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 | 265 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HobbiesLeisure | |||
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Latest Episodes
Welcome to the ninth episode of Creative Contraband! Danny Barrett dives into very popular TV shows to enlighten us about the art of “eliminating” characters (or not).
Today you’ll learn valuable lessons about resurrection, character arcs, keeping s... more
Have you ever sat around your table while you and your party are in a combat encounter and thought, "This should be going more smoothly..." Well, you aren't alone! Fixing the stutters, the pauses, the minutes and hours spent on someone figuring out w... more
In today's episode, we explore the potential teachings of Solo Roleplaying, guided by our usual host, Danny Barrett.
Learn how to identify your strengths as a Dungeon Master with minimal effort, and while having fun.
Thanks for listening to today’s... more
What actually makes a great D&D encounter?
In this episode, we break down 7 essential rules for encounter design that will instantly level up your sessions—whether you’re running combat, exploration, or social scenes.
You’ll learn how to design enc... more
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Reviews
- Very good
It’s a good useful podcast. Its definitely levelled up my DMing
Apple Podcasts5_kholin_
Australiaa month 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 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 Podcasts5lipphilzUnited States2 years 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 Podcasts5UhnonemusUnited States2 years ago
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Apple Podcasts | #181 |  Canada/Leisure/Hobbies |
Apple Podcasts | #232 | United Kingdom/Leisure/Hobbies |
Apple Podcasts | #15 |  Poland/Leisure/Hobbies |
Apple Podcasts | #30 |  Spain/Leisure/Hobbies |
Apple Podcasts | #39 |  South Africa/Leisure/Hobbies |
Apple Podcasts | #76 |  Belgium/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. So You Wanna Be a Dungeon Master
2. Letters from an American
3. Not Another D&D Podcast
4. Consider This from NPR
5. The Ezra Klein Show
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this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 265 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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Recent guests on this podcast include:
1. Kyle Shire
2. London Carlisle
3. DM Shea
4. DM Kyle
5. Jay Foster
6. Ashley May King
7. Samantha Fortune
8. Dan Wells
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