Podcasts about d d

Owner Occupied with Peter Lohmann

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 64:03

Somewhere between the high deserts of New Mexico and the psychic wastelands of Unearthed Arcana, the RPGBOT crew discovered two great truths: Albuquerque has better tacos than Los Angeles, and psionics might finally make sense in Dungeons & Dragons. We know some of you thought the Psion episode was lost forever (vanished into the Astral Plane or eaten by a mind flayer), but good news! The missing RPGBOT.Podcast episode on the Psion Unearthed Arcana has been recovered and is now live on your favorite podcatcher. Catch up and join the conversation before your DM rewrites the subclass again. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast team takes a psychic deep dive into the latest Unearthed Arcana update to the Psion class for Dungeons & Dragons. Between discussions of New Mexico's high desert climate, Albuquerque's local cuisine, and Taos skiing, the crew explores how psionics, multiclassing, and new subclass mechanics are reshaping D&D's design space. Listeners will hear insights on how Wizards of the Coast reworked the Scion (now Psion) class, making psionic energy and subclass features more flexible and accessible. From the Metamorph's Fleshweaver feature to the Psychonetic's telekinesis and the Telepath's support abilities, the team analyzes gameplay impact, balance, and flavor. The discussion also touches on the rebalancing of level 20 features, improvements to psionic spellcasting, and how multiclassing interacts with hit dice mechanics. As always, the hosts bring humor, personal stories, and some surprising local insight from their rediscovery of Albuquerque's food culture—because apparently, “better tacos” is a universal truth worth multiclassing for. Key Takeaways Unearthed Arcana brings a refined Psion to D&D, improving class balance, subclass diversity, and psionic flavor. Psionic energy mechanics now scale smoothly across levels and subclass paths. The Metamorph subclass gains major survivability boosts with its Fleshweaver feature. The Psychonetic subclass emphasizes mobility, telekinesis, and damage versatility. The Telepath subclass leans into party support, battlefield control, and communication. Level 20 features expand psionic dice and late-game impact without overwhelming balance. Multiclassing with Psion no longer punishes hit dice mechanics, making hybrid builds more viable. New Mexico's food culture, from Albuquerque green chile to Taos tacos, inspires reflection on community and quality—much like balanced game design. Listener engagement continues to be key: reviews and ratings help keep RPGBOT's brainwaves strong. Wizards of the Coast's open development process hints at more innovative subclasses and psionic expansions ahead. Visit the Land of Enchantment If this episode left your mind buzzing like a psychic storm, channel that energy into a trip to the beautiful state of New Mexico. Explore the ski slopes of Taos, savor Albuquerque's legendary tacos, and discover why the Land of Enchantment is the perfect place to rest, recharge, and maybe even roll a few dice under the desert stars. We invite the State of New Mexico to sponsor the RPGBOT.Podcast and help us share the Land of Enchantment's stunning landscapes, vibrant food culture, and adventurous spirit with tabletop gamers around the world. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

How NARPM 2.0 Is Reshaping Property Management with DD Lee

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 61:10

In this episode of Peter Lohmann's Podcast, I'm joined by DD Lee, former owner of Skyline Property Management, now Industry Liaison at PURE and President-Elect of NARPM National.DD shares her path from managing 12 personal rentals to running a 500-door PM company with a 3,000-door HOA division, and what it was really like to sell that business to PURE. We get into the emotional side of selling (“detach” became her mantra), how HOA management differs from single-family, and what she's focused on now as NARPM transitions into its “2.0” era.If you've ever thought about selling your management company, navigating NARPM leadership, or just trying to scale without burning out, DD's story will hit home.Chatpers:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:39) - DD's career and background(00:03:59) - Challenges and differences in property management(00:07:40) - HOA management(00:10:10) - NARPM involvement and designations(00:12:57) - Sponsor - PropertyManagement.com(00:14:53) - NARPM leadership and election process(00:17:18) - NARPM 2.0 and organizational changes(00:25:32) - Comparing small business to NARPM(00:30:50) - Continuing education and licensing challenges(00:32:14) - Sponsor - Rentvine(00:33:35) - The emotional journey of selling a property management company(00:38:26) - Detachment and transitioning after the sale(00:42:23) - Advice for selling your property management business(00:45:40) - Finding purpose post-sale(00:48:43) - Working with Pure and future plans(01:00:00) - Conclusion and final thoughtsLearn more and connect with DD here: PURE Property Management - ⁠https://www.purepm.co/⁠DD on LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddlee-purepm/⁠Learn more & connect with me here:⁠Crane⁠, the private community for property management business owners.⁠My Free PM Newsletter⁠⁠RL Property Management⁠

advice challenges conclusion pure comparing elect d d crane reshaping detachment hoa property management narpm

To The Death

DD214 GAMING PODCAST

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 90:26

#podcast #veterans #militaryIn this episode of the DD 214 Network podcast, the hosts engage in a lively discussion that covers a range of topics from personal anecdotes about their morning struggles to a deep dive into the controversial legacy of the band Lost Prophets. They celebrate the death of a notorious criminal, reflecting on themes of justice and public execution. The conversation shifts to their experiences at haunted attractions and culminates in a discussion about gaming, particularly Assassin's Creed Valhalla, showcasing their humor and camaraderie throughout. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of parenting teenagers, discussing the challenges of responsible use of technology and substances, the emotional turmoil that comes with parenting, and the importance of mental health awareness, especially during the holiday season. They also touch on military grooming standards and the evolving landscape of the DC Universe, reflecting on personal experiences and societal expectations.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview01:39 Late Start and Morning Struggles04:09 Discussion on Lost Prophets and Controversial Figures06:59 Celebrating Justice: The Death of a Notorious Criminal09:35 The Nature of Justice and Public Execution11:47 Reflections on Haunted Attractions and Personal Experiences14:19 Gaming Talk: Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Personal Insights40:51 Navigating Parenting Challenges43:32 The Consequences of Teenage Choices45:35 The Role of Technology in Parenting48:55 Managing Emotions as a Parent51:47 The Future of DC Universe01:01:36 Military Standards and Personal Grooming01:10:56 Mental Health Awareness During HolidaysDD214 Network PodcastDirected & Produced by Jonathan ‘Clean' SanchezHosted by Joe Squillini & Jay CampbellEdited by Clean Sanchez Media, LLCMusic by Shrieks666 ("Shadow Surfing," "Voices Getting Louder") – Check them out on Bandcamp!Website: CleanSanchezMedia.comAffiliate LinksGovee - https://govee.sjv.io/CLEANStreamLabs - https://streamlabs.pxf.io/CleanHemper -https://www.hemper.co/DD214Disclaimer: This Podcast contains adult language. Adult Supervision is advised.Fair Use Disclaimer:The content provided on this podcast may include material subject to copyright protection. In accordance with the principles of "fair use" as defined in Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, the use of copyrighted material on this podcast is for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.The determination of whether the use of copyrighted material constitutes fair use is made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account various factors outlined in Section 107. The inclusion of such material is not an endorsement by the DD214 Network Podcast or Clean Sanchez Media, LLC, but is meant to enrich and contribute to discussions within the specified purposes of fair use. All copyrights and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.Shop official merch for DD214 Network: http://www.CleanSanchezMedia.com

death technology future nature network reflections llc shop consequences assassins bandcamp d d dc universe creed valhalla managing emotions late start haunted attractions lostprophets

US Navy SEAL's Alcoholism and Recovery

Law Enforcement Today Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 40:15

US Navy SEAL's Alcoholism and Recovery: Overcoming Moral Injury and Finding Life After the Teams in Virginia. Dr. Tony Dice's life reads like a movie script, except the hero's greatest battle wasn't on a battlefield, but within himself. A veteran U.S. Navy SEAL, firefighter, and paramedic, Dice once lived by the warrior's code: strength, resilience, and mission above all. But beneath that armor, the wounds, both seen and unseen, began to surface. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, is available for free on their website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and many other podcast platforms. “I blew up my life with alcohol and drugs because I didn't know how to deal with the trauma,” Dice admitted. “When you come home, the mission changes, but nobody teaches you how to survive that part.” The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. The U.S. Navy SEALs, short for Sea, Air, and Land Teams, are the Navy's elite special operations force. They're handpicked and trained to perform the most dangerous missions in the world: direct action, counter-terrorism, and reconnaissance behind enemy lines. Roughly 2,700 SEALs serve across ten active teams, carrying on a legacy that began in World War II with the Amphibious Scouts and Raiders, formed in Little Creek, Virginia. Look for supporting articles about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . For Dice, becoming a SEAL was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream that he didn't how that he was looking for. But after leaving the Teams, he faced a reality he wasn't prepared for, moral injury, addiction, and the long road to recovery. US Navy SEAL's Alcoholism and Recovery: Overcoming Moral Injury and Finding Life After the Teams in Virginia. Moral Injury: The Wound Beneath the Surface While PTSD is often discussed in the context of combat trauma, moral injury is a quieter, deeper wound. It occurs when someone experiences or witnesses events that violate their personal moral beliefs, a sense of having crossed lines that can't be uncrossed. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. “You train to do the impossible,” Dice explained. “But what nobody prepares you for is the guilt, the loss, or the grief that follows. That's what moral injury is, it's a wound to the soul.” For years, alcohol and drugs became Dice's way of coping. The same discipline and intensity that made him a great operator turned against him in addiction. He calls that time “a self-destruction mission I didn't even see happening.” Rebuilding: Life After the Teams in Virginia Dr. Dice eventually sought help, and found a new purpose. Through counseling, recovery, and reflection, he discovered that his mission wasn't over. It had simply changed. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. Based in Virginia, Dice works to help veterans, first responders, and law enforcement officers confront trauma and rebuild their lives. Alongside friend Scott Bishop, he co-founded Bishop and Dice Defense LLC, a company built on two pillars: behavioral health and defense innovation. US Navy SEAL's Alcoholism and Recovery: Overcoming Moral Injury and Finding Life After the Teams in Virginia. “We wanted to create something that serves both the mind and the body,” Dice said. “Our operators and first responders need armor, not just for the fight, but for the recovery.” The Mission of Bishop and Dice Defense Bishop and Dice Defense provides both behavioral health services and mission-critical protective solutions for the U.S. military, federal agencies, and first responders. Their approach is culturally competent and trauma-informed, meaning every clinician understands the realities of military and law enforcement life, because they've lived it themselves. The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Each team member at B&DD has a military, spec-war, or law enforcement background, bringing authenticity and credibility to every counseling session. “Our clients often distrust support systems,” Dice explained. “They're afraid getting help will hurt their careers. That's why we created a space where they can connect, trust, and start to heal.” US Navy SEAL's Alcoholism and Recovery: Overcoming Moral Injury and Finding Life After the Teams in Virginia. The company's dual focus, mental defense and physical defense, reflects a belief that healing and protection go hand in hand. Telling the Story: Podcast, Social Media, and a Book on the Way Dr. Dice has also taken his message public. Through the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show' Facebook, Instagram, their website and podcast on Apple and Spotify, he's creating open conversations about addiction, moral injury, and life after the Teams. His content combines personal storytelling with practical advice and emotional honesty, a combination that resonates deeply with veterans and first responders alike. Don't miss this episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. His upcoming book, set to be released soon, will expand on his journey from destruction to purpose, offering a raw, real look at recovery through the lens of someone who has lived both extremes. From Survival to Service Dr. Tony Dice's story isn't just about survival, it's about transformation. It's proof that recovery isn't the end of service, but a continuation of it. US Navy SEAL's Alcoholism and Recovery: Overcoming Moral Injury and Finding Life After the Teams in Virginia. “Being a SEAL taught me how to fight,” Dice said. “Recovery taught me how to live.” Today, through Bishop & Dice Defense, the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, and his growing online presence, Dice continues to lead a mission that matters, helping America's heroes find peace after the war. Be sure to follow the show on their Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, X pages and more. His message is simple but powerful: the fight for recovery is worth winning. Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. You can contact John J. “Jay” Wiley by email at Jay@letradio.com , or learn more about him on their website . The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. Get the latest news articles, without all the bias and spin, from the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Medium , which is free. Find a wide variety of great podcasts online at The Podcast Zone Facebook Page , look for the one with the bright green logo. Be sure to check out our website . Be sure to follow us on X , Instagram , Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. You can help contribute money to make the Gunrunner Movie . The film that Hollywood won't touch. It is about a now Retired Police Officer that was shot 6 times while investigating Gunrunning. He died 3 times during Medical treatment and was resuscitated. You can join the fight by giving a monetary “gift” to help ensure the making of his film at agunrunnerfilm.com . US Navy SEAL's Alcoholism and Recovery: Overcoming Moral Injury and Finding Life After the Teams in Virginia. Attributions Wikipedia Dr. Dice Book Bishop Dice Defense Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Area of Effect | 29: Creating Memorable NPCs (feat. Kurt of Sidekicks & Sidequests)

The Kids Table

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 34:51

Allison and Kurt talk about how non-player characters in role playing games often fall flat and give tips for bringing NPCs to life with depth and humor that'll have your players feeling all the feels. Get NPC ideas from @sidekqpodcast with the link or on your favorite podcast app! Peep the character art for Hippopotamus the Flumph Wizard: Sombrisa Art (@sombrisa) | Cara Welcome to Area of Effect, a podcast from the creators of The Kids Table, where we discuss how tabletop RPGs benefit kids and answer your questions about playing TTRPGs with the kids at your table! About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home! Our Kids' Adventures: Our Website Support Our Work: Patreon Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook #dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

727- Blumpkins & Dragons Part 6

Mad Scientist Party Hour

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 97:26

Dungeon Master Alex Wilson is back with another D&D campaign with the guys in an adventure across the cosmos! In what will be a massive three part epic, this first leg has Kevin, Geoff and Shuddy Boy battling space bugs, brainwashed townfolk and members of a pro wrestling cult.

dragons poop geoff farts nsfw kevin smith d d howard stern nerdy blumpkins mad scientist party hour

Requiem of Reflections S1 E012 - Break on Through

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 87:10

Adrie meets more of her mirror family and Kaeviir the Raven shares the story of his chains. Email us your questions at: FreelanceHeroismPodcast@gmail.com Visit Freelance Heroism on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/freelanceheroism/ We have a Patreon! Any support you can provide goes toward us giving you a better podcast listening experience: https://www.patreon.com/Freelance_heroism Check out Deece's webcomic! http://www.1d4rounds.com/ Find Deece on TikTok here: OH NO! Find the cast on BlueSky: Deece: https://bsky.app/profile/roguist.bsky.social Rae: https://bsky.app/profile/raedrie.bsky.social You can find our gameplay videos on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6TwfLOFsl192ExdAugebgg/ You can check out our web page here: http://www.freelanceheroism.libsyn.com/ Intro theme is Waltz op. 64 no 2 in c-sharp minor composed by Frédéric Chopin and performed by Olga Gurevich. Licence: The song is permitted for commercial use under license public domain, non copyrighted. http://www.orangefreesounds.com/

S2E134 – A Night in the Hole.

