From Concept to Reality – The Story Behind Tortugas Games (Part 2 of 3)
Release Date: 03/17/2025
Finding Inner Peace: Ty Smith on The Kingdom Within
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this powerful conclusion to their two-part conversation, BD and Ty Smith go deeper into faith, purpose, and inner peace. Ty shares personal insights about overcoming anxiety, letting go of fear, and stepping boldly into action. Together, they explore the importance of building generational wealth, serving others, and living in the image of God. This episode ties together the key themes of Part 1 and challenges listeners to take action and create their own legacy — one decision at a time. Key Takeaways Everything you seek is already within you. Overcoming fear is the first step to...
info_outline
From SEAL Teams to CEO: Ty Smith on Leadership, Faith & Grit (Part 1 of 2)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this powerful first part of a two-part conversation, BD sits down with Ty Smith — combat-decorated Navy SEAL, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and serial entrepreneur. Ty shares his incredible journey from Navy linguist to SEAL Platoon Chief, recounting high-stakes missions, intense leadership challenges, and life-or-death moments from Afghanistan’s Tangi Valley. The discussion explores the mental toughness required for elite military operations, the camaraderie of the SEAL Teams, and the challenges of transitioning into civilian life. Ty also introduces his entrepreneurial journey...
info_outline
Full Send Friday | Meredith White on Addiction, Recovery & Hope
The Two-Promises Podcast
This is the Full Send Friday release — the complete episode of Meredith White’s powerful journey through addiction, trauma, and recovery. Every Friday, we publish the full version of episodes we previously released in parts, a segment we call Full Send Friday. In this conversation, Meredith White opens up about her early struggles, the role of trauma in addiction, and the pivotal moments that led her toward recovery. She highlights the power of hope, community support, and harm reduction in building a life of resilience and personal growth. Her story is an inspiring reminder that change is...
info_outline
From Nigerian Prince to Navy SEAL to Hollywood Advocate: The Journey of Remi Adeleke
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this inspiring episode of the Two Promises Podcast, we sit down with Remi Adeleke, whose incredible journey began as a prince in Nigeria before his family lost everything and moved to the United States. From those humble beginnings, Remi overcame hardship, poor choices in his youth, and went on to serve in the elite U.S. Navy SEAL Teams. He shares powerful insights from his time in the SEALs—the brotherhood, humor, and hard lessons that shaped his character—and how he transitioned into the film industry. We dive into his work on the movie Plane, his writing projects (including a...
info_outline
Full Send Friday| From Battlefield to Healing – Shannon Book’s Story
The Two-Promises Podcast
This is the Full Send Friday release — the complete episode of Shannon Book’s inspiring journey. Every Friday, we publish the full version of part episodes we previously released, a segment we call Full Send Friday. In this two-hour conversation, Shannon shares his experiences in the military, the realities of war, and the impact of trauma on veterans. We dive into the importance of moral values, structure in life, and the power of perspective in overcoming challenges. Shannon emphasizes that not every veteran is a hero and highlights the need for personal responsibility and community...
info_outline
The Power of Authentic Friendship with Shannon Book (Part 5 of 5)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In Part 5 of our 5-part series with Shannon Book, the conversation comes full circle with a powerful focus on friendship, authenticity, and community. Shannon reflects on the lessons of military life, where every role is essential, and respect forms the foundation of trust. Together, we explore the importance of living fearlessly, embracing vulnerability, and staying true to who we are. This final part serves as both a reminder and a challenge: connection and authenticity are not just ideals—they are the keys to personal growth and stronger communities. What We Talk About: Friendship is...
info_outline
Faith and Purpose: Finding Direction in Life with Shannon Book (Part 4 of 5)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In Part 4 of this 5-part series with Shannon Book, we explore how faith, resilience, and purpose shape the journey through life’s challenges. Shannon opens up about moving beyond a victim mindset, the healing power of music, and the importance of self-acceptance. He also shares how nonprofit work empowers communities to grow beyond their struggles. This conversation is a reflection on how faith and personal growth can transform not only an individual but also those they seek to help. What We Talk About: The victim mindset is a common experience for many. Music serves as a...
info_outline
Healing Through Music and Faith with Shannon Book (Part 3 of 5)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this Part 3 of the 5-part discussion with Shannon Book, we talk about personal development, responsibility, and using music as a tool for healing. Shannon shares how his military life transitioned into a love for music that became a source of healing, along with the role of faith, choice, and mindfulness. The conversation explores how we can learn from failure, take ownership of our actions, and develop ourselves proactively. What We Talk About: Music was essential in the healing journey. Deliberately Broken symbolizes personal and spiritual growth. Faith plays a crucial role in...
info_outline
From Service to Self-Mastery: A Veteran’s Guide to Growth with Shannon Book (Part 2 of 5)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this episode, Shannon Book shares raw and insightful lessons from his journey transitioning from the structure of military life to the complexities of the civilian world. We explore what it takes to truly own your journey, the importance of accountability, and how shifting your perspective can transform challenges into stepping stones. Shannon breaks down why failure is an essential part of success, how to navigate life’s inevitable changes, and the power of recognizing and using your unique gifts. This is Part 2 of 5 in a powerful series designed to help veterans — and anyone facing...
info_outline
The Journey of a Veteran: From War to Wisdom with Shannon Book (Part 1 of 5)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this episode of the Two Promises Podcast, we explore the lived experiences of — a Navy veteran, musician, and mental health advocate — as he shares raw insights into military service, war, trauma, and identity. Shannon reflects on the harsh realities of combat, the personal values that guided him, and the challenges veterans face reintegrating into society. The conversation brings to light the complexity of trauma, the erosion of constitutional values, and the importance of understanding each veteran’s individual journey. This is the beginning of a deeply personal and wide-ranging...
info_outlineWe continue our conversation with Nick Raynor and Jon Micah Tyson, co-founders of Tortugas Games, as they share the journey of taking Red Tides: A Tale of New Caribbea from an idea to a full-fledged board game. They dive into the challenges of refining mechanics, balancing realism with fun, and the lessons they’ve learned in game publishing.
Nick’s expertise in game mechanics and business operations, combined with Jon Micah’s background in art and storytelling, brings a unique approach to board game design—one that prioritizes strategy and immersion.
Join us as we explore the evolution of Red Tides, the creative decisions behind its gameplay, and the realities of launching a board game.
This is Part 2 of a 3-part series with Nick and Micah. Stay tuned for Part 3, where we discuss the future of Red Tides, their plans for Tortugas Games, and what’s next in their creative journey!
What We Talk About:
-
The transition from an idea to a market-ready game
-
Finding the balance between creative vision and business strategy
-
The importance of playtesting and community feedback
Topics Mentioned:
-
Game Mechanics
-
Immersion in Game Design
-
Crowdfunding
-
Board Game Publishing
-
Impact of COVID-19 on Game Development
-
Intellectual Property & Contracts
-
Artistic Vision in Game Design
Timestamps:
⏳ [00:00:00] Intro Music
⏳ [00:00:57] What sparked the creation of Red Tides
⏳ [00:02:07] Describing the game mechanics
⏳ [00:03:42] Defining the game’s objective
⏳ [00:04:13] Ship upgrades and strategy
⏳ [00:06:37] Optimizing usability for a broader audience
⏳ [00:07:39] The moment of commitment
⏳ [00:09:25] The decision to crowdfund Red Tides
⏳ [00:11:39] The impact of COVID-19 on game development
⏳ [00:12:22] Lessons from the board game industry
⏳ [00:16:09] Joining conventions and networking (Gen Con, Origins Game Fair)
⏳ [00:18:03] Community support and crowdfunding
⏳ [00:20:26] The reality of game development
⏳ [00:22:35] What artistic vision means to Micah
⏳ [00:26:34] What artistic vision means to Nick
⏳ [00:28:41] Creative process and team dynamics
⏳ [00:30:57] Outro Music
🚀 Stay tuned for Part 3, where we dive into the future of Red Tides and what's next for Tortugas Games! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to share it with your friends and fellow board game enthusiasts!