All posts filed under “Star Trek”

July 22, 2026

Episode 363: Hello, My Name is Phil

The word is franchise and the nerds start by discussing various franchise operations, both real and fictional. Specific topics include a boardgame called Fast Food Franchise, those paper food service hats, the current Bricks & Minifigs scandal, the details of mundane healthcare in a fantasy RPG world, and this week’s “favorite thing” discussion, which is about restaurant franchises. Then they each report on recent events they’ve returned from, with Andy going to Origins where he was debuting his new game, Seven Islands, and Keith going to a bluegrass festival, where he was previewing his newest game, The Banjo King. Other topics include the game designer’s problem of what to do with old prototypes, a world where everyone is named Phil, and a classic Top Ten List from David Letterman. Lastly, they extend last week’s “Dream Crew” discussion to add an Ensign and a Starship.

Episode 363: Hello, My Name is Phil

June 23, 2026

Episode 362: Not That Kind of Crude

The word is Crew and the nerds spend most of this episode discussing their dream Star Trek crews. They each choose a favorite character from any of the shows to fill these ten positions: Captain, First Officer, Science Officer, Doctor, Engineer, Helmsman, Security Officer, Communications/Counselor, Wildcard, and Visiting Alien Who Happened To Be On The Bridge At The Time. Moving on to media, Keith talks about seeing The Backrooms (and not yet seeing the new Star Wars movie), Andy mentions the Wreckless Ben Lego scandal. Lastly, Keith gives an update on the Night Market.

Episode 362: Not That Kind of Crude

April 7, 2026

Episode 359: The Party is at the Party

The word is Party! The nerds talk about various parties, starting with a party of adventurers catering a dinner party, which was the concept for a D&D scenario which Keith had fun running at GaryCon. Next they talk about their favorite parties of various types. In old business, they discuss again the Deck of Many Things. Then they discuss upcoming events before moving on to media. They discuss the announcement about a new, animated Firefly series, Andy mentions a book called 253, and Keith talks about the Dungeon Crawler Carl books. Lastly, they discuss The Hail Mary Project a little, and the first season of Starfleet Academy at length.

Episode 359: The Party is at the Party

February 27, 2026

Episode 357: I Like Ice Cream

The word is Haggis, since Keith just said goodbye to his beloved cat of that name. Keith talks about what a great cat he’d been, and how empty the house is now, without both Haggis and Ping. To cheer themselves up from this somber topic, the nerds talk at great length about ice cream — their favorite flavors, manufacturers, parlors, etc. Moving on to work stuff, Keith talks about his new project, The Night Market, and Andy talks about his newest game, Seven Islands. Lastly, they talk about media, mostly focusing on Star Trek’s Starfleet Academy.

Episode 357: I Like Ice Cream

February 17, 2026

Episode 356: Riverdale, Sunnydale, and Greendale

The word is Academy, since the new Star Trek series about Starfleet Academy just debuted. They discuss the show at a high level, saving the spoilery details for the final part of the show. Then they discuss their favorite schools in various categories. Moving on to life stuff, they each report on current work stuff they’ve been working on: Keith talks about a zany Daggerheart scenario he ran, and some details about the system, and Andy talks about how well the first use of the Looney Labs GameTracker worked out at CodeMash. Lastly, they drop the spoiler curtain to fully discuss the first few episodes of Starfleet Academy.

Spoiler Warning: Contains spoilers!

Episode 356: Riverdale, Sunnydale, and Greendale

September 23, 2025

Episode 350: From Portland To Portland

The word is Konniccichwa, because Keith and Andy are preparing for their big trip to Japan. But first, Andy talks about his recent trip to Burning Man, which somehow leads to a big discussion of their favorite wizards. Then Keith talks about his aunt, who’s just moved from near Portland Maine to his town of Portland Oregon. He talks about showing her the Chapman Swifts, a local natural phenomenon. Next they talk about work stuff they’re working on, including Andy’s decision to take over the cartooning work himself. Moving on to media, they discuss the start of the Alien: Earth series, and after dropping the spoiler curtain, they discuss the last few episodes of season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. (Spoiler Warning: Contains spoilers!)

Download #350 – From Portland To Portland

September 9, 2025

Episode 349: A Tale of 2 Pallets

The word is Pallet, because Keith and Andy have pallet-related stories to tell about their recent adventures at GenCon. Then Keith gives a few hints about the new world he’s creating for the Daggerheart RPG system. Moving on to one of their Favorite Things, they discuss their favorite vampires. Lastly, after dropping the spoiler curtain, they discuss the first 5 episodes of season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. (Spoiler Warning: Contains spoilers!)

Download #349 – A Tale of 2 Pallets

February 18, 2025

Episode 339: Cookie Monster vs Biscuit Beast

Cookie Monster vs Biscuit Beast

This week the word is Biscuit so the nerds talk about biscuits (and cookies and scones). Then Keith reports on his recent travels, including to London (where he did a cool Taskmaster thing and visited the Bodleian library) and then Toronto (where he filmed another season of Legacy of Worlds). Then Andy talks about reorganization work he’s been doing in the Looney Labs office, and future plans for the space. Next, they discuss their favorite cookies. Lastly, they talk about the season finale of Lower Decks.

February 10, 2025

Episode 338: Santa Unplugged

Santa Unplugged

This week the word is Santa, since Keith and Jenn got Santa to work in their booth with them at Pax Unplugged. Then they get into a very lengthy discussion about their favorite holiday shows and movies, including favorite adaptations of A Christmas Carol and holiday episodes of regular shows. Later Andy talks about inventing Kickback, a new game for the pyramids, based on ideas that came to him in a dream. Lastly they talk about Star Trek Lower Decks and a vintage series called Dusty’s Trail, among other things.