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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
Tabletop Role-Playing Games
Horror
Crowdfunding
Tabletop Games
Slugblaster
ION Heart
Shiver
Dice Exploder
Sam Dunnewold
Northfield
Hedge
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 monthlyEpisodes291Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureGames

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Artwork for TABLETOP TALK

Latest Episodes

Anthony “Runeslinger” (Casting Shadows) and I discuss what makes “good players” buy into horror roleplaying and, specifically, why characters would investigate terrifying situations and keep returning after trauma. They explore common answers, such a... more

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Today we sit down with Laurence Philips of Hardy Roach Games, an independent designer who creates unique games that focus on themes that dive deeper than your average TTRPG. His one-page games are weird and exciting to play, and now he discusses his ... more

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Ray Chou is a comic book and TTRPG creator--one of the talents behind the amazing Mythworks team, known for some of the last few years' most anticipated games--Wildsea, Slugblaster, Pico, and a whole lot more. Their studio defines the modern age of T... more

YouTube

Craig talked with Craig Hatler, the creator of the RPG Shadowlight & Personae. They discussed his creative process and the origins of the game's ideas.

Get all of Craig's work HERE!

TSR’s Marvel Superheroes

Werewolf: the Apocalypse

Shadowrun

Sta... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ray Chou
Los Angeles-based writer, publisher and educator with Mythworks
Mythworks
Episode: Ray Chou (Mythworks) ep. 278
Craig Hatler
Creator of Shadowlight & Personae
Shadowlight & Personae
Episode: Craig Hatler (Shadowlight & Personae) ep. 277
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

Host

Craig
Host of TABLETOP TALK and Tabletop Talk, focused on in-depth interviews with game designers; primary host.

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 States5 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.

Hosts are noted for making conversations comfortable and informative.
Some episodes occasionally criticized for emphasis on personal opinions over broader perspectives.
Listeners enjoy the mix of design theory and real-world production details.
Guests consistently praised for depth and practical insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#172
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#82
Russia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#206
Netherlands/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#214
New Zealand/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#217
Israel/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#244
Denmark/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ray Chou (Mythworks) ep. 278
Q: How did Wildsea come to Mythworks and what was the crowdfunding experience like?
Ray details discovering Wildsea on Reddit, running a playtest, and engaging backers that led to a successful Kickstarter that significantly surpassed expectations, validating the publishing model.
Ray Chou (Mythworks) ep. 278
Q: How did Ray get into sequential art and Crowdfunding?
He explains starting in libraries for graphic novels, moving toward film school, then co-founding Mythworks with Vince and leveraging NYU connections to crowdfund comics that later fed into RPG publishing.
Craig Hatler (Shadowlight & Personae) ep. 277
Q: So Craig, we learned a little bit before the break about kind of some of the origins of the game. Where did Shadowlight & Personae start and what was the drive?
The drive was practical and lore-rich: create a versatile setting with an Omniverse that can host multiple genres and stories, built around a rich world and a framework for how magic, divine worship, and tech interact within it.
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.

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 thoughtful interview series centered on tabletop game design, publishing, and accompanying creative processes. Episodes routinely feature designers, writers, and organizers sharing how they shape mechanics, themes, and narrative through playtesting, collaboration, and iteration, with a notable emphasis on indie RPGs, open licensing, and cross-media production. The conversations often reveal practical production realities, from crowdfunding and art direction to music integration and audience engagement, making it a solid pick for listeners who want deep, process-oriented insights from seasoned creators and up-and-coming indie studios. A standout trait is the mix of personal storytelling with rigorous design discussion, giving potential gue... more

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Which podcasts are similar to TABLETOP TALK?

These podcasts share a similar audience with TABLETOP TALK:

1. Around the Hearth
2. Yes Indie'd Pod
3. Dice Exploder
4. Ludonarrative Dissidents
5. The Darkened Threshold

How many episodes of TABLETOP TALK are there?

TABLETOP TALK launched 7 years ago and published 291 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 TABLETOP TALK?

Recent guests on TABLETOP TALK include:

1. Ray Chou
2. Craig Hatler
3. Quinton Smith
4. Em Acosta
5. René-Pier Deshaies
6. Sam Sleney
7. Zach Cox
8. Ross Bryant

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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