Best MJ Gaming Network Podcasts (2024)

1
BXP 6×12 – Monica and Rai Talk 59:08

11M ago59:08

59:08

Hello Bonus Babies, Rai returns for a finale. We sort of talk about games, but mostly we just talk. Here’s some stuff we talk about: Monica’s computer Rai’s life Music of the 90s Monica’s book Onyx Path shop talk A better alternative to the “no fascists” rule Rai’s son and the Progress Pride Flag Fabula Ultima Dungeon Meishi Gay Final Fantasy You c…

1
BXP 6×11 – Monica and Heather Consider Ways to Keep Players Playing 41:32

11M ago41:32

41:32

Hello Bonus Babies, I am so sorry for the huge delay – when it rains it pours. But here we are with the penultimate episode of Season Six! Today Monica gets together with Heather (her wife) to discuss one of their mutually shared core principles of game design: participation makes the game. If you remove players from play, you are denying them the …

1
BXP 6×10 – Monica and Alex Break Down Setting Design Using Video Games 40:10

1y ago40:10

40:10

Hello Bonus Babies, Today I’m joined by friend and colleague Alex Guerrero to discuss how video games utilize narrative and setting design to create a sense of wonder and mystery – and how you can bring that to the table in your own tabletop RPGs! We discuss: Good writing and pacing of lore Creating and fostering mystery while running games Support…

1
BXP 6×09 Monica and D Evaluate Rules Exceptions 41:47

1y ago41:47

41:47

Hello Bonus Babies, D is back in the studio with me today to deliver on our promise to discuss exceptions-based rules design. We talk about Exalted: Essence an awful lot, but also talk about Malifaux, Chronicles of Darkness, and some upcoming games. We talk about good examples of how to build strong exceptions and an equal number of bad ones, and p…

1
BXP 6×08 Monica and Hiromi Demystify Accessibility 40:30

1y ago40:30

40:30

Hello Bonus Babies, Today Monica sits down with friend and colleague Hiromi Cota to discuss how you can improve the accessibility of your tabletop RPG. We talk about making things accessible to folks with physical issues, but mental ones as well. We also talk about math a lot. In the extended cut: More coping strategies for ADHD Monica’s style guid…

1
BXP 06×07 – Monica and the Scoundrels Discuss Content Creation 40:54

1y ago40:54

40:54

Hello Bonus Babies, Today Monica is joined by the hosts of the Malifaux podcast, Steampowered Scoundrels, to have a lively discussion about being small content creators in a niche field, being the microest of micro celebrities, having relationships with tabletop game designers, and a lot, and I really mean a lot, of talk about Malifaux. Don’t worry…

1
BXP 06×06 – MTP Crossover 2: Design Directives Mechanics Workshop 52:34

1y ago52:34

52:34

Hello Bonus Babies, Here’s another crossover with Mage: The Podcast. This time Danielle Lauzon joins us as we discuss the concept of design directives in games. Enjoy the energy a third party brings to these MTP/BXP crossovers. You can find Mage the Podcast here. Additional silliness in the extended cut.…

1
BXP 06×05 – Monica and Elliott Dissect Character Sheets 38:28

1+ y ago38:28

38:28

Hello Bonus Babies, Today Monica is joined by Exalted developer, Elliott Freeman, to break down their favorite (and least favorite) characters sheets: what works, what doesn’t, what they like to see, and so on. Favorites include Agon and Blades in the Dark, and the least favorites include some real stinkers. You can find Mr Gone’s work here and her…

1
BXP 06 x 04 – Monica and MJ Examine Competitive Game Design 43:39

1+ y ago43:39

43:39

Hello Bonus Babies, Today Monica is joined by freelance author and designer, MJ Monleon, to discuss the ins, outs, and pitfalls of designing a competitive game. We focus mostly on traditional games like tabletop RPGs and card or board games and then wander off into the weeds of some of our favorite video games. We start off strong, then get very di…

1
BXP 06×03 – Mage the Podcast Crossover – Mechanics Workshop: Magick Merits 44:23

1+ y ago44:23

44:23

Hello Bonus Babies, Monica joins Terry on Mage the Podcast to workshop the design concept of individual magic(k) merits, as well as temporary merits and experience rewards in Mage 20th. Join us for an interesting discussion on in-character benefits and experience design, plus all the weird stuff you’ve come to expect from Monica and Terry having a …

1
BXP 06×02 – Jax Teaches Monica All About Larp 50:43

1+ y ago50:43

50:43

Hello Bonus Babies, Today Monica invites her friend, Jacqueline Bryk, to join her and discuss something she considers a blank spot in her traditional game literacy: LARP. We discuss what makes a LARP and LARP design principles as Jax gives a detailed 101 crash course. We also kick around designing our own together, for a bit. Also discussed in the …

1
BXP 06×01 Monica and D Analyze Resource Management 46:28

1+ y ago46:28

46:28

Hello Bonus Babies, Welcome to Season Six! Rai is retiring from permanent co-host duty so you’re all stuck with me (Monica) and a rotating door of our friends. Fear not, Rai will still join us from time to time. And don’t worry – we remain two queer people speaking with authority about games, and we absolutely will still swear (die mad about it). I…

1
BXP Season 6 Update 3:08

1+ y ago3:08

3:08

Hello Bonus Babies, BXP is BACK for Season Six. We have some very important updates to the show as well as some super cool episodes coming up. Give it a listen. If you stayed a patron through the off-season, Monica shouts out your name. See you next week!By Monica

1
Episode 10 54:50

2y ago54:50

54:50

Latest VBA News Stream Team Update Free Agent Finds Community Discussion --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vba-live/message

1
Episode 9 52:53

2y ago52:53

52:53

This week we cover the latest in VBA news, and the v0.04 update. Game of the week was a low scoring matchup and our Free Agent Finds. Prospect's designs were featured in Around the Horn. Message him @prospect_hodl if you'd like a design of your own. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vba-live/message…

1
BXP 05×12 – Character Development (feat. Terry Robinson) 42:02

2y ago42:02

42:02

Hello Bonus Babies! This is the final episode of Season Five. Terry joins Monica again with the second half of their very long conversation about experiences with gaming and new people. Today we talk about character development in RPGs: what that means, what people want when they say they’re into it, and how games do and don’t support character gro…

1
Episode 8: All Star Showcase 1:07:15

2y ago1:07:15

1:07:15

Special guests SMUP Legend and Charles from the VBA team join MJ to give analysis on the VBA All Star Showcase matchups. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vba-live/message

1
Episode 7: All-Star week preview with Jeff from the VBA team 1:31:06

2y ago1:31:06

1:31:06

Special Interview with Jeff from the VBA team All-star week preview News Game of the Week Free Agent Finds Q&A --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vba-live/message

1
Episode 6 1:13:10

2y ago1:13:10

1:13:10

VBA News Game of the Week Free Agent Find Q&A Note: Portions of this audio have been removed due to audio being dropped from the streaming software. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vba-live/message

1
BXP 05×11 – Mage, Exalted, and D&D (feat. Terry Robinson) 41:52

2y ago41:52

41:52

Hello Bonus Babies, Terry (of Mage: the Podcast) joins Monica to talk about the wild experience of teaching Mage to new people and Monica commiserates about her experiences with teaching Exalted to beginners. We discuss the interesting cultural baggage that comes with most folks pop understanding of the hobby and what it’s like to show folks new ga…

1
Episode 5 1:09:55

2y ago1:09:55

1:09:55

The Tipoff John Wu appointed commissioner of the VBA Box Office Release Game of the Week Free Agent Finds Follow up from last week's player 11507 Around the Horn Player Giveaways Team Talk Q&A --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vba-live/message

