Roll Play Grow: A TTRPG Business Podcast

HELLO!!!Y'all, I have missed you so much. I am so excited for Roll Play Grow to officially return next week. Here's an episode to chat about what's been going on lately, and what you can look forward to in the future.Love ya, my friends!Support the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

Ever feel overwhelmed by managing your tabletop role-play game project? We've been there, and we've got your back! We spent this episode of Roll Play Grow diving deep into the world of project management tools. We shed light on how tools like Asana, Wrike, Notion, and Trello can help simplify your task organization, role assignment, note-taking, and deadline setting. Whether you're drawn to the free version of Asana, the extensive database capabilities of Notion, or the beginner-friendly interface of Trello, we've got the insights you need.Let's not stop there, though. We also tackled the planning and execution of a Monster Manual. We broke down how to create effective timelines, manage revision cycles, and implement communication strategies to get everyone on the same page. Communication is the key to keeping your team motivated, and we provided tips on building those essential relationships with your team members. We also discussed spotting signs of dwindling motivation and adjusting accordingly. We believe in celebrating every success, big or small because they all contribute to the bigger picture. So, tune in, gather some crucial pointers, and level up your game project management skills!Support the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

Are you aware of the power of words and how they can subtly infiltrate a game? Noordin Ali Kadir unearths this concealed beast in today's episode, throwing light on how bias can have a profound impact on players. You'll discover how sensitivity consulting can prevent unintended consequences, ensuring a balanced and fair game design. We discuss his consulting experience and how he combats racial and cultural stereotypes in all of his projects.Additionally, we dive into the importance of collaboration in editing and how consulting can save game developers time and prevent errors. Noordin stresses the need to choose the right words to fit the narrative, instead of merely filling up the page. Wouldn't it be fantastic to prevent potential headaches down the line? Noordin insists on the significance of consulting from the start of a project, which not only brings to life a better product but also saves time, money, and heartache. Tune in, as Noordin Ali Kadir takes us on an exciting journey through the world of tabletop gaming, consulting, and career success.Burnaway Kickstarter pageFind Noordin at:WebsiteTwitterSupport the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

Ready to up your game in the TTRPG space? Ever wondered how project management skills could change your trajectory as a creator? We dive into the nitty-gritty of project management, starting with the basics - what a project is, who a project manager is, and the phases within a project. We've got your back on each step of this journey, demystifying processes and sharing relatable examples to bring clarity. And we're not stopping at the theory, our next episode promises to unlock the world of project management tools for you. But that's not all. A project isn't just about the process; it's about people too. We unpack the art of managing your team and resources, from project initiation to dealing with setbacks. We delve into the significance of project planning and risk management, guiding you to set up budgets and team agreements effectively. We also talk about working with artists, creating an environment that respects their creativity and time. As we explore the role of a project manager, we emphasize the importance of monitoring progress and ensuring the quality of life for your team. So, whether you're a solo creator or part of a team, these insights are here to make your TTRPG journey smoother.Support the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

Today, we take an exclusive tour of board game development behind the scenes with the imaginative Kyle Rowan, Design Lead at Wyrd Games. Kyle delves into his personal trajectory from gamer to game designer, detailing the evolution of his role at Wyrd Games and the life of the board game Vagrantsong.Kyle reflects on the spark that ignited Vagrantsong and the journey of developing the game and its expansions.  He provides deeper insights into the mechanics and philosophy behind each expansion. We also touch upon the local legend of Slagpile Annie, a friendly Pittsburgh ghost, making her spectral debut in the game.We also delve into the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Kickstarter and the reception of the game since its release. Kyle gives us an honest glimpse into the rollercoaster ride of the game industry, the highs, the lows and everything in between. He offers pearls of wisdom for those aspiring to make their mark in the gaming world. So, buckle up and enjoy this enlightening conversation with a true gaming wizard.Find Kyle & Vagrantsong at:VagrantsongVagrantsong EncoreVagrantsong Encore KickstarterTwitterSupport the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

Ready to build a thriving community in the tabletop role-play gaming space? Then you're in for a treat. Today, we're delving into the nitty-gritty of how to make your community members feel seen, heard, and appreciated. We're talking about highlighting community members, featuring their posts, and applauding their contributions. But more than that, we're exploring the importance of nurturing relationships within your community - because, at the end of the day, it's those relationships that keep people coming back for more.We've also got some wisdom to share on common pitfalls when growing your social media community – and how to avoid them. Whether it's setting clear goals, staying consistent, taking feedback, or setting realistic expectations, we've got you covered. And we'll show you how to leverage your community for business success. We'll share our thoughts on gathering product feedback, encouraging user-generated content, harnessing the power of word-of-mouth marketing, and increasing brand loyalty. So tune in, take notes, and let's build a community that's meaningful, vibrant, and thriving.Find  DungeonGlitch:Gemmed FireflyRPG for FreeMattJoro.comTwitterSupport the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

Ever wonder what goes into designing a Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG)? In our latest chat with Ella Watts, an accomplished director, writer, and producer, we get to unravel the process behind the creation of her TTRPG, Upriver, Downriver. From her first game session, to her daunting journey of game design, Ella's story is as captivating as her game. Ella doesn't shy away from the gritty side of game development. She takes us through the challenges she faced as a disabled and chronically ill person, shedding light on the real struggles behind the scenes. The conversation takes a deeper turn as we tackle the controversial decision to eliminate dwarves from the game—a decision rooted in the problematic representation of dwarfism in fantasy literature and games. Ella's perspective challenges us to rethink our assumptions and consider the real-life impact of our creative choices. The conversation doesn't stop there. She shares the emotional roller coaster of her crowdfunding journey and the joy of finally seeing players enjoy her game. If you've ever wondered how to navigate the challenges of game design or grappled with the responsibility of representation in your work, this chat with Ella Watts offers a wealth of lessons learned.Find Ella at:Buy Upriver, DownriverUpriver, Downriver SoundtrackUpriver, Downriver actual play by Girls Run These WorldsCamlan TwitterElla TwitterFind Dr. Erin PritchardFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

