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Artwork for Dungeon Master Diaries

Dungeon Master Diaries

Matt Bruner & Jody Kropholler
Shadowdark
Shadowdark RPG
Role-Playing Games
Dolmenwood
Tabletop Role-Playing Games
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons and Dragons
Saltmarsh
Luck Tokens
Character Development
Caves Of Chaos
Game Mastering
Writer's Block
Dungeon Design
Thief Class
Dungeon Mastering
Miniatures
Community Engagement In Gaming
Campaign Preparation
Player Dynamics

Dungeon Master Diaries is a podcast about Shadowdark and other role-playing games where two GMs talk about their recent experiences at the table, and hopefully give you something useful that you can take to yours.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes74Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesLeisure

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Artwork for Dungeon Master Diaries

Latest Episodes

Matt and Jody discuss Of Sorrow and Clay a Call of Cthulhu one-shot scenario. Buy it HERE.

NOTE: Jody's character was named Eugene Narin, not Blaine Taft.

For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at ... more

YouTube

Matt and Jody discuss a Cursed Scroll III inspired one-shot adventure! Matt also fails miserably at the ad read...

For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com.

• Join us on th... more

YouTube

Matt and Jody discuss the setting book The Dark of Hot Springs Island.

For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com.

• Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Disco... more

YouTube

Matt and Jody have an off the cuff (and unedited) discussion of their GM styles.

For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com.

• Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Lib... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Mike Shea
A prominent figure in the RPG community, known for his work on dungeon mastering and RPG design.
Sly Flourish
Episode: 5E & The OSR with Sly Flourish
Michael Putlack
Game designer and creator of the Shadowdark RPG bestiary
Night Noon Games
Episode: Creating & Adapting Monsters for Shadowdark RPG (with Michael Putlack)
Kelsey Dionne
Designer of Shadowdark RPG and TTRPG content creator
Arcane Library
Episode: Meet the Maker (An Interview with Kelsey Dionne)

Hosts

Matt Bruner
Host/Co-host and GM colleague; long-running voice in the show; acts as primary host with Jody across Shadowdark and OSR topics.
Jody Kropholler
Co-host and GM colleague; GMing styles, world-building, and practical table tips.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 84 ratings
  • This is it

    I listen to a lot of ttrpg podcasts and this is one of my favourites - currently most favourite. Smart, fun, honest, useful. And I don’t even play Shadowdark (but I’d love to). Dont be scared off by the focus on Shadowdark - the discussion applies broadly.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blaine oh
    Canada3 months ago
  • Best Shadowdark Podcast

    I love love love this podcast so much. Perfect!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jacobyyoung
    United States6 months ago
  • Love the ‘Dark!

    I love ShadowDark, so I love these guys and this podcast. You will too. I’m srsly.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rob in Albuquerque
    United States7 months ago
  • My favorite TTRPG podcast

    These guys are great! They’re so engaging and charismatic. The production quality is astoundingly good. They always have great topics to discuss and do a fantastic job and diving in deep on the topic but never allow it to overstay its welcome. I love Shadowdark, but I’m also really intrigued by OSR in general and these guys are the best around for such subject matter.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MrXero
    United Statesa year ago
  • The Definitive Shadowdark Podcast

    This podcast is not only a great Shadowdark podcast, it’s a great ttrpg podcast. The tone and charisma is good, subject matter interesting, and the combined experiences of the hosts are valuable for DMs and players alike. Truly top notch, with an excellent discord community too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Josh W CO
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Engaging hosts with candid, actionable insights for GMs
Smart, practical DM advice with high production quality
Strong focus on Shadowdark but broadly applicable to OSR systems

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#222
United States/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#223
Canada/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#43
Denmark/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#87
Israel/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#149
Sweden/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#215
Denmark/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sandboxing
Q: What do you think about building a sandbox with emergent narratives?
You can't have a meaningful campaign if strict time records are not kept.
Sandboxing
Q: What is your take on stables of characters?
The stable of characters was by design, created through structured session zeros and engaging campaigns.
Sandboxing
Q: How do you feel this particular kind of style of game is going?
From the standpoint of being a sandbox, I think it's going really well with an organic nature.
Glass Cannon Audit
Q: How do you feel about the way the Glass Cannon Podcast plays Shadowdark?
Both hosts appreciate the unique style and dynamics, enjoying how it resonates with their experiences.
End of Year Special (2025 Edition)
Q: Could you discuss module conversions for TSR or 5E?
It often depends on what the original module intended, as conversions can vary widely based on the module's design and how it fits into Shadowdark's mechanics.

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 Dungeon Master Diaries

What is Dungeon Master Diaries about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two veteran GMs discuss practical tabletop RPG insights, with a consistent focus on Shadowdark and related OSR-era systems. Episodes cover class design, GM styles, initiative, sandbox world-building, long-form campaigns, faction dynamics, and how to run engaging open-table sessions. Their conversations blend actionable tips, design critique, and real-table anecdotes, often including sponsor reads and practical housekeeping for running sessions at home, conventions, or online. A standout aspect is the duo's emphasis on craft: pacing, player agency, world-building philosophy, and adapting rules to achieve a desired vibe. Listeners can expect accessible DM guidance, pragmatic house rules, and a strong emphasis on making the game feel playable ... more

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How many listeners does Dungeon Master Diaries get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Dungeon Master Diaries?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Dungeon Master Diaries:

1. Mastering Dungeons
2. Ship of the Dead Podcast
3. The Lazy RPG Podcast - D&D and RPG News and GM Prep from Sly Flourish
4. The Eldritch Lorecast
5. The Glass Cannon Podcast

How many episodes of Dungeon Master Diaries are there?

Dungeon Master Diaries launched 2 years ago and published 74 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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What guests have appeared on Dungeon Master Diaries?

Recent guests on Dungeon Master Diaries include:

1. Mike Shea
2. Michael Putlack
3. Kelsey Dionne

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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