Thinking Critically: A D&D Discussion

22/12/2023

New Episode! "Translation"

Welcome back! I'm joined by fellow Englishman Austin, a.k.a. AC Whikcom , to discuss how to translate concepts and ideas into your TTRPG settings. Austin takes us through how to take those errant thoughts you have at 3am and ...

Welcome back! I'm joined by fellow Englishman Austin, a.k.a. AC Whikcom , to discuss how to translate concepts and ideas into your TTRPG settings. Austin…

06/10/2023

New Episode! "Influence"

It's my pleasure to welcome back to the show a previous guest from the Generations episode, Mikey! What I had intended to be a "how characters can influence the campaign" discussion, quickly turned into what makes us tick, wh...

It's my pleasure to welcome back to the show a previous guest from the Generations episode, Mikey! What I had intended to be a "how characters can influe…

08/09/2023

New Episode! "Generations"

I'm joined once again by John from Double Fox Gaming, but this time, he's bought reinforcements! It's my pleasure to also host Glenn, Matt, and Mike to discuss the legacy of Dungeons & Dragons. The guys take us through five g...

I'm joined once again by John from Double Fox Gaming, but this time, he's bought reinforcements! It's my pleasure to also host Glenn, Matt, and Mike to d…

04/08/2023

New Episode! "Immersion"

We're back! And this time joined by Anya, a.k.a. La Lionne Cosplay , to discuss immersion in your TTRPGs. Anya shares her experience as a Pro-GM on ways to truly pull your players into the game, no matter the system or medium...

We're back! And this time joined by Anya, a.k.a. La Lionne Cosplay , to discuss immersion in your TTRPGs. Anya shares her experience as a Pro-GM on ways …

23/06/2023

New Episode! "Production"

For this productive episode I'm joined by Sarah, CEO of Girls Run these Worlds , who's hear to share her knowledge and experience on how to produce top quality TTPRG content. No matter your reach or experience, there is alway...

For this productive episode I'm joined by Sarah, CEO of Girls Run these Worlds , who's hear to share her knowledge and experience on how to produce top q…

09/06/2023

New Episode! "Ravenloft"

John Gent, DM of our D&D one-shot from the RPGaming Faversham event, joins us to discuss everything and anything about his favourite Dungeons & Dragons setting. 03:04 - History of Ravenloft 21:42 - Responsive Bleakness 33:53 ...

John Gent, DM of our D&D one-shot from the RPGaming Faversham event, joins us to discuss everything and anything about his favourite Dungeons & Dragons s…

19/05/2023

New Episode! "Experimentation"

I'm once again joined by Philippa Mort who previously joined us on the Aesthetic ⁠ episode back in season 2. This time it's to chat about confidence and taking risks when it comes to experimenting with new systems, characters...

I'm once again joined by Philippa Mort who previously joined us on the Aesthetic ⁠ episode back in season 2. This time it's to chat about confidence and …

05/05/2023

New Episode! "Factions"

It's my pleasure to welcome back to the show Josh, Lewanika, and Glen, the inimitable hosts of my sister podcast Tabletop Journeys . They share their wealth of experience with building engaging and interesting factions, enabl...

It's my pleasure to welcome back to the show Josh, Lewanika, and Glen, the inimitable hosts of my sister podcast Tabletop Journeys . They share their wea…

21/04/2023

New Episode! "Burnout"

We're back after a short, unscheduled break to discuss burnout with fan of the show and Warhammer sensei, Harry Cowdrey. Having both suffered from DM burnout in the past, as I'm sure most DMs have, we talk through what we can...

We're back after a short, unscheduled break to discuss burnout with fan of the show and Warhammer sensei, Harry Cowdrey. Having both suffered from DM bur…

24/03/2023

New Episode! "More Live"

Charity Donation Page: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/sl-gameon23 Charity Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thinkcritdnd This episode was recorded live at the RPGaming Faversham event on 18th March 2023, organised by Boys fro...

Charity Donation Page: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/sl-gameon23 Charity Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thinkcritdnd This episode was recorded live a…

10/03/2023

New Episode! "Mystery"

*Minor Outer Wilds spoilers in this episode* I'm joined by Michael K. Ross from The RPG Academy to talk how to design enthralling and fair mysteries, puzzles, and enigmas. Action 12 Cinema Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter...

*Minor Outer Wilds spoilers in this episode* I'm joined by Michael K. Ross from The RPG Academy to talk how to design enthralling and fair mysteries, puz…

24/02/2023

New Episode! "Integrity"

CW: Slavery I'm joined by Ben, Ewan, and Luke from the Boys from the Baltic Star Traveller stream to discuss some of the many different definitions of integrity in TTRPGs. Nothing is off the table as we share tips on building...

CW: Slavery I'm joined by Ben, Ewan, and Luke from the Boys from the Baltic Star Traveller stream to discuss some of the many different definitions of in…

10/02/2023

New Episode! "Adventure"

“I found them all. I won." Finally, I welcome George from our ' Dungeons, Dice, and Dudes ' actual play podcast to discuss how to build adventures, and why it's important to define one. No matter if you're top-down or bottom-...

“I found them all. I won." Finally, I welcome George from our ' Dungeons, Dice, and Dudes ' actual play podcast to discuss how to build adventures, and w…

27/01/2023

New Episode! "Worldbuilding"

This episode I'm joined by Harlen Ogni, DM of previous guest Aaron's Games and prolific worldbuilder, with a staggering 250,000 words on World Anvil ! Harlen joins me to to chat about our approaches to worldbuilding and what ...

This episode I'm joined by Harlen Ogni, DM of previous guest Aaron's Games and prolific worldbuilder, with a staggering 250,000 words on World Anvil ! Ha…

13/01/2023

New Episode! "OGL"

The sky is falling! It's my pleasure to welcome back Matthew Perkins to discuss this months HOT TOPIC: the "leaked" snippets of the alleged OGL 1.1. Disclosure: this episode was recorded on 7th January, we are not lawyer or l...

The sky is falling! It's my pleasure to welcome back Matthew Perkins to discuss this months HOT TOPIC: the "leaked" snippets of the alleged OGL 1.1. Disc…

12/01/2023

All 17kg of this bad boy has finally arrived! Been a long time coming but it flew across the ocean. I'm in awe at the production value and quality of life improvements, even opening the box is such an experience. It comes with a 4 page guide on HOW TO UNBOX AND SET UP. This is followed by a 90 page rule book, all of the above is A4. I don't know anything else like it. There's just so much, even the rule book has hidden sections and stickers and stuff. Even Mila is going wild.

09/12/2022

New Episode! "Spells"

This mystical episode I'm joined by Jack Weighill of Dice Average RPG to discuss the minutia of the magical. The way WOTC have designed spells is an interesting insight into how they view D&D and how they suggest it should be...

This mystical episode I'm joined by Jack Weighill of Dice Average RPG to discuss the minutia of the magical. The way WOTC have designed spells is an inte…

25/11/2022

New Episode! "Variety"

This episode I'm joined by Ty Moore from Adventure Slang productions to talk about variety and diversity in TTRPGs. We discuss how having an open mind and trying different systems affects not only your approach to playing TTR...

This episode I'm joined by Ty Moore from Adventure Slang productions to talk about variety and diversity in TTRPGs. We discuss how having an open mind an…

11/11/2022

New Episode! "More Community"

This very special episode I'm joined by Greg Tito and Shelly Mazzanoble, hosts and producers of the official Dungeons & Dragons podcast: Dragon Talk! They take us through how recording their podcast and writing their new book...

This very special episode I'm joined by Greg Tito and Shelly Mazzanoble, hosts and producers of the official Dungeons & Dragons podcast: Dragon Talk! The…

28/10/2022

New Episode! "Branding"

Part 3 in our Marketing for TTRPG Creators Series Webinar sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjBv3TgGVtqTdIfU3az6Izhw-p0_QlIf_Z5fW2iYBIWEw7zw/viewform Zack from Applewhite Games returns to the show to discuss ...

