The Stillfleet Studio

Why We Roll

Leisure EN ↓ 94 episodes

Why We Roll is a streaming show and podcast about designing tabletop roleplaying games, hosted by Chris Pickett ( Danse Macabre ) and Wythe Marschall ( Stillfleet ). Chris and Wythe host in-depth conversations with professional game designers with a focus on contemporary indie TTRPGs. They also occasionally run actual-play sessions and offer behind-the-scenes looks at the games they’re developing. Topics covered to date include game-design inspirations and best practices, the politics of games, illustrating game concepts, cards as mechanics, character backstories, party formation, eco-catastro...

Author

The Stillfleet Studio

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

stillfleet.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

WWR 64☉ Mystic Aether Reverie w. Lauren Bilanko 14.10.2025

On this episode, Wythe sits down to gab with Lauren Bilanko, owner of Twenty Sided in Brooklyn, NY and creator of the Mystic Aether Reverie divination deck (available now!). The two chat about Twenty Sided, Lauren's Mystic Aether setting, and the intersections between divination and TTRPGs. Twenty Sided: https://twentysidedstore.com/ Grab a copy of Mystic Aether Reverie: https://twentysidedstore.c...

WWR BONUS ☉ Danse Macabre Launch Announcement 08.10.2025

Hey Why We Rollers, Wythe and Chris here with a BIG announcement: We are LIVE with Danse Macabre: Medieval Horror Roleplaying on Kickstarter, all through October! Make sure to check out the game, spread the word, and back us as we bring the post-apocalyptic medieval world to print! Danse Macabre Kickstarter: https://stillfleet.com/danse/ Check out all of our games: https://www.stillfleet.com/ Lear...

WWR 63 ☉ The MAD Network w. Anthony Grasso & Alex Hitchen 07.10.2025

On this episode of WWR, we chat with Anthony Grasso and Alex Hitchen of The MAD Network about writing settings for BORG games, best practices for social media and kickstarter, and FOLD-Å-FREAK 2—LIVE on Kickstarter starting Tuesday, October 7th! Back FOLD-Å-FREAK 2 on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/themadnetwork/fold-a-freak-2 The MAD Network: https://themad.network/ Back Danse...

WWR 62 ☉ Scorched Basin w. Homie and the Dude 02.10.2025

Back the Scorched Basin Kickstarter campaign, funding until Wednesday, October 8th! www.kickstarter.com/projects/homieandthedude/scorched-basin On this episode of Why We Roll, we sit down for a great conversation with Tom and Bodhi, the father-son duo behind Homie and the Dude, creators of Scorched Basin, now funding on Kickstarter! We get into designing vehicles and system agnostic setting books,...

WWR 61 ☉ Danse Macabre Kickstarter Campaign & Announcements! 21.09.2025

On this episode of Why We Roll, we sit down (in the same room, no less!) to announce the upcoming Kickstarter campaign for Stillfleet Studio's latest game, DANSE MACABRE: Medieval Horror Roleplaying. We chat about changes, the development process, and all the fun, creepy events we've got planned to support the launch! Danse Macabre goes live on Kickstarter on Tuesday, October 7th! If you haven't a...

WWR 60 ☉ Under the BQE w. Lauren Belski, Brian Russ, & David Greenwood 13.09.2025

On this episode of Why We Roll, we sit down (in person!) with author-editors Lauren Belski, Brian Russ, and David Greenwood of Under the BQE – a collective small press publishing high quality fiction novels. Don't worry though, we still find a way to talk about indy games publishing! Tune in to listen to a great conversation about the founding and publishing process of Under the BQE, writing books...

WWR Bonus ☉ Dungeons + Drama Nerds: Start the Steal 10.09.2025

Friends, we have a special treat for you today! Our buds—and former WWR guests—Dungeons + Drama Nerds have just kicked off an exciting new season of actual play, delving into the super-future political sci fi game, Stillfleet, in a series titled Start the Steal . Today, we're sharing the very first episode of the series, 'Take Me Offworld, Hotboy!' Make sure to check out D+DN for more episodes, di...

