Author | Lightnews

Ben Mandelker

@benmandelker.bsky.social

2K followers 54 following 170 posts

co-host Watch What Crappens and Game Brain podcasts writer NBD Fancy on substack obsessed with Bravo, board games, and Ina Garten

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Nov 14

In an attempt to introduce myself to Blue Sky, here are three credibility-boosting pics from my hobbies: Shackleton Base board game, homemade butternut squash, and Taylor Armstrong from #rhobh

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · 9d

Kanban was always my favorite too. On Mars was close and sometimes would take my #1 spot. But it’s definitely Speakeasy now.

Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · 9d

I am really psyched about #speakeasy by Vital Lacerda. Here’s my first impressions! #boardgames

youtu.be/104Py4ibYhI?...

Speakeasy First Impressions - Lacerda's BEST Game? | Table Scraps

YouTube video by Table Scraps

youtu.be

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · 11d

Hey #boardgame friends - I made a video review of one of my fave games of the past year. I highly recommend #shackletonbase

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzWF...

Shackleton Base is Damn Near Perfect | Table Scraps Review

YouTube video by Table Scraps

www.youtube.com

Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · 23d

I wrote about cheap #kitchen basics you may have overlooked. Go check it out and make your cooking easier! #shopping #nbdfancy #cooking

open.substack.com/pub/nbdfancy...

Don't Overlook These Cheap Kitchen Basics

You may already have these items, but some may have flown under your radar.

open.substack.com

Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · 28d

12 favorite #boardgames I played in September, ranked!

youtu.be/5MspjPlFglQ?...

12 Board Games I Played in September 2025 - Monthly Roundup

YouTube video by Table Scraps

youtu.be

Reposted by Ben Mandelker

Shelf Stable Podcast @shelfstablecast.bsky.social · Sep 30

"I love a board game that encourages a specific snacking experience"
@benmandelker.bsky.social

youtu.be/MvWZcJteifo?...

6 Cozy Board Games That Feel Like a Warm Blanket

YouTube video by Table Scraps

youtu.be

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Sep 30

Thank you!

Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Sep 17

Haven’t seen it!

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Sep 10

Here's my latest #boardgames video. Everything I played in August: youtu.be/o0GQKuv-I6I?...

14 Board Games I Played in August 2025 - Monthly Roundup

YouTube video by Table Scraps

youtu.be

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Reposted by Ben Mandelker

𝚒 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚝 @emacornacopia.bsky.social · Sep 2

TIL Thee Ben Mandelker has a Substack and oh! the way I just RAN 💯

This is the feel good content we NEED rn! 💕 you Benoonies!!!!

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Sep 2

Glad it worked out well!!

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Reposted by Ben Mandelker

Elisa Davis @elisa515.bsky.social · Sep 1

Thanks @benmandelker.bsky.social for this delicious recipe! I got pan-fried gyoza from a local shop, mixing chili crunch from Trader Joe’s with the dipping sauce for a perfect vinaigrette. Plus heirloom tomatoes from my CSA farm share.

I Tried the Dumpling Tomato Salad

Hetty McKinnon's viral recipe has a strange elevator pitch, but it's worth the ride.

open.substack.com

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 29

Would love nothing more. Let me stew on this.

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Reposted by Ben Mandelker

KeepItStans @keepitstans.bsky.social · Aug 28

Ben's #KeepIt: "This is not the Project Runway I want to watch. They decided they were going to reality-show it up. We have all sorts of reality show elements that i never asked for. Way too much silliness, it feels like any other reality show." - @benmandelker.bsky.social
youtu.be/Ryf0N9Vd_ys?...

Project Runway Season 21 Episode 5 Complimentary Couture || Aug 21_ 2025 Full Episode HD(720P_HD)

YouTube video by Room of Secrets

youtu.be

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 28

I made another #boardgames video. This time I'm talking about games that are great for 6 players (or more!). I'm not talking about party games — those are great too — but chunkier, more strategic options.

youtu.be/lUh5gNMx5Kk?...

6 Excellent Board Games for Large Groups (6+ Players)

YouTube video by Table Scraps

youtu.be

Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 22

I am open to this revision.

Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 21

But maybe an argument can be made for it being above RHOP

Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 21

My gut agrees but then I thought about all those cringey Seth scenes. It’s def an elite show - I just thought the other shows were EVEN better.

mstewartsloan @mstewartsloan.bsky.social · Aug 21

Next Gen NYC needs to be higher!

Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 21

My 2025 Bravo rankings so far

#RHOM
#TheValley
#RHOC
#RHOBH
Southern Hospitality
Love Hotel
Summer House
#RHOP
Southern Charm
Next Gen NYC
#RHOA
Top Chef
Below Deck Down Under
Married to Medicine
Below Deck
King’s Court
Denise Richards and Her Wild Things
.
.
.
McBee Dynasty

Discuss!

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 21

#RHOM may be hard to top by any show this year.

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 18

Love hearing this!!

Reposted by Ben Mandelker

Ben Kutcher @benkutcher.bsky.social · Aug 17

Shout out to @danthurot.bsky.social and @benmandelker.bsky.social for putting this on my radar. Finally got it to the table and it was emotionally evocative and evocative of its theme.

I’m not sure, with my group, we would ever steer this game to a victory.

boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37...

Land and Freedom: The Spanish Revolution and Civil War

Forge a fragile alliance to save Spain, but who will claim the glory?

boardgamegeek.com

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 15

Here’s a tour of my #boardgame shelf of shame:

youtu.be/L3NkIuH5KaY?...

Meet My Board Game Shelf of Shame (6 Games I've Never Played)

YouTube video by Table Scraps

youtu.be

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Reposted by Ben Mandelker

Lizzie Robillard @lizzierobillard.bsky.social · Aug 12

I may not tell anyone if i win the lottery but there will be signs (purchasing new board games)

This one sounds so fun 😫

Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 2

I love this #boardgame

#orangesandlemons

youtu.be/e7g2bKAvGkM?...

Obsessed with... Oranges & Lemons

YouTube video by Table Scraps

youtu.be

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Ben Mandelker @benmandelker.bsky.social · Aug 12

You know #mcbeedynasty is a fail when they go and come back from a cast trip in one episode... and still need to pad out ten minutes at the end of the ep.