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Artwork for TABLETOP TALK

TABLETOP TALK - Third Floor Wars

Craig Shipman
Tabletop Gaming
Role-Playing Games
Game Design
Dungeons and Dragons
Tabletop Rpgs
Dungeons & Dragons
Blades In the Dark
Game Mechanics
Horror
Tabletop Role-Playing Games
Crowdfunding
Tabletop Games
Slugblaster
ION Heart
Dice Exploder
Sam Dunnewold
Northfield
Hedge
Shiver
Aegean

Do you love tabletop gaming? This is your podcast. Who are the creatives behind your favorite games and content? How do they approach their work? I sit with designers, developers, artists, writers, and creators and learn how they approach their work. I try to understand their process, inspiration, and methods for crafting their creations. Craig digs deep into the work and uncovers the origins of y... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes287Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureGames

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Artwork for TABLETOP TALK

Latest Episodes

Today, we check in with Em Acosta, a game designer known for games like Exile and Crescent. They’re heavily involved in the industry, with a lot of writing credits on all sorts of games, and they’ve just started a blog.

Our focus is on the process ... more

YouTube

I am joined by René-Pier, a TTRPG designer who’s committed to making the games and design accessible. He’s the author of Breathless (and the new Frightmare Edition), Boundless, and Stoneburner.

One of the main things we focus on in the episode is t... more

YouTube

A lone harmonica rattling through a ship hull; a frontiersman whistles his sad song as he shoulders his laser rifle; an ad plays over the speakers of an empty outpost in a sandy desert, two suns glaring overhead. These are the scenes of Orbital Blues... more

YouTube

Cupp and Ross Bryant join us for an informative episode about the nature and specifics of roleplaying and podcasts. The pair dives into their experiences with role-playing games. The two of them are seasoned role-players and understand more than most... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Quinton Smith
Speaker intro on the show
Episode: Em Acosta (Crescent, Exile) ep. 276
Em Acosta
Writer and game designer responsible for Crescent and Exile
Crescent / Exile
Episode: Em Acosta (Crescent, Exile) ep. 276
René-Pier Deshaies
Designer of Breathless and Boundless, co-creator at Fairy RPGs
Fairy RPGs
Episode: René-Pier Deshaies (Breathless: Frightmare Edition) ep. 275
Sam Sleney
Co-creator/writer of Orbital Blues
Soul Muppet Publishing
Episode: Sam Sleney & Zach Cox (Orbital Blues) ep. 274
Zach Cox
Director, Soul Muppet Publishing; co-creator of Orbital Blues
Soul Muppet Publishing
Episode: Sam Sleney & Zach Cox (Orbital Blues) ep. 274
Ross Bryant
Creator of Push the Roll, editor/GM; known for Ain't Slayed Nobody and Dropout/Glass Cannon connections
Push the Roll; Ain't Slayed Nobody; Dropout
Episode: Ross Bryant and Cupp (Push the Roll) ep. 273
Tim Denee
Game designer and creator of Blade 68, designer of Blades in the Dark spin-off
Independent/Game Designer
Episode: Tim Denee (Blades '68) ep. 272
Sean Nittner
Director of Projects at Evil Hat Productions
Evil Hat Productions
Episode: Kickin’ The Tires with Sean Nittner (Evil Hat Productions) ep. 271
Marc Majcher
Teacher, game designer, actor, improviser, and developer, known for the games 'Empire Never Ended' and 'Grackle Teeth'.
Episode: Marc Majcher (The Empire Never Ended, Grackle Teeth) ep. 270

Host

Craig
Co-host and interviewer on tabletop design discussions, guiding conversations with designers and creators.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 114 ratings
  • Take me to the Third Floor

    Craig’s interviews are fantastic. He focused on his guests and their inspirations, giving all of us insight into their process and what drove them. Give it a listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SeanNittner
    United States3 months ago
  • Best interviewer in the biz

    No one else in the industry is as good at asking questions as Craig. He does an excellent job at getting creators to mine their own experiences for interesting tidbits that will be useful to the rest of us!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    becuzitsbitter
    United Statesa year ago
  • By Crom!

