This is the day you don’t skip at the tabletop gym because you don’t want your lists to look all scrawny and weak. It’s so unattractive when lists are neglected while everything else is robust and muscular…

That’s why we’re going to pump our lists full of Kickstarter convos, board game paraphernalia, and all of the other tabletop-adjacent talk that gets the Internet into a tizzy. Enjoy.

Some days feel longer than others.

And so if you need anything to help get you through the week, take heart that there are many good people out there and that so many opportunities exist to see wonderful voices in the board game community.

With that in mind, I’m sharing some videos I’ve appreciated recently!

10 Content Creator Suggestions - Before You Play

Before You Play offers playthroughs and reviews for board games from the perspective of Monique and Naveen. The dual-perspective YouTube channel has got some great content, but one of my favorite videos was their recommendation episode at the end of 2020 that highlighted other content creators in the board game space.

There are some honorable mentions, but then they push forward with their top ten, so if you like what Before You Play offers, then there are some other wonderful channels and creators to check out.

And one of their favorites is a “new-to-me” YouTube channel run by another couple!

Our Channel Journey - ThinkerThemer

Amy and Maggie are an Australian couple who tackle board games from two different angles—mechanics and theme. Each of them has an insightful perspective when discussing games, but I most enjoyed their reflections at the end of 2020. After sharing their top five games of the year, respectively, the couple dive into what the process has taught them regarding games and themselves and it’s a good listen for anyone.

My list looks a lot different than theirs, but I love the positive energy that they bring to the space and I’m glad that I’ve found their channel.

If you’re interested in another unique way of examining games and how they play, check them out!

Panel of Black Creators - Shelf Stories

Jason Perez constantly brings real-life and necessary conversations into the board game community, but his panel chat with six black content makers has been the most valuable to me, to date. He recruited Fertessa Allyse, a game designer, and four content creators—Monique the Game Freak Geek Girl, Jeremy Howard, Eric Yurko, as well as Mik and Starla of Our Family Plays Games.

It’s a broad discussion of the board game industry and the black experience, with each panel member sharing their personal story and discussing what growth is needed and what changes the hobby can make to continually be better.

Discussions like this help to show the human and the heart behind any face in the digital world and it also uplifts and gives a platform for voices that we need to hear desperately as we aim for a multicultural and inclusive community. Shelf Stories is definitely one to include in your daily scrolling.

Losing At Everything - Things Get Dicey

You can’t win every day.

You can’t even win most of the time, it feels like. But… you can try!

A lifetime ago, people would gather together in crowded places that floated on the ocean. These events were called cruises. Packing away into small rooms that moved in the middle of the night, these travellers would then meet in big rooms and do social events together. Some of those events involved board games. And some of those events involved Paula Deming. She was trying to win games.

And it when as you might expect with Paula Deming. Which means it’s definitely good for the rest of us to see.

Kid Bloopers - Kidsplaining

It’s so wholesome seeing kids in the hobby, especially when featured as the main attraction. The Kidsplaining YouTube channel brings you a family-friendly gaming experience with tutorials, discussions, and a podcast.

But everyone makes mistakes. And it’s good to see evidence of that from time to time. It also helps when the ones making mistakes are adorable kids.

If you need something else to bring a smile to your face, then here’s my last offer.

Come for the board games. Stay for the wholesome joy.

Hopefully, these will help bring some good vibes to your week.

Which content creators and videos have you been leaning on today? Let me know in the comments!