Ready to transform your social media presence and build a thriving online community? Our latest episode is your ultimate guide to this dynamic digital landscape. We're here to help you carve out your unique space and captivate your audience by consistently delivering content that resonates.Harness the power of community engagement with practical strategies shared in this episode. Recognize your audience, build genuine relationships, and show them they are valued. We'll explore interactive sessions like games, Q&As, AMAs, and live chats to educate and build rapport with your audience. We'll also talk about the power of collaboration, reaching out to influencers to enhance exposure, and the vitality of seeking feedback, suggestions, and mutual growth.We also delve into the art of standing out in a crowded market. Learn how to use hashtags, groups, and polls to pique interest and encourage interaction, making your content shine. We'll discuss the significance of analyzing engagement metrics, maintaining consistency via scheduling tools, and the art of pitching yourself. Plus, we'll highlight the importance of promoting podcast subscriptions and engagements, appreciating your audience, and the magic of collaborations. Join us and watch your social media community grow and thrive!Find  DungeonGlitch:Gemmed FireflyRPG for FreeMattJoro.comTwitterSupport the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

Join me as we step into the fascinating world of Double Proficiency, guided by none other than its co-founder, Anna. Prepare to be enthralled as we journey from the humble beginnings of her first book, Herbalist Primer, through its successful Kickstarter campaign, to its current status as a beloved gem in the TTRPG community. Anna candidly shares her experiences, from triumphs to struggles, while also giving us a glimpse into her work with the sequel, Geoglist's Primer.Get ready to understand the grind of research, balancing work with life, and the critical role of a science editor in her work. A sneak peek into her organized approach and personal growth will surely leave you inspired. We wrap up our chat by digging into the collaborations and adventures of Double Proficiency. Anna gives us a taste of Jakub's upcoming adventure and their decision to switch gears with a new publisher, Hunter's Entertainment. With the promise of an exciting announcement and talks of future projects, this episode is just the right blend of intrigue, inspiration, and excitement. So, let's celebrate the victories, learn from the challenges, and peek into what lies ahead for Double Proficiency.Find Anna & Double Proficiency at:WebsiteTwitterSupport the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

Ready to stop aimlessly scrolling through social media and start building a thriving online community? This episode is for you! I am joined by my engaging new co-host, Matt Joro, and we're ready to tackle the dynamic world of social media. We'll share insights on the unpredictable algorithms, increasing ad costs, and if those age-old Twitter tactics are worth a second look. As we navigate the challenging digital terrain, we'll discuss the importance of staying ahead of the curve and predicting the next big platform.What if you could tap into the secret of creating magnetic content that turns casual followers into engaged community members? We'll break down how to identify your audience, understand their interests and behaviors, and locate their digital hangouts. From determining the right type of content to the perfect posting frequency, we'll guide you on enticing user-generated content and striking a balance between educational, inspirational, and entertaining content. This episode is about more than just gaining followers; it's about building a community. Join us on this exciting journey!Find  DungeonGlitch:Gemmed FireflyRPG for FreeMattJoro.comTwitterSupport the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

You won't want to miss this jam-packed episode as we're rolling the dice again with Russell E Welch III, the mastermind DM and CEO behind D20 Tales. Russell returns to chat about how D20 Tales has grown and changed over the last year, including the added complexities of going on tour. As we pull back the curtain on the world of live touring, we candidly discuss the unique challenges it entails. But it's not all chaos and stress -  the excitement of audience interaction is certainly worth it. We also dive into the complexities of casting, tackling budget constraints, and maintaining quality despite these hurdles. The passion and dedication of the D20 Tales cast and crew is nothing short of inspiring, making this discussion a must-listen for every D&D enthusiast out there. So grab your favorite snack, sit back, and enjoy this epic journey into the world of D20 Tales!Find Russell and D20Tales at:TwitterD20Tales TwitterD20Tales WebsiteDice Envy Dice Envy creates beautiful dice in a variety of materials. Use lightheartadv for 10% off your orderDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFind Roll Play Grow: Show Page Patreon Discord Lightheart Adventures Website Lightheart Twitter Lightheart Instagram

How many of you have thought about starting a friendly local gaming store? Well, I have a special treat for you today, because I got to chat with Andrew Youngchild, the co-founder of Lost Star Tabletop Gaming Outfitter in Gig Harbor, Washington. He and his sister, Charlie, opened up this very cool store in the heart of Gig Harbor's shopping district, a year into Covid. We dig into how the store came to be, how things have changed over the years, and Andrew's hopes for the future. Andrew really dives into a lot of the decisions they had to make, and I really appreciated this genuine look at opening and running a gaming store.Before we dive in, I'd like to welcome anyone who is new to the show. This podcast is a part of Lightheart Adventures, which is a small company I co-founded with my husband. We also do blogs, one-shots, and maps that you'll find over on our website, lightheartadventures.com. This show allows me to chat with so many amazing folks about business, marketing, hardships, lessons learned and how to guides across a wide spectrum of industries within the TTRPG scene. If that sounds like a show for you, then be sure to subscribe to Roll Play Grow on your favorite podcast player.Find Lost StarWebsiteInstagramFacebookFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show

Jay & Grub from Possum Creek Games are back! I'm super stoked to have my first repeat guests on the show from all the way back in episode 13. If you are not familiar with Possum Creek Games, then you might have heard of a little game called Wanderhome that Kickstarted during the height of Covid. I interviewed Jay & Grub both on my blog and on this show about Wanderhome, and now, today, we are talking about their latest game, Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast. Yazaeba's just came out on pdf and with their super cool virtual tabletop, One More Multiverse, so it was pretty fitting to bring them back on to talk about how the last two years have gone. If you've been with the show for a while, you know that I love these two so much and have had a lot of guests from Possum Creek over the last two years.This episode was edited by Sam Atkinson.Find Possum Creek Games at:WebsiteYazeba's OnlineWanderhomePossum Creek TwitterJay TwitterRuby TwitterPossum Creek PatreonFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramSupport the show

Jonah and Tristan Fishel are two brothers writing a book together. Tristan started publishing on DM's Guild and as a freelancer about a year ago, and they decided to write a book about proactive roleplaying. The book is called The Game Master's Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying, and we talk about what proactive roleplaying means, their journey of writing this book and finding a publisher, and what it's like to work on a project like this together.Find  The Quest BrothersWebsitePreorder their bookTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show

