An RPG product review podcast, hosted by Yochai Gal and Brad Kerr. Each week we review a module or adventure. Sometimes there are ducks.
The Between Two Cairns podcast is an incredibly entertaining and insightful show that explores the world of zines and other indie adventures. Hosted by Yochai Gal and Brad Front, this podcast offers a unique blend of humor, criticism, and industry perspective. With the occasional appearances of Sam, their dynamic becomes even more engaging. It's no wonder this has become my favorite podcast to listen to.
One of the best aspects of The Between Two Cairns podcast is the chemistry between Yochai and Brad. Their banter feels effortless and natural, making for an enjoyable listening experience. They play off each other's strengths brilliantly, with Yochai often serving as the straight man to Brad's comedic flair. This dynamic keeps the conversations engaging and ensures that I'm laughing out loud every episode.
Additionally, the reviews provided on the show are thoughtful and critical. Yochai and Brad offer valuable insights into each piece of content they discuss, providing a well-rounded perspective on its merits or shortcomings. They are not afraid to voice their opinions honestly, which adds credibility to their recommendations. Furthermore, their industry knowledge adds depth to their analysis, giving listeners a deeper understanding of the creative process behind these zines and indie adventures.
Unfortunately, one of the worst aspects of The Between Two Cairns podcast is that Yochai seems consistently frustrated with his co-hosts and guests. While it may be a deliberate comedic choice or part of his character on the show, it can sometimes come across as genuine annoyance rather than playful banter. This can occasionally detract from the overall enjoyment of the podcast.
In conclusion, The Between Two Cairns podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in zines and indie adventures. Yochai Gal, Brad Front, and occasionally Sam deliver entertaining episodes filled with humor, insightful reviews, and valuable industry perspectives. Despite some occasional frustrations exhibited by Yochai towards his co-hosts and guests, the overall listening experience is highly enjoyable. I highly recommend giving this podcast a listen, as it will undoubtedly leave you excited about the world of zines and all its peculiarities.
Yochai & Brad review The Hand of God by Mike Knee, and answer a mailbag question.Mailbag: How do you balance parenting and adult responsibilities with creativity?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music and bumpers!For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to hear bonus episodes! Become a Patreon backer at the "Weird Little Freaks" or higher level to receive regular bonus content! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Luke Stratton (aka Limithron) to review The Darkness over Nijmauwrgen from The Chaos Crier #0 by the Merry Mushmen.Send us your comments or questions!Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music and bumpers!For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Another Bug Hunt by Tuesday Knight Games, and answer a mailbag question.Mootsack: Do you listen to music during play?Send us your comments or questions!Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music and bumpers!For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Castle Elkenstone by Jacob Fleming, and answer a mailbag question.Mailbag: How has reviewing modules changed your playing and creating?Send us your comments or questions!Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music and bumpers!For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Join Yochai, Brad, and Sam + special guest for our very first in person Gamer Blast from the Past! Recorded at Gen Con 2024, we discuss the 1987 Steve Perrin module Under Illefarn. Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music and bumpers!For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Amanda P to review Rotblack Sludge by Stockholm Kartell and answer a mailbag question. How do you reconcile differences in play vs reading/reviewing a product?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Sam Mameli (aka Skullboy) in another Gamer Blast from the Past to review N4: Treasure Hunt by Aaron Allston, and answer a mailbag question.Mailbag: How do you help players figure out what magic items do?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Metro Skate Blood Bath by Logan Dean & In the Face of Embarrassment by Eric K. Hill, and answer a mailbag question.What do you lose when you kill your darlings?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review The Waking of Willowby Hall by Ben Milton, and answer a mailbag question.Mootsack: What do you think about metagaming?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Josh McCrowell to review Halls of the Blood King by Diogo Nogueira, and answer a mailbag question.What sorts of real-world tools do you use to increase the pressure of play?