Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast - podcast cover

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast

Twice a month (nominally) podcast about tabletop role playing games, exploitation movies, board games, miniature war games, and whatever else attracts my interest. Callers can use my Speakpipe account https://www.speakpipe.com/NerdsRPGVarietyCast you can also send an email to nerdsrpgvarietycast 'at' gmail 'dot' com or find me on a variety of discords including the Audio Dungeon Discord. Ray Otus provided the coffee cup clip art and TJ provides my music.
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Episodes

225 Unboxing and listener calls

Calls from B.J., Karl, Daniel, Joe, Barney and Taylor. Link to the interview with Jeff about Hyperborea https://youtu.be/GleeIRxhpIg and here is the trailer for Shakma, perhaps my favorite trailer of all time only rivaled by The Visitor ;-) https://youtu.be/dL3hX1VtgFw Once again here’s the link for the charity B.J. mentioned, Forgotten Angels https://forgottenangelsflorida.org/

Jul 16, 202128 minSeason 1Ep. 225

224 Bad Movie RPG Contest Winner

NSFW episode. Taylor from Clerics Wear Ringmail joins me as a guest host! Bad movie contest entries and winner revealed. Forgotten Angels https://forgottenangelsflorida.org/ Contest Entries Taylor (Clerics Wear Ringmail) Demons at the Door https://youtu.be/mezP1v8M37w and KottenTail https://youtu.be/vM8z88BQna0 Joe (Hindsightless) Masters of the Universe https://youtu.be/CF20B8p4F08 also Littly Nicky https://youtu.be/op62tf2ww5E and Super Mario Brothers https://youtu.be/pUpQLU3J7fU Brian (Have T...

Jul 15, 20211 hr 35 minSeason 1Ep. 224

223 Troika!

In this episode I have a few unboxings, a few calls about failing forward (from Colin & Daniel) and recap a recent game of Troika! run by T.J. Drennon.

Jul 13, 202137 minSeason 1Ep. 223

222 Failing Forward vs Success at Cost

Hijacked! Arlen Walker of the Live from Pellam’s Wasteland YouTube channel and podcast takes over my show to discuss the difference between the failing forward and the success at cost mechanisms. Back to our regular format next episode. Link to Arlen’s YouTube channel https://youtube.com/c/LivefromPellamsWasteland Link to Arlen’s podcast https://anchor.fm/pellamswasteland Link to the Frankenstein’s RPG episode that started this whole conversation https://anchor.fm/frankensteinrpg/episodes/Episod...

Jul 11, 202116 minSeason 1Ep. 222

221 Is Jason really planning an actual play?

Calls from Barney, Spencer, and Daniel discussing RPG travel, Big Trouble in Little China, and what genre my actual play will be. Finally a look back at the career of the recently deceased William Smith. Also don’t forget to enter the bad movie RPG contest, you have until July 14, 2021. Link to Iron Rations episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/wawBzAGJGnQ

Jul 11, 202126 minSeason 1Ep. 221

220 RPG lessons from Timerider

I talk about 1982’s Timerider and the RPG lessons you can take from it, do an unboxing, ask for listener’s to pick what genre I should do an actual play in, field feedback from Joey, Daniel, Randy, Joe, and Barney. Also on the Vulcan Dairies why you might NOT want to own a motorcycle.

Jul 07, 202150 minSeason 1Ep. 220

219 Richard Donner Retrospective

Richard Donald Schwartzberg, April 24, 1930 – July 5, 2021. Director of The Omen, Superman & Superman II, The Goonies, The Toy, The Lethal Weapon films and Scrooged.

Jul 05, 20217 minSeason 1Ep. 219

218 Independence Day 2021

Happy 4th of July no matter where you are in the world. I field a call from Brian of Have to Look That Up on this very short (for me) episode.

Jul 04, 20215 minSeason 1Ep. 218

217 More on Travel Rules in RPGs

Feedback on travel rules and a summary of Against the Darkmaster travel rules Feedback from James, Pete, Arlen, Kevin, & Randy. Daniel’s original episode is here: https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton/episodes/The-lost-calls-AKA-Daniel-was-too-lazy-to-respond-on-time-e100l4e Pete’s episode on journey rules is here: https://anchor.fm/dragonsarereal/episodes/085-Journeys-in-RPGs-eqteog Arlen’s response to Daniel’s episode is here: https://anchor.fm/pellamswasteland/episodes/2-122-Travel-in-RPGs--or-...

Jul 03, 202137 minSeason 1Ep. 217

216 Deadlands and Simpler RPG feedback

Recap of the 1st session of our new Deadlands game and feedback from Joey, Daniel, James, Karl, Menion, Barry, and Evil Jeff (whew) on simple RPGs.

Jul 02, 202155 minSeason 1Ep. 216

215 Keeping travel interesting in RPGs

A quick episode on keeping traveling interesting in RPGs, this is in response to Daniel Norton’s recent Bandits Keep episode. https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton/episodes/The-lost-calls-AKA-Daniel-was-too-lazy-to-respond-on-time-e100l4e

Jun 29, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 215

214 Do we need simple RPGs in our life?

Discussion on the negatives of system hopping and way we should consider having a default simple RPG system in our back pocket. Also calls from Joey and Karl. Don't forget to send in your bad movie contest entry! Knights of the Road https://bordercholly.itch.io/the-knights-of-the-road Hobomancer https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/102624/Hobomancer Frankenstein's RPG episode on skill tests https://anchor.fm/frankensteinrpg/episodes/Episode-7-Skill-Tests-and-What-is-it-that-you-do--Classes-e130h...

Jun 28, 202130 minSeason 1Ep. 214

213 Knights of the Road RPG review

Short review of Knights of the Road, a ZineQuest3 hobo adventure RPG that recently fulfilled its physical rewards. https://bordercholly.itch.io/the-knights-of-the-road

Jun 27, 202118 minSeason 1Ep. 213

212 New Contest!

Mutant Chronicles session recap, calls from Karl and Taylor plus I announce a contest!

Jun 23, 202120 minSeason 1Ep. 212

211 House keeping, mostly

I talk about future games, do some unboxings, field calls from Daniel of Bandit’s Keep and do a more positive segment of the Vulcan Dairies where I run through my gear.

Jun 18, 202124 minSeason 1Ep. 211

210 Listener Feedback and The Vulcan Dairies

I respond to listener feedback from Taylor, Joe and John, do some unboxings and talk about my new motorscooter. Clerics Wear Ringmail Podcast https://anchor.fm/clerics-wear-ringmail/ A Groats-worth of Grotesques https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/357543/A-Groatsworth-of-Grotesques Monster Man Podcast https://monsterman.libsyn.com/ Down in a Heap podcast https://anchor.fm/rob-c Callers to today's show Clerics Wear Ringmail podcast https://anchor.fm/clerics-wear-ringmail/ Clerics Wear Ringmail b...

Jun 17, 202132 minSeason 1Ep. 210

209 Barfights!

Bar fights, gaming recaps, unboxings, reviews of 1971's Willard & 1972's Ben, and a ton of listener feedback. Daniels Rules https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gXRGSXufk_uQaTjcskVJn4JfvecQlklh Delving Deeper Online rules http://ddo.immersiveink.com/dd.html Bandit's Keep on Unarmed Combat https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton/episodes/Special-Episode-Unarmed-Combat-ev4v6b Daniel reading his rules https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton/episodes/BX-Grappling-Rules---Read-Through-ev50gn The GMologist Pre...

Jun 13, 20211 hr 15 minSeason 1Ep. 209

208 The Baroque Bestiary

I do a short review of George Patterson’s new RPG bestiary, A Groats-Worth of Grotesques, and field listener feedback from B.J., Karl, Joe, and Spencer. Things I Discuss: A Groats-Worth Of Grotesques https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/357543/A-Groatsworth-of-Grotesques Biggus Geekus http://biggusgeekuspodcast.com/ Clerics Wear Ringmail blog post on Weapons, Wits, and Wizardry https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/2021/06/old-game-new-project-introducing.html Grapasymapas' Pulp! https://t.co...

Jun 07, 202153 minSeason 1Ep. 208

207 Interview with James Sral of Sub-Class Act Podcast and Publishing

If the episode shows up as 30 min Anchor screwed up, wait a day and redownload it, sorry for the hassle. James Sral from Sub-Class Act joins me to discuss his games Novas & Nebulae and Reef Runners, his podcast, and gaming philosophy in general. After that there are a couple short game reviews (Temples & Tombs and Big Apple Sewer Samurai), an unboxing and reflections on the good ole boy system vs American ingenuity in Colorado circa 2004. Sub-Class Act https://anchor.fm/sub-class-act Dri...

Jun 05, 20211 hr 28 minSeason 1Ep. 207

206 Science Fiction or Rules Systems?

Lots of listener feedback on Science Fiction & Science Fantasy gaming. Also gaming recaps and a short review of Beyond the Black Rainbow. Feedback from Joe, James, Karl, Evil Jeff, Daniel and Brian. The must see Mandy trailer is here: https://youtu.be/rI054ow6KJk Bandit’s Keep https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton https://youtube.com/c/BanditsKeep https://youtube.com/c/BanditsKeepActualPlay Have to Look That Up https://anchor.fm/havetolookthatup/ Hindsightless https://anchor.fm/joe-richter9 Minion...

