Skip to content
Artwork for Talk of the Table
LeisureGamesExplicit

Talk of the Table

Many Sided Media

Talk of the Table is a TTRPG talk show where hosts Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty talk with game designers, actual play producers, journalists, academics, artists, and performers about all the coolest things happening in the TTRPG community in an effort to understand what’s on the mind of the tabletop industry.

Play
  • 20 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 1 hr
  • English
  • September 7 · 1 hr

    Making Weird Games (w/ Gabriel & Le of Weird Place)

    Brian & Elliot are joined by Gabriel Gueiros and Le Yang, the duo behind Weird Place, a game design and content studio known for games like Fluff & Fury and the upcoming Residue. We discuss the team’s journey as both game designers and content creators, why they keep finding themselves unable to keep games to zine size, and tips for using public domain art to fill your TTRPG with compelling visuals. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Weird Place Weird Place YouTube Channel Weird Place Patreon Public Domain Resource Sheet Le Recommends: Trying something brand new Gabriel Recommends: Andrei Tarkovsky’s movies Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by J Strautman Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • August 10 · 1 hr 1 min

    Growing Alongside The Bonsai Diary (w/ Gene Koo)

    Brian and Elliot sit down with Gene Koo, aka Sticky Doodler, the designer of the ENNIE-award-winning The Bonsai Diary. We discuss the accessible design ethos behind The Bonsai Diary, what makes solo play unique, playtesting events like Unpub, and the rise of solo TTRPGs. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Buy The Bonsai Diary Color Jam coming soon! Follow Gene Keep an eye out for “These Games Are Not For Sale” at PAXU26 Gene Recommends: Game design as a hobby Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by J Strautman Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • July 27 · 49 min

    Inside TTRPG Content Creation (w/ Diana Fay)

    In the first ever LIVE taping of the show, Brian and Elliot sit down with Diana Fay, aka Diana of the Rose, a TTRPG content creator who has built a career across short-form content, livestreaming, advertising, and more. We discuss the realities of making a career in TTRPG content creation: the hidden labor, the hard-won lessons, and the trappings you can fall into when getting started. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Diana of the Rose Diana, Brian & Elliot will be at Gen Con - Say hello! This episode is part of our 2026 Patreon Drive - Join us to get access to ad-free episodes, bonus roundtables and more Diana Recommends: Being Bored Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by J Strautman Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • July 13 · 1 hr 53 min

    Taking It Seriously (w/ J Strautman)

    Brian and Elliot sit down with J Strautman, aka Yes No Goodbye, for the third time. In addition to being the latest member of Many Sided Media, J is a musician, game designer, and podcast producer known for Planet Arcana, A Fool’s Errand, Insatiable Cravings and more. We discuss the 1000 lessons J has learned in the last three years of game design and actual play production, what taking games seriously looks like, and the many metaphors we use to think about our creative work. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: YesNoGoodbye.ca A Fool’s Errand Planet Arcana Time After Time by Sam Sorenson Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • July 6 · 6 min

    The 2026 Many Sided Media PATREON DRIVE!!!

    BECOME A PATRON! (15% off Annual Memberships in July) The month of July is our Patreon Drive! Our goal is 100 new and upgrading annual members to the Many Sided Media Patreon. Here's just some of what you'll get as a Patron: Bonus Actual Plays (GMed by the game's designer) Ad-Free Episodes of My First Dungeon, Talk of the Table, and Project ECCO Cast Talkbacks for My First Dungeon Extended Roundtable Discussions for Talk of the Table Bonus Shows: Under The Table mp3s of Original Music Over 96 HOURS of Patreon-Exclusive Content!!! Our Patrons are a HUGE part of how we keep the lights on and how we're able to keep making our shows better and better. So become a member of The Dice Pool (Splash!) and help us make 2026 our biggest year yet! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • July 6 · 1 hr 8 min

    Running a Booth at Origins Game Fair 2026

    Reporting from the convention floor from Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio, Brian takes you behind-the-scenes of the moreblueberries booth with a day-to-day report of our hurdles and successes. Plus he talks to folks from Mythworks, Spilled Coffee Creatives, and Tuesday Knight Games about what makes for a successful convention. Special thanks to: moreblueberries Spilled Coffee Creatives Viditya Voleti Mythworks Tuesday Knight Games Gather & Game in Buffalo, New York Produced and Edited by Brian Flaherty This is a Many Sided Media Production Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  • June 29 · 57 min

