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Artwork for Beyond Solitaire

Beyond Solitaire

Liz Davidson
Game Design
Board Games
Wargaming
GMT Games
Educational Games
Video Games
Tabletop Games
Education
World War II
War Gaming
Keep the Faith
Historical Gaming
University Of Chicago
World War I
Mr. President
Tabletop Gaming
Solo Gaming
Catan
American History
Colonialism

A podcast all about going not just Beyond Solitaire, but beyond the board! Join your host, Liz Davidson, for interviews that touch on gaming history, historical games, and the cultural significance of the games we play.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes234Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesLeisure

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Artwork for Beyond Solitaire

Latest Episodes

This week on the pod, Paul Wright and I discuss Foxes & Lions, how it has developed over the past year or so, and what we're excited about next. Also, it's on P500! Go support it here: www.gmtgames.com/p-1229-foxes-and-lions-renaissance-city-... more

This week on the pod, Waleed Ma'arouf, a designer at Studio Big, discusses their work in education, how they joined the Arkham Horror LCG design team, and their current design work for a fresh crop of games. 

Check out The Blue Way: www.back... more

This week on the pod, Dr. Esther Wright (@enwright.bsky.social), a lecturer at the University of Cardiff, speaks about her work on Rockstar Games, the way they represent American history, and what we can learn from the stories they tell about America... more

This week on the pod, Brooks Barber (rollplusfun@bsky.social) drops by to discuss his new venture, Hawk & Dove. He's starting a new historical games publishing business, moving his family to the Netherlands, and still designing games! www.haw... more

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Recent Guests

Paul Wright
Game designer; co-creator of Foxes & Lions
GMT Games / Foxes & Lions project
Episode: Episode 234 - Paul and Liz on the Evolution of Foxes & Lions
Waleed Ma'arouf
Game designer at Studio Big, Asmodee
Asmodee / Studio Big
Episode: Episode 233 - Waleed Ma'arouf on Design at Asmodee
Esther Wright
Senior lecturer in digital history at the University of Cardiff
University of Cardiff
Episode: Episode 232 - Esther Wright on Rockstar Games and American History
Brooks Barber
Game designer and publisher
Hawk & Dove Games
Episode: Episode 231 - Brooks Barber on Hawk & Dove
Danielle Reynolds
Lead designer at Relatable, former project director at Wise Wizard Games
Relatable / Wise Wizard Games
Episode: Episode 230 - Danielle Reynolds on Mass Market Design
Taylor Shuss
Game designer
Fowler's Games
Episode: Episode 229 - Taylor Shuss on Walkable City
Shadi Torbey
Solo game designer, owner of Inpatients Games
Inpatients Games
Episode: Episode 227 - Shadi Torbey on inPatience
Bree Woodward
Creative director of Studio Big at Asmodee
Asmodee
Episode: Episode 226 - Bree Woodward on Creative Direction
Dan Bullock
Game designer and podcaster, host of Game Design Deep Dive
Lock Horns Games
Episode: Episode 225 - Dan Bullock on Penitent

Host

Liz Davidson
Host of a podcast that explores gaming history, cultural significance, and the mechanics of board games through thoughtful interviews.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 110 ratings
  • Inside the Actor’s Studio for board games

    Refreshingly elevated conversations around the history, design, production, and impact of board games. Liz does an incredible job spotlighting her guests and allowing us to join her in learning from a procession of unique perspectives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ostropol
    United States4 months ago
  • A Must-Listen for Fans of Historical and Thoughtful Gaming

    Beyond Solitaire is an insightful podcast that goes far beyond your average board game discussion. Liz Davidson brings an intelligent and engaging perspective to the world of historical games, exploring not just how we play, but why we play. Her interviews are consistently thought-provoking, offering deep dives into gaming history and the cultural impact of games across time. Whether you're a solo gamer or simply passionate about the stories behind the strategy, this podcast is highly recommende... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fireheart90
    United States9 months ago
  • Wonderful!!!

    Liz is such a great guide through this wonderful hobby and is a passionate solo board gamer. Liz offers intelligent insights and speaks to quality guest contributors. Liz never dominates the conversation the way some podcasters can and listens with warmth and interviews with skill. Recommended!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    maffattack
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Well beyond “what have you been playing”

    If you enjoy discussion about things going in the board game world and want to hear more about what games people have played, the Beyond Solitaire is for you. Liz is an academic and that shines through in her topics and guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NJ-JohnnyRico
    United States3 years ago
  • A Real Gem!

    Liz’s podcast is a deep dive into historical and cultural aspects of the board game hobby. She always has fascinating discussions with a wide swath of folks in the universe of board games — from designers to educators to historians. Amazing stuff!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SlushyZohan
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Insightful discussions around gaming and history.
Conversations extend beyond basic reviews, touching on complex themes.
Host is knowledgeable and engages deeply with guests.
The podcast is highly recommended for those who appreciate thoughtful gaming discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#60
New Zealand/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#66
India/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#74
Sweden/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#134
Switzerland/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#135
Finland/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#187
Russia/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 232 - Esther Wright on Rockstar Games and American History
Q: What is your overview of Rockstar Games and American history, and what are the core arguments in your work?
The project examines how Rockstar mediates American history through promotional materials and game design, arguing that branding and marketing narratives shape players' perceptions of historical authenticity more than the games' explicit content alone.
Episode 232 - Esther Wright on Rockstar Games and American History
Q: When you teach video game history, how much of it involves students actually playing the games in class?
Instructors use a mix of playable sessions, clipped gameplay, and discussion to balance immersion with practical constraints like class size and resource costs, while still focusing on core historical themes.
Episode 232 - Esther Wright on Rockstar Games and American History
Q: So what does digital history essentially mean in the context of teaching at University of Cardiff? What are you working on?
Digital history involves digitizing primary sources, building online archives, and exploring how digital tools transform historical research and teaching, including how games can be used to teach history.
Episode 229 - Taylor Shuss on Walkable City
Q: So for people who don't know about a walkable city, tell us about the game.
Walkable City is a cooperative game where players take on different transit modes—walking, biking, bus, and light rail—to move passengers around a city. Each player manages a unique role with specific constraints, and the goal is to build a connected, functional transit network while dealing with the realities of urban infrastructure and safety. The game emphasizes persistence of the map across rounds, encouraging cooperative problem-solving and strategic planning.
Episode 228 - Joe Dewhurst on The Pure Land
Q: The Pure Land, tell us about it.
The Pure Land is a four-player coin-series game set in a late-medieval Japanese civil conflict. It introduces a political geography mechanic where provinces belong to clans and loyalty can shift, along with a new peasant revolt system and religious faction mechanics centered on the Ikewiki and Jodo Shinshu movements. It's designed to capture both the political intrigue and religious undercurrents of the period, with a strong emphasis on how faith-based actions interact with state power.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Beyond Solitaire

What is Beyond Solitaire about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers a deep exploration into the intersection of gaming, history, and cultural significance. The host engages with various guests, including game designers, educators, and industry professionals, to discuss topics such as historical board game design, educational gaming strategies, and the cultural narratives woven into games. Each episode tends to reveal unique insights on not only the mechanics and design processes behind games but also how these elements reflect broader societal themes and historical contexts, making it appealing to both casual and serious gamers alike. The thoughtful, narrative-driven discussions shed light on the educational potential of games and their role in shaping cultural understanding.

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How many listeners does Beyond Solitaire get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Beyond Solitaire?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Beyond Solitaire:

1. So Very Wrong About Games
2. Space-Biff! Space-Cast!
3. Board Game Hot Takes
4. Shut Up & Sit Down
5. Board Game Barrage

How many episodes of Beyond Solitaire are there?

Beyond Solitaire launched 6 years ago and published 234 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Beyond Solitaire?

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What guests have appeared on Beyond Solitaire?

Recent guests on Beyond Solitaire include:

1. Paul Wright
2. Waleed Ma'arouf
3. Esther Wright
4. Brooks Barber
5. Danielle Reynolds
6. Taylor Shuss
7. Shadi Torbey
8. Bree Woodward

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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