Diving Deep into Theme, Fate, and Storytelling with Jay Foster from Swole Initiative
What does it really mean to be a strong Dungeon Master? Is it about rules mastery, epic voices, or maybe… sonic attacks and diamond scales? In this episode of How to Be a Better DM, returning guest Jay Foster from Swole Initiative joins Justin Lewis for a monster of a conversation—literally. First, Jay becomes the […]
GMing 101: Top DM Tips from Dragon Steel Nexus
In this special episode of How to Be a Better DM, Justin Lewis shares key takeaways from the GMing 101 panel at Dragon Steel Nexus 2024. Learn how to manage player expectations, improve group communication, and create more engaging game sessions. Whether you’re a new DM or a seasoned pro, these tips will help you […]
How to Help Players Fit Into Your D&D Party
DMs, today we are talking about fitting in—specifically helping players fit into your D&D group and party. Whether it’s a player who doesn’t know how to cross that metaphorical gap, or the party doesn’t know how to welcome someone new fully, today Tanner is giving some tips to help you pull them in and welcome […]
Why Your D&D Party Won’t Stay Together (And How to Fix It)
Your party has already split 30 minutes into session one—again. The rogue sneaks off, the barbarian wrestles in the local church, and the bard… well, who even knows? If you’re tired of struggling to keep your party together, this episode is for you. Discover the Coalescence Event, a powerful DM tool that ensures your players […]
Alignment in D&D: Outdated Relic or Roleplay Goldmine?
Alignment—one of the most debated mechanics in Dungeons & Dragons. Is it a vital storytelling tool or an unnecessary restriction? In this episode, Tanner and Justin dive deep into the purpose of alignment, its impact on roleplay, and whether it should still have a place in modern campaigns. Plus, hear real stories of alignment gone […]
The Lost Episode? Lessons from Ashley May King on Mastering the Art of DMing in Horror and Mystery
Ever lost something truly great? Well, our first recording with Ashley May King disappeared into the void, but lucky for you, she’s back for an incredible conversation about writing horror and Mystery! Join us as we dive into storytelling, Dungeon Mastering techniques, and how to create unforgettable tabletop adventures. Don’t miss this episode of How […]
Long Vs Short D&D Campaigns: Which is best for you?
Do you think that there is the perfect length for a campaign? Well, rather than spending forever finding that out, let’s instead consider the advantages of both extremes of campaigns: a short, 5-15 session campaign, or a long 20, 30, 40+ campaign carried throughout the years. Our sponsor, Worldsmith: session0studios.com/worldsmith-podcast
The Dos and Don’ts of the Early Campaign
There’s one mistake I’ve made over and over as a DM, and every time, it has sucked the life out of my campaigns. The worst part? I didn’t even realize I was doing it. But fixing it? That took just one simple change. Today, I’m sharing that tip with you—along with 12 others—to make sure […]
Writing a Homebrew One-Shot: Part 5
Welcome back to the 5th 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 […]
DND for Kids? Much Easier and More Rewarding than you Thought with The Kids Table DND
Welcome back to How to Be a Better DM. Today, Tanner and Justin are joined by Ryan and Allison from The Kids Table DND (https://www.youtube.com/@thekidstablednd). Playing D&D with kids is a very intimidating concept for some DMs, and in today’s show, we dive into how to do it right and the benefits it can lend […]