Matt Joro, also known as DungeonGlitch is one of those cool creators who does so many things. Matt is a DnD Influencer, Professional DM, Artist, Author, and Composer, and I wish I'd had several more hours to talk to him. We dive into how Matt has grown in the ttrpg space over the last 3 years, how he became connected with Wizards of the Coast, marketing tips, getting into Lo-Fi music composition, and DM's Guild. Like I said–Matt does a lot, and I hope you enjoy getting to hear from him!If this is your first time tuning into Roll Play Grow, I want to give you a special welcome! This podcast is a part of Lightheart Adventures, which is a small company I co-founded with my husband. We also do blogs, one-shots, and maps that you'll find over on our website, lightheartadventures.com. This show allows me to chat with so many amazing folks about business, marketing, hardships, lessons learned and how to guides across a wide spectrum of industries within the TTRPG scene. If that sounds like a show for you, then be sure to subscribe to Roll Play Grow on your favorite podcast player.Find  DungeonGlitch:Gemmed FireflyRPG for FreeMattJoro.comTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramDice Envy Dice Envy creates beautiful dice in a variety of materials. Use lightheartadv for 10% off your orderDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Beth the Bard is a writer, designer, streamer, and professional dungeon master. I first learned about Beth when she published She is the Ancient, an amazing genderbent version of Curse of Strahd, and it's been a joy to follow her work ever since. Beth currently has a Kickstarter going for Daughters of Frankenstein, a super spooky 5e supplement that is inspired by all your favorite classic horror stories. I'm pretty excited for it, and it was a pleasure to get to chat with Beth about both this supplement, her journey, and the plans to launch a publishing company.This episode was edited by Sam Atkinson.Find BurnawayKickstarterWebsiteFind Beth/Daughter of Frankenstein:WebsiteDaughter of FrankensteinShe is the AncientFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show

Cassi Mothwin shot into the ttrpg scene a couple years ago when she created her first project, What Crooked Roots, a D&D 5e folk horror supplement. Since then, she's created two very unique games and is currently crowdfunding for a 3rd game, Tangled Blessings. Cassi didn't plan to get into game design–it just kind of happened because of her Curse of Strahd campaign. Cassi's had a really interesting journey and we spend this conversation really digging into it.This episode was edited by Sam Atkinson.Find BurnawayKickstarterWebsiteFind Cassi/Tangled Blessings:Tangled Blessings CrowdfundrWebsiteFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramDice Envy Dice Envy creates beautiful dice in a variety of materials. Use lightheartadv for 10% off your orderDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today is the day my friends! It is the Kickstarter launch day for the game that I have been project managing for a year now: Burnaway. I will spare you the explanation of the game right now because you are going to hear all about in this episode.We are talking with Geordie Morse aka Nagi, the game designer behind it all. Make sure you go to Kickstarter and look for Burnaway, all one word, or check out the show notes for a direct link. You know, today's episode was really fun, and I know I say that every time, but this one was unique. Usually when I interview folks, I'm familiar with their work, but as a complete outsider. But today got to be more of a conversation than usual, as it was a time for Nagi and me to look back over the last year together and talk about not only how he got into game design and what spurred the decision to launch a Kickstarter, but how we two newbs to the Kickstarter scene have stumbled our way through getting ready for a launch. And while I obviously hope we not only fund but smash through all our stretch goals, I gotta say, no matter what happens, I've worked with some really awesome folks and learned a lot along the way.Nagi's a really great guy who has developed a really awesome game, and this is a pretty fun chat about game design and the Kickstarter pre-launch process. Enjoy.Find BurnawayKickstarterWebsiteFind Nagi/Arnamantle:WebsiteTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show

Today's episode is the second in our short series of interviews with my project team members on the upcoming indie ttrpg called Burnaway. The game is launching on Kickstarter on February 7th, and I wanted to introduce you all to some of the awesome people behind the scenes! Be sure to check out the show notes for a link to the pre-launch page on Kickstarter, and the Arnamantle website, where you can grab an interactive story primer to get an idea of the game's setting.Sol is the social media manager for Burnaway, so we definitely do talk about the game and the art a bit, but we also chat about their journey diving into the world of ttrpg socials as a freelancer over the past two and a half years. Sol tweets an average of 1000 tweets a week across all his clients, and seriously, if you are struggling with your posts, grab a notebook. Especially when he starts listing his pet peeves, I literally want to print out that list and frame it. Sol is awesome to work with, and has so much wonderful advice for you!Find BurnawayKickstarterWebsiteFind Sol:RPG InnWebsiteTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramSupport the show

Chris Hopper is the layout and graphic designer for Burnaway, as well as for several other ttrpgs in the indie scene. We talk about working as a freelance layout designer, working within this community, tips for working with your designers, and making your games and layouts more accessible. I learned so much from Chris, and I know y'all will too!This episode is actually going to be the first in a short series in which I chat with some of my own project team members. What does that mean? Well, some of you may remember that last year, I mentioned I am the project manager for a new indie ttrpg called Burnaway. The game is launching on Kickstarter on February 7th, and I wanted to introduce you all to some of the awesome people behind the scenes! Be sure to check out the show notes for a link to the pre-launch page on Kickstarter, and the Arnamantle website, where you can grab an interactive story primer to get an idea of the game's setting.Find BurnawayKickstarterWebsiteFind Chris:LinktreeFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramSupport the show

If you hang around the D&D scene, you likely have heard of Dragon Talk, the D&D podcast hosted by Greg Tito and Shelly Mazzanoble. Greg is the Senior Communications Manager of Dungeons & Dragons, and Shelly is the Senior Brand Manager of Dungeons & Dragons. We talk about what they're up to in D&D. We talk about their show, and we talk about their upcoming book, Welcome to Dragon Talk. So yes, this is a podcast episode where we talk to two podcasters about their book about their podcast. Welcome to Dragon Talk is published by the University of Iowa press and is releasing December 5th. You can preorder it from your favorite bookstore and I think even your friendly local game store? If you do preorder it, you might receive it a little bit early. It truly was a honor to talk to these legends of the D&D podcasting realm, and I know y'all are going to have fun listening to this.For a last bit of business before we jump into the interview: I have a new Patreon gift for my amazing Patrons. In addition to the ability to ask questions for upcoming interviews, shout outs on the site and show, I am now starting a new segment exclusively for Patrons. Greg & Shelly were my first participants. I'm still workshopping on the name, but it is a Quick Question Blitz: I have 10 silly questions for my guests that are unrelated to the rest of the interview, and they can answer with as little as 1 word or give a longer explanation. It's meant to be short & sweet, though I must admit this first one went like 20 minutes, but a good third of that is just pure laughter and fart jokes, and we did have 2 people to answer. Let's just say, it was a good time. You'll find me on Patreon at Roll Play Grow. And I hope that y'all enjoy the new segment!Find Welcome to Dragon TalkFind Shelly:TwitterInstagramFind Greg:TwitterInstagramFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramSupport the show

