Rephonic
Artwork for Critical Lit
Curse Of Strahd
Barovia
Vallaki
Dungeons & Dragons
Strahd
Vistani
Castle Ravenloft
Gnosticism
Strahd Von Zarovich
Ravenloft
Madame Eva
Barovians
Tomb Of Horrors
Dream Pastries
Lady Wachter
Blazing Sun Festival
Hags
Role-Playing Games
Amber Temple
Aarakocra

Critical Lit is a podcast where we revisit and retool (and lambast and lampoon) classic tabletop RPG adventures. Part book review, part heckling commentary, all in good fun. Hosted by industry veterans Dan Dillon (Legends of Avantris, formerly WotC), I-Hsien Sherwood (Total Party Thrill), Amelia Som (Unprepared Casters), and Sal Tamarkin (Cloud Curio).

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes30Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesArtsBooksLeisure

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Artwork for Critical Lit

Latest Episodes

While Kiril's away, the pups will play! The pack really sinks their claws into each other this time, but the real question is which of the lucky young newcomers to the den will come out on top in this single elimination competition? In this episode: ... more

Visit Yester Hill, a planned community for retired berserkers with absolutely no secrets hidden beneath a thin layer of sod. Evil druids seek to unleash their blood-filled wood upon the world, and even Strahd himself comes here to pine among the pine... more

The final vaults in the basement of the Amber Temple hold the best rewards in all of Barovia. If it's wrong to murder your loved one and drink their blood or sacrifice dozens of innocent souls in order to ensure your immortality, then I don't want to... more

Deep within the Amber Temple, alone in the dark, lurks the most helpful lich in the multiverse. Play your cards right and there's free drinks and body modifications, too. You didn't need those eyeballs, right? In this episode: Chapter 13 (X18-X33b, A... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Hosts

Dan Dillon
Host with long-form RPG and industry background; known for Legends of Avantris and past Wizards of the Coast work.
Amelia Som
Co-host and writer/host known for Unprepared Casters; contributes critical analysis and humor.
Sal Tamarkin
Co-host noted for Cloud Curio; brings design talk and practical GM tips.
I-Hsien Sherwood
Co-host with deep game design insights; also contributes to Total Party Thrill.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • Five stars, entertaining, fun, fortunately woke

    Bottom text

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fullspeedintothesun
    United States11 days ago
  • Love the show!

    Really insightful!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    How many i s in hi ?
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Pitches often emphasize practical DM tips and witty, insightful commentary.
Guests aren't always featured, but the group dynamic and deep dives are consistently praised.
Audience notes the banter and host chemistry as a standout feature.
Listener feedback highlights the show's sharp take on classic modules and their mechanics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#140
Ireland/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#211
Mexico/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#248
New Zealand/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Critical Lit: Curse of Strahd 08 - Innocents and Insensibility
Q: Who do you want to hang out with the most?
I want to hang out with Escher, he's fun to party with, and in a vampire hunting scenario, that might be crucial for survival.
Critical Lit: Curse of Strahd 04 - Gnostic Nosferatu
Q: From the encounters discussed, which would you like to run as a DM?
Dan and Sal both expressed their desire to run the Hanged One encounter for its atmosphere, while Amelia would choose the Turr Pool encampment for the chance to interact with Madame Eva.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Critical Lit

What is Critical Lit about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A witty, deep-dive show that analyzes and retools classic tabletop RPG adventures with a sharp mix of design critique, lore, and table-ready tips. Four hosts—Dan Dillon, I-Hsien Sherwood, Amelia Som, and Sal Tamarkin—bring industry experience and playful banter to episodes that dissect modules, discuss encounter design, and explore how to run or reframe beloved campaigns for modern play. The format blends thorough mechanical analysis with humorous lore riffs and practical GM suggestions, making it particularly useful for DMs seeking new hooks, pacing ideas, and cost-effective table‑setup concepts. A standout trait is the show's willingness to challenge canonical material while offering actionable advice for running or remixing adventures, o... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Critical Lit?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Critical Lit:

1. The Tome Show
2. Shelved By Genre
3. Not Another D&D Podcast
4. Just King Things
5. Worlds Beyond Number

How many episodes of Critical Lit are there?

Critical Lit launched a year ago and published 30 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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