Episode 43: Emotional Damage is all about the stories that hit harder than we expected. In this episode, we talk about films, television, games, books, and other pieces of media that left a genuine emotional mark on us. These are the moments that surprised us, stayed with us long after the credits rolled, or caught us completely off guard with how powerful they were. We discuss why certain stories resonate so deeply, how timing and personal experience can change the way something lands, and which moments still hurt to think about even years later. From quiet character moments to devastating twists, this episode is a reflection on the emotional power of storytelling. It is a thoughtful, occasionally heavy, but ultimately honest conversation about why we connect so strongly with the media we love. Hosted, as always, by your favourites: Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry AdairYou can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.ukIf you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgamesYou can also help us raise some funds via our Magic Madhouse affiliate link or by signing up to support All Mana of Games on EasyFundraising  

Join in with our Christmas special and a celebration of the people who make our tabletop community what it is. In this episode, we step away from our usual format and spend time chatting with members of our social club, reflecting on how their year of tabletop gaming has gone. We talk favourite games, memorable moments, surprise discoveries, and the sessions that kept them coming back week after week. It is a relaxed, festive episode focused on community, shared experiences, and the joy of playing games together. Whether it was a year of big wins, painful defeats, or finally getting a game to the table after months of waiting, this episode is all about looking back on 2025 through the voices of the club itself. Settle in, enjoy the conversations, and join us as we wrap up the year together. Hosted, as always, by your favourites: Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry AdairYou can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgamesYou can also help us raise some funds via our Magic Madhouse affiliate link or by signing up to support All Mana of Games on EasyFundraising

Episode 41: Days of Future Mats In this episode, we take a step back and look at the highlights of 2025; the moments, games, events and memories that made the year what it was. From tabletop triumphs to unexpected surprises, we reflect on what really stood out. Then we turn our gaze forward to 2026, talking about the games, events and plans we’re most excited about. What’s coming next? What’s already got us counting down the days? It’s part reflection, part hype train and the perfect way to close out the year and look ahead. Hosted, as always, by your favourites: Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry AdairYou can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgamesYou can also help us raise some funds via our Magic Madhouse affiliate link or by signing up to support All Mana of Games on EasyFundraising

In this episode, we relive the chaos, carnage and questionable tactics from our Winter 2025 Warhammer 40k Doubles Tournament! From clutch rolls to absolute disasters, heroic charges to poorly-timed explosions, we break down every highlight (and lowlight) of an epic day on the tabletop. We talk team combos, standout moments, unexpected victories, and the units that did far more — or far less — than they were supposed to. Whether you’re a hardened commander or just here for the carnage, this one’s for you. Hosted by your most grimdark of pundits: Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry AdairYou can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgamesYou can also help us raise some funds via our Magic Madhouse affiliate link or by signing up to support All Mana of Games on EasyFundraising

This week we dive into the wildest, strangest, most “wait… what?!” storylines film and TV have ever thrown at us. From bonkers twists to galaxy-brain reveals, we’re unpacking the plots that left us confused, impressed, traumatised, or all three at once. We break down the moments that made us yell at the screen, the twists that somehow work, and the ones that absolutely don’t, plus a few personal favourites we love because they make zero sense. If you enjoy chaos, confusion and cinematic fever dreams, this episode is for you. Hosted by the ever-bewildered: Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry AdairYou can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgamesYou can also help us raise some funds via our Magic Madhouse affiliate link or by signing up to support All Mana of Games on EasyFundraising

This week we’re diving head-first into the cardboard multiverse as we talk all things board games. From the Kickstarters we’re backing (or trying not to), to the games we’ve played recently, to the dream titles we’re desperate to get to the table. We chat hobby highs, wallet-draining temptations, hidden gems, and the games that made us fall in love with the tabletop all over again. Whether you’re a casual meeple-mover or a full-blown shelf-of-shame collector, this one’s for you. Hosted as always by the hardest boss rush line-up of all time: Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry AdairYou can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgamesYou can also help us raise some funds via our Magic Madhouse affiliate link or by signing up to support All Mana of Games on EasyFundraising

