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Artwork for How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

Justin Lewis
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons and Dragons
Player Agency
World Building
Railroading
Dungeon Mastering
Dungeon Masters
Non-Player Characters
CASE Framework
Terrainscaping
Consequences In Gameplay
Tabletop Rpgs
Dungeon Master
Improv In Campaigns
Carousing
Downtime Activities
Improvisation
Crafting
Storytelling
Coaching

Learn how to be a better DM (Dungeon Master) so you can tell better stories for yourself and your friends. Learn things like how to start a campaign, how to create realistic NPCs, how to move the plot along, and how and why to use session 0's for your party. Join hosts Justin Lewis, Cayden Ottley and Tanner Weyland as they distill all the DM tips, tools and resources for the beginner DM, for the D... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes236Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

Latest Episodes

The problem of the NPC companion... the poor shmuck that your party drags along with them that YOU suddenly have to play as if you were both a player and a DM. They are just trouble, right? NO! If you learn how to pick your battles when using them in... more

Welcome to How to Be a Better DM

Today we talk about improving improvisation when your players do something out of the blue.

Tip #1: The Rule of Intent - think about the intent of the player as you improvise and try to meet and fulfill that intent.... more

Oh, so you'd like to create EVERY story arc, enemy, NPC, and element of your D&D adventure out of thin air, without resorting to using characters who are blatant knockoffs of well-known actors or movie characters? And let me guess: you'd also like ev... more

Thanks for listening. Today we talk about the secret inner work required to be a great dungeon master. Here are some notes:

People Management of yourself as the DM

Self Validation

Jealousy

Curiosity

Self Regulation

Six Pillars of Self Esteem

D... more

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Recent Guests

Kyle Shire
Senior producer for Critical Role, writer, and comedian
Critical Role
Episode: DM Lessons Learned from Standup Comedy with Kyle Shire
London Carlisle
Dungeon Master and NPC design expert
Session 0 Studios
Episode: No More Boring NPCS - Design a Better NPC with London Carlisle
DM Shea
Dungeon Master and co-host of Dungeon Master Talk
Dungeon Master Talk
Episode: How to make Lifelike NPCs with DMs Shea and Kyle from Dungeon Master Talk
DM Kyle
Dungeon Master and co-host of Dungeon Master Talk
Dungeon Master Talk
Episode: How to make Lifelike NPCs with DMs Shea and Kyle from Dungeon Master Talk
Ashley May King
A talented writer for horror and mystery games, specializing in 'Call of Cthulhu'.
Episode: The Lost Episode? Lessons from Ashley May King on Mastering the Art of DMing in Horror and Mystery
Samantha Fortune
Dungeon Master with experience in running multiple campaigns
Episode: DM Coaching: Timelines and Weather with Samantha Fortune
Jay Foster
Guest from Swole Initiative and game master
Swole Initiative
Episode: Swole Initiative: Player Check-ins and Campaign Themes with Jay Foster
Dan Wells
Best-selling author and co-host of Writing Excuses podcast
Writing Excuses, Dungeon Master Direct
Episode: Dan Wells: What are You Good at As a GM?
Ethan Myers
A Chicago-based D&D expert, professional Dungeon Master, and linguist pursuing a PhD.
Lyres for Hire
Episode: Linguistic Tactics for More Realistic Characters with Ethan Myers from Lyres for Hire

Hosts

Tanner Weyland
Host and Co-host, with a strong background in storytelling and game design.
Justin Lewis
Host and Co-host, known for his engaging voice and insights into game mastering.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 211 ratings
  • Great show

    This is a great podcast. It has helped me grow into a good DM.

    P.S. when will there be more pact and boon episodes?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DungeonMaster567
    United States9 months ago
  • Amazing

    Just good it helped me start dming

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cubes of the world
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Great for a drive

    Really good energy and enjoyable listen. As a 30-year DM, the biggest take away is the energy of other gamers sharing their enthusiasm. This is a very approachable podcast for newer folks with enough crunch for old hats to get value. I just listened to the Swol Initiative episode with analogies to body building and workout plans to DM improvement goals. Helpful ways to frame common DM anxiety. The guest gave some great advice on between game check ins

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lipphilz
    United Statesa year ago
  • Keep it up!

    I’ve been listening to this and Pact and Boon for a while. I still need to catch up on a few episodes, but I’ve enjoyed the podcast a lot. Also, signed up for the Dungeon Master Level up guide and didn’t realize how much work I got myself into. lol. Thanks Justin!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Uhnonemus
    United Statesa year ago
  • it help me get my ideas in a more linear plot. thanks Justin Lewis for making this podcast.

    Audible
    5
    Andrew Keating
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience feedback highlights the fun dynamic between hosts and the sense of community fostered through shared experiences.
Listeners appreciate the practical tips and friendly tone of the hosts, making complex topics accessible for new DMs.
Critics may mention a desire for more depth in some topics, but overall, the advice is considered valuable for various experience levels.
The podcast is noted for its engaging and relatable content, often praised for sparked creativity and enthusiasm among players.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#195
United States/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#65
Norway/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#131
Israel/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#134
Ireland/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#168
Hong Kong/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#180
New Zealand/Leisure/Hobbies

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

DM Lessons Learned from Standup Comedy with Kyle Shire
Q: What lessons would you recommend or give to a GM that apply this sort of conducting principle?
Kyle emphasizes the importance of 'yes, anding' as a technique to enhance the storytelling experience and encourage player engagement.
DM Lessons Learned from Standup Comedy with Kyle Shire
Q: What drove you to even try stand-up comedy?
Kyle shared that his journey started with a passion for theater and writing, leading him to discover the camaraderie of comedy through friends who introduced him to open mics.
Diving Deep into Theme, Fate, and Storytelling with Jay Foster from Swole Initiative
Q: How do you build character development through theme?
By exploring the characters' perspectives on a significant theme within the narrative, allowing their opinions to shift and evolve throughout the story.
Diving Deep into Theme, Fate, and Storytelling with Jay Foster from Swole Initiative
Q: What makes a strong DM?
A strong DM is flexible, works as a team with players, and cares about everyone having fun and getting to tell their story at the table.
GMing 101: Top DM Tips from Dragon Steel Nexus
Q: What do you suggest for a first-time GM struggling to get an idea for a campaign?
Ask players what they're excited about and consider starting with a pre-written module to ease into GMing without excessive preparation.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast is designed to help Dungeon Masters (DMs) enhance their skills in storytelling, game management, and campaign creation for tabletop role-playing games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons. With a focus on practical tips and tools, hosts engage listeners with strategies for everything from starting new campaigns and designing interesting non-player characters to managing complex game mechanics and player dynamics. The content is structured to cater to a wide range of experience levels, ensuring both novice and veteran DMs find invaluable advice to improve their gameplay and foster enjoyable experiences for their players. Unique to this podcast is its balance of insightful discussion and relatable anecdotes, making it accessible whil... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Dungeons and Daddies
2. Critical Role
3. Not Another D&D Podcast
4. High Rollers DnD
5. Trapped Under Plastic

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this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 236 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Kyle Shire
2. London Carlisle
3. DM Shea
4. DM Kyle
5. Ashley May King
6. Samantha Fortune
7. Jay Foster
8. Dan Wells

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