1
BXP 05×10-Games Without Randomizers feat. Chazz 1:09:56

2y ago1:09:56

1:09:56

Hello Bonus Babies, Rai had to tap out of hosting early this season, so Monica set up a lobster trap outside her house in order to catch a few new co-hosts. The last few episodes of Season 5 will be Monica + a friend. Join our Patreon or Discord for details about the nonsense we have planned for the off-seasons! Here’s the long-awaited new episode.…

1
Episode 4: AMA with Charles Du and Jon Lee 1:41:20

2y ago1:41:20

1:41:20

AMA with Jon Lee and Charles Du! Marketplace Tool Update --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vba-live/message

1
Episode 3 1:21:38

2y ago1:21:38

1:21:38

Tipoff: Fill out the survey AMA Discussion Practice League Announcement More packs are on the way Schedule Changes VBA Rebrand Game of the Week: #807 Slimes vs #8925 44Rekt Free Agent Finds Around The Horn: Release of the lineup compare tool on https://mjinformatics.com Team Talk: Q&A --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/…

1
Episode 2 51:13

2y ago51:13

51:13

The Tipoff: Cash Prize Leagues DIMES Wallets Pick 'Em for DIMES Improved social features View and Buy from Magic Eden on the VBA website Game of the Week: #11 Smup 4 vs. #647 darkblue2 Free Agent Finds: Help you find value in the market to plug gaps on your VBA team. Around the Horn: Down Town Franchise has a 28 game win streak! -SMUP 4 teams in th…

1
Episode 1 1:06:48

2y ago1:06:48

1:06:48

VBA LIVE: Episode 1 Overview: What is VBA Team Building Approach Likes/Dislikes about the game so far The Tipoff: Rise of 3&D Wing Versatile Forward, has their time come? Player positioning is getting stricter Being mid is finally a good thing! Dimes for Days! Game of the Week: #1 Ranked The Charles Barkys vs. #7 BBS Airwolves! Free Agent Finds: He…

1
BXP 05×09-So, You’re Playing D&D for the First Time… 41:29

2y ago41:29

41:29

Hello Bonus Babies, We are so very sorry for the silence and lack of updates for a while there. Things have been rough for the whole BXP crew, but we’re BACK. Monica overheard a conversation about someone being nervous to play D&D for the first time and their worries about how to be a good player, so here’s today’s episode. Rai and Monica hang out …

1
BXP 05×08-Does System Matter? 43:24

2y ago43:24

43:24

Hello Bonus Babies! Rai’s back! Hooray! Rejoice! Today Rai and Monica sit down to discuss a favorite internet discourse topic: does system matter? Can you just enjoy any game, regardless of system? Do you even NEED to be a game designer? You’ll just have to listen to the whole thing if you want the answer. Also discussed in the extended cut: Rai’s …

1
BXP 05×07-DEEP DIVE: Streamlining Systems 1:02:17

2y ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Hello Bonus Babies, While Rai sorts out a few life things, D joins us again for another deep dive. Today, Monica and Danielle discuss streamlining game systems – whether you’re doing that on your own for fun or whether it’s a professional job. We talk about the meaning, goals, and methods of streamlining and give some examples of systems we’d fix a…

1
BXP 05×06-The BXP Memorial Day Picnic 1:05:27

2y ago1:05:27

1:05:27

Happy Pride, Bonus Babies! We’ve really been going through it this year, so when we sat down to record our most recent episode we decided it would be fun and relaxing to just hang out instead. Here’s nearly an hour of Monica and Rai talking about… everything and nothing. Discussed: Queer New Year and Gay Parliament the best way to see Multiverse of…

1
BXP 05×05-The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Bargain 44:22

2y ago44:22

44:22

Hello Bonus Babies, Oh? It’s Tuesday already? Oh?? Shhhh, time is fake. In today’s episode, Monica and Rai sit down to discuss the concept of the hard bargain – a social refusal mechanic that can improve any game. We talk about what they are, how to use them, and how to implement them in your homebrew or professional design. Also discussed in the e…

