How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

By Justin LewisLeisure Hobbies

How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM episodes

February 26 Going Big: Making Memorable NPC Conversations
Listen... if an NPC or a roleplayed conversation is unmemorable, why is it in your campaign? More importantly, is it possible to make each conversation a memorable experience? Well, if you GO BIG with your show, your tell, your personalities, and your NPC alignments, that'll certainly help! Tanner shares examples and reasons to go big or go home with your NPC roleplays—you'll thank us later!
14 min
February 23 The unexpected upside of the CASE framework: Diegesis and the fourth wall in DnD
Today we’ll dissect the ins and outs of immersion, guided by our usual host, Danny Barrett. In this sixth episode, we will go over the CASE framework and squeeze it for all it’s worth, going through concepts like Fourth wall, diegesis, and Verfremdungseffekt.
This episode will help you prep more intentionally and better understand the limits of fiction in this hybrid medium.

Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:
Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith
Roll and Play Press: http://session0studios.com/rollandplay
Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms
Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios
Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord
Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon
Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
18 min
February 19 Fixing Tempo: Athletic Conditioning for the Heartbeat of Your D&D Games
Welcome back to today’s show.
Today we talk about tempo, using 2 analogies.
D&D is like music.
D&D is like a heart.
If you understand those two facts, you’ll naturally improve your tempo.
Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:
Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith
Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay
Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms
Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios
Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord
Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon
Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
22 min
February 16 Pauses and Silences: What we say by not saying
DISCLAIMER:The musical composition is called 4’33”, by John Cage. (Forgot to say the name). It can be found here: https://youtu.be/TrlKxV5KWJo?list=RDTrlKxV5KWJo

Welcome to the fifth Creative Contraband episode! After some minor technical inconveniences, we explore the delicate art of empty spaces guided by the usual host Danny Barrett.
Drawing from neuroscience, music, and other arts, you’ll learn about building suspense, tension release, cognitive processing limits, and more.

Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:
Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith
Roll and Play Press: http://session0studios.com/rollandplay
Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms
Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios
Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord
Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon
Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
14 min
February 12 Brevity: Say Less To Do More
Doesn't it always feel like you have to fill the silence? Or explain better—explain more, even? As a DM, do we say too much when saying a little would go a lot further? Kind of a weird principle, but one that an over-explainer like Tanner is willing to tackle in today's episode!
20 min
February 09 3 Things Your Table Will Thank You For
In this special episode of Creative Contraband, our host shares some hard-earned life advice for DMs.
Today, Danny’s yapping serves up valuable lessons in sustainability, improv, and experimentation.

Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:
Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith
Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay
Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms
Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios
Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord
Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon
Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
16 min
February 05Tips for Campaign Planning: A Secret of Successful Session Prep
Welcome to How to Be a Better DM.
Today, we continue our talk about campaign prep.
In addition to the episode 2 weeks ago, we add the following tips:
Ask what is the game we are trying to play
When stuck, Break the C.A.S.E.
Write up long term characters

Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:
Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith
Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay
Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms
Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios
Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord
Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon
Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
26 min
February 02 Character, Role and Archetype: The layers of a good NPC
Welcome to the third episode of Creative Contraband! This time host Danny Barrett dives into the ins and outs of PCs and NPCs through theater theory. Why do all TTRPGs tend to have similar races and classes?

Today we’ll unravel the core concepts that make complete and unique characters. In this episode, you’ll learn how to create, evaluate, and play characters with more personality, consistency and ease.

Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:
Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith
Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay
Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms
Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios
Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord
Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon
Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
17 min
January 29 Every Player Gets A Turn: Tips to help every player be part of the action
Some players talk a lot. Others only pipe up at specific moments. But how can you, as the DM, make sure everyone feels included as a true part of the party? Tanner discusses tips for noticing and improving the opportunities of the less-involved in the group.
17 min
January 26 Rituals in Art - Infinite solutions in a simple concept
In the second episode of Creative Contraband, host Danny Barrett takes us on a journey that blends psychology and performance. From beers to Superman, and all the way to a WWII poet, we will explore the power of Rituals in art.

Today we will distill centuries of praxis into this podcast, so you can learn about one of the most powerful tools for solving People Management issues, and for creating emotional depth and enhancing immersion.

Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:
Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith
Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay
Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms
Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios
Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord
Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon
Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
19 min