Best TIS books Podcasts (2024)

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Bonus Episode: 'Tis Mercy All Book Launch 13:39

7h ago13:39

13:39

Abi Thomas takes us to the joyful launch of Natalie Williams new book 'Tis Mercy All at Westminster Chapel in central London. With thanks to Rachel Wilson, Lauren Windle, Andrew Wilson and Chris Duerdon. Buy the book here. 'Tis Mercy All is a Big Church Read book. For video sessions and downloadable notes, visit their website.…

1
Episode 29 - The Player Is Willing, The PC Is Not 33:36

1d ago33:36

33:36

Nobody likes to lose control of their player, but perhaps there are times when it's not only a reality, but it simply makes sense? Another discussion along the lines of RP and where/when a GM could or should step in to protect a character from its player, or to help a player to better roleplay. As well as likes/dislikes regarding this occurrence, a…

1
Episode 28 - One Does Not Simply Bonk With a Monster 35:41

9h ago35:41

35:41

Monsters look cool and sound cool, but what else about encountering the various foes and horrific monsters can make for memorable moments at your table? We spitball and vamp about ways in which GMs can help make their toys seem more tangible, more real, more.. moreBy Zach & Josh

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Episode 27 - Is This a Meta? 38:14

4d ago38:14

38:14

The RP in RPG means different things to different people, both in definition and in importance to their enjoyment of these wonderful games. Some love roleplay, while others favor leaning into "Roll" play. In our follow-up to last week's "Hot Take" duo, we ask each other what roleplay means, and how we enjoy employing the various approaches.…

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Book Club: 'Tis Mercy All - with Tola Doll Fisher and Natalie Williams 22:32

2d ago22:32

22:32

The third in our special Book Club episodes on the launch of Natalie William's new book, 'Tis Mercy All! Tola Doll Fisher and Natalie discuss part four "Merciful Actions". Buy the book here. 'Tis Mercy All is also Big Church Read book. For fantastic video sessions and downloadable notes, visit their website.…

1
Book Club: 'Tis Mercy All - with Akhtar Shah and Natalie Williams 26:58

9d ago26:58

26:58

The third in our special Book Club episodes on the launch of Natalie William's new book, 'Tis Mercy All! Akhtar Shah and Natalie discuss part three "Merciful Thinking", as well as the role of mercy in our public life. Buy the book here. 'Tis Mercy All is also Big Church Read book. For fantastic video sessions and downloadable notes, visit their web…

1
Episode 26 - I'd Buy That for a Gold Piece 33:22

11d ago33:22

33:22

Coppers burnin' a hole in your pocket? Need a new set of armor, or perhaps some potions of anti-flatulence? The little brother of the social pillar, shopping brings as many smiles as it does frowns with the players. We discuss ways in which a GM can make shopping more fun or interesting for the players. Besides, you're gonna need some means to get …

1
Book Club: 'Tis Mercy All - with Lauren Windle and Natalie Williams 18:58

17d ago18:58

18:58

The second in our special Book Club episodes on the launch of Natalie William's new book, 'Tis Mercy All! Lauren Windle and Natalie discuss part two "Our Struggle to "Love Mercy". Buy the book here. 'Tis Mercy All is a Big Church Read book. For video sessions and downloadable notes, visit their website.…

1
Episode 25 - 'Tis But a Scratch 37:12

20d ago37:12

37:12

Not every RPG system is focused on combat, but D&D started out as a combat simulator. We discuss the way combat feels in 'today's' D&D and take a look at ways we want combat to work in our play. There is always a balancing act between crunchy, realistic mechanics and smooth gameplay that may not be so focused on long combat encounters or hefty calc…

1
Book Club: 'Tis Mercy All - with Sam Ward and Natalie Williams 17:05

24d ago17:05

17:05

The first in our special Book Club episodes on the launch of Natalie William's new book, 'Tis Mercy All! Sam Ward from The Message Trust and Natalie discuss part one "A God Merciful." Buy the book here. 'Tis Mercy All is a Big Church Read book. For video sessions and downloadable notes, visit their website.…

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Episode 24 - DG Presents: A Marvel Super Heroes Review 46:59

30d ago46:59

46:59

Our first entry for our 2024 New Game Bucket List is TSR's Marvel Super Heroes advanced set. Published in 1987, there are certainly some moments when reading this and can absolutely tell that this was the 80's. One computer in a room was a "computer room" with a "database", and if you were savvy you also had a microfiche reader and maybe even a col…

1
Jesus & Peter 8:36

1M ago8:36

8:36

In this week’s episode, Natalie takes comfort from Peter’s mistakes and the beautiful mercy Jesus showed to him in response... Natalie Williams grew up in relative poverty in the deprived seaside town of Hastings. She is the CEO of Jubilee+, and co-author of four books, including Invisible Divides (SPCK, 2022).…