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad answer a mailbag question, discuss a series of zines by You Can Breathe Now Games, and Brad's experience with Forbidden Lands.Content Warning: Star TrekQuestion: What tools do you bring with you to the table?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Tide World of Mani by Silverarm Press, and answer a mailbag question.Mootsack Question: How do you end a campaign in an "OSR" way?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Willow by Lazy Litches Loot, and answer a question from the mailbag.Mailbag: Do you ever get analysis paralysis before choosing what to run?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Sam Mameli aka Skullboy to review B10: Night's Dark Terror in another Gamer Blast from the Past. We also answer a mailbag question.Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Joseph R. Lewis to review Slumbering Ursine Dunes by Chris Kutalik, and answer a mailbag question.Mootsack: What other types of games do you play?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad answer a whole mess of of mailbag questions!Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Sword of the Dragonslayer by Hellwinter Forge of Wonders, and answer a mailbag question.Do you listen to bumpers when recording? Does you need to include mechanics in a module?Does system matter?What Brad does with stickersWhat Yochai does with stickersThanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Sam Mameli aka Skullboy to review X1: The Isle of Dread by Tom Moldvay and David Cook in another Gamer Blast from the Past. We also answer a mailbag question.What do you all think about depth crawls?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Ava Islam to review Sleeping Place of the Feathered Swine by Logan Knight, and answer a mailbag question.How do keep up with the scene, and how does it make you feel?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Whalgravaak's Warehouse by Andrew Walter, and answer a mailbag question.Mootsack: How do you decide whether something you've written should be published?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review The Valley of Flowers by Phantom Mill Press, and answer a mailbag question.This question was way too long to list here, just use the chapter markings!Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Sam Mameli aka Skullboy to review B4: The Lost City by Tom Moldvay, and answer a mailbag question.What can video games and TTRPGS learn from each other?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai, Brad & Sam try to review a classic module, but fail. This is the result.Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Nate Treme of Highland Paranormal Society to review Sacreblue by Tito B. A., and answer a mailbag question.Mailbag: Good OSR adventures for kids?Back the Cairn 2e box set on Kickstarter NOW!Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review The Tomb of the Sea Kings by Lawson Bennett, and answer a mailbag question.Mootsack: What kind of games do you enjoy playing as a player, not a GM?Follow the Cairn 2e box set on Kickstarter to find out when it launches!Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music, and directsun for the deep dive bumper.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Quinns to review Silent Titans by Patrick Stuart.Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Hexagnome to review Gone Fishin' & Seven Silver Spheres, and answer a mailbag question.Advice for new designers?A link to Gone Fishin' (permalink!)Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Sam Mameli aka Skullboy to review X2: Castle Amber by Tom Moldvay, and answer a mailbag question.Question: isn't an OSR Syllabus a form of gatekeeping?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai and Brad review Beneath the Comet by North Wind Adventures, and answer a mootsack question.Question: What kind of prep do you do?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Gatehouse on Cormac's Crag by Dave Bezio, and answer two mailbag questions.Mailbag 1: What is Gonzo?Mailbag 2: Do you like superhero RPGs?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Leo Hunt (Mr Vaults of Vaarn himself) to review Tomb Robbers of the Crystal Frontier by Gus L, and answer a mailbag question.Mailbag: What goes in your OSR Design Syllabus?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Sam Mameli (aka Skullboy) in another Gamer Blast from the Past to review N3: Destiny of Kings, and answer a mailbag question.How do you balance critical thinking, secrets, and mystery?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review The Necropolis of Nuromen by Justin Becker, and answer a mailbag question.Mootsack: How do you sort your physical zines/books?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Hidden Hand of the Horla by Appendix N Entertainment and answer two mailbag questions.What module have you run that exceeded your expectations from reading it?What should be done about the term "OSR"?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Anomalous Subsurface Environment by Patrick Wetmore, and answer a mailbag question.Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad answer a number of mailbag questions. Questions/Times:5:15 How do you incorporate dreams and nightmares in your games?8:20 What do you both think about the question of motivation in OSR style games, especially when money is the basis for xp?15:34 Regarding diegetic play. What would you like to see in adventures, or what systems do you think could help support this style of play?30:30 You've got to run a game for your family and some family friends, mix of ages of brand new players, 40 down to 7. What game are you reaching for and what sort of adventure you running?38:12 Looking back at all the adventures you've reviewed, what genres, sub-genres, formats, locations, etc. do you think are currently underserved?47:13 Drukk Nipples48:07 Any interest in covering one page adventures?54:51 Favorite modules/settings/adventures with emphasis on interesting faction play? And what makes good/interesting/fun factions in a dungeon or larger area?59:20 How to approach converting linear material to more sandboxy use? And do you have any tips for running city-based games?1:03:15 What's a game/adventure that you started reading this year and you bounced off of? How do you know when something isn't for you?1:08:25 What is the difference between a set of comprehensive house-rules, and a hack?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Sam Mameli aka Skullboy to review Beyond the Crystal Cave by Dave J. Browne, Tom Kirby, and Graeme Morris, and answer a mailbag question.Mailbag Question:If a module were just the location descriptions and nothing else, what is the one other addition that you just simply could not do without?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Jewels of the Carnifex by Harley Stroh, and answer a mailbag question.Question: How do you deal with GM fatigue?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review our favorite episodes from 2023, and discuss what we are looking forward to in 2024.4min - Our favorite episodes of the year8:45 - Favorite thing we've read for the show13:35 - Best thing we haven't read yet19min - What we're looking forward to28:311 - Best things we've played this yearThanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review The Cleaning of Prison Station Echo by Magnum Galaxy Games, and answer a mailbag question.Question: How do introduce players to new rules?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Slate & Chalcedony by Melsonian Arts Council, and answer a question from the mailbag.Mailbag Question: Do you use sadness in your games?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Amanda Lee Franck to review Reach of the Roach God by Centaur Games.Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Joel Hines of Silverarm (press) to review By the Light of the Whispering Flame by Aaron Hedegaard, and answer a mailbag "question."Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review The Bloodship Returns by Dirk Leichty, and answer a mailbag question.Mailbag: Are non-linear dungeons really the end all, be all?2:25 Mailbag11:40 Kids say the darndest things14:45 Main ReviewThanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Sam Mameli aka Skullboy in another Gamer Blast from the Past to review The Caverns of Thracia by Jennell Jaquays. PLEASE SUPPORT JENNELL ON GOFUNDME!Check out Michael Bacon & co's "terse" version of TCoT hereThanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Nightmare Over Ragged Hollow by Joseph R. Lewis, and answer a mailbag question.Mailbag Question: What is the divide between Story Games and the OSR?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by special guest Amanda P. to review You Got a Job on the Garbage Barge by Amanda Lee Franck, and answer a mailbag question.Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad review Through the Valley of the Manticore by Jacob Fleming, and respond to a mailbag question.2:46 Child labor4:40 Mailbag17:42 Main Review36:00 Deep DiveThanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Andrew Walter to review The Hyqeous Vaults by The Hyqeous Vaults Creation Team!3:04: How do you describe your art?7:02: Latest Troika! adventure12:04 Slipgate Chokepoint21:25 Frank & Comics Delta25:31 Maxims of the OSR32:15 Main Review50:38 Deep DiveThanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by Sam Mameli aka Skullboy in another Gamer Blast from the Past to review N1: Against the Cult of the Reptile God, and answer a mailbag question.Mailbag: What do you think of Gold for XP?Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
Yochai & Brad are joined by W.F. Smith from Prismatic Wasteland to review Secret of the Black Crag by Chance Dudinack.Thanks to Bobby McElver for the show's music.For listener questions, email betweentwocairns@gmail.com!Check out our Patreon to support the show. Also stickers.Find more Between Two Cairns here.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
