Best Thieves’ Cant Productions Podcasts (2025)

1
Building an Adventure + Eberron, New Unearthed Arcana, and Lazlo's Cubed Crypt 30:11

5d ago30:11

30:11

Chris and Jeremy return to the Forge of Creation to build an adventure using Mythmere Games' Tome of Adventure Design. Plus, the latest on Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, a new horror-themed Unearthed Arcana, and a crowdfunding spotlight on Lazlo's Cubed Crypt. Social: @thievescantcast YouTube: @thievescantpodcast Email: [email protected] …

1
Actual Play Magic: The Gathering + Starfinder Society 2.0, Pathfinder on Humble Bundle, and I Don't Belong Here 52:57

12d ago52:57

52:57

Chris learns to play Magic: The Gathering in the first (and quite possibly the last) Thieves' Cant actual play. Plus, Paizo launches Starfinder Society 2.0, Humble Bundle features a massive Pathfinder sale, and I Don't Belong Here funds on Backerkit. Social: @thievescantcast Email: [email protected] 00:00 Open 02:23 News 14:08 Magic: The Ga…

1
3 Wishes for D&D 6E + Greater Than Games, the 5.2 SRD, and Required Reading for RPG Design 29:26

19d ago29:26

29:26

Chris and Jeremy make three wishes for the future of D&D. Plus, Greater Than Games halts production, the 5.2 SRD is officially in the Creative Commons, and Justin Alexander at The Alexandrian provides the reading list for a hypothetical college course on RPG design. Social: @thievescantcast Email: [email protected] 00:00 Open 01:24 News 10:…

1
What's In Your Basket: RPGs as Easter Candy + the D&D 5.2 SRD, Castles & Crusades, and Bitter Chalice 27:38

26d ago27:38

27:38

Chris and Jeremy decide which Easter basket treats represent some of our favorite tabletop roleplaying games. Plus, WotC is set to release the new 5.2 SRD, 2024 D&D gets a round of errata, Castles & Crusades drops a new trio of sourcebooks, and more. Social: @thievescantcast Email: [email protected] 00:00 Open 02:34 News 10:11 Crowdfunding …

1
The Lowdown: Campaign Kickoffs + Jeremy Crawford, Greg Bilsland, World's Largest Dungeon, and Solo Borg 42:54

1M ago42:54

42:54

Chris and Jeremy share campaign kickoff ideas from the ttrpg community. Plus, Jeremy Crawford is set to leave D&D while Greg Bilsland returns, and World's Largest Dungeon holds a design contest. Social: @thievescantcast Email: [email protected] 00:00 Open 01:27 News 16:34 Crowdfunding 19:12 The Lowdown: Campaign Kickoffs 41:56 Wrap…

1
This or That + Chris Perkins, Critical Role, Alien RPG, and Riverbank 34:17

1M ago34:17

34:17

Chris and Jeremy play a game of This or That. Plus, Chris Perkins retires from D&D, Critical Role debuts Wildemount Wildlings, Alien RPG Surpasses the Million-Dollar Mark, and Kobold Press launches Riverbank crowdfunding. Social: @thievescantcast Email: [email protected] 00:00 Open 02:12 News 09:44 Crowdfunding 12:39 Main Topic: This or Tha…

1
Character Backstories + Twenty-Sided Tavern, Pathfinder Runelords, Tales of the Valiant, Huckleberry, and Dungeons & Lasers 31:19

2M ago31:19

31:19

Chris and Jeremy discuss RPG character backstories from both the player and GM perspectives. Plus, the Twenty-Sided Tavern is set to tour the U.S., Paizo teases the Runelords return to Pathfinder, Tales of the Valiant drops a terrific--and free--GM table resource, and more. Social: @thievescantcast Email: [email protected] 00:00 Open 01:06 …

1
GM Tips: A Thieves' Cant Top 5 + Sigil VTT, Baldur's Gate, Frosthaven, and Kitten Apocalypse War 34:32

2M ago34:32

34:32

Jeremy and Chris share five tips for prepping/running games and building GM confidence. Plus, bad news for Sigil VTT, a hint at future Baldur's Gate content, and Frosthaven gets a video game adaptation. Social: @thievescantcast Email: [email protected] 00:00 Open 01:44 News 10:51 Crowdfunding 13:06 GM Tips: A Thieves' Cant Top 5 33:25 Wrap…

