Gaming Partners & the Fear of Not Having Everything (FONHE)

In episode 9 of Positively Board Gaming, Mitchell and Jamey dive into the emotional heart of tabletop gaming—starting with their “sweet treats of the day” and ending with a deep, honest conversation about gaming habits, nostalgia, and collector mindset.

Jamey shares a joy-filled evening plan involving author Fredrik Backman and some fresh St. Louis eats, while Mitchell celebrates strawberries and whipped cream… and portable retro gaming consoles that bring childhood favorites back to life. Then it’s onto meaningful reflections about gaming companions—whether it’s a partner, spouse, or trusted friend group—and how sharing games strengthens bonds.

The episode’s big topic? FONHE: Fear of Not Having Everything. Mitchell opens up about the emotional tug of collecting every Dice Throne expansion, while Jamey explores how space, cost, and personal enjoyment play into completionism. It’s a thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly therapeutic discussion all hobby gamers will relate to.

⏱️ Chapters

0:00 – Introduction & Sweet Treats of the Day

7:15 – Book readings, friends, and St. Louis appreciation

13:30 – Retro handheld video game consoles

21:45 – Who’s your gaming companion?

34:00 – Board games with partners and family

45:12 – FONHE: Fear of Not Having Everything

54:30 – Love Letter collection habits

1:00:45 – Completionism in video games

1:09:40 – TMNT, Unmatched, and crowdfunding caveats

1:13:00 – Final thoughts and community shout-outs

board game podcast, Positively Board Gaming, Dice Throne collector, FONHE, board game collection obsession, tabletop gaming partners, retro handheld gaming, Retroid, AYN Odin, Love Letter variants, campaign games, board game completionism, Stonemaier Games, tabletop therapy, board game reviews, why we love board games, Jamey Stegmaier, Mitchell Whitfield