Jun 03, 202153 minSeason 1Ep. 206

205 Meanderings on rules for science fiction and science fantasy games

Messages from Randy, Daniel and Karl plus my thoughts on why the rules aren't the determining factor in playing science fiction or science fantasy. Biggus Geekus http://biggusgeekuspodcast.com/ Bandit’s Keep https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton https://youtube.com/c/BanditsKeep https://youtube.com/c/BanditsKeepActualPlay The GMologist Presents https://anchor.fm/karl-rodriguez You can leave me a message here on Anchor, at nerdsrpgvarietycast 'at' gmail 'dot' com or find me on the Audio Dungeon Discord...

May 30, 202139 minSeason 1Ep. 205

204 science fiction or science fantasy?

Minimalism & downsizing on Have to Look That Up https://anchor.fm/havetolookthatup/episodes/S1-E11-Lets-Spark-Joy-e11ip6h Bandit’s Keep https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton https://youtube.com/c/BanditsKeep https://youtube.com/c/BanditsKeepActualPlay Clerics Wear Ringmail https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/?m=1 Hindsightless https://anchor.fm/joe-richter9 The GMologist Presents https://anchor.fm/karl-rodriguez Weak or Woe https://www.wealorwoe.com/

May 28, 202122 minSeason 1Ep. 204

203 Listener feedback and where the show is headed

The GMologist Presents https://anchor.fm/karl-rodriguez The Redcaps Podcast https://anchor.fm/theredcaps/episodes/Episode-39---TSR-Guidelines-on-Adventure-Writing-e11mhpj Dicegeeks.com Tabletop RPG Show https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/interview-director-sam-firstenburg-american-ninja-revenge/id1480139093?i=1000523137515

May 27, 202126 minSeason 1Ep. 203

202 Real life strikes again, listener feedback, and gaming recaps

Taking a page from Keep Off The Borderlands ‘Show Notes To Follow’. You can leave me a message here on Anchor, at nerdsrpgvarietycast 'at' gmail 'dot' com or find me on the Audio Dungeon Discord Ray Otus did the art for this show, you can find his blog at plundergrounds.blogspot.com/ TJ Drennon provides music for my show.

May 21, 20211 hr 7 minSeason 1Ep. 202

200 Karl’s Games and Unboxings

All Karl, all the time! Well, almost. I talk about Karl's recent games of High Colonies and DCC Umerica plus Karl joins me for some special unboxings. I also respond to messages from Joe, Daniel, Joey, Andy, Karl, and B.J. Bandit's Keep https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton Bandit's Keep YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-gfEp3GDT0wT7bdU-CeSw Bandit's Keep YouTube Actual Play Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy94dloNu3pJVNsGF60ZOTw Expedition to the Grizzly Peaks https://anchor.fm/and...

May 13, 20211 hr 32 minSeason 1Ep. 200

199 Interview with Ninja City creator Joey Royale

You are in for a treat! I have Joey Royale, the creator of the Ninja City Dungeon Crawl Classics compatible zine on the show! Ninja City PDF on DrivethruRPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/356026/Ninja-City Darkest Dice PDF on DrivethruRPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/339029/Darkest-Dice One of Us PDF on DrivethruRPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/343028/One-of-Us-1 Joey Royale's email: lordbludd 'at' gmail 'dot' com Joey Royale on Instagram, I think (I don't do The Instagram ...

May 11, 202130 minSeason 1Ep. 199

198 Mother’s Day Movie Review Special

A review of the 1980 Troma classic exploitation movie Mother’s Day. NSFW or for your kids. The review starts spoiler free and you should be able to listen to that and decide if you want to see the movie. Once I go into spoilers you get FULL spoilers and probably more detail than a rational person wants. Next episode back to RPGs! The theme and ending song were written and performed for me by T. J. Drennon.

May 09, 202149 minSeason 1Ep. 198

197 Downsizing Your Collection or Should We Fear The Reaper?

I'm back! This time we have recaps of recent RPG sessions and unboxings. I also field listener feedback and pose the question: what does a nerd's minimalist collection look like? Bandit's Keep https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton Bandit's Keep YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-gfEp3GDT0wT7bdU-CeSw Biggus Geekus http://biggusgeekuspodcast.com/ Clerics Wear Ringmail (Blog) https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/ For those with a large game collections - what would you keep if you had to ser...

May 08, 20211 hr 19 minSeason 1Ep. 197

196 Ninja City DCC zine and Night of the Demon!

Hot off the press, here are my first impressions of Ninja City, a Zine Quest 3 project that is compatible with Dungeon Crawl Classics. It should be available to the general public next week on DrivethruRPG. I also discuss the 1957 horror movie classic Night of the Demon based on M.R. James' Casting the Runes. Ninja City Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darkestdice/ninja-city-a-dcc-rpg-zine Irish Times 2020 list of 50 greatest Irish actors: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture...

May 02, 202117 minSeason 1Ep. 196
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