Eric has been to a local game convention, and Tom and Julie are back from Essen, and we all have stories to tell. We discuss how to reward game teachers, how Spiel's layout has improved, what games people ran for in Germany, and how much Döner Kabab Tom ate. Plus, we returned with a new batch of Roses, Thorns, and Hula Hoops.

Today, we look forward to the games being released at Spiel 2026 in Essen, Germany. We'll share insights on the games we've played already, and let you know what's at the top of our wishlists.

Tom's been gaming, Julie's been gaming, and Eric will be gaming soon. The topic today is what happens when a game outgrows its original box. What do you do with too much gaming goodness? Plus, we have a double dose of Horror, and a usual quantity of Roses, Thorns, and Hula Hoops.

Tom kicks off the show by telling the tale of a church potluck that hid a surprise. We then continue our Game Night discussion by widening the scope to a larger community event at a local community center or library. The mailbag wonders what you should do when a small group at game night plays the same game every time, and we close the show with some new Roses, Thorns, and Hula Hoops.