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About This Podcast
Here's a podcast for you, the rpg gamemaster (or dungeonmaster). Join your hosts and GMs Ben Dyer and Mark Lehman as they give you the short-form tips and tricks on how to make your rpg adventures easier for you and more fun for everyone.
Theme music by Suno, cover image by Dall-E.
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Recent Episodes
S1E60 Cultural Appreciation
This time Mark and Ben take on the touchy topic of cultural appropriation in RPG settings. As a worldbuilder and in the run of your games, you'll draw on real world history, culture, and traditions,…
S1E59 Planetcrafting
In this episode, Mark and Ben seek out the lore of how to create and use strange new worlds in a variety of different science fiction genres. Whether it's hard science fiction focused on the science…
S1E58 Railroading, All Aboard!
In this episode, Mark and Ben discuss the complaint, issue, and (surprising!) opportunity of railroading your player characters. We'll talk about when to put smart limits on player agency for the…
S1E57 Let's Build a Magic Item
In this week's episode, Mark and Ben build a magic item. Yes, it's time to put all our theory to work and actually build something for use at the table. We've attached the description below, and we…
S1E56 Interview with Duncan Rhodes
This week Mark and Ben interview Duncan Rhodes, author of the newly released Creative Gamemaster's Guide to Extraordinary Locations. In this episode, we talk about what makes a great map, the ways…
S1E55 AI Tools Again
A year on, Mark and Ben revisit the evolving discussion around AI for the GM. This episode takes on questions related to people's concerns about creativity, privacy, and IP before moving on to what's…
S1E54 Going Critical
In this episode, Mark and Ben talk about the highs and lows of critical results. Whether it's a natural 20, an exploding damage die, or an incredible result on an old school crit chart, these…
S1E53 When Dice Say Die
Character death in RPGs can be a gut punch — but it’s also one of the richest storytelling tools in the game. Whether it’s a heroic sacrifice, a tragic misstep, or the fallout of a risky choice,…
S1E52 Large Player Groups
Running a game with a large table can feel like wrangling a small army—but it can also be hugely rewarding if you know how to manage the challenges. In this episode, Mark and Ben talk about the…
S1E51 Mass Combat
This week Mark and Ben talk about mass combat--those great battles that decide the fates of great powers and make great stories memorable. We'll discuss methods to keep your focus on the player…
S1E50 Our 50th Episode Review
Join us for our 50th episode! In this episode, Mark and Ben reflect on the lessons and highlights of the Tabletop Tune Up podcast, and look ahead to new topics and games to be covered in upcoming…
S1E49 RPG Review: Broken Compass & Outgunned
This week it's another RPG review of the Broken Compass and Outgunned games from Two Little Mice. If you're someone who left every great action movie thinking "I want to play that RPG!" then this…
S1E48 Player Crafting
In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben talk about player-crafted items. Crafting is a part of many RPGs, but it's not often discussed in relation to the party's advancement or…
S1E47 Player Character Backgrounds
What makes a good player character backstory? This week we discuss the ways backstory can open up new story possibilities and begin character journeys through your campaign. Backstories are about…
S1E46 RPG Review - Traveller
In this episode, Mark and Ben talk about Traveller. Its a system whose origins lie in the fateful summer of 1977 when another huge science fiction release (Star Wars) ensured it would gain instant…
S1E45 GM Interview - Bob Gerard - Part 2
This week we conclude our two-part interview with Bob Gerard, GM, player, Storyteller, Pinballer, and Star Wars fan. We talk about all those things and how they contribute to making you a better GM.…
S1E44 GM Interview - Bob Gerard Part 1
In this interview episode, Mark and Ben welcome their friend Bob Gerard, a podcaster, Star Wars superfan, storyteller, learning expert, and of course, a fellow GM. We ask Bob about his early…
S1E43 GM Interview - Brandon Holland
This week we interview our friend Brandon Holland, a fellow old school GM who shares with us his insights on the importance of box text, early RPG influences, and the emergent magic of shared…
S1E42 Tabletop Tune Up Reviews: Palladium Games
In this episode, Mark and Ben discuss the first and still much loved series of games published by Palladium Games. Their entry point to the system was the comic book-inspired Teenage Mutant Ninja…
S1E41 Work Your One Shots
This week we're talking about one-shots and convention games. With GenCon's schedule release fresh in mind, now's a good moment to talk about why short-form RPGs are special, offering unique…
Frequently Asked Questions
Tabletop Tune Up has published 60 episodes since June 2024, covering topics in Games, Leisure.
Tabletop Tune Up is currently active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 31m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Tabletop Tune Up, including email and social media links.