WWR 59 ☉ COME ON IN w. Wes Franks 30.08.2025

Come on in and join us as we chat with the extraordinary Wes Franks about their new game... COME ON IN! We talk with Wes about exploring social classes in a game setting, handling police procedural content with care, 'copaganda,' and navigating tariffs. Oh, and vampires too! Check out Wes' fantastic work: https://www.carrion-comfort.com/ https://carrioncomfort.itch.io/ Make sure to follow the DANS...

WWR 58 ☉ Dungeons + Drama Nerds w. Percy Hornak, Nicholas Orvis, & Ben Ferber 16.08.2025

We're back with more lovely actual play friends! On this episode, we're joined by Percy Hornak, Nicholas Orvis, and Ben Ferber of Dungeons + Drama Nerds! Join us and this bevy of dramaturges as we discuss the intersection of stage plays and games, improv, tiered authorship in TTRPGs and more. Make sure to check out Stillfleet Studio's newest game, Danse Macabre: Medieval Horror Roleplaying, coming...

WWR 57 ☉ RP Jesters w. Rachel Kordell and Casey Reardon 26.07.2025

On this episode of Why We Roll, we sit down with Rachel Kordell and Casey Reardon of the actual play podcast RP Jesters! We chat about the process of making AP, the Jesters' expansive (and excellent) catalogue of series, and adapting to genre. Last but not least, we also discuss their newest campaign, LOST REQUIEM featuring Stillfleet Studio's Danse Macabre: Medieval Horror Roleplaying! Make sure...

WWR Bonus ☉ Left of the Projector x Why We Roll – VIDEODROME 24.07.2025

Long live the new flesh! Wythe and Chris are back with Evan on Left of the Projector for another film discussion. This time we dissect David Cronenberg's 1983 body horror / tech and sex anxiety classic, VIDEODROME! From Left of the Projector – In this episode, I join Chris and Wythe from the Why We Roll Podcast to analyze David Cronenberg's cult classic Videodrome. We explore its themes of technol...

WWR 56 ☉ The Next Session Podcast w. Alyssa and Adam Johns 12.07.2025

On this episode of Why We Roll we're joined by TTRPG advice power couple Alyssa and Adam Johns of The Next Session Podcast to discuss GM advice, the intersection of therapy and TTRPGs, and more! How can we use aesthetic distance in our games to help players grow? How do GMs overcome imposter syndrome? And how the HECK do animated skeletons even stay together?! Listen to find out! Learn more about...

WWR 55 ☉ Echoes of the Veil w. Raffi Marhaba 27.06.2025

Jack in and hack the system with us as we sit down to both play and discuss Echoes of the Veil—the newest cyberpunk game from Reverie Rebels—with designer Raffi Marhaba (they / them)! We cover a wide range of subjects including playing the cyberpunk genre politically, magic systems in sci-fi, and designing around social justice. Make sure to tune in and back Echoes of the Veil, crowdfunding on Kic...

WWR 54 ☉ Mage Hand High Five w. Rowan McStay and Casey Papas 16.06.2025

Saddle up, partner! On this episode of WWR, Wythe and Chris are fixin' to get into the western genre with Rowan McStay and Casey Papas of the wonderful actual play podcast, Mage Hand High Five! We chat about MHH5's history, gaming Western tropes, breaking away from colonial narratives, and—of course—the narrative versatility of trains. This episode is as fun as all get-out, and you can hang your h...

WWR 53 ☉ Narrative Design w. Claire Carré 03.06.2025

Join us as we sit down to chat with filmmaker, screenwriter, and video game narrative designer ⁠Claire Carré⁠ (⁠Lovesick w. Rose City Games, ⁠Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet w. Naughty Dog Games⁠). In this unique episode, we discuss narrative design, Claire's history with TTRPGs, and the intersection of tabletop and visual media—make sure to tune in! Enjoying Why We Roll? Consider becoming a St...

WWR 52 ☉ Wandering Blades w. Daniel Kwan 24.05.2025

Join us as we sit down to chat with award-winning TTRPG designer and podcaster Daniel Kwan about his new game, Wandering Blades—backing on Kickstarter until May 30th 2025 at wanderingblades.com! We talk wuxia genre fiction, representation, designing beautiful—yet deadly—combat, cinema, and more so make sure to tune in! If you enjoy Why We Roll, consider becoming a patron at patreon.com/stillfleet...

