Within the first ninety seconds of broadcast, The Happy Hearthstone by tradition ritually recites an invocation that includes a soothing yet somehow formally solemn reminder that you are listening to “the longest running Hearthstone podcast in the history of space, and [sic] time, and cards.” The tone and cadence of this ritual welcome may be uncannily familiar to those of you exposed (or perhaps subjected) to formalized liturgical proceedings. While the production is by no means overtly tied to any specific spiritual tradition, the tremendously well-researched and timely content is delivered lovingly coated in a gloss of wholesomeness and unaffected positivity which many may find ever-so-slightly bemusing and wholly unlike anything else available in this particular space.
Nevertheless, underneath the show’s aching sincerity lies some of the best content available to any curious Hearthstone fan. Topics are always carefully prepared and relevant to players at all skill levels and mindsets. The technical analysis is well-reasoned, applicable, and quickly employable on the ladder; and the bits concerned with the mental aspects of Hearthstone are addressed with sensitivity, candor, and plenty of self-reflection—I expect many listeners may find something they hear useful outside of competitive gaming.
There are many otherwise entertaining Hearthstone podcasts that do little to positively impact their listener’s performance. Some set out to do exactly this and succeed to a greater or lesser degree, but the Happy Hearthstone will not only measurably contribute to your in-client success, it may, despite a listener’s hard earned background cynicism, actually leave you an ever-so-slightly better person for having listened.
~GStarrEsq
