Talk of the Table

Elliot and Brian are joined by Tony Vasinda, Chief Alchemist of PlusOneEXP and one of the organizers of Zine Month, for a practical deep dive on marketing, team formation, and fulfillment for designers this Zine Month. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: PlusOneEXP Find Tony on Bluesky Zine Club - Get Zines Every Month! Marketing: TONY’S PRESS KIT VIDEO Rascal...

In the first Talk of the Table Roundtable special, Brian & Elliot sit down with repeat guests Dr. Emily Friedman and Taylor Moore to break down the state of actual play, the big changes of the past year, and the challenges that we still have to overcome. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Hear the rest of this Episode: Talk of the Table on Patreon Links: Dr. Emil...

In this special episode, Brian & Elliot sit down to discuss one full year of Talk of the Table. We take a look at what we’ve learned, how the show has changed, and how the tabletop industry has changed alongside it. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Support the Show: Talk of the Table on Patreon Leave a 5-star Review! Tell a friend! Many Sided Media Discord   Tw...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Christopher Hastings, the DM of Rude Tales of Magic: NETHERMURK, to discuss his transition into the DM seat for a new campaign of a long running show, why splitting the party is actually good, and the tricky balance of parasociality in actual play.   Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: Listen to Rude Tales of Magic: NETHERMURK Fin...

We're adding Talk of the Table bonus content to the Many Sided Media Patreon! Go to patreon.com/manysidedmedia to learn more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Elliot and Brian are joined by John Harper, designer of such games as Lasers & Feelings , Agon , and Blades in the Dark , to discuss his career in game design, the new Blades supplement Deep Cuts , and the important distinction between creative and business sustainability over a long artistic career. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: Find John on Twitter...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Kayla Dice, designer of Transgender Deathmatch Legend II , to discuss how she brought her wrestling history into this TTRPG, why trick taking is the perfect mechanic to represent hand-to-hand combat, and the power of specificity in the game’s themes and design. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: Back Transgender Deathmatch Legend...

In this special episode, Brian sits down with co-host Elliot Davis to discuss his latest game, The Time We Have. We talk about the journey to this tragic zombie duet TTRPG, why it is the culmination of lessons from previous games, and the best part of making bigger games with bigger teams. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: Back The Time We Have Listen to My F...

Elliot and Brian are joined by the co-GMs of Planet Arcana and co-designers of upcoming science-fantasy TTRPG A Fool’s Errand , J Strautman and B Marsollier, to discuss the journey from actual play to actual game, break down the tarot-powered mechanics and themes of this new game, and why you should get excited about making your own "Big Oops". Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis a...

Elliot and Brian are joined by novelist, game designer, and youtuber Aaron Voigt, aka A. A. Voigt, to discuss his latest project that is both game and novel: Détente for the Ravenous. Along the way we learn about how he is applying the video essay format to TTRPGs, why the best writing lessons aren’t sexy, and what spicy ice cream can teach us about meaningful art. Talk of the Table is hosted by E...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Johan Nohr, the illustrator and graphic designer who has created iconic visual identities for games like MÖRK BORG , Into the Odd , and the upcoming Paint the Town Red. We discuss creating strong visual identities, what game designers can learn from traditions of graphic design, and why you should avoid perfection. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Bria...

Elliot and Brian are joined by the mind behind beloved TTRPGs For The Queen and Star Crossed, Alex Roberts, to discuss how to design for out-of-box play, what we can learn from LARPs and classic card games, and what it means to see two of her games given new life. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: For The Queen 2E Star Crossed: Love Letters Support Alex on Pa...

Elliot and Brian are joined by game designer, publisher, and prolific TTRPG editor Will Jobst to discuss good collaboration, the balance of style and efficiency, and how to avoid burnout. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: Support Plasmodics - Kickstarting Now Will on Twitter Good Luck Press Will recommends:  The Design Games Podcast Finding a non-games hobby...

Cameron “Danger” Strittmatter ( The Panic Table ) interviews Elliot, Brian, Shenuque, and Abby from Many Sided Media about how to bring humor and horror to your games.  Links: WATCH THIS INTERVIEW (See our beautiful faces!) BACK VOIDSTREAM Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Many Sided Media Discord   Twenty Sided Newsletter Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.co...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Quinns, host of the new review show Quinns Quest , to discuss the “why” behind his pivot to TTRPGs, what we can learn from cooking youtube, and whether we will ever be able to answer the question “What is a TTRPG?”.  Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: Quinns Quest People Make Games Quinns recommends:  Read The Pike Many Sided Med...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Superdillin, new host of the One Shot Podcast, to talk about his work across actual play and game design, why he chooses projects with intention, and what he is learning from listening to as much actual play as he makes. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: Support HUNT(er/ed) Listen to One Shot Listen to the Atomless Buy Dillin’s...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Jay Dragon, editorial director and co-founder of Possum Creek Games, to discuss the 5-year journey of Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast , the challenges and wonders of navigating this massive production, and how to maintain your love for a project after release. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: Buy Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast Jay o...

Title: Teamwork Over Toxic Masculinity (w/ Grant Howitt) Elliot and Brian are joined by Grant Howitt, game designer and co-founder of Rowan, Rook & Decard. Grant discusses the journey to his latest project Hollows, how its design emulates souls-borns and MMOs, and why toxic masculinity and depression are at the core of this crunchy boss battle game. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis...

Elliot and Brian are joined by tabletop journalist and actual play critic Rowan Zeoli to discuss how she thinks as both critic and fan, how this industry can carve a path forward, and what separates good from great in the medium. (NOTE: This was recorded in January before the launch of Rascal) Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: Rowan on Twitter rascal.news Che...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Jasper William Cartwright to discuss how we can make actual plays and TTRPGs a more sustainable career. Jasper shares lessons about respecting the work, being open to new opportunities, and life after appearing on Dimension 20 . Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: @JW_Cartwright on Twitter , Instagram , TikTok jasperwcartwright.co...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Banana Chan for a chat about their work across TTRPGs, LARPs, and board games and the lessons on business, creativity, and collaboration that she has taken from each. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty .  Links: @bananachangames @readwritememory Read Write Memory Watch The Brothers Sun Follow Triangle Agency Play Rebuilding Seattle Many Si...

Elliot and Brian (along with special guest/host Shenuque Tissera) are joined by Bridgett Jeffries, Coordinator of Events and Outreach for Chaosium, to discuss her recent live show at Breakout Con and tips for GMing for a live audience, emotional horror, and setting yourself up for success. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty . This episode also featured Shenuque Tissera...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Drakoniques, an actual play performer and producer known for their unique character designs and skill in securing sponsors for AP productions. Drak shares their tips and learnings for bringing money into the AP space through sponsorship, producing unique actual play series, and building memorable characters. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flahe...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Kieron Gillen, renowned comic book author and designer of DIE RPG , to discuss building a community around your game and the future of DIE RPG (plus a preview of what to expect in the first two issues of DIE: Scenarios ). Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty Links: Buy DIE (Comics) Buy DIE RPG Preorder DIE RPG Scenarios Vol. 1: Bizarre Love...

Elliot and Brian are joined by Taylor Moore, producer and sound designer of Worlds Beyond Number, to discuss the ins and outs of sound design, how much system matters in actual play, and ways we might get more sustainable and ethical money into this industry. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty Links: Listen to Worlds Beyond Number Triangle Agency Startplaying.games Twen...