WWR Bonus ☉ Left of the Projector x Why We Roll 21.05.2025

Join us as we discuss the 1997 sci fi film GATTACA with our pal Evan on Left of the Projector! From LoP: 'In this episode, we analyze the 1997 sci-fi film Gattaca, directed by Andrew Niccol, alongside Wythe Marshall and Chris Pickett from the "Why We Roll" podcast. We examine the film's portrayal of a future shaped by genetic engineering and social stratification, contrasting 'valids' and 'in-vali...

WWR 51 ☉ Rascal News w. Rowan Zeoli 17.05.2025

Join us as we chat with Rowan Zeoli – indy journalist extraodinaire and co-founder of the independent TTRPG news site, Rascal News – about the state of the industry, how Rascal got started, why independent TTRPG journalism matters (spoiler – it really matters). If you're enjoying Why We Roll, consider joining the Stillfleet Patreon! For as little as $3 a month you get exclusive early access to all...

WWR 50 ☉ Transgender Deathmatch Legend II w. Kayla Dice 09.05.2025

On this episode of WWR, we are so excited to welcome back TTRPG designer, comedian, and WRESTLER, Kayla Dice of Ratwave Game House! Get into the kayfabe with us as we play and discuss Kayla's newest game, Transgender Deathmatch legend II (available on Itch)! Transgender Deathmatch Legend II is a TTRPG beat-em-up designed for two players, using a deck of playing cards. Play out brutal street fights...

WWR 49 ☉ The Sometimes Kingdom w. Ethan Gouldini 25.04.2025

On this episode of Why We Roll, we chat with Ethan Gouldini about their game, THE SOMETIMES KINGDOM, a topsy-turvy portal fantasy RPG. Join in as we discuss building magical systems and worlds, GMing a living house, and everything seasonal. If you're enjoying Why We Roll, consider supporting us over at patreon.com/stillfleet – for a few bucks a month you get access to early releases, the Stillflee...

WWR 48 ☉ Model Our Nations w. Eric Silver 18.04.2025

On this episode of Why We Roll, we sit down with the elder statesman himself, Eric Silver of Multitude Productions and Join the Party to both play and discuss his new game, Model Our Nations: A TTRPG about words standing in the way of action! Pick up a copy of Model Our Nations from the Join the Party merch store HERE! If you're enjoying Why We Roll, consider supporting us at patreon.com/stillflee...

WWR Bonus ☉ Perfect Ten x Why We Roll 02.04.2025

!!! Last chance to back Enter the Nostalgitron, the new play-to-learn Stillfleet quick start! Make sure to back before April 3rd! As a special treat, here is Nostalgitron writer and illustrator, Michael J. Cohen chatting with Wythe about Alien: Romulus on his podcast, Perfect Ten! ———— On this episode we're joined by Wythe Marschall, creator of the tabletop roleplaying game, Stillfleet, to talk ab...

WWR 47 ☉ Blackthorn and Pocketopia Collabs w. Marco Serrano and Michael J. Cohen 19.03.2025

We are joined by not one, but two extraordinary guests this week—Marco Serrano of Spicy Tuna RPG, and welcoming back Michael J. Cohen! The gang chats about Blackthorn, Spicy Tuna's Pocketopia 2025 entry, as well as writing pulp horror, camp, and intentionality with art... all culminating in a discussion of PUDDY MADNESS—the Blackthorn x Nostalgitron crossover for Pocketopia. It's getting spoopy an...

WWR 46 ☉ Enter the NOSTALGITRON w. Michael J. Cohen 13.03.2025

Two episodes in one week? In this economy?! Wythe sits down to chat with illustrator, graphic designer, and TTRPG writer Michael J. Cohen to discuss their latest collaboration, Enter the NOSTALGITRON—now live on Backerkit as a part of Pocketopia 2025! Enter the NOSTALGITRON is a new 64-page quick start venture for Stillfleet, blending the dark corporate sci-fi of the original game with 1980's and...

WWR 45 ☉ Mega Corp Games w. Logan Dean 12.03.2025

Wythe and Chris sit down to chat with designer, consultant, comrade, and collaborator—the inimitable Logan Dean. Tune in to listen in on Logan's insights around the politics and genre of corporate horror, inter-player tension, and practical advice on starting and administering an indie game business. Enjoying Why We Roll? Consider supporting the show by becoming a Stillfleet Patron! For as low as...

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