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Reading D&D Aloud

Ben Riggs
Dungeons & Dragons
Tabletop Role-Playing Games
Wizards Of the Coast
Role-Playing Games
Shadowdark
Game Design
4th Edition
Gary Gygax
Wish Spell
TSR
Ravenloft
Kickstarter
Tabletop Rpgs
Vampire the Masquerade
13th Age
Curse Of Strahd
Old School Renaissance
3rd Edition
Orcs
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons

It's like Bible study for D&D fanatics! Slaying the Dragon author and historian Ben Riggs & TRPG scholar Dr. Scott M. Bruner read and analyze the most sacred texts of Dungeons & Dragons (from original edition rules to modern adventures)! They are often joined by special guests, including current and former Wizards employees, contemporary academics, and modern designers, to meditate on the inspirat... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes111Founded2 years ago
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GamesLeisure

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Latest Episodes

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This is the Wildest Magic System You've Ever Seen! THIEVES OF THE TOME is an ENnie-nominated game where you bring a book to the table and you use it to cast magic! Check out creator George Philbrick's other games here: dairykillsme.itch.io/

A chat with multiple ENnie-nominee Justin Sirois! Pickup his fantastic game, THE SICKEST WITCH here: www.severedbooks.com/ Back his most recent Kickstarter here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/justinsirois/sickest-wretch-for-sickest-wi... more

Delta Green is the RPG of modern existential horror. Events from the game appear to have been bleeding into our reality. We discuss with the following luminaries: Ross Payton is the man with the golden throat. He has been podcasting continuously sinc... more

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Recent Guests

George Philbrick
George Philbrick of The First Pancake
First Pancake Studios
Episode: STEAL BOOKS! CAST UNHOLY MAGIC! ESCAPE! A conversation with George Philbrick Ep. 109
Dennis Detwiller
Co-creator of Delta Green, Arc Dream
Arc Dream
Episode: Is Delta Green Happening in the Real World? A conversation with Dennis Detwiller & Ross Payton. Ep. 107
Ross Payton
Game designer, RPPR host
Roleplayed by the Gradients
Episode: Is Delta Green Happening in the Real World? A conversation with Dennis Detwiller & Ross Payton. Ep. 107
John Boyle
Co-creator, discussant on Mushie Missions
Bright Bar Games
Episode: Mushrooms that Talk to Gods! A conversation about ENnie Nominated MUSHIE MISSIONS. Ep. 106
Bree Dodon
Artist for Mushie Missions and Bright Bar Games collaborator
Bright Bar Games
Episode: Mushrooms that Talk to Gods! A conversation about ENnie Nominated MUSHIE MISSIONS. Ep. 106
Samuel Gregor-Stewart
Development Manager for Edge Studio; former lead writer/developer at Fantasy Flight Games
Edge Studio / Fantasy Flight Games
Episode: What is TERRA ANTARCTICA? An ENnies Special with Samuel Gregor-Stewart Ep. 105
Rodney Thompson
Lead designer on Saga Edition and involved in 5th Edition development
Episode: Star Wars Saga Edition Reunion! with Chris Perkins, Owen KC Stephens, & Rodney Thomson Ep. 104
Chris Perkins
D&D veteran, co-designer of Star Wars Saga Edition, author/designer at Darrington Press
Darrington Press
Episode: Star Wars Saga Edition Reunion! with Chris Perkins, Owen KC Stephens, & Rodney Thomson Ep. 104
Michael Callea
D&D historian and researcher
Episode: Is this game a hoax? A conversation with Amabel Holland & Michael Calleia Ep 103

Host

Ben Riggs
Host of the episode, guiding discussions and presenting guests; a recognized D&D historian and author.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 40 ratings
  • Some great insights on the hobby from many of its brightest designers.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    spezbaby
    3 months ago
  • Classic Tactic

    Like a street corner pharmacist , they get you hooked with the free taste of Reading the DMG then moved it to Patreon. The other content is pretty ok, but it’s not quite the same as that first hit of the DMG.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VaTechNut
    United Statesa year ago
  • Pros and cons

    If you are looking for amazing luminaries in the field talking about what it was like to create the systems and work at TSR, you will find it approximately every 4 episodes. If you are looking for discussions of the minutia of the 1st edition DMG, take what is already there, because it disappeared behind a paywall. Be prepared for regular laughter at and personal attacks on “Uncle” Gary Gygax, even when those luminaries attempt to stop or defend him. There are amazing discussions that happen, bu... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Wisearse1
    United States2 years ago
  • THE BIBLE STUDY FOR D&D FANATICS

    If you like Slaying the Dragon, Playing at the World, or Dangerous Games you’ll love this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JohnIsCoolAndHasFriends
    United States2 years ago
  • Is this parody?

