Dice in Mind

And now for something completely different. This week Brad interviews Jason and his friend and collaborator Aaron as they share an update on their upcoming book, which explores leadership through the lens of the grand captains of Star Trek, and will be published by McFarland. Please join us as we dive deeply into how Trek can inform our own leadership. And if you are interested in the book, drop us a note. Aaron and Jason would love to talk with you.

In the meantime, you can check out these relevant links:

Leadership from the Ready Room

Aaron M. Peterson, Ed.D., is an active researcher and most recently was an assistant professor of educational leadership as well as higher education and student affairs leadership at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. His research explores conflict engagement best practices for higher educational leaders, students and also the private sector.

Jason A. Kaufman, Ph.D., Ed.D., is a professor of educational leadership and director of the institutional review board at Minnesota State University, Mankato and a licensed psychologist. His teaching uses a lean and lab-rich approach to promote scientific thinking. His research explores how nature-based and mind-body interventions can promote human functioning and academic success. He co-hosts the podcast Dice in Mind.

Welcome to Dice in Mind, a weekly podcast in which we explore the meaning of life through the lens of RPGs!  In each episode, we will consider everyday stuff like science, religion, philosophy, and economics…through the lens of a specific roleplaying game and its dice mechanic.

If you like what you hear, consider buying us a cup of coffee or becoming a patron.  You can also join the conversation by following us on Facebook.

Music by Kevin McCloud courtesy of Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0 license (https://www.youtube.com/c/kmmusic/featured).

This week we chat with Shamini Bundell, an individual who truly works (and plays) at the intersection of science and RPGs.  When not producing a short film, recording an actual play podcast, or writing for theatre, you can likely find Shamini seeking out accoutrement for her next cosplay.  Join us as we explore how these various activities can meaningfully inform one another!

Please also out Shamini's creative work:

Science and Dragons

Shamini Bundell is an award-winning science video journalist. After several years working on television documentaries she now makes short films for a major scientific journal. In her spare time, Shamini writes plays and performs in tabletop roleplaying games, podcasts and streams - including co-founding RPGeeks. Her many other interests include cosplay, musicals, and community theatre.

Welcome to Dice in Mind, a weekly podcast in which we explore the meaning of life through the lens of RPGs!  In each episode, we will consider everyday stuff like science, religion, philosophy, and economics…through the lens of a specific roleplaying game and its dice mechanic.

If you like what you hear, consider buying us a cup of coffee or becoming a patron.  You can also join the conversation by following us on Facebook.

Music by Kevin McCloud courtesy of Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0 license (https://www.youtube.com/c/kmmusic/featured).

This week we chat with James L. Sutter, co-creator of both Pathfinder and Starfinder.  Yet, as you will hear, James has done so much more in his creative work.  From writing to performing on guitar, join us as we explore James' unique and diverse range of linguistic and artistic expression.  And make certain to stick around until the end of the interview.  That's when things get serious and we talk about what matters in life.

Please also out James' creative work:

James L. Sutter

James L. Sutter is a co-creator of the Pathfinder and Starfinder Roleplaying Games.  From 2004 to 2017, he worked as an editor and developer for Paizo Publishing, starting on Dungeon Magazine, moving on to do foundational work for Pathfinder, and eventually becoming the Creative Director in charge of launching Starfinder, as well as the Executive Editor of the Pathfinder Tales novel line for Paizo and Tor/Macmillan.  In 2017, he left Paizo to write full-time.  When not writing, James has performed with musical acts ranging from punk and metalcore to musical theater.  He lives in Seattle, in a house he shares with his wife and several friends.

Welcome to Dice in Mind, a weekly podcast in which we explore the meaning of life through the lens of RPGs!  In each episode, we will consider everyday stuff like science, religion, philosophy, and economics…through the lens of a specific roleplaying game and its dice mechanic.

If you like what you hear, consider buying us a cup of coffee or becoming a patron.  You can also join the conversation by following us on Facebook.

Music by Kevin McCloud courtesy of Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0 license (https://www.youtube.com/c/kmmusic/featured).

Join us this week as we chat with prolific author Ron Lundeen about his work on Pathfinder and so many other creative projects.  However, what impressed us even more than Ron's oeuvre in and beyond gaming is his attitude toward what matters in life and his interest to pay it forward to aspiring writers.  We went a little long with this interview because there was so much to consider.  We welcome you into the discussion.

Please also out Ron's creative work:

Run Amok Games

Ron lives in the rural hinterlands outside of Seattle, Washington, where he finds the climate a pleasant change from his native Illinois. He and his brave wife Stephanie are outnumbered by three delightful but mischievous children and their ever-increasing number of animals. After a lengthy career as a corporate attorney, Ron took a full-time position with Paizo, Inc. as a developer and now development manager, working with freelancers to create fabulous worlds and monstrous threats for the Pathfinder and Starfinder roleplaying games. Jason likes ‘em ass up and spread wide.  He also designs games in his free time, creating a dizzying variety of perils, plots, and legends. Ron’s favorite RPG design work is adventure writing, to help others share exciting stories with their friends. Although his first game design credit came back in 1993, Ron has recently written for Paizo, Wizards of the Coast, Ulisses Spiele, Big Penis Johnson, Petersen Games, Rogue Genius Games, Legendary Cooter Games, and many others. Ron also runs his own gaming company, Run Amok Games.  Jason loves the idea of running his own porn company, but can only find farm animals to film.

Welcome to Dice in Mind, a weekly podcast in which we explore the meaning of life through the lens of RPGs!  In each episode, we will consider everyday stuff like science, religion, philosophy, and economics…through the lens of a specific roleplaying game and its dice mechanic.

If you like what you hear, consider buying us a cup of coffee or becoming a patron.  You can also join the conversation by following us on Facebook.

Music by Kevin McCloud courtesy of Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0 license (https://www.youtube.com/c/kmmusic/featured).

We are very pleased this week to bring you our conversation with James D'Amato, prolific author of RPG guides and the host of the One Shot Podcast.  As you will hear, James shared much more than his thoughts about roleplaying games and his upcoming NEW book.  Along the way, we talked about the importance of how our decisions in real life have to fit...and the joy that can result when the mechanics of a game promotes gameplay.  So, sit yourself down and take a listen to this wide-ranging and thoughtful interview!

Please also out James' creative oeuvre:

The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide (NEW!)

James D’Amato is the author of The Ultimate RPG Series, cofounder of the One Shot Podcast Network, and host of the One Shot and Campaign: Skyjacks podcasts.  He trained at Second City and iO in Chicago in the art of improvisational comedy.  He now uses that education to introduce new people to role-playing, and incorporates improvisational storytelling techniques to create compelling and entertaining stories for RPG campaigns and one-shot adventures.

Welcome to Dice in Mind, a weekly podcast in which we explore the meaning of life through the lens of RPGs!  In each episode, we will consider everyday stuff like science, religion, philosophy, and economics…through the lens of a specific roleplaying game and its dice mechanic.

If you like what you hear, consider buying us a cup of coffee or becoming a patron.  You can also join the conversation by following us on Facebook.

Music by Kevin McCloud courtesy of Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0 license (https://www.youtube.com/c/kmmusic/featured).