NEW SHOW FEATURE: We are now LIVE streaming our shows. Want to join us live? Just click this link every Friday at 3pm ET / 12pm PT.
Ron and Ed sit down with Doug Reuter, the inventive mind behind the beloved board game Sequence. Doug shares the fascinating journey of bringing Sequence to life—a process that spanned four years of development, three years to secure licensing, and nearly another year before it hit store shelves in 1982. Beyond his success in the gaming industry, Doug delves into his political career, highlighting his two terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He discusses how his knack for strategy and rule-making in game design translated into his legislative work, where he adeptly utilized procedural rules to navigate political challenges. Join us for an engaging conversation that explores the intersections of creativity, entrepreneurship, and public service.
SHOW NOTES
Segment one
Our guest today, Doug Reuter, is a board game inventor. One night, he had a dream about a board game. Then yada, yada, yada, and now tens of millions of people play Sequence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequence_(game)
The original name for the board game was “Sequence Five” because in Doug’s dream there were 5 chips vertically and horizontally.
From Board Game Geek, here is everything you need to know about Sequence. https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2375/sequence
Doug's creativity didn't stop with Sequence! He also invented QB8 and QB8 WORDS, self-published games sold since 2014. https://peopleofplay.com/people/douglas-reuter
Segment two
🎲 Our guest today, Doug Reuter — inventor of Sequence — served two terms in the Minnesota House (1997–2001), representing District 28A.
Doug Reuter worked to reinstate the original language regarding the House session opening prayer rule, emphasizing tradition. He succeeded.
In May 1999, Reuter left the Republican Party to become an Independent, citing concerns over partisan staff access. https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?id=10559
Doug is extremely proud (and should be) about his biggest legislative accomplishment. He collaborated across party lines with Rep. Phyllis Kahn to oppose Governor Ventura’s proposal for a unicameral legislature in Minnesota.
Segment three
1 of 4: In 2013, Doug Reuter's son, Joel, a 28-year-old software engineer living in Seattle, was fatally shot by police during a mental health crisis.
2 of 4: Motivated by this tragedy, Doug and Nancy Reuter advocated for legislative change, resulting in the enactment of "Joel's Law" in 2015.
3 of 4: Since its implementation, "Joel's Law" has provided families with a critical tool to intervene during mental health crises.
4 of 4: Nancy and Doug’s efforts are to be applauded. They took a personal tragedy and turned it into meaningful policy reform, in the hopes that other families would not have to suffer.
Doug Reuter, our guest today, mentioned the Treatment Advocacy Center which is an organization seeking to bring about similar change to Joel’s Law in states other than Washington. https://www.tac.org/ @taccommunicate
Segment four
🇺🇸 Doug served six years in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War era, primarily as a Yeoman in the Seattle area. https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?id=10559
Doug has a new game sitting on his desk. He started it 8 years ago and the pieces of the game are staring him in the face. Maybe he will finish it for us :)
From inventing Sequence to influencing mental health laws, our guest —Doug Reuter— shared his creativity and compassion with us today. Thank you Doug!!!
Bonus Content is Available As Well
Did you know that each week after our live show, Ron and Ed take to the microphone for a bonus show? Typically, this bonus show is an extension of the live show topic (sometimes even with the same guest) and a few other pieces of news, current events, or things that have caught our attention.
Click the “FANATIC” image to learn more about pricing and member benefits.