Episodes

Jan. 1, 2021

Time

Back on home turf with Tim Hill who plays Ulrik in our actual-play podcast Dungeons, Dice, and Dudes . In this episode we discuss not only the mechanical impact of time in-universe on topics such as split parties, but also al...
Dec. 25, 2020

Structure

The first European episode! Despite the relatively benign sounding topic of "Structure", Ian ( @thefoolishswamidm ) and I discuss many thoughtful and deep topics, such as empathy, care, and responsibility. In this episode you...
Dec. 18, 2020

Macro

This episode I talk about all the big things with Nathan Briggs, my DM from our Dungeons, Dice, and Dudes actual-play podcast. We discuss how Dungeons & Dragons has changed over the years, from "nerds in the basement" to prim...
Dec. 11, 2020

Emotion

Another international episode! I found my "Dungeon Master Friend" in Manny, a.k.a Growed Up Geek , who's enthusiasm is infectious. We cover the gamut from DM loneliness and anxiety, all the way up to eliciting those emotional...
Dec. 4, 2020

Mistakes

"A crazy babble of death and anteaters." My good friend of 20 years, Jamie Mitchell, joins me to talk about all the mistakes we've made on our parallel journey to DM-hood. How these mistakes have shaped us and the mitigation ...
Guest: Jamie Mitchel
Nov. 27, 2020

Happiness

This time I'm joined by Simon Eustace , and this episode is chock full of life lessons; you're going to come out the other side a better human being. Simon brings his four years of experience of playing unique D&D characters,...
Guest: Simon Eustace
Nov. 20, 2020

Roles

The second international episode! I'm joined by Howie, a.k.a the Blue Collar DM , and hooo boy do we hit some big topics. Everything from representing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to how to role play earnestly, and stayi...
Nov. 13, 2020

Design

A landmark episode! I'm joined by Karim, a.k.a FeverDreamStudios , and we get real deep into the design of D&D. How it's designed, how to design for it, and ways that PCs and DMs can design around and with each other. Too man...
Nov. 6, 2020

Experience

In this first of a two-parter, Ian Langton and I discuss how the "experience" of Dungeons & Dragons has shifted, not only since earlier editions, but also as the players mature. Ways to get "good" experience, and how differin...
Guest: Ian Langton
Oct. 30, 2020

Ability

Jack Wain and I discuss what "ability" means within the 5e context. We take a look at what makes an effective player and how those skills are transferable to being a successful DM. We discuss ability skills and how some, such...
Guest: Jack Wain
Oct. 24, 2020

Conflict

Rob McPerhson and I discuss how "conflict" is an intrinsic part of the D&D experience; constructive and destructive conflict between PCs, but also how every PC requires an internalised conflict pushing them to adventure. We c...
Guest: Rob McPherson
Oct. 7, 2020

Trailer

Podcast trailer for Thinking Critically: A D&D Discussion. A discussion show with different guests each episode. We take a single concept or idea and discuss what that means within the D&D framework to help you get the most o...