web02.fireside.fm Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:54:21 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Play Saves the World - Episodes Tagged with “Guest” https://boardgamefaith.fireside.fm/tags/guest Sun, 31 Aug 2025 15:00:00 -0400 Daniel and Kevin explore the meaning of play for human flourishing – what it is, what it means, and how people create and maintain playful lives. We explore books, people, places, and ideas committed to engendering play in the midst of busy, working lives. en-us episodic On games and spirituality Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor Daniel and Kevin explore the meaning of play for human flourishing – what it is, what it means, and how people create and maintain playful lives. We explore books, people, places, and ideas committed to engendering play in the midst of busy, working lives. no play, gaming, game theory, work, human flourishing, the meaning of play Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor thomaskevintaylor@icloud.com Episode 118: The Joy of Afrofuturism at the House of Afros, Capes, and Curls https://boardgamefaith.fireside.fm/118 fcf57bcb-6a76-4229-8710-7540bc9ded3b Sun, 31 Aug 2025 15:00:00 -0400 Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor 118 The Joy of Afrofuturism at the House of Afros, Capes, and Curls full Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor We explore Afrofuturism and the mission of the House of Afros, Capes, and Curls with its founder Jade Rogers.The organization exists to create a community for Black nerds, the concept of Afrofuturism, and the importance of rest and self-care in community engagement. 51:35 no We explore Afrofuturism and the mission of the House of Afros, Capes, and Curls with its founder Jade Rogers.The organization exists to create a community for Black nerds, the concept of Afrofuturism, and the importance of rest and self-care in community engagement. Jade shares her experiences in Omaha, the impact of her church upbringing on her leadership skills, and the innovative youth programs that connect history with personal identity. The episode concludes with a discussion on current gaming interests and the significance of creating safe spaces for marginalized communities. Support our work on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/playsavestheworld) Takeaways The House of Afros, Capes, and Curls promotes community through sci-fi and fantasy. Nap Nights were created to encourage rest and self-care. Afrofuturism centers Black narratives in futuristic contexts. Community engagement events foster connections among Black nerds. The importance of recognizing historical contributions of Black communities. Creating safe spaces allows individuals to express their nerdiness without fear. Church experiences can provide valuable skills for community leadership. Youth programs focus on researching local Black history. Gaming can be a bridge for community connection and engagement. The House operates as an independent non-profit organization. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the House of Afros, Capes, and Curls 02:35 Community Engagement and Nap Nights 07:32 Understanding Afrofuturism 14:14 The Growth of Nerd Culture Among African Americans 23:12 Creating Safe Spaces for Black Nerds 25:33 Navigating Spaces as a Black Nerd 29:48 The Importance of Representation in Nerd Culture 34:59 The Intersection of Personal Experience and Community Engagement 43:43 Gaming Interests and the Evolution of Nerd Identity 48:52 The Role of Church in Shaping Skills and Community Leadership Afrofuturism, community engagement, Black culture, nerd culture, safe spaces, Omaha, gaming, youth programs, historical research We explore Afrofuturism and the mission of the House of Afros, Capes, and Curls with its founder Jade Rogers.The organization exists to create a community for Black nerds, the concept of Afrofuturism, and the importance of rest and self-care in community engagement. Jade shares her experiences in Omaha, the impact of her church upbringing on her leadership skills, and the innovative youth programs that connect history with personal identity. The episode concludes with a discussion on current gaming interests and the significance of creating safe spaces for marginalized communities.

Support our work on Patreon!

Takeaways

The House of Afros, Capes, and Curls promotes community through sci-fi and fantasy.
Nap Nights were created to encourage rest and self-care.
Afrofuturism centers Black narratives in futuristic contexts.
Community engagement events foster connections among Black nerds.
The importance of recognizing historical contributions of Black communities.
Creating safe spaces allows individuals to express their nerdiness without fear.
Church experiences can provide valuable skills for community leadership.
Youth programs focus on researching local Black history.
Gaming can be a bridge for community connection and engagement.
The House operates as an independent non-profit organization.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the House of Afros, Capes, and Curls
02:35 Community Engagement and Nap Nights
07:32 Understanding Afrofuturism
14:14 The Growth of Nerd Culture Among African Americans
23:12 Creating Safe Spaces for Black Nerds
25:33 Navigating Spaces as a Black Nerd
29:48 The Importance of Representation in Nerd Culture
34:59 The Intersection of Personal Experience and Community Engagement
43:43 Gaming Interests and the Evolution of Nerd Identity
48:52 The Role of Church in Shaping Skills and Community Leadership

Links:

]]> We explore Afrofuturism and the mission of the House of Afros, Capes, and Curls with its founder Jade Rogers.The organization exists to create a community for Black nerds, the concept of Afrofuturism, and the importance of rest and self-care in community engagement. Jade shares her experiences in Omaha, the impact of her church upbringing on her leadership skills, and the innovative youth programs that connect history with personal identity. The episode concludes with a discussion on current gaming interests and the significance of creating safe spaces for marginalized communities.