1
The Lowdown: GM Regrets From the TTRPG Community + Shadowdark, Helldivers 2, and DriveThru RPG 40:25

2M ago40:25

40:25

Jeremy and Chris talk GM regrets with the ttrpg community in The Lowdown. Plus, Shadowdark: The Western Reaches is the first million-dollar ttrpg crowdfunding campaign of 2025, Helldivers 2 gets a board game adaptation, and print-on-demand prices at DriveThru RPG are set to increase. Social: @thievescantcast Email: [email protected] 00:00 O…

1
Forge of Creation: Making a Monster + Tabletop Gaming News and Commentary 26:50

2M ago26:50

26:50

Jeremy and Chris enter "The Forge of Creation" to craft a new tabletop RPG monster, using the revised Tome of Adventure Design from Mythmere Games. Plus, the GAMA Origins Awards nominees, Green Ronin celebrates 25 years, and new details on the D&D starter set. Social: @thievescantcast Email: [email protected] 00:00 Open 02:26 News 09:40 Cro…

1
Shady Picks: A Thieves' Cant Monster Draft + Tabletop Gaming News and Commentary 41:12

2M ago41:12

41:12

Jeremy and Chris make "Shady Picks" in a draft of their favorite tabletop RPG monsters. Plus, D&D Beyond releases its virtual tabletop, Free League announces 'Invincible' RPG, Kingmaker for Pathfinder is on Humble Bundle, and World's Largest Dungeon returns for a 20th anniversary. Email [email protected] 01:39 News 08:47 Crowdfunding 11:10 …

1
Old Blue Eyes 30:44

2y ago30:44

30:44

Frank Sinatra has arranged for his wedding celebration to take place at the Ingleside, a dream come true for Mel. But now, everything needs to be perfect. Mel does his best to cater to Sinatra’s every need as he dreams of taking the perfect photo with his hero. But, his obsession with Sinatra may be hurting his relationship with Carol. Will Mel Hab…

1
An Offer They Can’t Refuse 28:35

2y ago28:35

28:35

When a group of boisterous Italian men arrive at the Ingleside, the staff wonders if they might be associated with the mafia. Meanwhile, Mel is out entertaining Carol’s parents who are visiting Palm Springs. Things get hectic when Mel checks in with the restaurant and discovers that the Italian guys have a “very special” guest arriving… Frank Sinat…

1
Mildred Peppercorn 28:33

2y ago28:33

28:33

Elizabeth Taylor, Mel’s first real celebrity guest, checks into the Ingleside Inn under the pseudonym “Mildred Peppercorn.” Wanting nothing more than to be left alone, she asks only that she not be disturbed. Of course, when word leaks out, Harry brings in a bunch of his friends to meet her. Now, Mel and his team have to figure out a way to get Liz…

1
I Really Need This Job 30:37

2y ago30:37

30:37

Javier convinces Mel that the restaurant should stage “A Chorus Line” as a way to attract Frank Sinatra and other celebrities to Melvyn's. When Mel hires an event planner (Nicole Sullivan) to bring in A-List stars, she leads him along with false promises. After being alerted that that they do not have permission to put on the show, a cast of drag q…

1
The Right Kind of People 33:34

2y ago33:34

33:34

As Mel deals with his girlfriend Carol (Missi Pyle) constantly leaving him, a film director who may be making an afult picture arrives at the Ingleside Inn. When two midwesterners (David Koechner/Meredith Salenger) check in with their teenage daughter, things get a little crazy as the daughter begins hanging around with the crew.…

1
Part of the Family 33:53

2y ago33:53

33:53

A bad review of Melvyn’s restaurant by Dave Atchison (Justin Tranter) sends Mel into a tailspin as he wonders aloud how it happened. Looking to bring new positive publicity to the hotel, he goes into the old basement to track down past celebrity guest cards. Meanwhile, Javier (Brian Jordan Alvarez) and Harry (Lance Bass) attend a party where Libera…

