PODCAST

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast

Three expert GMs explore the craft of tabletop roleplaying—why rules feel good, why scenes work, and how stories land. Through casual conversation, creative experiments, and honest breakdowns, this podcast celebrates what makes the hobby special and helps you run better games.

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All Episodes

S4:E11 - Rethinking PC Roles

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2025/01/08

Looking to spice up your pirate or thieves guild D&D campaign.? Why not use roles in addition to classes! In this episode, Jesse and Matty discuss new thoughts on PC roles - unnecessary complication or assets for your players?

en-US

S4:E10 - Addressing Player Types

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2025/01/01

Jesse and Matty discuss the types of players you might find at your gaming table. How to identify them, how to tailor your game for them, how to deal with disruptions and challenges.Music: A Stranger Thing, by Bruno E.Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

Bonus Episode - The One About LARPing

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/12/25

In a very special holiday bonus episode of The Jaunty Mantis. The boys uncover an old recording about LARPing with Rich Ranallo (Velvet Generation)Music: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlmen" - DJ Williams "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairies (by Tchaikovsky)" - Tchaikovsky "Home for the Holidays" - Chris HaugenLogos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

S4:E9 - Encounter Difficulty

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/12/20

The boys discuss some tips for taking a lighter approach to encounter design for combatsMusic: A Stranger Thing, by Bruno E.Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

S4:E8 - World Building Without Homework

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/12/11

The boys discuss some tips for building up the world of your setting with player involvement and minimal homework.Music: A Stranger Thing, by Bruno E.Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

S4:E7 - When Is It Appropriate To Say No?

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/12/04

When running a role playing game, it’s important for Dungeon Masters to empower the players characters But are there situations when the opposite is needed? The boys discuss scenarios and best practices for Game Masters to recognize and address situations when they should say “No-but” instead of “Yes-and”.Music: A Stranger Thing, by Bruno E.Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

S4:E6 - Making Aliens Interesting

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/11/27

Have you ever wanted to make aliens that are more than just ridges on a forehead and a self destructive warrior culture? The boys explore ideas and methods for designing truly alien lifeforms for your science fiction and fantasy games.Music: A Stranger Thing, by Bruno E.Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

S4:E5 - Handling IP In A Role Playing Game

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/11/20

Jesse and Matty explore the appeal and pitfalls of gaming in established intellectual properties.Music: A Stranger Thing, by Bruno E.Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

S4:E4 - Handling Boredom At The Table

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/11/13

The boys discuss the circumstances around player boredom and how GMs should assess and handle it.Music: A Stranger Thing, by Bruno E.Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

S4:E3 - Ending A Campaign

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/11/06

The boys discuss ending long running campaignsMusic: A Stranger Thing, by Bruno E.Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

S4:E2 - Our Gaming Inspirations

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/10/30

The boys discuss the media that inspires their GMing styleMusic: A Stranger Thing, by Bruno E.Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/workMatty’s Shadowrun Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/4DxfGHBLJTZTtLAsLIN6NO?si=6c1b9984fcf449f9Matty’s Spelljammer Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/4DxfGHBLJTZTtLAsLIN6NO?si=6c1b9984fcf449f9

en-US

S4:E1 - Resources For Newish GMs

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/10/23

The boys discuss games, mechanics, and GMing resources that helped them level up.Music: A Stranger Thing, by Bruno E.Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

Bonus - Burning Down The House

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/10/16

What happens when your PCs bypass critical encounters of your game? Jesse’s RIFTs game ends with just such an event when his PC's burned down a vampire safe-house. The boys discuss how to handle clever players when they completely nullify your encounters.Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat AudioLogos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

Bonus - Workshopping Character Concepts With The DM

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/10/09

Here is an example of how we workshop a character concept for the DM’s campaign. Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

Bonus - Is D&D Beyond STILL The Best Thing About 5E?

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/10/02

The boys discuss the merits of D&D Beyond as a platform and its value add to the overall D&D franchise.Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

Bonus - RPG Bucket Lists

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/09/25

Matty experiences a gaming midlife crisis and realizes he’s never attempted a 1 to 20 level D&D campaign. Jesse makes fun of him for reversing his opinions about 5e D&D. The two begin debating the concept of a Gaming Bucket List.Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

Bonus - D&D 2024 Player's Handbook First Impressions!

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/09/17

The boys discuss initial thoughts on the new D&D 2024 Player’s HandbookMusic by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

Bonus - Are 'Slice Of Life' Games Fun?

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/09/11

The boys discuss ‘Cozy Fantasy’ and ‘Slice of Life’ style, and also cartoon shows from the late 90’sSend us your creative questions for Season 4 to Jauntymantis@gmail.comPlease give us a high rating on your pod catcher of choice and leave a comment “All The Mantises!” wherever you found this episode.Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat AudioLogos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

Bonus - Matty Makes A D&D Roguelike (Part 2)

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/09/04

Matty updates Jesse on how the first run attempt with his latest fantasy heartbreakerPlease give us a high rating on your pod catcher of choice and leave a comment “All The Mantises!” wherever you found this episode. Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

Bonus - Matty Makes A D&D Rougelike (Part 1)

The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast ·

2024/08/28

In this bonus episode, Matty pitches an idea for a D&D rougelike to Jesse…who doesn’t completely hate it.Send us your creative questions for Season 4 to Jauntymantis @gmail.comPlease give us a high rating on your pod catcher of choice and leave a comment “All The Mantises!” wherever you found this episode. Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Logos by Shannon Sipes thedigsy.myportfolio.com/work

en-US

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The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast

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