    I discovered the POD via Matt John posting about it. Was a great listen, felt like I was sitting round a table listening in o mates talking shiy and having a beer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rikdog72
    New Zealand2 years ago
  • Craig walks the walk

    My favourite online GM- Seriously.

    I have found Forbidden Lands, Symbaroum and now Vaesen through Craig.

    Listen to his 7 tips episode. I had already subconsciously adopted many of them from watching Third Floor’s play through’s on You Tube.

    He has definitely made me a better GM.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MojoPorter
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Addictive listening

    Just a fantastic insight into tabletop roleplaying game creatives. Fascinating, and a brilliantly relaxed and entertaining listen. My new must-listen in gaming podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    David F Chapman
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Consistently high-quality discussions with top designers.
Appreciated for depth over surface-level chatter.
Comfortable interview style that puts guests at ease.
Strong, actionable takeaways for designers and marketers.
Insightful questions that draw out creative process details.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#203
France/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#134
Denmark/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#162
Israel/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#249
Sweden/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sam Sleney & Zach Cox (Orbital Blues) ep. 274
Q: How did you two transition from players to publishers?
They talk about starting with Sins, then moving into Kickstarter for collaboration projects, and gradually establishing Soul Muppet Publishing as a platform, driven by opportunities, friendships, and a shared desire to publish diverse RPGs.
Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan (Dracula Dossier, Fear Itself, Adventures in Middle-Earth) ep. 269
Q: Can you think of a media, especially for a TV show or a movie, that leans more towards, like you mentioned, the X-Files, is there anything else that you think is more representative of your style?
I mean, I'm utterly obsessed with the book House of Leaves.
Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan (Dracula Dossier, Fear Itself, Adventures in Middle-Earth) ep. 269
Q: Gareth, when did you know, like, this is what I'm going to do?
I don't think there was ever a definite moment; for the first few years, it was very much survival into the next gig.
Dean (Trenchcoat Raccoons, OneShotTPK) ep. 267
Q: What was the next big game that you came across after D&D?
Dean mentions finding Rises and Lady Blackbird, which opened up new avenues and possibilities in tabletop gaming.
Dean (Trenchcoat Raccoons, OneShotTPK) ep. 267
Q: Can you take me back to when you first encountered tabletop games?
Dean recounts experiencing tabletop gaming later than most, initially trying D&D in his early twenties and how it sparked his passion.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About TABLETOP TALK

What is TABLETOP TALK about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive interview series focused on tabletop design, playtesting, and storytelling. Conversation topics span RPG mechanics, crowdfunding journeys, collaboration with IP holders, and the creative process behind both indie and larger-tabletop projects, with guests ranging from game designers to publishers and project leads. The host brings a hands-on, curious approach, drawing out practical insights, design decisions, and play-session anecdotes that illuminate how games come to life at the table. This show often reveals how constraints, playtesting feedback, and collaboration shape final products, making it valuable for aspiring designers, publishers, and marketing teams seeking authentic creator-driven content.

Expect thoughtful, proces... more

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Which podcasts are similar to TABLETOP TALK?

These podcasts share a similar audience with TABLETOP TALK:

1. Yes Indie'd Pod
2. Dice Exploder
3. Ludonarrative Dissidents
4. Rascal News
5. Dear Hank & John

How many episodes of TABLETOP TALK are there?

TABLETOP TALK launched 7 years ago and published 287 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for TABLETOP TALK?

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for TABLETOP TALK?

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What guests have appeared on TABLETOP TALK?

Recent guests on TABLETOP TALK include:

1. Quinton Smith
2. Em Acosta
3. René-Pier Deshaies
4. Sam Sleney
5. Zach Cox
6. Ross Bryant
7. Tim Denee
8. Sean Nittner

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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