Jana Flesher on RPG Systems, GM Tips & Midwifery

Ego Check with The Id DM

I'm joined by Jana Flesher, a professional nurse midwife who also happens to be both a player and DM in various RPG campaigns I've been involved with over the past three years. She talks about her 10+ years of experience running various RPG systems including Dungeons & Dragons and Dungeon World, and specifically offers tips for running tag-along NPCs and engaging the motivations of player characters. She explains why it's the "GM's job to remind players of their character's backstory" and examines why perceived invulnerability can negatively affect a campaign. She details her professional role as a midwife and speaks to how gaming has increased her ability to cope with any situation her professional work can deal to her. Throughout the episode, we both provide examples of games we share from both ends of the screen, which leads to some great conversation about principles of tabletop role-playing games. Enjoy!