Joshua Simons is our guest today! Josh is a streamer, game designer, and the Community and Content Manager at Demiplane RPG. We dive into the intricacies of networking and how Josh was able to land a fulltime job in the industry. We also get a peek at his process for creating characters. Josh has appeared on so many actual play shows and always has some really in-depth characters. I gotta say that this conversation is super juicy for those of you who are wanting to make more in-depth characters and who are looking for advice on breaking into the actual play scene. I do have an update for those of you who keep up with this show on a regular basis. After today's episode, I am actually going on a short hiatus! I've had a lot of things coming up both personally and professionally, and I needed to stop booking interviews for a little while. Don't worry, the show will be back! It's just been a tumultuous year, and I need to give myself a little breathing room. I'm also considering some ways to potentially switch up the format of this show and my Patreon, so if you've got any ideas or feedback, I would totally love to hear it! You can find me on Twitter at KetraRPG or you can email me at rollplaygrow@gmail.com. I'm planning to be back in October, so don't worry! This will be a short break, and we'll continue on with some lovely guests this fall!Find Joshua:TwitterTwitchFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramSupport the show

 Lysa is the Marketing Manager at OneBookShelf, which is the company behind sites like DM's Guild and DriveThruRPG. And we definitely talk about what that means, what faer journey has been like throughout multiple roles in the TTRPG space. We also talk about Design Dash, a Twitch show that Lysa co-hosts and Lysa's love for crafty endeavors and bees! Lysa is just an incredibly kind and supportive person, and I had such a wonderful time recording this episode.Find Lysa:Lysa's WebsiteLysa's TwitterDriveThruRPGDMsGuildExtinction at Camp SummersaurusFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramSupport the show

How would you like to be a full-time, professional game master? It sounds like a dream a lot of us have in this industry, and so I am thrilled to introduce you to Donathin Frye who does just that. Donathin supports himself as a full-time Dungeon master with some additional freelance game design work, through Patreon subscriptions. He tends to run 6-8 full-length campaigns at any given time, and truly does spend 40 hours a week working on those campaigns. It was absolutely fascinating to learn about how Don does this and what a typical week looks like for a full-time GM. There's a lot of good advice, even if you're just looking to improve your DMing skills for your home games!Find Don:PatreonTwitterPortfolioFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramSupport the show

Today, I have the absolute pleasure to introduce you to Sara Thompson. Sara is most widely known for the Combat Wheelchair they created for D&D, but she is also a freelance game designer working with companies like Paizo and R Talsorian Games. We definitely talk about Sara's game design processes, but this episode is extra special to me because we spend time talking about disability and working as a freelancer with your disabilities. Those of you who've listened to episodes of this show in past will know that I'm disabled and went through a lot of unpleasant things last year while trying to figure out entrepreneurship, so it was really meaningful to chat with Sara and learn how she manages her day to day schedule and how they balance varying energy levels and flare-ups with deadlines as a freelancer. I really hope you enjoy this very special conversation.Find Sara: LinkTreeTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramSupport the show

Kienna Shaw is our guest today. Kienna is known for doing more things than we were able to discuss in an hour, like the TTRPG Safety Toolkit, safety consulting, game design for a bunch of games on Itch.io, DM's Guild, and a Candlekeep Mysteries adventures, and a whole lot of actual play streaming. We focus mostly on game design and safety tools in this conversation, but I could have spent hours chatting with them about all the amazingly cool things she does. I know y'all are going to love this episode!Find Kienna: TwitterItch.ioCarrd.coSalty Sweet Games' TwitchArconFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramSupport the show

Our guest today is David, the player behind Kascorin and one of the podcast editors of Reckless Attack. If you are not familiar with Reckless Attack, it is one of my absolute favorite D&D Actual Play podcasts, and you should definitely go check it out. They are a really good and funny group, and their episodes are typically about an hour long. David is the one who dedicated a lot of time to figuring out the audio setup, and he also dedicated an entire room of his and Sophie's house to being their recording studio. We get real nerdy in this episode talking about audio setup and editing techniques, so this one is definitely for my fellow podcasters out there and for fans of Reckless Attack, because we get a pretty cool behind-the-scenes look at their production process. Find David & Reckless Attack: Reckless Attack WebsiteRA TwitterRA InstagramFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show

Today's guest is Amber TheSpaceJamber, a TTRPG editor and streamer. Amber tells us what your editor is actually thinking and looking for in your writing. We also go into depth on content strategies while building your online presence, and all about streaming. Amber has some great advice, and I know you'll enjoy the episode as much as I did!Find Amber: WebsiteTwitchTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today features Indrani, an absolutely amazing and kind creator from India. She is the co-founder of Desis & Dragons, India's largest TTRPG community. Indrani is also the creator behind Nonagon Dice, which they started because handmade dice weren't easily accessible in India. Indrani has been doing some truly incredible work over the last year, and it was a privilege to get to speak to them.Find Indrani at Nonagon Dice:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFind Desis & Dragons:DiscordTwitchTwitterInstagramFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show

