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Amusing Meeples

Chris, Cullen, & Derek

We muse on randomly chosen topics and mechanisms to create board game ideas and inspire others to design their own board games. Prepare to be amused!

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  • 90 episodes
  • Updated Nov 19, 2025
  • Explicit

Episodes90

Newest first
  • Sep 4, 2024 · 54 min

    3-15 : I'm a Thurber Baby w/ Ben Rosset (with guest host Joe Slack)

    This week, we talk about the maintenance costs of a non profit business based on, you guessed it, the collections of a humor writer in the newspaper! He lived in Ohio! Thank your listening, and don't hesitate to reach out to us with a question, or suggestion! amusingmeeples@gmail.com

  • Aug 7, 2024 · 55 min

    3-13 : I Van, I Caravan so far away w/ Tanner Wells

    This week we have Cullen's sibling, Tanner Wells, Who has a very unique and amazing experience to share. And if you are interested, make sure to check out their website at caravanproductions.org Thank you for listening!

  • Jul 24, 2024 · 52 min

    3-12 : Good to the Last Life Drop w/ Caroline Black

    We are lucky enough this week to be speaking with Caroline Black, a wonderful blogger on Board Game Geek, also known as the Dyslexic Gamer. We talk to her this week about a game she's never played, on an interface she's never interfaced with. Join us, and thank you for listening to the show!

  • Jul 10, 2024 · 47 min

    3-11 : Keaton to a Pulp w/ John du Bois

    This Episode we talk about and create a game based around the Silent Movie era. We also touch on two great games by the designer that joins us today, John du Bois. https://hollandspiele.com/products/heading-forward https://hollandspiele.com/products/striking-flint Thank you for listening! Join our discord! and tell us what you thought about the episode! https://discord.gg/5fXvQR9B

  • Jun 19, 2024 · 59 min

    3-10 : The Great Biffish Lake Off w/ Dan Thurot

    Today, we take the watery topic of Lake Baikal and try to figure out how to mix hidden roles into that body of water. We are joined by Board Game Reviewer Extraordinare Dan Thurot, from SpaceBiff.com. Be sure to check out our discord, if you would like a sneak peek at guests, as well as other mixtures of topic and mechanisms! https://discord.gg/TZNXCnhx

  • Jun 5, 2024 · 58 min

    3-09 : Do Meeples Dream of Wooden Sheep? w/ Tony Boydell

    In this episode, we are honored to have Tony Boydell, designer of Snowdonia, Aleph Null, Alubari, and my personal favorite Guilds of London, on the show. Make sure to check out his blog on BoardGameGeek https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/344/everyone-needs-a-shed and if you're in Europe, check out the Mr. Boydell's Museum of Board Games, a wonderful place to visit in the real world! https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/49734/the-museum-of-board-games This episode we talk about dreams, and try to fit a mechanism that doesn't necessarily fit so well into it. We think we did well. What do you think? Thanks for listening! Be sure to join our Discord, and join in on the conversation! https://discord.gg/mg9VtaWX

  • May 22, 2024 · 1 hr 13 min

    3-08 : Historical Documents (NOT Galaxy Quest) w/ Tom Ambrosio

    Our guest this week is Tom Ambrosio, a professor of Political Science, at North Dakota State University. In this episode, we talk in depth, for the most part, about Historical Simulation games, and the importance for them, and their uses. We also blaze through an great idea for a board game based on some random information. Thanks for listening! Please join us on discord! Talk at our electronic faces! https://discord.gg/kAsye2N2

  • May 8, 2024 · 53 min

    3-07 : Learning Ludic Linguistics from Local Libraries w/ Jake Frydman of Decision Space

    This episode, we are joined by half of the team behind Decision Space. We talk today about creating a game about how a community interacts with a library, as well as some of the things going on, on the Decision Space podcast. Thank you for listening! Want to join the discussion? Join our discord, and ask us things. Give us suggestions for shows, or topics we should cover! https://discord.gg/efMSGndE Thank you as always for listening!

  • Apr 24, 2024 · 51 min

    3-06 : Key Trek: The Next Iteration

    This week, we reskin a game many people know. At the beginning of the episode we have a game where I make Derek guess what game it is (it's one of his favorites). Let us know how annoying it was to listen to that part! Thanks for listening. Keep designing!

  • Apr 10, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min

    3-05 : Mama, Just Made a Game... w/ Kathleen Mercury

    This episode we have Kathleen Mercury, and we talk about teaching game design to the young and old, as well as come up with a game based on a song I KNOW you have heard before. Thanks for listening! If you would like to reach out, email us at amusingmeeples@gmail.com

  • Mar 27, 2024 · 1 hr 2 min

    3-04 : Wedgate, Thurgate, Frigate w/ Tory Brown

    We make a game about a ship! Not just any ship. A cool ship. A sleek ship. Check out all the buttons; I wonder what they do? At least one of them has to lead you to: votesforwomen.com where you can get more information, and preorder Today's Guests' game! One might also lead to our discord server: (I can't find the button, but if you're on Discord, look us up!) Thank you for listening! We hope to hear from you! Please reach out to us on Discord, or at Amusingmeeples@gmail.com

  • Mar 13, 2024 · 48 min

    3-03 : Six Degrees of Uwe Rosenbacon

    In this episode, we take an awesome B concept and turn into an A+ game idea. That will make more sense after you listen to it. Thanks for listening! Please join us on our Discord server! We like talking to you! Email Us an Idea! Or just let us know you like what you're hearing! amusingmeeples@gmail.com

  • Feb 28, 2024 · 56 min

    3-02 : Kabaddi Double Time w/ Stephen Buonocore

    This episode we mix in a dexterity like game based around a game famous in everywhere but where we live. We pair that with a mechanism as always and are joined by the wonderful Stephen Buonocore, formerly of Stronghold Games, and now part of a new business venture, of which we talk about. Please reach out to us and email us at Amusingmeeples@gmail.com and look for our discord server!

  • Feb 14, 2024 · 54 min

    3-01 : Push the Pram-a-lot w/ Joe Slack

    We are back for the third season, and we start with a topic that is universal in knowledge. I mean, you're gonna know it. You're gonna get the references. We aren't just blowing smoke. I could brag about it but I won't. check out the Board Game Design Virtual Summit, hosted by our guest Joe Slack. Listen to advice from designers, and even get to ask them questions! The Board Game Design Course - Virtual Summit 2024 Thanks for listening! Join us on Discord! Search for Amusing Meeples. or email us at amusingmeeples@gmail.com Welcome to Season 3!

  • Aug 2, 2023 · 58 min

    2-27 : Alpha and JOEMega w/ Joe Slack

    Thank you so much for staying with us, week after week of Amusing Meeples. We have reached the end of Season 2, and are already coming up with ideas for the next season. Make sure to email us if you have a thought, or just wanna talk about game design. Enjoy the episode, and stay tuned for the next Season of Amusing Meeples.

  • Jul 26, 2023 · 1 hr 16 min

    2-26 : Highway to the FunFirst Zone w/ Mike Faciane

    This week, Mike Faciane, designer of Triple Scoops, joins us as we work with a mechanism seen a lot in video games, but maybe less in board games. And the topic, well the topic itself is boring, but we jam packed it with excitement. Thank you for listening. We are coming up on the END OF THE SEASON, with only one more episode. Inbetween seasons, we will have small episodes to keep you tantalized. In the meantime, please email us your ideas, tell other people about the show. We shall take over the world one meeple at a time.

  • Jul 19, 2023 · 1 hr 12 min

    2-25 : Gluttony for Dummies w/ Brett J. Gilbert

    This week, our game idea is based around a practice mainly forgotten, and trying to build a game around it, with a mechanism that half fits into the idea. We hope you enjoy this episode.

  • Jul 12, 2023 · 1 hr 11 min

    2-24 : Home on La Grange w/ Matthew Dunstan

    The Meeples are joined by Matthew Dunstan and they write down the hard maths, and make a game based off a mathmatic principle. This is what all the cool kids are going to be talking about.