Best Tabletop Tavern Podcasts (2025)

1
Live Dash Review | Surviving a Convention-Speed D&D Adventure | Wandering DMs S07 E16 1:02:26

4d ago1:02:26

1:02:26

Dan and Paul return from the Rising Phoenix Game Con with tales from the front lines of fast-paced dungeon creation! In this episode, they break down their latest Dungeon Design Dash, crafted live in front of a seminar audience and then playtested at the convention just two days later. What worked? What didn’t? And what did the players do that nobo…

1
D&D Twenty-Sided Tavern | D&D as Live Theater | Wandering DMs S07 E15 1:02:35

4d ago1:02:35

1:02:35

Dan & Paul get to chat with R. Alex Murray, one of the cast members of Twenty-Sided Tavern, a live theatrical D&D stage production! TST has had a smash year off-Broadway in New York City, and now they're about to take the show across the country. What's the difference between playing D&D at home with friends, versus entertaining hundreds of audienc…

1
Bill Webb! | Necromancer Games | Wandering DMs S07 E14 1:03:37

6d ago1:03:37

1:03:37

Paul & Dan chat with the legendary Bill Webb, founder of Necromancer Games and Frog God Games. Bill's back with a new, even-more-old-school TTRPG ruleset -- the Necromancer's Game, naturally! We find out how "wild man" Bill Webb runs his own regular home games, and what "First Edition Feel" means in 2025. Plus more surprises! Join the Kickstarter f…

1
S3 Ep77: The joy of indie games (ft. Penny of Titterpig Academy) 1:15:31

21d ago1:15:31

1:15:31

NEW! You can now message us about this episode: If you are looking for some ides on a new TTRPG to try, this is the episode for you! We sit down with Penny LeScroche; game developer, writer, and 'Headmistress' of the Discord group Titterpig Academy, which helps recommend and teach people a new TTRPG (that isn't D&D). Join us for a conversation all …

1
The Leo Affects: Lorefell Co-Creator: Nate Johnson! 30:05

25d ago30:05

30:05

In this episode we join Nate Johnson Co-creator of Lorefell, who tells us all about the origin and what Lorefell is! LoreFell is a modular, narrative-driven tabletop RPG where you build your character piece by piece — no classes, no limits. You’ll collect and imprint abilities, loot powers from enemies, and reshape your legend with every choice. …

1
The Leo Affects: Musician and Marketing Manager: Whitney Caroline! 32:25

25d ago32:25

32:25

In this interview we chat with Whitney AKA burwell about music, marketing and how things all began. You can follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/burwellmusic/ if you are a musician looking for how to market head here: www.makeasoundwave.com

1
To Show or Not Show the Map? | Revealing Information in D&D | Wandering DMs S07 E13 1:07:51

1M ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Should the DM keep their D&D adventure map hidden, or reveal it to the players at the outset? Dan & Paul discuss the sometimes-surprising benefits of giving your players more information instead of less. From partial dungeon maps as treasure, to visualizing the layout of the wilderness, to games where the map's the thing, we'll share everything we …

1
Moves, Powers, and Skills | Creating unique characters in TTPRGs | Wandering DMs S07 E12 1:03:01

1M ago1:03:01

1:03:01

After a packed weekend at their annual house convention, Dan and Paul return with fresh insights into the mechanics behind the games they played. From the moves-based mechanics of Powered by the Apocalypse titles, to Quest's streamlined abilities, D&D's shifting focus across editions (from old-school attribute checks to modern skill lists), and the…

1
S3 Ep76: Starting your own TTRPG business (ft. Jumpin Jax Tavern) 1:14:52

2M ago1:14:52

1:14:52

NEW! You can now message us about this episode: Join us for our first interview of Season 3 with Mikaela and Kat of Jumpin' Jax Tavern! We discuss their ambitious idea to begin their own small business - offering curated D&D class themed gift-boxes for players and Dungeon Masters alike! Join us as they take us on their journey of their first plans,…

1
Elementals in D&D | From the Source | Wandering DMs S07 E11 1:01:39

2M ago1:01:39

1:01:39

Dan & Paul chat about Elementals in D&D. Where do they come from, and how often do they get used? Are they really a good option for high-level wizards to conjure? And how have they evolved into the newest Monster Manual for D&D 5E 2024? Read Dan's blog on Conjure Elemental Through the Ages And more on the problem of the Air Elemental Whirlwind…

