Libsyn Directory

So, You Find Yourself at Gen Con… Now What?

Release Date: 07/09/2025

Kinfire Council Review: Strategy, Suspicion & Standout Gameplay

Mindful Games Lab

Kinfire Council: When Saving the City Means Watching Your Back Din’Lux is hanging by a thread — and the greatest threat might be sitting right across the table from you. Join Clay as he dives into Kinfire Council, the gorgeous worker placement game where players must rebuild magical lighthouses to protect the last surviving city… all while silently questioning whether their fellow council members are secretly helping the cult trying to destroy it. In this episode, we explore: How cooperation quickly turns into suspicion The unforgettable gameplay moments where everything falls apart...

Nature Board Game – Survival Tips, Best Traits, and Hunting Strategies

Mindful Games Lab

In Nature from North Star Game Studio, survival isn’t about brute strength—it’s about clever adaptation. Join Clay from Mindful Games Lab as he dives into this fast-paced, beautifully illustrated board game where every round is an evolutionary arms race. Discover the game’s origin story, learn the best traits to dominate your ecosystem, and explore the high-stakes choice every player faces: to hunt, or not to hunt. You’ll get beginner strategies, insider tips, and a breakdown of the game’s replay value—plus a few laugh-out-loud moments from Clay’s own plays. Whether you’re a...

Exploring Vantage – An Open-World Storytelling Adventure

Mindful Games Lab

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Vantage, the epic new open-world board game from Stonemaier Games and designer Jamie Stegmaier. Whether you’re playing solo or with friends, Vantage offers a rich, narrative-driven experience filled with exploration, choice, and surprise. You'll learn how the game works, what sets it apart from other storytelling games, and why the first-person perspective and artwork matter more than ever. We’ll cover missions, destinies, dice mechanics, cooperative elements, and replayability — plus, I share some of my own favorite moments from the game. If you...

So, You Find Yourself at Gen Con… Now What?

Mindful Games Lab

for a blog post about Gen Con.

Almoravid: Medieval Warfare, Strategy, and the Legend of El Cid

Mindful Games Lab

In this episode, Clay dives deep into Almoravid, the second entry in Volko Ruhnke’s celebrated Levy & Campaign series from GMT Games. Set in the gritty landscape of 11th-century Iberia during the Spanish Reconquista, Almoravid is a game of feudal logistics, political tension, and brutal siege warfare. We unpack the game’s most compelling systems: How you command lords—not armies—and what it means to manage medieval loyalty The dual-role of El Cid, the legendary knight who might fight for either side The tactical weight behind every card, siege attempt, and ravage action Why...

Ironwood – A Clash of Industry and Nature

Mindful Games Lab

Mindful Games Lab Podcast with Clay In this episode, Clay dives deep into Ironwood, the highly thematic two-player strategy game from Mindclash Games. Discover the core conflict between the industrial Ironclad and the mystical Woodwalkers, as they battle for control over the powerful Larimor Crystals in the Iron Forge Mountains. Clay explores the game’s rich lore, stunning components, and clever asymmetric mechanics that bring the clash between metal and nature to life. You’ll learn how the unique card-driven system fuels both tactical combat and strategic planning, and hear firsthand...

Meeples On The Ground with Sarah Trager

Mindful Games Lab

Clay visits with Sarah Trager from Meeples On The Ground. We talk about some amazing games for you to check out and important game convention advice that is not easy to follow.

Gift of Tulips with Carla Kopp

Mindful Games Lab

Clay visits with Carla Kopp from Weird Giraffe Games. We talk about Gift of Tulips and the amazing team of women who worked on it. We dive into what to do if you’re stuck on a game design and what you must know if you want to pitch a design to a publisher.

Electric Orchard

Mindful Games Lab

Clay talks with Ryan Schneider from Saint Paul Games about Electric Orchard. Find out the most important skill you need to go from idea to Kickstarter launch.

Dune Imperium

Mindful Games Lab

Clay talks about the board game Dune Imperium by Dire Wolf. Find out what it's like to play and get some strategy tips to give you an edge.

More Episodes

Welcome to a jam-packed guide to Gen Con — the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America! Whether it's your first time attending or you're a seasoned veteran, this episode is your ultimate prep companion.

Host Clay walks you through everything you need to know to get the most out of your Gen Con experience:

🧭 Tips for navigating the massive vendor hall
🎟️ How to plan your event schedule (even if you didn’t pre-register!)
🛋️ Pro tips on where to find quiet spots and take breaks
🍕 Food hacks and how to survive the dinner rush
🌙 What to do after 6 p.m. when the convention nightlife kicks in

PLUS: Clay’s Top 5 Most Anticipated Games at Gen Con 2025, including:

Kinfire Council (Incredible Dreams Studios)
Nature (North Star Game Studio)
The Crew: Family Adventure (Kosmos)
Solar Gardens (Darrington Press)
Vantage (Stonemaier Games)

And don’t miss Clay in person! He’ll be working the Leder Games booth (#643) and making a special appearance at the Leder Hootenanny as Cap'n Clay the Pirate.

If you’re heading to Indy this year, or just want to soak in the excitement, this episode will get you hyped, prepared, and inspired to make Gen Con unforgettable.

Visit mindfulgameslab.com for a blog post about Gen Con.

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