    Degrassi Meets Animorphs (w/ Tim Platt)

    Brian and Elliot sit down with Tim Platt, a comedian, musician, and co-founder of the actual play podcast Rude Tales of Magic. We discuss Tim stepping into the GM chair for the latest Rude Tales series: Blue Kindness High, how Tim defines the comedic voice of his own work within and outside of the show, and why playing highschoolers can lead to better comedy in actual play. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Listen to Blue Kindness High Listen to Teeth Like Beak Tim on Instagram Tim on Substack Tim Recommends: My Hero Academia Animorphs Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • June 15 · 51 min

    Defying the Gods (w/ Chrys Sellers)

    Brian and Elliot are joined by Chrys Sellers, aka Hectic Electron, designer of games like Defy the Gods and Raccoon Sky Pirates. We discuss Chrys’ key lessons from her time as a horizon fellow, why a failed kickstarter doesn’t mean the end of your game, and how Defy the Gods lives up to its name. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Follow Chrys on Bluesky, Instagram, tumblr Defy the Gods *Raccoon Sky Pirates -* Follow the new edition’s development Hectic Electron Chrys Recommends: Zhenya’s Wonder Tales Last Train to Bremen Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • June 1 · 1 hr 18 min

    The Rise of 12 Sided Studios (w/ Jasper William Cartwright)

    Brian and Elliot are joined by return guest Jasper William Cartwright, co-owner of 12 Sided Studios. We discuss how he and the team are bringing actual plays, events, and games to life while balancing creative fulfillment, business sustainability, and supporting the growth of the TTRPG industry Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Pre-Save Force of Extinction 12 Sided Studios Jasper on Bluesky Jasper Recommends: Putting a project aside for two weeks Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • May 19 · 53 min

    Gamefound’s TTRPG Push (w/ Cam Bradley)

    Brian and Elliot are joined by Cam Bradley, new business manager at Gamefound, about his mission to bring more TTRPG creators to the platform. We dive into the learnings from the first ever “RPG Party” crowdfunding event, the pain points of crowdfunding for creators and platforms, and where Gamefound might find their niche amidst the crowdfunding landscape in RPGs. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Gamefound Cam on Bluesky @cambr_coffee on Discord Cam Recommends: Traveling and reflecting in transit Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • May 15 · 1 hr 7 min

    Deconstructing the Sound of Worlds Beyond Number w/ Taylor Moore

    In an episode inspired by Song Exploder, Taylor Moore breaks down the musical origins of Worlds Beyond Number and dives deep into the production of three of the more than one hundred songs on the Original Soundtrack for The Wizard, The Witch, and The Wild One, Book 1: Flight to Haverward, Sirazmir, and Carrow. Worlds Beyond Number is widely considered to be one of the best actual plays of all time. Their first campaign, The Wizard, The Witch, and The Wild One, is a sprawling fantasy epic that highlights the storytelling power of the quartet of players: Brennan Lee Mulligan, Aabria Iyengar, Lou Wilson, and Erika Ishii. The fifth member of the team is their producer Taylor Moore who elevated the incredible performances of the cast with lush sound design and an original orchestral score—despite having almost no experience composing music when the show began— to create the sound of Worlds Beyond Number. **This episode contains some spoilers for The Wizard, The Witch, and The Wild One, Book 1** Links: Buy The Wizard, The Witch, and The Wild One, Book 1 (Original Soundtrack) Listen to Worlds Beyond Number Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Brian Flaherty Music by Taylor Moore Format inspired by Song Exploder by Hrishikesh Hirway Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • May 4 · 1 hr 37 min

    Band-Aids & Bullet Holes & Actual Play (w/ Sam Dunnewold)

    Brian and Elliot are joined by Sam Dunnewold, creator of beloved podcast Dice Exploder and the designer of the new deckbuilder TTRPG Band-Aids & Bullet Holes. We dive deep on the mechanics and design journey of Sam’s new game, how he created the one-of-a-kind series Afterimage, and what 3 years of Dice Exploder has taught him about game design and actual play. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Back Band-Aids & Bullet Holes Now! Listen to Dice Exploder Afterimage: City of Winter Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • April 27 · 1 hr 25 min

    [Re-Release] The Possible Worlds of Realis (w/ Austin Walker & Tyler Crumrine)

