Three Black Halflings | A Dungeons & Dragons Podcast

<p>Roll for Melanin... It’s a Nat 20!</p><p>Three Black Halflings is a podcast by Jasper William Cartwright, Olivia Kennedy (but everybody calls her Liv), and Jeremy Cobb: three nerdy friends with strong opinions and even stronger Charisma scores. Join them in their quest to explore diversity in the incredible worlds of D&D and pop culture while doling out DM tips, thought-provoking conversations, a band of guests and good times!</p><p><br /></p><p>Connect with us on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/3blackhalflings.bsky.social">Bluesky,</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tbhalflings">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TBHalflings">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TBHalflings">Facebook</a> @tbhalflings or email <a href="mailto:secondbreakfast@tbhalflings.com">secondbreakfast@tbhalflings.com</a></p><p><br /></p><p>If you enjoy this podcast please help us out by leaving a review and sharing with your fellow adventurers.</p>

“I got ADHD for Christmas” The Holidays are Here! Part 2

This week! The Halflings get festive as they share their own Christmas traditions and explore how the season is celebrated around the world. Jeremy reflects on his neutral feelings toward Christmas (much like Thanksgiving), and how that’s changed since his childhood, while Candace contrasts this with their love of gift-giving and a festive feast inspired by The Feast of Seven Fishes from Tv show,The Bear. Liv looks back on her favourite holiday memories, the joy of the lead-up to Christmas, and why the most emotional gift wins. The conversation drifts into wanting nothing vs knowing exactly what you want, the differences between UK and US Christmas traditions (including Boxing Day), New Year celebrations, and a deep dive into the wonderfully chaotic world of UK pantomime, much to Candace’s delight. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12-18
01:20:40

“Tasty Tasty Complexity” - The Adrián Mejía Interview

This week! Candace the Magnificent and Jeremy Cobb are joined by lead producer of Koboa and new game Beasts - Adrián Mejía! Adrián shares how a childhood trip to Brazil and the moment he first saw Super Mario Bros. 3  ignited his love of imaginative worlds, later deepened by discovering the TTRPG Nephilim. He dives into the South American inspirations that shaped Koboa, the careful research and cultural grounding behind its lore, and the determination to challenge stereotypes by creating a space where South American players feel truly welcome. We also explore his new game Beasts, which made Jeremy’s teenage heart grow three sizes. Expect themes of dehumanisation, the weight of an unwinnable war, what remains of you afterward, and a clear thread of Animorphs-style intensity. The episode wraps with Adrián’s Tale From The Table, plus a little insight into future episodes...Adrián will be returning to run Beasts, so stay tuned, Halflings! Media Mentioned in This Episode Koboa (Coming Soon)⁠https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/koboa/koboa-the-south-american-5e-setting⁠ Beasts https://latinerd.itch.io/beasts Links Mentioned in This Episode ⁠https://www.koboasetting.com⁠⁠ https://koboa.backerkit.com⁠ Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12-10
01:07:10

“Give me all your flesh!” - The Nikatine Interview

This week! Candace The Magnificent, Liv Kennedy and Jeremy Cobb are joined by streamer, activist and incredible GM...Nikatine. We dive into her origin story and journey into all things nerdy, a wildly creative beginning sparked by her dad building a computer, and the early games that unlocked her imagination, from The Sims to StarCraft. The conversation then shifts into her path through streaming and her deep love of TTRPGs, which ultimately led to the creation of Issliss and the launch of Fablescraps as a TTRPG production studio. Nikatine discusses crafting Issliss from the ground up, how original concepts were able to hit the ground running, and how a deep passion for world-building allows the exploration of anxiety, fear, and the things that are truly terrifying, transforming those emotions into powerful creative fuel. The Halflings also discuss how Nikatine consistently shows up to represent and advocate for individual cultures and perspectives, and how themes of alienation and the search for belonging resonate strongly through her work, drawn from her own lived experiences. The episode concludes with two incredible Tales From the Table from Issliss...both of which amazingly feature our very own Candace! Links mentioned in this episode: Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nikatine YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nikatine Issliss: ⁠https://www.nikatine.com/issliss.html⁠ Blog: https://www.nikatine.com/blog Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12-04
01:08:29