1
WOTC Kills VTT | Wherefore Art Thou Digital Tools? | Wandering DMs S07 E10 1:03:36

2M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

Hasbro/WOTC announced this week that their long-anticipated virtual tabletop tool (VTT), Sigil, is suddenly end-of-life. How did they come to spend so many resources into a project like this, only to cancel it? Does it disrupt their overall strategy for the brand-new 2024 edition of Dungeons & Dragons? What's the landscape of VTT's for D&D look lik…

1
Tom McGrenery | OSR and Story Games | Wandering DMs S07 E09 1:03:25

2M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

Dan and Paul are joined by Tom McGrenery, game designer and co-host of the podcast Fear of a Black Dragon, to discuss the surprising common ground between OSR and story games. Do they have more in common with each other than either has with modern traditional RPGs? Find out what they discover in this thought-provoking episode of Wandering DMs!…

1
Imperium Maledictum in Necromunda - Session One 1:49:00

2M ago1:49:00

1:49:00

This is an audio rip of the YouTube series which can be found ⁠here⁠. LINKS! Imperium Maledictum on DTTRPG: ⁠www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/305328⁠ The Questionnaire (written by Matt): ⁠docs.google.com/presentation/d/1zNTdgOz...⁠ 3 Skulls Discord: Discord: ⁠https://3skulls.tv/discord⁠ 3 Skulls social media links & current project info: ⁠https://3s…

1
The AI Dungeon Master | Review of Playing D&D with an AI DM | Wandering DMs S07 E08 1:06:45

2M ago1:06:45

1:06:45

Can an AI truly run a game of Dungeons & Dragons? In this episode, Paul & Dan review Paul’s recent live-streamed experiment, Martha the AI DM, where he played a session of Basic B/X D&D with an AI as his Dungeon Master. How well did Martha craft adventures, roleplay NPCs, and adapt to unexpected player choices? Did she bring the magic of tabletop s…

1
Imperium Maledictum in Necromunda - Session Zero 1:01:48

3M ago1:01:48

1:01:48

This is an audio rip of the YouTube series which can be found here. LINKS! Imperium Maledictum on DTTRPG: www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/305328 The Questionnaire (written by Matt): docs.google.com/presentation/d/1zNTdgOz... 3 Skulls Discord: Discord: https://3skulls.tv/discord 3 Skulls social media links & current project info: https://3skulls.pub…

1
Tones for Tough Times | Playing D&D when Things are Bad | Wandering DMs S07 E07 1:06:52

3M ago1:06:52

1:06:52

As a DM, should you offer different subject matter to your players when the real world looks grim?By Wandering DMs

1
DMing On The Fly | Running a D&D Game With No Materials | Wandering DMs S07 E06 1:04:21

3M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Paul & Dan dive into the art of running a game with absolutely no materials on hand. Whether it’s an impromptu one-shot, a lost character sheet crisis, or a full-on “I forgot my dice bag at home” scenario, we’ll explore how to keep the adventure rolling with just your wits and a table full of eager players.…

1
Original D&D Greyhawk Supplement | Wandering DMs S07 E05 1:04:48

3M ago1:04:48

1:04:48

Paul & Dan review the first add-on to Original D&D in 1975: Supplement I, Greyhawk! Presenting content and rules changes stemming from Gygax's home campaign, we get new classes (the Thief and Paladin), spells, monsters, and magic items. But how much of it was a boon to D&D in general, and how many were mistakes?…

1
How to Get Away with Murder in D&D | Planning Plots | Wandering DMs S07 E04 1:03:50

4M ago1:03:50

1:03:50

Dan & Paul follow up on our chat about mysteries in D&D: Turning things around, how is the average Thieves' Guild member meant to ply their trade in the world? Given all the magic detection, location, ESP, and other powers, what steps will the average assassin-for-hire take to complete their mission and not get caught?…

1
Mysteries | Running Frustration Free D&D Whodunits | Wandering DMs S07 E03 1:01:59

4M ago1:01:59

1:01:59

In this episode of Wandering DMs, Dan and Paul explore the art of running mysteries in Dungeons & Dragons and other TTRPGs. From crafting compelling clues and red herrings to balancing player agency with narrative tension, they share tips and tricks to keep your players engaged and invested in unraveling the plot. Whether you’re running a murder in…