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 38:11

The cephalosquad finally make it into Neurfurchtenburg and head to a local tavern to end their travels and begin their investigation. Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons

science nature diversity horror adventure fantasy ocean ice dragons hole marine dungeons and dragons biology dungeons conservation arctic d d roleplaying ttrpg steampunk scicomm

HUNTER THE RECKONING AP PT3 - Improvised Weapons and Poor Decisions

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 55:03

Nothing says “modern monster hunting” like breaking into a corporate lab armed with sarcasm, trauma, and a tranquilizer dart you don't fully understand. In this Actual Play of Hunter the Reckoning, our would-be heroes confront the horrors of both the supernatural and the bureaucratic. There's teamwork, betrayal, and just enough humor to make you wonder if laughter really is the best armor in a tabletop role-playing game where everything wants to eat you. Like and Subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast If you're enjoying our blend of monster hunting, chaotic teamwork, and tabletop RPG storytelling, do us a favor—like, subscribe, and follow the RPGBOT.Podcast wherever you listen. Every click helps us keep rolling dice, surviving combat, and making bad choices sound professional. Show Notes In this thrilling conclusion to the Hunter the Reckoning Actual Play podcast, the crew faces their most intense challenge yet—a monster hunt gone wrong that tests their wits, courage, and questionable decision-making skills. The episode opens with personal updates and a recap of previous adventures, then dives into an investigation filled with corporate malfeasance, supernatural horror, and moral dilemmas. As the hunters pursue Monster X, they wrestle with trust, deception, and the consequences of violence in a world where every action has a reaction. From improvised weapons to tactical combat, and from suspenseful narrative beats to moments of dark humor, this Actual Play showcases the evolving character relationships, emotional storytelling, and fast-paced action that define modern tabletop RPGs. If you've ever wondered how trauma, teamwork, and truth collide in a high-stakes role-playing game, this episode delivers. Expect monster mayhem, quick thinking under pressure, and the occasional heartfelt confession—followed immediately by poor tactical decisions. Key Takeaways Character Backstories Matter: Personal history shapes every decision—and every regret—in role-playing games. Humor Balances Horror: Even in supernatural horror RPGs, a well-timed joke can relieve the tension (or make it worse). Teamwork Saves Lives: Coordination, trust, and a bit of luck turn chaos into survival. Improvised Weapons Are Underrated: Sometimes the best weapon is whatever's in reach. Player Choices Shape the Narrative: Every moral decision, every risk, every mistake—builds the story's emotional weight. Technology Meets Terror: Social media and digital tools add realism and danger to modern storytelling. Violence Has Consequences: Whether emotional or physical, every blow leaves a mark. Quick Thinking Matters: Split-second reactions can mean the difference between success and tragedy. Moral Dilemmas Deepen the Story: The best RPGs force players to choose between what's right and what's necessary. Every Action Has a Reaction: In the chaos of monster hunting, nothing happens in isolation. Support Ash's West Marches Campaign If you loved the suspense, teamwork, and character-driven storytelling in this episode, you'll absolutely want to join Ash Ely's West Marches game on StartPlaying.Games. Experience improvised combat, moral choices, and emotional roleplay in an ongoing world run by one of RPGBOT's own Game Masters. Bring your courage, your dice, and your best broom—just in case. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Ep. #63 - Badger Backlash (The Expanding Waste)

The Die As Cast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 44:00

Welcome, friends and adventures, to the The Die As Cast Podcast! Our Dungeon Master, Kevin Cork, takes our party through Kobold Press' post-apocalyptic Wasted West in the world of Midgard. Join in the tale of Gideon Sweets (Griffin Cork), Maeve Maldorava (Madeline Hunter Smith), Ilexyldean (Emma Brager) and Xisk (Diego Stredel).In this episode, our party does a screen-test for most of the episode. Gideon touches the floating fish, Maeve summons an old friend, Ilex decides whether to stay or go, and Xisk says goodbye to a lost companion.Join the Die As Cast Community!FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thedieascastTWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheDieAsCastWEBSITE: https://www.dieascast.com/JOIN OUR DISCORD: https://discord.gg/K59Bke958RKOBOLD PRESS: https://koboldpress.com/MAPS AND MELODIES (AKA THE BOY KING OF IDAHO): https://www.patreon.com/mapsandmelodiesM&M Songs Used in this Episode:The Astral ExpressSunriseFlight of the UncannyFor The FallenWinds In The DistanceFOLLOW GRIFFIN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:TWITTER: https://twitter.com/GriffinCorkINSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/griffincork/BLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/griffincork.bsky.socialFOLLOW DIEGO ON SOCIAL MEDIA:INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/diegostredel/FOLLOW MADELINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:TWITTER: https://twitter.com/madelinehsmithINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/madelinehuntersmith/FOLLOW EMMA ON SOCIAL MEDIA:INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/cinderemmab/FOLLOW KEVIN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:TWITTER: https://twitter.com/kevincorkINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kevincork/MASTODON: https://mastodon.social/@fundpirate@toot.community

PUBLIC SPEAKING OR DEATH: ENCOURAGING ROLEPLAY (Remastered)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2025 65:40

RANDALL: “They say people fear public speaking more than death. Which means that, statistically, most players would rather TPK than deliver an in-character monologue.” ASH: “Honestly? Same.” TYLER: “So today we're doing the impossible—convincing gamers that pretending to be a half-elf sorcerer in front of their friends doesn't have to be terrifying.” Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive into one of tabletop gaming's most universal fears: speaking in character. Whether it's performing a heartfelt speech to rally the party, negotiating with a dragon, or just trying to remember your bard's accent, encouraging roleplay can feel like public speaking in front of a judgmental lich. The hosts explore why roleplaying in tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and Pathfinder often triggers the same nerves as giving a speech—and how to overcome it. Drawing from years of experience as Dungeon Masters, players, and accidental thespians, they break down how to build confidence, improve storytelling, and make roleplay fun for everyone at the table. Learn how public speaking skills and improv techniques can enhance your D&D roleplay, how to encourage shy players without pressure, and how a supportive group dynamic transforms tabletop gaming into something deeper and more memorable. Whether you're a veteran DM or a first-time player who'd rather hide behind your dice, this episode helps you turn stage fright into character insight—one awkward monologue at a time. Topics discussed include: How public speaking anxiety translates into roleplaying hesitation Techniques to encourage roleplay among shy players Using improv and acting tips to bring characters to life Building player confidence and group trust Balancing storytelling and game mechanics in tabletop RPGs Making Dungeons & Dragons sessions more expressive and inclusive Why roleplay and performance make better campaigns Strategies for Dungeon Masters to create safe spaces for expression RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Dice Math – RPGBOT.Podcast S2E92 Other Stuff GiffyGlyph Key Takeaways Encouraging Roleplay Builds Community: Players open up more when the table feels safe, supportive, and judgment-free. Public Speaking and D&D Go Hand-in-Hand: Overcoming stage fright at the table often translates to confidence outside of it. Start Small: Begin with simple gestures, dialogue, or motivations instead of full speeches. Dungeon Masters Lead by Example: If the DM embraces roleplay, players will follow. Improv Skills Improve Immersion: Using “yes, and…” and character-driven reactions make for more dynamic storytelling. Failure Is Funny: Embrace mistakes—they're often the best part of the story. Practice Makes Presence: The more you speak as your character, the easier it gets to slip into their voice and mindset. Collaboration Over Competition: Roleplay isn't about performance—it's about connection, creativity, and shared narrative. Want to be part of the conversation while it's happening? By joining the RPGBOT Patreon, you can listen to episodes as they're recorded live, get early access to discussions, and even share your own questions and experiences about D&D, roleplay, storytelling, and game mechanics with the hosts. Want to listen to the RPGBOT.Podcast recorded live? Want to be part of the conversation while it's happening? By joining the RPGBOT Patreon, you can listen to episodes as they're recorded live, get early access to discussions, and even share your own questions and experiences about D&D, roleplay, storytelling, and game mechanics with the hosts. Visit patreon.com/RPGBOT and help us keep bringing you tips, laughter, and occasionally awkward in-character speeches every week. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

UNEARTHED ARCANA THE PSION - Breaking brains and game balance: mind powers or just headaches?

hollywood meat terrible wikipedia cheap butter blue sky d d eq spanx soaked austin film festival aline brosh mckenna scriptnotes

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 77:57

BIG IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode covers the first UA Psion version. We have an upcoming episode discussing the updated version. Wizards of the Coast is back at it again with another Unearthed Arcana, this time dropping the Psion class on our laps. It's psionics, but not like you've ever seen before—or maybe exactly like you've seen before if you remember the Mystic. Is this bold new innovation, or are we just telepathically dragging a corpse of old ideas across the table? Either way, we've got thoughts, strong feelings, and maybe some psychic damage to hand out.” Join the RPGBOT Discord Looking for a place to debate game mechanics, share your homebrew subclasses, or complain about the Telepath subclass with like-minded nerds? The RPGBOT.Discord is your new psionic hive mind. Join our community, ask rules questions, swap builds, and chat directly with the RPGBOT team. Come for the optimization, stay for the memes. Show Notes Note that we recorded this episode for the first UA Psion and it didn't get through the release queue until we got the updated UA. Stay tuned for another round of Psion discussion! In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive into Wizards of the Coast's latest Unearthed Arcana release: the Psion class, the long-awaited return of psionics to Dungeons & Dragons. The hosts break down the mechanics, subclasses, and overall design philosophy, while debating whether psionics should feel truly distinct from traditional spellcasting. From reclaiming language in gaming communities to cancel culture in tabletop RPGs, we go beyond crunch to talk about the culture of gaming itself. Along the way, we unpack how resource management systems can either enhance or bog down gameplay, and why community feedback is essential in shaping Unearthed Arcana content. The Psion's subclasses get a critical spotlight: The Metamorph subclass shines as a creative standout (though oddly misplaced). The Psywarper and Psykinetic subclasses leave us underwhelmed and wishing for more. The Telepath subclass earns the dubious honor of “worst in show,” with lackluster mechanics and little to inspire players. The verdict? Psionics in D&D need innovation, not imitation. The Psion is a step in the right direction, but its mode resource system and subclass design need reevaluation to deliver the unique identity players crave. Key Takeaways Reclaiming language matters: language in RPGs reflects broader culture, and reclaiming terms can empower communities. Cancel culture impacts tabletop: even beloved creators and mechanics can suddenly face backlash. Psionics should feel distinct: the Psion class needs stronger separation from traditional spellcasting. Resource management is tricky: the mode pool system is seen as overly complex and clunky. Community feedback is critical: Unearthed Arcana exists to refine designs, and this playtest needs serious revision. Subclass performance varies widely: Metamorph is a bright spot, while Cywarper, Psykinetic, and especially Telepath fall flat. Innovation drives class design: breaking free from spell slot mechanics could create exciting new possibilities. Class identity is essential: without uniqueness, psionics risk feeling like “just another caster.” Hope for the future: the hosts remain optimistic that psionics can evolve into something fresh and balanced in future iterations. Support Friends of the Podcast If you like what we do, support the folks who make the tabletop RPG community stronger: DM Adamantine – Book unforgettable professional GM sessions on StartPlaying.games. DungeonFlow.app – Level up your campaign prep with smart tools for encounters, traps, and dungeon building. TTRPG Creators & Friends – From indie developers to community artists, support the people making your games richer and more fun. By supporting our friends, you're helping keep the tabletop ecosystem thriving. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

A Friend Reappears | S2E18: Kids Playing Dungeons & Dragons

The Kids Table

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 20:59

Our kid Dungeons & Dragons heroes are left reeling after discovering that Arugon has apparently been working with an agent of the god of power! Have they truly been betrayed by the one they once called friend? About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home! Our Kids' Adventures: Our Website Support Our Work: Patreon Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Shoutout to our incredible partners: Emberglow Gaming - GM Shield (affiliate, 10% off: TheKidsTable) Roll & Play Press - D&D Ideas (10% off affiliate link) The Shop of Many Things - Puzzle Box (30% off affiliate link) 1985 Games - Maps (10% off: KIDSTABLE) DnD Adventure Club - Kids' Adventures (10% off: KIDSTABLE10) Monument Studios - Music (30% off: KIDSTABLE) Mordenkatie's Magnificent Minis - PC Minis (10% off: KIDSTABLE) Trillium Rose Acres - Monster Minis (15% off: THEKIDSTABLE) Daily Hero Forge - PC Mini Design Ember Rest - Game Host 0:00 Recap 0:20 Skip Intro 14:39 A Friend Appears 19:37 Next Time On The Kids Table #dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

161 - A Cheap Cut of Meat Soaked in Butter (Encore)

Scriptnotes Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 69:47

John and Craig invite Aline Brosh McKenna back to celebrate the third anniversary of Scriptnotes. It's a jam-packed, glass-and-a-half of wine, listener-favorite episode. They look at ways to breathe new life into scenes and characters that aren't working, box office journalism and how Hollywood is always dying, scene geography, and the role of emotional intelligence (or EQ) in a writer's career. In our bonus segment for premium members, we have original outtakes from the episode where we look at what changed in the world in our first three years on air, make predictions for what's to come, re-invent Spanx, and of course talk about D&D. Links: Going to the 2025 Austin Film Festival? Submit to our LIVE Three Page Challenge here! The original episode 161 and its transcript Aline Brosh McKenna on Instagram and IMDb Why do people throw tomatoes? from How Stuff Works The Knowledge Global Entry From 2014: Movies Have Worst Summer Since 1997 by Brooks Barnes Mimeographs on Wikipedia and eBay Maguire Watch on Everything is Terrible! Filthy Scriptnotes episodes The Angeles Crest Fiasco and The Dirty Show The Honourable Woman This Movie Will Require Dinosaurs by C. W. Neill N3TWORK Preorder the Scriptnotes Book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Scriptnotes on Instagram John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Robert Hutchison (send us yours!) This episode was originally produced by Stuart Friedel. Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.

