Best Gmless Podcasts (2025)

1
Season: RPG - Ben Robbins on GMless Games 51:51

29d ago51:51

51:51

Dirk and David are joined by Ben Robbins, designer of Microscope and many other narrative games. They discuss the play culture of Microscope, the differences between it and trad TTRPGs, and the ways games of Microscope can flourish or break down. Topics include expected participation, growing pains in trying new TTRPGs, and what even is an RPG?…

1
S1E4 - Concord's Greeting 56:47

7h ago56:47

56:47

The lone settlement of Cinder opened its doors to let Emile escape the harsh furnace of an environment. Having not spoken a word to him, though, it's a disconcerting invitation... Previous Ironsworn Campaigns Ironsworn: Western Frontier Ironsworn Co-Op Campaign Youtube MidnightJester Twitch MidnightJester8 All episode content, music, and artwork cr…

1
Season: RPG - Interlude: The First Round Table 47:56

1d ago47:56

47:56

Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron look back on TGRT’s most recent topics, along with taking time to dive into many of the conversations brought up by Ellie Dix in BtC. Sharing thoughts about co-design and comparing the communities in tabletop and digital design, which Ellie has brought up with past guests. The two also look back on some of the bigger i…

1
Episode 101.1 - You Have to Be in the Goo 1:08:45

2d ago1:08:45

1:08:45

Join Jade/Koda and August as we play HOUNDs by Tyler Crumrine. A PIKE scouting unit and its pilot are called to return to base so the PIKE unit can be decommissioned, but neither the unit nor its pilot are willing to sacrifice each other. The only option left is to run. Luci is played by Jade/Koda. Indigo is played by August. Produced by August. Ad…

1
S1E3 - The Escape Pod 54:17

7d ago54:17

54:17

Emile reached the escape pod, but that's no good if the pod is inside a crashing ship. There has to be some way to get this thing launched. If he can pull that off, what might lie on the planet below...? Previous Ironsworn Campaigns Ironsworn: Western Frontier Ironsworn Co-Op Campaign Youtube MidnightJester Twitch MidnightJester8 All episode conten…

1
BtC - Isaac Vega on Self Publishing 51:59

7d ago51:59

51:59

Today, Ellie Dix and Isaac Vega take a deep dive into what it means to self publish, both the struggles and the benefits. Touching on collaborating with others on projects, along with devoting your time and energy into being a publisher.

1
Episode 100.3 - That's a Way to Ruin Brunch 1:10:03

9d ago1:10:03

1:10:03

Join Koda/Jade, MK, August, and special guest Mab as we conclude our game of Molotov College by W. H. Arthur. After being missing for six years, a young superhero returns to her original timeline, but can she pick up the pieces left in the wake of her disappearance? Max is played by Jade/Koda. Merril is played by MK. Sol is played by August. Kerri …

1
Season: RPG - Luke Hughes - Leadership RPGs 56:16

13d ago56:16

56:16

An in depth dive into the makings of Burden of Command, along with the strategies and tools used to create the realistic nature of the game. Conversations about using the right assets and tailoring your game in a way that it resembles the time period that it’s trying to convey. Luke Hughes, along with Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron, dissect the thin…

1
E114 From Rot Grows Life 1:02:12

14d ago1:02:12

1:02:12

Episode Notes A Duet of Steel is by Adrian Thoen. Bluesky | Ko-Fi | Discord Intro and Outro Music by Bryan Check out Travelling Light by Monstrous Productions! This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

1
S1E2 - The Journey to Engineering 1:00:21

14d ago1:00:21

1:00:21

As Emile Spencer sails through the air, magnetically drawn towards an amorphous, hypnotic creature, he needs to quickly devise a plan. If he can get out of this mess, then getting to Engineering should hold the way off this crashing ship... Previous Ironsworn Campaigns Ironsworn: Western Frontier Ironsworn Co-Op Campaign Youtube MidnightJester Twit…

