Lay It On The Table

Lay It On The Table

Geek and Southern's James Engelhardt and Joe Mahaffey discuss the golden age of board games and role playing games from a Southern perspective. Including interviews and insights from game designers and creatives that makes this hobby so compelling.

Episodes

October 7, 2026 • 81 mins

Joe and James welcome Stephen Conway of The Spiel and the Spiel Foundation for a conversation about how games bring people together—and how a love of play can become a way to give back.

Stephen traces his journey from family card games in rural Indiana to launching The Spiel with Dave Coleson in 2006. He explains how visits to relatives in hospitals inspired the foundation’s game donations, and why every donated game is ...

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Mark as Played

summary

In this episode, Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss the latest trends in the board game industry, including crowdfunding challenges, new game releases, and innovative ways to incorporate technology into gaming and education.

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In this episode, Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games shares insights on game design, expanding game brands, and the importance of quality in publishing. He discusses the evolution of Wingspan, the strategy behind new game releases, and tips for creating engaging rule books.

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August 9, 2026 • 59 mins

James Engelhardt shares his firsthand experience at Gen Con, exploring the event's scale, community vibe, industry insights, and the unique aspects that make it a must-visit for gaming enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.

keywords

Gen Con, board games, gaming industry, conventions, game design, community, open gaming, industry insights, tabletop games, gaming culture

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and overview of Gen Con experience

352...

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July 26, 2026 • 61 mins

In this episode, we welcome Frank West, founder of City of Games, for a fascinating conversation about the path from lifelong gamer to innovative board game designer. Frank reflects on the video games that shaped his imagination, why he made the leap into tabletop design, and how his background continues to influence the mechanics and experiences he creates today.

We also dive into the evolution of the City of Games universe, explor...

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July 12, 2026 • 63 mins

Join us as we explore the latest in board games, game design, and gaming culture, including new releases like Wingspan Pocket and Duel of Melak, and insights into game design and industry trends.

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June 28, 2026 • 65 mins

Join us as we explore the latest in board games, local game stores, and community events, with insights into game design, industry trends, and personal stories from the gaming world.

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Mark as Played
June 28, 2026 • 51 mins

Join us as we explore the latest trends in the tabletop gaming industry, including distribution strategies, virtual tabletop platforms, and game design insights. Perfect for enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.

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June 28, 2026 • 55 mins

Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt return with a warm, funny, and wide-ranging conversation that moves from board games and hobby collecting to house construction, permit headaches, and the joys of finding the right game for the right table.

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June 28, 2026 • 48 mins

Join Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt as they discuss recent trends in Dungeons & Dragons, the evolution of board game rule books, and their latest gaming experiences, including new game releases and gameplay insights.

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In this episode of Lay It On The Table, hosts Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss their recent gaming experiences, including the completion of the '12 Games of Christmas' challenge. They highlight upcoming events like Mythicon West and Gen Con, and explore new games such as Flamecraft Duels and Arboria. The conversation also delves into the mechanics of popular games like Wingspan Americas and the new expansion for Viticultur...

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June 28, 2026 • 59 mins

Summary

In this episode of Lay It On The Table, hosts Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss their recent gaming experiences, including weather-related challenges, upcoming events like Mythicon and Gen Con, and their successful completion of the 12 Games of Christmas challenge. They highlight various games played, such as Santa's Workshop, Wingspan, and new titles like Flamecraft and Arboria. The conversation also delves into the...

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January 12, 2026 • 57 mins

Summary

In this episode, Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt sit down with Richard Fortuna, one of the masterminds behind Mythicon West, a community-driven tabletop gaming convention. They discuss the legacy of Mace, the challenges of running a convention, the importance of community support, and the vibrant indie gaming scene. Richard shares insights on the venue, the unique vibe of Asheville compared to Charlotte, and the future of ...

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December 21, 2025 • 59 mins

In this episode, Joe and James reflect on the holiday season, discuss the evolving landscape of the board game industry, and share insights on economic trends affecting gaming. They explore the concept of themed board games, share their recent gaming experiences, and discuss upcoming titles they are excited about. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on the future of gaming and holiday wishes for listeners.

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November 23, 2025 • 60 mins

In this episode, we dive into the creative journey of John Bailey, the founder of HumbleBard Games. John shares his transition from a music background to board game design, discussing the inspiration behind his company and the development of games like 'Spirits of Christmas.' We explore the challenges and triumphs of self-publishing, the importance of theme in game design, and the collaborative process with his daughter on art and ...

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November 2, 2025 • 44 mins

In this episode of "Lay It On The Table," hosts Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt dive into the world of board games, discussing the latest releases and their experiences at Spiel Essen, the world's largest game event. They explore a variety of games, from light deck builders like "Bohemians" to heavier worker placement games such as "Covenant." The conversation also touches on the intricacies of games like "Cribbage" and "Edo," hi...

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November 2, 2025 • 67 mins

In this episode, hosts Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss their return to the podcast after a hiatus, share updates on upcoming episodes, and highlight the Mythicon convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. They delve into industry news, including Gamma's global expansion, the strike by Kickstarter employees, and financial challenges faced by CMON and Elf Creek Games. The hosts also review two games: Trinket Trove, a quick an...

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June 14, 2025 • 48 mins

Summary

In this episode, Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss various topics related to the board game industry, including the bankruptcy of Seamon, the impact of tariffs on game production, updates on Kickstarter projects, and the introduction of Game Toppers 5.0. They also share insights from their experiences at May X, focusing on student engagement with deck-building games and the learning dynamics involved. In this convers...

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June 14, 2025 • 36 mins

Summary

In this episode of Lay It On The Table, Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss recent travels, updates on board game tariffs, and insights from their experiences with Kickstarter projects. They delve into the world of deck-building games, particularly focusing on how students engage with these mechanics and their preferences in gaming. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding game vocabulary and how it ...

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May 11, 2025 • 47 mins

In this episode of the Southern board game podcast, hosts Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss personal challenges, the impact of tariffs on the board game community, and their recent game acquisitions. They share highlights from their game nights, including experiences with new games and the excitement surrounding upcoming events. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community and the joy of gaming, even amidst chall...

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Mark as Played

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