Quest & Chorus Ep. 4: Come Adventure to The Quiraing on Skye (special feat: Folk Songs & Stories #308)

PUB SONGS for Celtic Geeks

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 34:50

The Quiraing is not a gentle place. Stone spires jut skyward, cliffs crumble toward the sea, and paths twist like they're still being carved by giants. It's a landscape that doesn't promise safety—it dares you to take another step. On Skye, they say even dragons once hid in these folds, rising to defend the island from invaders. And standing here, staring into that mist and stone, you can feel it: adventure isn't slaying dragons. It's choosing to face the one within. Music from Kinnfolk, Ed Miller, and Marc Gunn. This is Quest & Chorus #308 0:39 - - Kinnfolk “Highland Laddie” from Star Above The Mountain 4:21 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Where every hill might hide a dragon, and every fear might be your map. We stand on the edge… of a cliff, of a journey, of ourselves. The Quiraing, on the Isle of Skye, is a land caught between movement and stillness… earth sliding slowly toward the sea. And standing here, staring out over stone teeth and mist-choked valleys, you might ask: Should I go forward? Or turn back? I'm your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and typically host of this show as Folk Songs & Stories, but today, we call it Quest & Chorus. Quest & Chorus is a 6-part podcast series. I fuse my love of Celtic and folk music, science fiction and fantasy, and travel into a podcast with a quest. In each episode, you will get a clue to unlock a secret reward. And at the end of the season, you will combine all of those clues to unlock an even bigger amazing reward. If you're new to the show, please follow us. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather. Review of ALEP 6: A Long Expected Party. Stories: 6 mile hike Dressing like a hobbit Playing music with Kelly and Mitch in the Dancing Pony. Providing the atmosphere for Middle-Earth Sunrise over The Shire Singing beneath the stars. Ed Miller has a gift for turning lived experience into song. In “The Wide Rio Grande,” he tells the story of a young Scottish singer facing the sting of rejection at the U.S. border — and how that moment bound him to countless others who've risked everything to cross into a new life. It's a song about displacement and determination, about rules that separate and courage that refuses to be denied. From Houston to Laredo, from Scotland to Mexico, it is both personal and universal — a reminder that behind every border there are human hearts, still daring to cross. 11:19 - Ed Miller “The Wide Rio Grand” from Many's The Fine Tale The Wide Rio Grande Lyrics and music by Brian McNeill Fifteen years gone, the airport in Houston A young Scottish singer stands waiting in line He's been too long apart from the home of his heart It's a young Texas sweetheart so fair and so fine But the man at the desk with his uniform shoulders Gives uniform reasons and a uniform smile Takes more than a song son. The paperwork's wrong son Fly back where you came from just 5000 miles Come all you brave lads who follow my story I'll stand at the border and give you my hand Here's honor and luck, good health, and glory To those who would try for the wide Rio Grande London to Mexico, ready to try again Walk through a border that thousands have crossed Join the bold dispossessed of the South and the West For a white boy from Scotland, no irony lost But he knows as he reaches the light in Laredo With the guards looking on and the sun beating down That the hard law and order, the rules on the border Has made him at one with the men who have drowned Come all you brave lads who follow my story I'll stand at the border and give you my hand Here's honor and luck, good health, and glory To those who would try for the wide Rio Grande So the next time you walk the wrong side of the border Remember this song as you think on your lot For every man, Jack, who can take the road back Should think on the fortune of those who cannot For Wetback's a name that they whisper in corners But there's one man hear who will wear it with pride For a fence or a wall means nothing at all For a heart full of courage will ne'er be denied Come all you brave lads who follow my story I'll stand at the border and give you my hand Here's honor and luck, good health, and glory To those who would try for the wide Rio Grande Compadres and amigos who follow my story I'll stand at the border and give you my hand Here's honor and luck, good health, and glory To those who would try for the wide Rio Grande 15:50 - UPCOMING SHOWS OCT 11: The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GA OCT 17-19: MultiVerse, Peachtree City, GA NOV 1: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Festival, Fairburn, GA NOV 8: IrishFest Atlanta, Roswell, GA with Inara NOV 14-16: CONjuration, Duluth, GA NOV 22: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Festival, Fairburn, GA DEC 6: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Festival, Fairburn, GA DEC 7: Nerdy Wonderland at The Lost Druid, Avondale Estates, GA @ 12 - 5 PM. Please leave a comment on the podcast show notes at pubsong.com or wherever you listen. Email pictures of where you're listening to follow@celtfather . I'll send you a free gift and you can learn more about how to follow this podcast. News There is also a 10-day Sale at com for the 2025 Firefly Drinking Songs t-shirts. This is the only time you'll be able to get a copy of this shirt this year. The store closes on October 10. So get those orders in! October Patreon Membership Drive. I'm running a Patreon Membership Drive from October 1-10, 2025. When you become a Patron, you get a free album: Kilted Drinking Songs. I say a free album. But to be fair, you get several free albums. This is the latest. It features songs that were once recorded exclusively for this podcast. It's now together as a digital-only album. There's only one way to get it. A big thanks to my… GUNN RUNNERS ON PATREON If you enjoy this podcast or you love listening to my music, please follow my Celtfather Patreon page. You can sign up for free and get updates on what's new and you can get an ad-free edition of this podcast before public listeners. But you get so much more when you become a Patron of the Arts. Patreon is one of the ways modern musicians and podcasters make a living. For just $5 per month, you'll get exclusive, unreleased songs, podcasts, video concerts, bootleg concerts, and so much more. Email follow@celtfather to get more details! 18:38 - Marc Gunn “Paddy Murphy” from Kilted Drinking Songs 24:17 - TODAY'S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. We don't see everything. Instead we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos. In 2026, you can join me for a Celtic Invasion of Galicia in Spain. Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com. Let's begin the… QUEST & CHORUS of QUIRAING, SCOTLAND The Quiraing lies on the northern Trotternish Ridge of Skye. It's part of the largest landslip in Britain — a massive collapse of rock that stretches nearly the length of the peninsula. What makes the Quiraing remarkable is that it's still moving. Every year, the road below must be repaired, because cracks open and the land shifts. The cliffs and pinnacles here are not frozen in time; they are alive, in motion, reshaping themselves even now. Within this landscape are some striking features: The Needle, a tall jagged spike of rock; The Prison, a crag shaped like a fortress; and The Table, a grassy plateau hidden away within the folds of the cliffs. These names reflect how the landscape feels — not just natural, but storied. The word Quiraing comes from Old Norse — Kví Rand — which means “round fold.” It's thought to describe the way the land curves inward, almost like a natural pen or hollow. Local lore says the hollows were once used to hide cattle, especially during Viking raids. The geography itself became a shield, a place of protection. There are stories of dragons living in the Quiraing. However, the dragon stories don't come from ancient Gaelic tradition. They appear more in modern folklore retellings and travel writing — stories told to capture the atmosphere of the landscape. It's easy to see why. The Prison, a huge crag that looks like a fortress, seems like the perfect lair. The Needle rises like a spear ready to strike. The Table, hidden within the fold of the cliffs, feels like a secret clearing where wings could unfurl. One version says the dragons hid in the folds of the Quiraing, guarding the people of Skye from Viking invaders. When longships came over the horizon, the dragons rose from the cliffs themselves — wings beating like thunder, breath as fierce as the Atlantic spray. The Vikings fled, and the people survived. It's not a tale you'll find in the oldest manuscripts. In a place where the land still moves, where cliffs shift and stones crash down, dragons feel less like fantasy and more like a natural explanation for the Quiraing's wild power. So when you set foot there today, you're not just walking among rocks and landslides. You're stepping into a landscape that invites adventure — where the air feels charged, as if dragons might still be hiding just behind the next ridge, waiting for the moment to rise again. In Middle-earth, places like this are where heroes are tested. This is where Frodo keeps walking. Where Aragorn faces the dead. Where you ask: Am I brave enough to keep going? Talk prompts: Fear is not the enemy—stagnation is. Talk about how fear can be a compass, not a wall. The illusion of safety: The “door” we hide behind may protect us—but it can also trap us. Personal story: Have you ever reached a moment of internal Quiraing? When you had to keep going even if you were shaking? D&D parallel: Every great campaign starts with a hesitant first step. Players choose to walk into darkness. The song's core idea: Adventure is not slaying dragons. It's choosing to face the dragon within. This song came from that moment— That catch in the chest before you say ‘yes.' That step forward that feels like a leap. It's about choosing the road that scares you… Because it also might save you. This is Come Adventure With Me. 29:24 - Marc Gunn “Come Adventure With Me” from Come Adventure With Me Your next clue is locked in the lyrics. What turns you to stone? Listen again. Write it down. Because sometimes, it hardens into walls. And sometimes… you have to break them. Thanks for walking the edge with me today. The Quiraing doesn't give answers. But it gives perspective. Next time, we dive into a different kind of exile, on Skellig Michael, where legends go to disappear beneath the waves. Until then, wherever you are… Come adventure with me. 33:52 - CREDITS Thanks for listening to Quest & Chorus. This episode was edited by Mitchell Petersen. You can follow and listen to the show on my Patreon or wherever you find podcasts. Sign up to my mailing list to learn more about songs featured in this podcast and discover where I'm performing. Remember. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and think about how you can make a positive impact on your environment. Join the Quest and Sing Along at www.pubsong.com! #pubstories

music fear texas stories personal talk mexico walk playing local arts spain south write table adventure scotland prison quest stone players britain sale atlantic ga scottish vikings reduce providing multiverse viking celtic isle d d needle takes dressing roswell rio grande chorus galicia frodo baggins duluth gaelic singalong laredo amp stories folk songs peachtree city alep ed miller conjuration skellig michael fairburn from houston marc gunn news there avondale estates credits thanks celtic invasion firefly drinking songs irish celtic music podcast

#80 - The Wildest War-to-Startup Story You'll Ever Hear w/Marcus "Doc" Haralson

Wild Chaos

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 163:32 Transcription Available

A ridgeline in Okinawa turns into a “Christmas tree” of chem lights. A young Navy corpsman—adopted by Marines, hardened by the desert, and allergic to excuses—learns how fast jokes turn off when core temperatures spike and a friend's life hangs on a bag of ice and an IV drip. From Third LAR in 29 Palms to the first firefight of the Iraq invasion in an LAV, he paints the chaos with unflinching detail: a gunny with a cigar and a 240, green streaks of artillery across the sky, and a bullet that somehow slipped skin while punching through a flak and blouse. The losses that hurt most weren't always in combat; sometimes they were self-inflicted or silent, and those are the ones that linger.Then the story veers into Kabul, where contractor life felt like a satire—training in a ghost-town range, piss-test acrobatics, Gurkhas who needed nine people to open a gate, dysentery from bad chow, and MRAP joyrides to flea markets. Out of the absurd came “Aegis Underground,” a meme insurgency that roasted incompetent leadership and accidentally built camaraderie. When a beltway boss tried to bark orders, the phone clicked and a new chapter began: college, guiding on the coast, a nonprofit that used trips as a pretext for the real medicine—men talking without posturing.What follows is the blueprint he wishes more vets heard sooner. Identity doesn't end with a DD‑214. Purpose can be rebuilt in small, disciplined moves: fasting, breath work, running, labs, and a circle of friends who answer late-night calls. He's honest about the grind of entrepreneurship and the fear that comes with walking from guaranteed pay. He's also proof that you can trade adrenaline for ownership. His newest leap is Dillo, a high-output, wireless, Bluetooth‑dimmable adventure light built for nights on rafts, golf carts, and UTVs—a simple idea executed well by someone who learned to trust his hands and his gut.If you want war stories with humor, contractor chaos with receipts, and a clear-eyed map from service to a self-directed life, this one hits. Tap play, share it with a friend who needs to hear it, and leave a review so more people find the show.To check out Doc's crazy adventures, follow his journey at @Ilive2fish on InstagramSend us a textSupport the showFollow Wild Chaos on Social Media: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-chaos-podcast/id1732761860Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KFGZ6uABb1sQlfkE2TIoc?si=8ff748aa4fc64331 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchaospodcastBam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambam0069Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildchaospodTikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wildchaosshowMeta (Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheWildChaosPodcast

christmas identity startups navy iraq iv tap doc marines d d bluetooth kabul okinawa palms wildest lav startup stories utvs gurkhas dillo mrap

Requiem of Reflections S1 E011 - On Black Wings

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 90:34

Adrie voices her suspicions about Kaeviir the Raven. Email us your questions at: FreelanceHeroismPodcast@gmail.com Visit Freelance Heroism on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/freelanceheroism/ We have a Patreon! Any support you can provide goes toward us giving you a better podcast listening experience: https://www.patreon.com/Freelance_heroism Check out Deece's webcomic! http://www.1d4rounds.com/ Find Deece on TikTok here: OH NO! Find the cast on BlueSky: Deece: https://bsky.app/profile/roguist.bsky.social Rae: https://bsky.app/profile/raedrie.bsky.social You can find our gameplay videos on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6TwfLOFsl192ExdAugebgg/ You can check out our web page here: http://www.freelanceheroism.libsyn.com/ Intro theme is Waltz op. 64 no 2 in c-sharp minor composed by Frédéric Chopin and performed by Olga Gurevich. Licence: The song is permitted for commercial use under license public domain, non copyrighted. http://www.orangefreesounds.com/

S2E133 – Frenemy At The Gates?