1
Table 50 29:25

2y ago29:25

29:25

As the staff prepares for Frank Sinatra’s arrival at the restaurant, Sir John returns with new promises and wild stories that send Mel scrambling to accommodate his needs. However, Babs (Celia Emrie) smells a rat and begins to think the Sir John may not be who he claims he is. When the cops show up to the Ingleside later that night, Sir John’s true…

1
Castle Made of Sand 28:56

2y ago28:56

28:56

New Yorker Melvyn Haber (Jason Alexander) buys the Ingleside Inn Hotel in Palm Springs and sets out to transform it into a destination for Hollywood’s elite. He is given a crash course in how hard it is to entertain guests, set up a restaurant and bring in customers. Especially when an apparent royal named Sir John (Michael McKean) arrives and star…

1
Bedtime Stories of the Ingleside Inn 1:33

2y ago1:33

1:33

From Audio Up, SiriusXM, Lance Bass Productions and Sugar 23, comes the brand-new podcast Bedtime Stories of the Ingleside Inn, an original scripted musical series starring Jason Alexander. Alexander plays Mel Haber, the legendary Palm Springs hotelier who famously hosted Frank Sinatra, Liz Taylor and many more at his hotel that became a playground…

1
The missing masterpiece: Pretoria Art Museum heist 28:28

3y ago28:28

28:28

It’s Sunday, 11 November 2012, when three people stroll into the Pretoria Art Museum on Wessels street in Pretoria, and stroll out again with six of South Africa’s most historic and valuable art works. Two days later, four of those pieces would be discovered in the most unlikely place… Thanks to my interviewees from Stephan Welz & Co: https://www.s…

1
Love shouldn't hurt: The murder of Leighandre "Baby Lee" Jegels 30:03

3y ago30:03

30:03

August 30th 2019 was a regular day for Leighandre Jegels and her mom Ryta. The two were making their way to a boxing gym in East London, when a car started driving erratically behind them. In it was Bulelani Manyakama, Leighandre's abusive ex-boyfriend... Domestic abuse resources: https://genderjustice.org.za/helpline-numbers/ https://help.unhcr.or…

1
Friends, family & fraud: The death of Dustan Blom 37:11

3y ago37:11

37:11

It became known as the case of the body in the boot, abandoned in the parking lot of Montecasino, but there's a man behind that headline. In the wake of his wife's unexpected death, Dustan Blom meets exotic dancer Maruschka Robinson. He takes pity on her, offers her a lifeline, but Maruschka responds by taking advantage and - ultimately - his life.…

1
Angels, demons, and thieves: the Mancoba Seven Angels massacre 39:15

3y ago39:15

39:15

It’s February 21st, 2018, just after midnight, when three vehicles pull up outside the Ngcobo police station. One of them is a police van, but the gunmen that climb out are anything but police. They head into the station and gunfire shatters the quiet calm of a small village police station. As the new day dawned on the village of Ngcobo, six people…

1
Song & dance: The murder of Taliep Petersen 30:49

3+ y ago30:49

30:49

This is the first episode of It Happened Here for 2022. In the spirit of the new year, I’m declaring this the start of a new season. Yes, the numbering won’t make tonnes of sense, but neither does much in life so we’re just going to run with it. This episode covers the plot to murder one of South Africa's most lauded musical talents, Taliep Peterse…

1
Snake in the grass: The murder of Siam Lee 25:35

3+ y ago25:35

25:35

In January 2018, near New Hanover, a small burning patch of sugar cane caught the attention of a farmer out walking with his grandson. As he got closer, he realized that there was more to the fire. There were drag marks in the soil, the smell of petrol, and just a foot or into the field was a horrific sight, a charred body of a woman, one arm lifte…

1
The night the music died: Nkululeko "Flabba" Habedi 25:42

3+ y ago25:42

25:42

The subject of today’s episode is Nkululeko Habedi – also known by his musical persona or nickname “Flabba.” Flabba’s case attracted a lot of media attention, because he was already famous as a member of the South African hip-hop collective Skwatta Kamp, and for his work as a solo artist. On the evening of March 8 2015, Flabba, his girlfriend Sindi…

1
Hijack or hit?: The murder of Anni Dewani 28:06

3+ y ago28:06

28:06

It’s the 2nd of March 2011 and, on the side of the road a middle-aged couple kneel in the sand, weeping. In front of them is a board hammered into the sand, a photograph of a young woman attached. Meters away reporters jostle to try and get a better shot. This ceremony is part of an ongoing story that has captured international headlines. The coupl…

1
The axeman cometh: The crimes of Phindile Joseph Ntshongwana 25:59

3+ y ago25:59

25:59

IHHers, today’s case is an interesting one. Firstly, Phindile Joseph Ntshongwana was not an anonymous guy before these crimes put him in the papers. In fact, he used to be a professional rugby player –and you know how South Africans feel about their rugby. The other reason this case got so much attention was that Phindile is a literal axe murderer …

1
Interview: National Sex Workers Movement in South Africa 32:19

3+ y ago32:19

32:19

While my current investigation/research is taking a bit longer than normal, here's an interview I did with Yonela Sinqu, the communications officer at Sisonke, the National Sex Workers Movement in South Africa. We talk about why they advocate for decriminalisation (rather than legalisation), as well as getting into some of the discrimination and vi…

1
The kidnapping of Baby Zephany 26:18

3+ y ago26:18

26:18

Zephany was born on 28 April 1997, in Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town. She’d been born via C-section, and so her mom was still recuperating in the ward a few days later. And it was while mom Celeste lay there, in and out of an exhausted, post-operative sleep with her little girl resting by her side that the unthinkable happened. On April 30th, …

1
Unnatural suspicions: The death of Patrick Maqubela 29:54

3+ y ago29:54

29:54

The President Hotel in Bantry Bay is a long way from the sweet and simple townhouses we’ve been lurking in recently. It has some 350 rooms and apartments, with tall palm trees positioned around a pool and the exterior painted in startling white just to lean into that Med look. On the 7th of June 2009, security guard Mark Benjamin is standing outsid…

1
Close to home: The abduction & murder of Jayde Panayiotou 31:16

3+ y ago31:16

31:16

Today we’re traveling to Gqeberha on the south east coast of South Africa, the perfect spot for a young couple like the Panayiotous. Jayde Panayiotou worked as a teacher and her husband Christopher was an entrepreneur. On April 21 2015, Cherise Swanepoel pulled up to the Stellen Glen townhouse complex as always to carpool with Jayde to work, but th…

1
Unlocked & (maybe) unsolved: The murder of Inge Lotz 35:51

3+ y ago35:51

35:51

Back in 2005 the Shiraz complex in Stellenbosch had just been completed and the first set of tenants moved in, including 22-year-old student Inge Lotz. Inge was whip-smart, studying mathematics and stats at the University of Stellenbosch. She was a dedicated student who liked to stick to a schedule for her academic work, so when she wasn’t answerin…

1
Station Strangler stragglers: 2b or not to be 21:55

3+ y ago21:55

21:55

Yes, I know that is a truly awful joke. I’m not even sorry though. In this definitely-not-a-third-part episode, I want to pull a few loose threads that I simply couldn’t when I was putting together the larger narrative of the Station Strangler case and Norman Simons. Sources: http://www.psychology.uct.ac.za/psy/staff/professors/colintredoux https:/…

1
The Station Strangler (Pt2): Many more in store 40:43

3+ y ago40:43

40:43

This is part two of the Station Strangler. If you haven’t listened to part one, start there. Last week we covered a series of murders, from 1986 to 1992, and I told you about ten young boys who were raped and strangled before being dumped in various sites near the train stations and in the sand dunes of Mitchell’s Plain and surrounds. In early 1994…

1
Minisode update: Jason Rohde's appeal 6:22

3+ y ago6:22

6:22

I’m just jumping into your new episode feeds with a mini update. This refers to episode five – the killing of Susan Rohde in 2016, for which her husband Jason Rohde was convicted in late 2018. Jason was found guilty by Judge Salie-Hlope in the Western Cape High Court. Now, on 16 August 2021, Jason has appealed this ruling in the Supreme Court of Ap…

