Tune in for an epic episode where Joel and Chris are joined by Mat Cousineau of the Dice, Camera, Action podcast to talk all things Star Wars. After learning about three games that define Mat as a gamer, Joel will put Mat and Chris head-to-head in a brand new game called Settling Scores. Then we’ll talk about some of our favorite Star Wars media in a segment called 3-2-1 Star Wars. And finally we’ll share listener feedback and our own picks for Star Wars games or rethemes we wish existed. All that plus a secret segment from Chris! The Force will need to be with you to get through this extra long episode, but maybe, just maybe we’ll answer the biggest Star Wars question of all: just how did Palpatine return? (Spoiler alert: we won’t.)

Segments:

• 00:00:00—Intro

• 00:00:54—Meet our Guest: Mat Cousineau

• 00:05:23—What We’ve Been Watching

• 00:22:46—What We’ve Been Playing

• 00:40:52—Mad Lib: Word Choices

• 00:47:00—Mat’s 3 Games that Define Him as a Gamer

• 01:11:43—Settling Scores: Star Wars Edition

• 01:36:49—3-2-1 Star Wars!

• 02:41:11—QOTE: What Star Wars Game is Missing?

• 03:07:39—Mad Lib: Star Wars

• 03:11:36—Closing and Sign Off

In this bonus episode Joel and Chris look at the nominees for BGG’s 2025 Golden Geek awards by choosing what they would like to see win and comparing it to what they think will actually win. They ask where Toy Battle fits in the gaming scheme, contemplate how many times Galactic Cruise and Fate of the Fellowship can be nominated for awards, and try to determine what weight of games they play the most of (answer: lighter than 25 lbs). It’s a very special short episode, where short means under 90 minutes!

Segments:

• 00:00:00—Welcome and Introduction
• 00:00:33—What we've been up to
• 00:10:18—Golden Geek Awards Overview
• 00:11:45—2p Game
• 00:21:39—Artwork & Presentation
• 00:29:32—Cooperative Game
• 00:34:06—Expansion
• 00:41:10—Innovative
• 00:46:29—Party Game
• 00:49:55—Solo Game
• 00:53:13—Wargame
• 00:56:13—Best Board Game Podcast
• 00:59:57—Best Board Game App
• 01:01:35—Thematic Game
• 01:05:36—Heavy Game of the Year
• 01:10:45—Light Game of the Year
• 01:13:53—Medium Game of the Year
• 01:19:21—Closing & Sign Off

Joel and Chris celebrate tax day by talking about exercise and birthdays, woodworking and pirates, and whether or not Joel’s only defining quality is being bald. Chris becomes a bit of an auspicious beast himself when he puts Azure from Bitewing Games on the Chopping Block. Then the guys discuss taxes in games by identifying three games that feature a tax mechanism, two games that feel like paying taxes, and one game worth spending your tax return on. Finally we check back in with the highlight reel for another look at what has our attention on the crowdfunding front. All that and more, like Joel offering to provide marriage counseling for Chris, on this episode of the Oak and Onion podcast!

Segments:

• 00:00:00—Welcome and Introduction
• 00:00:37—What we've been up to
• 00:14:11—What we've been playing
• 00:53:55—Chopping Block: Azure
• 01:20:04—3-2-1 Taxes!
• 01:49:42—Highlight Reel
• 02:03:58—Closing and Sign Off