Podcast
The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast
Hosted by The Secret Cabal Founders · EN
Tune in every Wednesday to immerse yourself in The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast, dedicated to board games, card games, role-playing, and the miniatures hobby. Join The Secret Cabal Founders: Jamie, Chris, Steve, Don, and Tony T, as they present a captivating array of perspectives on board games, all delivered with a generous dose of irreverent nonsense. Explore the world of role-playing games with The Lord of the Dungeon, and accompany the Filthy Casuals as they delve into the miniatures gaming hobby in Battletome. The Founders and Lords are devoted to providing you with irreverent entertainment, thought-provoking commentary, and an enthusiastic experience centered around the hobbies we love.
36episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 349: The Gallerist and Short Topic Extravaganza
5d ago03:02:02Tap to summarizeHey Now, Cabalists! We kick off the show with an update on Chris's temporary ward, Mia the cat, while Steve comes flying out of the gate with the jokes. Then we dive into the games we've been playing, including Voidfall, Underwater Cities, Blood Rage, Nippon, Container, and feature The Gallerist, designed by Vital Lacerda. After Tony T's Tabletop Gaming News segment, the gang wraps things up by tackling a batch of listener-submitted questions. Voidfall: 00:04:23, Underwater Cities: 00:12:53, Blood Rage: 00:19:08, Container: 00:29:16, Nippon: Zaibatsu: 00:46:45, The Gallerist Review: 00:55:01, News with Tony T: 01:28:04, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:24:53. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/, Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/ and Prester's Painting at https://www.presterspainting.com/
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Dungeon Masters Ludus 07: Finding The Rhythm
2w ago01:01:43Tap to summarizeHear ye, loyal Cabalists! Gather now before the Lords of the Dungeon, for they convene to decree upon one of the greatest virtues of masterful game mastering: the noble arts of rhythm and pacing. Know this, how swiftly the tale unfolds, how boldly each scene marches onward, and how deftly the momentum is commanded shall determine whether thine adventurers remain enthralled or drift into idle distraction. Attend this royal council and claim the wisdom for grand adventure awaits!
Transcribe →Episode 348: Orloj The Prague Astronomical Clock and Decisive Victory or Nail-Biter
3w ago03:19:26Tap to summarizeHey Now Cabalists! The gang is back from Origins Game Fair with some stories to tell, including Chris' doggie bag, alpacas running around the meetup, Flat Steve scaring the shit out of everyone, Sasquatch running amok, and more! Then we chat about a bunch of games we've been playing, including Defenders of the Realm, Feya's Swamp, Warhammer Quest: Darkwater, Raising Robots, Runebound, and our future review, Orloj: The Prague Astronomical Clock, from designers Abraham Hermida and Paloma Pascual. Then Tony T gives us the news roundup, and we discuss satisfying game endings. Do you prefer a decisive victory or a nail-biter? Defenders of the Realm: 00:22:03, Feya’s Swamp: 00:30:15, Warhammer Quest Darkwater: 00:42:41, Raising Robots: 00:51:28, Runebound: 01:02:40, Orloj The Prague Astronomical Clock Review: 01:14:42, News with Tony T: 01:54:52, Decisive Victory or Nail-Biter: 02:52:45. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/, Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/ and Prester's Painting at https://www.presterspainting.com/
Transcribe →Episode 347: Armello and a Short Topic Extravaganza
Jun 1503:04:52Tap to summarizeHey now, Cabalists! It's Origins Game Fair week, and the Founders are jumping out of their pants and frothing at the mouth to get in some gaming this weekend! But today, we talk about a bunch of great games we've been playing, including Kingdom Crossing, Coimbra, After Us, Builders of Baldur's Gate, and Moytura, and we feature Armello from designer Rob Heinsoo. Then, after Tony T gives us all the Pokémon-snatching, grabby updates, the gang dives into some listener-submitted questions. Kingdom Crossing: 00:09:25, Coimbra: 00:20:21, After Us: 00:26:35, Builders of Baldur's Gate: 00:38:22, Moytura: 00:47:53, Armello Review: 00:59:36, News with Tony T: 01:32:03, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:26:46. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/, Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/ and Prester's Painting at https://www.presterspainting.com/
Transcribe →Dungeon Masters Ludus 06: Rewarding Your Players
Jun 1000:55:01Tap to summarizeWelcome, my good Cabalists. This day, the Lords of the Dungeon gather within the Ludus to discuss the rewarding of adventurers. Many a Game Master spends countless hours crafting challenges, encounters, and memorable characters, yet gives little thought to the rewards awaiting those who overcome them. A worthy reward is more than mere coin or treasure, it is the fruit of heroic labor and a force that gives greater meaning to the tale! Join us as we explore how thoughtful rewards can enrich your players' journeys and make their victories all the sweeter. Huzzah!
Transcribe →Episode 346: Chaosmos and a Summer Movie Extravaganza
Jun 303:00:45Tap to summarizeThe saga of Chris' yowling companion continues with a story of the broken foster cat! Then the gang gets into the game they've been playing including Dead of Winter, Star Wars The Deck Building Game, Dale of Merchants, Shackleton Base Expansion, Scales of Fate, and a feature review of Chaosmos from designers Matthew Austin, Dani Vigour, and Joey Vigour. Then after Tony T's wild and crazy news segment the Founders talk about the movies and TV shows they're excited about coming out this summer! Dead of Winter: 00:04:39, Star Wars The Deck Building Game: 00:15:13, Dale of Merchants: 00:20:51, Shackleton Base Expansion: 00:29:52, Scales of Fate: 00:35:53, Chaosmos Review: 00:43:35, News with Tony T: 01:22:26, Summer Movie Extravaganza: 02:14:30. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/, Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/ and Prester's Painting at https://www.presterspainting.com/
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Express 118: Why We Play
May 2700:56:03Tap to summarizeIn Episode 118 of The Secret Cabal Express, Don, Chris, Tony, and Jamie discuss the many motivations that draw people to tabletop gaming and keep them coming back for more. The gang explores competition, mastery, socialization, a sense of belonging, relaxation, flow state, evangelism, teaching, and the joy of collecting. Enjoy!
Transcribe →Episode 345: Cysmic and a Short Topics Extravaganza
May 2002:59:24Tap to summarizeHey now, Cabalists! Today, Chris and Jamie kick off the show with a change of pace by reviewing the video game Mixtape. Then the gang dives into all the great board games they’ve been playing, including Orloj The Prague Astronomical Clock, Kemet Rise of the Gods, Coming of Age, Ark Nova, Catan On the Road, and the featured game Cysmic from designer Jason Blake. Then, after Tony T talks about all the Pokémon smashing grabs, the boys take on topics from listeners, including the most valuable board games and their favorite all-day board game sessions.Orloj The Prague Astronomical Clock: 00:11:04, Kemet Rise of the Gods: 00:24:01, Coming of Age: 00:32:43, Ark Nova: 00:42:06, Catan On the Road: 00:50:49, Cysmic Review: 00:56:11, News with Tony T: 01:33:31, Short Topics Extravaganza: 02:17:48. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/, Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/ and Prester's Painting at https://www.presterspainting.com/
Transcribe →Dungeon Masters Ludus 05: Artful Allies, Villains, and Nobodies
May 1301:03:17Tap to summarizeHearken, travelers, to this gathering of Game Masters, wherein the Lords speak of the folk who breathe life into realms of fantasy and adventure - the Non-Player Characters! From steadfast companions and black-hearted villains to merry fools and curious villagers, we unravel the craft of creating memorable souls to wander thy world. We speak of weaving these characters into grand tales, stirring the hearts of players through cunning plots, tense encounters, and moments of laughter round the table. Come, and learn how a well-spun character may turn a humble campaign into a legend sung through the ages!
Transcribe →Episode 344: Feya’s Swamp and The Best Part
May 603:25:09Tap to summarizeHey now, and happy Wednesday, Cabalists! Today we kick things off with a full rundown and review of Untold: Chess Mates, the documentary exploring the controversy between Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann. Then we dive into the games we've been playing, including Spooktacular, Shackleton Base, Sniper Elite, For All Mankind, Druids of Edora, and a feature review of Feya’s Swamp from Helge and Anselm Ostertag. After Tony T’s new segment, we wrap things up with “The Best Part,” where each of us picks a game, breaks down our favorite aspect, and explains what makes it truly special. Spooktacular: 00.12.36, Shackleton Base: 00.19.32, Sniper Elite: The Board Game: 00.32.20, For All Mankind: 00.40.34, Druids of Edora: 00.52.19, Feya’s Swamp Review: 01.03.57, News with Tony T: 01.42.15, The Best Part: 02.40.02. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/, Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/ and Prester's Painting at https://www.presterspainting.com/
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