What happens when you interview an interviewer? You tend to compare notes. And that is what we do today. Our guest is Derrick, the host of the How Not to DM Podcast. If you aren't familiar with his show, I highly recommend you go check it out. If you like my show, you'll like his too. Derrick also interviews folks in the TTRPG space. His focus tends to be on DMing, and he always makes a point to ask about mistakes his guests have made as a DM so that we can learn from them. Of course, they talk about the good things too and there are always some pretty entertaining stories. He's in his second season now, and added a super fun game element that's tailored to the guest. Definitely go look up his show if you haven't already!Find Derrick and How Not to DM at:Listen to the podcastLinkTreeFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFloDesk 50% off your 1st year of email marketingDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today's guest is Russell E Welch the III, the DM and CEO of D20Tales, a company putting on some very high quality D&D Actual Plays. They were formerly known as Spawn of Chaos and just rebranded very recently. Russell and I get really into the weeds on casting the shows, their production process, the impact of acting philosophies, rebranding, and a whole lot more. Rossell has some great stories, and it was a very enjoyable interview.Find Russell and D20Tales at:TwitterD20Tales TwitterD20Tales WebsiteFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today's guest is Devin Nelson, a very talented composer, musician, and game designer. We talk about how Devin quit their full-time job to pursue a career in music, composing podcasts for Actual Plays and other podcasts, game design, and about Devin's band, Gloomy June which just went on tour. Devin is super cool, so I know y'all will love this episode.Find Devin at:TwitterPortfolioMusic for purchaseFlight of Magic podcastFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show

Our guest today is Orion D. Black, the Creative Director for Dimension 20 and a game designer with publications on itch.io. Orion has had a huge impact on the TTRPG scene, and it was an absolute honor to have them on the show. We talked about how Orion went from playing D&D to designing their own indie games, to working with the incredible crew of Dimension 20. Find Orion D. Black at:TwitterItch.ioDimension 20Find Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show

It's episode 50! It took a long time to get here, longer than it technically should for a weekly show, but we're here. We made it, and it's amazing. I am in a little shock about what this signifies. I've talked to so many amazing people in this space, and I am just so grateful to everyone who's been a guest and to all of you for listening, tuning in every week, giving me feedback, and leaving those super encouraging reviews. To celebrate making it to 50 episodes over the past 15 months, this episode is one where I am the guest. Brenton joined me again, but this time, he asked me the questions. So if you've ever wondered about how I got started with this super awesome interview podcast and wanted to know about my processes, we get really into it. Brenton also asked me about that ever elusive pet merch shop, so we dig into some of the struggles I've run into while crawling towards a launch. Hopefully you both enjoy and find value in hearing about all this. Find Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://patreon.com/rollplaygrow)

Today we get the pleasure of hearing from Emil, one of the hosts of the DoubleDM podcast, which is a discussion show between two Dungeon Masters and the occasional guest. This show has been around for just over a year now; about the same amount of time as mine, and it was pretty cool getting to chat with another podcaster about how their show has grown and their processes have evolved over the course of the past year. We talk about the importance of just starting and not waiting for it to be perfect and that it's okay to ask for help. Emil was a wonderful guest, and he has some great nuggets of wisdom to share.Find Emil & DoubleDM at:LinkTreeTwitterInstagramFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonDiscordLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFloDesk 50% off your 1st year of email marketingDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today's guest is Karee, the owner of Critical Hit Cookies and a cast member of the Starfinder actual Play podcast: Horizons Unknown. We talk about how Karee fell into playing Pathfinder and joining this cast, and then we move into how her cookie shop came to be. Critical Hit Cookies makes and ships some absolutely delicious cookies with a Pathfinder theme, and y'all are going to be drooling by the end of this episode. Find Karee & Critical Hit Cookies at:WebsiteTwitterHorizons Unknown podcast on TwitchFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramDice Envy Dice Envy creates beautiful dice in a variety of materials. Use lightheartadv for 10% off your orderFound Familiar Delicious coffee meets Dungeons & Dragons artwork. Use code lightheartadv for 10% off your order. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://patreon.com/rollplaygrow)

Today's guest is Andrea Canerossi, the Managing Partner and Mini Painter for Wolfwood Gaming. She co-owns the company with her business partner, Deacon Wolfwood, who is their woodworker and resin artist. Wolfwood Gaming is still a pretty new company, but it was really interesting to hear about the their journey. Andrea and I talk about playing D&D with their kids and the foster community, painting minis, and so many business logistics. We talked about setting up a LLC, what happens when you don't pay your taxes on a monthly basis as a small business, what she would've done differently if she were setting everything up again, and more. If you are in the beginning stages of setting up a small, product-based business, this episode is for you.Find Andrea & Wolfwood Gaming at:WebsiteLinkTreeFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramDice Envy Dice Envy creates beautiful dice in a variety of materials. Use lightheartadv for 10% off your orderDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://patreon.com/rollplaygrow)

Today we get the pleasure of hearing from Jay, the owner and designer behind 88Riddles. You may have seen Jay for his painted dice boxes, as part of an add-on to several Kickstarters, or maybe for his t-shirt and hoodie designs. Jay is a super talented artist who has a lot of great wisdom to share on running a plethora of online shops. If this is your first time tuning in to Roll Play Grow, hello! This podcast is a part of Lightheart Adventures, which is a small company I co-founded with my husband. We also do blogs, one-shots, and maps that you'll find over on our website, lightheartadventures.com.Find Jay & 88Riddles at:LinkTreeEtsyFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFloDesk 50% off your 1st year of email marketingDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Our guest today is DeAngelo Murillo, a writer, streamer, game designer, and activist. He founded a really cool blog and website that puts a spotlight on cosplayers and other creators called The Geek Lyfe and has continued that theme in his streamed games on Twitch. We talk about the site, his journey into content creation, his Actual Play and Charity streams, and then we pivot to talking about his game that is about to launch on Kickstarter, Emerald Templars. There are so many good nuggets in this episode, and I know you'll learn a lot!In case you've missed this announcement from the last few episodes, I now have my own Patreon for Roll Play Grow! So if you want to help support the show, you can go to patreon.com/rollplaygrow and you'll find a tier as low as $3 a month. Perks include having early access to the guest list, being able to add your questions to upcoming interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and shout-outs on my website and the show. I would love if you'd go check it out and help me work towards some goals. Liiiiike being able to hire an editor to help me keep up with episodes so we don't get behind again. Either way, I hope you'll check it out!Lastly, another way you can help support the show is by checking out our affiliates like the creator behind the most delicious and nerdy tea, Friday Afternoon Tea. Friday makes some truly amazing blends inspired by so many different books, movies, shows, and more. We just stocked up on a whole bunch more tea, and we are really enjoying working our way through the spring sampler pack right now. To learn more about Friday Afternoon Tea and our other affiliates, go to Our Favorite Trinkets. Find DeAngelo at:The Geek LyfeTwitterEmerald Templars KickstarterTwitchFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show

