The Tabletop Minimalist

Episode 5: The Teach

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0000

It's been a while! Join Jamie and Ricky as we catch up on some recent plays, acquisitions and culls before discussing the importance of the teach. What makes a good teacher? What makes a bad teacher? How should you approach teaching games? Should you even be teaching games?

Then, in our Wildcard Segment, we open up about our teaching disasters.

Note: This episode was recorded in November 2025.

Got a question for us to answer on the show? Drop us a line at hello@thetabletopminimalist.com

Timestamps:

(00:20) - Intro & recent play

(22:40) - The teach

(58:37) - Wildcard Segment: Which games in our collection have gone the longest without being played?

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Episode 4: How to Play Your Games More Often

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 11:24:39 -0000

Episode Notes

On this commutably-lengthed episode, Jamie and Ricky share some recent plays, acquisitions and culls before diving into some tips and ideas on how to play the games you own more often.

After seemingly coming across as the bastions of good habits, we then ask the dreaded question "which of our games have gone the longest sitting in the dust?" in our Wilcard Segment.

Got a question for us to answer on the show? Drop us a line at hello@thetabletopminimalist.com

Timestamps: (00:20) - Intro & recent plays (10:10) - How to play your games more often (35:19) - Wildcard Segment: Which games in our collection have gone the longest without being played?

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Episode 3: Our Top 25 Games

Thu, 08 May 2025 12:48:47 -0000

Strap in for a double-feature extravaganza as Jamie and Ricky discuss our top 25 games!

Why are we doing this so early? Well, because of our shared minimalist approach to collecting games, these are some of the titles that have truly earned their place. Hopefully it gives you a better sense of who we are as gamers, and what we look for in the games we keep.

Got any topics / questions you want us to discuss on the show? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at hello@thetabletopminimalist.com

Or alternatively message us on Instagram: @thetabletopminimalist

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Episode 2: What Makes a Game Stand the Test of Time?

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 21:20:50 -0000

This week, Jamie and Ricky discuss what we've played and what games are leaving the shelf before exploring what gives a board game lasting appeal.

We talk about the core elements that keep us coming back to the same titles, including strategic depth, player interaction, asymmetry, skill expression, and the satisfaction of learning and mastering a game over time.

We also unpack the difference between replayability and variability, and why more content does not always mean a better game. From emergent gameplay to group dynamics, we look at what really makes a game worth returning to.

To finish, our Wildcard Segment answers the big question: if you could only bring one game to a desert island, what would it be?

Got a question for us to answer on the show? Drop us a line at hello@thetabletopminimalist.com

Timestamps: (00:20) - Intro & Recent Plays (10:05) - What Makes a Game Stand the Test of Time? (59:12) - Wildcard Segment: What's the One Game You'd Take to a Desert Island?

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Episode 1: What Does It Mean to Be a Tabletop Minimalist?

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:06:29 -0000

Welcome to The Tabletop Minimalist!

In our very first episode, Jamie and Ricky introduce themselves and explore the philosophy of board game minimalism. What does it mean to have a small, carefully curated collection? How can minimalism help you enjoy your games more while avoiding the overwhelm of an ever-growing backlog and the constant wave of new releases?

We break down common misconceptions about minimalism, define what it means for us in the context of board gaming, and discuss Jamie’s Geeklist - a practical framework for curating a minimalist collection. Finally, in our Wildcard Segment, we challenge ourselves by revealing our guilty pleasures - games we love that don’t fit our minimalist philosophy.

Got a question for us to answer on the show? Drop us a line at hello@thetabletopminimalist.com

Timestamps:

(00:20) - Introduction to the Podcast (05:12) - Who Is This Podcast For? (06:28) - What Minimalism Isn't (07:38) - What Minimalism Is (10:29) - Why We Chose Board Game Minimalism (14:44) - The Principles of Jamie's Geeklist (43:21) - Wildcard Segment: Games We Love That Don't Fit Our Minimalism Philosophy

Support The Tabletop Minimalist by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-tabletop-minimalist