In the latest episode of The Top Step, Ryan Rowland-Smith reacts to Logan Evans’ MLB debut, reflecting on how rare and meaningful it is to even reach the big leagues. Then, Ryan sits down with Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks, who opens up about his inspiring journey back to the mound after beating cancer and then undergoing Tommy John surgery…

Story endings are hard! The epilogue of a game not only has to logically wrap up the story and tie up any loose ends—it’s also the moment to reflect on how your character has grown over many sessions, and a moment for you as the player to feel like the time spent playing was worthwhile. In this episode, we talk about what makes roleplaying game epi…

Ryan Rowland-Smith sits down with fellow Aussie and MLB All-Star Liam Hendriks. Liam opens up about the incredible challenges he's faced throughout his baseball journey — from early career setbacks and injuries to a cancer diagnosis in December 2022. #LiamHendriks #MLB #BaseballPodcast #CancerSurvivor #TommyJohn #RedSox #TheTopStep #RyanRowlandSmit…

In this full-length interview, Ryan Rowland-Smith sits down with Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock to dive into his 2024 season journey. Emerson opens up about his development, the adjustments he's made on the mound, and how he’s navigated the uncertainty surrounding his role within the Mariners organization. Get an inside look at o…

Join host Ryan Rowland-Smith on Episode 31 of The Top Step as he breaks down why the Seattle Mariners' starting rotation has been one of the best in baseball over the past three seasons. Ryan then sits down with Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock to talk about his 2024 season, how he’s developed his game, and how he’s handled the ups and dow…

In this episode, Ryan Rowland-Smith sits down with Texas Rangers relief pitcher Chris Martin for a wide-ranging conversation. Chris shares his experience being featured in the new Netflix documentary "The Clubhouse," which spotlights his time with the Boston Red Sox. He also dives into his incredible journey to professional baseball — from unexpect…

On the latest episode, Ryan dives into whether the Seattle Mariners can maintain their pace toward 95 wins this season. Then, he's joined by Mariners legend Mike Cameron for a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation. They discuss:✅ Mike’s role in developing young talent—including his son✅ His viral interactions on X ✅ The best outfield plays of …

Host Ryan Rowland-Smith kicks off Episode 30 of The Top Step by breaking down Anthony Muñoz’s impact on the Seattle Mariners bullpen and how his development has strengthened the team in 2024.Ryan then sits down with current Texas Rangers reliever Chris Martin to discuss his time with the Boston Red Sox during the filming of Netflix’s new documentar…

This week, we talk about the unpredictable mechanical swings that can happen between different versions of a game. Small tweaks to mechanics can trigger a cascade of unintended effects, causing the game design pendulum to swing from too many choices to too few and back again. We talk through examples of how we've managed these swings in Escape from…

We’re introducing a new dynamic to our latest roleplaying game! You all came to this amusement park as friends, but one of you started serving the park’s demonic forces. And things are about to get mean. How can characters become enemies while players remain friends? When the rules ask you to clash with you peers, care and consideration needs to be…

Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth is in charge of the best rotation in Major League Baseball! Ryan Rowland-Smith and Pete Woodworth take a deep dive into the prep, mound visits, and what each starter needs to be successful! #mlb #mariners #SeattleMariners #mlbstats #pitching #baseball #baseballpodcastSubscribe now and get amongst it, mates! 🎥🔔…

Host Ryan Rowland-Smith opens this edition of The Top Step with the "Eyes on the Mariners" segment, focusing on how Julio Rodríguez has been performing at the plate thus far this season compared to the end of 2024. Next, he has a sit-down discussion with M's pitching coach Pete Woodworth on the tremendous success of his rotation and what's he's lea…

Hannah had to get a full time office job. Since then, finding the time and energy for creative work has been an uphill battle. In this episode, Hannah sits down with close friend and fellow game designer Joshua A.C. Newman to talk about life, art, and staying true to your values in trying times. Support Joshua’s work! https://www.patreon.com/joshua…

In this edition of The Top Step, Ryan Rowland-Smith talks first with Alex Mayer of the Seattle Mariners communications team for the "Eyes on the M's" segment. Then he chats with three key members of the Mariners bullpen: Gabe Speier, Trent Thornton, and Tayler Saucedo. Ryan tests the knowledge of their fellow relievers to see how well they know the…

Welcome to Season 2 of The Top Step! Ryan's guests are Seattle Mariners Opening Day starter Logan Gilbert and his play-by-play partner, Aaron Goldsmith. We get you ready for the Mariners regular season, make some bold predictions, teach Logan Gilbert how to speak Australian, and more!#mariners #mlb #openingday #baseball Subscribe now and get amongs…

Welcome to Season 2 of The Top Step! Ryan's guests are Sand, and his play-b who makesAaron Goldsmith,y-play partner, some bold predictions! #mariners #mlb #openingday #baseball Subscribe now and get amongst it, mates! 🎥🔔Join the conversation!Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetopsteptvInstagram: https://instagram.com/thetopsteptv#mlb #mariners #Seattl…

Welcome to Season 2 of The Top Step! Ryan's guests are Seattle Mariners Opening Day starter Logan Gilbert and his play-by-play partner, Aaron Goldsmith. We get you ready for the Mariners regular season, make some bold predictions, teach Logan Gilbert how to speak Australian, and more!#mariners #mlb #openingday #baseball 0:48 - Eyes on the Mariners …

Hannah and Evan discuss Wonderland's first four-player playtest. When a playtest goes wrong, it can be tricky to diagnose the cause. How much is due to the rules, and what's connected to the more subtle influence of mood and flow? Links: Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Credits: …

Slow and steady wins the race... but does it work in a one-session RPG? From what we've seen in Escape from Wonderland, not quite. In this episode, we discuss pacing in roleplaying games: from the moment players arrive at the table to leaving everyone feeling satisfied with the story's twists and turns. We dig into the challenge of building uncanny…

Sometimes a secret is worth more than gold. But how do you make concrete rules for something intangible? Hannah and Evan talk about the secrets of Wonderland and what to do when the rules are out of step with the story. Links/Credits: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghos…

Even when things are going wrong for your characters, you as a player might feel rewarded by narrative twists and turns. In this episode, Hannah and Evan discuss the ways that games can reward both players and characters, and do some live game design about claw machine prizes... Links/Credits: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com D…

When people decide what art is worth looking at, they look for the very best. In a world that demands creative endeavors be perfect, how do we find the confidence to make and share our own art? Episode mentions: Olga Smirnova / Dutch National Ballet: https://www.operaballet.nl/en/dancers/olga-smirnova Toki Pona: https://tokipona.org/ A Mathematicia…

Is playtesting more of a science, or more art? How prepared should you be for a playtest if you're testing rules that might change on the fly, never to be seen again? In this episode we talk about playtesting our newest game, Escape from Wonderland, and how that went! Links/Credits: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Design Doc i…

Our newest game, Escape from Wonderland, began as a hack of Questlandia. But what happens when the mechanics of an old game don't work with the story you want to tell? In this episode we talk about hacking games to do what we want them to do. Links: Support Design Doc on Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Find our games at: turtlebun.com Credits: Desig…

We often ask ourselves, "Do we need a mechanic for that?" In our newest game, Escape from Wonderland, we want to encourage players to travel across a haunted amusement park. How can the rules create meaningful choices about the places they should and shouldn't go? And when is it better to lose that choice, and end up somewhere randomized or predete…

We're taking a week off to recharge! We'll see you back in two weeks with a new episode of Design Doc. Rest easy. Sincerely, Hannah and Evan Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design …

We recently realized that we’ve drifted apart not just from our games community, but from our community at large. Now, in a world where the future feels uncertain and dire, we're asking ourselves: how do we reconnect? Escape from Wonderland has just one week left on Kickstarter. You can read more and back the project here. Links/Credits: Website: t…

The Kickstarter for Escape from Wonderland is LIVE! Support the game here! How do you know when a game is ready for Kickstarter? How far along should it be before bringing it to the world? In this episode, we talk about the delicate balance of presentation—slick, but not *too* slick; done, but not *too* done. We explored how crowdfunding has change…

The first conversation we've had about cover design in games! We discuss how book covers are often the first thing people see of our games, how a well-designed cover can stick in someone's memory, and how a great cover isn't just about first impressions—it can make you want to pick up a book again and again. And a special thanks to our editor, Rob,…

One of the hardest lessons in game design is coming to terms with the fact that many of our favorite ideas will remain unrealized. In this episode, we explore the games we may never complete, our lingering dream of bringing them to life, and how accepting their incompleteness might help us face the reality of death. Links/Credits: Website: turtlebu…

Major League Baseball has decided to partner with STRAUSS clothing company to advertise on every player's helmet during the postseason. Seattle Mariners Ryan Rowland-Smith, Aaron Goldsmith, and Brad Adam react to the news in this week's additions of The Top Trends.Brought to you by Emerald Queen Casino. Subscribe to your Mariners Weekly show sand m…

Mariners PxP Aaron Goldsmith and Root Sports Brad Adam join Ryan Rowland-Smith in person. The fellas discuss MLB's decision to allow ADS on helmets for the playoffs. Debate the Mariner's top 3 starters they would line up for a playoff series. We have an Australian Quiz, plenty of stories, plenty of laughs, and more! Subscribe now and get amongst it…

Evan and Hannah try playing their new game with a very rough draft of the rules, in a cross between a playtest and design session. New ideas and new questions abound as they explore uncharted territory. To follow along with the design, Questlandia character sheets and reference rules can be downloaded for free here: https://turtlebun.com/pages/down…

Raul Ibanez spent 18 seasons in the Major Leagues, was instrumental in MLB's rule changes that have revolutionized the game and is now in the LA Dodgers front office. We discuss everything from the new rules, how the Dodgers develop the best hitters in the game, Edgar's influence and more! Please Subscribe and get amongst it, mates! 🎥🔔Join the conv…

In this edition of The Top Trends, we dive into what the office has been doing since Edgar Martinez took over... Let me know your thoughts on Edgar as a hitting coach in the comments below! Also... Subscribe now and get amongst it, mates! 🎥🔔Join the conversation!Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetopsteptvInstagram: https://instagram.com/thetopsteptv#…

Is Raul Ibanez the Seattle Mariners best Left Fielder of all time? He is joins Ryan Rowland-Smith to discuss what he noticed from the 2024 Mariner's struggling offense, what Edgar Martinez meant to his career, the stressful process of being on MLB's new rules committee, and his role with the Los Angeles Dodgers and how they develop such great hitte…

What's more impressive? Ohtani's potential 50/50 Season Or the Triple Crown? Let me know what you think. Brought to you by www.cotni.org Subscribe now and get amongst it, mates! 🎥🔔Join the conversation!Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetopsteptvInstagram: https://instagram.com/thetopsteptv#mlb #mariners #SeattleMariners #mlbstats #baseballpodcast #oh…

Former Mariners reliever Charlie Furbush joins Seattle Mariners and MLB Network Analyst Ryan Rowland-Smith from the EQC Sportsbook. We debate what is more impressive... Shohei Ohtani's 50 HR's 50 Stolen base season? Or Aaron Judge and Marcell Ozuna going for the Triple Crown. Plus, Top 5 worst Bullpens as an opposing player. Top 5 best baseball Mov…

We're joined by public historian and musical improviser Alanna Shaffer to discuss real-world amusement park horror and Dippin' Dots scams at Dorney Park. Alanna shares thoughts about story vs plot, new character drives, and everyone's personal breaking point after a day with no water. To see Alanna and Thank You, Places in person, check out their m…

In this episode of The Top Step, Ryan Rowland-Smith dives into the surprising news of Scott Servais' departure as Seattle Mariners manager after nearly a decade. What led to this mid-season decision, and how will it impact the team’s playoff chances? Ryan breaks it all down, including Servais' legacy, the rise of the Mariners' young core, and the k…

Seattle Mariners rookie Troy Taylor joins Ryan Rowland-Smith on the Top Step. Here is the full unedited uncut interview. #Mariners #MLBSubscribe now and get amongst it, mates! 🎥🔔Join the conversation!Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetopsteptvInstagram: https://instagram.com/thetopsteptv#mlb #mariners #SeattleMariners #mlbstats #baseballpodcast…

Seattle Mariners rookie Troy Taylor joins Ryan Rowland-Smith fresh off his debut. RRS and Troy dive into his road to the show, what it meant to run out at T-Mobile, and, of course, learn how to speak Australian! Make sure you join us at EQC Studio on Friday the 30th for a live taping!All-new episodes of The Top Step debut every Friday on Root Sport…

This week Former Mariners pitcher Casey Sadler joins Ryan Rowland-Smith and tells some epic stories live from the Emeral Queen Casino. In this exclusive interview, Sadler shares never-before-heard stories, including:The surprising moment when Russell Martin stood up for him in the food line.How Charlie Morton’s advice transformed his pitching caree…

This week, Seattle Times' Adam Jude joins former Mariner Ryan Rowland-Smith to break down the Mariners’ trade deadline moves, the impact of Randy Arozarena, and who should start Game 1 if the playoffs started tomorrow. Get the inside scoop on Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and more as Ryan and Adam debate the strengths and strategies that could prope…

We continue our design of a creepy amusement park game, starting with the question, "What does bad behavior look like in an amusement park?" In this episode, we begin with a lot of questions, and end with a roadmap to a first playtest that includes character weaknesses, theme park-related goals, and an unreliable park map filled with skulls and cro…

How can you use simple rules to create a complex setting? In the second part of this live design series, Hannah and Evan take a swing at world and character mechanics. To create a spooky, surreal environment, they’re forced to come up with new ways to approach worldbuilding and character design. Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreo…

Join Ryan Rowland-Smith and special guest former Mariners pitcher Casey Sadler as they discuss some thrilling trade propositions for the Seattle Mariners. We all want to acquire superstars through a trade, but how easy is it? From the possibility of acquiring Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to assessing key bullpen and lineup needs, this episode of "The Top …

Mariners top prospect Harry Ford sits down to talk about what it's like dealing with trade deadline rumors, the Futures All star game experience, the Guitar Scott Boris gave him and more!Subscribe now and get amongst it, mates! 🎥🔔Join the conversation!Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetopsteptvInstagram: https://instagram.com/thetopsteptv#mlb #marine…

In this can't-miss episode of The Top Step, host Ryan Rowland-Smith sits down with Mariners top prospect Harry Ford in the EQC Studio for an exclusive interview. With the trade deadline looming, Harry opens up about how trade rumors affect him and his teammates. Get insights into his experiences at the Futures Game, where he got tips from MLB legen…

The voice of the Seattle Mariners, Rick Rizzs, joins me to talk about the Mariner's second half and some epic stories! Subscribe now and get amongst it, mates! 🎥🔔Join the conversation!Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetopsteptvInstagram: https://instagram.com/thetopsteptv#mlb #mariners #SeattleMariners #mlbstats #baseballpodcast #baseballpodcast #Gri…