Archives: Captivate Podcasts

Brief Announcement + How to Restart Your D&D Campaign

Here are today’s sponsors:Worldsmith – Easy D&D Prep – Start a Free 7 Day Trial: https://session0studios.com/worldsmith-podcastRoll and Play Press – Easier D&D: https://session0studios.com/rollandplayStudio Fantasms: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsOur Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon We share a brief announcement in this episode… also, to clarify, I realized on relistening that I made it sound like Justin was the one having the baby, […]

Why Your Sessions Fall Flat—and the DM Energy Fix That Changes Everything

TL;DR: If your sessions start strong but crash halfway through, it’s not your story, your prep, or even your players—it’s your energy management. In this episode, Justin breaks down the hidden reason your games lose momentum mid-session and teaches you how to fix it permanently. Here are today’s sponsors:Worldsmith – Easy D&D Prep – Start […]

Writing a Homebrew One-Shot: Part 6

Welcome back to the 6th installment of our short series on writing a Homebrew one-shot. In this episode, we’re joined by our friend Rob Van Auken and we continue work on The Chimefall Ceremony: For Whom the Bell TolIs. This miniseries is designed to help give you an idea of how to collaborate on a […]

No More Boring NPCS – Design a Better NPC with London Carlisle

Here are today’s sponsors:Worldsmith – Easy D&D Prep – Start a Free 7 Day Trial: https://session0studios.com/worldsmith-podcastRoll and Play Press – Easier D&D: https://session0studios.com/rollandplayStudio Fantasms: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsOur Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon Justin and Tanner are joined for this episode by an amazing DM, London Carlisle! While he’s known for being an impressive DM at events such as “D&D In […]

The 4 Core Skills of Dungeon Mastery (Plus the Secret 5th One)

Here are today’s sponsors:Worldsmith – Easy D&D Prep – Start a Free 7 Day Trial: https://session0studios.com/worldsmith-podcastRoll and Play Press – Easier D&D: https://session0studios.com/rollandplayStudio Fantasms: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsOur Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon Feeling stuck or burned out as a Dungeon Master? You’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. In this episode, Justin and Tanner break down the Four Core […]

Should You Handhold New Players Into Loving D&D?

Here are today’s sponsors:Worldsmith – Easy D&D Prep – Start a Free 7 Day Trial: https://session0studios.com/worldsmith-podcastRoll and Play Press – Easier D&D: https://session0studios.com/rollandplayStudio Fantasms: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsOur Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon Whether your new player is a wide-eyed first-timer or cautiously dipping a toe into the hobby, Tanner shares key strategies for making their early sessions fun, engaging, and […]

Build Cities That Breathe: Mastering “Show, Don’t Tell” in Worldbuilding

Here are today’s sponsors:Worldsmith – Easy D&D Prep – Start a Free 7 Day Trial: https://session0studios.com/worldsmith-podcastRoll and Play Press – Easier D&D: https://session0studios.com/rollandplayStudio Fantasms: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsOur Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon Your world deserves to feel alive. In this episode of How to Be a Better DM, Justin dives deep into the art of “show, don’t tell” — not […]

Why Doesn’t Your D&D Combat Feel Fun? Plus How To Fix It!

Here are today’s sponsors:Worldsmith – Easy D&D Prep – Start a Free 7 Day Trial: https://session0studios.com/worldsmith-podcastRoll and Play Press – Easier D&D: https://session0studios.com/rollandplayStudio Fantasms: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsOur Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon We’ve all been there: the endless turns, actions, and HP ticking down as you slog through another combat that you don’t know how to end fast enough. Why […]

The Hidden Costs of Using AI in Your D&D Prep – Is it Helping You or Holding You Back

Here are today’s sponsors:Worldsmith – Easy D&D Prep – Start a Free 7 Day Trial: https://session0studios.com/worldsmith-podcastRoll and Play Press – Easier D&D: https://session0studios.com/rollandplayStudio Fantasms: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsOur Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon AI is here—and it’s not going anywhere. But what does it mean for Dungeon Masters? In this episode, Justin and Tanner dive deep into how artificial intelligence is […]

How to make Lifelike NPCs with DMs Shea and Kyle from Dungeon Master Talk

Here are today’s sponsors:Worldsmith – Easy D&D Prep – Start a Free 7 Day Trial: https://session0studios.com/worldsmith-podcastRoll and Play Press – Easier D&D: https://session0studios.com/rollandplayStudio Fantasms: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsOur Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon Is it important for you NPCs to “feel” a certain way when players interact with them? And more importantly, does making a fleshed out, goal-driven NPC add to […]