Meet my new friend, Warhammer 40,000: the sci-fi tabletop war game.

This is part 1 of 4 in the Niche to Meet You mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding home through mini-series and individual interviews.

• Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/40k
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EPISODE NOTES:

In this first episode of Niche to Meet You’s debut mini-series, we introduce the immersive universe of Warhammer 40,000—a tabletop war game game turned multimedia empire. We even make the case that Warhammer 40,000 is the perfect hobby because it offers craftsmanship, skill development, social connections, and thought engagement.

From its humble 1970s origins, this hobby has evolved into a unique blend of science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian elements. Through this 4-part series, we’ll unravel the threads of Warhammer 40,000, examining its roots with insights from Rick Priestley, the game's original creator, as well as Andy Chambers, his apprentice and successor. In the next episode, we'll delve into the lives of players and enthusiasts who breathe life into this thriving subculture, and discover how this pastime transforms into a powerful hobby with the 4 elements of what makes a hobby, well, a hobby.

SHOW/EPISODE CREDITS:

Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)

Associate producer: Chris Thiessen

Mini-series topic consultants: Robert Taylor, Marcus Fulbright

Episode mastered by Kevin Morris

Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Show artwork by Rachel Hardacre