Podcasts about bodhana group

When the juvenile treatment facility where Jack Berkenstock Jr., MHS Executive Director of the Bodhana Group —and several colleagues—worked closed its doors, he and his friends faced an unexpected question: “What’s next?” As Jack recalls, “we decided to start a nonprofit to help other organizations know about unique and innovative treatment opportunities.” Their answer was unconventional—and inspired by an activity Jack knew well from childhood: gaming.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're constantly juggling responsibilities, running on empty or feeling like self-care is just another thing on your to-do list, this episode is for you—real talk on burnout, balance and making time for yourself when life won't slow down.More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/jack-berkenstock-2Jack Berkenstock Jr. is back, and this time we're talking about self-care when you're hella busy. If you don't remember Jack, he's a therapist, the executive director of The Bodhana Group, and a huge advocate for using tabletop gaming as a tool for therapy, skill-building, and education. He also co-organizes the Therapeutic and Applied Geek and Gaming Summit (TAGS), which we get into later.Jack kicks things off by explaining how The Bodhana Group started. Originally focused on working with folks dealing with sexually problematic behaviors, they quickly realized how gaming was already helping people process trauma, build confidence, and develop social skills—all without clinical intervention. That realization led them to intentionally structure therapeutic gaming with actual treatment models like CBT and DBT rather than just tossing people into a game and hoping for the best.One of the biggest questions Jack gets is, “Where's the research?” While studies are in progress—Bodhana even completed one on RPGs helping adults with social anxiety—Jack makes a strong point: research is useful, but real-world results matter too. Parents see their kids engaging more, developing friendships, and even leading their own game groups, which speaks volumes.We also talk about the struggles kids and adults faced during COVID isolation. Gaming, especially RPGs, became a way to maintain connections. Jack shares a story about kids playing Monster of the Week who skipped the action and just created a virtual campfire hangout because that's what they really needed. That kind of flexibility—meeting people where they are emotionally—is what makes gaming such a powerful tool.Jack also breaks down TAGS, the Therapeutic and Applied Geek and Gaming Summit. It's a professional conference designed to bring together therapists, educators, game designers, and advocates to discuss how geek culture and gaming can be used for mental health and personal growth. The first year's theme? “Community: Everyone Has a Seat at the Table.” The goal is to make sure voices from all areas—licensed therapists, direct support professionals, educators, and even the people benefiting from these methods—are heard. The event has over 60 panels covering everything from RPGs and mental health to video games, neurodiversity, and grief representation in media. Bonus: attendees can get recordings of the panels for a whole year.Finally, we hit on self-care—because, let's be real, burnout is real, especially when you're passionate about what you do. Jack openly admits that many in mental health suck at self-care (himself included). He talks about recognizing signs of exhaustion, like struggling to focus or pushing through when your body is screaming for rest. His advice? Slow down, listen to what your body and mind are telling you, and don't ignore what your support system is pointing out.This episode is packed with insight, laughs, and a real talk about making time for yourself—even when it feels impossible. If you've ever wondered how gaming can be used for therapy or just needed a reminder to take care of yourself, this one's for you.

In which we talk to Jack Berkenstock from the Bodhana Group about their ongoing Branch Riders Kickstarter! * What's the Bodhana Group? * What's Branch Riders about? * Working with OPP * First-time game design * Branch Riders playstyle * Different realms * Gameplay * SAVE Against Fear Links: Onyx Path YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheOnyxPath Onyx Path Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theonyxpath Onyx Path Discord: https://discord.gg/5uckcBk

Join me in revisiting a blast from the past as we dive deep into pandemic exhaustion and the quest for 'normalcy' – a must-listen for anyone seeking insights on navigating life's unpredictable twists and turns. More info, resources & ways to connect: https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/jack-berkenstock-3 In this Mental Health Monday conversation, MommaFoxFire welcomed Jack Berkenstock, Jr as her guest. Together, they delved into the topic of "Pandemic Exhaustion, Return to 'Normal'." Jack, an advocate for mental health and the founder of the Bodhana Group, shared insights, experiences, and reflections on navigating the challenges brought about by the pandemic and the prospect of returning to a semblance of normalcy. The conversation kicked off with Jack discussing the multifaceted impact of the pandemic on individuals' mental health. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the exhaustion many people are feeling after enduring prolonged periods of uncertainty, isolation, and stress. Jack highlighted the resilience of individuals in coping with these challenges but also recognized the need for continued support and understanding as society transitions to a post-pandemic reality. Throughout the interview, Jack and MommaFoxFire explored various themes related to mental health and well-being. They discussed the significance of creating safe spaces where individuals feel heard and supported, particularly in the context of gaming communities and therapeutic environments. Jack emphasized the importance of establishing environments where individuals feel comfortable expressing their emotions and boundaries without fear of judgment or reprisal. Another key aspect of the conversation was the importance of ongoing education and awareness surrounding mental health issues. Jack underscored the need for open dialogue and continued learning to dispel misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental illness and disabilities. He highlighted the value of approaching conversations with empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from one another's experiences. The interview also touched on the concept of returning to "normal" after the pandemic and the complexities inherent in this process. Jack acknowledged the mixed emotions many individuals may be experiencing as they navigate the transition back to pre-pandemic routines and social interactions. He emphasized the importance of self-compassion and patience during this time of adjustment, recognizing that everyone's journey will be unique. Throughout the discussion, Jack shared personal anecdotes, reflections, and insights gleaned from his advocacy work and experiences within the mental health community. His authenticity, humor, and passion for supporting others shone through as he engaged in meaningful dialogue with MommaFoxFire. This conversation provided a rich exploration of the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating pandemic exhaustion and the return to "normal." Jack's perspective offered valuable insights into the importance of fostering supportive communities, promoting mental health awareness, and approaching the journey toward recovery with compassion and understanding. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mommafoxfire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mommafoxfire/support

Jason and GamerMomLuna had the chance to interview Jack Berkenstock, Jr, the executive director of The Bodhana Group. The Bodhana Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates the use of tabletop gaming as a directed therapeutic and clinical practice that can benefit personal growth as well as enhance social and educational services to individuals and families. The Bodhana Group advocates the use of tabletop gaming as a directed therapeutic and clinical practice that can benefit personal growth as well as enhance social and educational services to individuals and families. Find Jack on Twitter. Find The Bodhana Group online. Theme music by Kerry Cobuccio Music used under CC-BY by Kyellan Join us at https://www.shadomain.com for all things TTRPG! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taverntales/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taverntales/support