Spoiler Warning: I forgot to say this in the intro, but there are some mild spoilers about Yazeba's backstory, starting at about the 25-minute mark until the 34-minute mark.I am very happy to bring you Lillie J. Harris and Mercedes Acosta, two of the writers from the upcoming, so close to launch, game Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast. I am VERY excited about this game, and it was an absolute delight to chat with Lillie and Mercedes about their involvement with its development. They both come from a comics background, so it was really cool to hear about how they brought those skills into this very unique ttrpg. Also, they're pretty badass in general, so just know that you are about to hear from some delightful people. The game launches in a few days, on March 22nd,  on Indiegogo.If this is your first time tuning in to Roll Play Grow, hello! This podcast is a part of Lightheart Adventures, which is a small company I co-founded with my husband. We also do blogs, one-shots, and maps that you'll find over on our website.Find Yazeba's Bed and BreakfastIndieGoGoPossum Creek GamesFind Mercedes at:WebsiteKo-fiTwitterHomelessness OutreachFind Lillie at:WebsiteInstagramTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramDice Envy Dice Envy creates beautiful dice in a variety of materials. Use lightheartadv for 10% off your orderDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://patreon.com/rollplaygrow)

Today we get the pleasure of hearing from the Dungeon Master of a still new yet increasingly popular D&D Actual Play podcast, Reckless Attack. Nathan Lurz joins me today to chat about this podcast, which was years in the making and then we pivot to chatting about social media marketing. This episode is longer than usual, but to be honest that's partly because Nathan and I are friends in real life and this is just what happens when you're friends, but also because he's full of some amazing advice.I'll try and keep this intro short, but in case you missed the last episode, I've got a couple of business updates for you. The first is to announce that after some feedback about our Lightheart Adventures Patreon being a bit confusing, I decided to split Roll Play Grow off into its own separate Patreon, and I just launched it this week! This will allow posts to be more streamlined and less confusing. So if you want to support the show, you can go to patreon.com/rollplaygrow and you'll find a tier as low as $3 a month. Perks include having early access to the guest list, being able to add your questions to upcoming interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and shout-outs on my website and the show. I would love if you'd go check it out and help me work towards some goals. Liiike trying to hire an editor because y'all, editing takes a long time.I'd also like to take a little bit of time to chat about a new affiliate. The ones y'all are used to hearing about are definitely ttrpg focused, but this one is for my fellow entrepreneurs who are looking to upgrade your email marketing. I started using FloDesk to make gorgeous emails that are completely automated a couple years back, and I cannot speak highly enough of them. You can see an example of this by going to lightheartadventures.com. If you have pop-ups enabled, within a few seconds, you'll see a sign-up show up for a free D&D one-shot, or you'll find other ways to get that sign-up throughout the website if you have pop-ups blocked. That sign-up is powered by FloDesk, and then it will email you a free one-shot and add you to an automated email workflow that I set up long ago. If I'm being honest, I really need to go in and update that workflow to be more relevant content, and frankly, it's really easy to do. It's very user-friendly to make new, gorgeous emails, and it's very simple to schedule individual emails or create a workflow that messages your contacts week after week. If you use my affiliate link, you'll get 50% off your first year. Go to lightheartadventures.com/our-favorite-trinkets to learn more about FloDesk and our other favorite things.Find Nathan and Reckless Attack at:WebsiteTwitterInstagramYouTubeFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFloDesk 50% off your 1st year of email marketingDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today's guest is Imani, the founder of Margaret Catter Development. Imani is an indie game developer making some truly fun and pretty niche games. I really loved diving into the stories behind a lot of these games, learning about her processes and some upcoming projects they are working on this year. Imani is a lot of fun, so I hope you enjoy listening to them!I've got a couple of business updates for you all today. The first is to announce that after some feedback about our Lightheart Adventures Patreon being a bit confusing, I decided to split Roll Play Grow off into its own separate Patreon, and I just launched it this week! This will allow posts to be more streamlined and less confusing. So if you want to support the show, you can go to patreon.com/rollplaygrow and you'll find a tier as low as $3 a month. Perks include having early access to the guest list, being able to add your questions to upcoming interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and shout-outs on my website and the show. I would love if you'd go check it out and help me work towards some goals. Liiiiike I'm getting to a point that I need to hire an editor to help me keep up with episodes so we don't get behind again. Editors tend to start at around $50 per hour's worth of audio, so we're looking at at least $200 a month just for the editor, not to include the other costs associated with producing a podcast. Either way, I hope you'll check it out!The other small update is that I have switched my Twitter handle slightly to be more aligned with this show. You can now follow me at KetraRPG.Find Imani and Margaret Catter Dev at:WebsiteItch.ioKo-fiTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramDice Envy Dice Envy creates beautiful dice in a variety of materials. Use lightheartadv for 10% off your orderDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://patreon.com/rollplaygrow)

