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This week starts our annual Meeplefest roundtable discussions! After introductions we spent Part 1 talking about Games played, including Green Favur In The Year of the Dragon Hollyoak Alea Iacta Est Marrakesh Clank in Space Cascadia Viva Pamplona Then talk about design and translation frustrations and the ways that they can get in the way of enjoyment and understanding, referencing Railway Boom Magic (Alpha) Puerto Rico Sienna Frostpunk Finishing this part of the evening with a conversation about rampant deluxification of games with call backs to Catan Ticket to Ride Marrakesh and others
In Today’s episode I give a mid-summer update and talk about the importance of accountability partners. This summer has been very different from all the other summers in my life. Usually, I can make plans and stick to them. This summer, it seems like everything is a moving target. I planned a vacation. Then, I had to cancel it. I planned some summer activities for my kids, and most of them got cancelled. How does anyone keep moving forward when things keep changing? As an entrepreneur, I get to set my own yard stick. I get to determine what success looks like. To keep things realistic, I’ve had to adjust my goals. My accountability partners are helping me stay on track and see how far I’ve come. Mentioned in this episode Sean Pratt is my audiobook narration coach. Medical narration script samples https://www.voiceactorwebsites.com/category/voice-over-scripts/narration/medical-pharmaceutical/ https://www.edgestudio.com/script-library/english-adult/medical-pharmaceutical Toastmasters International Ark Encounter Biltmore Estate Isle of Palms, SC Settlers of Catan Ticket to Ride India When I recorded my medical narration demo on March 11, I expected to have some time to bring my voiceover business up to speed before my kids were home for the summer. Instead, I ended up caring for my kids and homeschooling them for more than 6 weeks, starting March 16. Then, I handed the reins over to my husband when he lost his job May 1. I’ve been working on the business daily, but things are really slow right now. Here’s a quick update on my husband, Nathan. He lost his job May 1, due to a reduction in force. As I record this on July 9, 2020, he is still unemployed. It seems like he’s doing everything right though. He updated his LinkedIn profile and his resume. He’s applying for jobs, and recruiters are helping him. Every week, he has interviews either on the phone, via Skype, or in-person. I’ll keep you posted! My husband and I are a great team. I watch the kids while he interviews for jobs, and he takes care of things so I can work on my voiceover business every day. What does it mean to work on my voiceover business? Part of what I’m doing is learning. Another part is practicing my skills. The other part is trying to find work. I started Sean Pratt’s audiobook narration program last June, and I’m determined to finish it! I’m improving my performance skills and learning about the business side of audiobooks. Homework takes several hours each week. I love what I’m learning, and I’m on-track to graduate in September this year. I’m also watching webinars and practicing my medical narration skills. For the medical narration practice, I either record myself and listen to the playback or work with a “workout partner.” As for trying to find work, I’m making connections on social media, especially LinkedIn, auditioning, and all the other fun stuff that goes along with marketing my business. Like I said earlier things are kinda slow right now, and that works well for my current availability. The kids and my husband are around all the time! Any time I need to record, it takes teamwork to get the house quiet. I thought my kids would be out of the house more this summer and my husband would be at work. Like I said, this summer is very different. Something that’s going really well is my podcast. Between inviting guests, confirming interviews, recording interviews, and recording solo shows, it keeps me busy. I love it, my guests are wonderful, and I’m happy to be on episode 26! I have voice actor friends who meet with me every other week as part of a support group or accountability group. They are a helpful part of my journey from pharmacist to voice actor. They keep me accountable, and they help me keep myself accountable. If I say I’m going to do something, they ask about it. Just think. What would you say if someone asked you every other week: “What have you accomplished in the last two weeks?” “What are you working on now?” “What’s next for you?” “What’s in your way?” It makes me really think about what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, and if it’s getting me to where I want to be. If you had to answer to someone else or even articulate the answers to those questions to yourself, what would you say? If you have goals, and you don’t have an accountability partner, recruit one, and get started holding one another accountable today! I also have two audiobook narration accountability buddies. We’re going through Sean Pratt’s audiobook narration program at the same time. It’s helpful to talk to one another about goals, this month’s lessons, and any life hacks we have for making things easier. Our conversations are monthly. I’m still working on my public speaking skills and meeting with my Toastmasters Club on Fridays via Zoom. I missed last Friday because I was up late last Thursday with family shooting off fireworks and celebrating the 4th of July holiday a little early. For my listeners overseas, the 4th of July is a US holiday to celebrate America’s birthday otherwise known as our “Independence Day.” On Friday, July 10, I am giving a speech at my Toastmasters Club. This speech is called an Ice Breaker Speech because it’s the first one I’m giving. I’ve taken on other roles in the club, but I have never signed up to give a 4-6 minute speech like this before. Once I get the evaluation of my speech from someone in the club, I’ll let you know how it went. I might even include that speech in episode 28, on July 24. In case you have not heard about Toastmasters International, it’s a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. There might even be a club near you! Clubs meet via Zoom right now because of the pandemic. If you’re interested, check them out! We’re in these strange times with the COVID pandemic. I feel thankful every day to be healthy. In spite of the barriers and hardships my family and I face, I’m motivated to wake up every day, work on my business, and be present for my family. I’m thankful for the roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on my plate, and the hope that things WILL GET BETTER. Next year or the year after that, I want to take the vacation we missed out on this summer. We were supposed to be drive from Ohio to South Carolina. We were planning to stop in Williamstown, KY and visit the Ark Encounter. It’s a museum with a replica of Noah’s Ark. Yes, from the Biblical story. Next, we wanted to visit The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. I love castles, and the Biltmore, to me, is one of the closest things we have to a castle in the Eastern US. And, finally, we were planning to rent a Beach House in Isle of Palms, SC near Charleston. If your plans got put on hold too, I hope you get to pick up where you left off some day too. In the mean time, think local. I am! Try some fun local stuff. Plant a garden. I did! I’m growing mostly flowers. But, I’m also growing one cherry tomato plant. (Last year, the chipmunks ate most of my tomatoes. It's too early to tell what will happen this year!) I have been hiking at local parks and going for long bike rides with my family. My son Kraig and I even went for a 10-mile bike ride with my Dad, who is 70 years old! We visited some of our favorite childhood spots, and he shared some childhood stories with me. If you haven’t guessed it, my parents raised me in the same small town that they grew up in. In fact, at one point my parents, their parents, and two out of four of my great grandparents all lived on the same 5 mile stretch of road in Ohio. If your parents are still alive and able to ride their bikes or go for a walk with you, ask them to show you some stuff and tell you some stories. It’s pretty fun. I’m also a big fan of board games, and we have been playing some great board games this summer. There are too many to name, but two that come to mind are Settlers of Catan (the original board game) and Ticket to Ride India. I’ll put links to both games in the show notes. I’m a motorcycle rider. Right now, I have a BMW Scooter. It’s a lot of fun, and I’ve had a few good, long rides so far this summer. In fact, with any luck, I’ll be out on my bike on my birthday: this Sunday, July 12! Episode 27 is next Friday, July 17. It’s an interview with Dr. Wendy Stephan, an epidemiologist with the Florida Poison Information Center in Miami.
Summer of Games II (2019) Gaming Family Reunion! Intro Banter - The guys catch up with very exciting news from the world of gaming, and the...world in general. Mt. Evergreen GameMore - We look at a new “Mt Rushmore” of board gaming and name new “classics” to replace chosen classics in our gaming past! This episode we start with our top Four choices! Larry Original Monument: Monopoly Life Payday All My Children Alternate Monument: Hey Taxi! Larry New Monument: Settlers Of Catan Francis Drake Castles Of Burgundy Runebound (2nd Edition) Alex Original Monument: Monopoly Scrabble Risk Axis and Allies Trivial Pursuit Alex New Monument: Azul 7 Wonders Kemet Code Names Alex Alternate Monument: Settlers of Catan Ticket to Ride Carcassonne Agricola Honorable Mention: Battlestar Galactica Apples to Apples Pandemic Dominion Tabletube - Inform about Board Games in other formats, conversions and games that play like Board games. Slay The Spire Deck building Rouge Like (Switch/PS4/PC) Comic Book to Board Game - What comic book would you turn into a board game and what type of game would it be? The Long Haul (Project Play) - the hosts pick an ambitious and far reaching goal and see it through and chronicle it for the show! We unveil part two in our grand redemption tour! That’s right TWO project Plays (successful to boot) in just one season!! Larry and Alex are Painting!! First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show. This episode Tiny Epic Mechs From Gamelyn Games The Business of Business - This episode Patreon rework is coming, great new things are happening with the logo, and possibly other (BIG HUGE) things coming! Stay tune, but if you plan on being in Nashville around GenCon come see us at GenCan’t at GamePointe Cafe and you can see some of what we are teasing here! Summer Of Games Game choice: Alex and Larry share their end of show games to go get right now! Larry: Ganz Schon Clever Doppelt So Clever Alex: Welcome To Links: Podstudio1 BGG GamePointe Cafe Battlelore First Edition Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music! Intro/Interlude/Outro : Tail Chaser (Instrumental) / UV Sir J From the album: VROOM: Sega Racing Original song: Metropolis Street Racer Project Site:http://vroom.ocremix.org VROOM: Sega Racing Original Composers - Richard Jacques