1
BXP 05×04-DEEP DIVE: Core Systems Loop 1:27:38

2+ y ago1:27:38

1:27:38

Hello Bonus Babies, Rai and Monica had a very chaotic two weeks and were unable to get a recording in. However, Margaret had this dusty tape under her desk and was kind enough to edit it for us. (We shudder to think about what else might be lurking under there… best not to consider it too long.) D joins Monica for another Deep Dive! We discuss the …

1
BXP 05×03-BXP Talks D&D 4e (feat. David Castro) 47:38

2+ y ago47:38

47:38

Hello Bonus Babies, Rai was ill during our usual recording time, so we brought in a friend to help! In today’s episode, Monica is joined by David Castro of Ink Stained Studios to talk D&D 4e: the good parts, the bad parts, its history, and its impact on current design. We’re very pro-4e, in case you’re wondering where we come down on the subject. I…

1
BXP 05×02-Forever GM or Game Ambassador? 53:29

2+ y ago53:29

53:29

Hello Bonus Babies! Today Monica and Rai tackle the thorny subject of always being stuck in the GM seat. Is that a good thing? A bad one? Neither? We discuss the ups and downs of being the game facilitator and how to feel less anxious about stepping into the role yourself. Also discussed in the extended cut: anime about boys, Kevin the cockatiel, T…

1
BXP 05×01-A Lukewarm Defense of Perception Checks 39:49

2+ y ago39:49

39:49

Hello Bonus Babies! Welcome to the official first episode of season 5! Today we’re talking about Perception checks – that old chestnut. Are they bad? Are they good? Should we throw them away entirely? What’s even the point of having them? Monica and Rai break down their thoughts on the topic. Also discussed in the extended cut: Hershey’s funky tast…

1
BXP 05×00 – IT’S SEASON FIVE, BABEYYY 34:59

2+ y ago34:59

34:59

WE’RE BACK, BONUS BABIES! Did you miss us? Don’t worry, we’re “on” again for the next six months. Drink it up while you can. Tell your friends. Tell your spouse. Tell your kids. Tell your parents. …on second thought maybe not those last two. This is a launch episode in which we share our plans for the season as well as shout out all our Patrons and…

1
BXP 04×12 – The Joys of Chargen 47:50

3y ago47:50

47:50

Hello Bonus Babies, Character generation is not to be taken lightly–in fact, it can be one of the biggest draws of your game. We discuss why that is, how that is, and our favorite games to make funny little guys for. And for patrons, we talk about Sailor Moons, the twitter TTRPG main character of the week, HERPANGINA, and the Inverse Property of Mc…

1
BXP 04×11 – Teeth are the Naughty Bones 26:01

3y ago26:01

26:01

Hello Bonus Babies, Haha, what were we doing? Did we skip a week? (Yes) Hi how are you what’s going on? It’s been a Time for us over here at BXP and we finally got back together for a minute to catch up before we wrap up our season with one more real episode and then venture into the wilds of The Off Season. We discuss Rai’s harrowing mouth experie…

1
BXP 04×10 – Build a Better One-Shot 28:58

3y ago28:58

28:58

Hello Bonus Babies, In today’s episode we discuss the art of the one-shot, including: games that are suited for short play, how to MAKE a game suited for short play, and how one gets ideas for short games anyway. Also discussed in the extended cut: Rai’s Naughty Teeth, Delta-8 (legal in most states!!), Donuts, and some weird goop that came out of M…

1
BXP 04×09 – BXP Reads: Dragonhearts 42:51

3y ago42:51

42:51

Hello Bonus Babies, Thanks to help from Mage the Podcast’s own Terry, we were able to release the episode today instead of delaying. Please thank Terry the next time you see him. In today’s episode, Monica and Rai read and review Dragonhearts, a Firebrands hack about playing shapeshifting dragons who fight and kiss. It’s everything Rai has ever wan…

1
BXP 04×08 – Rules for Smoochin 43:27

3y ago43:27

43:27

Hello Bonus Babies, In today’s episode, Monica and Rai tackle a subject near and dear to our weird, little horny hearts: romance in games! Despite that particular framing, we discuss how emotional conflict is important, and being emotionally intimate and vulnerable with other characters in your games can improve the experience. Then, we talk about …

