Positively Board Gaming

Explore the emotional side of board gaming with Jamey Stegmaier and Mitchell Whitfield as they dive into campaign game attachments, positive player interaction, and how gamers can support publishers through rising tariffs.

⏱️ Chapters

• 00:01 – Sweet treats: Reese’s cookies and PF Chang’s Great Wall of Cake
• 05:32 – Board game tariffs and how fans can help
• 10:20 – Should publishers accept donations during hard times?
• 18:45 – Positive player interaction in Earth, FinSpan, and more
• 30:48 – Emotional bonds with campaign game characters
• 44:02 – Character evolution in Descent: Legends of the Dark
• 54:40 – Game design that lets players choose with their heart

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In this episode of Positively Board Gaming, Jamey Stegmaier and Mitchell Whitfield dive into the therapeutic joy of unboxing board games and explore what makes deluxe editions so irresistible. From custom dice to the Castles of Burgundy Collector’s Edition, they unpack the tactile magic behind premium components.

00:00 – Intro and sweet treats

02:40 – Nintendo Switch 2 excitement

05:15 – Mitchell’s love for unboxing games

12:42 – The unboxing therapy effect

16:30 – Custom components that spark joy

19:10 – Jamey’s collector’s edition experience

23:20 – Deluxe vs. accessible pricing

29:50 – Favorite tactile components

In episode 3 of Positively Board Gaming, Jamey Stegmaier and Mitchell Whitfield go deep on the show’s mission: celebrating joy, inclusion, and positivity in the tabletop gaming hobby.

Mitchell explains why you’ll never hear them bash a board game on this podcast—and why that’s intentional. From expectations in art to how criticism can unintentionally silence conversation, they share their philosophy of respecting the creators and communities behind every game.

Then, it’s on to Jamey’s recent intergenerational game night and some excellent picks that shine in all-ages settings, like Caution Signs, Boop, and Nekojima. Mitchell shares how his tastes are evolving and the ever-growing list of party and cooperative games he’s getting excited to explore.

Plus, they talk about the board game delivery tsunami that seems to always hit after Chinese New Year, why expectations shape experience, and how much more fun it is to talk about what you love.

🎲 Whether you're a long-time gamer or just board game curious, this episode is a heartwarming reminder of why we play in the first place.

💬 Quotes

"It may not be for me, but someone poured their heart into it. I’d never want to tear that down publicly." – Mitchell Whitfield
"There are seven billion people on the planet. Everyone has a different opinion about what’s good." – Jamey Stegmaier

🔗 Relevant Links

PositivelyBoardGaming.com

Stonemaier Games YouTube Channel

🔗 Relevant Links

Stonemaier Games: https://stonemaiergames.com

Vantage by Stonemaier (latest updates): https://stonemaiergames.com/games/vantage

Survivor Board Game: https://explodingkittens.com/products/survivor

Positively Board Gaming website: https://positivelyboardgaming.com

🔗 Links

Gamers Ranch: https://thegamersranch.com

Stonemaier Games: https://stonemaiergames.com