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…

Nayeema Raza brought us the same curiosity and knowledge she brings to her Smart Girl, Dumb Questions listeners. Her early life was spent globe-trotting, so hearing her firsthand perspective on the similarities in beauty standards and practices is fascinating. Nayeema proudly detailed some of her favorite aspects of Pakistani beauty culture, especi…

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…

In this week’s episode, I sat down for a beauty tell-all with beauty veterans Jill and Carlene of the Breaking Beauty Podcast. During our conversation, Jill and Carlene discussed their pre-podcast careers in broadcasting and editorial, which informed their approach to Breaking Beauty. It was such a great opportunity to learn about how they develope…

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 today’s episode, I’m joined by the fabulous Sean Garrett, renowned esthetician and skincare creator, for a Met Gala recap. We talked through all the behind the scenes details of the night, from the star-studded pre-parties to the dazzling outfits and the powerful display of black excellence. We broke down our favorite and least favorite looks of…

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…

This week’s guest is everyone’s favorite entertainment host, Scott Evans. During our conversation, Scott shared how his career has been in the making since high school. He discussed how his roles at major media outlets prepared him to lead a team of three to critical acclaim. From his decision to lock his hair, to advocating for his makeup finish, …

Achieng Agutu’s larger-than-life online presence has inspired millions to live boldly and confidently. However, few would guess that the Kenyan star struggled against expectations that she would live a humble and modest life. During our chat, we talked about how her parents encouraged her to reject these ideals and live a full life, no matter what …

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…

In this special 'Ask Brooke' episode of Naked Beauty, I answer beauty questions from the Naked Beauty community! Tune in to hear my top tips for dealing with breakouts, pregnancy skincare, and covering the appearance of pores under makeup. Listen for… The best skincare tips to treat and prevent breakouts (2:09) La Roche-Posay Pigment Clear Dr. Barb…

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…

You may know Weezy for her wild stories on her podcast Decisions, Decisions, but there’s so much more to the serial entrepreneur than meets the eye. Since the last time Weezy was on the show, she’s opened a Pilates business, grown her podcast production company, written a book, and fallen in love, so we had a lot to talk about. Tune in for a conver…

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…

In this episode of The Naked Beauty Podcast, we explore the world of nails and nail art, tracing its evolution from a trend seen primarily in the black community during the 90s to a global phenomenon today. I spoke with Tembe Denton Hurst, author of 'Fresh Sets,' a coffee table book showcasing nail art from around the world. We discuss the history …

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 …

“I couldn’t compare myself, so there was no way for me to diminish my own beauty against somebody else’s” - Bozoma Saint John When it comes to tapping into your most authentic self, Bozoma Saint John is unmatched. With an exceptionally fruitful career at companies like PepsiCo, Beats, Uber, and now Netflix, one might think that Saint John has alway…

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: …

If Doechii’s Paris Fashion Week looks had you obsessed, this episode is for you! I had the pleasure of talking with her makeup artist Chelsea Uchenna and hairstylist Malcolm Marquez about their collaboration with the icon in the making. Despite growing up on opposite sides of the world, both artists had innate creative sensibilities, decided early …

It’s official, Naked Beauty is the winner of the iHeartMedia’s Best Fashion and Beauty Podcast Award! Join my producer Mbiye and me for a recap of the night we found out that we won, from the looks we wore to the after-parties we went to. Thank you so much to the Naked Beauty family for all the support you’ve shown me over the years – this award wo…

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…

Hi beauties! This week, Naked Beauty is headed to Austin as a nominee for Best Beauty Podcast at the iHeartMedia Podcast awards. I can’t wait to share more updates from Austin, but today we have an incredible conversation for you with Annie Jackson, co-founder of Credo Beauty. We discuss the importance of transparency in beauty products, the harmfu…

In this episode of Naked Beauty, I dive into the ongoing battle for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as it relates to beauty. This conversation is multifaceted, so I knew we had to talk with some industry experts who have been championing inclusion throughout their whole careers. I talked with my mother, Jerry Devard, to gain her insights fro…

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…

Hi beauties! It feels so good to be back from maternity leave. So much has changed since our last episode of 2024 – my daughter Jade has made her arrival and we’re all adjusting to being a family of four. When I went on maternity leave, I chose to take a 6-week break from social media so I could really soak in this chapter in our family’s life. I l…

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 …

In the last episode of the year, I was the Naked Beauty interviewee. Our incredibly talented producer, Mbiye Kasonga, and I sat down to reflect on the previous two years we’ve spent working together. She asked me about my interest in storytelling and my experiences after a full year of working for myself and taking creative risks. It gave me a chan…

“For me, my flaws are what make me and I've learned through years to embrace that, and I like them now.” Issa Rae, actress, producer, and serial entrepreneur talked about all things beauty and self care on this week’s episode. Issa shared what it was like growing in L.A. and how a trip to Senegal reaffirmed her beauty when she was still in high sch…

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…

In today’s episode of Naked Beauty, I spoke to three writers from top beauty brands: Glossier, Dieux, and Sol de Janeiro for a deep dive into all things beauty copywriting. In the crowded landscape of beauty, tone, and voice are key ways for brands to break through the noise. I’ve been wanting to do an episode on this topic for so long - tune in fo…

Sir John and I had a fascinating conversation with Dita Von Teese, the Queen of Burlesque. We talked about her childhood and the Hollywood starlets that inspired her to transform into the pinup girl of her dreams. Dita shared with us how her start dancing in the rave and strip club scene empowered her to always be her unique self. We also got the i…

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…

Welcome to another Beauty Rant/Beauty Rave, and this time I had to dedicate an entire episode to the beauty cycle I’m currently in the grips of: lash extensions. What started as a simple birthday set of lashes has turned into a whole lash journey and I unpack it all, lash blindness included. I go over some practical advice on maintaining extensions…

In our follow-up conversation Elaine and our mothers discuss the many lessons that motherhood teaches us about ourselves before and after giving birth. Elaine talked about the Birth Fund, and what spurred her to provide midwifery care to families across the U.S. She explained some of the differences between the traditional medical model and midwife…

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,…

Episode Description: In this heartfelt episode of Naked Beauty, I sat down with Elaine Welteroth, an acclaimed journalist and founder of Birthfund, along with our iconic mothers for an intimate conversation about motherhood. Elaine and I are deep into our second pregnancies, a time that sparks a lot of reflection, so we thought it’d be great to ref…