Over the course of our marriage, we've noticed one very important thing about staying best friends: we love to laugh and play together! The busyness of life can choke out those good intentions though, so today we are chatting about our favorite games together and hopefully giving you a little dose of encouragement to laugh and play with your spouse this week! Listen to the Podcast: You can find all of the links and resources mentioned today down below. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer. Our Favorite Games to Play Together: Card Games: Nertz Hand in foot Spoons Spades and Hearts Easy board games to start with: Lost Citities Rivals of Catan Ticket to Ride Pandemic Survive Splendor More complicated board games to play: Agricola Lords of Waterdeep Alchemists Video Games: Stardew Valley Fable 3 - Xbox 360 Donkey Kong, Rayman Legands, and Mario games Meal Planning Help for Eating Healthy: I am really excited to share with you the sponsor of today’s podcast episode: PrepDish! If you ever feel like you wish you had a little help in your meal planning, then I highly encourage you to check out PrepDish. They offer gluten-free meal plans and paleo meal plans. But you don’t have to eat a gluten-free or paleo diet in order to take advantage of all that PrepDish has to offer! In fact, almost half of their customers don’t eat those diets. The meals are healthy and non-processed and work well for anyone who is trying to eat a healthy diet. And PrepDish is offering a super special TWO week free trail when you sign up through this link (how awesome!!) When you sign up, you’ll receive an email every week with a grocery list and instructions for prepping your meals ahead of time. After only 1-3 hours of prepping on the weekend, you’ll have all of your meals ready for the entire week. I absolutely love how easy they make it. Free TWO week trial of PrepDish
Over the course of our marriage, we've noticed one very important thing about staying best friends: we love to laugh and play together! The busyness of life can choke out those good intentions though, so today we are chatting about our favorite games together and hopefully giving you a little dose of encouragement to laugh and play with your spouse this week! Listen to the Podcast: You can find all of the links and resources mentioned today down below. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer. Our Favorite Games to Play Together: Card Games: Nertz Hand in foot Spoons Spades and Hearts Easy board games to start with: Lost Citities Rivals of Catan Ticket to Ride Pandemic Survive Splendor More complicated board games to play: Agricola Lords of Waterdeep Alchemists Video Games: Stardew Valley Fable 3 - Xbox 360 Donkey Kong, Rayman Legands, and Mario games Meal Planning Help for Eating Healthy: I am really excited to share with you the sponsor of today’s podcast episode: PrepDish! If you ever feel like you wish you had a little help in your meal planning, then I highly encourage you to check out PrepDish. They offer gluten-free meal plans and paleo meal plans. But you don’t have to eat a gluten-free or paleo diet in order to take advantage of all that PrepDish has to offer! In fact, almost half of their customers don’t eat those diets. The meals are healthy and non-processed and work well for anyone who is trying to eat a healthy diet. And PrepDish is offering a super special TWO week free trail when you sign up through this link (how awesome!!) When you sign up, you’ll receive an email every week with a grocery list and instructions for prepping your meals ahead of time. After only 1-3 hours of prepping on the weekend, you’ll have all of your meals ready for the entire week. I absolutely love how easy they make it. Free TWO week trial of PrepDish
While not all of our recommendations will be your favorites, it does help to get some ideas! So welcome to the 2018 recommendation list for summer family movies, beach reads, and even family games. Show notes: Mom's Struggling Well Podcast (Alyssa's current favorite) Hey Dad : A subscription box for Dads who love their kids but think most of their toys are dumb and boring. Books: Wonder by RJ Palacio, *correction: this is a children’s book and is NOT based on a true story like we thought when we recorded. Still a VERY good book! Ms. Brenda's Bedtime Stories The Selection series by Kiera Cass She Believes by Debbie Lindell Fireproof (book or movie) Finding The Hero In Your Husband by Dr. Juli Slattery Love Does by Bob Goff Steal Away Home by Charles Spurgeon and Thomas Johnson Shoe Dog by Phil Knight I Can Only Imagine: A Memoir: Bart Millard Eyes Wide Open: Enjoying God In Everything by Steve DeWitt Movies/Shows: Never Say Never Justin Bieber Timeless The Crown The Case For Christ I Can Only Imagine Marley and Me A Hundred Foot Journey Games: Settlers of Catan Ticket to Ride Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes Suspicion Quealth Headbanz Phase 10 Telephone Pictionary