends gathered in the midwest for a small "Cabin Con" - listen in as attendees talk some of their favorite plays and experiences. You'll hear from a host of people about Medina, Blood on the Clocktower, Dune: The Dice Game, Twilight Imperium, 18xx, Indonesia, Puerto Banana, and so much more! Want to join the next get together? Sign up for DoaMcoN VI!

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James Geist James Geist

#146: DoaM Madness 2026 Preview

James & Derek bring you all 64 first round matchups from the upcoming DoaM Madness Tournament. See how DoaM's Top 128 games, chosen by the fans, fare against each other in a single elimination tournament with bragging rights and their place in history on the line. Also recent plays of Magna Grecia, Carrom, and Zoo Vadis. Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#145: Great Convention Games

James is joined by Derek as they jump head first into Board Game Con season by talking about what makes a great con game for them. What are our priorities and must haves at some of our favorite conventions. Also recent plays of Spectaculum/Gold Country, Bested Another Time, The Old Prince 1871, and Pacts. Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#144: Stellar Ventures & Satisfying Game Arcs

James is joined by Justin & Nahv of Tabletapas Games as they prepare for their Kickstarter launch of the new thematic economic game Stellar Ventures. We'll chat about the origin of their company, their experience in game development, and tie it all together with a discussion about satisfying game arcs. We'll also talk recent plays of Wiz War, Sol: Last Days of a Star, and For All Mankind. Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#143: All About Auctions

Auctions! James is joined by Chris to explore one of our favorite mechanics in board games. What is it that auctions do that really help to elevate the board game experience for us and what are some of our favorite auctions in games. Also recent plays of Shark, San Marco, Indonesia 3rd Edition, and more!

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James Geist James Geist

#142: 2025 End of Year Wrap Up

Wrap up the year with James, Tim, Dylan, and Derek as we take a look back at 2025. Our favorite new-to-us games, our top game of 2025, the 1 play that rose above all the rest, and our gaming resolutions for next year. Also recent plays of Scape Goat, Blood on the Clocktower, Kilauea, and Martian Rails. Enjoy the show, and Happy Holidays from DoaM! 

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James Geist James Geist

#141: BGG Con 2025

Fresh off their time at BGG Con, RJ & Drew join James on the show to talk about their wild array of dusty, feisty, sometimes wacky and weird plays from their week in Dallas, Texas. Recent plays of Dune the Dice Game, West Riding Revisited, Nur Peanuts, Symbioz, VOC! and so much more. Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#140: Hurts So Good

All aboard the pain train! James is joined by Tim as they talk about the bad beats, bad vibes, and bad intentions that can lead to some of the best moments in all of gaming. Do you like "mean games?" Also recent plays of The Old Prince 1871, Innovation, Tal der Konige, and more! Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#139: Fill ‘Er Up

James is joined by Dylan as we discuss the board game filler and it's role in our gaming collection and game days. What makes a good filler and what are some of our favorites for different situations. Also recent plays of Sternenhimmel, March of the Ants, Chicago 68, Verrat, and more! Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#138: Blood on the Clocktower

Brandon joins James as the guys take a deeper look into the surprise hit of DoaMcoN this past year - Blood on the Clocktower. Including a briefing on what it is, what it isn't, the role of the storyteller, and both hosts' experiences playing the game with their local groups. Also recent plays of Torres, Thunder Road Vendetta, The Great Zimbabwe, and 1841. Enjoy the show! 

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James Geist James Geist

#137: DoaM Top 20 Episode (2025 Edition)

Another year of Dads on a Map kicks off with our annual Top 20 Episode. James is joined by Derek as they run down their personal current Top 20 as well as the DoaM Community list, with input from over 100 DoaMers. 60 games, 3 list, and a great way to find out what the Dads on a Map community is all about. List show! 

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James Geist James Geist

#136: Live from DoaMcoN V

We're all home from DoaMcoN V, another successful convention for the Dads on a Map community. Listen in to some live recordings from the event, and James will put a bow on things at the end with his Bottom 3 Plays, Top 3 New To Me Games, and Top 5 Plays of the con. Thanks to everyone who attended and help to continue to make DoaMcoN a rousing success!

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James Geist James Geist

#135: DoaMcoN Top 10 Must Plays (The Final Countdown)

It's the final countdown to DoaMcoN V. Kunk joins James on the show to run down our personal Top 10 Must Play Games at the con, and to speedrun through the community's lists as well. We'll also talk recent plays of Sol, Hive, John Company, GIPF, Northern Pacific, and Chicago Express. Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#134: Burning Out Online

For years DoaM has endorsed playing online to get your fix, but what happens when you go too hard and ruin those online games for your real life experience? Vincent joins James on the show as they discuss this and also recent plays of Napoleon's Triumph, Ark Nova, Ace of Aces, and God's Playground. Enjoy the show!

1:30 DoaMcoN Sold Out!

3:40 Napoleon's Triumph

12:08 Ark Nova

18:30 Ace of Aces

26:23 Riichi Mahjong Tourney Play

35:51 God's Playground

44:50 Main Topic: Burning Out Online

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James Geist James Geist

#133: Cardboard Supercard

What if your favorite games went head to head in the larger than life world of pro wrestling? James is joined by Dylan as we assemble our Cardboard Supercard - fantastical matchups of some of our favorite board game titles that can only happen in our dreams. We'll also talk recent plays of Rise & Fall, Wizard, Art Society, and Reef Encounter. Enjoy the show!

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James Geist James Geist

#132: Riichi Mahjong

Riichi Mahjong! It's more than the latest DoaM phase, and Trenton joins James on the show to tell you why this lifestyle game is here to stay. Why is it great, how do you play in person and online, just what is happening in this traditional regional game, and how do you get in. We'll also talk recent plays of Votes for Women, Planet Steam, NXS, Big Shot, and Streetcar Suburb. Enjoy the show!

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