1
Critical Failures | What’s the Worst that Can Happen? | Wandering DMs S07 E02 57:13

4M ago57:13

57:13

Dan & Paul chat about the role of critical failure and fumble systems in TTRPG systems. Do they add appropriate surprise, unpredictability, realism, and danger to the adventure? Are they more punishing to the players or their opponents? Or are they just more trouble than they're worth?By Wandering DMs

1
Splitting the Party | When Your D&D Group Can’t Keep it Together | Wandering DMs S07 E01 1:01:08

4M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Paul & Dan are back for Season 7, this time diving into the age-old debate: splitting the party. When is it a clever strategy? When is it a recipe for disaster? And what can DMs do to keep the game running smoothly when the group goes their separate ways?By Wandering DMs

1
"The Essential Guide to NPCs: Dungeons & Dragons Storytelling" 26:30

5M ago26:30

26:30

The Essential Guide to NPCs: Dungeons & Dragons Storytelling" In this episode of Tavern Talks Podcast, hosts Adam and Zack delve into the art of world-building and character crafting, specifically focusing on Non-Player Characters (NPCs) in Dungeons & Dragons. They discuss the importance of well-developed NPCs in enriching campaigns, offering pract…

1
2024 Year in Review | Wandering DMs Season 6 | Wandering DMs S06 E41 1:00:53

5M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

Paul & Dan look back on the year 2024 for the Wandering DMs. It's been a momentous year: The 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, a new version of the D&D game, the Chinese Year of the Dragon, in-depth looks at Original vs. Basic D&D, and special guests like Michael Moorcock, Luke Gygax, Jon Peterson, an Matt Finch. Share your high and low point…

1
"From Zero to Hero: First Session Essentials" 43:13

5M ago43:13

43:13

Embarking on Your First D&D Session: Tips and Insights In this episode of the Tavern Talks Podcast, hosts Adam and Zach delve into the significance and intricacies of the inaugural D&D session. They discuss the excitement and challenges faced by both new and experienced Dungeon Masters, sharing personal stories and valuable tips for setting the sta…

1
Crafting Villains | Creating Satisfying Foils for Your Players | Wandering DMs S06 E40 59:01

5M ago59:01

59:01

Dan and Paul discuss ways to create satisfying recurring villains in your D&D campaign. How do you balance the desire for epic, climactic showdowns with the unpredictable, open-ended nature of a TTRPG campaign? Should your villain be the untouchable mastermind pulling strings from the shadows, or someone your players can engage with directly throug…

1
Original vs. Basic D&D Part 3 | Combat! | Wandering DMs S06 E39 59:51

6M ago59:51

59:51

Dan & Paul revisit the Original vs. Basic Dungeon & Dragons collision. This time: As similar as the early editions are, a fundamental place where they differ is the combat turn sequence. Moldvay's B/X rules have a unique turn sequence not seen in other versions of D&D. And for Original D&D (1974), can you even find the turn sequence, anyway? Plus o…

1
Dungeon Design Dash #5 Part 2 | Infested Perch of the Mammoth Egg | Wandering DMs S06 E38 1:00:25

6M ago1:00:25

1:00:25

Dan and Paul return to complete the dungeon design dash for the "Infested Perch of the Mammoth Egg". Unfortunately one hour was just not enough this time around, so they're coming back to complete the adventure, and reveal some of the extra editing passes that go into publishing these adventures. Once complete, this adventure will be posted for sal…

1
Masters of Influence: The Major Factions of D&D 27:38

6M ago27:38

27:38

In this episode of Tavern Talks Podcast, hosts Adam and Zach delve into the five major factions within the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons & Dragons: the Harpers, the Zhentarim, the Lord's Alliance, the Order of the Gauntlet, and the Emerald Enclave. They discuss the philosophies, ranks, and roles each faction plays in campaigns, as well as how these …

1
Dungeon Design Dash #5 | Creating a D&D Adventure in One Hour | Wandering DMs S06 E37 1:07:00

6M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

Dan and Paul are back at it again, creating an entire D&D adventure in just one hour! Armed with only their D&D source books, Matt Finch's excellent Tome of Adventure Design, and the input from live viewers, they'll create a fully stocked and playable D&D dungeon adventure right in front of your eyes. Once it's complete, adventure WDM05 will be pos…

