Rephonic
Artwork for Fun Problems
Board Game Design
Game Design
Game Mechanics
Board Games
Playtesting
Cell Sheets
Game Prototyping
Kickstarter
Finances
Exploding Kittens
Feedback
Game Testing
Game Publishing
Rethinking Genres
Component Studio
Critter Kitchen
Social Deduction Games
Genre Markers
Tabletop Simulator
Daniel.games

Board game design is a deep and often challenging pursuit. We explore all aspects of game design and the fun problems (and solutions) that come with it.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes88Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureGames

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Fun Problems

Latest Episodes

This is part of a series where we explore the game design blog written by Daniel Piechnick.

Mathew Dunstan

Discord

Email

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

YouTube

Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including careers in board games.

The Bits Podcast with Peter

Discord

Email

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

YouTube

This is part of a series where we explore the game design blog daniel.games/ written by Daniel Piechnick.

Discord: discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me

Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

YouTube

Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including development and how to make your game less fragile.

Discord: discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me

Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Alex Cutler
Frequent guest; designer of collaboration projects
Episode: #86 Careers in Board Games - Grab bag
Zachary Strebeck
A board game and video game lawyer based out of Pittsburgh
Self-employed
Episode: #81 Board Game Contracts
Zack Strebeck
Lawyer specializing in board game agreements and contracts
Self-employed
Episode: #81 Board Game Contracts
Elan Lee
Co-creator of Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens
Episode: #79 Would Exploding Kittens Publish This?
Alex Hague
Co-founder and game designer at CMYK
CMYK
Episode: #54 - Would CMYK Publish This?
James Nathan
Co-founder and creative director at CMYK
CMYK
Episode: #54 - Would CMYK Publish This?
Joe Wiggins
Owner of Allplay, a board game publisher
Allplay
Episode: #49 - Would Allplay Publish This?

Hosts

Peter C. Hayward
Host of Fun Problems; experienced board game designer with industry insights.
AJ Brandon
Co-host with deep industry knowledge, often driving conversations with practical design and publishing lessons.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 68 ratings
  • Expert information presented in a playful way

    The hosts are passionate experts in tabletop game design who impart their knowledge in effervescent conversation. I appreciate their witty, upbeat delivery and concise analyses.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nicole Maynard S.
    United States3 years ago
  • At first I didn't like it, it wasn't polished. but the content I got was great. The episodes about the brain gave me a solution to a problem I was having with a game. The one about children's games really clarified some things for me. And I got to know Taskmaster, which improved my life and mood tremendously. Thank you, looking forward to more episodes!

    Audible
    5
    Tom Sivan
    United States4 years ago
  • Really contributed a lot to my designs and my life

    At first I didn't like it, it wasn't polished. but the content I got was great. The episodes about the brain gave me a solution to a problem I was having with a game. The one about children's games really clarified some things for me. And I got to know Taskmaster, which improved my life and mood tremendously. Thank you, looking forward to more episodes!

    Audible
    5
    Tom Sivan
    United States4 years ago
  • Great except for “verse” and “sighth”

    Peter says “verse” instead of “versus”, like Tom Vasel. That’s the same as saying “ag” instead of “against”.

    They also both say “scythe” wrong.

    Very grating on the ears. Will be a 5-star show if they can fix it!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Jessy Catterwaul
    United States4 years ago
  • Amazing.

    I've recently been diving deep into board game design after playing games for a good number of years now. I can't get enough of these conversations. So much insight into the mind of a game designer! Keep up the great work, fellas!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CR438401
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Deep dive into practical, actionable design and publishing advice with engaging storytelling.
The hosts are passionate experts who deliver upbeat, concise analyses.
Excellent learning tool for designers; high-quality hosts and insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#237
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#68
Germany/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#140
Italy/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#132
Mexico/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#195
Finland/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#81 Board Game Contracts
Q: How should a designer handle negotiations with publishers?
Designers should be aware of their value, push back when necessary, and understand that entering agreements is part of a negotiation process that values trust and mutual respect.
#81 Board Game Contracts
Q: What should you look for in a board game contract?
Key aspects include trusting the publisher, looking out for red flags, ensuring clear royalty and advance terms, and having a way to exit the contract if necessary.
#79 Would Exploding Kittens Publish This?
Q: What principles guide your game design at Exploding Kittens?
Elan emphasizes the importance of creating games that facilitate entertaining interactions among players rather than focusing solely on entertaining gameplay.
#79 Would Exploding Kittens Publish This?
Q: Tell us a little about Exploding Kittens, the company, the publisher.
Elan explains that Exploding Kittens started as a Kickstarter project intended merely as a small venture, but unexpectedly grew into a multi-million-dollar company, ultimately producing over seventy games in their history.
#69 - Why We Are Ending the Podcast
Q: Peter, why is it ending?
Peter shares that he is stepping away from board games to refocus on other creative pursuits, like novel writing.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Fun Problems

What is Fun Problems about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on board game design, publishing, and the business of tabletop publishing. Across recent episodes, listeners hear practical guidance on contracts, royalties, and ownership terms; financial realities for designers, including tracking income and publisher support; insights from industry guests on branding, Kickstarter dynamics, and taking projects from idea to market; and actionable advice on playtesting, feedback, and working with designers at different experience levels. The hosts combine candid stories with concrete takeaways, offering a blend of design theory, real-world anecdotes, and practical tips for both aspiring designers and publishing partners. A standout aspect is the emphasis on trust and fair terms in publishe... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Fun Problems?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Fun Problems:

1. Shut Up & Sit Down
2. So Very Wrong About Games
3. Board Game Hot Takes
4. The Dice Tower
5. Board Game Barrage

How many episodes of Fun Problems are there?

Fun Problems launched 6 years ago and published 88 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Fun Problems?

Recent guests on Fun Problems include:

1. Alex Cutler
2. Zachary Strebeck
3. Zack Strebeck
4. Elan Lee
5. Alex Hague
6. James Nathan
7. Joe Wiggins

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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