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Artwork for Dungeon Master Diaries

Dungeon Master Diaries

Matt Bruner & Jody Kropholler
Shadowdark RPG
Shadowdark
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 monthlyEpisodes69Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureHobbies

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Artwork for Dungeon Master Diaries

Latest Episodes

Matt and Jody discuss the priest class.

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 Discord channel!

To purchase Shado... more

YouTube

Matt and Jody discuss playing systems other than Shadowdark (GASP!).

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 Discord... more

YouTube

Matt and Jody discuss using Shadowdark to run long-term campaigns.

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 Discord c... more

YouTube

Matt and Jody discuss Shadowdark's initiative system.

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 Discord channel!

To ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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

Jody Kropholler
Co-host of the show; GM and moderator; has affiliations with Stingbat Radio Network and Dungeon Master Diaries (self-hosted as applicable).
Matt Bruner
Co-host of the show; Host and frequent collaborator; has affiliations with Dungeon Master Diaries and related networks.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 79 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
    Canada11 days ago
  • Best Shadowdark Podcast

    I love love love this podcast so much. Perfect!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jacobyyoung
    United States3 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 States4 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 States10 months 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.

Audience values the mix of system analysis and real-table anecdotes.
Listeners praise the practical DM tips and high production quality.
Fans note strong chemistry between hosts and insightful takes on Shadowdark mechanics.
Community praise for helpful sponsor reads and consistent episode quality.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#127
Italy/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#210
Australia/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#101
Israel/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#146
Austria/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#179
United Arab Emirates/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#186
Ireland/Leisure/Hobbies

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 share practical insights from manyShadowdark sessions, covering system quirks, campaign design, initiative, open-table play, factions, and long-term world-building. Episodes emphasize actionable table tactics, player agency, and balancing homebrew ideas with core mechanics, often enriched by real-world play experiences and sponsor breaks. The show stands out for its hands-on DM philosophy, deep dives into how different modes of play shape pacing and vibe, and a willingness to critique and iterate on their own practices. Listeners likely get a clear sense of how to run tighter combat, weave narrative through factions, and adapt rules to support engaging long-form campaigns while keeping the table collaborative and fun.

Where can I find podcast stats for Dungeon Master Diaries?

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How many listeners does Dungeon Master Diaries get?

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How many episodes of Dungeon Master Diaries are there?

Dungeon Master Diaries launched 2 years ago and published 69 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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