How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

With the new year in full swing, your mind might be on goals for your next campaign or for your own personal journey as a DM... but what about your players? Should all the goal-setting and planning be solely on your shoulders? Of course not! But how can you create a positive goal-setting environment that helps all your players enjoy the game more than ever? That's what we'll talk about in today's episode!Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon:https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Welcome to the third episode of Creative Contraband! This time host Danny Barrett dives into the ins and outs of PCs and NPCs through theater theory. Why do all TTRPGs tend to have similar races and classes?Today we’ll unravel the core concepts that make complete and unique characters. In this episode, you’ll learn how to create, evaluate, and play characters with more personality, consistency and ease.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon:https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

In the second episode of Creative Contraband, host Danny Barrett takes us on a journey that blends psychology and performance. From beers to Superman, and all the way to a WWII poet, we will explore the power of Rituals in art.Today we will distill centuries of praxis into this podcast, so you can learn about one of the most powerful tools for solving People Management issues, and for creating emotional depth and enhancing immersion.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon:https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

In the first episode of Creative Contraband, we meet host Danny Barrett to tackle a problem every long-form storyteller faces: How do you keep a story coherent over months or years without resorting to convenient miracles or last-minute fixes?Today we explore the quiet mechanics behind great storytelling: Chekhov’s gun, Foreshadowing and the fine line between setup and Deus Ex Machina.You’ll learn how to plant narrative seeds early and make your players think you are a DnD mastermind.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon:https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Welcome to How to Be a Better DM.Today, we continue our talk about campaign prep.In addition to the episode 2 weeks ago, we add the following tips:​Ask what is the game we are trying to play​When stuck, Break the C.A.S.E.​Write up long term charactersThanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon:https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter​

What goodbye advice would you give to your loved ones if you were Gandalf?In the last Creative Contraband episode, I give you mine.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: ⁠⁠http://session0studios.com/worldsmith⁠⁠Roll and Play Press: ⁠⁠http://session0studios.com/rollandplay⁠⁠Phantasm Studios: ⁠⁠https://session0studios.com/fantasms⁠⁠Monument Studios: ⁠⁠session0studios.com/monumentstudios⁠⁠Discord: ⁠⁠http://session0studios.com/discord⁠⁠Patreon: ⁠⁠https://session0studios.com/patreon⁠⁠Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: ⁠⁠https://session0studios.com/newsletter

In this episode, we break down one of the most important—and most overlooked—skills in Dungeon Mastering: performance.But instead of keeping it vague, we make it practical.I introduce a simple framework built around the five senses to help you understand how to improve your performance at the table—and just as importantly, figure out what you’re naturally good at and what you actually enjoy.In Part 1, we focus on three often-ignored tools: • Feel – how physicality, texture, and tension can shape a scene • Smell – one of the fastest ways to create immersion • Taste – the most underused sense in D&D (and how to use it effectively)You’ll walk away with specific ideas you can try in your next session—not just theory.If you’ve ever felt like your descriptions fall flat or your players aren’t fully immersed, this episode will give you a new way to approach your role behind the screen.Part 2 will cover Sight and Sound, and how to bring everything together.We’ll be back next time with another hand-crafted episode—but until then, let’s roll initiative.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithHire a Professional Dungeon Master: https://session0studios.com/dungeon-master-for-hire/Discord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon:https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Welcome to the ninth episode of Creative Contraband! Danny Barrett dives into very popular TV shows to enlighten us about the art of “eliminating” characters (or not).Today you’ll learn valuable lessons about resurrection, character arcs, keeping stakes high, and much more.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: ⁠http://session0studios.com/worldsmith⁠Roll and Play Press: ⁠http://session0studios.com/rollandplay⁠Phantasm Studios: ⁠https://session0studios.com/fantasms⁠Monument Studios: ⁠session0studios.com/monumentstudios⁠Discord: ⁠http://session0studios.com/discord⁠Patreon: ⁠https://session0studios.com/patreon⁠Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: ⁠https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Have you ever sat around your table while you and your party are in a combat encounter and thought, "This should be going more smoothly..." Well, you aren't alone! Fixing the stutters, the pauses, the minutes and hours spent on someone figuring out what they want to do often comes down to one word: expectations. So Tanner shares a few combat expectations that can really smooth out the wrinkles in your next combat encounter!