Part 3 in our Marketing for TTRPG Creators Series Webinar sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjBv3TgGVtqTdIfU3az6Izhw-p0_QlIf_Z5fW2iYBIWE…

14/10/2022

Another typical Friday night at the Thinking Critically house; great beer with a great board game with great mates. We are still playing through the Forgotten Circles expansion for Gloomhaven which is turning out to be wild. Marcel's creativity to stretch the framework is just so impressive. Plus, it's the most value for money I've got out of any boardgame on a pound-per-hour metric.

14/10/2022

New Episode! "Process"

This week I'm joined by friend and table mate Sam Henry to talk about our processes used for playing D&D, and how we use our professional backgrounds to improve our experiences. 05:21 - A Process Oriented Approach 15:46 - Dif...

This week I'm joined by friend and table mate Sam Henry to talk about our processes used for playing D&D, and how we use our professional backgrounds to …

30/09/2022

New Episode! "Quality"

This week I'm joined by Cyle Durkee from Play-Nerd Allies and Foundation for Inclusivity in Gaming , to talk about how to have a quality gaming session. Running a TTRPG is more an art than it is science, and as such involves ...

This week I'm joined by Cyle Durkee from Play-Nerd Allies and Foundation for Inclusivity in Gaming , to talk about how to have a quality gaming session. …

16/09/2022

New Episode! "Chaos"

This episode I'm joined by the eponymous Aaron of Aaron's Games ! Although not the first published, this episode was the first recorded without any preparation notes, in the spirit of the episode topic! Aaron and I discuss th...

This episode I'm joined by the eponymous Aaron of Aaron's Games ! Although not the first published, this episode was the first recorded without any prepa…

19/08/2022

New Episode! "Experimenting"

This episode brings us Nick from the Hidden GMs Podcast to talk about experimentation in TTRPGs. We discuss the benefits of trying different systems and how they can positively impact how you run your current game. No matter ...

This episode brings us Nick from the Hidden GMs Podcast to talk about experimentation in TTRPGs. We discuss the benefits of trying different systems and …

05/08/2022

New Episode! "Extinction"

Once again I welcome Lucas Zellers, a.k.a , as we continue our theme from the Monster episode. We discuss a critical topic as Lucas takes us through his new project: Book of Extinction . The book gives game statis...

Once again I welcome Lucas Zellers, a.k.a , as we continue our theme from the Monster episode. We discuss a critical topic as Lucas takes us …

22/07/2022

New Episode! "Writing"

I'm once again joined by Bart Wynants (a.k.a. ), this time to talk about how to write TTRPGs. As with many tasks, mind set and habit formation is of upmost importance for success. Bart suggests embodying differe...

I'm once again joined by Bart Wynants (a.k.a. ), this time to talk about how to write TTRPGs. As with many tasks, mind set and habit format…

08/07/2022

New Episode! "History"

This episode I'm joined by Andrew & Vesna Gronosky from Shewstone Publishing, who leverage their extensive knowledge to discuss the implications of having a "history" in your TTRPG setting. The different lifespans of races ca...

This episode I'm joined by Andrew & Vesna Gronosky from Shewstone Publishing, who leverage their extensive knowledge to discuss the implications of havin…

24/06/2022

New Episode! "Canon"

This episode features Eli Royall from the We Play RPGs podcast family! We discuss how to establish canon in your setting, and the implications of having a standardised fiction. The second problem is how to communicate this to...

This episode features Eli Royall from the We Play RPGs podcast family! We discuss how to establish canon in your setting, and the implications of having …

10/06/2022

New Episode! "Flavour"

This spicy episode I'm joined by Fruits from The Homebakery to talk all about flavouring our D&D campaigns. A large portion of the show is spent discussing the different classes and their subclass options, and how their bagge...

This spicy episode I'm joined by Fruits from The Homebakery to talk all about flavouring our D&D campaigns. A large portion of the show is spent discussi…