In Episode 37 of EXP-lore, “Bossed and Found,” we dive headfirst into some of the most memorable boss fights from video games and tabletop RPGs. From epic showdowns to unexpected challenges, we share stories, strategies, and those moments that make bosses unforgettable.Plus, we explore achievements, gaming tidbits, and all the little details that make gaming such a thrilling adventure. Whether you’re here for nostalgia, tips, or just geeky fun, this episode has something for every gamer. Hosted as always by the hardest boss rush line-up of all time: Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry AdairYou can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgamesYou can also help us raise some funds via our Magic Madhouse affiliate link or by signing up to support All Mana of Games on EasyFundraising

This week, things get interstellar as Dean takes the captain’s chair and challenges the rest of us to a sci-fi trivia showdown! From lightsabers to time travel, warp drives to wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff — no corner of the galaxy is safe. Expect bold guesses, nerdy debates, and at least one moment of total brain meltdown as we battle for ultimate sci-fi supremacy. Grab your phasers, charge your flux capacitors, and join us for a bonus episode that’s out of this world. Hosted as always by quizzical quartet Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry Adair You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames You can also help us raise some funds via our Magic Madhouse affiliate link or by signing up to support All Mana of Games on EasyFundraising. Links to both can be found on our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/allmanaofgames

In this episode, we’re shuffling our decks and looking back at our recent Magic: The Gathering Commander tournament — the plays, the misplays, and the moments of pure chaos that made it unforgettable. We also reveal our brand-new event: Tabletop Nuneaton! From the idea to the launch, we talk about what’s coming, what we’re planning, and why we’re so excited to build something special for the tabletop community. To top it all off, we chat about the biggest events on our radar for 2026 — conventions, releases, and everything that’s got our dice rolling and our calendars marked. Were you at the Commander tournament? Thinking of joining us for Tabletop Nuneaton? Let us know in the comments!Hosted as always by the mana-starved: Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry AdairYou can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgamesYou can also help us raise some funds via our Magic Madhouse affiliate link or by signing up to support All Mana of Games on EasyFundraising

In this episode, we sink our fangs into horror — from tabletop terrors to spine-chilling books and nightmare-fuel video games. What makes fear fun? Why do we love being scared when the dice (or the plot) turn against us? We talk Curse of Strahd, haunted stories, jump scares, and the art of creeping dread — plus how horror can make roleplaying and storytelling more intense, emotional, and unforgettable. So light a candle, grab your garlic, and join us as we delve into the screaming abyss of nightmare fuel!  What’s the scariest game or story you’ve ever experienced? Drop it in the comments… if you dare.Hosted by your favourite spooky nerds: Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry Adair   You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an table runner! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

In this episode, we trade dice rolls for day trips as we recount our recent community adventure to Warhammer World — the holy land of miniatures, massive battles, and surprisingly pricey beverages. From jaw-dropping displays and nostalgic fan moments to the chaos of navigating the gift shop (and the bar tab), we share all the highlights, laughs, and slightly questionable decisions from our time among the Imperium faithful. Grab your bolter, order a pint (if you can afford one), and join us for a hobbyist’s pilgrimage like no other. 💬 Have you been to Warhammer World? Tell us your favourite part of the trip — or what you’d want to see there! Hosted by your favourite miniature warlords: Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair Sometimes genius, sometimes disaster—but always worth talking about. You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

Episode 33 of EXP-lore brings a mix of chaos and contemplation as we dive into the hits and misses of nerd culture—welcome to Big Trouble, Little Deano. This week, we’re talking about the big swings companies take in the worlds of gaming, film, and fandom—some that paid off brilliantly, and others that crashed and burned spectacularly. From ambitious experiments to baffling blunders, we look at what makes a “good idea” go right (or very, very wrong). It’s part analysis, part roast, and full of the usual EXP-lore tangents, with plenty of laughs along the way. Hosted by your mistake-makers and miracle-spotters: Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair Sometimes genius, sometimes disaster—but always worth talking about. You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

In Episode 32 of EXP-lore, things get competitive as we put our knowledge to the test with a franchise-themed quiz. This time, it’s all about the money—specifically, which media franchises have raked in the most over the years. From films and games to toys, comics, and everything in between, we try to guess the highest-grossing franchises of all time. Expect wild guesses, heated debates, a few surprising answers, and plenty of friendly trash talk as we see who really knows their pop culture empires. Hosted by your quiz-hungry contenders: Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair Points don’t matter, bragging rights do. You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

