@lovethynerd
Love Thy Nerd
Love Nerds + Engage Culture + Build Community

LTN Pulse 28 | Joe Bragg: Underrated Games and Unexpected Impact

SHOW NOTES

What starts with lawnmowers, allergies, and off-topic chaos turns into a meaningful conversation about discipleship, hospitality, and why spaces like Game Changer matter more than ever.

In this episode of LTN Pulse, hosts Luke and Michael are joined once again by Joe Bragg for a conversation that bounces from what they’ve been watching lately to underrated board games, retreat culture, and the surprising power of simply being present with people. Along the way, they swap movie recommendations, talk through recent gaming wins and losses, and highlight several games they think deserve way more attention.

At the heart of the episode is Game Changer, the board game retreat Joe helps lead, where gaming, worship, friendship, and meaningful conversations all come together in a unique and welcoming environment. What sounds simple at first becomes something much deeper: a space where people are seen, encouraged, challenged, and reminded that discipleship can happen around a game table just as much as anywhere else.

This episode is funny, thoughtful, and packed with the kind of tangents that somehow still lead exactly where they need to go.





Episode Hosts

Michael Shurbutt
Michael Shurbutt’s journey to nerddom began at an early age. From his preschool days playing NES games, to obsessing over Sonic the Hedgehog and Star Wars in elementary school, to beginning a life-long passion for music and audio technology in his teens.

These days, he’s a full-time podcast producer who enjoys long walks (or frantic dodge-rolling) in The Lands Between and jamming along to pop-punk tunes from the early 2000’s. He and his super-talented wife live in North Carolina with their two adorable dogs and cat who’s pretty sure he’s also a dog.

(Also, Michael used to longboard. Has he mentioned that?)
Luke Filipiak
Director of Community Engagement
Luke Filipiak serves as Director of Community Engagement for Love Thy Nerd and Director of Facilities at Sojourn Community Church. Originally from Guam and now living in Southern Indiana with his wife and daughter, Luke is passionate about building relationships, creating community, and connecting people around shared interests.

A lifelong nerd, he enjoys board games, video games, movies, TV, model trains, woodworking, coffee, audio engineering, and cooking. Whether he's hosting an event, networking with fellow nerds, or teaching a new game, Luke loves bringing people together.

Episode Guests

Joe Bragg


Episode Discussion

Related Content

Save & Continue 24 | ‘Lanterns’ and Heroism

Steve and Kyle explore HBO's Lanterns, Hal Jordan and John Stewart's contrasting views of heroism, and what Christianity teaches about humility, repentance, sacrifice, and true heroes.

CBG 54 | Sin Has Tentacles

Joe and Ray review Kings of Israel and discuss Christian sanctification, dealing with sin, grace, identity in Christ, and what it means to pursue righteousness without falling into self-condemnation.

GCN 5 | Andrew Lowen: Deliverance is Getting MUCH Bigger!

Radio Matt talks with Deliverance creator Andrew Lowen about Christian board games, faith-based game design, spiritual warfare, and the massive Council of the Fallen expansion.

Pull List 133 | Can Any Seinfeld Character Represent Compassion? (Comic News & Reviews)

CJ and Hector review new DC and Marvel comics, then assign Seinfeld characters Green Lantern colors in a new segment on The Pull List Podcast.

LTN Pulse 36 | Building Community One Board Game at a Time (w/ Bill Ivie)

Michael talks with Bill Ivie, Love Thy Nerd’s new Director of IRL Events, about board games, Dungeon Crawler Carl, conventions, and nerd culture ministry.

CBG 53 | Don’t Waste Your Turn

Joe and Ray discuss Christian time management, stewardship, priorities, family, ministry, and intentional living while reviewing the clock-driven board game Hickory Dickory.

Bible Thump 183 | What Hurry Is Doing to Your Faith (w/ CJ Burroughs)

CJ Burroughs explores Revelation 3, the spiritual cost of hurry, and why slowing down to spend intentional time with God can deepen our relationship with Jesus.

Faith & Fandom 33 | FaithCon’s Mission to Support Christian Creators (w/ Chantay & Micante)

Hector Miray talks with FaithCon leaders Chantay Hadley and Micante James about Christian creators, convention ministry, Dragon Con survival kits, faith-based media, and building Christ-centered community in geek culture.