The Deco-Stop: 005 - Tabletop Trenches, deep-sea board games

Episode Summary

Here’s our fifth episode of The Deco-Stop; a deeper look into the humans behind deep-sea science and technology. We’ve done our science dive, and now it’s time to decompress, and discuss tales at sea, career paths and the social & political aspects of deep-sea science. We have gazed into the abyss, and now it's gazing back at us.

In this episode Thom gets his game on with the creative team behind two incredible Deep-Sea inspired and supportive board games: Finspan and Endeavor: Deep-Sea. Join us for this behind-the-scenes chat with the developers of some deeply authentic and enjoyable deep-sea-inspired board games.

Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.

In this episode…

Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!

In our fifth instalment of the Deco Stop series, Thom gets his game on with the creative team behind two incredible Deep-Sea-inspired and supportive board games. We hear from Michael O'Connell, the co-designer of Finspan, who gives us an insider look into the development of this game for 'fish people' which features ocean zonation, the creation of your own personal eco-system and the midnight zone- filled with some of our favourite deep-sea cuties. Thom also talks with Jarratt and Carl, the creative duo behind Endeavor: Deep-Sea, an award-winning deep-sea inspired board game that uses real-life research and events to craft a deeply authentic gameplay akin to real deep-sea research team experiences.

As one of our infrequent in-person interviews, this one hums with personal connection, bringing another heartwarming Deco-Stop Episode all about the human aspect of the deep-sea community to you, our much-appreciated listeners.

Support the show

The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. Check out our podcast merch here!

Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:

podcast@deepseapod.com

We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!

https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail

Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!

Find out more Social media

BlueSky: @deepseapod.com

https://bsky.app/profile/deepseapod.com

Twitter: @DeepSeaPod

https://twitter.com/DeepSeaPod

Instagram: @deepsea_podcast

https://www.instagram.com/deepsea_podcast/

Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:

Alan - @Hadalbloke

https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke

Thom - @ThomLinley

https://twitter.com/ThomLinley

Instagram:

Thom - @thom.linley

https://www.instagram.com/thom.linley/

Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions

https://www.instagram.com/inkfishexpeditions/

BlueSky:

Thom @thomaslinley.com

https://bsky.app/profile/thomaslinley.com

Alan @hadalbloke

https://bsky.app/profile/hadalbloke.bsky.social

Reference list Interview Links Finspan

Finspan – Stonemaier Games

Sharks & Reefs Expansion - Finspan

Anarchytabletop.bsky.social

Endeavor Deep-Sea

Endeavor: Deep Sea, Standard Edition $59USD | Burnt Island Games

Endeavor Deep Sea: Uncharted Waters by Burnt Island Games — Kickstarter

Wellycon

Discoveries from the deep – the Bounty Trough expedition | Te Papa’s Blog

Credits

Theme: Going Home by Harvey Jones