Matt Bruner & Jody Kropholler

Dungeon Master Diaries

Leisure EN ↓ 71 episodes

Dungeon Master Diaries is a podcast about Shadowdark and other role-playing games where two GMs talk about their recent experiences at the table, and hopefully give you something useful that you can take to yours.

Author

Matt Bruner & Jody Kropholler

Episodes

Bonus Episode: Our GM Styles 25.06.2026 45:40

Matt and Jody have an off the cuff (and unedited) discussion of their GM styles. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radi...

The Cons of Con Games 23.06.2026 1:02:30

Matt and Jody discuss Jody's dismall experience in a recent convention game (and review the Lost Citidel of the Scarlet Minotaur). For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon M...

The Priest Class 21.05.2026 1:02:25

Matt and Jody discuss the priest class. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Krophol...

Playing Different Systems 30.04.2026 1:00:52

Matt and Jody discuss playing systems other than Shadowdark (GASP!). For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. I...

Long Term Campaigns 16.04.2026 1:12:18

Matt and Jody discuss using Shadowdark to run long-term campaigns. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It...

Shadowdark Initiative 03.04.2026 55:14

Matt and Jody discuss Shadowdark's initiative system. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced b...

Dungeon Analysis: HOTT or Not? 27.03.2026 58:47

Matt and Jody discuss how H.O.T.T. Matt's homebrew Dolmenwood dungeon was. Stingbaats! Issue Zero: Torchwick is avaialble now at Itch.io! Fill out the community survey HERE . For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over...

Factions in Shadowdark 11.03.2026 58:57

Matt and Jody discuss Matt's experience running three open table sessions on the Shadowdark Discord. Stingbaats! Issue Zero: Torchwick is avaialble now at Itch.io! Fill out the community survey HERE . For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchas...

Notes from an Open Table 04.03.2026 1:01:40

Sandboxing 27.02.2026 1:04:58

Matt and Jody discuss how to set up a sandbox campaign. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced...

Glass Cannon Audit 20.02.2026 1:07:39

Matt and Jody discuss episodes 12 & 13 of the Glass Cannon Podcast's Shadowdark actual play series. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production o...

IRL Downtime 13.02.2026 58:10

Matt and Jody discuss their time spent away from the table and the show. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio networ...

Designing Shadowdark Classes 05.02.2026 1:01:15

Matt and Jody discuss designing Shadowdark classes and the value of leveraging the Core Four classes. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production...

End of Year Special (2025 Edition) 03.01.2026 59:00

Matt and Jody celebrate the end of 2025 with some listener questions and a look back at their gaming this year. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on ov...

Build Your Own Shadowdark (Modes of Play) 16.12.2025 1:06:53

Matt and Jody discuss stat generation and Shadowdark's various Modes of Play. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credit...

This Session Had Everything! 09.12.2025 1:11:36

Matt and Jody discuss a recent banger of a session! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries...

Rules, Ruling, Repeat 19.11.2025 1:01:20

Matt and Jody discuss the way they think about rules, rulings, and house rules. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Cred...

Dungeons & Designs 15.11.2025 1:06:13

Matt and Jody discuss dungeon design and lots of helpful resources. Dolmenwood Spoilers from 1:53 - 4:26! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to...

Backgrounds & Backstories 29.10.2025 1:02:29

Matt and Jody discuss leveraging backgrounds and backstories in Shadowdark. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credits:...

Miniatures in Shadowdark 23.10.2025 1:00:47

Matt and Jody discuss how and why they use miniatures in their Shadowdark games. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . ...

HellMarch: Mass Combat in Shadowdark 16.10.2025 59:21

Matt and Jody discuss the excellent supplement HellMarch and their experience with mass combat. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arc...

Shadowdark, Horror, and A Wizard 08.10.2025 57:51

Matt and Jody discuss horror in Shadowdark and the adventure module A Wizard. NOTE: 14:25 - 15:38 Pregnancy Horror scene description For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase...

What Have We Learned? 24.09.2025 1:08:09

Matt and Jody discuss what they've learned running Shadowdark for a while. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library . Credi...

Wizard Spellcasting 11.09.2025 1:01:21

Matt and Jody discuss the Wizards and spellcasting in Shadowdark (with a bonus discussion about Luck)! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to t...

5E & The OSR with Sly Flourish 02.09.2025 1:09:08

Matt and Jody discuss 5th Edition D&D and the OSR with guest, Mike Shea (aka Sly Flourish)! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here . You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com . To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form . Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane...