Across The Board - Return To The Table: Recent Episodes
Ryan Freshman
Welcome to Across the Board. We are a seasonal board game podcast that strives to be 60-90 minutes per episode. We are based in Omaha, Nebraska. The Board Members have been gaming together for just over 2 decades and are returning to talk all thing deep dives on games
Thanks in advance from your Hosts - Ryan and Dan
Welcome to our final episode of 2022! Happy New Year from Dan, Ryan and Coniff! We hope you get a good laugh at our look back to the beginning with episode 2's postal truck slalom! Even more we love a good top 10! Enjoy the show!! We will see you in 2023!!
Ah Yes, the open trail! Smells like money, at least thats what they say in Nebraska. Join Dan and Ryan as they rewind and go back to one of their collective favorites and unpack the Alexander Pfister Classic, Great Western Trail!
Well there ya have it! What a comparison. Listen in as Dan and Ryan have special guest Chad C as we know and love as he declares his love for TM and the contraversy is real. Also what about the first casino on mars?? Listen in and find out!
We are back with our latest deep dive! This time with the twist of a first impression. We couldnt resist talking about the current hotness!
Welcome back! In Episode 03 we deep dive Underwater Cities from #riograndegames. Is this the Terraforming Mars Killer? Tune in and find out what Dan and Ryan have to say about the fantastic game! #Games #Boardgames
Welcome back to the show! On episode 2 of return to the table Dan and Ryan dive deep into the classic Powergrid and give a glimpse into their thoughts and strategy. This also brings up a discussion on the importance of having money visible or not!
The Board Members are back with "Season 2" of Across The Board "Return to the table." Join Hosts Dan and Ryan as they come out of retirement and return to begin a new adventure of board game deep dives.
Episode 1 is Root, the Leder Games Classic.
Welcome back to the Show!
Season 4 is off to a great start and the board members bring back classic ATB with #NOGAMELEFTBEHIND & Somethings plus we dive deep into what you should be playing during CON season! Tune in and enjoy the show!!! We talk a new Kickstarter as well as some old classics in this episode.
Welcome Back to Across the Board! We hope everyone has stayed safe in the recent pandemic (hopefully not legacy). Ryan has moved again (but back into a home)... and a studio is being set back up. Join the board members as they try to brighten your day in remembrance of ATBCON2020 Pre Covid19
In episode 37 the board members look ahead to their future recording in a comeback season 4 and Discuss some final details for ATBCON including a Saturday day pass. With some season cheer, and singing mixed in the board members divert conversation and get into a discussion about Trickerion.
And we are all caught up!! Listen in as the lost files come to the surface and lots of lost content gets brought to your ears! This extended content runs the full spectrum of content and includes lots of laughs! ... we are back 'ISH' but look forward to seeing you all for ATBCON 2020 and getting new content out moving forward!
In Episode 35 the board members re-unite and come out of hiatus, a break... whatever you want to call it. We are back and on our terms.
The big news and hype... ATBCON is here!! You DO NOT want to miss this epic gaming con in January of 2020! Official detail on the Guild page.
www.boardgamegeek.com/guild/2687
We are kicking things off with an Emergency Board Meeting to give a quick update and to inform you on a Kickstarter we feel like you should take a hard look at. It was a must back for Ryan and a strong recommendation from Dan! Listen in and check out Area 1851 Express!
ITS HERE!! Our Holiday Episode... Did Ryan meet his board game resolution? Will Dan set one this year? Will Across the Board ever publish an episode on time again? Find out all of this and more on our Holiday Extravaganza!! This is one of our favorite episodes every year! Check it out and be sure to connect with us in 2019!!
www.boardgamegeek.com/guild/2687
Episode 33 while full of Convention recap is Hilarious as well as game content heavy! Listen in and laugh with the Board Members as they tell story after story, game after game, and highlight after highlight!
The future looks bright for many more ATBCONS and we need you the listeners to make it happen!
Episode 32 is a doozy and brings all the hype to reality with Architects of the West Kingdom as Shem Phillips crashes Slow Play Studios for a great update on all things Garphill games New, Old and Upcoming! Stick with the conversation as Dan, Ryan and Shem talk Theme vs Setting and how one is better then the other or how games need both!
This is a content heavy episode!!
Its Top 10 time as the board members conclude their collective Top 25 games of all time 2018 edition! Tune in for what we think is a great top 10. What will take #1?? ATBCON is 1 month out and the board members are pleased to announce extremely limited Saturday Day passes! Tune in for details and get yours today!
Ask and you shall receive err the squeeky wheel always gets the grease... I dont know... but we are current and wanted to bring some quality info on our favorites for you all the listeners as we prepare for ATBcon... are you coming? Will we get to game with you?
If nothing else... check out our collective Top 25 games of all time and listen to a few funny (probably terrible) dad jokes along the way!
In Episode 30 we find out what its like to podcast with Strep throat... no really... if you thought Dan was funny before... medicated Dan is better... if you didnt like dan before... maybe you will now!
Dan and Ryan both had birthdays and celebrate a bit.
What we are most excited and announce is ATBCon!!! Happening November 9th 10th and 11th in Fremont, NE... Gaming starts at 1pm Friday and concludes 3pm Sunday! There will be giveaways, play to wins, great community and gaming!
In their 29th episode the board members are curious if you wondered what was going on and why the episode was late... how did you feel... what were your thoughts... a little dramatic delay was perfection! Dan and Ryan address the state of podcasts and listener / creator relaions as well as sponsor / creator relationships... its a very very good discussion with special guest Leland Steel from the T-Hud Popcast!
In the 3rd Emergency board meeting the board members get to talk shop with Greg Cornell a specialist when it comes to stop animation and adapting it to fit the hobby of board games!
What an opportunity to do exactly what our show is about and support the little guy trying to improve his quality and grow his content contribution to the hobby that is gaming!
Have a listen and join us in helping Greg eclipse the final $500 he needs to improve a show that has been going on youtube for 5 years!
In Episode 28 the board members deep dive into the publishing world with one of their favorite interviews to date! Sara from Renegade Game Studios talks shop with the in's and out's in publishing from getting the rights to a game to breaking down board game psychology in television... and finding the right games to publish for their brand! This is a can't miss episode and Sara even talks about 2 games launched by Renegade in May!
In this Emergency Board meeting Ryan and Dan unpack what they believe to be a great intro to one of their loves, crunchy euros. Treasure mountain is a great worker placement with an excellent take on the bump mechanic. Listen in and find out why Dan and Ryan had to talk about this game and why you should check it out on Kickstarter!
In episode 27 Dan proves yet again he has no idea what we do in the something segment other than talk about something... regardless the board members talk about and spotlight some great games in the segment! In this episodes feature the Board members go back to the drawing board and put their niche #nogameleftbehind through the refining fire per say and polish things up a bit! This is a content heavy and very interesting and entertaining episode and discussion!
In Episode 26 Dan Re-opens his case against the format of the Something segment, The Board members talk tons of great current and non current games in the something segment and Dan and Ryan talk Year 2 Cons for the show as they embark on their first one of the year! If you want to hear about tons of games and have a few laughs along the way this is not an episode to miss!
In EP25 the board members recap the #nogameleftbehind board game of the month Belfort and announce the game to follow Gold West. The members are happy to welcome long time listener Ben Coberly to the show to talk about his #1 game!
After a content heavy Somethings segment the Board Members talk the current state of Kickstarter including the pros and cons as well as the art of the find and tracking down the hard to find and grail games!
The Board Members have called an emergency board meeting to talk about 2 things!
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The Kickstarter Journey of a reproduction of the Game Medieval. What a great conversation and story.
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The Great Plains Gaming Festival - A Solid Regional Con in Nebraska worth attending if you are in the area!
In Episode 24 the Board members kick the new year off with some great reminiscing of year 1 and some board game resolutions for year 2. Don't miss the improved in depth look at our #nogameleftbehind board game of the month. Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier games is back to tell all about Scythe: The Rise of Fenris. Jamey sticks around for the Featured segment where we discuss Replayability in Boardgaming and what is takes to get your money out of a game.
The Holiday Episode is hear and the Board Members felt it appropriate to give you an episode on New Years day, right before everyone gets back to the normal work grind! 2017 marked year one for the show and wow you all the community have really shown up for us! We look forward to collaborating even more in year two with all of you!
A Special thanks from Ryan and Dan to all of you!
In Episode 22 the board members discuss their acquisition disorder, hit some heavy highlights, game insights and some great "something" games. They also talk board game of the month "Last Will" and give a look ahead to all of the great changes coming for 2018 a year of growth!
In Episode 21 the board members conclude their top 10 games of all time list and there are some good ones at the top! Also in episode 21 Ryan goes off the cuff and makes his debut video game recommendation... Follow along in this content heavy episode as we also have a special vocal guest as our Tour guide through Five24 Labs... the home of all things mints!
In Episode 20 the board members are back from their trips abroad. Check in with them while they touch on the highlights. They also give their first look at the #nogameleftbehind board game of the month. Also in episode 20 Dan and Ryan decided it was time to revisit the their top 10 games and see what has stayed and what has moved on now that they are fully into this thing that is board game media!
One of the most anticipated discussions for Dan and Ryan, they go back to where it all started for many of us as gamers. We are talking "The Pillars" of board gaming. This looks different for everyone but we hope this conversation will take you back to the beginning & illustrate how we have all gotten to where we are in the Hobby! We have officially concluded our first #nogameleftbehind board game of the month and we are pleased to announce "Valley of the Kings" as our second game of the month!
Episode 18 addresses the chaos in Ryan's daily life and once again shows us Dans digital lacklusterness as he discovers new video games and talks about some great games like Terra Mystica. On the Something Segment we talk Tau Ceti with "The Professor" Joe Pilkus, we also talk Memoir 44', Evolution the Video Game and Letters from White Chapel!
In Episode 17 The Board members unpack some great games that you may put on your must have list as well as tackle the stigmas and stereotypes of board gamers.
Also the Board game of the month is "Shadows over Camelot" Play it, talk about it, and let us know your thoughts!
Episode 16 finds the board members back on track and past the human editing error! Thanks for sticking with us! We recap what turned out to be an outstanding GenCant, talk shop with a 5 year old about games... unpack some great games in the Something segment and finish the episode up with a special spotlight of the current Kickstarter Mint Delivery! This is not an episode to miss!
Episode 15 is here come hell or high water. Ryan and Dan thank you for your patience as they experienced a heavy technical set back! This is an episode you do not want to miss and Ryan, Isaac Childres and Efka from No Pun Included all the way from the UK dive into another topic that is not being talked about. Ethics and Integrity within the current Wild West that is Board Gaming. The episode concludes with some Great #nogameleftbehind and Somethings!
WARNING THIS EPISODE IS FULL OF CONTENT AND LAUGHS
Its Episode 14, We talk Hosting Gencant! Plus get your Wallets ready to order some Hot, Cold, New, and Old games!!! We are joined by friends and special guests The Brawling Brothers! We have them on to introduce them to you the listeners... its a segment you don't want to miss as they bring polish to their #NOGAMELEFTBEHINDS and can go nowhere with out creating hysterics and laughter!
In episode 13 the board members address a very real thing, The Summer Slog. Apparently Dan has been in a hot mail truck too long and is having more segment ideas. We need YOUR help in deciding if this segment is here to stay or gone tomorrow. Name it. Ask questions. DAN needs your help!
We all have games that don't get played. Dan & Ryan dive into the Shelf of shame. Each member is in a different camp and have a different opinion so listen in as they try to decide who is right and who is wrong.
In Episode 12 Ryan discovers Dan has a bad habit of mispronouncing games. Dan turned another year older and didn't say anything. What has your experience been like playing at new houses or locations? Well tune in to hear about ours. We also make our Something Segment an official Staple of the Show which includes heavy #NOGAMELEFTBEHIND as well as announce our New Sponsor Five24 Labs and conclude the show with a preview of our upcoming Shelf of Shame talk.
In episode 11 Ryan turns 33 and Dan so graciously gives the birthday present of a lifetime... a highlight segment that Ryan gets to participate in. Our garage sale season is a wrap and we are going to be upgrading the studio in July!
We also talk to Brad Brooks about his Kickstarter 'Rise of Tribes' being published by Breaking Games. Ryan and Dan both unpack how they pick a Kickstarter and what it takes to get their pledge!
WHAT!?!?! A 2 hour Episode!
In Episode 10 the Board members may have finally hashed out the something segment but only time will tell if Dan is going to be too picky. Ryan actually un-shrink wrapped and played games and both of them have some really great highlights before the main event! Isaac Childres stuck around and pitched a topic that the Board Members felt had to be addressed and talked about even with the risks at hand. In episode 10 the 3 of them unpack inclusion and exclusion in board gaming industry.
In Episode 09 the board members continue their Something battle... who will prevail?? Ryan once again proves his vast bucket of Pop Culture Knowledge... which is obviously very little and very sheltered. Dan is a highlight reel of losing and teaching but someone has to do it.
The board members are pleased to have their first doctor on the show, DR ISAAC CHILDRES for a 2 part series... Stay tuned for Part 2 and a topical discussion June 9th with the DR.
In Episode 08 the board members unpack there experience at Pretzcon and talk about what they are now looking for in conventions. Dan and Ryan are in hysterics over Ryan's inability to pin down movie titles and his lack of knowledge with Seinfield. They unpack a BRAND NEW segment.. which looks to be a main point of the show and get to chat with Designer Matt Riddle about his game Wasteland Express Delivery Service! Don't miss out on the fun!
In episode 07 the board members have some mega highlights from these past couple of weeks including spouses in board gaming. Dan questions Ryan's ability to decorate and soundproof a studio and the board members finally get their Top 10 games on air for everyone to hear. We want to know whose list you relate to the most! This is one of our favorite episode to date and hope you enjoy it as well! WARNING CONTENT HEAVY... yea!
In Episode 06 the board members continue their pursuit of #nogameleftbehind with a review of Eminent Domain. They are progressively going to be ramping up the heaviness of the games being reviewed and this game was a natural fit and must have for gaming collections! Also Dan gets to finally put Ryan in his place and owns a better copy of Master Labyrinth and has to admit a secret he has been keeping about a certain Legacy game he has abandoned his normal game group to play with the Bizarro's.
In episode 5 Ryan figures out what all the stress is from in Dan's life. Ryan's daughter Zoe turns 8 and gets a quick couple of minutes to talk about why she loves boardgames!
And what you all have been waiting for! We dive head first into one of the biggest board game discussion topics and that's Board Game Immersion. What better way to do that then to have the man himself Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games co-host with us to really take a hard look at what keeps us entrenched in this hobby!
In Episode 4 the board members stick to the show theme of #nogameleftbehind and pick out a classic to review. They dive head first into Pirates Cove and unpack a game that should be in every collection. AAAAND in a turn of events will Dan finally take the plunge and start his journey into collectible cardgames? Listen in to find out!
We are now on SLACK and if you want to chat with the Hosts join the group and get in on the fun!
Special Thanks to friend of the show Dan Byrd for the Pirate Intro.
In a change of format the board members take an opportunity to record live from a Regional Con. Great Plains Game Fest is in its 4th year and growing quickly.
524 Labs (Area 1851 and Mint Works) and Punch-it Entertainment (Battle for Sularia) as well as the Convention founders all stop by to talk shop and fill us in on some exclusives going on in their world right now.
This was a very fun episode to create and an experience that will never be forgotten.
In Episode 2 Dan and Ryan Weigh in on Josh from the Brawling Brothers Car Misfortunes... AAAAAND how Dan can personally relate.
They continue to unpack and iron out #nogameleftbehind and potentially discover their next official segment called "the highlights." Things take a heated turn as they dive into their first topical discussion. The jury is still out on who won the debate but we promise the discussion is worth the listen and offers many angles and many perspectives!
In the first and inaugural episode the Board Members Dan and Ryan open up about who they are and where they came from. They give thanks where thanks is due and really talk about the pay it forward attitude of the industry.
They unpack an untapped niche and challenge the community to join them in the adventure that is finding the forgotten games beyond the top 250 on Board Game Geek.
What is #NOGAMELEFTBEHIND??? Listen in to find out.