Luke S. (He/Him)

We finally stopped playing Blue Prince, but are still craving puzzles. I've only just begun but I am so eager to have a new Sunday morning routine to look forward to 🥰

I stumbled upon a reel from @bettermoodboardgames on Instagram, highlighting The Sunday Club from @playsundayclub.bsky.social and after her recommendation (and BEAUTIFUL video), I gave it a shot. It arrived just in time for this Sunday morning!

Front page of the Sunday Club puzzle newspaper

Luke drinking coffee, admiring the front page of the Sunday Club paper

If you love the NYT's games section, but aren't a fan of the NYT's treatment of their workers, The Sunday Club is a perfect alternative. It's cost-efficient and each issue comes with individual puzzles (crosswords, pictograms, word fit), a note from the editor, and even meta puzzles.

Last night, the organizers of the trans boycott of CGE read with delight CGE’s third public announcement related to the publishing of content that actively harms trans rights globally. Their long awaited apology is very welcome, as is their alignment with trans rights as human rights. In this moment where our legal rights are under attack more than ever, such a statement is fundamental. We also recognise and appreciate their commitment to donate 100% of the profits of this game and look forward to working with them to help repair the relationship with their trans fans and to build new relationships with the trans movement in Czechia.

We completely understand that many trans people are still hurt and don’t yet feel safe in this environment. The way that CGE initially responded to the problem, blocking hundreds of trans people, created an enormous amount of pain and mistrust. It will take time to build those relationships back again. We do not see this as a perfect situation. We would have hoped that by now, all of our favourite publishers would have known not to publish something that puts money in the pockets of someone who is trying to destroy our right to a peaceful and equal existence.

But now that we are in this situation, and now that CGE is listening, let us turn to the job of making our own magical world: a board game hobby space that cherishes and protects all of the people in it, including the trans ones.

Our official response:

Unconscious Mind!

I can never, nor would ever, stop talking about this game. While plenty of euros have come and gone since UM's release, this one still holds a special place in my heart.

Is it perfect? No, but damn if I don't love a thematic point salad that isn't afraid to shoot for the moon.

But also life is short and who am I to tell you what you need or don't need. Live your best life!

If you think you need another board game to fill the void in your heart, no you don't.

I found their book through a suggestion thread on Reddit, and have since listened to their guest spots on Multiamory.

Throughout the weeks, I have shared quotes from Lola’s book with clients who struggle with internalized shame and anxiety. Hopefully these points resonate with you as well ❤

For those unfamiliar, Lola Phoenix (they/them) runs a popular weekly relationship advice column and podcast, Non-Monogamy Help, and has been non-monogamous for over a decade. Their writing has appeared in Medium, Huffington Post, Pink News, Gay Star News, The Independent, and Everyday Feminism.

This is a Lola Phoenix appreciation post ❤

I’m currently reading “The Anxious Person’s Guide to Non-Monogamy” from Lola Phoenix and have been captivated by their keen reflection on anxiety and how it shows up on both an individualistic and relational level.

My favorite publisher, @devir-games.bsky.social, is on Bluesky now - Welcome, friends! 👋

The number of times a game has just SAT at a Raleigh/Durham Post Office for days is unreal 😭😭

Important info for buyers, sellers, and manufacturers of board games from someone who knows what they’re talking about because it’s their entire job to know such things. —WEM

I played Slay the Spire (the board game). Quite a bit. Here are my thoughts:

Easily one of my top ten, The White Castle is an absolute gem (and Matcha just completes the experience ♥️)

I felt a wave of validation as I connected with other college mental health counselors. Worksheets are helpful, new exercises and techniques will be utilized in session with clients, but it was really the framing of narratives as it relates to specific talking points that really hit hard for me.

This was my first time in "The Big Easy" and it didn't disappoint! The bars, the music venues, the art, the architecture, the FOOD - all of it was beyond incredible. We even found moments to get some games to the table (the table being the floor, or restaurant table 😅)

I traded in my board games for cardigans as I went immediately from #whoseturn2025 in Durham to #acca2025 in New Orleans!

For those unaware, the American College Counseling Association and every year they hold a big conference for college mental health counselors to come and learn from one another.

Starting the third day of #ACCA2025 with a tried and true session from Samantha Roth, LCSW-C - How to Make a TTRPG Therapeutic Group Work on Your Campus 🎲🗡️🧙‍♂️

Last session of the day for #ACCA2025 Day 2

At the American College Counseling Association conference in New Orleans this weekend - This means less boardgaming, but I'll take it!

Tough call, but we ended up all voting for Black Forest. Close calls were Federation and Thunder Road Vendetta (though flip 7 was stupid fun)

Little board game boy at a little board game con

Honestly, I think it's a hyped game that people will be selling in a year. SUPER fun, interesting board, but just a liiiiiittle too many mechanics spread out

Heading to New Orleans for a counseling conference - What a location, and a time, for the most introverted extroverts in the planet. #acca

This x1000000

Some of the games we tried this weekend:

- Black Forest
- flip 7
- federation
- Creature Caravan
- Myrmes
- Thunder Road Vendetta
- The Gang
- Dropolter
- Darwin's Journey
- Wondrous Creatures
- Captain Flip
- Intarsia
- Nekojima
- SETI
- Vale of Eternity
- Five Three Five
- Mosaic

#whoseturn

#Whoseturn was absolutely wonderful, as always. My brain is fried but my heart is full ❤️