Episode 31: Off the Beaten Path(finder) This week we ditch the dungeon crawls and dragon hoards to see what happens when you leave the comfy safety net of D&D behind. From the crunch of Pathfinder to the sheer weirdness of indie storytelling games, we dive into the roleplaying experiences that blew our minds, broke our brains, and sometimes left us wondering what on earth we’d just played. We’re talking bold mechanics, wild worlds, and adventures you won’t find in the Player’s Handbook. If you’ve ever thought, “There’s got to be more to RPGs than rolling for initiative,” this is your gateway to the stranger, messier, and often more brilliant corners of tabletop roleplay. Hosted by your favourite roleplayers: Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

For Episode 30 of EXP-lore, we’re fresh off the tabletop and ready to share the stories—because it’s time to debrief our recent Tabletop All-Dayer. A full day of dice, cards, and caffeine gave us plenty to talk about: the games we played, the highlights and the moments that made the event unforgettable. From epic victories to chaotic mishaps, we break down how it all went and what we’d do differently next time. It’s part recap, part reflection, and a whole lot of post-game banter—perfect if you joined us on the day, or just want to know what it’s like to marathon your way through a wall-to-wall schedule of games. Hosted by your slightly sleep-deprived semi-pro gamers: Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair One day, countless games—here’s how it all played out. You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

Forget balance, forget logic—this episode is all about pitting our favourite characters against each other in the most ridiculous “who would win?” battles imaginable. From unstoppable juggernauts to sneaky tricksters, nobody is safe from our hypothetical fight night. We also dive into the pop culture armoury to talk about our favourite weapons: the iconic, the overpowered, and the ones that are downright useless but still look cool. It’s part showdown, part love letter to the toys and tools of our favourite stories—served with the usual helping of chaos. Duking it out for king of the ring is: Mike Hearnden Dean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

Bonus Episode: Dyer Quest We’re back with a special bonus adventure! This time we crack open Steve Jackson’s legendary Fighting Fantasy gamebook The Citadel of Chaos—but with our own chaotic twist. Armed with dice, dubious strategy, and questionable ability, we brave the sinister halls of the Citadel… only to discover it might actually belong to Danny Dyer. Expect perilous encounters, strange sorcery, and more than a few very unhelpful decisions as we fumble our way through traps, monsters, and the mysterious power of banter. Will we triumph, or will Danny Dyer’s Citadel chew us up and spit us out? There’s only one way to find out. Starring your favourite doomed adventurers: Mike Hearnden (your fearless narrator)Dean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

Episode 28 of EXP-lore takes us back to familiar worlds with a fresh coat of paint, as we dive into the world of remakes in film and video games. Whether it’s a beloved classic reimagined for a new generation, or a remake that never should’ve left the drawing board, we’re asking what makes these do-overs work—or fail. From movie reboots to game remasters, we share our favourites, our frustrations, and a few guilty pleasures along the way. Why do some stories beg to be retold, while others lose their magic the second time around? And is nostalgia a blessing, or a curse, when it comes to remakes? Hosted by your rebooted panel: Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair Some things change, some stay the same—but the conversation’s always worth revisiting. You can find more about us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

In this twenty-seventh episode of EXP-lore, we’re shuffling the deck, mixing the genres, and talking all things crossover. From Magic: The Gathering’s Universes Beyond to unexpected IP mashups, we explore what happens when beloved franchises collide. Do these crossovers expand the game, deepen the lore, or just feel like a cash grab? And what do we want to see?! We share our thoughts on the best and worst examples, why some collaborations work better than others, and which dream crossovers we’d love to see next. Whether you’re a planeswalker, a dungeon master, or just here for the multiverse mayhem, this episode has something for you. Hosted by your crossover curators: Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair Different worlds, same table—let’s talk about breaching the multiverse.   You can find more about us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

In this twenty-sixth episode of EXP-lore, we’re rolling out the battlefield and digging into everything terrain. From rocky outcrops and ruined cities to forests made of felt and cereal-box bunkers, we talk about how terrain shapes the games we play and the stories we tell. We cover the practical—storage, costs, and table space—as well as the creative—building, painting, and bringing battlefields to life. Expect discussions on our best (and worst) terrain experiences, the difference good scenery can make to a game, and a few confessions about shortcuts we’ve taken along the way. So whether you’re stacking books under a gaming mat or carefully crafting every detail of a custom board, this episode has you covered. Hosted by your battlefield builders: Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair The dice may decide the outcome, but the terrain sets the stage. You can find more about us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames