20 Sided Gamified Podcast

Hosted by Jared Fishman

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155

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The 20 Sided Gamified Podcast is hosted by Jared Fishman, whose professional career includes a nearly 20+ year tenure teaching history in independent schools, and positions on the board of two game based organizations- HMGS Next Gen, Inc, and the North American Simulations and Games Association. This podcast is meant to be a place for conversations with interesting folks within the world of tabletop, roleplaying, and board gaming communities. This includes game developers, rules authors, and other luminaries in the field. In particular, we're always looking for connections and crossover between games and education, with a specific emphasis on why it is that even the most innocuous games can be a valuable tool for learning and growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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August 28, 20261 hr 23 min

Episode #134: Bloody Big Battles, Peninsular Style! An Interview with Chris Pringle and Mark Smith

Friends- anyone who listens to this show knows how much I like the game Bloody Big Battles, by Chris Pringle. It's really a perfect classroom wargame, for all sorts of reasons. Thus- this was a great podcast to record, as I welcomed Chris back to the show, who brought author Mark Smith along for the ride! Mark wrote the Napoleonic supplement for BBB, as well as the very recently published scenario book, Bloody Big Peninsular Battles! We talk all things Napoleonics and BBB on this episode! Enjoy it! https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2026/08/bbb-peninsular-war-scenario-book.html https://onmilitarymatters.com/product/1-206636 https://www.caliverbooks.com/bookview.php?a7d9cbabeb630f15c9703e3ddf3ba1bb&id=31673 20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice! https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC Pico Armor- what do I say? These guys are simply the best distributor when it comes to small scale, 2mm/3mm figures! I will be showcasing their products this coming February, 2027, when I begin to use their Seven Years War figures in my classroom. If you’re interested in their products, John and Greg are super easy to work with, and are all around great guys. Here is a link to their website: https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopjIrDqCl9yqzapPiwGGDWA3BT3NWFE3fO9n0AI2AThkmrdqd08 Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at: https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/ And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month! https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 14, 202657 min

Episode #133: Building a Game Community: Manda Shafer of the Harrisburg Boardgaming Alliance

Folks- please enjoy this lovely chat with Manda Shafer of the Harrisburg Board Game Alliance. Besides being a strong game designer and storyteller in her own right, what truly makes Manda stand out revolves around the work she is doing in her community. Bringing together gamers from across Pennsylvania, Manda is helping to connect and unite people through the power of play. Have fun with this very special episode! 20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice! https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC Pico Armor- what do I say? These guys are simply the best distributor when it comes to small scale, 2mm/3mm figures! I will be showcasing their products this coming February, 2027, when I begin to use their Seven Years War figures in my classroom. If you’re interested in their products, John and Greg are super easy to work with, and are all around great guys. Here is a link to their website: https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopjIrDqCl9yqzapPiwGGDWA3BT3NWFE3fO9n0AI2AThkmrdqd08 Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at: https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/ And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month! https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 27, 20261 hr 21 min

Episode #132: Designers Mark Herman and Geoff Engelstein- Versailles 1919- A Rival to Diplomacy as the Best Classroom Game?

Folks- this was a really exciting one for me, as the interview came together quickly. I was looking for a good classroom game about the Paris Peace Conference, and stumbled across GMT's Versailles 1919. After perusing the rules I immediately knew it would work, and reached out to GMT about a potential interview with two famed designers- Mark Herman, and Geoff Engelstein. If you listen to this episode for even 5 minutes, you'll quickly see that these two are masters at their craft- and New Yorkers to boot! Mark showed up a little late (probably because of me I'm sure) which made the interview even more exciting- it was kind of like Batman making his appearance! Please enjoy the episode, and check out the link below to get yourself a copy of the game. Please note- this episode is coming out a week early, that way it gives you a chance to hear about what Geoff is doing at Gencon 2026- we'll get back on our regular posting schedule sooner rather than later! https://www.gmtgames.com/p-711-versailles-1919.aspx 20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice! https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC Pico Armor- what do I say? These guys are simply the best distributor when it comes to small scale, 2mm/3mm figures! I will be showcasing their products this coming February, 2027, when I begin to use their Seven Years War figures in my classroom. If you’re interested in their products, John and Greg are super easy to work with, and are all around great guys. Here is a link to their website: https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopjIrDqCl9yqzapPiwGGDWA3BT3NWFE3fO9n0AI2AThkmrdqd08 Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at: https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/ And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month! https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 17, 20261 hr 17 min

Episode #131: Stonewall Uprising and the Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights with Game Designer Taylor Shuss!

Friends- please enjoy this conversation with Taylor Shuss, game designer extraordinaire! Taylor is most well known for his game "Stonewall Uprising", a fascinating game which hits on two very important factors- a) it is fun and well designed and b) it gives players a chance to learn some history- in this case, the story of LGBTQ+ rights, and the fight for equal protection under the law. Taylor and I got into many other topics as well- it was a great chat. I hope you get something out of this one! 20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice! https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at: https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/ And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month! https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 3, 20261 hr 16 min

Episode #130: Max Brooks (The Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z), and Daveed Gartenstein-Ross (CEO, Expert Theory)- What Would You Do in a Zombie Apocalypse?

Max Brooks. Daveed Gartenstein-Ross. Do I have to say anything else? If I do- here goes- Max totally redefined and added to the genre of "zombies" with his groundbreaking novels (The Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z). Daveed- the CEO of Expert Theory- a company which I believe is redefining the design and implementation of simulations in the professional world. Together, they worked designed a zombie apocalypse simulation (which is also being turned into a commercial game), refereed by Max, which plays beautifully, and puts folks into major decision making situations. This episode, to me, was one of my favorite to record. Please enjoy! https://www.maxbrooks.com/ https://www.experttheory.com/ 20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice! https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC Friends of the Show: Pico Armor- One of my favorite small scale companies- arguably the best in the business when it comes to 3mm sculpts. Greg and John absolutely hooked me up with some beautiful 3mm Seven Years War figures, which I'll be using in my classroom February 2027. Check out the link below to see their offerings! https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqAkLNqCsqHj-cJByaZzcEjufjVxavf_ui5ivFK48ogxEjcL1sT I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at: https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/ And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month! https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 19, 20261 hr 5 min

Episode #129: Simulation Design, Implementation, and the Rise of AI: An Interview with Eleanor and Jesse from Expert Theory!

Folks- the interview you're about to listen to, in my mind, was one of the most fascinating I've ever recorded. Expert Theory is really doing revolutionizing work using traditional methods coupled with an intelligent AI platform. Eleanor and Jesse were wonderful to talk with- we hit it off immediately and had a lovely conversation. We've never really tackled the use (or even the potential use) of AI in game design here on the pod- this was a first! Please enjoy the conversation! Check out the Expert Theory website below. https://www.experttheory.com/ 20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice! https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at: https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/ And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month! https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 5, 202653 min

Episode #128: "The Blue Way" with Designer Jason Morningstar of Bully Pulpit Games!

Folks- this is a special one! On today's episode, I sit down with famed game designer Jason Morningstar, to discuss "The Blue Way- A game of lost stories"- an absolutely fantastic roleplaying game which focuses on the dangers of colonialism, the losing/changing of one's culture, and the aftermath of such events. This game is being published through 20SG's friends at the Center for Learning Through Simulations and Games (CLGS) at CMU (Central Michigan University). It was a delight chatting with Jason- he has a vast knowledge of games in general, and obviously a keen eye for design. Please enjoy the episode, and check out all the links below in the show notes! https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/the-blue-way-a-game-of-lost-stories/launch_party https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations https://bullypulpitgames.com/ 20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice! https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at: https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/ And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month! https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 22, 20261 hr 16 min

Episode #127: Grant Dalgliesh, Columbia Games, and "Alliance"!

Hey Folks! Please enjoy our latest episode with Columbia Games' Grant Dalgliesh! If you like block wargaming, look no farther than Grant and his father Tom, who are THE innovators. They are the OG- the originals- the people who really put this style of wargaming on the map. In addition- and I do not say this lightly- Alliance is a very unique game, one that combines tactical battles with grand strategy and negotiation. Most games that attempt to do something like this fail miserably, as they often suffer from what I like to call, "what am I?" syndrome. Alliance is one of the BEST Napoleonic games I've played. Period. Have fun with this one! https://columbiagames.com/ https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/49/columbia-games 20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice! https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at: https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/ And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month! https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 8, 20261 hr 31 min

Episode #126: Making Modifications to Games: With Kelly and the Boys from PicoArmor!

Folks- When Kelly and I chatted about hosting an episode on making modifications to games, what better guests to bring on than John and Greg from Pico Armor! In addition to running one of the best companies for small scale figures (mostly 3mm), they are constantly running games, and constantly innovating! We went deep in this episode- please enjoy it! https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqlD8zalIMIJMlgs3L6EHbzVZjK2t6ukkafP24jipeqcDiiasZG 20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice! https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at: https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/ And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month! https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 24, 20261 hr 19 min

Episode #125: The Student Gamers of Lander University: Interviewed by Jared, Kelly, and Dr. Frank Rausch

Folks- this is a really special episode, made possible by our friend Dr. Frank Rausch. A number of his students- whom you'll get to know in this episode- talk about their experiences learning in a game based environment. Frank, Kelly and I walk through all of the amazing things they're doing in school- everything from game based assignments, to public history outings, to the plans they have when they themselves become teachers. Powerful episode. Enjoy it!!!! 20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice! https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at: https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/ And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month! https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.