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 26:51

The crew get more questions than answers from the dead around the wagon and make their way to Neurfurchtenburg. Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons

HUNTER THE RECKONING AP PT2 - Dreams, Screams, Corporate Malfeasance, Monster Mayhem

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 60:50

"You ever notice how in RPGs, dreams are either profound visions of destiny... or just you wandering through a medieval Taco Bell with your sword drawn? Spoiler alert: tonight, it's the first one. Probably. Unless the monster wants your kidneys, in which case—Taco Bell is still on the table." Watch Tyler's Tiny Videos on TikTok – If you want quick-hit RPG advice, absurdly funny hot takes, and maybe the occasional existential crisis about dice rolls, check out Tyler's Tiny Videos on TikTok. Perfect for when you only have 60 seconds to ruin your party's dungeon crawl. Show Notes In this gripping episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive deep into the world of Hunter the Reckoning, exploring the supernatural mysteries surrounding Vertexa—a pharmaceutical company with more skeletons in the closet than a necromancer at a yard sale. The team faces new monsters, tangled corporate malfeasance, and a web of investigation that blurs the line between science and the supernatural. As the session unfolds, the characters encounter dreams that conceal terrible truths, face the horrors of organ theft, and grapple with the chilling experiments tied to Monster X. Along the way, they confront Dr. Talbot, unravel sinister medical trials, and cross paths with the enigmatic Kadir Mana, all while balancing humor, paranoia, and nail-biting suspense. This episode combines classic movie references, cultural commentary, character development, and horror RPG storytelling into a chilling-yet-funny ride. From game mechanics like hacking to moral dilemmas about science gone wrong, it's a story that will leave listeners laughing nervously... and double-checking their insurance policies. Key Takeaways Encountering new monsters keeps RPG gameplay thrilling and unpredictable. Character development is key for immersive horror storytelling. Classic movies and cultural references enrich roleplaying sessions. Investigations in RPGs often lead to surprising, unsettling connections. Corporate malfeasance and supernatural horror mix for compelling narratives. Character sheets, hacking, and social media mechanics enhance roleplay depth. Dreams and nightmares serve as powerful storytelling devices. Dr. Talbot's medical trials and Vertexa's clinical experiments raise ethical questions. Monster X and organ theft drive the horror and suspense. The balance of humor and dread makes the experience memorable. The story closes on a cliffhanger, ensuring players and listeners are hooked. If you enjoyed this episode, like and subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast. Share it with your party, your GM, and even that one player who keeps rolling Nat 1s on Insight checks. Help us keep bringing you terrifying monsters, corporate conspiracies, and too many jokes about organ theft. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

273 – Disney Discussions 16: Sleeping Beauty & Maleficent: Aurora Growing Up, Angelina Jolie, Villian Origin Stories And Mr Chanterelle!

Genuine Chit-Chat

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2025 81:00

Disney Discussions is back with a comparison between 1959's Sleeping Beauty & 2014's Maleficent! Sleeping Beauty may be a classic but it's a movie Mike had never seen; tune in to hear his thoughts as well as the other's on this 65 year old movie and the 11 year old prequel/retelling from the villain's perspective. Dan, Megan, Mike & Ria also talk about the transition from animation to live-action, Angelina Jolie's performance, the changed aspects between movies, Sharlto Copley's bizarre rendition of Stefan, the fairies, legacy and of course; Mr Chanterelle! The previous episode of Disney Discussions where our gang spoke about Lilo & Stitch 1 & 2 with special guest Natalie! https://tinyurl.com/2bs7kker For the other Disney Discussions, check GCC episodes; 155, 163, 176, 180, 192, 198, 207, 218, 223, 239 & 247 while their 3rd, 8th, 12th & 15th discussions are on Spider-Dan & The Secret Bores' podcast in late Sept 2022, August 2023, May 2024 & April 2025, or you find every DD episode on this YouTube playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcO1Ib_BGD8ajqsEDJPAYC0DSuIUqa26e Ria's Instagram: @RiaCarrogan, @TheRomantasyCoven & @FemmeOnCollective – The Femme On Collective is found on any podcast feed and here: https://femmeon.show and Romantasy Coven is found here: https://podfollow.com/1799664171 You can find Spider-Dan's show, Patreon & further information on his website https://spiderdanandthesecretbores.com or follow him on Instagram: @Spiderdansecretbores Find Megan on Instagram: @GrittsGetsFit or at https://Patreon.com/GenuineChitChat Find all of Mike's social media & other links at https://linktr.ee/GenuineChitChat All supporters of Mike on Patreon have been receiving bonus episodes, including reviews on A Clockwork Orange, Thunderbolts, Venom 3 and more, as well as early access! Support at www.patreon.com/GenuineChitChat or https://ko-fi.com/GenuineChitChat If you're a Star Wars fan, check out Star Wars Chit-Chat for Mike's in-depth reviews, breakdowns & things you missed episodes for Andor, The Clone Wars and more, on any podcast app or on YouTube: https://podfollow.com/starwarschitchat & https://youtube.com/@starwarschitchat Guest Spots: Mike went on the 20th Century Geek podcast to talk about Child's Play, here: https://pod.fo/e/32462c Spider-Dan was on 20th Century Geek to talk about Child's Play 2: https://pod.fo/e/32c749 Megan & Ria were on Back To The Filmography, talking How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3k9F02YfZnZQgeJ2g3QM1E?si=jlZVQXpfSH-d1MJ0LeHiGw Please review/rate, subscribe and share – it helps the show out an incredible amount!

PACING & REST MECHANICS - Why Your Party Naps More Than They Adventure

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2025 55:44

Have you ever noticed that in real life, you can't just say, “I take a long rest” and wake up eight hours later fully healed, your fridge restocked, and your inbox cleared? If only. Instead, you wake up groggy, your cat's screaming, and somehow your wizard spell slots are still gone. Well, tabletop RPGs aren't much better. Pacing and rest mechanics are the part of D&D, Pathfinder, and other RPGs where your party argues for 30 minutes about whether to camp in the murder dungeon, or limp back to town because someone stubbed their toe. And let's be honest—no one wants to play the “Five Minute Adventuring Day” where your heroes spend more time napping than actually adventuring. In this episode, we're tackling the eternal question: how do you keep the action exciting without turning your campaign into a sleep study? Listen to RPGBOT.Podcast on YouTube Before we dive in—did you know the RPGBOT.Podcast has a massive archive of episodes now available on YouTube? Whether you missed our deep dives on D&D subclasses, Pathfinder tactics, Stormlight Archive RPGs, or Spooktober monstrosities, or you just want to binge the chaos from the beginning, the archive's got you covered. Hit up YouTube.com/@RPGBOT and subscribe so you never miss an old favorite—or a new disaster. Show Notes Every Dungeon Master, Game Master, and table of players eventually wrestles with one of the most elusive beasts in tabletop RPGs: pacing. How do you keep the story moving, the tension high, and the action balanced—while still letting your players rest their weary hit points and spell slots? In this remastered episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, Tyler, Randall, and Ash dive into pacing and rest mechanics in tabletop RPGs, exploring how rules like short rests and long rests in Dungeons & Dragons, or Encounter Mode vs Exploration Mode in Pathfinder 2e, shape the tempo of campaigns. We'll dig into the ways pacing affects encounter design, narrative arcs, and character development, and how rest mechanics in Pathfinder and D&D can make or break the flow of the game. From gritty survival pacing where every rest is a gamble, to fast-paced cinematic RPG storytelling where players hardly stop to breathe, we cover strategies for keeping your table engaged without letting fatigue—or rules confusion—drag the campaign to a crawl. If you've ever asked yourself: “How many encounters should happen before a long rest in D&D?” “How do I keep players from spamming the five-minute adventuring day?” “What's the balance between story pacing and resource management?” …this episode has you covered. Whether you're a seasoned DM running epic campaigns in D&D 5e, a Pathfinder 2e GM wrangling Encounter Mode pacing, or just curious how to keep your RPG sessions balanced and fun, this discussion will give you tools, laughs, and maybe a little existential dread about resting in real life. Key Takeaways Pacing is everything: The tempo of encounters, story beats, and rests directly impacts campaign flow. Rest mechanics shape tension: Rules like short vs long rests in D&D or daily recovery in Pathfinder 2e can either encourage resource management or invite “rest spamming.” Encounter pacing drives drama: How many encounters players face before resting sets the stakes—whether it feels like a survival grind or a cinematic sprint. Balance mechanics with story: Great pacing blends mechanical tension (hit points, spell slots, conditions) with narrative urgency (villains, clocks, or looming disasters). The 5-minute adventuring day problem is real: Creative pacing strategies help DMs push beyond it. Different RPG systems, different solutions: What works for D&D pacing may not work for Pathfinder rest mechanics or other TTRPGs—adapt to your system. Player expectations matter: Some groups love slow-burn exploration, others want fast action. Pacing tools let you tune the campaign to your table. Stop Pirating PDFs and Buy Your GM a Sandwich Tabletop RPGs don't just fall out of the sky like loot drops—they're created by real human beings who need to pay rent, eat food, and occasionally buy dice they don't actually need. If you love D&D, Pathfinder, or any of the countless indie RPGs out there, do the right thing: support the developers who make them. Buy the books. Back the Kickstarters. Leave glowing reviews. Tell your friends about the cool stuff you've found. And yes—buy your GM a sandwich once in a while. Because without these hardworking designers and storytellers, we'd all still be pretending that Monopoly is a roleplaying game. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

HUNTER THE RECKONING AP PT 1 = Come for the Crime Scenes, Stay for the Cliffhangers

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 51:04

Welcome to Cyprus Hollow, population: probably doomed. The kind of town where the local gossip travels faster than Wi-Fi, the Daybreak Motel smells like it should come with a tetanus shot, and the only thing scarier than the crime scene is the Yelp review section. Our Hunters didn't come here looking for trouble—they came here because trouble left a one-star review and posted grainy video evidence to TikTok. In a place where urban legends haunt the Wi-Fi signals and even social media influencers can't spin a death into something palatable, the only certainty is this: you can run from monsters, but you can't escape the RPGBOT.Podcast How to Play series. Show Notes In this episode, Tyler, Randall, and Ash pack up their old apartment and move into Cyprus Hollow, a small town that's part “true crime Netflix docuseries” and part “urban legend Reddit thread gone wrong.” Our actual play session of Hunter the Reckoning kicks off with character creation and backstories, because nothing says “ready to fight monsters” like explaining why your Hunter still owes student loans. The crew investigates the mysterious death at the Daybreak Motel, where mace, missing witnesses, and suspicious managers collide with social media drama and grainy video evidence. As the team digs deeper into this RPG mystery investigation, they battle improvised technology, dead-end leads, and the eternal horror of teenagers who refuse to answer questions. Banter and humor lighten the heavy mood (sort of), but the looming presence of a mysterious figure and a cliffhanger ending keep everyone guessing. This is Hunter the Reckoning actual play podcast content you didn't know you needed: equal parts suspense, role-playing humor, and supernatural horror investigation. Grab your flashlight, load your tulpas, and get ready for the How to Play series that dares to explain both mechanics and memes. Key Takeaways Character backstories in RPGs aren't just flavor—they're weapons against existential dread. Setting the scene in Cyprus Hollow shows how place and atmosphere drive great RPG storytelling. Investigating crime scenes in role-playing games demands attention to detail and patience with unreliable NPCs. Urban legends and social media aren't just modern clutter—they become story hooks in mystery RPG sessions. Technology in RPG storytelling is both a blessing and a curse (especially when it glitches harder than Foundry VTT on patch day). Humor in dark RPG campaigns helps keep tension playable instead of crushing. Tulpas, mysterious figures, and cliffhangers make for suspense-heavy actual play drama. Collaboration in RPG investigation storytelling is essential—though sometimes it just means arguing about who has the flashlight. The Daybreak Motel crime scene has more red flags than a bad Tinder date. Ending on a Hunter the Reckoning cliffhanger ensures you'll come back for Part 2, whether you want to or not. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Dungeons & Dragons (2000)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 68:29

This week on Shat the Movies, we roll for initiative with Dungeons & Dragons (2000), a fantasy flop packed with rubbery dragons, chaotic CGI, and Jeremy Irons chewing every piece of scenery in sight. Gene and Big D brave the nonsensical plot, baffling performances, and a magic system that makes zero sense, even for D&D fans. Is it so bad it's fun, or just a critical failure? Grab your spellbook and join the campaign! Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

movies dragons paypal dungeons and dragons dungeons cgi d d big d jeremy irons shat guyz nite

Area of Effect | 28: Keep it Simple, Smarties! (feat. Jon of One Shot in the Dark)

The Kids Table

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 20:42

Allison and Jon talk about his rules-lite fantasy RPG for 1 to 4 players "One Shot in the Dark", the nostalgia of playing Old School Revival-style games, and why it's important to create space for the imagination. "One Shot in the Dark" is a great game for adults, kids, or mixed-age groups and is suitable for both beginner and veteran players! Grab your copy of "One Shot in the Dark" (and its expansions) at Drive Thru RPG! Also available in Portuguese! You can find Jon's audio drama podcast (designed for adults) "Tale Of The Manticore" on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. Welcome to Area of Effect, a podcast from the creators of The Kids Table, where we discuss how tabletop RPGs benefit kids and answer your questions about playing TTRPGs with the kids at your table! About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home! Our Kids' Adventures: Our Website Support Our Work: Patreon Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook #dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

S2E132 – Souls 4 Cash?

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 27:12

The cephalosquad continues its search of the carriage filled with cash and souls. Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons

science nature diversity horror adventure fantasy ocean ice dragons marine souls dungeons and dragons biology dungeons conservation arctic d d roleplaying ttrpg steampunk scicomm

Ep. #62 - The Shadow Road (The Expanding Waste)

The Die As Cast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 46:18

Welcome, friends and adventures, to the The Die As Cast Podcast! Our Dungeon Master, Kevin Cork, takes our party through Kobold Press' post-apocalyptic Wasted West in the world of Midgard. Join in the tale of Gideon Sweets (Griffin Cork), Maeve Maldorava (Madeline Hunter Smith), Ilexyldean (Emma Brager) and Xisk (Diego Stredel).In this episode, our party's travel flies by unnoticed. Gideon takes a stand against a cannibal, Maeve airs the clean laundry, Ilex shares more about the court drama, and Xisk writes home.Join the Die As Cast Community!FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thedieascastTWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheDieAsCastWEBSITE: https://www.dieascast.com/JOIN OUR DISCORD: https://discord.gg/K59Bke958RKOBOLD PRESS: https://koboldpress.com/MAPS AND MELODIES (AKA THE BOY KING OF IDAHO): https://www.patreon.com/mapsandmelodiesM&M Songs Used in this Episode:The Astral ExpressUnder The Full MoonFoggy BogWinter's WisdomGreetings From The Faerie GroveStories Long Forgotten Additional Editing by DM-8 Multimedia Post-ProductionFOLLOW GRIFFIN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:TWITTER: https://twitter.com/GriffinCorkINSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/griffincork/BLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/griffincork.bsky.socialFOLLOW DIEGO ON SOCIAL MEDIA:INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/diegostredel/FOLLOW MADELINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:TWITTER: https://twitter.com/madelinehsmithINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/madelinehuntersmith/FOLLOW EMMA ON SOCIAL MEDIA:INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/cinderemmab/FOLLOW KEVIN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:TWITTER: https://twitter.com/kevincorkINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kevincork/MASTODON: https://mastodon.social/@fundpirate@toot.community

Requiem of Reflections S1 E010 - That's So The Raven

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 75:26

The party arrives at the unhallowed grove and Rayne spots a familiar face. Email us your questions at: FreelanceHeroismPodcast@gmail.com Visit Freelance Heroism on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/freelanceheroism/ We have a Patreon! Any support you can provide goes toward us giving you a better podcast listening experience: https://www.patreon.com/Freelance_heroism Check out Deece's webcomic! http://www.1d4rounds.com/ Find Deece on TikTok here: OH NO! Find the cast on BlueSky: Deece: https://bsky.app/profile/roguist.bsky.social Rae: https://bsky.app/profile/raedrie.bsky.social You can find our gameplay videos on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6TwfLOFsl192ExdAugebgg/ You can check out our web page here: http://www.freelanceheroism.libsyn.com/ Intro theme is Waltz op. 64 no 2 in c-sharp minor composed by Frédéric Chopin and performed by Olga Gurevich. Licence: The song is permitted for commercial use under license public domain, non copyrighted. http://www.orangefreesounds.com/

HUNTER THE RECKONING CHARACTER CREATION - Surviving the Apocalypse with Character Sheets and Charisma Checks

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 51:44

Welcome back, brave listeners, to another chilling chapter of the RPGBOT.Podcast. Tonight, we descend into the fog-choked alleys of Hunter: The Reckoning, where your best defense against the supernatural isn't garlic, holy water, or even a decent sushi roll—it's your character sheet. So sharpen your pencils, whisper your redemption arcs to the moon, and for the love of barbecue—don't botch that Willpower check, or you'll end up as brisket for the monsters lurking in the dark. Randall's Novella Malecon Before we roll dice and ruin lives—have you checked out Malecon, Randall's newest novella? It's a story steeped in atmosphere and strange corners of humanity, much like the touchstones and redemption arcs in roleplaying games we're exploring tonight. Unlike your Hunter characters, it doesn't need a Creed to keep it grounded. Available now on Amazon and as an audiobook narrated by Ash—because nothing says haunting like Ash whispering prose directly into your skull. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew dive fang-first into Hunter: The Reckoning RPG character creation. Tyler, Randall, and Ash guide you through building determined mortals and defining your drives, creeds, attributes, flaws, and skills. They explore the collaborative process of character creation in tabletop RPGs, showing how preparation can shape the narrative and survival of your characters. The conversation shifts between mechanics and storytelling, from equipment, health, and willpower management to the significance of touchstones that anchor humanity. Along the way, the team detours into sushi cravings, seafood adventures, and debates about American barbecue styles—because every tabletop gaming podcast needs flavor outside the dice. By the end, listeners will gain a complete understanding of how to create compelling Hunter: The Reckoning characters, balance narrative with mechanics, and prepare for a Spooktober season of survival horror at the table. Key Takeaways Preparation in RPG sessions leads to stronger characters and smoother gameplay. Collaborative character creation in tabletop games makes for deeper stories. Sushi, seafood, and American cuisine fuel as much table debate as dice rolls. Touchstones in Hunter: The Reckoning anchor humanity and provide character depth. Redemption arcs are essential for compelling roleplaying and character progression. Attributes, skills, edges, and flaws enhance both RPG mechanics and storytelling. Behind-the-scenes podcasting requires coordination, just like running a good RPG session. Dive into Hunter: The Reckoning Spooktober is here—and there's no better time to dive into Hunter: The Reckoning. Tell your friends, spread the word, and remind them that October isn't about pumpkin spice lattes—it's about survival horror, dice on the table, and collaborative tabletop roleplaying games. Bring your group together, create characters that matter, and play Hunter this Spooktober. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

HAGS Remastered - Because every group can use a consultant

Modified Roll: A 5e Dungeons and Dragons Adventure

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2025 51:15

Gather ‘round, adventurers, and mind the cackling in the corner. Tonight, the RPGBOT coven summons forth the secrets of hags in Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. These monsters aren't just creepy old ladies with a fondness for curses—they're the nightmare consultants you never asked for but always fear. Clipboards, cauldrons, and catastrophic contracts await… Welcome to Spooktober 2025! Spooktober is here! All month long we're unearthing horror monsters in D&D campaigns and spooky RPG villains you can use to haunt your tables. For more terrifyingly good advice, visit RPGBOT.net and sharpen your stakes. RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Playing Druids Naturally – DnD 5e – RPGBOT Other Stuff Kobold Press' Deep Magic Show Notes Welcome to another chilling installment of Spooktober, where the monsters are spooky, the lore is thick, and the jokes are terrible. In this remastered episode from Spooktober 2023, the RPGBOT.Podcast coven of Tyler Kamstra, Randall James, and Ash Ely crack open their cauldron to stir up the horrors of hags in Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. If you've ever thought your adventuring party could benefit from a management consultant with a taste for children and curses, then a hag is exactly what you're looking for. We'll dig into their monster lore, explore how they serve as spooky RPG villains, and brainstorm ways to roleplay hags as the creepy consultants no group asked for but every group fears. Expect a mix of hag encounters in tabletop RPGs, practical tips for Dungeon Masters running horror campaigns, and enough cackling to summon your HOA president. Whether you want to know how to roleplay hags in D&D, need advice for Pathfinder 2e hag encounters, or you're just here for some Halloween RPG fun, we've got you covered. Because at the end of the day, what's scarier than a hag? …A hag with a clipboard. Key Takeaways Hags are more than just creepy old ladies: They're one of the most iconic horror monsters in D&D campaigns, bringing curses, bargains, and terrifying influence. Hag covens = nightmare fuel: Three hags working together can break your campaign faster than an over-optimized wizard. Consultant joke actually works: Hags thrive on manipulation, “process improvements,” and long-term influence—making them perfect for roleplay as nightmarish consultants. RPG versatility: From Dungeons & Dragons hag lore to Pathfinder 2e hag encounters, they're adaptable to nearly any tabletop horror campaign. Player engagement: Hag encounters work best when tied to storytelling and character drama, not just combat. Spooktober vibes: This episode doubles as a Halloween RPG podcast treat—perfect for GMs looking to add spooky monsters to their seasonal one-shots. If you enjoyed this episode of Spooktober, share it with your gaming group, summon a friend to the RPGBOT coven, and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. And remember: always read the fine print before signing a hag's contract… Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

amazon spotify ai player matrix consultants lord of the rings dungeons and dragons rpg d d neo rpgs remastered hoa pathfinder gms hag spooktober hags dungeon masters startplaying

Land Of The Creeps Episode 446 : DD 71 Kill, Baby, Kill & The Whip And The Body

Land Of The Creeps

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025

DownloadWelcome to LOTC Presents, this is episode 446 DD 71. This week Ian and GregaMortis are back with Black Glove Mysteries, they are continuing their look in to Mario Bava. The two films reviewed are Kill, Baby, Kill and The Whip And The Body. We hope you will enjoy the discussion on these two gothic horror style films. There will be no Mortis Vision this week but will hopefully have a new show next time. Grab your favorite snacks and beverages as you journey with us through, The Land Of The Creeps.HELP KEEP HORROR ALIVE!!MOVIE REVIEWS1963 THE WHIP AND THE BODYIAN : 10GREG : 101966 KILL, BABY, KILLIAN : 10GREG : LINKS FOR DOUBLE DOUBLEGregaMortisFacebookTwitterLand Of The Creeps Group PageLand Of The Creeps Fan PageJay Of The Dead's New Horror Movie PodcastYoutubeInstagramEmailLetterboxdTwisted Temptress LinkLetterboxdIAN IRZA LINKSBLOG SITEFACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAMLETTERBOXDLOTC Hotline Number1-804-569-56821-804-569-LOTCLOTC Intro is provided by Andy Ussery, Below are links to his social mediaEmail:FacebookTwitterLespecial FacebookLespecial Website

fear halloween movies babies body land horror dead scary critics d d whip movie reviews shootouts creeps letterboxd times new roman mario bava 2cd blog site kill baby kill andy ussery

S2 Episode 59 - Look, I'm an Angler Fish

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 40:14

Join us for Episode 59 of Season 2 of Modified Roll! Having defeated the lycanthropes and push futher into the Kobold hideout, the party are discovering that there might be more to these caves then gemstones, but what are these strange creatures the kobolds are caging? Find out in Episode 59 of season 2 of Modified Roll! Do you want some new dice or awesome D&D accessories? Then head on over to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DnDice⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 10% off all purchases! Or use the following code at checkout: "ModifedRoll" In need of a drink? Head over to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Arcanist Rum⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can use the code "ModifiedRoll" to get 15% off and free shipping! Don't forget to check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rolldark for all your professional GM requirements!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to our wonderful guests, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Lou⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pan⁠⁠⁠⁠, Dan and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sequaia⁠⁠⁠⁠! As mentioned in the show if you want to find out more about the race that Lou created you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠check that out here⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don't forget to check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠all our new awesome merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ // ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stitcher⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ // ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ // ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you as well to @LixxieB for our wonderful logo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jeff for our wonderful Season 2 Character Art!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Michael Ghelfi Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for allowing us to use their music and SFX in our episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

head fish gm dragons dungeons and dragons dungeons pan d d roleplay sfx modified angler 5e kobold michael ghelfi studios dndice modifiedroll

