How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM
Justin LewisLearn 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
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 272 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | LeisureHobbies | |||
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Latest Episodes
The back and forth. The planned and cancelled sessions. The frustration when you finally schedule a time to meet and one player can't make it... all of this will be extremely familiar for the common DM. But it doesn't HAVE to be a reoccurring, frustr... more
In Part 2 of this series, we finish breaking down the Performance Pillar of Dungeon Mastering—this time focusing on the two senses most DMs rely on… but rarely master: Sight and Sound.
These are the tools that bring your world to life—but if you’re ... more
Are your players falling into a bit of a complacent rut? Are they playing the game almost on autopilot because it's playing out like so many adventures before? Well, it sounds like there isn't enough chaos in your game! A plot twist, a surprise comba... more
In this episode of How to Be a Better DM, we sit down with special guest Esteban Senzig to explore creativity, collaboration, and what it actually takes to turn big ideas into something real.
We kick things off with our signature segment, Make Your ... more
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- Very good
It’s a good useful podcast. Its definitely levelled up my DMing
Question: I once made a character with expertise in intimidation and andvantage on it. So what I could do is on my turn just intimidate the entire battle field. How should my DMs deal with character like this? (such as bards)
Apple Podcasts5_kholin_
Australia2 months ago - This is great
This podcast really helped me improve my DMing skills
Apple Podcasts5I don’t want to nickname 😭
Canada2 months ago - Very good
It’s a good useful podcast. Its definitely levelled up my DMing
Apple Podcasts5_kholin_Australia3 months ago - 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 Podcasts5DungeonMaster567
United Statesa year ago - Amazing
Just good it helped me start dming
Apple Podcasts5Cubes of the world
United Kingdom2 years ago
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Apple Podcasts | #163 | United States/Leisure/Hobbies |
Apple Podcasts | #188 | United Kingdom/Leisure/Hobbies |
Apple Podcasts | #227 | Canada/Leisure/Hobbies |
Apple Podcasts | #28 |  Denmark/Leisure/Hobbies |
Apple Podcasts | #126 |  Austria/Leisure/Hobbies |
Apple Podcasts | #160 |  Poland/Leisure/Hobbies |
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast
What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A practical, craft-focused show for Dungeon Masters who want to run better games and keep players engaged. Episodes center on pacing, NPC design, storytelling techniques, session prep, and inclusive table dynamics, with a strong emphasis on actionable tips that balance brevity, immersion, and structure. Across recent episodes, listeners get a mix of theory (CASE framework, diegesis, Brechtian approaches) and hands-on tactics (tempo mastery, fear of silence, goal-setting, creative contraband, and streamlined prep). A few standout angles include treating NPCs with extreme, memorable personalities, using pauses effectively to heighten tension, and integrating cross-genre ideas into campaigns. The format tends to blend personal anecdotes with p... more
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1. Dungeons and Daddies
2. Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
3. Stuff You Should Know
4. Sleepy History
5. Sherlock & Co.
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this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 272 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. Esteban Senzig
2. Kyle Shire
3. London Carlisle
4. DM Shea
5. DM Kyle
6. Ashley May King
7. Samantha Fortune
8. Jay Foster
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