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 out your sessions, whatever side of the screen you sit on. Consider it an NPR-style, variety bucket of thought-provoking analysis and humorous anecdotes!
All music by Kevin MacLeod.
Art by Béi: https://www.beiworkshop.com/
Translation
Welcome back! I'm joined by fellow Englishman Austin, a.k.a. AC Whikcom, to discuss how to translate concepts and ideas into your TTRPG settings. Austin takes us through how to take those errant thoughts you have at 3am and turn them into publishable content worldwide, with a spattering of anecdotes throughout. We also criticise the language bloat of D&D 5e, and conclude that having a million random, niche languages that only one creature speaks probably doesn't add much value!
02:48 - From Brain to Page
15:41 - A Creative Journey
37:51 - The Language Problem
49:21 - Self-Publishing
53:56 - Genre Remixing
Buy Dead Surprise on Amazon!
Find Austin on:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/A-C-Whikcom/author/B0CHWCZHT2
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/dead-surprise/a-c-whikcom/9781803528717
Website: https://www.acwhikcom.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Lands-of-Ferox/100086909630678/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landsofferox/
Find Thinking Critically online:
Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD
Patrons:
Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/
Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeodIntermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeodOutro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod
Podcast art by Lily from https://www.facebook.com/beiworkshop
12/22/2023 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 35 seconds
Influence
It's my pleasure to welcome back to the show a previous guest from the Generations episode, Mikey! What I had intended to be a "how characters can influence the campaign" discussion, quickly turned into what makes us tick, where we get inspiration from, and the people who've supported us along the way. Listen for titbits on how to conscientiously crib from popular culture and advice on finding our own DM soundboard.
02:00 - The Sub/Conscious Real World
29:31 - Art Rather than Science
36:52 - The Thinking Critically Effect
Find Thinking Critically online:
Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD
References:
'Generations' episode of Thinking Critically
'Ravenloft' episode of Thinking Critically
Patrons:
Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/
Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeodIntermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeodOutro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod
Podcast art by Lily from https://www.facebook.com/beiworkshop
10/6/2023 • 57 minutes, 54 seconds
Generations
I'm joined once again by John from Double Fox Gaming, but this time, he's bought reinforcements! It's my pleasure to also host Glenn, Matt, and Mike to discuss the legacy of Dungeons & Dragons. The guys take us through five generations of play, and how the wishes of one character can have cascading effects decades later. We hear the epic parable of The Abyss Donkey, which is ultimately a lesson in how gaming can bring us all together, no matter the circumstances.
04:27 - Harn's Legacy
14:27 - Inheriting the Hobby
32:28 - The Abyss Donkey (TM)
51:01 - Maturing Attitudes
57:48 - How the Game has Changed
Find John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doublefoxgaming/
Find Thinking Critically online:
Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD
References:
'Ravenloft' episode of Thinking Critically
'123s of D&D' by Ivan Van Norman and Wizards RPG Team, ISBN-10: 0786966688
'ABCs of D&D' by Ivan Van Norman and Wizards RPG Team, ISBN-10: 0786966661
Patrons:
Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/
Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeodIntermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeodOutro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod
Podcast art by Lily from https://www.facebook.com/beiworkshop
9/8/2023 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 46 seconds
Immersion
We're back! And this time joined by Anya, a.k.a. La Lionne Cosplay, to discuss immersion in your TTRPGs. Anya shares her experience as a Pro-GM on ways to truly pull your players into the game, no matter the system or medium.
04:29 - Remote vs. In Person
12:41 - “Acting Is What You Do When You’re Not Saying Lines”
21:09 - Filling the Space
33:25 - Soft Edges
50:47 - Toggling that Role Play Brain
Tale of the Manticore: https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/
Find Anya on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lalionnecosplay
Itch.io: https://lalionnepublishing.itch.io/mountaintop-isolation
StartPlaying: https://startplaying.games/gm/lalionne
Find Thinking Critically online:
Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD
References:
Aether: https://eldritchcrow.itch.io/aether-a-heroic-fantasy-rpg
Ramona a.k.a. Alderdoodle: https://twitter.com/alderdoodle
Under the Floorboards: https://loottheroom.itch.io/under-the-floorboards
Patrons:
Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/
Dial-up modem 'Modron voice' sound from BBC Sound Effects: https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/search?q=07070097
Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeodIntermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeodOutro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod
Podcast art by Lily from https://www.beiworkshop.com/
8/4/2023 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 47 seconds
Production
For this productive episode I'm joined by Sarah, CEO of Girls Run these Worlds, who's hear to share her knowledge and experience on how to produce top quality TTPRG content. No matter your reach or experience, there is always opportunity for growth and learning, so we cover some typical gotchas and best practice to help you get off the starting block!
02:19 - Best Practice & GRtW History
27:40 - From Casual to Professional
46:18 - Live Production Considerations
Find Sarah from Girls Run these Worlds on:
Girls Run These Worlds Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/girlsruntheseworlds
Girls Run These Worlds Twitter: https://twitter.com/girlsrunworlds
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SMooreAD
Find Thinking Critically online:
Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD
References:
Foozca on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/foozca
Patrons:
Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/
Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeodIntermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeodOutro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod
Podcast art by Lily from https://www.beiworkshop.com/
6/23/2023 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 18 seconds
Ravenloft
John Gent, DM of our D&D one-shot from the RPGaming Faversham event, joins us to discuss everything and anything about his favourite Dungeons & Dragons setting.
03:04 - History of Ravenloft
21:42 - Responsive Bleakness
33:53 - Delineating "Depression"
42:43 - Integrating Ravenloft into your Campaign
Find Thinking Critically online:
Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD
Patrons:
Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/
Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeodIntermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeodOutro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod
Podcast art by Lily from https://www.beiworkshop.com/