“Come over to Charlie Browns” - The Holidays Are Here! Part 1

This week! Candace the Magnificent, Liv Kennedy, and Jeremy Cobb ease into the holiday season as Jeremy explores the differences between UK and US celebrations. They look at the contrast in Halloween hype and how their childhoods shaped whether they did, or didn’t, celebrate. Jeremy shares his complicated relationship with the holidays, reflecting on childhood boredom, babysitting, and feeling excluded, all of which shaped his adult ambivalence toward the season, not to mention the pressure the holidays can bring. The Halfings talk about the comfort of being welcomed into other people’s traditions and how technology now makes it easier to connect with family or a chosen community. They also discuss the emotional walls we build around family to fit in or protect ourselves during the holidays. The Halflings end this episode with the important discussion of racism and sexism in sport, noting that this topic deserves an entire episode of its own due to the importance. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11-27
01:15:04

“Nostalgia Hurts Sometimes” - Nostalgia and Toxic Fandoms PART 2

This week! Liv, Candace and Jeremy continue their deep dive into why nostalgia isn't always comforting, and how to process the grief of a once beloved creator or artwork turning out to be a real-world nightmare. From how the most toxic fandoms can taint the things we love, to that toxicity can make it difficult to have discussions about the things you enjoy. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11-20
56:42

“Nostalgia Hurts Sometimes” - Nostalgia and Toxic Fandoms PART 1

This week! Liv, Candace, and Jeremy take a little detour into sharing some of their scariest and spookiest tales. From petrifying Polaroids to demonic dreams, the Halflings dive into it all. Why are we drawn to nostalgia? What exactly makes us feel nostalgic. Within this conversation, they tackle the big elephant in the room: Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling’s disappointing outlook. From plagiarism claims to damaging public statements, they unpack why separating the artist from the art doesn’t hold up in this case. This episode is about the grief of losing something that once meant everything, and coming to terms with the fact that the magic didn’t simply fade — it was taken. But this isn't the full story! If you want to listen to the Halfling's full discussion, head over to the Patreon where you can listen to Parts 1 and 2 right now, along with bonus solo podcasts and extra interactive elements, all completely ad free! Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11-13
01:01:28

“It Takes a Village” - The Samantha Béart Interview

Spoiler Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Baldur’s Gate 3 during Samantha's Tale from the Table. This week! Jeremy Cobb, Liv Kennedy and Candace the Magnificent are joined by BAFTA-nominated actor and voice artist Samantha Béart - the brilliant vocal talent behind characters such as Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3, Thomasina Bateman in The Excavation of Hobb's Barrow, Oracle in TRON: Catalyst, and many more! The Halflings chat with them about Samantha’s Shakespearean roots, lifelong love of storytelling, and how that classical training influences Samantha's modern voice work. Samantha opens up about the thought process behind bringing characters to life, the value of finding your people, and discusses intersectionality and the importance of rising above challenges to succeed together. The conversation also explores the story behind their show It Takes a Village, its upcoming new season, and why celebrating the people behind the scenes in media truly matters! Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11-06
01:08:05

“Shaping your Identity” - The Kelly Lynne D’Angelo Interview

This week! Jeremy and Candace are joined by special guest Kelly Lynne D’Angelo! They dive into Kelly’s nerdy origin story, the feeling of not quite fitting in while figuring out those younger years, and the importance of taking the time to truly listen. They chat about the adventure of creating Starry, a pop-rock musical about Vincent van Gogh, and reflect on how art shapes culture, the magic of community, and the joy of storytelling. Jeremy, Candace, and Kelly celebrate the beauty of sharing your story, staying true to your identity, and the small, powerful ways connection can transform lives before ending with some of Kelly's very exciting upcoming projects and Kelly's brilliant tale from the table. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10-30
01:13:35