    I had to listen just to find out if this show was like the onion or Babylon Bee. These people manage to find racism behind every door and use weasel words like “problematic” to paint a much loved fantasy game into some silly, white supremacy simulation.

    The game is none of those things. You can’t draw comparisons between fantasy races and real world ethnicities without being racist yourself. You intellectual midgets are drawing comparisons between goblins and African Americans with a straight ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bukakke Brian
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

A few reviews highlight the show's high-quality guests and its usefulness for aspiring guests or sponsors to understand the audience.
Some episodes mix humor with candid industry anecdotes, though a few reviews note polarized takes around controversial topics.
Listeners praise the thoughtful, design-forward discussions and the mix of historical analysis with practical RPG publishing insights.
Fans appreciate deep dives into how rules and lore shape play, and the host's ability to steer conversations with guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#114
United States/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#80
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#51
Italy/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#249
Italy/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#33
Denmark/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#58
Norway/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Who is the Sickest Witch? A Conversation with Justin Sirois Ep. 108
Q: Name one role-playing game or product you love that you think others should know about.
Weird Heroes of Public Access by Joey Royale is a standout example of easy-to-pick-up, vibe-forward play that delivers a unique, humorous tabletop experience and demonstrates how indie design can create a memorable and accessible game moment.
Who is the Sickest Witch? A Conversation with Justin Sirois Ep. 108
Q: Why did you decide to make a belt buckle about your witch game?
The belt buckle serves as a tangible, playfully theatrical symbol of the game's identity, tying the witchy theme to a wearable artifact that expands the world and gives players a physical focal point for character expression.
Is this game a hoax? A conversation with Amabel Holland & Michael Calleia Ep 103
Q: What motivates you to create a replica or pastiche of a historical game artifact?
The aim is to recreate the experience of handling an incomplete or context-rich object, to invite players to negotiate meaning, and to explore the relationship between object, author, and audience.
Is this game a hoax? A conversation with Amabel Holland & Michael Calleia Ep 103
Q: What is First Fantasy Campaign and why is it relevant to this discussion?
It's Dave Arneson's notes published posthumously by Judges Guild that laid foundational material for Blackmoor and early D&D; it demonstrates how different representations of the same ideas can coexist and influence the development of the game.
Scouts vs. Cthulhu! A conversation with Seth Skorkowsky and Paul Fricker- Ep 99
Q: Can you think of a scenario in any of the Call of Cthulhu family of games or mythos that more reliably produces horror at the table?
They highlight a Delta Green scenario from the original Convergence by John Tynes as a quintessential horror moment—a town, alien influence, a missing body, and a single room that sustains terrifying tension long after the characters enter, which they consider a masterclass in producing horror at the table.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Reading D&D Aloud

What is Reading D&D Aloud about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful deep-dive into classic and contemporary RPG texts, with a historian and scholars analyzing original D&D rules alongside modern adventures. Discussions frequently center on design philosophy, world-building, and how lore, mechanics, and layout influence play, onboarding, and player relationships. Notable is the blend of rigorous study with practical design insights from veteran designers and academics, plus a steady stream of guests who illuminate publishing, collaboration, and the evolving landscape of tabletop storytelling. The show stands out for its rigorous, text-forward approach to D&D history and design, its willingness to challenge conventions, and its practical take on making complex game systems approachable for both n... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Reading D&D Aloud?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Reading D&D Aloud:

1. Between Two Cairns
2. Ship of the Dead Podcast
3. Bastionland Podcast - Tabletop Roleplaying Game Design
4. Wandering DMs
5. Mastering Dungeons

How many episodes of Reading D&D Aloud are there?

Reading D&D Aloud launched 2 years ago and published 111 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 Reading D&D Aloud?

Recent guests on Reading D&D Aloud include:

1. George Philbrick
2. Dennis Detwiller
3. Ross Payton
4. John Boyle
5. Bree Dodon
6. Samuel Gregor-Stewart
7. Rodney Thompson
8. Chris Perkins

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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