Episodi

  • Choices

    Choices
    Feb 20 2026

    We're back with the best production boy I could hope for, Mark Hartop from Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes. This episode, we talk about the heart of TTRPGs; the freedom of choice and the benefits and drawbacks that brings.

    • 02:01 - The Beautiful Game
    • 05:36 - Character Creation
    • 19:11 - The Heat of Combat
    • 25:52 - DM Choices and How That Impacts the Table
    • 40:55 - Player/Character Divide
    • 48:05 - Do Dice Remove Agency?

    Find Mark on:

    • Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD

    Find Thinking Critically online:

    • Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
    • Socials: @ThinkCritDnD


    Music Credits:
    "Chill", "Local Forecast", "Local Forecast - Elevator"
    Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/


    Podcast art by Lily from https://www.facebook.com/beiworkshop
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    1 ora e 1 min
  • Translation

    Translation
    Dec 22 2023

    Welcome back! I'm joined by fellow Englishman Austin, a.k.a. AC Whikcom, to discuss how to translate concepts and ideas into your TTRPG settings. Austin takes us through how to take those errant thoughts you have at 3am and turn them into publishable content worldwide, with a spattering of anecdotes throughout. We also criticise the language bloat of D&D 5e, and conclude that having a million random, niche languages that only one creature speaks probably doesn't add much value!

    • 02:48 - From Brain to Page
    • 15:41 - A Creative Journey
    • 37:51 - The Language Problem
    • 49:21 - Self-Publishing
    • 53:56 - Genre Remixing

    Buy Dead Surprise on Amazon!

    Find Austin on:

    • Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/A-C-Whikcom/author/B0CHWCZHT2
    • Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/dead-surprise/a-c-whikcom/9781803528717
    • Website: https://www.acwhikcom.co.uk/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Lands-of-Ferox/100086909630678/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landsofferox/

    Find Thinking Critically online:

    • Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
    • Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
    • Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD

    Patrons:

    • Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
    • Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
    • Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
    • Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/

    Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod
    Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod
    Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

    Podcast art by Lily from https://www.facebook.com/beiworkshop
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    1 ora e 3 min
  • Influence

    Influence
    Oct 6 2023

    It's my pleasure to welcome back to the show a previous guest from the Generations episode, Mikey! What I had intended to be a "how characters can influence the campaign" discussion, quickly turned into what makes us tick, where we get inspiration from, and the people who've supported us along the way. Listen for titbits on how to conscientiously crib from popular culture and advice on finding our own DM soundboard.

    • 02:00 - The Sub/Conscious Real World
    • 29:31 - Art Rather than Science
    • 36:52 - The Thinking Critically Effect

    Find Thinking Critically online:

    • Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
    • Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
    • Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD

    References:

    • 'Generations' episode of Thinking Critically
    • 'Ravenloft' episode of Thinking Critically

    Patrons:

    • Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
    • Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
    • Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
    • Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/

    Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod
    Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod
    Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

    Podcast art by Lily from https://www.facebook.com/beiworkshop
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    58 min
  • Generations

    Generations
    Sep 8 2023

    I'm joined once again by John from Double Fox Gaming, but this time, he's bought reinforcements! It's my pleasure to also host Glenn, Matt, and Mike to discuss the legacy of Dungeons & Dragons. The guys take us through five generations of play, and how the wishes of one character can have cascading effects decades later. We hear the epic parable of The Abyss Donkey, which is ultimately a lesson in how gaming can bring us all together, no matter the circumstances.

    • 04:27 - Harn's Legacy
    • 14:27 - Inheriting the Hobby
    • 32:28 - The Abyss Donkey (TM)
    • 51:01 - Maturing Attitudes
    • 57:48 - How the Game has Changed

    Find John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doublefoxgaming/

    Find Thinking Critically online:

    • Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
    • Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
    • Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD

    References:

    • 'Ravenloft' episode of Thinking Critically
    • '123s of D&D' by Ivan Van Norman and Wizards RPG Team, ISBN-10: 0786966688
    • 'ABCs of D&D' by Ivan Van Norman and Wizards RPG Team, ISBN-10: 0786966661

    Patrons:

    • Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
    • Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
    • Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
    • Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/

    Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod
    Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod
    Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

    Podcast art by Lily from https://www.facebook.com/beiworkshop
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    1 ora e 20 min
  • Immersion

    Immersion
    Aug 4 2023

    We're back! And this time joined by Anya, a.k.a. La Lionne Cosplay, to discuss immersion in your TTRPGs. Anya shares her experience as a Pro-GM on ways to truly pull your players into the game, no matter the system or medium.

