The Diceology Podcast
Welcome to Diceology, where we dive deep into the stories that make tabletop role-playing games more than just dice and character sheets. As a GM-at-Large, I explore the lives of gamers, facilitators, con organizers, and the creators who bring these worlds to life.
Think StoryCorps for gamers: We talk about where games fit into people’s lives, what early gaming was like, and even what life looks like after the dice are put away. I also share my own GM-at-Large adventures—what I’m playing, running, or prepping at the table or online.
Whether you’re curious about the latest trends in TTRPGs, or just want to hear the stories of those who play and create them, Diceology is here to bring you the rest of the gamer’s story. Roll initiative, and let’s get started!
Episodes
90 episodes
Muses of Play: Powered by the Bakers, Pt2
A game is “done” when you stop thinking about it, right? The Bakers complicate that in the best way, and it instantly changes how we think about tabletop RPG design, publishing, and the long life of ideas. We start with the deceptively simple q...
Muses of Play: Powered By The Bakers (Broadcast Cut)
We sit down with the Bakers to talk about how games and art grow out of everyday family life. We dig into creative conflict, staying unstuck, and why shelving a project can be a sign of craft rather than failure. • building a household...
Muses of Play
Creativity doesn’t come with a handbook, so we're building our own. We swap notes on how solo game makers and artists actually get things done: setting a three-influence pillar to keep ideas fresh, designing from mechanics without losing theme,...
The 2024 Wrap with Judd Karlman (Edited)
In this episode, we reflect on our favorite tabletop RPG experiences of 2024 and discuss exciting upcoming games for 2025. We explore character creation, the importance of storytelling, and how strange mechanics add depth to our games.•...
From Hobby to Profession: The Life of Paid Game Masters
Have you ever wondered what it's like to turn your tabletop gaming passion into a profession? Judd Karlman and I chat about our extraordinary path from hobbyists to professional game masters (GMs), revealing the quirky, exciting, and sometimes ...
Jolt #5: Citrus Climax!
Jolt and his family are hunkering down at a Hilton Garden Hotel in Jacksonville, guarded by Cherry Bomb's security. It's nearly midnight when Red-Eye calls Jolt... and it's not a "wyd?!" kinda call. Chimaera is making a move to grab Citrus Clim...
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Jolt #4: Daye & Knight (Edit)
Jolt #4 - Daye & KnightNate and Obie encounter some extraordinary security guards when they try to make off with goods from the secret lab they've robbed. Later after getting Jason to a hospital, they have a strange encounte...
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Jolt #3 - Cherry Bomb!
Ready for an action-packed hour of gaming discussion and adventure? Join Rich and me as we delve into the world of real life and role-playing games, exploring the connection between comic books and gaming, and discovering what it means to truly...
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Jolt #2 -Orange Blast!
Jolt #2: Nathan interviews for the super spokesmodel position at Door Dash but gets an emergency text from his wife and leaves abruptly! 3Pain, the witness protection assassin, has made a house call! Later, Nathan and OB discuss OB's deb...
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Jolt #1
Jolt #1 - Nathan is lured into a CHIMERA experiment as they trap him on the Buckman bridge to observe his abilities! Back home, it’s parent-teacher conference night for him Sarah and their kid Mason. OB stops by looking for a hanging-out buddy....
2Eleven: Jolt - Champions Now AP E00(Edit)
2Eleven returns with Jolt!Welcome to Session Zero for Jolt! A Champions Now actual play. I feel like I must remind you I do not receive any kickbacks for the millions o...
Last week in Tabletop Games with Mad Jay
Champions NowJolt #2 -3 Nathan interviews for the super spokesmodel position at Door Dash but gets an emergency text from his wife and leaves abruptly! 3Pain, the witness protection assassin, has made a house call looking for ...
Going West with Jason Lutes (edit)
My guests, Jason Lutes and Paul Beakley, and I get lost in the
Last week in Tabletop Games with Mad Jay
Easily the week of the West Marches. Starting with my halfling wizard’s Arden Vul adventure to helping my local gamers launch their own IRL West Marches games. It’s got me thinking about other non-fantasy applications.On
Last Week in Gaming #25
Fading SunsFading Suns on The Gauntlet. Lowell Francis trying out the system, and you can tell he’s down his prep. I’m playing an Ur-Ukar ...
Last Week In Gaming
Mad Jay talks about Mythras and Glorantha, Twilight: 2000, Horizon Zero Dawn, Cortex and BX D&D with Old School Essentials!
Last Week in Gaming with Judd (Edit)
My guest today is a gamer I admire for his style of DMing and asking players questions. He has the uncanny ability for generating gameable premises. He is the author of the Dictionary of Mu, a favorite sword and sorcery setting of mine. He's th...
Straight outta Kalisz with Geoff Hunt and Neil Carver
I've recorded this conversation with Geoff and Neil from my Twilight: 2000 Saturday morning game. This group, this time slot, and the game are a magical thing for me right n...
Last Week in Gaming - Legacy 2E Shenanigans
Started Mothership with Judd. I'm playing a character inspired by Fox Mulder. The pitch: Two scientists investigate the disappearan...
Last Week in Gaming: Rich Rogers of Plus One Forward (Edit)
Rich Rogers, co-host of Plus One Forward and designer of Hit the Streets: Defend the Block, an ENnie award-winning street-level supers RPG joins me to ta...
