Running a tabletop RPG for players with different experience levels can feel overwhelming. How do you keep veterans engaged without intimidating new players? How do you teach the game without slowing everything to a crawl? In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down practical strategies for running games with veteran players, casual players, and brand-new players at the same table—without burning out or losing momentum. What You’ll Learn: Why mixed-experience tables are challenging—and why they’re worth it How to set expectations that support new players and veterans alike Spotlight management techniques that keep everyone engaged How to handle rules questions without killing the pace of the game Session design tips that let every player shine Whether you’re running a home game, a public table, or introducing new players to the hobby, this episode gives you tools to turn mixed experience into one of your table’s greatest strengths. Click the link to support the podcast and keep the podcast going!

Culture is more than clothing and cuisine—it’s how people think, live, and survive. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to design unique, believable societies that feel alive at the table. You’ll learn how to use environment, history, and worldview to craft civilizations that reflect real emotion and meaning—without falling into stereotypes or clichés. What You’ll Learn: The three pillars of a distinct culture: environment, history, and worldview How to create societies that feel authentic and layered Tools for portraying culture through language, food, and symbolism Tips to avoid one-dimensional or trope-heavy worldbuilding Get the Culture Builder Toolkit:Download the Culture & Society Builder Toolkit on Patreon for questions, templates, and worksheets to design your own civilizations.👉 Patreon aka "The Guildhall"

Every great fantasy world has stories—ancient myths, forgotten heroes, and whispered folk tales that shape how people see the world around them. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to design believable legends and myths that add meaning to your world. You’ll learn how to write stories that feel ancient, connect to your cultures, and give your players something deeper to discover than just monsters and maps. What You’ll Learn: The three core types of myths: creation, heroic, and cautionary How to write folklore that feels authentic to your world’s cultures How to use myths to foreshadow secrets, shape religions, and guide tone Practical tips to turn simple legends into playable story hooks Get the Toolkit:Download the Myth-Making Toolkit on Patreon for templates, myth prompts, and worldbuilding exercises to create your own legends.👉 patreon.com/thebeardednerd

Every GM eventually meets them—the players who burn taverns, stab kings, and ignore every moral compass. But chaos doesn’t have to ruin your story. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to identify why players go “murder hobo,” how to redirect that energy into story, and how to re-establish order without killing the fun. What You’ll Learn: Why “murder hobo” behavior happens (and what it really means) How to respond with story, not punishment In-game tools for redirecting destructive choices Conversation strategies to reset expectations respectfully Wash Your Face and Support the Podcast  Show some love to your skin and the support the podcast by picking up some of the finest skin care products. Use "Bearded10" for 10% off your entire order. Shop now! https://dungeonsoap.com/thebeardednerd   Grab the Toolkit:Download the Murder Hobo Management Toolkit on Patreon for printable guides, consequence tables, and communication templates.👉 patreon.com/thebeardednerd

In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian sits down with Jonathan from Latinos Against Spooky Shit, one of the most influential voices blending culture, comedy, and storytelling in the tabletop RPG community. This conversation explores how cultural identity, family traditions, horror folklore, and lived experience shape the stories we tell at the gaming table. Jonathan shares insight into building inclusive spaces, creating comedy that connects across cultures, and using humor to navigate topics of fear, representation, and community. We discuss: How cultural roots influence TTRPG storytelling The power of representation in Dungeons & Dragons and tabletop RPGs Why comedy and horror work so well together Building community through authentic content creation Creative challenges faced by tabletop creators online How to keep storytelling grounded, funny, and emotionally real Whether you're a Dungeon Master, player, writer, or TTRPG creator, this episode delivers inspiration, practical advice, and heartfelt perspectives on what makes tabletop storytelling meaningful. If you enjoyed this deep dive into cultural storytelling, follow The Bearded Nerd Podcast for more creator interviews, worldbuilding tips, Dungeon Master guides, and storytelling episodes. And check out Jonathan’s work at Latinos Against Spooky Shit — one of the funniest and most authentic voices in the TTRPG community.

Even the best Game Masters can burn out. Between prep, performance, and player expectations, running a campaign can start to feel like a second job. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to spot burnout early, prevent it with practical habits, and rekindle your passion for the game when the spark fades. What You’ll Learn: The warning signs of GM burnout Common causes like over-prep, creative fatigue, and player mismatch Prevention strategies to balance workload and enjoyment How to reset, recharge, and return stronger Get the Printable Resource:Download the GM Burnout Recovery Toolkit on Patreon—complete with burnout checklists, creative recharge ideas, and a step-by-step prevention guide. Support the podcast and buy some soap - Bearded10 gets you 10% off your entire order!

Every world has a past—but not every story knows how to use it. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to create hidden histories—those forgotten wars, buried empires, and ancient betrayals that quietly shape the present day. You’ll learn how to make history matter without info-dumping, and how to let your players uncover the past one mystery at a time. What You’ll Learn: The three types of hidden history: buried events, concealed truths, and forgotten knowledge How to connect your world’s past to your current story arc Simple prompts to seed mystery and discovery How to reveal lore naturally through exploration and dialogue Get the Printable Toolkit:Download the Hidden Histories Toolkit on Patreon for templates, prompts, and examples you can drop into any setting. Support the channel and buy some soap! (Bearded10 for 10% off order)

Tired of losing your notes or forgetting key lore details? In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian shares the ultimate toolbox for world-building GMs. From dynamic campaign wikis like World Anvil to powerful mapping apps like Inkarnate, this episode walks you through the best tools to plan, store, and spark creativity for your campaigns. 🎲 What You’ll Learn: The top 9 tools every GM should know How to use them without getting overwhelmed Quick-start workflows for Notion, Obsidian, and more Name, dungeon, and town generators you’ll use again and again 🎁 Grab the full World-Building Toolkit PDF on Patreon 🧼 Support the show and wash yo face with some Dungeon Soap (Bearded10 for 10% off your ENTIRE order). Get some here --> https://dungeonsoap.com/thebeardednerd

From layout and history to factions and festivals—this episode breaks down how to build a fantasy city that your players will actually want to explore. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian walks you through a step-by-step framework to design immersive cities that aren’t just maps—they’re living story hubs. Whether you're designing your campaign's capital or a weird little port town full of smugglers, this guide will help you get there. 🎲 What You’ll Learn: How to define your city’s core purpose Ways to use geography and real-world city models How to build meaningful factions, landmarks, and culture Bonus roll table to spark instant city drama 🎁 Download the City Building Blueprint PDF on Patreon:patreon.com/thebeardednerd

In this episode, Brian sits down with Justin and Jeremiah from 1985 Games to explore Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass — a D&D 5e-compatible setting that trades dragons and doomsday plots for spirit festivals, friendly frogs, and magical tea ceremonies. Discover how Obojima brings Studio Ghibli-inspired storytelling to tabletop roleplaying, creating adventures that feel heartfelt, hopeful, and deeply human. In This Episode: The origins and inspirations behind Obojima Designing emotional mechanics through the Hero’s Journey Boon system How to create tension without relying on combat Tips for GMs who want to run cozier, character-driven campaigns Why “slowing down” might be the next evolution of D&D storytelling Links:🎲 Check out Obojima: The Isle of Wonder → 1985games.com🤝 Join the 1985 Games Discord → https://discord.gg/kR2FAN5zPz ✌️Support their Kickstarter → Obojima Tales🧙‍♂️ Support exclusive GM tools and behind-the-scenes extras → The Guildhall

Your players’ backstories are more than character flavor—they’re the foundation for the best plotlines you’ll ever write. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian shares a step-by-step guide to using player backstories to fuel your story arcs, worldbuilding, and emotional moments. Whether your players gave you a paragraph or a five-page essay, this episode will help you weave it all into your campaign naturally. 🎙️ What You’ll Learn: How to extract the most usable details from any backstory Ways to tie personal history into current conflicts A method for creating “echoes” across the campaign Tools for tracking backstory moments and arc payoffs 🎁 Download the Backstory Integration Toolkit on Patreon:patreon.com/thebeardednerd

You don’t have to be an artist to make a great fantasy map. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian walks you through a 10-step beginner-friendly method to draw a usable, immersive world map for your TTRPG campaign. Whether you’re starting from scratch or redrawing your lore, this episode shows you how to build a world that makes sense—and invites adventure. 🎙️ What You’ll Learn: How geography shapes culture, travel, and conflict Simple tools and logic to draw land, rivers, biomes, and borders Why you should leave parts of the map mysterious Tips for naming regions, landmarks, and lore points 🎁 Get the free World Map Starter Kit on Patreon:patreon.com/thebeardednerd Check out Inkarnate here for one of the BEST map-making tools at the moment

Got unused dungeons? Forgotten NPCs? Half-written side quests sitting in your notes? In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian shares how to repurpose old content using his “Lift and Shift” prep method. Learn how to save time, reduce creative burnout, and make your campaign feel more alive by reimagining the things you’ve already built. 🎙️ What You’ll Learn: How to adapt old maps, NPCs, and quests to your current game Quick techniques for reskinning monsters and encounters Real examples of lift-and-shift content in action Why repurposing builds better continuity and saves hours of prep 🎁 Get the free Lift and Shift Prep Toolkit on Patreon:patreon.com/thebeardednerd

You’re trying to narrate a high-stakes encounter……and someone interrupts with a rule correction, another talks over the party, and someone else derails the moment entirely. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian shares practical strategies for handling rules lawyers, spotlight hogs, and disruptive players—without killing the vibe. Learn how to keep your game flowing while maintaining control, clarity, and group trust. 🎙️ What You’ll Learn: The 3 types of disruptive players (and how to spot them) How to use the “One-Minute Rule” for fast rulings Scripts you can use at the table to de-escalate tension How to handle disruptive behavior before it starts 🎁 Bonus: Grab the Disruption & Dynamics Toolkit on Patreon:patreon.com/thebeardednerd

One player loves dramatic speeches and courtly intrigue. Another just wants to roll damage dice and leap off rooftops. How do you create sessions that satisfy every player at your table? In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down five proven techniques to help you balance combat and roleplay—whether you're running a homebrew epic or a fast-paced one-shot. You'll learn how to build sessions that feel emotionally engaging and action-packed without dragging down the pacing or spotlight. 🎙️ What You'll Learn: How to layer story and stakes into combat Making social scenes feel dynamic and impactful A simple three-act structure that balances pacing How to check in with players and keep everyone involved 🎁 Grab the Combat & Roleplay Balance Toolkit for free on Patreon: patreon.com/thebeardednerd

Your players zigged. You prepped for a zag. What now? In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down the 5 key techniques that help GMs master improvisation at the table. Learn how to create NPCs, conflicts, and entire storylines on the fly—with confidence. 🎙️ What You’ll Learn: How to stay in control while giving players agency Improv rules every GM should know Reusable templates for NPCs, encounters, and twists How to turn chaos into creative gold 🎁 Bonus Download: Get the full GM Improv Toolkit on Patreon

You don’t need 10 pages of notes or 3 hours of planning to run a great session. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian walks you through a fast and effective system for prepping any TTRPG session in under 60 minutes. Whether you’re a time-crunched GM, a busy parent, or just want to stop over-prepping, this episode gives you the structure to get it done—and done well. 🎙️ What You’ll Learn: The 4 elements every great session needs A step-by-step breakdown of 60-minute prep Scene design, NPC shortcuts, and player-focused rewards Add-ons for when you’ve got extra time 🎁 Grab the free Session Prep Blueprint on Patreon

In most fantasy worlds, magic is everywhere. But when it lacks rules, limits, or logic—it starts to feel like a cheat code. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian reveals a 5-step method to help you design a believable, functional magic system that keeps your players invested and your world grounded. Whether you want magic to feel ancient, divine, dangerous, or scientific, this framework works with any genre or game system. 🎙️ Topics Covered: The 5 Pillars of a compelling magic system (Source, Cost, Limitation, Learning Curve, Cultural Impact) How to add mystery and mythology to your arcane lore Making magic matter mechanically and narratively Real examples you can steal for your worldbuilding today 🎁 Free Download:Get the Arcane Blueprint PDF, only on Patreon

You've written the deep history of your world—the fallen empires, ancient gods, and myths that shaped the land. But when you try to share it at the table… your players check out. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian reveals 5 secrets to delivering world lore that actually sticks with your players. Learn how to make lore part of the gameplay, not just flavor text. 🎙️ Topics Covered: Why lore often gets ignored (even when it’s good) The “Drip, Don’t Dump” method Using biased NPCs to create narrative tension Lore-as-loot, flashbacks, and tangible history How to make your players want the truth 🎁 Bonus: Download the Lore Delivery Blueprint PDF on Patreon

Fantasy worlds deserve more than elves in forests and kingdoms that all feel like Medieval Europe. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to build unique, believable cultures that go beyond tired tropes. You’ll learn how geography, religion, resources, and power structures shape entire civilizations—and how to use them to drive story and player engagement. Whether you’re designing one culture or a continent’s worth of nations, this episode will help you add meaning, conflict, and depth to every region of your world. 🌍 What You’ll Learn: The 5 foundations of every compelling culture How to use geography and scarcity to shape behavior How beliefs and rituals influence laws, leadership, and daily life Ways to make cultural tension fuel story arcs How to bring cultures to life at the table through NPCs, slang, and traditions 📥 Free Download: Grab the Culture Design Blueprint PDF—available to all Guildhall members on Patreon. ✉️ Support the Show: Love the show? Leave a 5-star review and share this episode with your table. Every review helps us reach more world-builders and GMs like you.