    (Originally released April 28th, 2025) Elliot and Brian are joined by Realis writer Austin Walker and Possible Worlds founder Tyler Crumrine for a discussion about their collaboration on this exciting new game. We dive into the sentence-based mechanics, how players might imagine their own version of Realis, and where this project fits into the large slate of upcoming Possible Worlds releases. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: BACK REALIS Realis Ashcan Follow Austin Walker Friends at the Table Shelved by Genre Follow Possible Worlds Games Check out the upcoming slate of PW Games Releases Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • April 20 · 49 min

    The Fundamentals of RPG Layout (w/ Lone Archivist)

    Brian and Elliot are joined by Lone Archivist, layout designer known for their work on DIE, Orbital Blues, Hull Breach and more. We discuss the fundamentals of good layout, why white space is just as important as content, and how to hone your layout skills from your first indesign session. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Back Jupitor in Eb Minor Lone Archivist Lone on Bluesky Lone Recommends: The work of Sean McCoy and Johan Nohr The Wipeout Design Manual by The Designer’s Republic Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • April 6 · 55 min

    NADDPOD’s Secret Sauce (w/ Caldwell Tanner)

    Brian and Elliot are joined by Caldwell Tanner, co-founder and cast member of Not Another D&D Podcast and the GM of their season Trinyvale X Strahd. We talk about how the team has avoided burnout and stayed excited over 8 years of making NADDPOD, how they approached a famous module for this latest series, and what new TTRPG systems Elliot and Brian think Caldwell should play next. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: NADDPOD.com Caldwell on Bluesky, Instagram Immigrant Rapid Response Fund Caldwell Recommends: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure - Steel Ball Run Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • March 23 · 53 min

    The Secrets of Overlay Design (w/ Stellaluna)

    In our first ever video episode, Brian and Elliot are joined by Stellaluna, an actual play producer, performer, and graphic designer to discuss our brand new Talk of the Table video overlays. Along the way, we discuss the secrets of good overlay design, producing streamed actual play, and how to be an effective producer for sponsored actual play. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Stellaluna.tv Stella on bluesky Gudiya Stella’s production flowchart Stella Recommends: Soothwardens by Navaar Jackson Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • March 9 · 56 min

    Blades '68: One Hat At A Time (w/ Tim Denee)

    Brian and Elliot are joined by Tim Denee, a game designer who wears several creative hats in his making of projects like Deathmatch Island and the upcoming Blades ‘68. We dive into how Blades ‘68 expands on the beloved world of Blades in the Dark, where this ambitious new supplement began, and how Tim balances all of the various creative roles it takes to make a book of this scope. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Back Blades ‘68 Tim on Bluesky Old Dog Games Tim Recommends: Tripping On Utopia by Benjamin Breen Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • March 2 · 46 min

    Designing Cloud Empress & Rust Wings (w/ watt)

    Brian and Elliot are joined by Watt, the designer of Cloud Empress, to discuss designing inside established systems, Ghibli-inspired games, and their latest project Rust Wings. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Back Rust Wings Cloud Empress.com Tim Recommends: Mythic Bastionland Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • February 23 · 48 min

    Murker of Morks & Dead Internet Theory (Zine Month #4)

    In the final episode of our Zine Month 2026 series we’re diving into the Mork Borg universe with two great takes on the Borg style. [Ad-free feed and bonus episodes available on Patreon] Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Links: Back Murker of Morks Back Dead Internet Theory Murker of Morks Nishaant on Bluesky Nishaant Recommends: The Crypt Has Opened Dead Internet Theory David on Bluesky David Recommends: Doors of Dimensia Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Zine Moth Art by Robyn Victa Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
  • February 16 · 56 min

    Lie to Him & W.F.H. (Zine Month #3)

    In the third episode of our Zine Month 2026 series, we are discussing deception, tarot, and jenga towers and how you can tell stories of corporate horror over Slack. Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty. Back Lie to Him Back W.F.H. Lie to Him Michelle on Bluesky Michelle Recommends: One-Page TTRPG Bundle Volume #2 EUphoria - How to Play Lie to Him EUphoria Interview W.F.H. Dan on TikTok Tyler on Bluesky Dan Recommends: All’s Fair Tyler Recommends: SPACECAT (a sci-fi adventure TTRPG) Our Links: Support TotT on Patreon Many Sided Newsletter Many Sided Media Discord Credits: Zine Moth Art by Robyn Victa Edited by Elliot Davis Produced by Many Sided Media Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • Transcript
Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes