Dungeon Master's Apprentice

Here on Dungeon Master's Apprentice, we usually talk about... well, dungeon masters. This episode, however, Andrew, Kevin, Mike, and I talk about what it's like for the four of us to finally all be in the same party. We each take turns talking about our new characters, what inspired our mechanical builds, and what we're thinking of our campaign so far. Naturally, we get quite off topic, but that's...

The announcement of One D&D and the accompanying Unearthed Arcana has D&D fans in all sorts of polarizing debates, covering everything from breaking down new character creating mechanics to analyzing the new critical hit rules. For this very important episode, we brought on a man well-versed in the past, present, and future of D&D, Kevin Schofield, along with our good pal Andrew. We co...

You all know how much we love to goof around on DMA, and what better guest to help let that shine than Mike Cook? This episode, Brett, Mike, and myself have some in depth conversations about a session Mike DM'd for me recently, different DMing styles, Mike's interesting history with LARP, and how to balance play-time and side conversations during your sessions. We also have a newsworthy Fiction Fi...

We've been blessed with another new guest this week along with some old favourites. In this episode, Andrew, Luke, Neil, and I talk about character optimization, rotating DMs, and inclusion in D&D, with Maxine Nightingale sprinkled in along the way.  As well, thank you to this week's sponsor, Newsly. Go to https://newsly.me/ and use promo code MASTER2021 to get a one month free subscripti...

DMA hits the road again, this time walking all the way down the street to my (second) cousin Rachel's house to talk intros to D&D, lavender cookies, tattoos, shared heritage, learning new slang, and clutch nat 20s. As well, thank you to this week's sponsor, Newsly. Go to https://newsly.me/ and use promo code MASTER2021 to get a one month free subscription. And of course as always, thanks for l...

Neil is back for a very special, once-in-a-lifetime episode 69 in which we cover every topic under the Sun, including CFL football in Nova Scotia, stealing clothes from your friends, the Cyberpunk TTRPG, one-shots, and plenty more. As well, thank you to this week's sponsor, Newsly. Go to https://newsly.me/ and use promo code MASTER2021 to get a one month free subscription. And of course as always,...

After his long hiatus from the show, Mitch Hearn is back in the house (Brett is here too)! This week the lads discuss how great it is to play D&D and record podcasts in person, making real world references in your campaign, one-shots, food in Toronto, Cyberpunk, and of course a fiction fixation. As well, thank you to this week's sponsor, Newsly. Go to https://newsly.me/ and use promo code MAST...

DMA is back in our secondary studio AKA Neil and Luke's apartment, and although we couldn't book Luke (his demands were too high), we were able to get Mr. Robertson himself! Join us as we talk about pacing your campaigns, how in-depth to go into your character's backstory, trusting your DM, and not being a jerk at your table! We also discuss the current campaign we play with Luke and Neil, the vam...

What better way to enjoy your Saturday night than to sit around with some pals and record a podcast about D&D? This week we're joined by two prolific guests to talk about level 20 builds, Nathan's new barbarian subclass, an upcoming campaign/ one-shot, coffee, and a great round of fiction fixation. As well, thank you to this week's sponsor, Newsly. Go to https://newsly.me/ and use promo code M...

You best start believin' in ghost podcasts, Miss Turner, yerr in one! This week we're back with Emily to talk about conspiracy theories, haunting encounters, and Ouija boards! In the first half we dive into the dos and don'ts of using a Ouija board before we make and use our own in the second half. We also talk about writing children's books, Minecraft x Grumpy Cat, and our spin on Ted Talks! Late...

We got the whole squad (minus Dave) here to talk about our upcoming campaign with a specific focus on who Brett's character is, where they're from, and what got them banished from their underground civilization. We also flex our Dragon Ball Z and Naruto knowledge for this week's fiction fixation.  As well, thank you to this week's sponsor, Newsly. Go to https://newsly.me/ and use promo code M...

We're back with everyone's favourite guest to discuss a brand new subclass that John and I have created for our upcoming campaign. Before we talk about our creation process, John walks us through his character's backstory and I read the opening paragraphs for my third main homebrew campaign. We still have to try out the new class, so be on the look-out for a potential play-test episode soon! As we...