1
Storytelling in Ravenloft with Delilah S. Dawson - S6E3 48:20

15d ago48:20

48:20

Curse of Strahd, Castle Ravenloft and the Domains of Darkness are beloved parts of our shared TTRPG and DnD hobby. Join Delilah S. Dawson (the author of the newly released D&D novel: Raveloft, Heir of Strahd) and I as we discuss all things Ravenloft in this episode of Role Play Chat. If you'd like to learn more about Delilah's books you can check t…

1
Episode 100.2 - A Real General Person Move 58:55

16d ago58:55

58:55

Join Koda/Jade, MK, August, and special guest Mab as we play Molotov College by W. H. Arthur. After being missing for six years, a young superhero returns to her original timeline, but can she pick up the pieces left in the wake of her disappearance? Max is played by Jade/Koda. Merril is played by MK. Sol is played by August. Kerri is played by Mab…

1
S1E1 - Beginning Re-entry 1:07:52

21d ago1:07:52

1:07:52

In this inaugural episode, Emile Spencer wakes up aboard the starship The Reacher all alone and while it is already deorbiting. Without swift action, he will surely be killed. Now if only he could remember how exactly he got here... Previous Ironsworn Campaigns Ironsworn: Western Frontier Ironsworn Co-Op Campaign Youtube MidnightJester Twitch Midni…

1
BtC - Richard Heayes on Protecting Your Idea 35:10

22d ago35:10

35:10

Ellie Dix is joined by Richard Heayes, former design director for Hasbro and current co-founder of 7pips. They discuss the ins and outs of trademarking, idea infringement, and the benefits of freely sharing your ideas. Topics include trademark law, game submission portals, when and how to share your designs, and why it’s important the game design c…

1
PAXu retrospective - S6E2 1:17:42

22d ago1:17:42

1:17:42

Gaming cons can sometimes be a little intimidating but they are without a doubt the pinnacle of tabletop gaming, or at least they are to me! Listen in as Alex (friend of the show) and I have a look back down memory lane as we discuss everything we did at PAXu 2024 and share advice for folks who might be new to attending tabletop (or any) cons!Happy…

1
Episode 100.1 - Summon the App 58:01

23d ago58:01

58:01

Join Koda/Jade, MK, August, and special guest Mab as we play Molotov College by W. H. Arthur. After being missing for six years, a young superhero returns to her original timeline, but can she pick up the pieces left in the wake of her disappearance? Max is played by Jade/Koda. Merril is played by MK. Sol is played by August. Kerri is played by Mab…

1
Episode 99.2 - He Did Not Fake His Death 1:07:30

30d ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Join Annya, August, and Cory as we conclude our game of A Diner at the End by Bammax Games. Three strangers find themselves seated at a table together, unsure of what's brought them here or what's yet to come. Will they still be strangers by the end of their meal? Atlas is played by Annya. Sol is played by August. Delta is played by Cory. Produced …

1
E113 Why Are You Booing Me? 1:03:32

1M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

Episode Notes A Duet of Steel is by Adrian Thoen. Bluesky | Ko-Fi | Discord Intro and Outro Music by Bryan This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

1
BtC - Mandela Grandon on Co-Designing 42:30

1M ago42:30

42:30

Ellie Dix is joined by Mandela Grandon, designer of Glasgow, Overstocked, and The Shakespeare Game. They talk about the benefits and process of co-design, the difficulties in working with another person, and how to even get a co-designer. They also discuss the finer points, like how to address experience gaps, outline goals and partnership structur…

1
Episode 99.1 - Burning Your Whiskers Off 55:18

1M ago55:18

55:18

Join Annya, August, and Cory as we play A Diner at the End by Bammax Games. Three strangers find themselves seated at a table together, unsure of what's brought them here or what's yet to come. Will they still be strangers by the end of their meal? Atlas is played by Annya. Sol is played by August. Delta is played by Cory. Produced by August. Suppo…

1
E112 Give A Boob A Honk 59:58

1M ago59:58

59:58

Episode Notes A Duet of Steel is by Adrian Thoen. Bluesky | Ko-Fi | Discord Intro and Outro Music by Bryan This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

1
Season: RPG - Cosmere RPG with Andrew Fischer 47:55

1M ago47:55

47:55

The season of RPGs starts off with flare! Dirk and David are joined once more by Andrew Fischer, here to discuss his experience designing the Cosmere RPG. They discuss the difficulties in adapting the expansive work of Brandon Sanderson, the unique mechanics developed for the system, and the difficulty in bridging the gap between readers new to RPG…

1
Episode 98.3 - You're Ruining Our Hotbox 1:08:43

1M ago1:08:43

1:08:43

Join August, Annya, Sam, Schrag, and special guest Hector Reyes Jr. as we play Faire Season 2nd Edition by Hector Reyes Jr. Five intrepid re-enactors gather at the Fallow War event to have a good time. But danger lurks in the woods, and fate has other plans. Parker is played by August. Aurora is played by Annya. Garion is played by Sam. K is played…

1
E111 You Are a Fairy and a Walrus 1:18:52

2M ago1:18:52

1:18:52

Episode Notes Fairy vs Walrus is by Pomrania and can be found on Tumblr. Bluesky | Ko-Fi | Discord Intro and Outro Music by BryanSnippets:Viva La Vida is by ColdplayThunderstruck is an AC/DC song, here covered by Rob Landes This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

1
BtC - Rikki Tahta on Designer Community 39:47

2M ago39:47

39:47

In this episode, Ellie chats with Rikki, creator of Coup, The Chameleon, and Melee, about his inspiring journey in design. He highlights the importance of process and how a supportive community has influenced his path. They discuss what makes the design community unique and the benefits of connecting with fellow creatives.…

1
Episode 98.2 - No One Knows 1:02:30

2M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

Join August, Annya, Sam, Schrag, and special guest Hector Reyes Jr. as we play Faire Season 2nd Edition by Hector Reyes Jr. Five intrepid re-enactors gather at the Fallow War event to have a good time. But danger lurks in the woods, and fate has other plans. Parker is played by August. Aurora is played by Annya. Garion is played by Sam. K is played…

1
Season: RPG - Prologue 1:04:05

2M ago1:04:05

1:04:05

TDGRT kicks off its first season on RPGs with a discussion on Dirk and David’s experiences, and where they want to take the season from here. They talk about the pros and cons of modern Dungeons and Dragons, and alternative styles of game design that better suit different genres of play.

1
Episode 98.1 - Don't Think I Didn't Think About It 55:28

2M ago55:28

55:28

Join August, Annya, Sam, Schrag, and special guest Hector Reyes Jr. as we play Faire Season 2nd Edition by Hector Reyes Jr. Five intrepid re-enactors gather at the Fallow War event to have a good time. But danger lurks in the woods, and fate has other plans. Parker is played by August. Aurora is played by Annya. Garion is played by Sam. K is played…

1
GMless Games With Goosepoop Games - S6E1 58:53

2M ago58:53

58:53

You need a GM for a tabletop roleplaying game... right? Wrong! Some wonderful games exist without a game master. Join Jordan of Goosepoop games and I as we chat all about GMless games from how to play them to how to design them! If you want to hear more of Jordan's insights you should check his website here:⁠ ⁠https://goosepoopgames.square.site/ Ha…

1
BtC - Adam Porter on Playtesting 38:56

2M ago38:56

38:56

Ellie Dix is joined by Adam Porter, designer of Kompromat, Pikoko, and Doodle Rush. Together, they discuss the playtesting process, why it’s so important, and the biggest mistakes people make while playtesting. Topics include tracking confusion during sessions, structuring how and what feedback is given, and being a good playtester.…

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