If you are planning a crowd-funding campaign, thinking of planning a crowd-funding campaign, or just in search of some amazing advice about marketing your products, then you NEED to listen to this episode. Daniel Nimitz is an absolute wizard at helping Kickstarter campaigns get funded. Some examples of previous projects they were the marketing manager of are Fuel Priest, Magic School Mystery, and Heroes of Tara. Dan shares some incredible tips about preparing for your campaign, the budget you set aside for marketing, crowd surveys to see what graphics and images are going to help you achieve your funding goals, building an email list, and so much more. To be totally honest, I kind of kept forgetting that I hadn't shared it yet and would mention some of the stats she told me to Brenton, and he would get confused and be like Courtney, I haven't heard that episode yet. Well now you'll finally know what I'm talking about, Brenton!If this is your first time tuning in to Roll Play Grow, you're probably like what did I just walk into. So hey! This podcast is a part of Lightheart Adventures, which is a small company I co-founded with my husband. We also do blogs, one-shots, and maps that you'll find over on our website, lightheartadventures.com.If you'd like to support the show, you can find us on both Patreon and Ko-fi as Lightheart Adventures. Another way you can support the show is by checking out our affiliate links, like Found Familiar Coffee: the most delicious and nerdy coffee you'll ever taste, and you'll get to collect some pretty cool D&D themed art on every package. Go to foundfamiliar.com and enter code LightheartADV to get 10% off your order, enjoy delicious coffee, and help me keep this show running. That is enough from me for now, so grab a notebook and a pen, and get ready to learn from Daniel.Find Daniel at:WebsiteTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFound Familiar Delicious coffee meets Dungeons & Dragons artwork. Use code lightheartadv for 10% off your order. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Hello & Welcome to Episode 40 of Roll Play Grow, the podcast for tabletop entrepreneurs, creators, and fans. I am Courtney Stover of Lightheart Adventures, and in this podcast, we talk to the creators behind the brands in the tabletop roleplay gaming space about who they are and how they are turning their passion for gaming into a career. Today's guest is probably going to make you crave sweets like nothing else. I had the honor of speaking with Hannah Smith, the owner of Cacao CH3, a chocolate shop that sells delicious confections, including chocolate dice. I can confirm that they are very realistic looking and quite delicious. I gave everyone in my D&D party a tin of chocolate dice for Christmas, and they legitimately thought they were dice, and were really confused when I ate one in front of them. It was pretty great. In this interview, I learned just how ignorant I am about the food business, and Hannah went into great detail about all of the steps she had to take just to be able to launch an online food store, how she keeps up with orders that are all made-to-order, and her goals for the future. A small disclaimer/update: as I mentioned, this was recorded in October of last year. Some of her priorities have had to shift since then, so if you're wanting to go grab yourself some chocolate, which you absolutely should, the stock is a bit more limited these days. So just make sure you order early to give her time to make your chocolate.The last thing I'll bring up is that as always, I would love to hear from you! If you are excited to have the show come back, then please tell me in a review. Spotify now has a review function, so that is another great place for you to post your review, as is Apple Podcasts. Reviews help more folks find this show, and they help keep me motivated, so I'd love it if you can take a moment to leave one. That is all for now, so please sit back and enjoy this conversation with Hannah.Find Hannah and Cacao CH3 at:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFound Familiar Delicious coffee meets Dungeons & Dragons artwork. Use code lightheartadv for 10% off your order. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://patreon.com/rollplaygrow)

Today's guest is Aster, an incredibly talented game and comic artist from Mexico City. I found Aster by looking for an artist to draw my dog, Bowser as a Ranger in a few pieces. As you may or may not know, I am working towards opening an Etsy shop soon for D&D-themed pet merch like bandanas, bowties, and collars. I decided I wanted Bowser to be my mascot, and I needed someone who could draw him as a D&D character. Ruby from Possum Creek Games recommended Aster to me, and I fell in love with his art style. Three AMAZINGLY adorable pieces later, I am a fan of Aster for life. Aster tells the wild journey he's gone through: everything from an abusive boss at 17 to working on Cartoon Network game animation to comics and commission work. Aster is one of the artists working with Possum Creek Games, and you can see his work in the upcoming Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast, which we heard about in last week's episode. We discuss balancing full-time work with freelance commissions, finding clients, finding what art mediums make you happy, and so much more. I am in such awe of Aster, and I cannot wait for you to hear about his journey.If this is your first time tuning in to Roll Play Grow, welcome. This podcast is a part of Lightheart Adventures, which is a small company I co-founded with my husband. We offer a weekly blog on our website where you'll find tips for running games, free monthly one-shot adventures, product reviews, and more. You'll find that blog at lightheartadventures.com. Brenton also creates beautiful dungeon maps, both on DM's Guild and on a commission basis. He is currently working on the third in a series of map packs for Wild Beyond the Witchlight. There will be 5 packs total, one for every chapter, and they offer a look at some additional locations in the adventure. You can find all of those by going to DM's Guild and searching for Lightheart Adventures as the author, or by going to lightheartadventures.com/shop to find all of our DM's Guild and DriveThruRPG publications in one spot.Some other ways you can support us and this show are by subscribing to the show and leaving a review. Reviews help me reach more people, and if you leave it on Apple Podcasts, your review might even get featured on an upcoming episode! That is all for now, so please sit back and enjoy this conversation with Aster.Find Aster at:WebsiteTwitterInstagramKayden Pheonix Publisher InstagramFind Roll Play Grow:Show PageCourtney's recovery fundPatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramDice Envy Dice Envy creates beautiful dice in a variety of materials. Use lightheartadv for 10% off your orderDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://patreon.com/rollplaygrow)

Today's guest is M Veselak, a ttrpg designer and the author of Wickedness, published by Possum Creek Games. We talk about how she became a gamer at the age of 5, writing games for a LARP summer camp, how she creates zer games, what it's like to work with Jay and Ruby at Possum Creek Games, and we get a pretty cool preview of the behind the scenes of the upcoming game Yazeba's Bed and Breakfast. M is a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed getting to know zer more. If this is your first time tuning in to Roll Play Grow, welcome. This podcast is a part of Lightheart Adventures, which is a small company I co-founded with my husband. If you are also a Possum Creek Games fan and want to check out a few other interviews I've done with the team, then I've got two more for you. Episode 13 is with the stars themselves, Jay and Ruby. I also had the privilege of speaking with Jamila R Nedjadi in episode 35 about a lot of his games, though we spent a lot of time on Our Haunt, which is another game Possum Creek recently Kickstarted. And then next week, we'll get to hear from Aster, an artist that has illustrated some games for them as well. If you'd like to support the show, you can find us on both Patreon and Ko-fi as Lightheart Adventures. I am also a huge sucker for a kind review on Apple Podcasts, and if you do leave me a review, it may even be featured on an upcoming episode. Another way you can support the show is by checking out our affiliate links, like Found Familiar Coffee: the most delicious and nerdy coffee you'll ever taste, and you'll get to collect some pretty cool D&D themed art on every package. Go to foundfamiliar.com and enter code LightheartADV to get 10% off your order, enjoy delicious coffee, and help me keep this show running. That is all for now, so please sit back and enjoy this conversation with M. Find M and Wickedness at:TwitterItch.ioOrder a hard copy of WickednessYazeba's Bed and Breakfast PlaytestFind Roll Play Grow:Show PageCourtney's recovery fundPatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFound Familiar Delicious coffee meets Dungeons & Dragons artwork. Use code lightheartadv for 10% off your order. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://patreon.com/rollplaygrow)