Spaceballs 2 and Franchise Overkill

The Telescope: Geek Culture & Faith

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 17:03

The internet was abuzz when Mel Brooks and company released a trailer for Spaceballs 2. The opening crawl skewered the current Hollywood penchant for spinoffs, sequels, prequels and remakes. Is it time to sunset some of these franchises that continually crank out rehashed content? Maybe. Is it time to put a spotlight on creators who are writing fresh stories? Definitely! Today's episode discusses two franchises: Star Wars and Jurassic Park. We talk about the pros and cons of continuing to create stories for these two world. We also intersperse interviews with creators who are laboring away to create beautiful, new world for reader and moviegoers to enjoy. Authors and Artists: Z. S. Diamonti - https://zsdiamanti.com Laura VanArendonk Baugh -https://lauravanarendonkbaugh.com Mollie Reader - Fearless Indie Film Maker - https://fearlessindiefilmmaker.com Please consider supporting our show: Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/nerdyfolks Website: https://www.nerdyfolks.com Tax Deductible Gift: http://www.globalstudentinc.com/seipel-anderson Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=U8AU6JNDRH6KN Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NerdyFolks

hollywood star wars fantasy nerds artists sci fi geeks franchise jurassic park comic con linktree d d mel brooks spaceballs overkill fancon realm makers

STARFINDER 2E GM CORE - Pathfinder Walked So Starfinder Could Hack Your Wi-Fi

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 66:16

It began, as all things do in a flawed cosmos, with paperwork. You signed something — you don't remember what — but now you're contractually obligated to care about Starfinder 2E. The GM Core isn't a rulebook; it's a transmission, half game manual, half government-issued dream. Every chapter reads like a psychological evaluation, every margin note like a warning label. The hosts attempt to explain mechanics, but what you hear are riddles from another dimension: Galactic Hero Points? Coupons for existential dread. Starship hazards? IRS audits with missiles. Cultural representation? Proof that even in fantasy, bureaucracy finds you. Somewhere between hacking subsystems and train safety PSAs, the line between rules discussion and cosmic paranoia blurs. Packed Worlds lore presses down like a filing cabinet from another timeline. Still — the art is great. Starfinder 2e GM Core (affiliate link) Content from RPGBOT.net Starfinder Content RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Starfinder 2e Galaxy Guide Starfinder 2e Player Core Join the RPGBOT.Patreon The simulation is breaking down. Dice rolls are suspiciously consistent, starships keep failing their insurance inspections, and the algorithm hungers. There's only one way to hold reality together: join the RPGBOT Patreon. For just a few credits a month, you gain access to ad-free episodes, direct communion with the hosts on Discord, and the knowledge that you're funding humanity's last defense against bad game design. Higher tiers may or may not include secret transmissions from the Packed Worlds, but we can neither confirm nor deny that. Support us on Patreon. Keep the podcast alive. Keep the simulation from collapsing. Join the RPGBOT Patreon today Perfect — here's the complete package: a Philip K. Dick–style cold opening stitched directly into the Show Notes and Key Takeaways, with all your short- and long-tail keywords seamlessly included for SEO. Show Notes It began, as all things do in a flawed cosmos, with paperwork. You signed something — you don't remember what — but now you're contractually obligated to care about Starfinder 2E. The GM Core isn't a rulebook; it's a transmission, half game manual, half government-issued dream. Every chapter reads like a psychological evaluation, every margin note like a warning label. The hosts attempt to explain mechanics, but what you hear are riddles from another dimension: Galactic Hero Points? Coupons for existential dread. Starship hazards? IRS audits with missiles. Cultural representation in RPGs? Proof that even in fantasy, bureaucracy finds you. Somewhere between hacking subsystems and train safety PSAs, the line between rules discussion and cosmic paranoia blurs. Packed Worlds lore presses down like a filing cabinet from another timeline. Still — the art is great. From there, the hosts dive deeper: Health history and train safety are treated as RPG mechanics in disguise. The Starfinder GM Core review reveals familiar Pathfinder 2E mechanics, hinting that both games might be written in the same shadowy basement. Cultural sensitivity in game design is explored as a firewall against stereotypes, essential for meaningful fantasy cultural representation. Packed Worlds lore unfolds like interstellar IKEA instructions: dazzling but occasionally missing pieces. Starship mechanics and vehicle rules read more like cosmic DMV manuals than adventure prompts. Hacking mechanics in Starfinder 2E echo IT support nightmares — less cyberpunk, more password reset purgatory. Bridging Pathfinder and Starfinder GM Cores feels like bureaucracies endlessly passing the same form back and forth. Key Takeaways It starts with the suspicion that the game you're playing isn't a game at all. It's paperwork, bureaucracy, and cosmic satire stitched together with dice rolls. And yet, Starfinder 2E GM Core still feels like home. Starfinder 2E GM Core review: familiar Pathfinder mechanics wrapped in galactic bureaucracy. Cultural sensitivity in RPG design: vital to prevent fantasy from becoming caricature. Packed Worlds lore: a rich backdrop that doubles as cosmic IKEA assembly instructions. Galactic Hero Points: space-themed coupons for narrative survival. Hacking mechanics in Starfinder 2E: IT helpdesk nightmares with dice rolls. Starship hazards and vehicle mechanics: like fighting your insurance provider in zero-G. Bridging Pathfinder and Starfinder GM Cores: two systems in an endless paperwork feedback loop. Community engagement in RPG podcasts: less about fun, more about appeasing the algorithm overlords. Language evolution in tabletop gaming: proof the simulation is glitching when players argue about “GIF.” Check Out Rocco's Starfinder Optimization Guides The paperwork is endless. The Starfinder GM Core is thicker than a government dossier, and every starship hazard feels like a tax audit in space. You could try to optimize your character on your own… but the bureaucracy will eat you alive. That's why Rocco's Starfinder Optimization Guides exist on RPGBOT.net. They're the forbidden blueprints hidden in the cosmic filing cabinet — breakdowns of classes, feats, starship mechanics, and everything else you'll need to survive the Packed Worlds without accidentally min-maxing yourself into oblivion. Don't trust the dice. Don't trust the GM. Trust Rocco. Visit RPGBOT.net and bend the simulation to your will. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Ep096: Learning from Mistakes with Gregg Thompson

Building Texas Business

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 36:19

Building successful businesses often requires embracing opportunities that find you rather than forcing predetermined plans. In this episode of Building Texas Business, I sit down with Gregg Thompson, who runs multiple ventures with his brothers including landscape operations, nurseries, and the beloved Tiny Boxwoods and Milk & Cookies restaurants. We talk about how their family business evolved from a high school lawn mowing operation into a diversified enterprise spanning Houston and Austin. Gregg shares how their restaurant concept emerged accidentally when customers kept lingering at their West Alabama nursery, leading to an "accidental" expansion into hospitality. He explains their approach to hiring entrepreneurial people and giving them autonomy, plus how they've built robust back-office systems that support everything from landscape project management to baking croissants. The conversation reveals how measuring margins and sharing financial data across divisions creates a culture where creative people start thinking about gross margins. His philosophy centers on being in the "yes business" rather than automatically rejecting new ideas, combined with the belief that there's no limit to what you can accomplish when you don't know what you're doing. This mindset helped them navigate from municipal bonds to nurseries to restaurants without getting paralyzed by industry expertise they didn't possess. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Sometimes the best business opportunities come from customers eating sandwiches in your nursery at lunchtime, leading to "accidental" restaurant concepts that nobody planned. Giving employees autonomy to try new things without permission first creates innovation - even when it occasionally surprises leadership with what they're attempting. The difference between a good business and a bad business is the back office - if you can't measure it, you can't fix it. Being in the "yes business" means not automatically saying no to employee ideas, since people bringing suggestions are stepping outside their comfort zones. There's no limit to what you can do when you don't know what you're doing, because you don't see the barriers that "experts" assume exist. Family businesses work when siblings have completely different skill sets that complement rather than compete - finance, construction, and wholesale trading each requiring distinct talents. LINKSShow Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About Thompson+Hanson GUESTS Gregg ThompsonAbout Gregg TRANSCRIPT (AI transcript provided as supporting material and may contain errors) Chris: Hey Greg, I want to welcome you to Building Texas Business. Thanks for taking the time to come in. Gregg: Yeah, my pleasure. I'm really excited about this. Chris: Well, you've got a great story to tell. I can't wait to hear more of the details. So let's start. Just tell us about your businesses. I know there's more than one and kind of what it is that you're doing out there and what you feel like those businesses are known for. Gregg: So I work with two of my brothers and I work with a great partner on the restaurant side. And we have, I think, an interesting little business. I was asked about a year ago to do a little speaking engagement about our company and landscape architecture. That's how it all started. And they asked me to do a quick recap of our company, the history, kind of like this. And I started jotting down timelines and I thought, this is dry. There's really more to how it started. That's all I thought. What was really the genesis of it? How did we get here? And so I call it my dad's lawnmower story and I'm 61 and I had three brothers and we all grew up just working around the house and mowing yards and doing chores and getting allowance and all that stuff. And I think that's how we evolved to where we are today in terms of just being willing to get out and work. And my older brother Lance officially started our landscape company when he was in high school. We all had Chris: Really, Gregg: We all had jobs and chores and I worked at Baskin Robbins. I had one brother that worked at a gas station and Lance was always the most successful entrepreneur. Mowing yards. Well, yeah. So we all mowed the yard and we all got our little allowance and that was great. You get the satisfaction of mowing the yard and finishing and then you get a little economic reward from your dad In the form of an allowance. But Lance was always just really good at making money When we were kids. He bought a new motorcycle when we were kids and I bought a used one. He bought a brand new car when he was in high school, 10th grade off the showroom floor and then traded that in and bought another one. This was like 1980. And so he just was very scrappy and entrepreneurial and was working at a nursery not too far from here over on a sacket. And a lady came in Mrs. Presler and bought a bunch of plants and asked if he could come by and plant them over the weekend. And so he did it. And that was officially his first client. She lived around the corner from us and I'm sure Lance did a good job and she loved having this guy around planting and stuff. And she told some friends and we just evolved and he was wrapping up high school and started making a little bit of money. And by the time he graduated he had some people that wanted projects and he's a really interesting guy. He had really bad dyslexia when he was growing up, still has it. And so school didn't come easy for him, but he had dyslexia and a DD, all those things can be really secret weapons if you know how to work around them. And he just had the ability to visualize things. He's always been into aesthetics and building. And so I think that really gave him some tools to just keep going with this landscape Chris: Thing. And then you ended up joining them at some point. Gregg: And so I went off and did the whole college finance thing and got into the municipal bond business and did that for a few years and I'd helped him with his books, a little glorified bookkeeper when he was starting. And in the early nineties we had talked about he was still growing and had a few employees and a few trucks and moved to some different locations and we just talked about me coming over or getting somebody else in to be the CFO and operations person. And it really wasn't that big at the time. And so I left my job in 94 and joined them and we were just around the corner over on Edlo. We leased some space over there and started a little bitty nursery as well as landscaping. And it was an accidental nursery. It was really a holding yard, and we would get all these plants delivered, we'd buy direct from growers and get all these plants delivered and put 'em in the holding yard and it looked like a nursery. And so people would stop in and want to buy plants and we thought, you know what? Let's see if we can open a nursery. And so that's how the retail nursery Chris: Started. Sometimes you find the business Gregg: And sometimes they find Chris: You. Gregg: Yeah, I call it the accidental nursery. And it was a great location and we were able to secure the real estate and buy it. And then we had some real estate trades that allowed us to move and grow a little bit. And so that was 94. And then that growth occurred throughout the nineties and in late I think 98, we sold that land and moved to the current location on west Alabama. And then we also moved our crews and our administrative offices over to West Park in six 10. And we opened a wholesale nursery there. We bought about eight acres of land there. And that's become the biggest part of our business on the landscape and nursery side is the wholesale. So we sell to other landscapers and over the years we've just grown and we have these divisions. We opened an office in Austin, Lance lives in Austin now. He moved in about 2000. And so we operate out of both cities. We have nurseries in both cities. And then probably our most visible business to the public is the restaurant side. Tiny box woods and milk and cookies. Chris: It keeps me fed. Gregg: Yeah. Well, I wish I could say it was a master plan, but it's been a fun plan. Chris: So I've always been curious how did you go from a nursery and landscaping into the restaurant business? Gregg: So that's I think a fun story too. So nursery people are kind of like book people, book people go and hang out at libraries and bookstores and they just want to be there around things that they love. Plant people are the same way. And our little retail nursery on West Alabama is a really beautiful place and people would just come and hang out. They would come over and on Saturdays there would be three or four people that were there every Saturday just walking around. They'd buy a few things, but they just wanted to be there. A little bit of an oasis. It is. And a lot of the mom and pop nurseries have gone by the wayside over the years. And so it was just a real pleasant space. It's the best patio in Houston. Well, thank you. And so one day, this lady was over there at about noon and she was walking around and she was eating a sandwich and we'd always joked about how people wanted to just be there and hang out and move in. And we got a lot of comments like that. And I saw this lady eating a sandwich just walking around. And so I just imagined that she was there on her lunch break and just wanted to hang out there. And so I called my brother Lance, and we talked probably six or seven times a day. We're always just calling and checking on things and riffing a little bit. And I said, we need to think about Dale coffee shop or restaurant. We've got this beautiful space and people want to be here, so we've got the captive audience and we have a place where they want to be. Let's sell the sandwich or a cup of coffee. We talked about a coffee shopper and we didn't really have a vision. And he said, that's the worst idea. That's a terrible idea. And I was putting this pitch on him. We've got the land, we had the building where I thought we could do it, and we were just using that for storage and mostly for Christmas trees. We sell Christmas trees once a year and we storm in there for about 30 days and otherwise just building was just storage. And I said, we've got the real estate and we can find somebody to cook. I had no idea what I was talking about. And I said, we've got an HR department, we've got the back, we've got all that stuff that's really hard for first time entrepreneurs. We didn't have to sign a lease, we didn't have to learn about hiring people and firing all that sort of administrative stuff. That can be really challenging if you're just a chef and you don't know all that. So we had that in place and we thought, or I thought there wasn't a lot of downside, give it a whirl and if it doesn't work, it's not the end of the world. And he was like, no, that's a terrible idea. Terrible idea. And so I thought, okay, he's probably right. Little Chris: Motivation to prove him wrong. Gregg: Yeah. And so he called me the next day we were talking about stuff. He said, we could probably figure it out. We could probably find somebody to help with the kitchen. And we've got the back office. So he's putting the sales pitch back on me that I was putting on him. And we just decided we had a place where people want to be and they like being there and we're already selling products. Our products just happen to be plants And we could figure out the food part of it. Again, we're pretty naive about it. And so we just started working on it. We hired an architect, we know how to build things and renovate spaces, and we thought we could make it a real pleasant patio and we thought we could do all that pretty stuff. And then we got just incredibly fortunate and found this. He was a young man at the time. He's still pretty young, but I think he's 25 at the time. He's our partner. His name's Bardo, and he's just been the best partner imaginable. And he came in and he was a little bit like us. He grew up mowing the yard and he had a bunch of siblings, but really had this love of hospitality, really outgoing, loves to cook and loves to feed people. And we met him through a client of ours who would come by our nursery and she asked, what are y'all doing over there? And we told her and she said, I've got the perfect guy for you. Chris: How about that? Gregg: And so we think, we still talk about what a miracle all this stuff is, just how things lined up. But Chris: Well, a lot of entrepreneurs will say that being naive in the beginning was a blessing because had they known what they were getting into and all the reality of it, they probably wouldn't have done it. Gregg: Yeah. I call that there's no limit to what you can do when you don't know what you're doing because you're not. That's a good one. You don't know the barriers that are there and you're naive. And if you knew all the stuff that's involved, you would probably be not always. It's tough to think through everything, especially when you don't know what you're doing Chris: Well, and I say just put your head down if you're passionate about it, which you all clearly are. Put your head down and just keep going and you figure it out as you go. Gregg: Yeah. And we did a lot of that, a lot of problem solving and figuring it out. And Baron was just amazing. He learned a lot of skills as we were building this building and he learned how construction works and he learned how software works and he had a really interesting sort of chefy background, but had never been run a restaurant and built one. So it was great. We all developed great tools and we called Lightning in a bottle with the first restaurant. So that's Tiny Boxwood. That's tiny boxwood. And then, let's see, and then in 2010, another one of those little bitty miracles happened and we were able to buy the old JMH grocery Chris: Store in Gregg: West University just through happenstance. I was out walking my dog one night and ran into this guy and he told me about it might be for sale. And so we opened that restaurant up and turned it on in 2011 and operated that for about five years. And we had this little bitty space in the middle between, there's a bank in there, and then we had the restaurant and then there was about 1700 square feet in the middle, and we just held that We wanted to see how everything worked with the neighborhood. We wanted to be good neighbors and see how the traffic flows. Parking's such a big deal in any retail establishment. And we just wanted to see how everything flows. And we didn't really have a vision for that space, but we spent a lot of time talking about it and we designed different things and had different ideas. And then about not quite, it's coming up on 10 years, I think, eight or nine years, we opened milk and cookies. We designed that around the concession stand over in West University, that little baseball walkup window. We didn't have enough parking to allow us to have a restaurant where you walk in and have seats. So really out of necessity, we did the walkup window that we thought was really charming, But we couldn't even if we wanted to, we didn't have the parking Chris: Right. And everyone loves it. Gregg: And everybody loved it. And so that has really developed into just a really fun and interesting part of our business and very visible. And people love it. It's like a little bitty Disney world. Everybody kind of shows up happy and leaves happy and the tickets aren't big tickets. And we've made some fun connections with people. And we've opened three of those in Houston and one in Austin. And then we're opening one in the Heights right now. It's under construction. Chris: I saw something about that in the little area there in the Heights. And they've got some other shops and things around there. Gregg: Yeah, we've got these Chris: Milking cookies. I was there this morning, so it's too close. It's dangerous. Gregg: Yeah, it's been an interesting business. Chris: I don't know how my youngest daughter would've made it through high school without being able to go to milking cookies on the way. But my biggest question is who came up with the chocolate chip recipe? Chocolate cookie recipe. Gregg: So I would love to take credit for that. I had nothing to do with it. That was my brother, Lance and Baron. And Lance has just always been a cookie guy. He's chocolate chip cookie. The greatest thing. Wasn't a real big cookie guy, but he's like, I want to have the best cookie. It just got to be off the chart. And he's one of those guys that everything's got to be the best. It's like he has these visions of things and he just wanted it to be the best. Chris: Well, he succeeded. If people haven't had it, they need to go try it. Gregg: Yeah, thank you. Chris: Hands down the best. Gregg: They've become popular. They've taken on a life of their own. And so he and Baron worked on just these different iterations of different ingredients and recipes and processes. And I got the benefit of taste testing for about six months and then stumbled into a little recipe and process. It seemed to work. That's great. And we've stuck with it and it's been really fun and successful. And we built the milk and cookies was really born out of the cookie. We sold the cookies of the restaurants and we'd get a lot of people that would come. They would pick up their kids at school and come and have milk and cookies that they'd sit at the bar in the restaurants. And Baron, to his credit, thought we could build a little business around pastries and the cookie. And we started doing ice cream and coffee. And so we made it what it is today, but it was really born out of that little cookie. Chris: Yeah, that's amazing. So three different businesses, you can't do that. You can't even do a business, no alone. Three different concepts without a good team. So what have you learned over the years that's helped y'all hire the right people? What kind of processes? What's been the learning and the journey around that? So critical to Gregg: Success? Yeah, it is. People are everything. It's a cliche, but it's true. People are everything. Hiring is anybody can hire. You need to know when to fire, getting the right people. I'm not a great manager of people, so I tend to delegate a lot. And I like to hire people that are entrepreneurial themselves and I like the back office and the numbers and the analysis, and I like to be involved in a lot of discussions and problem solving, but I like to delegate a lot. Give Chris: 'em autonomy. Gregg: Yeah, I give 'em a lot of autonomy. We have another saying that if you're not making mistakes, you're not trying hard enough. It's like when y'all were doing this, you made mistakes, I'm sure, and you figured stuff out. Oh sure. And you don't repeat and learning what not to do, it's just as important as learning what to do. And so that's how I operate. It's probably not the best form of management. And over the years we've gotten just some amazing people. We've got this one guy that operates our maintenance division. His name's Bill Dixon. He joined us over 30 years ago and he's created a little business within our business and it's great. He's had a great career and it's helped us build our landscape brand. And we've got some architects that are doing the same thing. We've got one coming up on 30 years. And then our back office, I think the back office, I've always said the difference between a good office or a good business and a bad business is the back office. You got to be able to count, you got to be able to report, and you got to be able to analyze and know if you can't measure it, you can't fix it. And so we've got a great back office and it's pretty robust for the, we do a lot of different things too. We do everything from landscape project management, building pools and fences and walls, and then baking croissants. We've got this whole range of accounting needs and back office needs. Chris: And is it all consolidated to kind of in the one back office space? We have Gregg: Space, what we call shared services, and it's really where we consolidate all of our accounting and we have different heads of different departments and different software for the restaurant side and payroll side, and then the landscape retail side. And that's been a lot of optimization and evolution that continues today. We just engaged a company to come and advise us on how AI can work within our existing software platform. Chris: Yeah, let's talk about that, just kind of innovation. What are some of the things you think y'all have done to innovate and keep the business progressive that's helped fuel the success? Gregg: I think a lot of it comes from the back office being able to report to our divisions. We have landscape maintenance, Houston, we have one in Austin. We have construction divisions, we have a retail division, a wholesale division. We have warehouse distribution. So we have all these different divisions. And I like the numbers piece and I like sharing that. And it's fun to see people that aren't real numbers. People look at 'em and make the connection between what they do during the day to how it translates into commerce and what does that mean in margins. And you see these really creative people that don't think of themselves as numbers people, and they start talking about gross margins and vice versa. We have a joke with Cindy Keen, who is our CFO. She's super great accountant and manager and does a lot more than just accounting, but she's pretty creative. And we've got these numbers, people that probably never thought of themselves as creative that really are. And so it's fun to see all that, but we rely a lot on software and accounting and reporting and trying to measure things where we can. And it's just a continual optimization. Chris: It sounds like you created a culture around focusing on the numbers and the margin, the details of how do you drive Gregg: Profitability Chris: In everything you do, right? No matter what role you have, that's part of the culture Gregg: You've created. So at the end of the day, if we're not making a profit, nothing else matters. We can talk about all this Nice pretty stuff, but if you're not retaining earnings and making money, you can't give raises. You can't get bonuses, you can't do the things you want to do. You can't try new things. And so we have a robust reporting and accounting and we keep optimizing. We can just change some tools last two or three months and how we account for labor, not account for it, but how we manage it within the restaurants or the restaurants are. It's funny, I was listening to the p Terry's podcast that you did, and the stories he tells really resonate with me because every day you're getting out and you're managing, you're hyper managing everything from cost to sales to labor to time to percentages. And so we just continue to optimize and haggle and we have a lot of different skill sets in our meetings. And so it's a continual, I like to think of it as just an optimization. Chris: Yeah. So you mentioned just a minute ago that you don't fancy yourself as a manager of people. I probably begged to differ, but when it comes to leadership, how would you describe your leadership style and how do you think that's evolved over the last several decades of you doing this? Gregg: Well, well, thank you for saying that. My style is to be encouraging and be open. I try to be in the yes business, I call it the yes business where I don't just automatically say no to things and be open. And if somebody brings you an idea, they're really maybe stepping out of their comfort zone a little bit, something that they think might be worth it, or they may just try it on their own. It's funny, some people within our organization now just try stuff without even bringing it to me, which I love. And sometimes I'm surprised to hear they're doing it Chris: Within certain Gregg: Boundaries, right? Yeah. There's usually some boundaries. Sometimes they're like, okay, you could have talked to me about that. So I think hopefully my leadership style is encouraging and I've been accused of being too positive. People from my office that are listening to this will know what it's talking about. I'm usually overly optimistic on a lot of projections. And my accounting department has a bad habit of proving me wrong on more than one occasion. But I love the people we work with. I love getting to know 'em and see 'em grow, especially on the restaurant side. It's been really, the restaurant business was so alien to me. I didn't know all the components that would go along with it, but some of the really fun pieces have just been getting to know the people that work there Are, I don't know if you've ever worked in a restaurant, but I have. Yeah, they're hard worker. The back of the house, the dish guys, it's a hard job. And then you have the front of the house where a lot of, for some people it's career and it's hospitality, and that's their mindset and that's their personality and they're wonderful. And then you get a lot of people that are working their way through college or school or just want to work and make a little money. And so we've had people go through college and we've had some come and a couple have come and work in our accounting department. They went to U of H and got a degree in accounting and just had breakfast with a guy a couple of weeks ago that's wrapping up his accounting degree. And he wanted to know if there are any opportunities and just getting to see people grow. And Baron who runs the restaurant side, is really good about developing young people in general around what he wants. Chris: Well, I just know from experience on the restaurant side, your retention is remarkable. The same people, I've been a loyal patriot for years, and it's a lot of the same people there, which says something about what you're doing something really right. Gregg: Well, so what I did was stumble across Barron, and I would love to say that, but I've learned a lot from him and what he expects, he has really high expectations and loves. He would've been a great football coach. He loves to coach people. And he has these meetings where he talks about culture and words to use and how to present yourself and how to stand up, just really blocking and tackling around interpersonal skills and then the culture of service and hospitality. And he just does a tremendous job. And it's been fun for me to see that and see these young people develop and become more confident. And we've been doing it long enough now where some of the people that work for us when we started, or in their thirties and mid thirties and speak very fondly of their work experience. Chris: That's great. Let's switch gears a little bit. It's a family business and those aren't always easy. What have you and your brothers done to get along on video and make sure there's no real conflict? And how have y'all shared responsibilities or divided responsibilities? Because not every family business is really easy or successful. So anything that you can share in that Gregg: Regard? Yeah, that's a great question. And for me, I think it's pretty easy answer. We all do different things. My skill's a lot different than Lance. Lance. He's not intimidated by building anything. I've learned a lot about building and construction, landscaping, even the restaurant side of it, but my skills are more around the office finance management and really administration. And so we don't really step on each other's toes. Hopefully we compliment each other. I think we do, and we talk a lot and every day. And then my younger brother, Brad is really interesting too. He runs our wholesale division, which is really big division that we're not known for because it sells to the trade. And he's got a completely different skillset too. He's buying millions of dollars worth of plants and trees, and he's almost like an oil and gas trader. He's taken positions on these perishable products and moving 'em to other landscapers and manages a lot of people too. And he's doing over the counter sales. And we have salespeople that work with them. So we've all got different skills and we all contribute differently. And that's, I think really been the key to making it work. And we occasionally bristle and step on each other's toes, but it's pretty rare, thankfully. Chris: Well, it'd be odd if you didn't from time to time, but it sounds like one, you have different skill sets that y'all recognize and appreciate, and two, there's no Gregg: Ego Chris: Because that gets in the way of whether it's family or not. If you have partners in a business and there's some egos in the room that can lead to, and we've seen it here. I call 'em business divorces and they get ugly. I can Gregg: Imagine. We just have different skill sets, hopefully. I know Lance and Brad both very humble. Hopefully I am too. And we just love what we do. Lance is he loves to say, and I'm the same way. I'll never plan to retire. I want to be able to retire. I don't want to retire. There's a difference. There's a difference. One's a little more freeing and we've just got probably overuse the word fun, but we've got a fun business and we work with great, creative, scrappy, entrepreneurial, hardworking people and who we admire and respect and it's great. Chris: So you started in Houston, obviously and grown here that you've expanded out. Has having a business based in and expanding within the state of Texas you think been an advantage for you Gregg: Texas? So I listen to this guy, I don't know if you've ever heard a guy named Peter Zhan. He talks about geographics and geography and demographics and why some states and cities are successful and some countries, and it's been fascinating, but he says Texas is the greatest state in the world to do business. He says Houston is the greatest city. And he goes on to explain why. And Austin's right up there too. Texas is just, it has his reputation for being wide open and scrappy and entrepreneurial. That's true. It's a great place to start a business. The barriers to entry are pretty low. They're getting a little more, I say burdensome, but it's still pretty easy to just fire up a business. And there's a good labor force here. There's good distribution in the form of imports and exports from the ports. We've got one of the greatest ports in the world for sure. We've got I 10 running through here so you can distribute in and out of there. We've got low cost of energy, we've got low cost of food, we've got a ton of real estate, so it's a great place to do business. And Austin has exploded over the last 10 years and it's gotten a little more expensive to operate out of there. They've taken over the world too with tech and opportunities, and you've got this intellectual knowledge base there. And so Texas is just a great place to do business. We're looking to expand some of our little stores to other cities in Texas. Chris: That's great. Yeah, I agree with you. I think of Houston, especially as a city of opportunity. You see entrepreneurial spirited people everywhere and other entrepreneurs willing to support those starting out, which is the whole reason we started this podcast is to share knowledge, pass something on. And when you think about that, if you were to say something, one or two tidbits to an aspiring entrepreneur who may be listening, what would be your advice about taking that first step or something to maybe watch out for that may be around the corner? Gregg: Yeah. Yeah. So my overly optimistic personality would say, do it, measure the downside. Can you handle if it doesn't work? Worst case scenario, can you handle that? And if you can, the upside will hopefully take care of itself. But I say, go for it. I love to talk to young people that are thinking about starting a business or want to know how you do it. And I love to talk to them. And it's never too late. I love to had a lot of great conversations with older people that have retired or become empty nesters and started a little jewelry business, and then other people that have started wildly successful, much bigger public companies. And so businesses, it's such a creative endeavor and there's a gillion ways to make a living and to start businesses and to try things. And you never know what you can do until you give it a world. Yeah, I love, Chris: I'm always amazed at how the different things people do to actually have a business or make an income, it's fascinating. Some of 'em are obvious, and then there's so many that you're like, wow, I had no idea that someone would've a business around that. Gregg: It's really remarkable. And the more you drill down and get into it, and the more you discover how people have just built great businesses, wildly successful financially and big and small, and yeah, it's great. I love entrepreneurship and I love people that think about it and want to give it a whirl. Chris: Yeah. Well, it's obvious because y'all have been wildly successful yourself and been cool to see how it's evolved from just a nursery to, like I said, a restaurant. I mean people that are passionate about restaurants and can fail at 'em. And it's cool to see someone knew nothing about it, but have it be so successful. Gregg: Yeah. I'm probably a little too capricious about saying, we got really lucky with some of the people and we went into it not knowing, Chris: Well, no sub super hard work. Right? Gregg: Yeah. Chris: So all that to say, then you got all this going on, what do you do to just rest and recharge and find some time for yourself? Gregg: Well, so when my youngest, who's same age as your oldest went off to college, we became official empty nesters. And I had a couple, a little more time on my hands and I wanted to fill it. I'm not good with time on my hands. And so I was trying to decide between, I used to fly airplanes and I was trying to decide between flying or taking up golf. And thankfully I took up golf. It's a little easier to do every day. Chris: Tends to be safer on life expectancy Gregg: Too. If you fall out of the golf cart, it's not fatal. And so I play a lot. I've just become really passionate about golf. I love golf. And so I enjoy that. And Carol and I are traveling a little bit. We got a little place in Florida where we go to, and I still stay pretty busy with work. We are going back and forth to Austin a lot. Catherine, my youngest is still there, so I stay pretty busy. Chris: Good Gregg: Doing stuff I like to do Chris: And well, they say, right, you love it and passionate about them until work. Gregg: Yeah. Yeah. Chris: That's great. Alright, so last question is, do you prefer Tex-Mex or barbecue? Gregg: Oh, that's so tough because I was just at our little shop and somebody who works there who knows I'm into certain types of foods and ingredients and stuff, she gave me these great, because she knows I love chips. And she's like, oh, I got these, they're seed oil free and all this stuff and you got to try. I'm like, oh man, I'm going to have something to snack on. So I love chips, I love Tex-Mex and I love barbecue. But if I were to choose, I would probably choose Tex-Mex. Okay. Some of my early fondest food memories are Tex-Mex. Chris: Yeah. So it's funny, it's the hardest question that I ask on the podcast for everybody, and it's a hard one for me to answer, but I go to, when I've been gone traveling for a while, what's the first thing I want when I come back? And as much as I love barbecue, the answer text Gregg: Message. Yeah, it's our comfort food. I literally remember the first time I had chips and queso the day I remember where it was, where I was. And it just changed my life. Chris: Well, maybe there's a new restaurant concept for y'all to go after. It could be, yeah. Although there's a lot of competition here, right? Gregg: I know there's good competition. Yeah. Chris: Well, Greg, thanks so much for coming on. Love your story. Congratulations to you and your brothers and your whole team there for what y'all do. And again, from a personal standpoint, I love it. I take advantage of it being just two blocks away more times during the week than I care to admit. Gregg: Yeah. Well thank you and congratulations to you on your podcast. I just love that you're doing this. It's very entrepreneurial. It's like this, the definition of an entrepreneur is Chris: Trying something. Well, I appreciate that. We consider ourselves here. We talk about it all the time within our partnership that we're entrepreneurs. For sure. And to your point, we look for people that have that ownership mindset to work here because we think that's what makes this firm successful. And it helps us with our clients because our clients are entrepreneurs. And so I think we're, those connections help form deep Gregg: Relationships for sure Chris: With the clients that we have. And we think that's part of why we 35 years and going strong. Gregg: Yeah. That's great. Chris: Thanks again for coming. Appreciate you taking time. My pleasure. Take care of Hello. Gregg: I will. Thank you. Alright. Special Guest: Gregg Thompson.

D&D 4E's Resurgence: Skill Challenges, Bloodied Condition, and the Dark Sun Connection

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 35:10

Jesse and Chris dive into the renewed interest in D&D 4th Edition, reflecting on its tactical combat, iconic mechanics like skill challenges and the bloodied condition, and how its DNA lives on in modern RPGs like Lancer and Draw Steel. Plus, Jesse shares plans for a brutal Dark Sun 4E campaign.

dna condition d d resurgence rpgs lancer bloodied dark sun skill challenges

Last Call - BattleMage Brewing - Divine Light w/ Strawberry

Rock & Roll Happy Hour

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 2:28

Ask any D&D player and they'll tell you any good journey starts in a tavern. For BattleMage Brewing, they built the tavern and coming in Ocotber their are "leveling up" to 8! All week Chris and Ryan from BattleMage join me in studio to talk about thier up coming anniversary, Octoberfest and collabs they've got coming out. We start with something, light, bright and crushable, Divine Light Blonde with Strawberry.

san diego brewing d d strawberry craft beer last call octoberfest divine light ocotber battlemage

Episode 87: Three Hearts and Three Lions - Scary Rubbery Trolls

Bad Books for Bad People

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 73:52

Poul Anderson's 1961 novel Three Hearts and Three Lions is one of the cornerstone influences on Dungeons and Dragons: a medieval-inflected romp through creature encounters and chivalric romance, featuring the world's most terrifying version of troll. Jack and Kate, our paladins of pulp, armor up and prepare to do battle with a veritable monster manual of menace in this month's book. What makes old D&D art so damn compelling? How does Nazi-punching figure into this fantasy adventure? Why is this sword named after the virtual assistant inside my Microsoft device? All these questions–plus a lengthy digression on enormous tomes–and more will be explored on this episode of Bad Books for Bad People. Find us at BadBooksBadPeople.com, on Twitter @badbooksbadppl, Instagram @badbooksbadpeople, on Bluesky @badbooksbadppl.bsky.social, and on Facebook. Got questions, comments or feedback? Email us at badbooksbadpeople@gmail.com

microsoft nazis scary dungeons and dragons trolls blue sky d d bad people three lions bad books three hearts poul anderson

Requiem of Reflections S1 E009 - Meet The Cousins

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 76:12

The Chosen of Mielikki shares divine knowledge with Adrie, Kaeviir investigates a body, and Rayne meets back up with the party for a griffon montage. Email us your questions at: FreelanceHeroismPodcast@gmail.com Visit Freelance Heroism on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/freelanceheroism/ We have a Patreon! Any support you can provide goes toward us giving you a better podcast listening experience: https://www.patreon.com/Freelance_heroism Check out Deece's webcomic! http://www.1d4rounds.com/ Find Deece on TikTok here: OH NO! Find the cast on BlueSky: Deece: https://bsky.app/profile/roguist.bsky.social Rae: https://bsky.app/profile/raedrie.bsky.social You can find our gameplay videos on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6TwfLOFsl192ExdAugebgg/ You can check out our web page here: http://www.freelanceheroism.libsyn.com/ Intro theme is Waltz op. 64 no 2 in c-sharp minor composed by Frédéric Chopin and performed by Olga Gurevich. Licence: The song is permitted for commercial use under license public domain, non copyrighted. http://www.orangefreesounds.com/

S2E131 – The Mystery of the Bear-Wagon Explosion

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 25:15

The cephalosquad come across a accident scene with an exploded bear and a busted wagon. Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons

HUNTER THE RECKONING CONCEPTS AND THEMES - World of Darkness, dice that hate you, and hunters with trust issues

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 51:15

The lights flicker. The basement smells faintly of stale pizza and dread. Somewhere in the distance, a door creaks — or maybe that was just Randall adjusting his chair. Tonight, we're stepping into the World of Darkness, where average people stumble into a nightmare of vampires, monsters, and game mechanics that hit harder than a ghost with a grudge. In this episode, we invite you to join us for the first chapter of our How to Play Hunter: The Reckoning series. Expect desperation, danger, and just enough emotional depth to make you wonder if your dice are haunted. If you've ever wanted to play D&D but with more existential dread and less fireball spam, this is the episode for you. Support Ash on StartPlaying If listening to Ash wrangle dice, monsters, and Tyler's rules arguments has you thinking, “I need this chaos in my life,” then good news: you can. Ash Ely is running games on StartPlaying.Games, and he'll happily lead you into the World of Darkness (or any world, really) — no flashlight required. Support Ash, book a session, and experience firsthand what happens when your emotional depth meets his desperation mechanics. Just… don't be surprised if your character cries before you do. Show Notes Welcome to the very first episode in our How to Play Hunter: The Reckoning series — or as Tyler kept calling it before coffee, “Hunter the Gathering.” In this kickoff, your hosts Tyler, Randall, and Ash dive fang-first into the World of Darkness, exploring the emotional depth of role-playing games and why letting your character cry on-mic is sometimes the most powerful game mechanic of all. We'll peel back the layers of Hunter: The Reckoning's history, from its complicated editions to its enduring reputation as “the game where average people fight vampires, demons, and the IRS.” Along the way, we'll tackle the unique desperation and danger mechanics that make every dice roll feel like a bad Tinder date, and unpack how creeds and organizations give hunters wildly different vibes — from religious zealots to conspiracy theorists with poor Wi-Fi. Expect detours into D&D, vampire hunting jokes that are definitely not OSHA-approved, and at least one argument about whether lighting in performance art really matters when you're sitting in a dimly lit basement with a bag of Cheetos. Key Takeaways Emotional depth matters: vulnerability in RPG storytelling makes for unforgettable campaigns. Average people, extraordinary stakes: Hunter: The Reckoning lets you role-play regular humans versus supernatural horrors. Creeds and organizations define hunters: conflicting goals keep character drama spicy. Mechanics that hurt (in a good way): desperation and danger rules crank up tension like horror movies with jump scares. Monster design isn't about stats: creating monsters with real motivations makes them terrifyingly relatable. Storytelling as a mirror: RPGs like Hunter reflect players' inner conflicts and emotional experiences. Hunter history is messy: multiple editions, controversies, and fan debates make for excellent nerd fights. Lighting matters… apparently: whether on stage or at the table, atmosphere changes how the story hits. Tyler Tiny Videos Want even more advice on how to play tabletop roleplaying games without committing to a three-hour lecture or a fifty-page rulebook? Tyler Kamstra's got you covered with his Tiny Videos on social media. They're short, sharp, and just chaotic enough to make you laugh while actually learning something useful for your next D&D or Hunter: The Reckoning session. Go watch Tyler's Tiny Videos — because good tabletop tips should fit between scrolling memes and doomscrolling the news. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

REMASTERED: FEAR MECHANICS - Because nothing says fun like watching your character soil themselves in a dungeon