Episodes

  • Board Games as Devotion, with Dan Thurot

    Board Games as Devotion, with Dan Thurot
    Feb 8 2026

    How do board games become acts of devotion? We delve into the intersection of spirituality, identity, and agency within the context of gaming. Games facilitate introspection, connection, and exploration of different identities. The conversation explores the role-playing aspect of board games and its impact on personal experiences and connections. board games and religion include symbolism with emotional and transformative power.

    You can help us by liking, subscribing, and supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/playsavestheworld

    Takeaways

    • Board games and role-playing games offer opportunities for introspection, connection, and exploration of different identities.
    • Gaming experiences provide a space for encountering chance, agency, and systemic understanding, contributing to devotional-style experiences. Role-playing in board games goes beyond game mechanics, allowing players to inhabit roles and evoke powerful emotions.
    • Board games serve as a platform for exploring personal experiences, connecting with others, and engaging with symbolism and religious themes.
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    57 mins
  • 6 Spiritual Realities of Board Games

    6 Spiritual Realities of Board Games
    Jan 25 2026

    In this episode of Play Saves the World, Daniel and Kevin explore the intersection of spirituality and board games, discussing six spiritual realities that emerge from play. They delve into the definitions of play, its importance in fostering community, grace, agency, education, freedom, and presence, and how these elements contribute to a life-giving spirituality. The conversation reflects on the evolving understanding of play over three and a half years of podcasting, emphasizing the joy and connection that board games can bring to individuals and communities.

    Support us on [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/playsavestheworld)

    Takeaways

    Play is a voluntary activity that fosters community.

    Engaging in play nurtures a sense of belonging.

    Grace is an essential aspect of play, emphasizing self-worth.

    Play encourages agency and the ability to make choices.

    Educational elements in games can shape our understanding of history and society.

    Freedom in play allows for exploration and creativity.

    Presence in play helps us focus on the moment and connect with others.

    Play is inherently rewarding and provides joy.

    The act of play can serve as a meditative practice.

    Board games can bridge generational gaps and foster interconnection.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Realities of Board Games

    02:12 Defining Play and Its Importance

    13:54 Spiritual Realities of Play

    18:44 Sense of Belonging and Community

    19:18 Grace and Self-Worth in Play

    24:47 The Divine Nature of Play

    26:59 Agency and Choice in Spirituality

    29:47 The Educational Value of Play

    35:53 Freedom Through Play

    42:23 The Importance of Presence in Play
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    48 mins
  • Episode 1: Initial Thoughts

    Episode 1: Initial Thoughts
    Mar 11 2022
    To what extent does entering the magic circle of a game, where humans play games and temporarily care about bits and bobs, define our humanity? How do games impact people of religious faith?
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    46 mins
  • Episode 22: The Medieval Book of Games

    Episode 22: The Medieval Book of Games
    Jan 22 2023
    We examine the medieval Book of Games, King Alfonso of Spain's 1283 book about chess, dice games, and board games like Backgammon. There are rich insights here into medieval and modern board games – their types, challenges, wisdom, and benefits. Yay for history! CALL TO ACTION: - Subscribe to our newsletter (https://buttondown.email/BoardGameFaith) - Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/boardgamefaith/) - interact with us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/boardgamefaith/) - Discord us Discord (https://discord.gg/MRqDXEJZ)
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    56 mins
  • Episode 12: 5 Spiritual Lessons from Push Your Luck Games

    Episode 12: 5 Spiritual Lessons from Push Your Luck Games
    Aug 21 2022
    Kevin torments Daniel with a homebrewed Push Your Luck game based on Star Wars and Weird Al trivia (NOTE WE HAVE CHAPTER MARKERS NOW!). We then define push your luck games and glean some wisdom from these games: learning to take risks is good (and even Biblical, see Matthew 25:14-30); we can better understand ourselves and our comfort level with risk; we can learn to take smart risks instead of reckless ones; luck can be inclusive because everyone has a chance to win; we can't take luck personally; luck can build community. What do you think? Post your thoughts, responses, and questions on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/boardgamefaith/) and Discord (https://discord.gg/RTpwD9V2). Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/boardgamefaith/posts).
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Episode 21: How To Start a Board Game Group at Your House of Worship

