Dollars & Dragons Podcast

This episode I had the privilege of chatting with J Gray , an R Talsorian game design veteran with over a decade of work with the company and who currently serves as the Line Manager for Cyberpunk. We talked about the upcoming releases of Night City 2045 and the 2077 campaign book, in addition to some shop talk about game design and teamwork. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...

We had on the podcast the accomplished and energized game designer Cody Pondsmith (he/him) of R. Talsorian Games! Beginning his journey at 11 years old, Cody has long been in the designer seat and has the portfolio to prove it. Having worked on Cyberpunk Red and Witcher, he is now spearheading an anime-inspired ninja TTRPG called Shadow Scar . Check out Shadow Scar on Kickstarter! LINKS: https://w...

This episode we have on a repeat guest Josh Simons who has worked for D&D, DMs Guild, Magpie Games, Kobold Press, Mage Hand Press, and even AMC Networks. We chat about his indie superhero game called Paragons , marketing for TTRPGs and how he’s made his way in the industry. “ Paragons: The Roleplaying Game is a dynamic TTRPG with heavy influences from animated superhero shows like Teen Titans and...

On the pod we had on DragnaCarta (he/him) whose work has helped redefine Curse of Strahd adventures for tens of thousands of players across the hobby. His work includes Curse of Strahd: Reloaded and Twice Bitten . He’s now launching Eidolon Publishing with the announcement of his upcoming Kickstarter Lost Mine of Phandelver: Reloaded ! If you’d like to play a Curse of Strahd game with me (or Rime...

This time we had on Andie MargoMods (they/them) a game designer with experience in 5e subclasses, adventures, and magic items. We talk crowdfunding, freelancing, and general business practice for TTRPG. Check out their latest work on Kickstarter. Funding for this campaign ends in a couple days! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/margomods/exoecology-for-monster-hunters This is a public episode....

Ahoy adventurers! I was pleased to run into Hannah Rose (she/her) at Big Bad Con in 2023 and managed to get her to agree to come onto the podcast to talk about her work in the TTRPG industry. You might know her from her contributions to MCDM’s work such as Arcadia or Flee! Mortals, Tal’Dorei Reborn, several Wizards of the Coast hardcovers, the Uncaged series, or even some of her latest stuff at Wi...

This time I had on Chris Bissette (they/them) who has written for Fallout, Pathfinder, Discworld, MCDM, and also has a massive indie library to peruse. We chat about printing, indie design, freelancing, bouncing at a bar, AI grift and everything in between. Note: Recorded in 2023! A bit late in publishing it, (sorry Chris). LINKS: The Moss Mother’s Maze Please also check out his latest work: Blood...

This time I had on Lucia Seersword (she/her) who is a young Filipina entrepreneur with two successful crowdfunding campaigns under her belt. It was a real pleasure to speak to her and I took away so many important lessons. You may have heard of The Islands of Sina Una or its adventure book Tales From Sina Una - or seen some of her fantastic art or art direction. links: https://sinauna.com/ https:/...

Returning to form is one of TTRPG’s premiere designers, Banana Chan (she/they/he) launches a crowdfunding campaign for a game aimed at scaring the shit out of you while you play alone in a dark room. Knockoff is the sequel to Forgery, part of a series of journaling games that will creep you out. My conversation with Banana delved into what Knockoff is and how it was made, his design philosophy, an...

This time I have on Blood On My Name co-creators Kienna Shaw (she/they) and Jason Cutrone (he/him). We chat about what I personally love about the game, what their process was for its creation, its inspiration, and what solo journaling games are as a medium. Blood On My Name is a solo journaling TTRPG that follows a former assassin on a mission of revenge. Delve into a shadowy underworld filled wi...

This time I have on James J. Haeck (they/them) who uses storytelling on the podcast to educate us how designers can forge their own path. After getting started via Matt Colville videos, James goes through their beginnings as a creative in the industry and how to position yourself to “make it”. (This was recorded in 2023.) LINKS: The Temple of Shattered Minds James’ YouTube Channel This is a public...

This time we have the co-founder of Start Playing Games Devon Chulick . We talk about Total Party Chill, the SPG origin story, and what’s new with SPG. This was recorded earlier in the year, so some of the features may already be launched on SPG! Pro GMs… NO SERIOUSLY, TAKE THE ONBOARDING! https://calendly.com/game-master-onboarding Links: https://www.devonchulick.com/ https://twitter.com/ttlprtyc...

I had the wonderful Donathin Frye (he/him) on for a very nerdy chat! We talk our roots in tabletop (which surprisingly was MUDs), tabletop design and getting started, some of Don’s work like the Fallout series, etc. Check out his work in the links below. https://donathinfrye.com/ https://twitter.com/DonathinFrye This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

This time on Dollars & Dragons we invited over our favorite rascals to talk about their new journalism website: https://rascal.news/ - make sure to support them by subscribing as they are 100% independent! We chat about TTRPG news, the culture of journalism, queer culture, white people, Twitter, diversity in projects, abusers in the industry, and radically loving others. Bonus content: Friday talk...

This time we had on Beth The Bard (she/her)! She is a game designer, publisher, and professional Dungeon Master. Her work includes She Is The Ancient, Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Settler's Guide Book, Daughter of Frankenstein, and The Hourglass Coven. https://beththebard.com/ https://ttrpguniversity.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

We have Basheer Ghouse (he/him) on the podcast to chat about freelance writing and game design! We also chat about project management, how to get started in the industry, writing routine, and much more. Basheer has credits with Critical Role, Kobold Press, and has recently funded his personal project Guns Blazing! Editor’s Note: This was recorded in June 2023! https://linktr.ee/basheer_ghouse http...

This episode I chatted with Andreas Walters (he/him) about how he got started as a game designer and a lot more. Topics include: Kickstarters, running projects, Metal Weave Games products, manufacturing and distribution. Show note: This discussion was in the summer of 2023, before education about generative AI was more widespread. https://twitter.com/andreas_mwg https://metalweavegames.com/ This i...

This time I talk to someone more on the business side of tabletop with Kelly DeWindt, the CEO of Tabletop Town . We discuss marketing, copywriting, what a C Corp is, and her company! Sorry for the delay in posting this - I’m waaaay behind. Link: https://www.tabletop.town/ If you’d like to support the podcast and keep it free, please consider joining my Patreon. It helps pay my editor! https://patr...

Jessica Marcrum (she/her) is an ENNIE awarded writing director and game designer. We talk about high level adventures and boy does she have the chops to deliver wisdom on how to create as a neurodivergent person. You can find her work in the Uncaged series, Arcadia, Flee! Mortals, and many more places. Links: https://www.jessicamarcrumwrites.com/ https://twitter.com/Miss_Jess03 https://twitter.com...

This episode we have DM Steve (he/him)! He is the co-host of Asians Represent and does a great deal of community work in the TTRPG space. His contributions and freelancing work include the Unbreakable series vol. 1 & 2 and The Manual of Gainful Exercise . We talk about fitness/bodies a lot, fair warning! editing note -SPG Discord is now moderated actively, heh. links: The MANUAL OF GAINFUL EXERCIS...

This episode’s guest is Banana Chan (she/they/he)! She is a freelance designer with experience in project management, video production, and a ton of other stuff. She has work published with Wizards of the Coast, Paizo, Modiphius, Darrington Press, and tons of unique indie games (see: image below - click for Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall .) Links: YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Bana...

Ginny Loveday (she/her) is the Lead Editor at Steamforged Games . She has experience with community play programs, writing for Adventurer’s League, game design, and plenty of editing. Links: https://ginnyloveday.com/ https://linktr.ee/ginnyloveday This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dollarsanddragons.com

Daniel Kwan (he/him) is a tabletop professional with a diverse set of writing, cultural and sensitivity consulting credits. He is also the podcast host of the award winning Asians Represent! You can find his work in a lot of corners of the industry and in the links below. Links: https://aznsrepresent.carrd.co/ https://beacons.ai/danielhkwan https://discord.gg/aznsrepresent This is a public episode...

What is there to say about Gabe Hicks (he/they) besides that he does everything and more. They have worked with Paizo, Critical Role, Steamforged Games, Dimension20, Roll20, MCDM, and more. We chat about working in the industry, actual play space, the TTRPG labor market, and more! You can also check out the amazing Session Zero System which 300% funded on Kickstarter - available to order now. Link...

I was approached by Lyla with the idea that we ought to get together for a Big Bad Con 2023 after action. We talk about some of the panels, workshops, general experience, the meet and greet, and more. Check out Lyla’s notes about Big Bad Con . Skip to 0:36:14 if you only want to hear about attending the convention as an industry professional. Lyla Fujiwara Nala Jaedyn Wu Taylor Navarro Big Bad Con...