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Artwork for Table Talk

Table Talk

Covenant
Sorcery
Organized Play
Alpha Clash
Tabletop Gaming
Hubworld: Aidalon
Game Design
Trading Card Games
Gudnak
Rising Empire Studios
Local Game Stores
Hubworld
Earthborne Games
Earthborne Trailblazer
Flesh and Blood
Community Engagement
Magic the Gathering
Sorcery TCG
Gothic
Digital Clients For Card Games
Living Card Game

A weekly discussion about the evolution of the tabletop gaming industry, from the perspective of Steven and Zach—two long-time friends who started playing games together as kids in the '90s and then founded Covenant in 2007. They provide a uniquely well-informed, candid, and holistic perspective shaped by decades of industry experience. Formerly called "The Covenant Cast"

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes256Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesHobbiesLeisure

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Artwork for Table Talk

Latest Episodes

Various mechanisms have been used across retail in all sectors to better align prices and create a more even playing field for sellers. Magic dropped MSRP and then brought it back. Flesh and Blood just dropped their MAP policy. Games like Sorcery hav... more

Advancements in articifical intelligence have made developing web-based "digital clients" for card games progressively easier. Expecting an increasing number of unofficial clients, we discuss the impact they will have on indie tabletop games.

In our ongonig discussions about the problems experienced with LCGs (living card games) in the past, we're starting to feel like the overall approach to organized play has become too complicated. Join us to discuss the inherent challenges faced - and... more

The Sorcery TCG Dust launch illustrates a number of lessons in the pursuit of perfection and the reality of the world. Join us as we wrestle with them.

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Michael Boggs
Former Android: Netrunner designer who also worked on Marvel Champions
Earthborne Games
Episode: 021: Entering My Hubworld: Aidalon Era ft. Michael Boggs
Andrew Navaro
Founder and creator director of Earthborne Games
Earthborne Games
Episode: 006: Q&A with Andrew Navaro, Head of Studio at Earthborne Games
Erik Olofsson
Founder of Erik's Curiosa and creator of the Sorcery TCG
Erik's Curiosa
Episode: 228: Erik Olofsson - Sorcery TCG | Gothic Reflections and Future

Hosts

Zach Covenant
Co-host and co-founder with Steven Covenant; central to the show and its industry discussions.
Stephen Covenant
Host with multiple appearances across episodes; participates in industry and topic debates.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 328 ratings
  • Great Deep thoughts

    I love these guys great content!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tedbaland
    United States7 months ago
  • They get it

    It’s great listening to a podcast created by folks who get it and obviously have a great ability to chat with each other. Truly a gem

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    draight1337
    United States3 years ago
  • They get it

    It’s great listening to a podcast created by folks who get it and obviously have a great ability to chat with each other. Truly a gem

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    draight1337
    United States5 years ago
  • Awesome and insightful

    These folks are top-notch content creators and incredible service providers. They are constantly striving to innovate and serve customers better and they support so many great games with tireless enthusiasm.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    c_j_cd
    Canada5 years ago
  • Best Experience

    Not every movie is a masterpiece, but the team is great.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    crusificton
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the chemistry between hosts and their ability to discuss complex topics with candor.
Audience notes highly value the guest diversity and real-world examples tied to indie publishing and local stores.
Commenters often mention the show as essential for staying informed on distribution changes and community-building in tabletop.
The show offers thoughtful, industry-informed perspectives that blend practical retail insight with big-picture discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#153
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#205
Australia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#110
Russia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#140
Hong Kong/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#146
Brazil/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#147
New Zealand/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

023: We're overthinking organized play
Q: Should organizers be more clear who their game and events are for, or should players make better judgment on what games fit their lifestyle?
Organizers should clearly communicate what the game and events offer, rather than trying to label exactly who the game is for. Clear expectations help the right players find it.
023: We're overthinking organized play
Q: In comparison to Netrunner, will needing only one deck and no asymmetrical play help organized play for this game?
A single deck makes tournament rounds and formats easier to manage, and prize cards can fit more players' decks. The hosts are unsure whether those advantages will materially change organized play overall.
021: Entering My Hubworld: Aidalon Era ft. Michael Boggs
Q: How does theme and the Hubworld universe inform the card design of the four different factions?
Boggs says the first set's card pool was developed before the world's theme was fully established, so the mechanics and setting were adjusted together. Later sets begin more directly from stories and worldbuilding, then develop mechanics to express the setting and its factions.
021: Entering My Hubworld: Aidalon Era ft. Michael Boggs
Q: Can you talk a bit about your ABV system, how you chose the scrap cost for sources or obstacles, and how you landed on the right exchange of value?
Boggs explains that ABV, or all allotted balance value, was a spreadsheet-based system comparing card effects with gaining a shard. It helped establish a baseline, but the game's complexity made the formula imperfect, so the team now relies more on playtesting, feedback, and comparisons across sets.
228: Erik Olofsson - Sorcery TCG | Gothic Reflections and Future
Q: What do you hope that players take away from Gothic here over the next week or two?
I hope to see engagement and diverse avatar play across various deck types, indicating a well-received set.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Table Talk

What is Table Talk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep dive into tabletop gaming ecosystems, retail dynamics, and community-building. Episodes frequently center on local game stores, indie publishers, distribution shifts, and how to foster sustainable communities around niche games. The hosts blend practical, real-world experiences with industry analysis, often discussing crowdfunding, fulfillment, and the interplay between creators, retailers, and players. Noteworthy are candid debates about distribution models, live event dynamics, and the ethics of marketing in a hobby space that mixes passion with business. The show seems especially valuable for store owners, publishers, and retailers seeking actionable insights and a grounded view of the modern tabletop landscape.

Where can I find podcast stats for Table Talk?

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How many listeners does Table Talk get?

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What are the audience demographics for Table Talk?

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How many subscribers and views does Table Talk have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Table Talk has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Table Talk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Table Talk:

1. Earthborne Games Podcast
2. The Dice Tower
3. The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast
4. Board Game Barrage
5. Common Sense Sorcery Podcast

How many episodes of Table Talk are there?

Table Talk launched 10 years ago and published 256 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 Table Talk?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Table Talk?

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What guests have appeared on Table Talk?

Recent guests on Table Talk include:

1. Michael Boggs
2. Andrew Navaro
3. Erik Olofsson

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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