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Reading D&D Aloud

Ben Riggs
Dungeons & Dragons
Magic System
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
Spell Acquisition
Curse Of Strahd
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide
Half-Orcs
2024 D&D Edition
Orcs
5th Edition Player's Handbook
Nets
Ranged Attacks
Homebrew Rules
Dungeon Master's Guide
Jack Vance
Game Design
Sympathetic Magic
Library Of Alexandria
Matt Colville
Critical Role

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes74Founded2 years ago
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LeisureGames

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Artwork for Reading D&D Aloud

Latest Episodes

Why borg?

Today on the show, we’re joined by Zac Goins, RPG designer, Kickstarter consultant, and all-around tabletop creative. Zac has worked with Marvel, Wizards of the Coast, Modiphius, and more, and currently serves as Director of Marketing for... more

Today, we’ve got a four-way! Listen and marinate in the brilliance of Justin Alexander, Panayiotis Lines, & Aled Lawlor! Aled Lawlor and Panayiotis Lines are the creative duo behind Leyline Press. In just a few short years, Leyline has carved out a ... more

Today, I am going to talk turkey with fellow historian and bestselling author, Michael Witwer. His books, such as Empire of Imagination, the acclaimed biography of Gary Gygax, and the lavish Dungeons & Dragons: Art & Arcana, have helped bring the hid... more

Welcome to D&D Outloud with Ben Riggs, I am Ben Riggs, apparently controversial D&D historian and author of Slaying the Dragon A Secret History of Dungeons & Dragons, and over the past 13 years of writing and podcasting, I have met hundreds of creati... more

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Recent Guests

Justin Alexander
Influential figure in tabletop RPG culture, known for The Alexandrian blog.
Episode: "All RPGS are inherently unfinished"- A conversation with Justin Alexander, Panayiotis Lines & Aled Lawlor EP 73
Aled Lawlor
Co-founder and designer at Leyline Press, known for distinctive roleplaying games.
Leyline Press
Episode: "All RPGS are inherently unfinished"- A conversation with Justin Alexander, Panayiotis Lines & Aled Lawlor EP 73
Panayiotis Lines
Co-founder and designer at Leyline Press, focuses on innovative game mechanics.
Leyline Press
Episode: "All RPGS are inherently unfinished"- A conversation with Justin Alexander, Panayiotis Lines & Aled Lawlor EP 73
Michael Witwer
Author and Gygax biographer
Author of Empire of Imagination and Dungeons & Dragons, The Book of Dragons
Episode: Let’s talk about Uncle Gary: A conversation with Gygax’s biographer, Michael Witwer Ep. 72
Jeremy Bent
Comedian, writer, and voice actor known for Tooning Out the News and the sci-fi comedy podcast Mission to Zyxx
Comedy Central
Episode: The Ring Knight Honors the Weeping Seer-with Jeremy Bent & Chris McDowall Ep. 71
Chris McDowall
Creator of Into the Odd and Mythic Bastionland, known for his innovative approach to RPG design
Bastionland
Episode: The Ring Knight Honors the Weeping Seer-with Jeremy Bent & Chris McDowall Ep. 71
Liz Schuh
Former Head of Publishing and Licensing for Dungeons & Dragons at Wizards of the Coast.
Wizards of the Coast
Episode: "All of the $ should be coming to Wizards-" an interview with the former WotC Book Team Ep. 69
Chris Lindsay
Former product manager and significant contributor to the DM's Guild.
Wizards of the Coast
Episode: "All of the $ should be coming to Wizards-" an interview with the former WotC Book Team Ep. 69
Luke Gearing
Tabletop role-playing game designer known for his work in RPGs including Acid Death Fantasy and Gradient Descent.
Episode: This Guy Reviewed an RPG that Doesn't Exist! Ep. 68 with Luke Gearing & Leo Hunt

Host

Ben Riggs
D&D Historian and Host

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 28 ratings
  • 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 States4 months 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 States10 months 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago
  • RD&DA makes my week better

    There’s nothing better than grabbing a cup of coffee and meditating on D&D and the nature of tabletops in general. As someone who is here for the digressions I love RPGs as a jumping off point to talk about history, business, human nature, and sometimes bbq.

    It really does have the feel of a D&D session in that we get together for the game, but there’s so much more to talk about.

    They do read from the text sometimes and I can’t wait for them to get through the guides so that I can start playi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dragonslayerlars
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

There is a mix of positive and critical feedback, with some praising deep discussions while others mention frustration over content accessibility.
Listeners find the show to be a unique blend of historical analysis and humor, often likening it to a 'Bible study' for D&D fanatics.
The podcast's community-focused discussions resonate well, emphasizing the shared history and culture surrounding TTRPGs.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful exploration of D&D lore and game design, with many eager for more episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#227
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#17
Norway/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#45
Brazil/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#76
New Zealand/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#89
Finland/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#115
Norway/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"All RPGS are inherently unfinished"- A conversation with Justin Alexander, Panayiotis Lines & Aled Lawlor EP 73
Q: How has Justin's work influenced you?
Panny recounts how experiencing Justin's blog and techniques, like the free clue rule, transformed his approach to game design and DMing.
"D&D is Not in the Innovation Biz" A Conversation with Two 4th Ed Designers- Ep 70
Q: Could you give an example of something that's exciting you in the tabletop role-playing game space right now?
Rob mentions his interest in games like Daggerheart and Drawsteel, which are exploring new areas within tabletop fantasy games.
"D&D is Not in the Innovation Biz" A Conversation with Two 4th Ed Designers- Ep 70
Q: Are tons of people actually playing 4th Edition right now? Or are they talking about it?
The speakers suggest that it seems like people are talking more about it than actually playing it, although some are exploring the books.
Secrets of the Bestselling D&D Adventure of All Time- Ep 66
Q: Did you have any inkling when you were writing Fandelver that it might be the huge hit that it was?
Richard Baker acknowledged he didn't expect it to sell so many copies, attributing its success to a cultural shift towards tabletop games rather than just the adventure's quality.
Secrets of the Bestselling D&D Adventure of All Time- Ep 66
Q: Could you tell us the story of the creation of perhaps the greatest selling D&D Adventure of All Time?
Richard Baker recounts that he began working on Lost Mine of Phandelver in late 2012 after a layoff, discussing how he crafted the adventure to introduce players to the D&D experience.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Reading D&D Aloud

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

This podcast centers around the exploration and analysis of the foundational texts and adventures of Dungeons & Dragons, engaging in a thought-provoking examination of the game's history, development, and cultural impact. The hosts often feature significant guests, including designers, authors, and past employees of Wizards of the Coast, who contribute insights into the evolution of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). Conversations cover a wide range of topics, from game mechanics to narrative structures and the philosophical implications of role-playing, making it a rich resource for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The unique blend of scholarly discussion and casual banter adds depth and entertainment to the analysis of D&D's sacred tex... 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. The Vintage RPG Podcast
3. The GROGNARD Files
4. Save for Half podcast
5. 3d6 Down The Line

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

Reading D&D Aloud launched 2 years ago and published 74 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. Justin Alexander
2. Aled Lawlor
3. Panayiotis Lines
4. Michael Witwer
5. Jeremy Bent
6. Chris McDowall
7. Liz Schuh
8. Chris Lindsay

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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