"Connecting the Dots of Improv” - The Oscar Montoya Interview

This week, Candace, Liv and Jeremy are joined by Dropout and Dimension20 legend Oscar Montoya! Talking about how Oscar's improv training has influenced the shape of the characters he plays, his time on shows like TalesUnrolled and Dimension20, and how POC representation in media has affected the stories he tells. But there's way more to this interview! For the full extended cut, head over to our Patreon to listen to the full version! Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10-23
01:13:52

“Born to be Bad” - Evil Races in Media

This week! Join Candace, Liv and Jeremy for a much-needed conversation about one of fantasy’s laziest tropes: “evil races.” From the reductive storytelling of Good vs. Evil to the way TTRPGs treat so-called monster races as throwaway enemies, used more for easy combat than meaningful storytelling, the Halflings break down how these shortcuts feed into fantasy racism, and why it’s time to move past them. Plus, a look at how Star Trek gets it right by exploring difference without defaulting to moral absolutes. Media in this episode https://jamesmendezhodes.com/blog/2019/1/13/orcs-britons-and-the-martial-race-myth-part-i-a-species-built-for-racial-terror - James Mendez Hodes “Orcs, Britons, And The Martial Race Myth, Part I” https://jamesmendezhodes.com/blog/2019/6/30/orcs-britons-and-the-martial-race-myth-part-ii-theyre-not-human - James Mendez Hodes “Orcs, Britons, And The Martial Race Myth, Part II” Blood on the Clocktower - ⁠⁠⁠https://bloodontheclocktower.com/buy⁠⁠. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10-16
57:07

“My Eggs Are Exploding!” - TTRPG Rules Vs Story

This week! The Halflings are back to dive into the tug of war between rules and story, the chaos of GMless games, and rules-lite versus rules heavy systems. Along the way, they explore how imagination can completely change the way players approach gameplay, proving that with the right mindset, even the crunchiest mechanics can become pure storytelling magic. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! The pledge manager is now open! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10-09
01:04:47

"Candace Absolutely Magnifi-can!" - GM’s Spotlight

This week! Candace the Magnificent joins Jeremy Cobb and Liv Kennedy for a whirlwind of laughter and discussion. Get ready for the many magnificent puns on Candace’s name, a look back at Candace’s early TTRPG experience and the journey of how those first games shaped their unique GM'ing skills. Hear all about Candace’s approach to rules in a system, what makes a good story for their players and the importance of character growth. The episode wraps with Candace’s own unforgettable tale from the table, bringing the adventure to a perfect close. Blood on the Clocktower - ⁠⁠https://bloodontheclocktower.com/buy⁠. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10-02
01:03:06

“Last Woman Standing” - Femmes in Horror Part 2

Content Warning: Descriptions of slasher and horror films, sexual themes in horror, and brief body horror.Spoiler Alert: This episode contains spoilers for a bunch of horror films, including ALIEN, Terminator, Let the Right One In, Cabin in the Woods, Totally Killer, Time Cut, Ready or Not, Fresh, Barbarian, and Twilight. This week! Liv, Candace the Magnificent, and Jeremy Cobb are back for Part 2 of our femmes-in-horror chat. This time, we’re breaking down the Final Girl trope...what works, what’s overdone, and how it shifts from film to film. We then take a dive into how different character perspectives change the story and whether horror hits differently when it’s directed by women, taking a closer look at how horror treats its heroines and who is telling their stories. Blood on the Clocktower - ⁠https://bloodontheclocktower.com/buy. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

09-26
58:07

“The Cost of Admission” - The Assassination of Charlie Kirk

This week, The Halflings speak on the shocking assassination of controversial right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. They examine his career, the infamous quotes, and the rage bait that defined his public persona. Jeremy, Liv, and Candace each share their candid and complicated feelings on his death before diving into the wider impact this event will have on the political landscape moving forward. Content/Trigger Warnings Examples of Racism and Racist Statements Examples of Transphobic and Homophobic Statements Commentary on Political Violence Article Links https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/12/black-students-colleges-racist-threats https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/11/charlie-kirk-quotes-beliefs  https://aftermath.site/bluesky-charlie-kirk-dead-rest-in-piss https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/charlie-kirk-last-words/  https://www.factcheck.org/2025/09/viral-claims-about-charlie-kirks-words/ https://www.wired.com/story/charlie-kirk-tpusa-mlk-civil-rights-act/ https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/we-must-not-posthumously-sanitize Video Links https://x.com/Kaimandante/status/1965903777401295008 - Charlie’s thoughts on George Floyd https://x.com/alluring_nyc/status/1965893013059907788 - Black women do not have brain processing power quote Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

09-18
01:25:45

"That got me HYPED!" - Jeremy’s Black Cinema Deep Dive

This week! Jeremy is diving headfirst into the world of contemporary Black cinema, sharing his favorite films from the last ten to fifteen years and spotlighting directors like Ryan Coogler, Jordan Peele, Shaka King, Ava DuVernay, and Spike Lee. Inspired by the brilliance of F.D. Signifier, he also shouts out incredible POC creators including Foreign Man in a Foreign Land, Khadija Mbowe, Kat Blaque, Princess Weekes, and T1J. Along the way, he digs into the current mess of AI on YouTube and what it means for creators, all while celebrating stories, voices, and the power of Black creativity on screen. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! It's now open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

09-15
58:41

"What Defines A Monster?" - Introducing Draw Steel by MCDM Productions

This week! Jeremy, Liv, and Candace are joined by James Introcaso, Lead Game Designer at MCDM and Draw Steel maestro, and Willy Abeel, the Mother of Monsters and creator of the playable clown race, the Clonns, as they share how they joined MCDM and dive into their most legendary nerdy stories. We talk about what a monster really is in Draw Steel, whether the game leans more on mechanics or story. James and Willy also share the inspiration behind the game, how inclusivity and diversity are built into the design, and, of course, some wild Tales from the Table. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! It's now open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Want more from Willy? Check out the Clonns, a fully playable clown race for D&D. Download the PDF. Read more on Geek Native. Get it on DMs Guild. Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

09-04
01:01:25

"NSFW Police" Part 2 - the itch.io and Steam controversy continued

Content Warning: References to NSFW, SFW, and SA content. This week! Jeremy, Candace and Liv continue their discussion about the ongoing itch.io and Steam controversy, and how censorship of this nature impacts BIPOC and Queer creators and communities. From the definitions of censorship, the current state of ID Checks, and the blatant bid for data control, and how this all links back to the Satanic Panic. Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

08-28
52:36

"NSFW Police" - the itch.io and Steam controversy

Content Warning: References to NSFW, SFW, and SA content. This week! Liv, Candace and Jeremy (aka the BG3 book hoarder) are exploring the Steam and Itch.io controversy of delisting games from their platforms revolving around the censorship of adult content, how this specifically impacts marginalised communities in ways these companies have clearly not considered, and how the Payment Giants are controlling the narrative Link to the "Tell MasterCard, Visa & Activist Groups: Stop Controlling What We Can Watch, Read, or Play" Change.org campaign Check out Transplanar ! Would you like to have a halfling movie night? Head over to the halfling discord! Also - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

