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Artwork for The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast

Matt Herzberg & Jesse Sauer
Dungeons & Dragons
Troika
Dinosaurs
Mothership
Terrain
Role-Playing Games
Traveller
Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition
Vampire: the Masquerade
Draw Steel
Predation (cypher System)
Rolemaster
Galveston, United States
Gen Con
Warhammer 40k Crusade
Tabletop Role-Playing Games
Split the Party
Vampire the Masquerade
Mothership (role-Playing Game)
Signal Interruption

Three expert GMs explore the craft of tabletop roleplaying—why rules feel good, why scenes work, and how stories land. Through casual conversation, creative experiments, and honest breakdowns, this podcast celebrates what makes the hobby special and helps you run better games.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes144Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesLeisureGames

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast

Latest Episodes

We reviewed Troika! by Melsonian Arts Council once before — but we hadn't played it yet. Now we have. Does actually playing it change anything? (Yes. And no.) Jesse, Matty, and Chris dig into what it's actually like to sit down at the table with an a... more

A bull-bodied hero eats twenty people's worth of fondant in one fistful, and asks for one thing: a sausage. They're illegal in Troika. He's offering money.

Roll to ignore the cats. The tiger can tell you really want to pet it, so it's ignoring you harder. Part 7 of our Troika! one-shot on The Jaunty Mantis. The elevator gets four new passengers, the attendant makes an extremely poor choice, and a tiny k... more

Gormer pulls a gas mask out of the door in his forehead. Moth's fashion sense becomes an Art Nouveau gas filter. A small egg-shaped man hustles them out of eleven silver.Part 6 of our Troika! one-shot on The Jaunty Mantis. The party rides the elevato... more

Key Facts

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

Rich Ranallo
Host of Signal Interruption, guest on this episode
Signal Interruption
Episode: JM133 - Mothership Actual Play with Rich Ranallo from Signal Interruption | Part 1
Lauren the Beast
Guest of the podcast playing a character in the session
Episode: JM119 - Vampires, Grimdark, and Ghosts in Galveston
Richard Dansky
Acclaimed game writer and key voice behind Wraith the Oblivion and Mind's Eye Theater
White Wolf / World of Darkness
Episode: Oral History of TTRPGs: Richard Dansky on Wraith & Writing Across Media
Bill White
GM, Game Mother par excellence; Professor of RPG studies
Penn State Altoona
Episode: The Oral History of TTRPGs with Bill White
Jared Sorensen
Game designer and indie RPG creator
Independent game designer
Episode: Oral History of TTRPGs with Jared Sorensen – From the Red Box to Indie Innovation
Jesse Sauer
Gamer and storyteller whose life in tabletop RPGs spans multiple decades and scenes
The Jaunty Mantis
Episode: Jesse’s Journey Through Tabletop Roleplaying: An Oral History of TTRPG Life and Culture
Chris Hall
Regular on the podcast; experienced GM
Episode: Chris' Journey Through Tabletop Roleplaying: An Oral History of TTRPG Life and Culture

Hosts

Jesse
Host with multiple appearances; long-running host with collaborative role in the show's GM-focused discussions and actual-play segments.
Matty
Co-host and regular host; frequent contributor to GM advice, actual-play sessions, and show discussions.
Chris
Co-host; active participant in discussions about game design, mechanics, and pacing.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 24 ratings
  • this podcast rules

    This is the only podcast hosted by bearded white men i’ll listen to. Matt and Jesse are both charismatic and knowledgeable hosts with 50+ years of gaming experience between the two of them. I’m so excited to have a new fave gaming podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    selenapocalypse
    United States3 years ago
  • I’m excited for this one!

    Interesting conversation between two hosts with great chemistry. I love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lsloan7
    United States3 years ago
  • Off to a greate start!

    Experienced role-players with interesting and positive takes, I'm looking forward to hearing more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KalFalnal
    United States3 years ago
  • Couple of good dudes talking games

    Great chemistry, you can tell these guys have been friends forever. Great listen

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    =)Conner(=
    United States3 years ago
  • A podcast about RPGs!?!

    Of all the podcast I co-host, this is my absolute favorite. Marty and I wax poetic about the hobby we have shared for 20+ years and have a good time while doing so.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jingoistfett
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate practical GM tips and real-play examples that feel actionable for running games.
The show is seen as a welcoming, friendly space with strong camaraderie and long-time gaming expertise.
Listeners praise the hosts' chemistry and deep RPG knowledge, calling the discussions insightful and engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#200
Ireland/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jesse’s Journey Through Tabletop Roleplaying: An Oral History of TTRPG Life and Culture
Q: How has the culture around gaming changed for you over the years?
The guest notes increased inclusivity but also rising tribalism; more people enjoying the hobby is positive, but the sense of in-group vs out-group can be damaging.
Jesse’s Journey Through Tabletop Roleplaying: An Oral History of TTRPG Life and Culture
Q: What was your first meaningful gaming moment that stood out?
A childhood Shadowrun awakening at a family trip in Omaha, followed by discovering Werewolf and Vampire LARPing, which marked a turning point toward seeing rules as a tool to tell stories rather than just win.
Jesse’s Journey Through Tabletop Roleplaying: An Oral History of TTRPG Life and Culture
Q: When did you first become aware of games or other forms of imaginative play?
The guest recalls early childhood battles, stories from an uncle who read Beowulf, and a fifth-grade moment discovering D&D through a friend and his older brother, which hooked them for life.
Chris' Journey Through Tabletop Roleplaying: An Oral History of TTRPG Life and Culture
Q: What role has tabletop role-playing played in your life overall?
It has been a source of entertainment, a social connector, and a creative outlet, with emphasis on the people at the table and collaboration over strict rule adherence.
Oral History of TTRPGs with Jared Sorensen – From the Red Box to Indie Innovation
Q: What advice would you give someone just discovering tabletop role-playing games?
Focus on what you want to create rather than chasing market trends; explore personal interests, pursue unique formats, and consider publishing and distributing your work directly to build a meaningful path in the hobby.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast

What is The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A group of expert GMs explores the craft of tabletop RPGs, blending practical advice on scene design, rules feel, pacing, and storytelling with lively, collaborative banter. Episodes mix actionable GM tips—prep rituals, how to run engaging encounters, ending sessions, handling missing players, and balancing risk—with actual-play segments and in-depth be-hind-the-scenes analysis of game systems. A standout trait is the combination of theory and hands-on play, often featuring guest perspectives and deep dives into specific RPGs and play styles, which makes it useful for both new GMs and veteran organizers looking to sharpen their craft.

Noteworthy touches include thoughtful debates about pacing and camera-like storytelling, practical demos o... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast:

1. Dungeon Master of None
2. Film Sack
3. CORE - Core Gaming for Core Gamers
4. Heroic Round Podcast

How many episodes of The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast are there?

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 144 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 The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast?

Recent guests on The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast include:

1. Rich Ranallo
2. Lauren the Beast
3. Richard Dansky
4. Bill White
5. Jared Sorensen
6. Jesse Sauer
7. Chris 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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