Support our work on Patreon!

Takeaways

The House of Afros, Capes, and Curls promotes community through sci-fi and fantasy.
Nap Nights were created to encourage rest and self-care.
Afrofuturism centers Black narratives in futuristic contexts.
Community engagement events foster connections among Black nerds.
The importance of recognizing historical contributions of Black communities.
Creating safe spaces allows individuals to express their nerdiness without fear.
Church experiences can provide valuable skills for community leadership.
Youth programs focus on researching local Black history.
Gaming can be a bridge for community connection and engagement.
The House operates as an independent non-profit organization.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the House of Afros, Capes, and Curls
02:35 Community Engagement and Nap Nights
07:32 Understanding Afrofuturism
14:14 The Growth of Nerd Culture Among African Americans
23:12 Creating Safe Spaces for Black Nerds
25:33 Navigating Spaces as a Black Nerd
29:48 The Importance of Representation in Nerd Culture
34:59 The Intersection of Personal Experience and Community Engagement
43:43 Gaming Interests and the Evolution of Nerd Identity
48:52 The Role of Church in Shaping Skills and Community Leadership

Links:

]]> Episode 42: Faith, religion and board game design with Shem Phillips https://boardgamefaith.fireside.fm/42 632a52d3-35ab-481b-b990-83b8f376d496 Sun, 05 Nov 2023 15:00:00 -0500 Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor 42 Faith, religion and board game design with Shem Phillips full Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor Shem Phillips of Garphill Games discusses his use of trilogies in game design, the place of music and lyrics, facing personal tragedies, game design, and his religious faith. 46:13 no Introduction Shem Phillips is a board game designer from New Zealand. He founded Garphill Games in 2009 and is known for his medium to medium-heavy Euros such as the medieval trilogies (North Sea, West Kingdom, South Tigris) and Ancient Anthology series. He often works with S. J. (Sam) Macdonald. The use of trilogies in game design In your sermon online (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXUfbhP20Iw&t=1258s), you mention how game testing is like prayer: “look for feelings not suggestions.” How do you relate today to the loss of your father? In Ezra & Nehemiah, you explore your first explicitly Biblical theme. What went into the decision to design a Bible-themed game? Why Ezra and Nehemiah? You mention a kind of “leap of faith” moment for yourself when you decide to go into board gaming. It was so encouraging. Would advice or encouragement would you have for any listeners who are maybe facing their kind of “leap of faith” moment? the place of music and lyrics You think about life and faith a lot through lyrics (you’re in church band, and you describe yourself as a “lyrics nerd”). What are some bands or artists that you think especially excel at good lyrics? The facing of personal tragedies How did religion help you grieve the loss of your dad? 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--) Garphill Games, game design, religion, Christianity, faith, grief, loss, board games, gaming, spirituality, Jesus, God Introduction

Shem Phillips is a board game designer from New Zealand. He founded Garphill Games in 2009 and is known for his medium to medium-heavy Euros such as the medieval trilogies (North Sea, West Kingdom, South Tigris) and Ancient Anthology series. He often works with S. J. (Sam) Macdonald.

The use of trilogies in game design

  • In your sermon online, you mention how game testing is like prayer: “look for feelings not suggestions.”
  • How do you relate today to the loss of your father?
  • In Ezra & Nehemiah, you explore your first explicitly Biblical theme. What went into the decision to design a Bible-themed game? Why Ezra and Nehemiah?
  • You mention a kind of “leap of faith” moment for yourself when you decide to go into board gaming. It was so encouraging. Would advice or encouragement would you have for any listeners who are maybe facing their kind of “leap of faith” moment?

the place of music and lyrics

  • You think about life and faith a lot through lyrics (you’re in church band, and you describe yourself as a “lyrics nerd”). What are some bands or artists that you think especially excel at good lyrics?

The facing of personal tragedies

  • How did religion help you grieve the loss of your dad?

CALL TO ACTION

Links:

]]> Introduction

Shem Phillips is a board game designer from New Zealand. He founded Garphill Games in 2009 and is known for his medium to medium-heavy Euros such as the medieval trilogies (North Sea, West Kingdom, South Tigris) and Ancient Anthology series. He often works with S. J. (Sam) Macdonald.

The use of trilogies in game design

  • In your sermon online, you mention how game testing is like prayer: “look for feelings not suggestions.”
  • How do you relate today to the loss of your father?
  • In Ezra & Nehemiah, you explore your first explicitly Biblical theme. What went into the decision to design a Bible-themed game? Why Ezra and Nehemiah?
  • You mention a kind of “leap of faith” moment for yourself when you decide to go into board gaming. It was so encouraging. Would advice or encouragement would you have for any listeners who are maybe facing their kind of “leap of faith” moment?

the place of music and lyrics

  • You think about life and faith a lot through lyrics (you’re in church band, and you describe yourself as a “lyrics nerd”). What are some bands or artists that you think especially excel at good lyrics?

The facing of personal tragedies

  • How did religion help you grieve the loss of your dad?

CALL TO ACTION

Links:

]]>