How comfortable are you when your players force you completely off-script? This week, Doc and Liv welcome Karen Twelves, author of Improv for Gamers, to explore how improvisation can strengthen both GMing and playing. They discuss quieting your inner critic, balancing preparation with flexibility, building confidence, listening actively, and creating stories collaboratively at the table. The episode also challenges the idea that improv has to be funny or that players must always perform in character. Plus, the group spotlights Fiasco and reviews research on how improv may support creativity, uncertainty tolerance, and well-being both at and beyond the gaming table.

Tabletop role-playing games can be fun, social, and imaginative – but can they also support mental health? In this episode, Liv and Doc are joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Megan Connell and licensed professional counselor and certified geek therapist Grant Sparks to explore therapeutic TTRPGs. They discuss emotional processing, identity exploration, communication, safety tools, and how roleplay can help players practice real-world skills. The group also examines the important difference between a therapeutic experience and actual therapy. Plus, Doc spotlights the cozy RPG Stewpot, while Peer Review explores emerging research on TTRPGs as psychological interventions.

In Episode 7 of The Forever GMs Podcast, Doc & Liv tackle building many types of encounters and pivot when things get off the rails. Join as we discuss encounter building, our Game Spotlight, Lancer, and the Alternative Use Test in Peer Review.

In Episode 7 of The Forever GMs Podcast, Doc & Liv reconsider what metagaming means at a collaborative table. Join as we discuss metagaming, our Game Spotlight, Paranoia, and the meta dimension in Peer Review.

In this episode, Doc & Liv explore the relationship between a tabletop role-playing game’s setting and its system with Brendan Lasalle and Craig Campbell. There are many compelling worlds out there and many fun systems,…

In Episode 4 of The Forever GMs, Doc & Liv welcome Katie Lear and Jaclyn Lewis to discuss the joys and sorrows of chaos gremlins. This episode also spotlights CRASH PANDAS and explores how conflict can arise at your table in Peer Review.

In Episode 3 of The Forever GMs, Doc & Liv welcome Jeff Stormer and Jason Pitre to discuss long and short form TTRPGs and how they impact your planning strategies. This episode also spotlights Dread and explores how our vigilant attention affects engagement at the table in Peer Review.

In this episode, join Doc & Liv as they discuss safety tools with Ang Murray and Beau Sheldon – who taught Doc about Safety Tools long ago! For those new to the concept, safety tools…

In the inaugural episode of The Forever GMs, Doc & Liv welcome Phil Vecchione and Senda Linaugh to share practical Game Master advice, from preparing your first session to improving communication and using effective GM tools. The episode also spotlights Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition and explores the history of tabletop RPG research.