1
BXP 04×07 – June, In Review 37:41

3y ago37:41

37:41

Hello Bonus Babies, Monica and Rai sat down in the “studio” with a bad case of the fuck-its so instead of talking irreverently about a design topic, we decided to talk about the month of June. …Not in the abstract, a lot happened to us this past month so we shoot the breeze about it. Also discussed: the beach trip we’re planning in November (that y…

1
“How The Dream Team Changed The World with Jack McCallum” - Season 2 Episode 2 11:26

3y ago11:26

11:26

Today we bring you a very special episode with the legendary writer and journalist Jack McCallum. Joining the staff of Sports Illustrated in 1981, Jack has witnessed the political and social changes in America through the prism of basketball for decades and was honoured by the Basketball Hall Of Fame for his work in 2005. McCallum is perhaps best k…

1
BXP 4×06 – Game Writing is Fiction Writing 40:18

3y ago40:18

40:18

Hello Bonus Babies, Today we sit down to discuss how preparing for games and adventuring writing can make you better at writing fiction. We talk plot points and beats, enjoying being surprised by outcomes, and using a similar structure to plan your story. This is a Rai heavy episode, so buckle up. Also discussed in the extended cut: several minutes…

1
BXP 4×05 – BXP Reads: Gun&Slinger 39:33

3y ago39:33

39:33

Hello Bonus Babies! Monica and Rai picked up Gun&Slinger – a game for two players and a facilitator about playing a sentient, magical gun and its wielder in a strange, magic-torn world. It is extremely our shit. You can purchase it here Bonus shenanigans as always in the extended cut Emergency editing (thank you thank you thank you) by Terry Robins…

1
BXP 4×04 – Games Need Conflict 41:24

3y ago41:24

41:24

Hello Bonus Babies, Monica and Rai sit down this week to discuss a critical feature of any game: conflict. What does this entail? Why is it so necessary? Does it have to be violent? We answer all these questions and more. Also discussed in the extended cut: The Omni Dice Bag, Con Laundry, Bein’ Stunky, and Airdropping Lewds Directly to Your Brain. …

1
BXP 4×03 – D & BXP’s Deep Dive: Let’s Talk Small Press 1:09:09

3+ y ago1:09:09

1:09:09

Hello Bonus Babies, Friend of the show Danielle Lauzon joins us for a LIVE episode in which we discuss the ups and downs of being a small press publisher. This episode was live, so we are being heckled consistently through the whole thing. It’s extremely chaotic. Also discussed in the feature-length extended cut: Is Exalted a burrito? Giving the au…

1
BXP 4×02 – BXP Reads: The Man and The Stag 36:56

3+ y ago36:56

36:56

Hello Bonus Babies, Welcome to our first BXP Reads, a new thing we’re doing for Season 4. In today’s episode we read and review The Man and the Stag by Beau Jagr Sheldon. It’s a two-player. card-based storytelling game with some beautiful themes. The extended cut contains our usual chaos as Monica and Rai attempt to be professionals who know what t…

1
BXP 4×01 – Exalted is Gay 1:06:42

3+ y ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Hello Bonus Babies, We’ve touched on this topic a little bit before but today we really wanted to delve into the subject: Exalted is a game dripping with queer themes. Monica and Rai bring their knowledge as literature people to the table to break down why Exalted is queer as hell (and you should play it). The discussion is chaotic and informative,…

1
BXP 4×00 – It’s Season Four, My Dudes 38:47

3+ y ago38:47

38:47

We’re back, Bonus Babies! In this introductory episode, Monica and Rai give a hearty shout out and thank you to all our Patrons. We also run down what’s new for this season. We hope to see you at our live shows! To join our Discord, click here: https://discord.gg/ptMnNRHWrG If you are a Patron and Discord is not connected to your Patreon account, j…

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