Mike talks about the 2023 New Jersey Web Fest and then Brandon and Mike talk about BigBadCon 2023. Brandon discusses their experiences in 2019 vs. 2023 and the importance of the POC Scholars program.

The video for this discussion was available early to subscribers at patreon.com/speculate, along with including exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

Check out our Court of Blades series “Valloward” at https://bit.ly/3yh6Bxh (now an Official Selection for the 2023 New Jersey, Minnesota, and Baltimore Next Media Web Fests!) and watch all of our completed series and one-shots at speculatesf.com/videosThis episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#356 - Discussion: New Jersey Web Fest and BigBadCon

Speculate is an award-winning actual play TTRPG show starring science fiction &amp; fantasy authors, editors, and more. Hosted by authors Gregory A. Wilson, Brandon O’Brien, and Michael R. Underwood, the show explores the overlap between different forms of storytelling from prose to games and beyond. They’ve played Blades in the Dark, Girl by Moonlight, Lasers &amp; Feelings, D&amp;D, and more.
In addition to the podcast episodes, you can find video-only shows at speculatesf.com/shows
NOTE: In 2018, Speculate transitioned from its original literary criticism format to the current actual play show. All of the old episdoes are still available.
Speculate is supported by listeners like you at patreon.com/speculate

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Games

Science Fiction

Fiction

Leisure

Content notes: questionable mandatory therapy, and Rum Raisin ice cream

 

Starring:

Brandon O’Brien — @therisingtithes — as The Keeper

Michael R. Underwood — @MikeRUnderwood — as Tempo: The Last

Jeoi Gawain Lin — @thisismyDasein — as Hamaliel: The Summoned

Aubrey Knotts — @MadQueenCosplay — as Ciarra Tân: The Surge

Aaron Hammonds — @aaroninwords — as John/Jane: The Found

Brandon leads an exciting and emotional game of Apocalypse Keys from Evil Hat Productions. In this episode, team members deal with Division bureaucracy, and keep building bonds with each other. 

“Dystopian Guitars B” and “Dystopian Guitar A” by Monument Studios, used with permission.

Subscribers at patreon.com/speculate get early access to Speculate videos, along with other exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#376 - The Pitman Sculpture: An Apocalypse Keys Mini-Series, Pt. 13

Content notes: Mental and emotional manipulation, and physical/psychic destruction.

Starring:

Brandon O’Brien — @therisingtithes — as The Keeper

Michael R. Underwood — @MikeRUnderwood — as Tempo: The Last

Jeoi Gawain Lin — @thisismyDasein — as Hamaliel: The Summoned

Aubrey Knotts — @MadQueenCosplay — as Ciarra Tân: The Surge

Aaron Hammonds — @aaroninwords — as John/Jane: The Found

Brandon leads an exciting and emotional game of Apocalypse Keys from Evil Hat Productions. In this episode, Ciarra Tân is pushed to an epic confrontation with The Harbinger. 

“Dystopian Guitars B” and “Dystopian Guitar A” by Monument Studios, used with permission.

Subscribers at patreon.com/speculate get early access to Speculate videos, along with other exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#375 - The Pitman Sculpture: An Apocalypse Keys Mini-Series, Pt. 12

Content notes: Mental and emotional manipulations

Starring:

Brandon O’Brien — @therisingtithes — as The Keeper

Michael R. Underwood — @MikeRUnderwood — as Tempo: The Last

Jeoi Gawain Lin — @thisismyDasein — as Hamaliel: The Summoned

Aubrey Knotts — @MadQueenCosplay — as Ciarra Tân: The Surge

Aaron Hammonds — @aaroninwords — as John/Jane: The Found

Brandon leads an exciting and emotional game of Apocalypse Keys from Evil Hat Productions. In this episode, Hamaliel tries to rescue a waitress from a cocoon, but things don’t go as planned.

“Dystopian Guitars B” and “Dystopian Guitar A” by Monument Studios, used with permission.

Subscribers at patreon.com/speculate get early access to Speculate videos, along with other exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#374 - The Pitman Sculpture: An Apocalypse Keys Mini-Series, Pt. 11

Content notes: Emotional trauma and identity issues

Starring:

Brandon O’Brien — @therisingtithes — as The Keeper

Michael R. Underwood — @MikeRUnderwood — as Tempo: The Last

Jeoi Gawain Lin — @thisismyDasein — as Hamaliel: The Summoned

Aubrey Knotts — @MadQueenCosplay — as Ciarra Tân: The Surge

Aaron Hammonds — @aaroninwords — as John/Jane: The Found

Brandon leads an exciting and emotional game of Apocalypse Keys from Evil Hat Productions. In this episode, Tempo helps John/Jane come to grips with some shattering revelations.

“Dystopian Guitars B” and “Dystopian Guitar A” by Monument Studios, used with permission.

Subscribers at patreon.com/speculate get early access to Speculate videos, along with other exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#373 - The Pitman Sculpture: An Apocalypse Keys Mini-Series, Pt. 10

Content notes: Emotional trauma and identity issues

Starring:

Brandon O’Brien — @therisingtithes — as The Keeper

Michael R. Underwood — @MikeRUnderwood — as Tempo: The Last

Jeoi Gawain Lin — @thisismyDasein — as Hamaliel: The Summoned

Aubrey Knotts — @MadQueenCosplay — as Ciarra Tân: The Surge

Aaron Hammonds — @aaroninwords — as John/Jane: The Found

Brandon leads an exciting and emotional game of Apocalypse Keys from Evil Hat Productions. In this episode, John/Jane can tap the memories of one of the Beatograph cult leaders, but it turns out that actually, a diner waitress is more crucial. 

“Dystopian Guitars B” and “Dystopian Guitar A” by Monument Studios, used with permission.

Subscribers at patreon.com/speculate get early access to Speculate videos, along with other exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#356 - Discussion: New Jersey Web Fest and BigBadCon

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