Roleplaying games are already great, but what happens when they're intentionally used to improve lives? We welcome Jack Berkenstock Jr., MHS, Executive Director, The Bodhana Group to talk about therapeutic RPG. 0:00 Introduction3:54 Interview: Jack Berkenstock Jr., MHS, Executive Director, The Bodhana Group44:43 Wrap-up Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website. Script Change: http://briebeau.com/scriptchange The Bodhana Group Links https://www.thebodhanagroup.org https://twitter.com/thebodhanagroup https://www.facebook.com/thebodhanagroup Wyrmworks Publishing Limitless Heroics: http://inclusiverpg.com The Lair: https://cutt.ly/LairYT Limitless Champions: http://mini.inclusiverpg.com Wyrmworks Publishing: https://WyrmworksPublishing.com

S3E49 (139) Origins Recap… Finally! Better late than never, right Dave? Jon and Troy recount their experiences at Origins Game Fair while fighting through exhaustion and technical difficulties. The Bodhana Group: https://www.thebodhanagroup.org/ To hear more about what we have going on, when we're going live, what cons we'll be attending, or just to hangout with some cool people like yourself (not us, our other fans)… join us on our Discord. Just click here: https://discord.gg/KAaWZbGmJK Wanna keep up with what we're getting up to with World of Game Design? Head on over to: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/2091c5ad-779e-11ec-9589-ee62aa0d4933 and get signed up for the WoGD newsletter, and go here: https://discord.gg/vUCqnxPscw to join th WoGD Discord server. You'll get some cool 5e content and notifications about upcoming projects, Kickstarters, and events. You can also take a peek at: https://store.wogd.com/ to get your hands on some great new products. Social Links Geeks' Cant Discord Link: https://discord.gg/KAaWZbGmJK Geeks' Cant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geekscant Zac Goins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xzacklee Troy Sandlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/troysandlin Jon Christian Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwarfpower Geeks' Cant is brought to you by the World of Game Design! This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

In this week's episode Bob and Natasha look at some now classic Euro games, The Castles of Burgundy and The Voyages of Marco Polo. We also get to hear about Natasha building an awesome Rube Goldberg Machine with her son. In the discussion topic this week, Bob and Natasha had the opportunity to talk with the Executive Director of the Bodhana Group, Jack Berkenstock Jr. Jack shares how Bodhana came to be and how they use games and RPG's. The Bodhana Group is a nonprofit that advocates the use of tabletop gaming as a directed therapeutic and clinical practice that can benefit personal growth as well as enhance social and educational services to individuals and families.

Words To Your Mother: ACTUAL PRO talk show interview with mental health professional guest Jack Berkenstock - from November, 2019. We talked about working with at-risk kids, sexually problematic behaviors, co-occurring mental health disorders, tabletop gaming, The Bodhana Group and Save Against Fear! Video version --> https://youtu.be/YtQR-xAUaNQ Jack Berkenstock Jr. is a Master's Level therapist who has worked in the Human Services field for 25 years. He received his Master in Human Services in 2008 and has extensive history before that working as a Direct Support Professional. He has worked predominantly with at-risk children and adolescents in settings included inner city education, recreation, and in residential treatment facilities. He specializes in working with victims of and perpetrators of sexually problematic behaviors. His work has also including supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disability with sexually problematic behaviors. All these experiences also involved working with co-occurring mental health disorders. Jack is the Executive Director and one of the founders of The Bodhana Group, a 501c3 organization that utilizes tabletop gaming for education, skill building and therapy. Bodhana is based in York , PA. Originally aired LIVE on twitch - come join the community and tune in every M/W/F for new mental health talks and interviews on Mondays, well-being & wine Wednesdays featuring peer support, plus community Fridays with gaming and lots of laughs: https://www.twitch.tv/mommafoxfire mommafoxfire is a mental health advocate and variety gaming streamer on twitch! well-being, life advice, real talk, community --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mommafoxfire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mommafoxfire/support

We welcome you back to Atlantic City as Matthew leads Craig, Klara and special guests B. Dave Walters (L.A. By Night) and Paradox Community Manager Outstar through a scenario that works as a kind of sequel to "The Family". "Return to Atlantic City" was originally streamed at Onyx Path Virtual Gaming Convention 2021 with profits from there benefiting The Bodhana Group. Learn more about this great cause here thebodhanagroup.org.Music by: Atrium Carceri. Used with permission from Cryo Chamber.Our Champions of the Red Moon: Martin Heuschober, Nastasia Raulerson, Simon Cooper, David, Julia, Camilla, Ludwig Manford, Bob de Lange and Julián.Web: https://www.redmoonroleplaying.comiTunes: http://apple.co/2wTNqHxAndroid: http://bit.ly/2vSvwZiYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/RedMoonRoleplayingSpotify: https://spoti.fi/30iFmznRSS: http://www.redmoonroleplaying.com/podcast?format=rssPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/RedMoonRoleplaying

In which Eddy and Matthew talk with Jack Berkenstock of the Bodhana Group about using tabletop RPGs in therapeutic settings. What is the Bodhana Group? Therapy through the game, not about the game Lots of talk about RPG safety tools Using safety tools to start the discussion, not stop it Convincing people to use safety tools Jack's origin story as a multitude of Airdales What do you want to see at Onyx Path Con? Links: The Bodhana Group (and social media): https://www.thebodhanagroup.org/ Save against Fear: https://www.thebodhanagroup.org/about-the-convention Game to Grow: https://gametogrow.org/ RPG Research: https://www.rpgresearch.com/ Script Change RPG Toolbox: https://briebeau.itch.io/script-change Wizards, Warriors and Wellness: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/268200/Wizards-Warriors-and-Wellness--The-Therapeutic-Application-of-Role-Playing-Games&affiliate_id=548232 Exalted: Essence Kickstarter: http://kck.st/3vsbUGv Onyx Path YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheOnyxPath Onyx Path Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theonyxpath Onyx Path Discord: https://discord.gg/5uckcBk 

CONTENT DISCLOSURE: Melissa and Jack talk about some mature topics during this interview. It may not be suitable for younger ears. At the end of this episode, your mind will be racing with endless ways you can start incorporating gaming into your family. Jack Berkenstock, Jr., MHS is a master's level therapist passionate about the benefits of tabletop gaming for development and growth in essential skills for children, especially those who have experience trauma. He shares why gaming is such an effective therapy modality along with tons of practical suggestions. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links The Bodhana Group Website Connect with the Bodhana Group on Instagram #37: Are video games actually bad for kids? #118: Connecting Through Cooking with Chef Kibby #123: Play for the Exhausted Parent with Michelle Batten Games Mentioned by Jack Junk Art* Pugmire* Harry Potter Deckbuilder Game* Castle Panic* Upper Deck Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game* Dead of Winter* No Thank You Evil* Meddling Kids* Monster Factory * Blue Orange Games Gamewright Games Haba Games Board Game Arena Tabletop Simulator Tabletopia *This is an affiliate link

CONTENT DISCLOSURE: Melissa and Jack talk about some mature topics during this interview. It may not be suitable for younger ears. At the end of this episode, your mind will be racing with endless ways you can start incorporating gaming into your family. Jack Berkenstock, Jr., MHS is a master's level therapist passionate about the benefits of tabletop gaming for development and growth in essential skills for children, especially those who have experience trauma. He shares why gaming is such an effective therapy modality along with tons of practical suggestions. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links The Bodhana Group Website Connect with the Bodhana Group on Instagram #37: Are video games actually bad for kids? #118: Connecting Through Cooking with Chef Kibby #123: Play for the Exhausted Parent with Michelle Batten Games Mentioned by Jack Junk Art* Pugmire* Harry Potter Deckbuilder Game* Castle Panic* Upper Deck Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game* Dead of Winter* No Thank You Evil* Meddling Kids* Monster Factory * Blue Orange Games Gamewright Games Haba Games Board Game Arena Tabletop Simulator Tabletopia *This is an affiliate link

Jeremy, Bryan, Dave, and Ray bring on friend and guest James Kirk (yes, that is his real name) to discuss the pros and cons of the Kickstarting model and how it compares to the the old stalwart pre-ordering method! We also discuss the seminal and explosive fourth episode of Wandavision! If you want to find out more about James and his work with the Bodhana Group, visit their website here: https://www.thebodhanagroup.org Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/dHQZ6jj28h --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/invitetoparty/message

#271: Josué presented at The Bodhana Group’s annual Save Against Fear event with former co-host Brandon Saxton and GT newcomer Joe Serrano on the therapeutic aspects of DIY and maker culture. We discuss building at different scales, from 3D printed miniatures to Gundam models to cosplay. Support Geek Therapy on Patreon and get your welcome […] The post Make Your Own Miniatures, Mindfully appeared first on Geek Therapy.

#DnD5E News =  Hear Lucid Eye Publications (@LucidEyePublish) COVID -19 Statement.  Plus, a new artificer on kickstarter by James Streissand (@ashofcreativity). Moreover, SEAN MURRAY (@seanmurray683) tells us people are rolling their stats less often now. Furthermore,smoking fireplace causes mayhem for Critical Role’s (@CriticalRole) Fireside Chat Twitch Stream.  In addition Elizabeth Banks is the latest spotted celebrity D&D player. We also have a list of virtual tabletops and their deals they currently are running from EN World (@Morrus). Links: Lucid Eye COVID UPDATE 25/03/2020 Data Shows Dungeons & Dragons Players Aren’t Keen On Rolling Stats Anymore DUNGEONS & DRAGONS PLAYERS TURN TO VIRTUAL TABLETOPS IN RECORD NUMBERS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS Critical Role fireside Twitch stream goes up in smoke after massive fail WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE Is Another Great Set of Bounties for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Virtual Gary Con Dungeons & Dragons Teases Planescape With Unearthed Arcana Spells and Tattoos D&D Charity Bundle Gives $120 Worth Of Adventures For $20. One other Doctors Without Borders Charity Bundles Doctors Without Borders Charity Bundle   New Celebrity D&D Player Spotted Playing Virtually? Don't Miss These Deals Research on a Roll: HU, Bodhana Group team up to explore tabletop games as therapy. COVID-19 nearly ended Wyrmwood’s business, YouTube series shows how it’s hanging on   New Adventure league Adventures on DMs Guild Kickstarter: The Artificer: a 5th Edition Character Class   Blogs: 5E Adventure Review: Annihilation Hold (5e) The Third Protocol review Not a Wargame The D&D Adventures That Stumble by Missing the Hook   Podcasts: Tome Show News Mar 29 2020 All Things Alan Patrick (Round Table 174) DwDD – Gaming Online with Celeste Conowitch Crit Academy: 100 Weapon Histories 100 Weapon Histories - DnD Speak - Casey Willis DnDiscussions Episode 20 – Playing the Game with Kyle Fergusson Dungeonpedia 55: Heaven's Missing an Aasimar

In which Eddy and Dixie interview Josh about his work with Onyx Path and High Level Games, focusing on his Reach-Out Roleplaying Games project. Eddy's eating Switch cartridges Dixie's Pet Peeve Corner! Matthew also has peeves How Josh got involved with RPG design/Onyx Path A bit of Josh's history Reach-Out Role-Playing Games Gaming as conflict resolution and peacebuilding An example of Josh's work An example from Eddy! Playing as or with people from other cultures More on RORPG Diversity in tabletop Modules for RORPG Bringing RORPG to people who aren't gamers A bit on backlash And a bit on allyship Matthew feels entitled We talk about Nintendo Switch, unsurprisingly Dixie's mad about the Animal Crossing Switch Then we talk about modding systems; nothing is on topic after this Links: M20 Gods and Monsters: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/266029/M20-Gods--MonstersAdventures for Curious Cats: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/273857/Adventures-for-Curious-CatsReach-Out Roleplaying Games: http://keepontheheathlands.com/rorpg/Bodhana Group: https://www.thebodhanagroup.org/Harlem Unbound: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/218062/Harlem-UnboundJames Mendez Hodes' website: https://jamesmendezhodes.com/White Fragility: https://www.amazon.com/White-Fragility-People-About-Racism/dp/0807047414/How to Be an Antiracist: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509283/Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Kids-Sitting-Together-Cafeteria-ebook/dp/B071KSKT3K/iThrive: https://ithrivegames.org/Werewolf The Podcast: https://keepontheheathlands.podbean.com/HLG Podcast: https://highlevelgames.libsyn.com/High Level Games: https://www.highlevelgames.ca/Inclusive Gaming Network: http://keepontheheathlands.com/inclusive-gaming-network/HLG Twitter: https://twitter.com/HLG_CorporateHLG Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/high_level_gamesHLG Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/highlevelMage The Podcast: https://magethepodcast.com/Gizmondo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GizmondoHunter: The Vigil Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/339646881/hunter-the-vigil-second-edition-tabletop-roleplaying-game/descriptionOnyx Path Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theonyxpathOnyx Path Discord: https://discord.gg/5uckcBk

In this episode we get the opportunity to hear from Jack Berkenstock about his work in the Bodhana group. Together we talk about the therapeutic use of all sorts of games, the state of gaming as a tool for therapeutic growth, and many other areas. This episode is for gamers as well as therapists who […] The post Talking with Jack Berkenstock of the Bodhana Group appeared first on Rolling for Change.

Sam and Brian talk with Jack Berkenstock, Executive Director of the Bodhana Group, a nonprofit organization that advocates the use of tabletop gaming as a directed therapeutic and clinical practice. While the group doesn't get overtly theological in the episode, using table top gaming in therapy makes some really beautiful connections to loving our neighbor. To find out more about the Bodhana Group, visit them at the following: Website: www.TheBodhanaGroup.org Facebook: The Bodhana Group Twitter: @theBodhanaGroupInstagram: TheBodhanaGroupConnect with us on Twitter @GeekChurch and on Facebook at Church of the Geek. Theme song by @RickRackYouTube -- he is currently taking commissions,

Welcome, brave adventurers... to the fifty-fifth entry into our chronicle, recorded on Saturday December 29th 2018, and released Wednesday January 2nd 2019 over at heroesrisepodcast.com.Support the show (http://patreon.com/heroesrisednd)

In which we discuss what we as individuals have gotten out of RPGs, and what other people can get from them. * We now have a lost episode! * Dixie was an awkward child/teen/adult* RPGs helped her find "her people," her aesthetic, and confidence* Eddy was a similarly awkward kid, and RPGs helped him, too* On being "not enough" for certain subcultures/communities* Surprise, Matthew was also awkward!* Another surprise, RPGs helped his confidence, too!* Speech therapy for all (three of us)* Vampire/character voices* Two digressions in quick succession* RPGs as therapy tools* The Wraith: The Oblivion curse* How RPGs can affect players and GMs* RPGs and trauma rules/The X-Card* Which Onyx Path games are the most emotionally heavy?* What does "fun" mean?* Learning real-world things via RPGs* We all love Britain* Eddy and Dixie are going to conventions* Stay tuned after the music for your new favorite ringtone Links:* Windows 10 bug: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2018/10/06/microsoft-confirms-windows-10-update-mistake-was-your-data-lost/#472b15a9665b* Anthrax & Public Enemy - Bring the Noise: https://youtu.be/kl1hgXfX5-U* Nicholas Briggs Interview: https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/doctor-who-voice-of-the-daleks-nicholas-briggs-interview/* iThrive: http://ithrivegames.org/* Bodhana Group: https://www.thebodhanagroup.org/* A Theory of Fun for Game Design by Raph Koster: https://www.theoryoffun.com/ * Save Against Fear: https://www.thebodhanagroup.org/about-the-convention* High Level Games Con: https://hlgcon.com/

In which Matthew, Dixie, and Eddy present a recording of our "What's Up with Onyx Path" panel. But will their sanity survive low audio quality and recording software issues? * Intro, and we talk about the audio quality and the applause next door * Rich introduces the panel, and talks about the stuff that's not specific to games * Changeover in process and staff over the past year * Rich is on the board of the Bodhana Group * iThrive and the Critical Strengths Engine * Rich has to go, leaving us in charge * Matt McElroy talks about fiction and distribution * Community Content programs * Talking about the Onyx Pathcast while recording for the Pathcast! Pathcastception! * Matthew talks about World of Darkness * Chicago By Night for Vampire 5th Edition * Mage 20th updates: Book of the Fallen, Guide to the Technocracy, Victorian Mage * Wraith 20th updates: Book of Oblivion * Changeling 20th updates: C20 Player's Guide * Dixie and Matthew talk about Chronicles of Darkness * Innocents Second Edition * Mummy the Curse Second Edition * Exalted updates: Lunars, Heirs of the Shogunate, Sidereals * Scion, guest-starring Neall Price * Some initial ideas about Scion: Demigod * Trinity Continuum * John Snead talks a bit about Trinity: Aeon, Aeon Aexpansion, and Distant Worlds * Trinity: Aberrant, as written by Steve Kenson * Cavaliers of Mars status updates: Core, Witch-Queen, City of Towered Tomb * They Came From Beneath The Sea * Dystopia Rising: Evolution * Pugmire updates: Monarchies of Mau, Fetch Quest, and announcing Pirates of Pugmire! * Announcing the Legendlore RPG (based on the Caliber Comics series) * Q&A - the questions are sometimes hard to hear, but we preserved this, just in case * The outro descends into chaos, so Eddy quickly wraps things up Links * Onyx Path Brochure: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/246767/Onyx-Path-20182019-Publishing-Brochure * Storypath System Preview: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/246766/Storypath-System-Preview-2018 * Bodhana Group: https://www.thebodhanagroup.org/ * iThrive Games: http://ithrivegames.org/ * Studio 2 Publishing: https://studio2publishing.com/collections/all-products * Indie Press Revolution: https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/home.php * Canis Minor: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/cc/17/canis-minor * Slarecian Vault: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/cc/19/Slarecian-Vault 

Jenny and her mother Shannon (of STG 10 fame!) deliver an after-action report on Save Against Fear 2017, held Oct. 13-15 in Harrisburg, PA! Everyone had a great time, and the con was exceptionally well-run and definitely worth attending next year. Some specific shoutouts: First, to our former co-host Branden, who was in attendance and ran a fantastic Mistborn game! Also to the Harrisburg Mall for providing an excellent con space; Harrisburg University's game design program; and of course to The Bodhana Group for putting on a great con and continuing to be wonderful people doing good for hurting people. Games mentioned in this episode: Dreamchaser by Imagining Games; We Didn't Playtest This At All by Asmadi Games; Starfall by Pandasaurus Games; Spirit Island by Greater Than Games; Clank by Renegade Game Studios; Smallworld by Days of Wonder; Castle Dice and Epic PvP by Fun To 11; Cthulhu Invictus by Chaosium; Mistborn by Crafty Games; Kingmaker by Avalon Hill; Mysterium by Asmodee; and "Into the Dragon's Maw" by Dragonix.

We're delighted to welcome Jack Berkenstock Jr. of The Bodhana Group back onto the mics this week! Jack previously joined us on STG 25, when he introduced us to the idea of roleplaying games as an adjunct therapeutic tool for children who were victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse, among others. This time, he's here to talk more about RPGs in treatment for social skills, grief, loss, and more. After catching up with our old friend a bit, we let him plug Save Against Fear 2017 (Oct. 13-15 in Harrisburg, PA)—which we can confirm Jenny will attend this year, so catch up with her there too if you see her! We also plug the /r/ChristianDnD subreddit, especially for anyone looking to find other folks to game online with. That done, we chat briefly about the 2017 total solar eclipse and answer (another) question from Patreon backer Fernando about Saturday morning cartoons we'd want to turn into games. Naturally, this gave us a chance to plug our podcasting friends over at the Gameable Saturday Morning Podcast, and Peter's episodes on Batman: The Animated Series there. Our other choices: E.X.O. Squad, Reboot, Star Blazers, and Toad Patrol! (And yes, please nominate your own cartoons to game in the comments.) Finally, we settle in and let Jack talk about his introduction to gaming, how he found out he wanted to do therapy for kids who were hurting badly, and how he figured out that those two loves might work together. In particular, we discuss methodologies, what kind of metrics work and don't work in these sorts of situations, Olivia's House, and how the therapeutic sessions Bodhana runs differ from your average tabletop game. Games mentioned this episode: Unknown Armies; Cartoon Action Hour; Blades in the Dark; No Thank You, Evil!; Pugmire; Retrostar. Also mentioned: Face Value Comics; The Anglican Church's "Prayer for Reconciliation". Scripture: Psalm 16:7-10, Psalm 91:2-6, John 8:2-11, Galatians 6:1-2

We're joined this week by Matthew Surber, who's both the Program Director at the West River Center in Maryland and a game designer affiliated with Defy Danger Adventures. We actually found Matthew through the most unlikely of sources (Reddit comments, of all things) but he turned out to be a fantastic guest! After addressing Patreon backer Tom's question about broad and narrow skills in roleplaying games, and a quick diversion from Jenny about the dangers of Canada's nuclear wildlife, we buckled down with Matthew to discuss applying counseling principles to games. Matthew's got a Master's degree in counseling and a Dungeon World game he runs for his other camp counselors; naturally, he had a lot of excellent advice to give about trust, bonds, empathy, and saying 'yes' as a GM and player. Games mentioned this episode: Dungeon World; Beyond The Wall; Pugmire; Honey Heist; The Skeletons; Ten Candles. Other things mentioned this episode: MegaDumbCast (MDC); Defy Danger Adventures; STG 25 with Jack Berkenstock; The Bodhana Group; Wheelhouse Workshop; and that rad Honey Heist t-shirt. Matthew can be found on Twitter at @TheRealSurberus. Scripture: Jonah 2:2, Psalm 119:76, Mark 2:15-17

Ep. 88: Jack Berkenstock comes on the show to talk to us about the Bodhana Group, Save Against Fear, and using tabletop gaming as a directed therapeutic and clinical practice. Please fill out our quick audience survey! http://bit.ly/2mU9KQB Notes: The Bodhana Group – http://www.thebodhanagroup.org/ Game to Grow on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC27sJEo6QLVyiyuKKFiKreQ — Come chat with […] The post The Bodhana Group and Save Against Fear w/ Jack Berkenstock appeared first on Geek Therapy.

We've finally reached the hundred-episode milestone! Our heartfelt thanks to all our listeners, past hosts and guest hosts, and Patreon backers; you've all helped make this podcast special. We look forward to the next hundred-plus episodes! This episode, Grant and Peter celebrate reaching STG 100 and call out our new theme music (by James Opie, of Nihilore.com). Then, we plug our annual charity drive for The Bodhana Group; discuss some forthcoming changes to our Patreon; and Grant reviews Big Fandom Greenville. After that, we've got our Patreon question! This one's from Jared, who asks "What game systems that you have played have felt the most compatible with spiritual growth, and what game systems that you have played have felt the least compatible with spiritual growth?" For our main topic, we discuss a worldbuilding problem—handling historical mysteries in fantasy or sci-fi settings where longevity and data retention risk negating the mystery altogether. That leads us into a larger discussion of what the historical record might be like in all sorts of fantastic settings, and what a game master should think about when determining what historical knowledge is available during their game. Scripture: Daniel 2:19-21; 2 Peter 3:8; John 1:1

Mike Perna of Innroads Ministries joins us at the appointed hour, to give our listeners some real, practical advice on running small gaming events for your church or community! First, though, we talk about a few other things, in no particular order: Our upcoming fundraiser for The Bodhana Group (keep an eye on our social media feeds for links to that!); the Game to Grow panel we hosted on spirituality in roleplaying games; players taking notes during games; the InSpectres game Grant just wrapped up; and Big Fandom Greenville (more on this next episode.) We also tackle a great question from Patreon backer Doug, who asks "What, if anything, do you think is simply off-limits for a game? Is the answer different if we're talking you personally, or for gaming in general?" (This turned out to be surprisingly relevant to our main topic!) Also mentioned in this episode: A Game for Good Christians, STG 17, "Lines and Veils". Scripture: Proverbs 16:3, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Luke 14:28

Grant and Peter are back at it with part three of our Historical Heresies series. This time, we introduce a major competitor to Christianity in the Western Roman Empire, and a particularly interesting (read: complex and imaginative) Gnostic tradition: Manichaeism! We also provide one last plug for this year's fundraiser for The Bodhana Group, and remind everyone to rate and review us on iTunes, Stitcher, and anywhere else you listen to our podcast on. Scripture: Psalm 119:25-27, Matthew 28:19-20

It's a shorter episode this week, due to recording right after Thanksgiving and Grant (and the rest of his household) being very sick. Still, that doesn't stop us from plugging our Bodhana Group fundraiser before getting into our main topic: Group management! We talk about the holidays—because it's that time of year—and what they do to games. Then, we discuss a number of issues which might arise and communication and management tools to alleviate group management problems. Enjoy! Scripture: Proverbs 13:4, Ephesians 5:15-16

Rev. Derek White, a.k.a. "The Geekpreacher", joins Grant and Peter once again! Derek joined us previously on Episode 38, "Christians on the Convention Scene", and he's back with us to discuss another weighty topic: Walter Wink's "myth of redemptive violence" and René Girard's concept of the "scapegoat" and collective violence. We also take a moment to remind everyone about our ongoing fundraiser for The Bodhana Group, and hear about Derek's growing role as a convention pastor. Lastly, David LaMotte was kind enough to give us permission to use his song "Peter" in this episode; it was particularly appropriate, especially since David's a Walter Wink fan too. If you enjoyed it, find more music at his website, and on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play. Also referenced in this episode: The GenCon 2015 Worship Service (and specifically, Derek's "Here There Be Dragons" sermon); The GenCon 2015 "Faith and Gaming" panel; Walter Wink's "Facing the myth of redemptive violence"; René Girard's The Scapegoat; Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History" podcast; and Ursula K. le Guin's "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas". Scripture: Hosea 6:6, Jonah 3:10-4:2, Luke 22:47-52

Grant and Peter reprise Episode 60's "Gaming Curriculum" topic, with another set of suggested media! These are things we think you should read, watch, play, or experience away from the gaming table which will make you a better player and gamemaster. Check the full show notes below for links to everything we mentioned during the show! Also, we're raising funds for The Bodhana Group, which uses tabletop RPGs in cognitive therapy applications for hurting children. For more details, visit our fundraiser page or listen to Episode 25, where we interviewed Bodhana's Executive Director and learned all about the great work they do. If you want to help them, please consider giving to them this holiday season! Scripture: Proverbs 22:6, Acts 8:26-31 Settings The Earthsea series of novels, by Ursula K. le Guin Schlock Mercenary, by Howard Tayler Extra History, by Extra Credits Crash Course, by John & Hank Green The Fallout series of games, by Bethesda Game StudiosPlots Phone Booth, directed by Joel Schumacher Sojourn and other anthologies The "Doc Savage" series of novels, by William G. Bogart and others The "Arthurian Saga" by Mary Stewart Radiant Historia, by Atlus GamesCharacters The Overwatch trailer and characters, by Blizzard Entertainment Princess Mononoke, by Hiyao Miyazaki The Mass Effect series of games, by Bioware The Discworld series of novels, by Sir Terry PratchettTheme Spec Ops: The Line, by Yager Development The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont Ponyo by Hayao Miyazaki and The Little Mermaid by Ron Clements & John Musker Siddhartha, by Hermann HesseOther Recommendations The Boy Scout Handbook and the Army Field Manual, among other practical guides The Riverworld series of novels, by Phillip José Farmer Peter's "Gaming Curriculum: Extra Credit" and "Gaming Curriculum: Extra Credit, Part II" blog posts Freakangels, by Warren Ellis & Paul Duffield The MacGuffin Factory podcast, by Innroads Ministries The Guin Saga, by Kaoru Kurimoto Table Titans, by Scott Kurtz

Our holiday fundraiser for The Bodhana Group has officially begun! Grant and a recuperating Peter kick off this episode with a plug for that, before diving into the complex structure and philosophy of Gnosticism in order to lay a foundation for further episodes on specific Gnostic Christian sects. Grant provides an overview of core Gnostic beliefs, and how they connect to Christianity and Judaism (as well as other beliefs from around the Hellenistic world.) We touch on Kabbalah and modern Gnostic influences, and then spend some time discussing a major and newly-discovered Gnostic text: The Gospel of Judas. Grab a notepad, and enjoy! Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:39, 1 Timothy 6:20-21, 1 John 4:2-3

Donate to The Permaculture Podcast Online: via PayPal Venmo: @permaculturepodcast Enjoy this episode? Become a Patron. This episode is a conversation with Jason Godesky, creator of The Fifth World Role Playing Game, recorded in-person several weeks ago at the Save Against Fear convention, but I start our conversation with an introduction to all this, so go ahead and give it a listen. You can find out more about Jason and the game at TheFifthWorld.com. If you would like to know more about Save Against Fear, the gaming convention where this was recorded, the website is SaveAgainstFear.com. The Bodhana Group, which organized the event and uses the funds raised each year to assist the children and families impacted by childhood trauma, is at thebodhanagroup.org. As you may have noticed in our closing we ran out of time in our session, and did not get to address all the listener questions. I emailed those to Jason, who kindly responded. Q1: "Composting toilets?” Jason: “Do you mean to ask if I have one? No. I think that reusing what's already built usually beats building something new; that, combined with my bioregional commitments, led me to go in with my brother to buy the house that we grew up in. It's a fairly traditional suburban setting, and I haven't made much headway with repurposing much of it yet. Or do you mean to ask what I think of composting toilets? My opinion on them is the same as herb spirals, hugelkultur, and just about all of the other “cool” permaculture techniques: they're great — in the right context. There's several kinds of design that figure prominently in my life, especially web design, game design, and permaculture design. Across them all, I've become convinced that design itself comes down to really thinking through what you want to accomplish here, in this specific context, and picking the principles and techniques that focus on those goals. In each of those fields, I see people who look for the short-cut of just picking from the pre-approved list of “best practices,” but no matter how many other people have employed a thing successfully elsewhere, no one has ever applied it in your specific circumstances before. So, to bring all of that back down to earth for a moment, I love composting toilets, and they'll probably fit in well with most permaculture designs, but the world has never seen a truly one-size-fits-all solution, and probably never will. Not even composting toilets.” Q2: "Wow! I love RPGing. It looks like a magic free world? Is there any technology above stone age? What mechanic is used (D20, 3d6, fate)? Will it be available on drive thru RPG? Will it ever be print? Is it in beta and can my group help test?” Jason:“The Fifth World takes place in our world, four hundred years from now, so it has all of the magic that our world has. I take that to mean a great deal of magic, though none of the Vancian fireballs that a wizard from Dungeons & Dragons would recognize. In “Becoming Animal,” David Abram writes of his apprenticeship to a Nepalese magician who taught him how to shapeshift — a long regimen of training his awareness that involved nothing supernatural, and yet ended in astonishing magic. I wonder about the ways that magicians could use altered states of consciousness to heighten “thin-slicing” (as Malcolm Gladwell called it) to go through mystical experiences that synthesize vast amounts of data, allowing them to make better decisions, which they would experience as mystical journeys and encounters (and really, what makes my neurological explanation any more real than their first-hand experience?). Hunter-gatherers learn the calls of different animals well enough to mimic them and to understand the responses they get in return, so that we can really only deny the conclusion that they speak with animals out of spite. It seems less false to me to call such things “magic” than to call them anything else. I think that an interruption to our industrial infrastructure would not leave much room for re-starting it. The first time around, we could find sources of metal near the surface. We used those up as we made tools to dig deeper for more. Similarly, we used fuel that we could find easily to build machines that could dig deeper to get more. We've used up the sources of metal and fuel that we can obtain easily from the surface. We dig deeper for them because we can no longer find them more easily. So if we interrupt that process, we won't find the metals or fuels we need to get to the depths where now find metals and fuels. It will take geological ages to push them back up to the surface. That restriction definitely limits the kinds of technology available in the Fifth World. I wouldn't call it stone age, exactly. For example, you can't find much flint easily now, either, but you can find plenty of broken glass, and you can knap that into knives, spearheads, and arrowheads quite effectively, so rather that stone, they use colored glass from discarded bottles. Mostly, though, I prefer to focus on their priorities. As a society, we generally believe that technology improves our lives and will ultimately save us from our problems, so we have become excellent at producing technology, and have neglected the techniques for building social bonds and deep relationships. In the Fifth World, people generally believe that social bonds and deep relationships will improve their lives and ultimately save them from their problems, so they spend as much time and energy focused on that as we spend focused on technology. The game has its own rules. I firmly believe that good game design means focusing on a game's specific purpose. Rolling dice, for instance, works really well in a game that keeps revolving around the question, “Can I do it?” When you have the dice in your hand, you wonder what will come up, if you can roll high enough to overcome the obstacle. For an animist game like the Fifth World, though, this doesn't help, because whether or not you can overcome someone (and generally someone, rather than something) doesn't usually matter nearly as much as whether or not you can connect with that person. That led me to using a deck of cards. Each time you draw a card, you don't ask, “Can I do it?” but “What will I discover?” This, I think, makes cards a great way to focus on exploration. In this case, I tried to use that to focus on exploring both physical space and social space. The Fifth World doesn't have a game master (GM), like many other RPGs do. Instead, the players share the roles that a GM would normally fill. Each player ha a number of awareness points, which they use to ask questions. They choose one of the other players to answer the question, and as we answer these questions, we begin to discover the Fifth World together. This has an interesting side effect: NPC's can seem to have personalities and minds all their own. We all build off of what we've already established together, but we might have different ideas of what follows naturally from any given point, so the same NPC can potentially surprise everyone at the table at one point or another. The Fifth World presents an open source game with an open source setting. That means that the most canonical version will always exist online at thefifthworld.com/rpg. That said, I recognize how much it can help to have a book in your hand. That also gets into my business plan, and how I hope to sustain this so I can afford to put more time into it. I want to present a free PDF packet with everything in it. I'm also hoping to produce a scout book [https://www.scoutbooks.com/], aiming at a price point of $10 or less, and possibly expansions published in the same manner. Since it uses cards, I'm working on putting a custom card set on DriveThruCards. I'd like to create a better set with custom artwork for each card, but I don't have enough art for that yet. I'd also like to make a more elaborate art book, in the style of Dinotopia by James Gurney or Gnomes by Will Huygen and Rien Poortvliet. Both of those, however, will require a great deal more art. I have a Patreon set up if you'd like to help me with that at https://patreon.com/jefgodesky. The game still sits in a public beta phase, so I'd love it if you could playtest it and send me your thoughts. You can find the full rules and the link to the feedback form at https://thefifthworld.com/wiki/rpg” If you have more questions for Jason about the game, feel free to let me know because I look forward to recording another interview with him in the future, as well as a live-play of The Fifth World so you can hear what the experience of collaborative storytelling is like. If you have any questions for me, or there is a way I can assist you on your path, let me know. Email: The Permaculture Podcast After having this conversation with Jason, as well as many others off-the-record throughout the weekend, I left with a lot to process about what it means to have culture, to live in community, to tell stories, to create myths that last generations. So I'd like to play with this idea and have created a game of creative storytelling and invite everyone listening to participate. Head over to Facebook.com/thepermaculturepodcast and, since I don't know when you listen to this, look for a post from September 30, 2015 that begins, “A game for us to play together...” and read through the comments so that your reply adds a new sentence to the story. Just one. Then let someone else respond before adding another. We'll see where this goes and what a community of permaculture practitioners can create. Though my idea of myth making comes from the tabletop and games, Jen Mendez, a show sponsor, and her collaborative partner Dr. David Blumenkrantz examine how to apply this idea of myth making to children and communities so that together we can change the story and transform the future. Join them for their virtual campfire sessions by going to permiekids.com/oursharedstory. From here, next week is the first of the round table conversations recorded at The Riverside Project outside of Charles Town, West Virginia. My next interview is with Dillon Cruz on Monday, October 5 to continue the series on Faith and Earth Care. Tuesday, October 6 Sandor Katz joins me to discuss fermentation. Email or call me if you have any questions for either of them. Until the next time spend each day creating the world you want to live through your stories and your actions by taking care of Earth, your self and each other.

Reverend Jason D. Wood, a full-time pastor and gamer, joins Grant and Peter to help introduce roleplaying games to the curious! Jason writes for The Mad Adventurers Society as The Mad Cleric, giving out gaming advice and life advice for gamers in equal measure, and contributes to the Mad Adventurers' Potelbat and Potelbat Yalp podcasts. (He's most accessible on Twitter as @Wood_JasonD.) Jason joins us for a very special episode: An introduction to roleplaying games for the curious and the uninitiated. As a sort of companion piece to our very first episode ("Are RPGs Evil?"), this episode is designed to be a resource for those who've never played before, and want to (or feel the need to) know more about them. We outline the general conceits of RPGs, explain system and setting, discuss why they're so much fun, and elaborate on some of the positive benefits of roleplaying games. (In particular, we spend some time talking about The Bodhana Group; new listeners should listen to Episode 25, "Therapeutic Roleplaying (with Jack Berkenstock Jr.)" for more on that. They're awesome.) Finally, we wrap up with some advice on getting started in roleplaying games, whether individually, as a family, or as a church activity. Scripture: Proverbs 27:17, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 5:27-32, Romans 14:16

It's our annual New Year's Resolutions bonus episode! Our fundraiser has wrapped up (at $360 raised for The Bodhana Group, well beyond our $150 goal), and Sojourn Volume 2 is still out, with Volume 3 in the works! Also, Branden's no longer with the podcast; we wish him the best of luck going forward. After that news wrap-up, Peter and Grant break down our resolutions for the coming year, and what we'll do to keep them. Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, 2 Corinthians 6:2

It's a short episode this week—Grant, Peter, and Branden recorded it just before Christmas—but we make the most of our time! First up, we plug Sojourn Volume 2 (remember, Peter's published in here again, along with many of our Booter friends), and we have officially finished up our fundraiser for The Bodhana Group. Then we get down to it with Scripture and a back-and-forth about making holiday-themed games successful. Referenced works: A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny. Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, 2 Corinthians 6:2

Our Virtues & Vices series concludes with a look at humility! Peter's published again in Sojourn Volume 2 and our fundraiser for The Bodhana Group is nearly wrapped up, and well past its goal! There's also an ongoing discussion we'd like you participate in—essentially, we're looking for suggestions and improvements for the coming year. After all that, we talk over humility in characters and at the gaming table, and conclude with a special thank-you to our listeners and wishes for a merry Christmas and an awesome New Year. Scripture: Psalm 131, Matthew 11:29-30, Philippians 2:3-11

It's only Grant and Peter this episode, as we head into the final pair in our Virtues & Vices series! First, we talk about our ongoing (and quickly wrapping up) fundraiser for The Bodhana Group, and give Innroads Ministries some much-deserved plugs as well. Then we explore what C.S. Lewis called "the complete anti-God state of mind"—Pride. Some theological and practical definitions of pride get discussed before we explore pride as a character trait, and its manifestation at the gaming table. Also mentioned in this episode: Episode 33 of Saving the Game, "Our Origin Stories (with Mike Perna)"; Peter's Evil Overlord Guide. Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24, Matthew 23:8-12,

Devon Kelley from the Shark Bone Podcast joins Grant, Peter and Branden in a discussion of one of Devon's favorite RPG topics: Non-violent conflict resolution! Devon plugs a game of his own—Threshold: Tragic Superheroes, available through DriveThruRPG—and we plug our ongoing holiday fundraiser for The Bodhana Group. Then we dive (har har—you're welcome, Devon) into our scripture and our topic. We discuss why non-combat conflict resolution is often overlooked in RPGs; why it's important; how to encourage it, as a player and as a GM; and plenty of real-world examples of this sort of play. Scripture: Jeremiah 29:7, Matthew 26:47-54, John 13:34-35, and 1 Peter 3:9-11

Award-winning author and game designer Kenneth Hite joins Grant, Peter and Branden for a discussion of horror games and stories, just in time for Halloween! Check out Ken's own podcast, Ken And Robin Talk About Stuff, and keep an eye out for The Dracula Dossier, a really neat project he'll be Kickstarting soon. We also plug our upcoming charity drive for The Bodhana Group and our store. After our Scripture readings, we talk with Ken about the fun of horror stories; running a good horror game; types of horror; creating the right amount of fear and horror in games; and writing and playing horror as a Christian. Enjoy! Scripture: Numbers 16:32-34, Psalm 91:5, Matthew 6:34, 2 Timothy 1:7

BIG NEWS: Branden will be a Save Against Fear 2014! If you're not familiar with SAFe and The Bodhana Group, take a listen to Episode 25, "Therapeutic Roleplaying (with Jack Berkenstock)". This should be our last bonus episode for a bit—Grant will be back next episode—but Peter and Branden wanted to take some of the work we've done in our Science of Storytelling series and apply it to a real campaign pitch, with multiple demands from virtual players (all played by Peter) and Branden as the GM. Enjoy! Scripture: Proverbs 4:13, Luke 6:40

In this episode, Grant and Peter introduce our syndication partnership with Innroads Ministries, and thank everyone who donated to The Bodhana Group through our fundraiser (and everyone else who participated in the 2013 RPG Podcasters Fundraiser Drive.) Then we start off a discussion of forgiveness with a long C. S. Lewis reading, explaining just how difficult—and how important—forgiveness is. We go over its central place in Christian theology; discuss forgiveness as a gaming plot device; and wrap up with commentary on forgiveness at the gaming table. Scripture: Jonah 3:10-4:11, Matthew 22:34-40, John 3:16, Luke 15:20-24

We kick off our pseudo-Christmas episode with a shoutout to all our new listeners and a reminder about our fundraiser for The Bodhana Group, and a bit more brief news (as well as a Cooking Comically reference.) Then we turn to our discussion topic: Religious holidays in your game! We talk about their importance, possible trappings, and their history (or lack thereof). Finally, we wrap up with a discussion of our own favorite Christmas traditions. Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 2:13-15, Romans 14:5-6

We welcome back guest host Ben Rome, co-author of Games' Most Wanted and Assistant Line Developer for Catalyst's Battletech line! We discuss the 2013 RPG Podcasters' Charity Drive and our own fundraiser for The Bodhana Group -- including a rundown of all the latest prize news. Then we dive into a discussion of long campaigns, using a four-year campaign from Ben's gaming past as a prime example. We go over the advantages and disadvantages of long campaigns compared to one-shots and mini-campaigns; how to make long campaigns work; pitfalls they might present; and problems to overcome. Scripture: Genesis 45:24, Psalm 90:12-15, Galatians 4:12-13

Peter and Grant welcome Steve Jarjoura from Postcards from the Dungeon as a guest host! We talk about our fundraiser for The Bodhana Group and the 2013 RPG Podcasters Charity Drive, as well as Josh Jordan's Actual Play Festival. Then we get down to business and talk about organized charities and their storytelling value in tabletop roleplaying games. Scripture: ;Psalm 41:1-2, Matthew 6:2-4, Hebrews 13:15-16

It's fundraiser time! We're raising money this year for The Bodhana Group as part of the 2013 RPG Podcasters Charity Drive! In this episode, Grant, Peter, and Branden plug a couple of things, including Atomacon, before getting down to the main topic: Playing evil characters in roleplaying games. We look at the topic from both the players' and the GM's perspectives, examining why you want to or need to be able to play evil characters and how to do so effectively without ruining play or giving in to that character's evil yourself. Scripture: Isaiah 1:18-20, Romans 3:10-12, Ephesians 6:10-11

HJRP1016 Your hosts: Stu, CADave, Kimi, Tyler Show Notes! We discussed trouble PCs and balancing the fun of playing a broken character with the grief it can cause the rest of the party. Mathew writes in to lament the fact that many games don't use the exploding dice mechanic, and how fun it is.  Jarred writes in about the Bodhana Group, using RPGs as therapeutic tools and running a game at an upcoming charity con, Save Against Fear. Karsten updates us on a convention game he ran (Ghostbusters LA), tells us about Mutants and Masterminds, and treats us to a gaming nightmare. And N Eric relays a game nightmare as well.

It's our distinct pleasure to welcome Jack Berkenstock of The Bodhana Group as a guest host for this episode! We give Jack plenty of time to talk about his group and their mission to help young victims and perpetrators of sexual trauma—a mission they're carrying out with tabletop roleplaying games as a crucial therapeutic tool. We also discuss the science and goals of therapeutic roleplaying and trauma therapy in general. Plus, we do our best to plug Save Against Fear, a three-day convention in Lancaster, PA from Oct. 11th-13th hosted by and fundraising for The Bodhana Group. A big list of everything Jack mentioned is below the fold, too. We don't usually ask this, but please share this episode around. We want to get the word out about Save Against Fear in time for people to decide to go, and we want people to know about and support The Bodhana Group as well! Bodhana has a Facebook page and Twitter feed too, if that's your thing. Scripture: Psalm 103:2-5, Luke 7:20-23, John 8:3-11, and Philippians 4:8 ----more---- -- Rich Thomas from White Wolf Games (whose comment got this therapeutic roleplaying thing going,00:04:00) (@rich_thomas_ww) -- Drama therapy -- Everything Bad Is Good for You, by Steven Johnson -- CAR-PGa -- The Functions of Role Playing Games: How Participants Create Community, Solve Problems, and Explore Identity, by Sarah Lynne Bowman -- Meddling Kids by Pandahead Productions -- The Trouble with Rose by Todd Zircher -- rpgresearch.com