    Episode 21: How To Start a Board Game Group at Your House of Worship
    Jan 8 2023
    A regular board game group is a powerful way to build inter-generational relationships and community at your house of worship. But how and where to start? Daniel and Kevin share their experiences: what worked, what didn't, and what to watch out for. For a one-sheet on this process, subscribe to our newsletter here (https://buttondown.email/BoardGameFaith) or email us at info@boardgamefaith.com. CALL TO ACTION: - Subscribe to our newsletter (https://buttondown.email/BoardGameFaith) - Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/boardgamefaith/) - interact with us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/boardgamefaith/) - Discord us Discord (https://discord.gg/MRqDXEJZ).
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    57 mins
  • Episode 41: Board Game Rulebooks, with Jordan Ault

    Episode 41: Board Game Rulebooks, with Jordan Ault
    Oct 22 2023
    What your Rulebooks Say About You INTRODUCTIONS RULEBOOKS ARE … COOL? - Roundtable vote: - intense pre-read - Read as you attempt to play - Watch YouTube - Have someone teach you - Dial 1-800-Rules-Lawyer - do you enjoy Rulebooks as a genre? - Any special Rulebooks of note? - KEVIN: Mage Knight is particularly loathed, even though it’s all in there - KEVIN: Frostpunk is a rulesbook work of art - DANIEL: Twilight Imperium 4 (steal from Kevin!), Gloomhaven - Jaws of the Lion - Do you have “house rules” to certain games or alter the rules based on who is playing? Why? Do you feel this takes away from the work of the designer? - DANIEL: Telestrations TEACHING A GAME * How do you prefer to teach a game? * Share everything up front? * Unravel the rules as you play? * Do you find parallels between how you teach or learn games and how you teach and learn in your ministry? * DANIEL: Pastor Jewell has the great analogy about how rules in service to the game, and not the other way around. She uses baseball as an analogy. * Are there any rules that just don’t click for you? Any games you’ve given up on because of the rules? Why? * DANIEL: Games where rules change every round. * When you’re hosting a game night at your faith community, are there rules you’re willing to bend, or rules that you choose to avoid? * What is your favorite game or type of rules to teach? * DANIEL: Worker placement Scenario: you’re 90 minutes into a complex solo game with clear win conditions. You choose to push your luck and draw a card. You accidentally pick up two. The first card absolutely kills your chance of success; the second is much friendlier. Do you discard the first and go with the friendlier card? Does that make you a horrible person? Asking for a friend. CALL TO ACTION: - Subscribe to our newsletter (https://buttondown.email/BoardGameFaith) - Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/boardgamefaith/) - interact with us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/boardgamefaith/) - Discord us Discord (https://discord.gg/MRqDXEJZ) Chat with us on Wavelength (iOS and MacOS and iPadOS only) (https://wavelength.app/invite/AGSmNhIYS5B#ABhy7aXOO04TO6HTS4lelw--)
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Episode 3: Is Play Essential to the Human Experience?

    Episode 3: Is Play Essential to the Human Experience?
    Apr 17 2022
    After naming some recently revisited games, Daniel discusses some lessons learned at a recent conference on play. Is play essential to the human experience? How can we games be more inclusive? How does play shape our early childhood in important ways, and can this include Minecraft? The discussion moves into play as a means of grace, and that play according to rules might be an analogy of grace and law. Pop culture jokes include the clap-on lamp from the 80s, and dad jokes include a can of diced tomatoes that secretly contains bookoo dice. Next episode: the book The Grasshopper by Bernard Suits. And a happy Easter, Passover, and Ramadan!
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    55 mins