1
Episode 23 - Oh, Oh No, It's Magic! 48:03

2M ago48:03

48:03

In this episode we toss out our takes on how to make magic "feel" like magic. Comparing how magic works in different systems or editions, there will be poking at vancian magic, spell points, and how or when certain classes can feel like a unique take on spellcasting, or just feel like a reskinned version of the same ol' same ol'. Where does your gr…

1
Mercy Embodied 5:00

2M ago5:00

5:00

In this week's episode, Rachel explains how Isaiah 61 became Jesus' stump speech, and how He embodies mercy in human form. Rachel Wilson leads communications for Jubilee+, and is part of the core team. She is an occasional speaker and writer, and is co-author of The Life You Never Expected: Thriving While Parenting Children with Special Needs (Cros…

1
Episode 22 - You Got Magic in My Technology! 33:50

2M ago33:50

33:50

As Arthur C. Clarke wrote "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic", so where does that leave us who play TTRPGs? One man's Molotov cocktail is another man's fireball spell... Setting, scope, and ability are crucial elements to any story or RPG engagement, with magic and technology typically defining those elements to g…

1
Hard-hearted & tight-fisted 6:43

2M ago6:43

6:43

Do you ever find your heart hardening to people around you? In today's episode, Natalie explores some clear instructions from God about our hearts... Natalie Williams grew up in relative poverty in the deprived seaside town of Hastings. She is the CEO of Jubilee+, and co-author of four books, including Invisible Divides (SPCK, 2022).…

1
Episode 21 - Who's Your Baddie? 32:20

2M ago32:20

32:20

It's easy to make a BBEG, but not so easy to make them memorable or especially hateable. In this episode we discuss possible ways to make bad guys interesting, compelling, or downright horrible. Whether through sheer power, mighty magic, or the power of social engineering and manipulation, there are many ways to impose the will and presence of the …

1
Saved from starvation 6:29

2M ago6:29

6:29

What happens when our circumstances are our own fault? Today Natalie explores how God responds to those who are facing hard times because of their own decisions. Natalie Williams grew up in relative poverty in the deprived seaside town of Hastings. She is the CEO of Jubilee+, and co-author of four books, including Invisible Divides (SPCK, 2022).…

1
Episode 20 - To Inspiration and Beyond 30:39

2M ago30:39

30:39

Some times the gold loses its luster.. The gems cease to sparkle.. And Zach is subjected to yet another Conan reference. You can only buy what is available, and only sell to those who can afford it; there is a limit to the allure and utility of conventional "D&D" rewards like xp and gp's. What ways do you or your GM reward players beyond the typica…

1
Mercy for the worst of sinners 5:51

2M ago5:51

5:51

Today former social worker and pastor, Akhtar Shah asks: What did Paul mean when he called himself "the worst of all sinners", and how does a deep awareness of the mercy we've received enable us to carry the mercy of God at scale? Akhtar Shah is a former social worker and pastor. He is part of The Foundry International, a charity which exists for t…

1
Episode 19 - What Tickles Your Fancy? 33:15

3M ago33:15

33:15

In this episode we each talk about works which inspire the types of worlds, situations, and characters we like to make or play in. One of the greatest aspects of TTRPGs is that we can design any setting, theme, approach, scope, scale, or level of crunch that we want. The limitless possibility of RPGs brings us to so many worlds, universes, and leve…

1
Wounded healer 5:47

3M ago5:47

5:47

Why is the ascension good news?! In today's episode Rachel considers the ongoing work of Jesus on our behalf, and how his humanity continues to bear witness to his great mercy. Rachel Wilson leads communications for Jubilee+, and is part of the core team. She is an occasional speaker and writer, and is co-author of The Life You Never Expected: Thri…

1
Episode 18 - Less History More Mystery 33:50

3M ago33:50

33:50

Whether it be for a novel or for a TTRPG campaign, there are important things to consider as a writer regarding how far in advance to develop your world, or how much you reveal to the reader or players. We discuss possible techniques and approaches which a worldbuilder and storyteller might find useful, regarding how they reveal lore elements. Leav…

1
Mercy in every season 5:38

3M ago5:38

5:38

Craving sunshine? ☀️ In today’s podcast episode Rachel reminds us of God’s mercy in every season, and of our final destination: the eternal summer of the soul. Rachel Wilson leads communications for Jubilee+, and is part of the core team. She is an occasional speaker and writer, and is co-author of The Life You Never Expected: Thriving While Parent…

1
Episode 17 - Evil Is as Evil Does 31:00

3M ago31:00

31:00

Playing evil characters can be a lot of fun, but it can also bring about complications for a playgroup if not approached mindfully. In this episode we discuss possible issues with party discord, player aggravation, and many new avenues of play which aren't available to traditional hero tropes. Where "that's what my character would do" meets "this i…

1
The mercy of dependency 4:28

3M ago4:28

4:28

God's unique parenting strategy is for us to become increasingly dependent on his strength, as opposed to our own. Today, Emily Williams explores this call to deeper reliance. Emily Williams was a speaker at Churches that Change Communities, 2023. She is based, with her family, at King's Community Church in Southampton.…

1
Episode 16 - Loot Scoopin' Boogie 24:40

3M ago24:40

24:40

Yeah, coins flow, magic bow, come on pally, let's go loot scoopin'. Oh, vorpal axe, scroll stacks, ranger give me half of that, we're gonna boogie. Oh, mage down.. cleric drowned.. rogue is bound... For the Loot Scoopin' Boogie!By Zach & Josh

1
Slow mercy 5:38

3M ago5:38

5:38

What if what feels like the slowness of God is actually his mercy? What if what feels like the unnecessarily long route is actually him protecting us from battles we are not yet ready to fight? Today, speaker & writer Liam Thatcher draws valuable life lessons from Exodus 13. Liam Thatcher is a pastor, speaker and writer based in Oxford. Connect wit…

1
Episode 15 - 2024 New Game Bucket List 39:35

3M ago39:35

39:35

This week we bring two entries each to add to the Dungeon Guides 2024 bucket list for 'new' TTRPGs we want to try out by the end of the year. There are so many different and varied systems, genres, and approaches available to this wonderful hobby, and in this episode we commit to four systems and give our reasons for wanting to try them out. Look f…

1
Hospitable mercy 5:36

4M ago5:36

5:36

In today's episode author, journalist and presenter Lauren Windle makes a compelling case for extending the gift of hospitality. Are we ready to welcome people into our boundaried lives and homes, and what does that look like? Lauren Windle is a journalist, author and presenter who focuses on faith, recovery and love. Her debut non-fiction book Not…

1
Episode 14 - Let the Problems Hit the Door 30:35

4M ago30:35

30:35

Helpful ways to remove problem players from your group: take a hike, go pound pavement, scram, skeedaddle, vanish, disappear, get to steppin', time to hit the 'ol dusty trail, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here. When a problem player arises in your gaming groups it is important to address any issues as soon as possible. And where com…

1
Memorising mercy 6:39

4M ago6:39

6:39

Our 'Tis Mercy All series is now well underway! In today's episode Natalie Williams reflects on how the discipline of memorising scripture has caused her to fixate more deeply on the mercy of God. Natalie Williams grew up in relative poverty in the deprived seaside town of Hastings. She is the CEO of Jubilee+, and co-author of four books, including…

1
Episode 13 - Now That's What I Call Death! 37:15

4M ago37:15

37:15

A looming presence in many TTRPGs is character death. In some systems, your character can even die in generation. How does your group handle character death? Is reaching zero and failing any last-ditch checks the end of it, or do you favor allowing the PCs the avenue to return? In any case, character deaths can be a significant moment, both tactial…

1
Glorious mercy 5:42

4M ago5:42

5:42

Rachel Wilson considers the cross-shaped nature of the glory of God, and how we are called to become carriers of His glorious mercy. Rachel Wilson leads communications for Jubilee+, and is part of the core team. She is an occasional speaker and writer, and is co-author of The Life You Never Expected: Thriving While Parenting Children with Special N…

1
Episode 12 - Dungeon Mapping for Dummies 25:12

4M ago25:12

25:12

Was it a left, a right, and then the second left.. Or two lefts, a right, and then the first left? Sometimes directions and orientation are crucial for survival and success in TTRPGs, especially when delving the depths of a mine, crypt, or subterranean labyrinth. Many a hapless party who got lost in a dungeon crawl have aided those who followed by …

1
Confrontational Mercy 7:44

4M ago7:44

7:44

Today, Andrew Wilson gets technical! How can grace, compassion and steadfast love all be translated as ‘mercy’ in the Old Testament? And what does it look like for that mercy to bring down the haughty, as well as lift up the lowly? Andrew is the Teaching Pastor at King's Church London. He is the author of several Christian books (most recently, Rem…

1
Episode 11 - Curses!! Foiled Again 31:40

4M ago31:40

31:40

In this episode we hit on a few elements regarding cursed items in gameplay. Whether you've actually run across one or not, the stigma and uncertainty surrounding unknown magical items is and has been a source of much study, experimentation, and folly of many an adventuring party. From simple -1 swords you cannot rid yourself of to blades which dem…

1
The anger of God 5:22

5M ago5:22

5:22

God is perfect in all his ways, including in his anger. In today’s episode, Natalie looks at how the anger of God relates to his merciful heart. Natalie Williams grew up in relative poverty in the deprived seaside town of Hastings. She is the CEO of Jubilee+, and co-author of four books, including Invisible Divides (SPCK, 2022).…

1
Episode 10 - The Good, the Bad, and the Weird 35:49

5M ago35:49

35:49

The value which randomness and the weird provide a story is invaluable. Even the most unlikely combination of character traits can result in memorable storytelling. Here at Dungeon Guides, we are big promoters of working with the randomness; and in this episode we discuss those possibilities with the help of a great resource in "The Weird" by Monte…

1
Our 2024 Return and Stat Q&A 1:37:20

5M ago1:37:20

1:37:20

Time - how does it get away from us so easily, and how have we come so far without even realizing it? In this episode, Ciana and I review how Doula2Doula has grown since its birth in 2020 and how we have been doing since our last episode (a mere 6 months ago 🫣) See my YouTube for video updates, including my home office transformation We mention som…

1
God of all comfort 5:54

5M ago5:54

5:54

Paul writes to the church in Corinth from a context of extreme personal trial, yet he’s confident none of his pain is wasted. How can our trials likewise become mercy and comfort for those around us? Rachel Wilson leads communications for Jubilee+, and is part of the core team. She is an occasional speaker and writer, and is co-author of The Life Y…

1
Episode 9 - Lions, Plague Rats, and Rabies. Oh My! 27:41

5M ago27:41

27:41

From the common cold to mummy rot, what are some of the ways you've seen diseases emerge within your gaming groups? Diseases can be an interesting way to introduce challenges and complications, and there are a number of ways that a GM can implement various afflictions. Wandering around murky swamps, dusty crypts, and wading through corpse after cor…

1
Episode 8 - Strats For Stats 29:46

5M ago29:46

29:46

There are more than one way to roll a stat, and we discuss a few of them. Do you favor the wildness of random rolls and character generation, or do you prefer a more measured and balanced approach? Where do you and your fellow gamers lie on the spectrum of possible methods for determining main stats/attrubutes for your characters?…

1
Incomparable Mercy 5:31

5M ago5:31

5:31

Our salvation story is the ultimate demonstration of the merciful heart of God, which is moved with compassion toward the undeserving. Start your day by meditating on his incomparable mercy with Stef Liston (Relational Mission). Stef Liston co-leads Relational Mission and is also part of the eldership at Revelation Church, London. He’s married to D…

1
Relationship with the Father 5:36

5M ago5:36

5:36

In today’s podcast episode, David holden helps us see how Jesus’s compassion and capacity was born out of relationship with the Father. How can this model of ministry help us as we reach out to those in need? David Holden leads the New Ground family of churches (part of Newfrontiers). David is married to Liz and they are part of New Community Churc…

1
Episode 7 - Monster Bash 27:25

5M ago27:25

27:25

I was flipping through my bestiary late one night, when I came across a ghastly fright. Found a creature to make my players cry. And surely... when the time was right. (They did the Bash) They did the Monster Bash (The Monster Bash) it requires a plus one smash (They did the Bash) its breath burns you to ash (They did the Bash) They did the Monster…

1
Life-changing Mercy 5:37

6M ago5:37

5:37

In today's podcast, John Ghanim shares his story of growing up in a Muslim family, hearing the gospel, then encountering the mercy of God for himself as he read Matthew 5. “This is the God I have been looking for…” John Ghanim was born in Yemen, and converted from Islam to Christianity following a radical encounter with Jesus. He now shares his fai…

1
Episode 6 - It's Some Unbaked Bread Dough! Thanks 32:24

6M ago32:24

32:24

Often times solutions rise from the unlikeliest of places, and even a half-baked plan can fill the knead. Grinding away at xp and gold is great, uncovering great magics is always crepe, but no matter how you slice it.. the mundane items which exist in any setting are the bread-and-butter of great roleplay and storytelling.…

1
Where to start? 5:42

6M ago5:42

5:42

Jesus sees the crowds and has compassion; acting upon what he has observed and responding to their need. Today, Simon Allen from City Church Bristol suggests practical ways we can do the same. Simon leads the Bradley Stoke site at City Church, Bristol and oversees social action ministry within the church (a role he previously held at King's Church …

1
Episode 5 - All I Got Was This Magic Rock 35:59

6M ago35:59

35:59

Whether we're talking about magic or technology, much of what brings us joy in TTRPGs is finding those 'magical' items which give our characters enhanced capabilities, or simply bring laughter and jokes due to their very nature or how they're used. What wonderful and awesome items do you yearn to uncover in a dragon's hoard? What items have you fou…

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