    • 04:29 - Remote vs. In Person
    • 12:41 - “Acting Is What You Do When You’re Not Saying Lines”
    • 21:09 - Filling the Space
    • 33:25 - Soft Edges
    • 50:47 - Toggling that Role Play Brain

    Tale of the Manticore: https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/

    Find Anya on:

    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/lalionnecosplay
    • Itch.io: https://lalionnepublishing.itch.io/mountaintop-isolation
    • StartPlaying: https://startplaying.games/gm/lalionne

    Find Thinking Critically online:

    • Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
    • Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
    • Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD

    References:

    • Aether: https://eldritchcrow.itch.io/aether-a-heroic-fantasy-rpg
    • Ramona a.k.a. Alderdoodle: https://twitter.com/alderdoodle
    • Under the Floorboards: https://loottheroom.itch.io/under-the-floorboards

    Patrons:

    • Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
    • Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
    • Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
    • Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/

    Dial-up modem 'Modron voice' sound from BBC Sound Effects: ⁠https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/search?q=07070097

    Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod
    Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod
    Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

    Podcast art by Lily from https://www.beiworkshop.com/
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    1 ora e 4 min
  • Production

    Production
    Jun 23 2023

    For this productive episode I'm joined by Sarah, CEO of Girls Run these Worlds, who's hear to share her knowledge and experience on how to produce top quality TTPRG content. No matter your reach or experience, there is always opportunity for growth and learning, so we cover some typical gotchas and best practice to help you get off the starting block!

    • 02:19 - Best Practice & GRtW History
    • 27:40 - From Casual to Professional
    • 46:18 - Live Production Considerations

    Find Sarah from Girls Run these Worlds on:

    • Girls Run These Worlds Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/girlsruntheseworlds
    • Girls Run These Worlds Twitter: https://twitter.com/girlsrunworlds
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/SMooreAD

    Find Thinking Critically online:

    • Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
    • Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
    • Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD

    References:

    • Foozca on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/foozca

    Patrons:

    • Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
    • Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
    • Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
    • Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/

    Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod
    Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod
    Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

    Podcast art by Lily from https://www.beiworkshop.com/
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    1 ora e 9 min
  • Ravenloft

    Ravenloft
    Jun 9 2023

    John Gent, DM of our D&D one-shot from the RPGaming Faversham event, joins us to discuss everything and anything about his favourite Dungeons & Dragons setting.

    • 03:04 - History of Ravenloft
    • 21:42 - Responsive Bleakness
    • 33:53 - Delineating "Depression"
    • 42:43 - Integrating Ravenloft into your Campaign

    Find Thinking Critically online:

    • Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
    • Socials: @ThinkCritDnD
    • Dungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD

    Patrons:

    • Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/
    • Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson
    • Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
    • Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/

    Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod
    Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod
    Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

    Podcast art by Lily from https://www.beiworkshop.com/
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    1 ora e 6 min
  • Experimentation

    Experimentation
    May 19 2023
    I'm once again joined by Philippa Mort who previously joined us on the Aesthetic⁠ episode back in season 2. This time it's to chat about confidence and taking risks when it comes to experimenting with new systems, characters, and homebrew. Philippa shares her experience in MÖRK BORG & Mausritter, and the best ways to incorporate design features you vibe with into existing campaigns. 06:08 - Taking Risks25:00 - Stuck in a Rut31:07 - Retcon & Homebrew37:49 - The Design Intent of Systems Find Philippa on: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/PhilippaMortTwitter: https://twitter.com/MortPhilippaD8 Dungeon: https://www.twitch.tv/d8dungeon Glitter Hearts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvMvyeiFTCEDMs Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Philippa%20Mort&page=1&sort=4a?affiliate_id=2197041DriveThruRPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/18041/Philippa-Mort?affiliate_id=2197041itch.io: https://philippa-mort.itch.io Find Thinking Critically online: Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.ukSocials: @ThinkCritDnDDungeons, Dice, & Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD References: 'Aesthetic' episode of Thinking Critically Patrons: Tabletop Journeys @ttjourneys: https://ttjourneys.com/Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-andersonOptional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeodIntermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeodOutro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod Podcast art by Lily from https://www.beiworkshop.com/
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    1 ora e 4 min