Game Nights & Heart Talks
What's up guys & welcome to "Game Nights & Heart Talks", the podcast where fun meets depth. Join us (August & Alayna) for a unique blend of casual gaming sessions and heartfelt conversations that cover the ups & downs of life. In each episode, we play a different game whether it be a board game & video game. We are strong believers that gaming brings people together and creates the perfect atmosphere for genuine connections to form which is why it's the basis of our show! However, it's not just about the games, it's about the conversations that follow. We enjoy the conversations that dive beneath the surface. Conversations about growth, personal development, relationships, goals, dreams & values. Gaming has proved to be a great time to have said conversations! Our goal is to create a community of people who crave authentic stories & connections with others. So whether you're here to learn about the next game to play for your game night or to get some perspective, we welcome you! Let's keep the dice rolling!
Pilot | Ep. 1
January 1, 2024 • 4 MIN
This the pilot episode of Game Night & Heart Talks to help you, the listener, understand the essence of this podcast. We briefly cover what to expect each episode. Thank you for tuning and giving us a listen to. Now sit back, relax and enjoy.
How It Started | Ep. 2
January 1, 2024 • 21 MIN
In this episode, Alayna and I take you back in time to when we meet and how our wonderful friendship grew into a beautiful, romantic relationship. Hope you enjoy!
Clank! | Ep. 3
January 1, 2024 • 24 MIN
Welcome to episode 3! In this one, we talk about one of our absolute favorite board games from our collection. Clank! A Deck-Building Adventure! Strap in for quite the adventure as we talk you through how to play and for some of our personal stories!
It Takes Two | Ep. 4
January 1, 2024 • 21 MIN
For this episode, Alayna and I talk about one of the greatest games to come out in 2021... It Takes Two. Enjoy!
Relationships & Gaming | Ep. 5
January 1, 2024 • 15 MIN
Welcome to the 5th episode of the launch set! Thank you so much for tuning in, we really appreciate it. For this final one, we talk about some personal stories about gaming and the effect if has had our relationships with family, friends and each other. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
Everdell!!! | Ep. 6
January 13, 2024 • 22 MIN
Today, we talk about a game that is very dear to our hearts. One that we have played countless hours of... It's Everdell baby! Enjoy.
Walkin & Talkin | Ep. 7
January 27, 2024 • 14 MIN
Everybody welcome back! For today's episode, Alayna and I are switching it up. We are going to be talking about a favorite activity of ours and it know as walking.
Moving with Board Games | Ep. 8
February 10, 2024 • 16 MIN
Hey hey hey!!! Welcome back everybody. For this episode Alayna and I talk about a very recent event that we did involving all of our board games. We moved with them across the country, not once but twice. Enjoy!!!
Wingspan | Ep. 9
March 24, 2024 • 61 MIN
“When it comes to board games, this game has one of the most diverse deck of cards and some of the prettiest artwork we’ve seen.” Join August & Alayna today as they play Wingspan, a card-driven board game where you compete to attract birds to your wildlife reserve. They cover some cool things about the board game’s creation along with giving a general overview of how to play the game & who the game is best suited for. Today’s heartfelt conversation revolves around Alayna’s goal of wanting to live to 150. They highlight what she’s actively doing to live that long & why she even set this goal in the first place.
Castle Panic!!! | Ep. 10
March 31, 2024 • 28 MIN
This game comes in a MASSIVE TRUNK with over 180 miniatures! Join August & Alayna today as they play The Castle Panic Deluxe Collection - Wizards Tower. A cooperative game where you & your team fight to defend your castle from swarms of monsters coming from the forest. They highlight the game's features along with how it plays. Today’s heartfelt conversation dives deep into the topic of tandem bike riding. August & Alayna are preparing to ride across the state of Iowa on a tandem bike in July for an event called Ragbrai. They talk about their struggles to find a tandem bike to purchase and how their first time riding a tandem went. Spoilers: it did not go well.
Welcome to... | Ep. 11
April 7, 2024 • 56 MIN
This is a game where everyone could technically do the exact same thing each turn, yet every single time we’ve played it, we’ve never seen anybody come out with the same board as someone else. Also, if you've always wanted to travel the country, but NOT in an RV, we dive into how we did it this past year and a half while living in 11 states.
XCOM & Heisenbean | Ep. 12
April 14, 2024 • 54 MIN
In today’s game, “you have been chosen to lead this initiative. To oversee our first—and last—line of defense. Your efforts will have considerable influence on this planet's future. We urge you to keep that in mind as you proceed. Good luck, Commander.” Also, learn why we named our car after Breaking Bad and a bean.
Dice Throne w/Courage Over Comfort | Ep. 13
April 21, 2024 • 57 MIN
Game Nights: In this game of chance and strategy, players select champions with distinct powers, rolling the dice to unleash attacks, defend against foes, and trigger special abilities. As combatants clash in fierce battles, victory hinges on cunning tactics and well-timed rolls. Will you emerge triumphant as the ultimate ruler of the dice? Heart talks: Choose your path: Courage or Comfort. Though they may sound similar, which path you choose to take will lead you down very different roads…
The Move To Arizona With Some Clank! | Ep. 14
April 28, 2024 • 58 MIN
Game Nights: This is a competitive game where it’s a race to the bottom…literally. And you can only leave when you bring something valuable to the top or else you’ll get left behind with nothing. Heart talks: We move to our 12th state in less than a month! How are we handling this change and how is it affecting our relationship?
Adventures in Mice & Mystics | Ep. 15
May 5, 2024 • 33 MIN
Game Nights: Embark on a whimsical journey where our heroes must navigate perilous adventures in a world of enchantment. Transformed by a mysterious spell, these pint-sized protagonists embark on a quest filled with danger and discovery. Players must band together, utilizing cunning strategies and courage to overcome formidable foes and save the kingdom from an evil witch. Will you emerge victorious, or will the Shadows claim victory? Heart talks: We had a hiccup in our heart talks conversation bringing up a topic a bit too sensitive/not well thought out enough to discuss, so we postponed it for the week and just dove into the game!
Farshore & Getting Our Butts Kicked! | Ep. 16
May 12, 2024 • 30 MIN
Game Nights: This game is set on the water where building the finest village is the goal you aim to achieve. Constructions and critters are what make up this small village of yours, yet be wary, your village can only hold so many. Heart talks: We’ve been enlightened recently by playing with some board gamers who are 10x more serious/better than us. It’s been humbling, to say the least.