1
The Station Strangler P1: "One of us" 34:59

3+ y ago34:59

34:59

The case of the Station Strangler unfolds at a critical and tense juncture of South African history. The majority of events here take place between 1986 and 1995, the last few years of apartheid. In fact, eleven victims bodies are found just weeks before our first democratic election in 1994. Only one man has ever been convicted of any crime associ…

1
The Devil in the ‘dorp: What Cecilia's Krugersdorp cult did next 36:10

4y ago36:10

36:10

This is part two of the Krugersdorp cult killings. At the centre of this is a woman called Cecilia Steyn who has created this epic backstory for herself, in which she is a former Satanist, a ritualistic abuse survivor, who wants to transform her life and walk with christ. So far she’s convinced Ria Grunewald and Ria’s prayer group turned sect Overc…

1
Devil in the ‘dorp: The Krugersdorp cult killers 27:18

4y ago27:18

27:18

This is the story of eleven murders and six accused murderers. There are multiple methods of killing, multiple disposal MOs, a period of almost a decade from the first slayings to the sentencing, and many locations. You will meet some of the strangest characters, and hear bizarre, meandering stories of events and reasoning built on a flimsy pretext…

1
Devil in the ‘dorp: “Samurai killer” Morne Harmse 26:02

4y ago26:02

26:02

It’s Monday morning August 18th, 2008 at a school in Krugersdorp. The bell has just rung for morning assembly so all the students are making their way towards the hall in groups, chatting among themselves. Two 16-yo boys Jacques Pretorius and his friend JC are walking in together when the unthinkable happens. They didn’t have any real warning. Some…

1
Burial above ground: the Vlakfontein murders 28:28

4y ago28:28

28:28

Vlakfontein is the kind of place where you know your neighbours by name and by sight. But in October of 2018, no one had seen the Khoza family from 4192 Ibis Crescent for a few days. There are quite a few people who call this property home. Mbali Khoza is the homeowner, and she lives here with a long-term boyfriend Fita Khupe and her sister Dudu Kh…

1
Death en suite: Susan Rohde 25:29

4y ago25:29

25:29

It’s 2016, July 24th, and the receptionist on duty of Spier Hotel has just taken a call from a guest in need of a maintenance man. Spier is a four-star hotel, positioned on one of the country’s oldest wine farms. Maintenance work Desmond Daniels responds to the call, and at this moment, of the lock turning, two versions of the story splinter off. W…

1
Hate and homicide: The murder of Noxolo Nogwaza 28:30

4y ago28:30

28:30

Today I’m talking about hate crimes and homophobia in South Africa. For this episode, we are traveling to KwaThema, a township in Gauteng. There is electricity in kwathema, but there are also these huge towering spotlight-style street lights. They’re lifted that high to try provide a measure of light and security, but there are always bits the ligh…

1
Minisode: Leigh Matthews killer wants parole 9:29

4y ago9:29

9:29

25 June 2021 - Earlier this week news broke that convicted murderer Donovan Moodley is applying for parole. Donovan was convicted for the kidnapping and murder of Leigh Matthews, which was the subject of episode one of It Happened Here, so if you haven’t yet done so, give that a listen so you have a good idea just how cold, remorseless, and twisted…

1
The senseless death of Uyinene Mrwetyana, and the despair of a nation. 21:35

4y ago21:35

21:35

Uyinene – sometimes called Nene – was just 19 years old when she disappeared while out and about running errands, prompting a nationwide alarm and search. It is often credited as the spark of the #aminext movement, which was a local iteration of the global #metoo movement. This case was so shocking to South Africans that it sparked protests in both…

1
The short life and long legacy of Sheldean Human 21:56

4y ago21:56

21:56

This story is full of disturbing and mature material. It also deals with violence against children and sexual assault. So please bear that in mind before listening. Sheldean Human was born on the second of April 1999, to mother Elize and father Wikus. By the time we enter the story, Her parents divorced and Sheldean lives with her mom in Pretoria, …

1
The kidnapping and murder of Leigh Matthews 28:47

4y ago28:47

28:47

It’s the 21st of July 2004, Eliot Makhubela and his nephew Samuel were cutting grass in open patches of land near the village of Walkerville, South Africa. Eliot made a living drying and selling this long grass as roof thatching. It had been a long day, and although they were knocking off, they decided to stop by one last spot. This was where they …

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