08-21
55:31

"I'm Scared of Twilight Imperium" - Board Games for TTRPG fans

Disclaimer: Minor spoilers for games in the Balder's Gate series This week! Liv gives Jeremy her recommendations on board games for folks who enjoy TTRPGs. From long form campaign games, to D&D style board games, to the stress of introducing the ADHD enemy of games - a timer! Check out Liv's recommendations here: Gloomhaven - ⁠https://cephalofair.com/pages/gloomhaven⁠ Decent Legends of the Dark - ⁠https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/descent-legends-of-the-dark/⁠ Betrayal Legacy - ⁠https://www.board-game.co.uk/product/avalon-hill-betrayal-legacy/⁠ Betrayal at Balder's Gate - ⁠https://www.board-game.co.uk/product/betrayal-at-baldurs-gate/⁠ Lords of Waterdeep - ⁠https://www.board-game.co.uk/product/lords-waterdeep/⁠ Eldritch Horror - ⁠https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/eldritch-horror/⁠ Unfathomable - ⁠https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/unfathomable/⁠ Mountains of Madness - ⁠https://www.board-game.co.uk/product/mountains-of-madness/⁠ Twilight Inscription - ⁠https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/twilight-inscription/⁠ Inhuman Conditions - ⁠https://www.robots.management⁠ Ultimate Werewolf - ⁠https://beziergames.com/products/ultimate-werewolf⁠ Blood on the Clocktower - ⁠https://bloodontheclocktower.com/buyAlso - did you miss out on our first 🎉FULLY FUNDED🎉 Kickstarter, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠City of the Black Rose Campaign setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in collaboration with ⁠⁠⁠Roll and Play Press? Well, good news! In the next few weeks, it'll be open to late pledges and pledge manager edits! So everyone gets a chance to grab a copy of the book and any extras you'd like! Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

08-18
01:20:08

The Shirefolk Soapbox Returns! - Serialised Storytelling & Blue Prince

Disclaimer: a longer unedited version of this podcast is available on the Patreon - A Snyder Cut, if you will. This week! Jeremy and Candace bring back a segment we've not done in a while - The Shirefolk Soapbox! Jeremy takes the soapbox to air his opinion that the film industry has a never-ending problem of serialised storytelling, and how it's having a knock on effect within the TTRPG Actual Play community. And Candace takes to the soapbox to talk about the grip that Blue Prince has on her! Also, head over to the Patreon where we will endeavour to record 'Candace's Most Offensive Takes On Anime'. Our anime loving producer is INTRUIGED AND SCARED. Follow the halflings: Jasper William Cartwright: @JW_Cartwright Jeremy Cobb: @JeremyCobb1 Liv Kennedy: @livkennedy Candace: @candacethemagnificent Find all of our links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tbhalflings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can buy all our lovely merchandise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as featured on Critical Role! Connect with us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook @3blackhalflings, on our Discord, or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

08-07
01:10:36

Abby Carter

What an amazing year! Y'all have been amazing to listen to, I am so glad I finally took NADDpod's advice and came over! Truly, your "stupid" (how could you say that??) idea and brilliant conversations re: race and dnd and making nerd/geek spaces more inclusive are both AWESOME and UTTERLY NECESSARY still! I'm listening to y'all for the first time in 2025 and like...yeah no we still need to hear 2020 you!

02-22 Reply

Myrna Bonque

I read a blog post more than 20 years ago about how white people in anime are drawn distinctly differently from Japanese people. The gap between technical and cultural knowledge continues.

06-25 Reply

Laura Beeeeeee

3 brothers and their dad come pretty close to a campaign that's just 5 brothers. I think TAZ does as good a job as I could possibly hope for from an actual play cast by 4 related straight white cis men, though. Everything else I listen to, though, has at least 1 queer member. It's been harder finding ones with more BIPOC players, though. I think 3/4 I've found are just wyt folks. =(

01-18 Reply

Nathan Van Ness

Any chance this could be re-edited and re-released? This is unlistenable...

01-12 Reply

Laura Beeeeeee

I don't laugh easily, and I laughed twice and almost laughed several more times. I'm subscribing to this

11-13 Reply

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