In today's episode, we explore the potential teachings of Solo Roleplaying, guided by our usual host, Danny Barrett.Learn how to identify your strengths as a Dungeon Master with minimal effort, and while having fun. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press: http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon: https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

What actually makes a great D&D encounter?In this episode, we break down 7 essential rules for encounter design that will instantly level up your sessions—whether you’re running combat, exploration, or social scenes.You’ll learn how to design encounters that fit your story (not derail it), why your players need to want what’s on the other side, and how to create moments that feel real—even when they aren’t.We also dive into: • The CASE framework (and why most DMs ignore it) • How to keep your encounters simple without making them boring • Choosing the right pillars of DMing to emphasize • Why every encounter needs meaningful conflict • And how planning a fail state can actually make your game more funIf you’ve ever felt like your encounters fall flat, drag on, or don’t matter—this episode will give you a clear, repeatable framework to fix that.Run better encounters. Tell better stories. Be a better DM.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithHire a Professional Dungeon Master: https://session0studios.com/dungeon-master-for-hire/Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon:https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Welcome to the ninth episode of Creative Contraband! Danny Barrett dives into very popular TV shows to enlighten us about the art of “eliminating” characters (or not).Today you’ll learn valuable lessons about resurrection, character arcs, keeping stakes high, and much more.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: ⁠http://session0studios.com/worldsmith⁠Roll and Play Press: ⁠http://session0studios.com/rollandplay⁠Phantasm Studios: ⁠https://session0studios.com/fantasms⁠Monument Studios: ⁠session0studios.com/monumentstudios⁠Discord: ⁠http://session0studios.com/discord⁠Patreon: ⁠https://session0studios.com/patreon⁠Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: ⁠https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Doesn't it always feel like more than half of your skill checks are perception or insight checks? Which is an absolute shame since there are so many other skills to use! In this episode, Tanner shares 5 skills and skill pairings that could be used in more creative ways than the pigeon-holed way we have used them in the past.

In today's episode, we feature the first of many videopodcasts to come! Our usual host, Danny Barrett (and his support dog), unveils the secrets to nailing the first minutes of a campaign and of every session.You'll also learn how to build modular encounters that can adapt to any scenario your players might throw at you.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press: http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon: https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Great D&D encounters don’t happen by accident—they’re designed.In this episode of How to Be a Better DM, we break down the first three core rules of encounter design that help Dungeon Masters create encounters that feel meaningful, engaging, and worth the players’ time.First, we talk about why simplicity is one of the most powerful tools in encounter design. Overcomplicating encounters often slows the game down, while simple encounters can create fast, exciting, and memorable moments at the table.Next, we introduce the CASE framework—how every encounter should fit into your Campaign, Arc, Session, and Encounter structure. When encounters serve the bigger story, your game starts to feel intentional instead of random.Finally, we cover a rule that many DMs overlook: the party has to want something on the other side of the encounter. Whether it’s treasure, progress, information, or simply survival, players need a reason to engage.These three rules will help you design encounters faster, run smoother sessions, and keep your players invested in the game.And this is just the beginning.In Part 2, we’ll dive deeper into additional encounter design rules that will help you turn good encounters into unforgettable ones.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:​Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith​Hire a Professional Dungeon Master: https://session0studios.com/dungeon-master-for-hire/​Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay​Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms​Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord​Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon​Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

In today’s episode, we’ll take magic concepts to the doctor’s office and will mix it all together to learn how to make our players remember us as genius DMs after the session is over.If you want to make a lasting impression on your players, then this episode is for you. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press: http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon: https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Listen... if an NPC or a roleplayed conversation is unmemorable, why is it in your campaign? More importantly, is it possible to make each conversation a memorable experience? Well, if you GO BIG with your show, your tell, your personalities, and your NPC alignments, that'll certainly help! Tanner shares examples and reasons to go big or go home with your NPC roleplays—you'll thank us later!

Today we’ll dissect the ins and outs of immersion, guided by our usual host, Danny Barrett. In this sixth episode, we will go over the CASE framework and squeeze it for all it’s worth, going through concepts like Fourth wall, diegesis, and Verfremdungseffekt.This episode will help you prep more intentionally and better understand the limits of fiction in this hybrid medium. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press: http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon: https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Welcome back to today’s show.Today we talk about tempo, using 2 analogies.D&D is like music.D&D is like a heart.If you understand those two facts, you’ll naturally improve your tempo.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon:https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

DISCLAIMER:The musical composition is called 4’33”, by John Cage. (Forgot to say the name). It can be found here: https://youtu.be/TrlKxV5KWJo?list=RDTrlKxV5KWJo Welcome to the fifth Creative Contraband episode! After some minor technical inconveniences, we explore the delicate art of empty spaces guided by the usual host Danny Barrett.Drawing from neuroscience, music, and other arts, you’ll learn about building suspense, tension release, cognitive processing limits, and more. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press: http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon: https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter