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 &amp; 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 &amp; Reefs Expansion - Finspan Anarchytabletop.bsky.social   Endeavor Deep-Sea Endeavor: Deep Sea, Standard Edition $59USD | Burnt Island Games<