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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes102Founded2 years ago
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LeisureGames

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Latest Episodes

In which Producer Chris continues to mess with all our minds by leaving at least one obvious error in the show!

Today, I have two masters of their craft, two gaming greats whose work is capable of standing on its own two feet and maybe even punchin... more

This week, in honor of crossing 100 episodes, we take a peek behind the curtain of the show to have a chat about the pod itself. Where we're going, and where we've been, are both chewed over. Enjoy!

Episode 100! And is this our best episode ever? A thing Wizards of the Coast has said is that 2024 D&D was the fastest selling version of that game ever produced. I predict that Wizards sold 50,000 copies in the first couple weeks and then made that ... more

First up, we have the gamer's friend, Seth Skorkowsky! Seth is a novelist, YouTuber, multiple ENnie winner, and nerd about town. His YouTube channel is a smorgasbord of RPG goodness, with a tentacle in practically every foetid pool of our beloved hob... more

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Recent Guests

Ben Costa
ENNIE award-winning creator of Land of Eem and co-creator of Daggerheart-related content
Land of Eem / Daggerheart team
Episode: Daggerheart vs. Eem! A conversation with Rowan Hall, Spenser Starke, Ben Costa, & James Parks Ep. 100
James Parks
ENNIE award-winning creator of Land of Eem and co-creator of Daggerheart-related content
Land of Eem / Daggerheart team
Episode: Daggerheart vs. Eem! A conversation with Rowan Hall, Spenser Starke, Ben Costa, & James Parks Ep. 100
Rowan Hall
Co-designer of Daggerheart and Land of Eem worlds
Daggerheart / Land of Eem
Episode: Daggerheart vs. Eem! A conversation with Rowan Hall, Spenser Starke, Ben Costa, & James Parks Ep. 100
Spenser Starke
Co-designer of Daggerheart and Land of Eem worlds
Daggerheart / Land of Eem
Episode: Daggerheart vs. Eem! A conversation with Rowan Hall, Spenser Starke, Ben Costa, & James Parks Ep. 100
Seth Skorkowsky
Gamer, novelist, YouTuber discussed as a guest
Self-identified as guest on the program
Episode: Scouts vs. Cthulhu! A conversation with Seth Skorkowsky and Paul Fricker- Ep 99
Paul Fricker
Chaosium writer and creator involved with Campfire Tales and Call of Cthulhu projects
Chaosium
Episode: Scouts vs. Cthulhu! A conversation with Seth Skorkowsky and Paul Fricker- Ep 99
Nicholas Montegriffo
Author and game designer known for Hellblaster Against The Cyberfiends
Episode: A Luciferean Library of Hellish Hardbacks, Satanic Scrolls, & Possessed Pamphlets! A conversation with Nicholas Montegriffo & Allen Hall Ep. 98
Allen Hall
Luciferian Luminary, author of UHF Contact and Liminal Horror contributor
Liminal Horror / Old School Essentials
Episode: A Luciferean Library of Hellish Hardbacks, Satanic Scrolls, & Possessed Pamphlets! A conversation with Nicholas Montegriffo & Allen Hall Ep. 98
Christopher Robichaud
Professor at Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Kennedy School
Episode: What if a D&D designer designed the next American government? Mike Mearls & Christopher Robichaud: Ep 97

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
    2 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 Statesa year 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
#194
Germany/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#59
Poland/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#87
Japan/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#191
Israel/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#195
Finland/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#198
Poland/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
A Luciferean Library of Hellish Hardbacks, Satanic Scrolls, & Possessed Pamphlets! A conversation with Nicholas Montegriffo & Allen Hall Ep. 98
Q: Allen, could you tell me about Liminal Horror?
Liminal Horror is a rules-light descendant of Into the Odd, with a focus on modern horror and a streamlined system—three stats, one primary save, and a mechanic where exposure to horrors damages your control, potentially leading to fallouts that stay in your inventory.
Monsters & Blades & Kiwis Oh My! A conversation with Michael Sands & Tim Denee: Ep. 92
Q: What would a jointly designed game look like, given your respective backgrounds?
They suggest a concept that fuses Monster of the Week's pulse with a mid-20th-century aesthetic and a flexible system (PBTA or Forge in the Dark) to support fast, high-energy play and investigative storytelling.
Monsters & Blades & Kiwis Oh My! A conversation with Michael Sands & Tim Denee: Ep. 92
Q: What does tabletop role-playing do better than any other art form, and what would you two design if you designed a game together?
They agree that the collaborative, live at-the-table creation process is unique and powerful; they'd likely design a game blending the mid-century vibe with a Forge in the Dark or PBTA approach, drawing on their shared influences and love of high-energy, improvisational play.
In Which We Discuss Snake Genitalia: A conversation with Josh McCrowell & Emily Allen: Ep 88
Q: Why is game design so culturally exciting in the 21st century?
Game design is culturally exciting due to its low barrier of entry, accessibility through online platforms, and the collaborative nature of RPGs where everyone at the table has the opportunity to participate in creation.

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. The Vintage RPG Podcast
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 102 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. Ben Costa
2. James Parks
3. Rowan Hall
4. Spenser Starke
5. Seth Skorkowsky
6. Paul Fricker
7. Nicholas Montegriffo
8. Allen Hall

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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