Your Best TTRPG Session: Part 1, Engagement at the Table

Fluff N Crunch

#Lifestyle #Games and Gambling #FluffNCrunch

6:24

Grumpy helps a reader choose the best hydrangea for their hometown. Plus, Grumpy’s gripe of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

about a year ago 14:44

MP3•Episode home

Nobody plans to have a mediocre game session - but how do you get great, or at least pretty good, one? What can you plan in advance to increase the likelihood of a good session? What can you do during the session to make the best it can be?This is the first in a multi-episode series featuring advice on how to have great sessions, and specific ideas about how to make it happen.Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunchSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

193 episodes

Fluff N Crunch

Your Best TTRPG Session: Part 1, Engagement at the Table

Fluff N Crunch

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

193 episodes

#Lifestyle #Games and Gambling #FluffNCrunch

All episodes

Fluff N Crunch

1
How to Play Your Best Game pt4 - Learn the Rules 25:53

9 weeks ago25:53

25:53

It might sound absurd, but if you want your best TTRPG session, you need to know the rules. Herein I provide some real-world-tested techniques for learning and remembering the rules to your games and your characters.#ttrpg #closereading Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunchSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Your Best Session pt3 - Engagement Techniques for GMs and Players 25:38

11 weeks ago25:38

25:38

Engagement, by GM and players, is essential if you want a fun, interesting, and memorable TTRPG session...but how do you achieve it? What does it look like? Here are some specific techniques - for players and GMs - to help you get and stay engaged with the game, story, and each other.Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunchSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod…

Fluff N Crunch

1
How to Play Your Best Game - Pt2 - Leave Out Real World Politics 24:29

12 weeks ago24:29

24:29

Why is it that everything is so politicized these days? Is it possible to play a game without the inclusion of your political positions while at the table, or as a purity test for players? Listen and find out the lab-tested truth of the matter. Get caught up with the first episode in this series here: https://youtu.be/10o8pt2qEY0 Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Your Best TTRPG Session: Part 1, Engagement at the Table 14:44

13 weeks ago14:44

14:44

Fluff N Crunch

1
Dueling in the Dune 2d20 TTRPG 34:08

16 weeks ago34:08

34:08

Have you read the rules for it? Have you tried it? Dune's five types of conflict utilize the same mechanics, relying on abstract "Assets" and the various things you can do with them to enable one set of rules for widely varying scales of conflict. Dueling, a central story elements from the books and movies, is one of those five and, by far, the most complicated of them. Herein I discuss the system with Steve Zaccardi, freelance writer for the Dune RPG. He was kind enough to create a detailed, helpful PDF that explains the system, too. The link to that is below, along with another to a sketch of the card-based system he's working on now. Dueling Helper PDF: https://tinyurl.com/4ut55jru Card-Based Idea: https://tinyurl.com/ym9beduj Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Sentience 2d20 Revised RPG - Creator Interview and Kickstarter News 32:21

17 weeks ago32:21

32:21

I recently sat down with Al Spader, creator and lead writer for the Sentience 2d20 RPG, now on Kickstarter. We talk about the game, the original world in which it's set, and plans for the game's future. Find the Kickstarter here: http://kck.st/4aAKmEn Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Our 2025 Gaming Plans and the Inevitability of Change 36:55

18 weeks ago36:55

36:55

We've run this show since the summer of 2021, and each January we've released an episode in which we map out our hopes, dreams, and plans for gaming for the coming year. Granted, we're late this time, but here it is - plus a change to the show format that we've decided on in response to the demands of real life. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
GMs: I Give You Permission to Shelve a Campaign 24:29

19 weeks ago24:29

24:29

The Forever GM often hits a wall and forcibly ends a campaign that's turned into an energy-draining grind, or tries to soldier on. The truly epic, years-long campaign is a rarity, more often the result of natural, largely uncontrollable factors than deliberate design. When, however, can a GM intentionally shelve a campaign that's going well? That's what I'm about to do, and this is how I'm going to do it... Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Three Things That Should Make You Give Traveller a Try 22:57

20 weeks ago22:57

22:57

Traveller - the original, classic, and still going strong scifi RPG - is worth your time. You should give it a try, and now that Mongoose Publishing has offered a free starter version, you have no valid excuse. In this short, episode, I present and discuss three groovy things about Traveller that make it worth a look - sure, there are more than three things that make it groovy, but I have chosen these for you today. #travellerrpg @MongoosePublishingLtd Get that FREE starter pack: https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/products/starterpack Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Opening Moves - A Traveller Adventure Review 28:28

21 weeks ago28:28

28:28

Have you ever wanted to dump a massive space war on your party of characters? If not, you should strongly consider doing so, and using Opening Moves, an adventure and sourcebook from Mongoose for their Traveller 2e RPG. Herein I provide an episode in three parts: an overview of the book and adventure; a more detailed walk-through of the adventure for GMs; and my commentary, review, and suggestions. #TravellerRPG #Mongoose #FifthFrontierWar Get the PDF here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/494213/opening-moves?src=newest_recent&affiliate_id=40097 Check out the region of space where the story takes place: https://travellermap.com/?p=-101.495!46.003!7.1&options=58359 Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

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1
Gamemastering - Ignore the Lies and Relax 20:46

22 weeks ago20:46

20:46

Merry Christmas, and I hope you're doing something with family and/or friends instead of watching this on the 25th. In response to a post on X, encouraging GMs to relax and enjoy the work instead of thinking they bear all the burdens of the world (and game), I was inspired to talk for a bit on this issue. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic: how do we get people to want to be GMs, and to see the role realistically? Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Achtung! Cthulhu - Rendezvous at Rouen Designer Interview 31:22

23 weeks ago31:22

31:22

Achtung! Cthulhu, the great #2d20 #ttrpg from @Modiphius , doesn't get enough love, we think, and so today we have the adventure designer of "Rendezvous at Rouen," a follow-up to the free quickstart, on to talk about the module, adventure design, and some of the challenges of writing for someone else. Get the adventure from DriveThruRPG: https://tinyurl.com/2da7jx2k Get the free quickstart rules and adventure: https://tinyurl.com/2sparyzr Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Christmas Gaming Ideas 15:31

24 weeks ago15:31

15:31

Do you do anything to mark the Christmas season with your gaming group? Consider using it as an opportunity to run something different! Herein we discuss ideas for doing exactly that, and the benefits you and your group can have in doing so. Check out Chris's Christmas Amazon Music Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/44k2b5cj Chris's Outgunned Session Notes: https://tinyurl.com/bddk2thc Chris's Notes for Santa's Helpers: https://tinyurl.com/yeyu9xae Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Running a Good Convention Game pt2 28:03

25 weeks ago28:03

28:03

In response to a listener comment about our episode from 28 NOV, about how to run a good #ttrpg convention game, I decided to record this follow-up episode, in which I address three additional points: character sheets, time management, and the always-sticky issue of safety tools, and how to handle other requests and demands from the Gaming HR Dept... Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
How to Run a Successful Game Convention Session 40:13

26 weeks ago40:13

40:13

Now that you've prepared that #ttrpg convention game, you need to sit down at the table with several strangers and make it work. Here are some tips from a long-time convention GM to help ensure those four hours are well-spent. #gming #gameconvention Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
How Do You Prepare to Run a Convention Game? 33:44

27 weeks ago33:44

33:44

Have you ever run a #TTRPG at a convention? Whether you have or haven't, in this episode we discuss some essential things you need to consider in order to have a successful and fun session, from rules selection to story creation to preparing yourself for a long weekend of gaming. Make sure to listen to our next episode, wherein we'll discuss how to run that convention game - how do you manage the table. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Redlines and 'Safety' Warnings in Games 34:04

29 weeks ago34:04

34:04

Where do you draw the line over what kind of content to include in your games? Does the context of play - home, con, online - and makeup of your player group make a difference? Herein we discuss this thorny issue and offer up our excellent advice about how to handle this in your games. #xcards #ttrpg Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

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1
Story Ideas and Getting Started with Vampire the Masquerade 38:32

32 weeks ago38:32

38:32

We talked about the merits of #Vampire the Masquerade, especially the 2nd edition, in last week's episode and today we deliver some ideas about where to get started as a GM (sorry - #storyteller) in order to get the best and most out of what VtM can offer. Chris's relationship map: https://tinyurl.com/4rpj4ty6 Relationship map from Chicago By Night: https://tinyurl.com/5f4nv6ua Alien Hunger: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/8/alien-hunger Chicago By Night: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/648/chicago-by-night-2nd-edition DC By Night: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/107/d-c-by-night Los Angeles By Night: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/191/los-angeles-by-night-ww2210 The 36 Plots: https://www.rpglibrary.org/articles/storytelling/36plots.php Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
You Should Try Vampire: the Masquerade 2nd Edition 36:22

33 weeks ago36:22

36:22

Vampire: the Masquerade changed the RPG landscape in the mid-90s, offering a new system and unique character and story options, heavy on intrigue and social interactions and, at least in the writing, eschewing the DnD norm that a fight solves every problem. Herein we discuss the basics of the setting and system, and what made VtM so revolutionary - and what should get you to give the classic 2nd edition rules, which are closely updated in the V20 version, a try at your table. #notdnd #WOD #worldofdarkness #vampirethemasquerade #ttrpg Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Find the right edition of Vampire: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/2310/vampire-the-masquerade-2nd-edition https://tinyurl.com/5ab38mmv https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/94815/vampire-the-masquerade-20th-anniversary-edition…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Alien - A Perfectly Flawed TTRPG 36:40

34 weeks ago36:40

36:40

What's both great about and wrong with the Alien #ttrpg from Free League? After five years, and an upcoming 2nd edition, we're digging into what makes this game great and extremely limited in scope, too. Hint: they're the same thing. And check out Free League's Kickstarter information, page, too: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/alien-rpg-second-edition-and-rapture-protocol?mc_cid=c08c1ce219 #alien #xenomorph Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Mon Dieu Cthulhu: Swashbuckling Supernatural Action in the Age of Napoleon 35:11

35 weeks ago35:11

35:11

I had the pleasure of talking with John Houlihan, Line Editor for #modiphius Achtung! Cthulhu RPG, about his upcoming novel, Shadow of the Serpent, which combines elements of Lovecraftian #mythos with the Age of Napoleon. We discuss his ideas for the setting, and the story in his upcoming novel. Check out the links below for pre-order information! #cthulhu John's Site: www.john-houlihan.net Innsmouth Literary Festival https://www.innsmouthgold.com/innsmouth-literary-festival Pre-Order the book: https://amzn.eu/d/bZEVM8S Listen to our previous episodes with John: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rIu7mv062Mb https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/cqx0gJ762Mb Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Star Wars Outlaws Review 35:11

36 weeks ago35:11

35:11

What's all the controversy? How can you mine Outlaws for #ttrpg ideas? How #Starwars does it feel? Cut through the nonsense with our quick review of this new game.#outlaws #tatooine Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod…

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1
Handling Character Death in Tabletop RPGs 40:33

40 weeks ago40:33

40:33

Players can get pretty steamed when their character dies...and it's worse when they die for reasons of the dice alone, or in ways that do not fit within the story. In this episode we discuss the moments when this issue comes up, and how to handle them gracefully. And thanks to Professor Dungeon Master @DUNGEONCRAFT1 for a very clever, simple way of handling this issue. #tabletoprpg #characterdeath Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Traveller Session Zero: Character Creation to Kickstart a Campaign 36:18

41 weeks ago36:18

36:18

Sometimes campaigns end; sometimes they're resolved; sometimes they die...quickly. My Castles & Crusades campaign, at about 9 months, died suddenly and we've replaced it, happily, with Traveller...a game no one else at my table has played. In this episode I discuss our Session Zero character creation, which in Traveller presents story and character background possibilities that simply do not come up in most other games. #traveller #travellerrpg #sessionzero #castlesandcrusades C&C Overview episode: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/HgH1Gizh2Lb Traveller Overview: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/eTIWYDMh2Lb Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

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1
Star Trek Adventures Second Edition Honest Review 38:33

42 weeks ago38:33

38:33

What's the new #startrekadventures #rpg like? How are the rules different from the first edition, and are they better? Is it worth the purchase? @Modiphius was kind enough to provide us with PDF copies to review, and here's our honest commentary on the updated version of a great game. #starktrek #finalfrontier #tabletop #hesdeadjim Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Handling Player Failure in TTRPGs 38:14

43 weeks ago38:14

38:14

What do you, as a GM, do when your players fail? How do you handle the story, the game, and the people around you when the dice don't play nicely? We discuss some of the issues with player failure and offer some ideas on how to deal with it both from the table and interpersonal management side of things, and the game/mechanical side. #ttrpg #gamemaster #playerfailure #characterfailure Note: the episode content begins at the 5-minute mark Timestamps 5:00 Episode content begins Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

Fluff N Crunch

1
Is This a Workable Fear Mechanic for a Horror RPG? 38:59

44 weeks ago38:59

38:59

I think so...but it's my game so I could be a little biased. Regardless, Chris and I discuss the fear mechanic - how it works, how it will support a proper horror vibe in a story...and Chris offers a revision that I'm going to try out in my next two playtests. #rpg #tabletop #horror Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

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1
Chris's Dice Mechanic Ideas - Novel Stuff! 38:52

45 weeks ago38:52

38:52

In our ongoing joint project to develop our own #tabletop #rpg games and systems, we discuss here some ideas Chris has for dice mechanics and, to my surprise, I end up liking a dice pool idea that involves different die types in each roll. Tune into hear the details. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

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1
Art in Tabletop RPG Books - How Important is It? 58:06

46 weeks ago58:06

58:06

Art in TTRPG books is important…but why? How? To whom? Is it a deal-breaker for purchases or a barrier to entry to the hobby? We figure out the answers. RPG art article link: https://www.blackgate.com/2014/02/12/art-of-the-genre-the-top-10-rpg-artists-of-the-past-40-years-2/ Amazon documentary: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07Q334KBS/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39…

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1
Character Creation for the Games We're Developing 40:56

47 weeks ago40:56