Podcast
Rascal News
Hosted by Rascal News · EN
Rascal News is an independent, worker-owned outfit composed of Chase Taylor-Carter, Thomas Manuel, Caelyn Ellis, Rowan Zeoli, and Lin Codega. Join them in exploring the tabletop industry and its associated online spaces across two shows: Rascal Radio Hour is a biweekly show where the crew dig deeper into the biggest news and newest games; and Rascal Reading Club allows Thomas to wax long on RPG rulebooks.
47episodes
Episodes
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Episode 27: Orc Flickin' in Blighty
Dec 501:56:26Tap to summarizeChase and Caelyn return from Dragonmeet to show off the games, memories, and various illnesses they collected over the weekend. Later, the pair discuss DriveThruRPG's heavily criticized Partner Shipping Program, two big evils within trading card games (licensed crossovers and speculative markets), and how fun it is to flick orcs. Finally, the Question Dungeon summons the ghosts of conventions past and asks us to name a ton of cool worker-owned websites that deserve your time and patronage. -- Games we discuss: Mappa Mundi Gallows Corner Into the Espers Space Gits Pokemon TCG Magic: The Gathering Girlframe Dungeon Pulp -- Hosted by Chase Taylor- Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Lin Codega Caelyn Ellis (@caelyn.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
Transcribe →Special: Final Fantasy - Magic: The Gathering, feat. Ash Parrish and Emma Partlow
Jun 2, 202501:24:33Tap to summarizeMagic: The Gathering's crossover with Final Fantasy drops on June 13, but unfortunately Chase doesn't know much about the storied Japanese RPG video game series. So, he brought in a couple of bona fide experts to talk about this already massively successful set. The Verge reporter Ash Parrish and TCGPlayer/ChannelFireball content manager Emma Partlow discuss FFxMTG's mechanical quality, the secret ingredient that uplifts fan service, a bevvy of blorbos, and so much more. Also on the docket is the effect of licensing fees on an already expensive hobby, the creeping takeover of Universes Beyond, and what other video games could make the jump to cardboard. Ash makes very good jokes about sports games to the wrong audience. Emma reveals herself as a screenshot hater. Chase regrets his past financial decisions. -- https://www.rascal.news/ https://moreblueberries.shop/en-gbp/products/rascal-anniversary-zine-preorder -- Hosted by Chase Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Ash Parrish (@adashtra.bsky.social) and Emma Partlow (@emmapartlow.com). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
Transcribe →Episode 14: Five-fingered Praxis
May 16, 202501:41:14Tap to summarizeUh, oh. It's another episode with just Chase and Rowan. Time to get punchy, and we're not only talking about our favorite way to bully the disappointingly nerdy fascists ruling reality. The pair dig through a chunky layer of news that includes Rowan, Rook and Decard's decision to not attend Gen Con this year, Itch.io's negligence in distributing charity funds to a group saving lives in Gaza, and Goodman Games' ruffling a bunch of feathers by doing business with previously ostracized bigots. Later, they talk about a deliciously smooth Triangle Agency campaign and a solo RPG that pulls a neat magic trick. Rowan's a wrestling girlie now, thanks to Dimension 20. Chase still can't pronounce listener's names correctly. The Question Dungeon goes noir as they build a better Itch.io -- or a different one, anyhow. https://www.rascal.news/ https://moreblueberries.shop/en-gbp/products/rascal-anniversary-zine-preorder -- Realis City State of the Invincible Overlord Dungeons & Dragons Triangle Agency Mechs into Plowshares Transgender Deathmatch Legend II -- Hosted by Chase Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Rowan Zeoli (@rowanzeoli.bsky.social), Caelyn Ellis (@caelyn.bsky.social), and Thomas Manuel (@newmadras.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
Transcribe →Episode 13: A Stool With Two Legs
May 6, 202501:42:33Tap to summarizeThe entire crew gather to mourn the sudden and untimely death of games media outlet, Polygon. Along with Giant Bomb and the Daily Dot, Polygon's sale to Valnet -- and the immediate layoff of nearly every staff member -- constitutes an unnecessarily tragic blow to games journalism. Included in the layoffs is Charlie Hall, the outlet's one-man tabletop desk and an indelible piece of Rascal's own creation. The team discuss what this loss means for the industry going forward, the limits of independent websites like Rascal, and how this cycle of executive malfeasance robs journalism of its own future. It's not all doom and gloom, though: the crew also delve into The Question Dungeon after discussing SALUTE, Hasbro's MTG-shaped tariff insulation, and Rascal's first real toe into OSR waters. Finally, Dungeon World is getting a sequel from a surprising team who want to take the game in a fresh direction. [Note: After Chase completely bungled speaking both Florence Smith Nicholls (they/them) and Mike Cook's (he/they) names, he then later accidentally misgendered Nicholls. He sinerely apologizes for the error.] https://www.rascal.news/ https://moreblueberries.shop/en-gbp/products/rascal-anniversary-zine-preorder -- Games mentioned: Dungeon World 2 ArchaeOS Realis MIRU Doomsong board games??? -- Hosted by Chase Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Rowan Zeoli (@rowanzeoli.bsky.social), Caelyn Ellis (@caelyn.bsky.social), and Thomas Manuel (@newmadras.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
Transcribe →Episode 12: Laissez-UNfaire
Apr 18, 202501:39:52Tap to summarizeRowan rejoins Chase to unspool the myriad and unclear ways tariffs have already begun affecting the tabletop industry. From clarity on book exemptions and companies already shuttering production for the year to determined stands against economic despotism by Canadian designers, the Tariff Era (or maybe Tariff Wars? we're still workshopping) has arrived. Later they discuss what it means for Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins, the dual faces of Dungeons & Dragons, to retire from their very public posts. The pair also discuss building worlds where babies have jobs, dungeon delving on your birthday, and whether tariffs might kick off another surge of innovation in the virtual tabletop space. https://www.rascal.news/ https://moreblueberries.shop/en-gbp/products/rascal-anniversary-zine-preorder -- Games mentioned: In This World The Electric State Dungeons & Dragons Gloomhaven RPG Wickedness MIRU Mazes -- Hosted by Chase Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Rowan Zeoli (@rowanzeoli.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
Transcribe →Episode 11: Reading Books Suck
Apr 5, 202501:50:08Tap to summarizeChase and Caelyn convene the first Brits-only episode of the Rascal Radio Hour, talking about everything but the April 2 tariffs (check the website for those bits). The pair go heavy on the deluge of miniatures news that came out of Adepticon 2025, including a shot in the arm for Caelyn's favored Star wars: Legion, an East Asian-inspired Warhammer 40k faction that doesn't immediately sour our tastes, and Battletech Goes Full Catholic. The most recent skirmish in the Question Dungeon reveals the surprisingly complicated topics of video games adapting tabletop RPGs and what the crew think is the next big innovation on the player side of the tabletop industry (hint: it's not virtual tabletops again). https://www.rascal.news/ https://moreblueberries.shop/en-gbp/products/rascal-anniversary-zine-preorder https://cannibalhalflinggaming.com/2024/08/15/invention-and-innovation-in-ttrpgs/ -- Games mentioned: Cyberpunk: Combat Zone RiverBank Star Wars: Legion Star Wars: Shatterpoint Warhammer: 40K Battletech -- Hosted by Chase Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Caelyn Ellis (@caelyn.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
Transcribe →Episode 10: Don't Upset The Furries
Mar 21, 202501:41:09Tap to summarizeMost of the Rascal crew, plus guest Lin Codega, chew through a heavy news week that includes the shuttering of Sigil, Wizards of the Coast's own virtual tabletop, and one Texas Representative's crusade against imagination that might harm roleplayers in its evil intent to demonize trans (and transgressive) youth. Rowan regales with stories from their time at Breakout Con in Toronto, and Caelyn reminds everyone how cool transparent plastic electronics were. They have also been playing a bunch of different games, including a newly started Rascal campaign of Realis and phone-based pirate shenanigans. Finally, they once again venture into the Question Dungeon to compare their pettiest table tales. https://www.rascal.news/ -- Games mentioned: Daggerheart Fallen London: The Roleplaying Game Realis Bloodbeam Badlands A Land Once Magic City of Mist O Captain, My Captain! Deathmatch Island Monsterhearts -- Hosted by Chase Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Caelyn Ellis (@caelyn.bsky.social), Rowan Zeoli (@rowanzeoli.bsky.social), and Lin Codega (@lincodega.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
Transcribe →Episode Nine: The Longest Road, a Catan RPG
Mar 6, 202501:37:29Tap to summarizeEver wondered what a tabletop RPG version of Catan would look like? Of course you haven't because that's a silly thought exercise, but that didn't stop the Rascal crew from indulging. Thomas and Caelyn join Chase as he returns from the 2025 GAMA trade show to discuss tariffs, distribution, and all the fantastic stories he missed while knocking back Old Fashions in Kentucy. The trio also discuss the new D&D beginner set, licensed RPGs for both Invincible and Terraforming Mars, Paizo and R. Talsorian's search for smaller designers, South Korean gaming communities and wee tiny rank-and-flank wargames. No Question Dungeon this time because the team has been playing a veritable heap of games since we last met. https://www.rascal.news/ -- Games mentioned: Daggerheart Age of Sigmar Magewinds Hearts of Wulin Delta Green -- Hosted by Chase Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Caelyn Ellis (@caelyn.bsky.social) and Thomas Manuel (@newmadras.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
Transcribe →Special: What the Heck is Netrunner? - Cado Contreras
Feb 19, 202501:39:48Tap to summarizeWelcome to a special episode of the Rascal Radio Hour! Chase sat down with Remap Radio's Cado Contreras to talk about something near and dear to her heart -- Android: Netrunner. Fans of Remap and Cado especially will know this is something they have been threatening for years, and we made it happen to promote Rascal's First Anniversary Pledge Drive. The pair discuss the winding history of this TCG-turned-LCG-turned-something else entirely, and how a concerted fan effort not only gave it a third chance at success but set Netrunner up to become something of an outlier within the card game space. From its radically permissable business and tournament model to the accessibility-focused efforts of the volunteer designers, Android: Netrunner is the most interesting card game you're probably not playing. But maybe you should? -- https://www.rascal.news/ https://remapradio.com/ -- Cado's recommended Netrunner beginner resources: https://www.nearearthhub.net/ https://nullsignal.games/players/around-the-world/ DEFINITELY NOT Jinteki Dot Net -- Where to find Cado: Bluesky Remap Radio A More Civilized Age
Transcribe →Episode Eight: A Zwesty Zonth
Feb 14, 202501:32:02Tap to summarizeBuckle up for a genuinely unhinged episode, y'all. Rowan and Chase are left alone to nurse their emotional wounds, inflicted by the fascistic psychosis blanketing the United States. The antidote? A lot of weighty sighs and really terrible jokes. Rowan recounts her followup conversation with the creators behind January 6th insurrection-based wargame Fight for America! and the disappointment it fostered. Chase explains the wall and the hard place that Asmodee finds itself. Then, they delve into the Question Dungeon (whether they remember to call it that or not). Rascal is running a First Anniversary Pledge Drive through the end of February! If you want to support another year of independent, audience-funded tabletop journalism, this is the best time to show it. We have subscription goals, special programming, and our very own zine! Go check it out and spread the word -- our readership only grows through good work and word of mouth. https://www.rascal.news/ -- Games mentioned: Fight For America! Fukuzatsu+ Deathmatch Island -- Hosted by Chase Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Rowan Zeoli (@rowanzeoli.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
Transcribe →