1
Ghouls in D&D | Hungry for More | Wandering DMs S06 E36 1:03:33

7M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

Dan and Paul reflect on the many changing faces of ghouls in D&D and fantasy literature. How did they become one of the most feared monster types? What flavor is best: the one from Lovecraft, Howard, Leiber, Gygax, or Romero? Should they be unthinking undead, or a sentient organized race? What's the best way to skin (or unskin) them in your D&D gam…

1
Scaling D&D Adventures | Tips for Handling Any Group Size | Wandering DMs S06 E35 1:01:12

7M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

This week on Wandering DMs, Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins dive into one of the most common challenges DMs face: scaling D&D adventures when the number of players doesn’t match what the adventure was designed for. Whether you're running a session for fewer players than expected or you suddenly have a larger group to accommodate, adjusting on t…

1
S2 Ep75: Interview - Finding your niche in the TTRPG space (ft. ClassicSamNYGM) 1:27:56

7M ago1:27:56

1:27:56

NEW! You can now message us about this episode: We have another fantastic guest on the show this week; Sam AKA ClassicSamNYGM. Sam is a professional GM, role player, talk show host and all around big-time nerd. She has her own interview show on Twitch where she speaks with guests all over the nerd-realm and asks some really deep questions. We asked…

1
Matt Finch | Tome of Worldbuilding | Wandering DMs S06 E34 1:00:20

7M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

Dan and Paul chat with Matt Finch, the ENNIE-award winning designer of the Swords & Wizardry game, and who also created OSRIC, and the Quick Primer for Old School Gaming. Plus he made our favorite Tome of Adventure Design, as seen in use in the Wandering DMs Dungeon Design Dashes. Next up on Kickstarter is Matt's Tome of Wordbuilding Design. Is thi…

1
Wrath of the Sea Lich | Luke Gygax & 50 Years of D&D | Wandering DMs S06 E33 1:03:24

8M ago1:03:24

1:03:24

Paul and Dan chat with Luke Gygax on the 50th anniversary of D&D and his new old-school mega-adventure, Wrath of the Sea Lich! Wrath of the Sea Lich is a reimagining of his hit series, "Oculus of Senrahbah" originally created for 5e. Luke and Matt enlisted the help of notable designer Sersa Victory to reengineer the scenario for the critically accl…

1
S2 Ep74: Interview - Diversity in TTRPGs (ft. Dungeons & Degrees podcast) 1:11:29

8M ago1:11:29

1:11:29

NEW! You can now message us about this episode: We're back with another interview! This time with the fabulous Adrian and Alex of the chat podcast Dungeons & Degrees. They wanted to bring the topic of diversity in gaming to the table, and each had some really great takes on exactly what that means. Plus, we're all about Selfish Summer now. Find out…

1
Fantasy Foundations: Your First Quest in D&D 33:13

8M ago33:13

33:13

In this episode of the Tavern Talks Podcast, hosts Adam and Zach delve into the importance of the first quest within Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. They discuss various strategies for dungeon masters to craft engaging initial adventures, including the role of NPCs, balancing challenges, and incorporating rewarding elements. They share personal anecd…

1
D&D Party Size | Gathering the Right Number of Troops | Wandering DMs S06 E32 1:00:13

8M ago1:00:13

1:00:13

Dan and Paul, the Wandering DMs, discuss the right number of players for D&D and other TTRPGs. How many is too many? How few is too few? What factors play into choosing the right range of party size for your adventure design? Team size and team composition affect team processes and team outcomes. The optimal size (and composition) of teams is debat…

1
Travel Encounters in D&D | Wandering Why? | Wandering DMs S06 E31 1:01:55

8M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

Paul and Dan do a deep dive on the state of travel encounters in classic D&D and other games. Should they be based on random wandering tables, or fine-tuned by the DM for the given adventure session? Is the goal to simulate a living world, or to challenge the PCs at the table? Should the DM know in advance what will happen, or share in the surprise…

1
S2 Ep73: Potions - Creating a "Jobs Board" 56:44

8M ago56:44

56:44

NEW! You can now message us about this episode: In our Potions segments, we like to practice our improv skills and make TTRPG things together on the fly. In this Potions episode, we make what we call a Jobs Board, or a community posting place for all sorts of tasks and fetch quests that your players can pursue. This is a fun thing that you can add …