For today's guest: have you ever considered writing a series of novels about your D&D campaign? Because that is exactly what the lovely couple over at Tal and Ru Travels are doing. Scott Roepel shares the inspiring story of how he and Ashley are turning their D&D campaign into an 8 book series, and it's based entirely on how things go in their campaign. We talk about the logistics of an ever-changing story, how they share the story and their whole production process, and we even talk about how they bought a camper van to explore nature to influence their ideas. They have a pretty fascinating story, and I can't wait for you to hear it! So thank you as always for checking out Roll Play Grow, and I hope you enjoy this conversation with Scott. Find Scott, Tal and Ru & the Thread of Souls series at:WebsiteThread of Souls seriesKo-fiTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PageCourtney's recovery fundPatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show

Anna Holden is the founder of D&D Disability, a company she began to help bring disability awareness to D&D. She works with a team of consultants to create supplements to allow players to bring disabilities into the world of D&D. I actually had the privilege of working with her on a supplement for POTS, which stands for Postural Orthostatic Tacychardia Syndrome, and it was honestly a really cool experience to think of my own chronic illness in a fun way and translate it to D&D mechanics. We dive into Anna's processes for writing and creating these supplements, as well as the journey D&D Disability has taken over the last year. Anna is also a talented dice maker and is able to use these dice to support herself full time. We also get to have a fun discussion about how she's been able to grow this dice business in conjunction with D&D Disability and while managing her own disabilities, which really is a full-time job in itself. Anna is making some extraordinary strides in bringing more visibility to disabilities, and it was an honor to bring this interview to you. If this is your first time tuning in to Roll Play Grow, welcome. This podcast is a part of Lightheart Adventures, which is a small company I co-founded with my husband. We offer a weekly blog on our website where you'll find tips for running games, free monthly one-shot adventures, product reviews, and more. You'll find that blog at lightheartadventures.com. Brenton also creates beautiful dungeon maps, both on DM's Guild and on a commission basis. He is currently working on a series of map packs for Wild Beyond the Witchlight. There will be 5 packs total, one for every chapter, and they offer a look at some additional locations in the adventure. You can find all of those by going to DM's Guild and searching for Lightheart Adventures as the author, or by going to lightheartadventures.com/shop to find all of our DM's Guild and DriveThruRPG publications in one spot.Some other ways you can support us and this show are by subscribing to this show and leaving a review. Reviews help me reach more people, and if you leave it on Apple Podcasts, your review might even get featured on an upcoming episode! That is all for now, so please sit back and enjoy this conversation with Anna.Find Anna, D&D Disability & Three Fates Dice at:D&D Disability WebsiteThree Fates Dice WebsiteAnna Holden Carrd.coFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramDice Envy Dice Envy creates beautiful dice in a variety of materials. Use lightheartadv for 10% off your orderDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today's guest is Cassi, the dungeon master for the visual novel style D&D podcast, Chosen Ones. They are also a very talented artist and animator. We chat about what it's like to DM an actual play podcast, how they unintentionally wound up with a year's worth of recordings due to Covid, how they add the visual elements for YouTube onto the show, and all about their art journey that led them to this point. This was another great conversation, and I hope you enjoy this look behind the scenes of this great show!If this is your first time tuning in to Roll Play Grow, welcome. This podcast is a part of Lightheart Adventures, which is a small company I co-founded with my husband. We offer a weekly blog on our website where you'll find tips for running games, free monthly one-shot adventures, product reviews, and more. You'll find that blog at lightheartadventures.com. Brenton also creates beautiful dungeon maps, both on DM's Guild and on a commission basis He is currently working on a series of map packs for Wild Beyond the Witchlight. There will be 5 packs total, one for every chapter, and they offer a look at some additional locations in the adventure. You can find all of those by going to DM's Guild and searching for Lightheart Adventures as the author, or by going to lightheartadventures.com/shop to find all of our DM's Guild and DriveThruRPG publications in one spot.Find Cassi & Chosen Ones at:YouTubeLinktreeCassi's TwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFound Familiar Delicious coffee meets Dungeons & Dragons artwork. Use code lightheartadv for 10% off your order. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

It's been a while since we had a maker on the show, and I'm very excited about today's guest, Katlyn Sol, ½ of the Arcane Spectacles team. If you aren't familiar with Arcane Spectacles, they make spell trackers, potion bottles that include d4s, dice vaults, and more cool D&D and Pathfinder accessories. I actually have a spell tracker and potion bottle myself, and I love them both. That potion bottle is really fun to pass around to my players and is definitely seeing a lot of usage these days as I lead them through Curse of Strahd. If you aren't sure what a spell tracker is, it's a great way to both organize your dice and give you a visual and tactile way to keep track of your character's spell slots at every level. It's definitely going to come in handy when my players finally decide to take down Strahd. Or try anyway. Katlyn tells the amazing journey she and her partner have taken to bring Arcane Spectacles to where it is today, including how they started out, going over some amazing Kickstarter planning advice, how they navigated a recent rebrand and more. She is a delightful person, and I know that by the end you'll want to be best friends with her too.That is all for now, so please sit back and enjoy this conversation with Katlyn.Find Katlyn & Arcane Spectacles at:WebsiteInstagramTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramFriday Afternoon Tea Grab a cup of tea with blends based on your favorite nerdy series. Use lightheartadv for 10% offSupport the show (https://patreon.com/rollplaygrow)

Chris Valentine is a best-selling TTRPG author who published on both DM's Guild and DriveThruRPG. One of the things I find most impressive about Chris is the wildly efficient process he's developed for producing new supplements and adventures on a super-fast timeline: we're talking a new publication every week and a half, while he also works full time and has a newborn baby. Now, I will absolutely say that I do not want to in any way encourage something that could cause burn-out for you personally, and I certainly don't want any of you to hear that and feel as though you aren't doing enough. You absolutely are. Instead, what I hope you're able to gather from this discussion is ideas on how to make your own development processes more efficient, so that they are serving you well. Chris has great advice on how having lists of every step can help you when you're feeling stuck so you know what else you can focus on that will still help you reach your goals. Again, I found this deep dive to be really fascinating, and I hope it helps you too!Find Chris  at:WebsiteTwitterFind Roll Play Grow:Show PagePatreonLightheart Adventures WebsiteLightheart TwitterLightheart InstagramDice Envy Dice Envy creates beautiful dice in a variety of materials. Use lightheartadv for 10% off your orderDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://patreon.com/rollplaygrow)