You wanted more Giesens? Well you got em! This week I'm joined by my two younger sisters to talk about our collective history with fantasy and improvisation, our recent D&D session, and the absolutely amazing character of Kevin the were-platypus from New Jersey. I truly cannot remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did this episode, so I hope you all give it a listen and enjoy as much as we...

In one of our best episode to date, very good friend Joe Bish joins the podcast to discuss living in a trailer, his first ever D&D character, ideas for a new podcast co-hosted by the two of us, and his worst nightmare ever.  We have a lot more episodes for Dungeon Master's Apprentice planned, including an episode with my sisters after their first D&D session! I've also been working on...

Long time listener and first time podcaster Nick Lavery joins us this week to discuss our past, present, and futures involving fiction, creativity, and channeling your artistry in a professional setting. We also talk about overcoming disappointment, Nick's intro to D&D, and the current state of the show. As well, thank you to this week's sponsor, Newsly. Go to https://newsly.me/ and use promo...

Explaining the rules and regulations of D&D to anyone who has no prior knowledge can be difficult, especially if that person is your parent, but we're going to try anyways! In this episode George and I set up the studio on a Mexican rooftop patio and talk about our shared and separate interests, our recent ocean fishing trip, and George's potential D&D character. It was a really fun episod...

Our good buddy Tom is back this week for some casual chit-chat. We touch on D&D a few times throughout the episode, but we thought it would be fun to start a conversation and see where it took us. Throughout we talk about writing to different kinds of music, the classic summer vs winter debate, and sing Rough Trade's "High School Confidential." As well, thank you to this week's sponsor, Newsly...

Brett is back in the "studio" this week to discuss what kind of character he'll be playing for our upcoming campaign. Listen as we talk about subterranean gnome societies, our character naming strategies, figuring out voices, and making selections out of our comfort zones. We also dig through a box of old books I found at work. I promise it's more interesting than it sounds.  As well, thank y...

In this week's episode, we chat with our good pal John about our upcoming campaign. First, we sort of set the scene for what this world is going to look like before diving into the character that John is going to be playing. We also talk about making your table more inclusive, the new Pokémon game, and daylight savings time in Brazil.  As well, thank you to this week's sponsor, Newsly. Go to...

After a bit of a hiatus, DMA is back with highly esteemed guest Justin Dudtschak for some cousinly chitchat that is all over the map. In this episode, Justin and I talk about the genre of adventure fiction and how it has evolved from world exploration to intergalactic sci-fi exploration. Also, we open up a D&D sourcebook I found at a comic book store and try to get a gist for its complicated p...

In the fourth installation of the World Building saga, Nathan and I discuss what our new campaign is going to look like. We've sidelined the Maze campaign for now in favour of a much more interesting idea, and we can't wait to get it started. We also talk about a recent reincarnation in our party, fantasy sports, and why Nathan's character Moredar has been intentionally rubbing people the wrong wa...

As you know, we're big advocates for creativity here on DMA, so who better to talk to about the creative process than singer/ songwriter/ good friend Tom O'Leary? In this episode, Tom and I talk about collaboration and improvisation in both music and D&D and how much fun it is to sit around with your friends and just wing it! Of course, we get off topic and stumble ourselves into unrelated top...

What is it about D&D that separates itself from all other forms of storytelling? Is it the collaboration, the improvisation, or the randomness of the dice? This week, we're with Luke, Neil, and Brett to discuss how D&D is unlike any other narrative structure. We also discuss board games, memorable moments from our sci-fi campaign, and everyone's favourite children's series: Charlie Bone. T...

It's been too long since we've talked to John, which is why we had to bring him back for this week's show. In this episode, John talks about a Brazilian RPG he's been very fixated on called Ordem Paranormal that he plans on teaching to myself and our friends. Listen in as he walks through the game's lore, its mechanics, and the intense moral quandaries it places on its players.  Check out the...

For this very special 50th episode, we've brought on a new friend, Matt, to talk about his experience as a DM. Oh, and I guess Brett is here too... We start off with some dice breakers to get to know one another a bit better before diving into some DM topics, such as handling parties of 8+ people, session planning essentials, and running effective combat. It was a pleasure to chat with Matt (and B...