1
G2B Interviews: Erik Talks Excalibur.JS and Open Source Game Development

8M ago

—

Join the Gutter Geeks as they join Erik from Excalibur.JS as we discuss their open source game development platform. Visit them at https://excaliburjs.com/ Excalibur Discord: https://discord.gg/W6zUd4tTY3 Excalibur Deep Dive Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pvSQkigIYA Excalibur Newsletter: https://news.excaliburjs.com Excalibur Video Course C…

1
Rutskarn’s Gambit | Creating Political Intrigue with Boot Hill | Wandering DMs S06 E30 1:00:40

8M ago1:00:40

1:00:40

Dan and Paul are joined by special guest Adam "Rutskarn" DeCamp, author of the blog Chocolate Hammer. Rutskarn will share his experience running a highly political campaign using the original TSR Western RPG Boot Hill, first published in 1975. How can a game with zero rules for social interactions and a highly deadly combat system actually encourag…

1
D&D Beyond Update Fail! | Backward-Compatibility Blues | Wandering DMs S06 E29 1:01:15

8M ago1:01:15

1:01:15

Dan and Paul wrap up the most recent Wizards D&D Beyond fumble -- a decision to retract all the items, magic, and spells from the 2014 version of D&D 5th Edition, and replace all content globally with the 2024 revised D&D content (whether players wanted it or not!). After public outcry, WOTC flip-flopped on their decision, but was it a preventable …

1
S2 Ep72: Cantrips 51:55

9M ago51:55

51:55

NEW! You can now message us about this episode: We talk about the utility of Cantrips in this one. How can they work as a DM, and also some of the more useful ones for players. There's also those Cantrips that we think are well, pretty useless.... Let us know what your favorite or most useful cantrips are in the prompt above, or come find us on Soc…

1
The Art of Crafting the Big Bad Evil Guy (BBEG) 43:32

9M ago43:32

43:32

Introduction "Well met, weary travelers!" Adam welcomes listeners back to the Tavern Talks Podcast. Zac, the ever-watchful co-host, stands ready for today's epic discussion. Set in a virtual tavern filled with anticipation, today's episode celebrates the most iconic antagonists of D&D campaigns—the Big Bad Evil Guys (BBEGs). Main Discussion: Crafti…

1
Creating D&D Pre-Gens | Character Creation for One-Shots | Wandering DMs S06 E28 1:03:01

9M ago1:03:01

1:03:01

Paul and Dan discuss creation of pre-generated characters for one-shot roleplaying games. From the fastest and easiest ways to quickly generate stats, to crafting unique back-stories that fit (or fight) with the plot. How does it differ between styles of game, and when, if ever, to let the players create their own characters for one-off and convent…

1
Battle Ready: Unleashing the Secrets of D&D Combat Mechanics 38:30

9M ago38:30

38:30

In this episode of Tavern Talks, Zach and Adam take a deep dive into the essentials of D&D combat, focusing on three main aspects: initiative, actions & movement, and combat mechanics. Whether you're a new DM or a seasoned player, you'll learn how to streamline your combat sessions and master these critical elements. What You'll Learn: Initiative &…

1
The Measure of Man in D&D | Statting Real People in TTRPGs | Wandering DMs S06 E27 1:03:15

9M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Dan & Paul scope out principles for statting out real people in D&D and other role-playing games. What do the standard ability scores really mean, anyway? How have they varied over editions of D&D across the years? And how can we compare and model real people in other games like Call of Cthulhu, Star Frontiers, and Fearful Ends? Kinanthropometry is…

1
Session Zero - Crafting the Perfect Start 46:11

9M ago46:11

46:11

In this inaugural episode of Tavern Talks Podcast, hosts Adam and Zac dive deep into 'Session Zero,' the crucial foundation for any Dungeons & Dragons campaign. They discuss the importance of setting expectations, character creation, world-building, and establishing communication and boundaries between Dungeon Masters and players. The episode offer…

1
Creeping Doom Playtest | Co-DMing Social Encounters | Wandering DMs S06 E26 1:02:33

9M ago1:02:33

1:02:33

Dan & Paul give a postmortem on running their fourth Dungeon Design Dash product, Creeping Doom of the Pumpkin King, in a co-DM fashion. It's their first DDD wilderness adventure, and surprises abound! What happens when the party pursues mostly social encounters with a dedicated Adversary DM? Can two DMs swap out musical-chairs NPCs without going c…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Tabletop Tavern Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide