Tabletop Theory

Mental health and tabletop RPGs go together like barbarians and battle axes. I've been playing and running games in multiple systems for almost thirty years. From Dungeons and Dragons to Vampire: The Masquerade and everything in between. I also have a masters degree in counseling and currently am a licensed chemical dependency counselor intern in the state of Texas. Come with me as I try to learn and teach about all the wonderful ways applied RPGs can step your game up.

Last refreshed: July 17th, 2025 at 2:24 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Why D&D helps you make friends

Role playing games are an excellent environment to develop friendships. By examining the traditional sociological and newer primatological research we can understand how friendships develop. We can also understand why RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons are so good at helping people make friends. Become a Tabletop Theory supporter for $5 a month! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tabletoptheory Follow Tabletop Theory on twitter, Instagram and TikTok @TabletopTheory1 Research articles below as well: Maki...

Oct 12, 2021•15 min

Should you read Consent in Gaming?

Consent in gaming is a really important topic and book for the Role Playing Game community. I wanted to break it down like a book review so that you could decide weather or not it was worth your time. Become a Tabletop Theory supporter for $5 a month! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tabletoptheory Follow Tabletop Theory on twitter, Instagram or TikTok @TabletopTheory1

Oct 12, 2021•14 min

What are applied RPGs? A Panel at PAX West

Come listen to the amazing panel that I was able to participate in at PAX West this year. The panel was called TTRPGS: Out of Fantasy Worlds & Into the Real World. We talked about how RPGs can be used as a tool to help people deal with their mental health, learn social skills and study history. My fellow panelists were Maryanne Cullinan, Amelia Herbst, Peter Jung and Alexander Pereira. You can follow Tabletop Theory on Twitter and Insta @Tabletoptheory1 You can follow Amelia on Twitter @Wand...

Sep 08, 2021•59 min

RPGs in the classroom...Table Talk Theory Ep.4 - Maryanne Cullinan

I talk with Maryanne Cullinan a middle school teacher who uses role playing games to help her students learn in the classroom. We talk about the importance of learning styles, student engagement and rocks. You can follow Maryanne on Twitter @Culliope and @CauldronofCulli Become a Tabletop Theory supporter for $5 a month! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tabletoptheory Follow Tabletop Theory on twitter! https://twitter.com/Tabletoptheory1 Tabletop Theory on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/tablet...

Aug 27, 2021•56 min

My Favorite D&D House Rules

House rules are a great part of Dungeons & Dragons. I wanted to share some of my favorites. Become a supporter on buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tabletoptheory Give a follow on twitter and Instagram @Tabletoptheory1

Aug 12, 2021•19 min

Table Talk Theory Ep.4 - Dr. Eric Wood

In episode 4 I talk with Dr. Eric Wood, the director of the counseling and mental health office at Texas Christian University. Dr. Wood is pioneering a new model of treatment at TCU called the collaborative care model that included supportive communities for groups using Dungeons & Dragons in a therapeutic setting. You can read Dr. Wood's article in University Business here: https://universitybusiness.com/campus-counseling-model-concerns-in-the-age-of-covid-19/ You can learn more about the T...

Jul 22, 2021•57 min

How to deal with RPG player cancelations // GM Tips

Players no showing for game night can be really tough on a Game Master. In this video I share some of the ways I help my players and myself deal with last minute cancelations for the group and how to keep your RPG going. Become a supporter for $5 a month on buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tabletoptheory Give a follow on twitter! https://twitter.com/Tabletoptheory1 Follow Tabletop Theory on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/tabletoptheory/?hl=en

Jun 07, 2021•15 min

Table Talk Theory Ep.3 - Kat Oliver

In episode 3 I talk with Kat Oliver, a talented comic book artist and Game Master. She is the creator of the Dungeon Delves comic strip, an excellent comics talk about RPGs and the people who play them. Her first collection of comics is being released soon. We got to talk about her inspiration for comics, collecting animals and Exalted. You can follow Kat on Twitter: @DelvesDaily And on Instagram: @dungeondelves Go order Kat's awesome new comic book on her Ko-Fi page! https://ko-fi.com/s/a4813a2...

Jun 01, 2021•1 hr 1 min

Table Talk Theory Ep.2 - Cheryl Paberzs

In episode 2 I talk with Cheryl Paberzs, a therapeutic Dungeon Master for teens and young adults. Cheryl uses her experience as a marriage and family therapy candidate, crisis response and community mental health. We talk about how she runs her groups and works with her clients. You can follow Cheryl on Twitter: @puhbearz You can learn more about Cheryl's practice and her therapeutic groups at her website: https://www.dynamichealingtherapy.com/groups Become a supporter for $5 a month! https://ww...

May 24, 2021•1 hr 1 min

How to help your players stay focused at the table // GM Tips

Sometimes RPG players lose focus or can't stay engaged at the gaming table. In this video I want to help my fellow game masters by describing the ways I keep players attention at my table. Sometimes it's as simple as asking your players what they would like to change, sometimes the players need a guitar. Become a supporter for $5 a month! Follow Tabletop Theory on twitter! Tabletop Theory on Instagram!...

May 13, 2021•27 min

Table Talk Ep.1 - Peter Jung

In episode 1 I talk with Peter Jung, a social skills DM and a community mental health worker. He is currently developing several RPG games including "The Caravan Endures" and "Speaking with Monsters". You can follow Peter on Twitter: @rollforkindness You can check out his projects and learn more about what he is working on currently at his website: https://rollforkindness.com/ Become a supporter for $5 a month! Follow Tabletop Theory on twitter! Tabletop Theory on Instagram!...

May 05, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Hosted on Spotify for Creators (Anchor)

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android