Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion

S3E4: The Pursuit of Play with Rachele Harmuth

Creating the best play experiences has never been as important as it is today. We are joined by Rachele Harmuth, Chief Product Officer at Crunchlabs and Founder of MESH, to discuss how harnessing the power of play impacts the emotional and mental health of all generations.
Special thanks to our episode contributors:
Rachele Harmuth
Crunchlabs
MESH Helps
Read the MESH White Paper on Resilience
Read the MESH White Paper on Youth Mental Health
Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.
Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

S3E3: The Job Hunt with Ross Thompson

Getting a job in the tabletop games industry is a dream come true! Knowing where to start your search though, can be a very daunting task. In this episode we're joined by Ross Thompson, industry veteran and steward of Tabletop Game Jobs Facebook Group, who sheds light on the job search journey in tabletop. He also shares trends and best practices for both applicants and employers looking to hire as well. Let's dive in.
Special thanks to our episode contributors:
Ross Thompson
Tabletop Game Jobs Facebook Group
Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.
Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

S3E2: Catalog Sidelines with Andrew Loreman

Sidelines can be an awesome addition to your brand's catalog or a money sink that takes away from your core product focus. They're tough to get right, so we connected with Andrew Loremen, CEO of Many Worlds Tavern, a brand whose merch consistently catches our eyes, to help build a roadmap for sideline success.
Special thanks to our episode contributors:
Andrew Loreman
Many Worlds Tavern
Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.
Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

Bonus Round: Building Trust at Events with Bridgett Jeffries

Today we’re joined by Bridgett Jeffries, who shares expert advice for hosting intentional and safe spaces for our tabletop community to join and celebrate their favorite hobby.
Special thanks to our episode contributors:
Bridgett Jeffries
Symphony Entertainment
Chaosium
Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.
Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

S3E1: Making with a Message with Tory Brown

Gaming, like most hobbies, can be an escape for the player. So in today's society, does that mean certain themes are off limits? Tory Brown, designer of Votes for Women, doesn't think so. She tackles discourse head on, balancing the harsh realities of history and making a product with a message.
Special thanks to our episode contributors:
Tory Brown
Votes for Women
Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.
Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

S2E8: Flip 7 with David Blanchard

There's been a game taking the industry by storm! Maybe you've seen advertising for Flip 7 on BoardGameGeek, a viral video popping off, or noticed it as Game of the Month at Walmart. Or maybe you've seen it on your table because your friends keep asking to play it!
We had to hear the details about this dynamite release, so we went straight to the source. David Blanchard, Director of Party and Family Games at The Op Games, joins us to share the story and strategy behind our new favorite card game.
Special thanks to our episode contributors:
David Blanchard
The Op Games
Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.
Beats by Lukas Michas.

Bonus Round: Activation Planning with Ben Green

Planning an activation to promote an upcoming release or fan favorite title? Hear from Ben Green, who's no stranger to event planning and maximizing the effort involved - whether that's with local game stores or a worldwide jamboree.
Special thanks to our episode contributors:
Ben Green
KYW Games
Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.
Beats by Lukas Michas.

S2E7: Graphic Design with Matt Paquette

Good graphic design can make or break a game experience. Whether from completing the theme to improving UX, it's impossible to create a product without incorporating graphic design.
We invited industry expert Matt Paquette to dive into his design philosophies and share key experiences from his robust career.
Special thanks to our episode contributors:
Matt Paquette
Matt Paquette & Co.
Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.
Beats by Lukas Michas.

Bonus Round: Cosplay with Monica Paprocki

Everyone wants to meet their favorite character some day! And cosplayers get to make that dream a reality every day. Monica Paprocki joins Unboxed to share the impact of pulling talent into your in-person and online activations. She highlights what makes these partnerships exciting, and how to ensure they have the highest impact.
Special thanks to our episode contributors:
Monica Paprocki
GeeksAGoGo
Cephalofair Games
Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.
Beats by Lukas Michas.

S2:E6 Content Collabs with Danielle Standring

Partnering with content creators is a core part of most marketing strategies, whether you're launching a new product or support a catalog classic. Creators serve a vital function: meeting customers where they are at, and navigating the ever-changing tide of social media platforms. How do we get the most out of these partnerships?
Danielle Standring joins Unboxed to talk about a vital part of these relationships - collaboration. Hear from a creator whose voice gets through the algorithm noise and serves a huge variety of brands, in addition to her audience.
Special thanks to our episode contributors:
Danielle Standring
Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.
Beats by Lukas Michas.