Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show
Society & Culture
About
A weekly tabletop RPG advice show that combines friendship, humor, and unbridled enthusiasm to bring you a show that is inclusive, informative, and funny. If you’re looking for an RPG podcast with diverse opinions and a friends-hanging-out vibe, look no further — you’re home.
Episodes
- S37E08 | TTRPGS without Dice, Gaming Success Story, and Powers that cause Problems
◇ Designing TTRPGS without traditional dice mechanics, Wes from Indianapolis shares a success story, From the archive 2022: Mike from New York wants to talk about game power that cause problems | Hosts: Kimi, Kodi, & Sam Dunnewold ◇ 00:33…
- S37E07 | Stolen Moments, Success Story, and Surprise PC Roleplaying
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show episode discusses listener questions regarding "stolen moments," a success story, and handling unexpected player actions in roleplaying games, drawing from both current mail and a 2022 archive segment.
- S37E06 | Pets in Campaigns, Pax East, Electronics at the Table
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers listener questions about pets in gaming campaigns, includes stories from Pax East, and addresses the use of electronics during tabletop RPG sessions. It also features an interview with…
- S37E05 | PBTA Prep, FATE, & A Gaming Story
In this episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show, hosts Jason, June, and Kodi discuss sharing PBTA prep as an Improv GM, address listener mail about FATE, and share a gaming story from the show's 2023 archive.
- S37E04 | FATE vs Player Agency, GM Horror Stories, & Initiative Thoughts
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show addresses listener questions, including a discussion on FATE and player agency, a collection of GM horror stories shared by a listener in Kyiv, and a question about Initiative and sequenced actions.
- S37E03 | Adam from Gnome Made Games, Being a Good Player, Tropes with New Players
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show features Adam from Gnome Made Games and addresses listener questions on being a good player and recognizing tropes at the table with new players.
- S37E02 | Can Lines & Veils be Inappropriate?, How Actual Plays Work, Memorable NPCs
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show addresses listener questions about whether Lines and Veils are suitable for all games, how to plan Actual Play podcasts, and methods for developing memorable non-player characters.
- S37E01 | Railroading Players vs. PCs, Session Zero Playbook, & In-Game Holidays
This episode covers listener questions on railroading players versus characters, feedback on a Session Zero plan submitted by a listener from New Jersey, and a look back at in-game holiday ideas from a 2023 archive segment featuring Spilme…
- HJRP S36E24 | End Season 36 | Encourage Exploring, System Strengths, & Success Story
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show concludes season 36 by addressing player exploration, favorite RPG system strengths, and a player success story from 2022. The hosts also mention upcoming events and how to engage with the show.
- HJRP S36E23 | Molten Sulfur Press, Game Design Groups, & Too Many Plot Threads
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show, episode HJRP S36E23, includes a discussion with Tristan Zimmerman of Molten Sulfur Press, a segment on TTRPG designer support groups, and a revisited 2021 topic about managing plot threads in games.
- HJRP S36E22 | Live from OrcCon 2026!
This episode of Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show was recorded live at OrcCon 2026 in Los Angeles. It features a panel with audience members and shares stories from various games played at the convention. The audio quality reflects its live even…
- HJRP S36E21 | Explaining TTRPGs, GM Strengths, & Note Taking
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers explaining TTRPGs to family, discusses GM strengths, and revisits note-taking techniques from a 2022 archive segment. Announcements include upcoming Game Daze and OrcCon 2026 details.
- HJRP S36E20 | Making Maps, Gaming Group Sponsors, & Con Game Expectations
In this episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show, hosts Kimi, Clara, Pooja, and Vixie address listener questions. Topics include advice on creating game maps, planning for a gaming group, and insights into what to expect from convention…
- HJRP S36E19 | Creating Villains, Player Contracts, & Voiding PC Abilities
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers listener questions on creating villains, the literal interpretation of player contracts, and scenarios where player characters can void other characters' abilities. The episode also features Indie Des…
- HJRP S36E18 | Gaming Resolutions, Prep for Mysteries, Day Jobs in Games
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show episode HJRP S36E18 discusses listener questions about gaming resolutions, preparing for mystery games, and making games with day jobs engaging. It also features an interview with Indie Designer of the Month…
- HJRP S36E17 | Character Sheets, NPC Control Reply, Forcing Game Prep
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show addresses listener questions about improving character sheets, controlling NPCs in games, and finding motivation for game preparation. It also features Indie Designer of the Month, Carrie Lin…
- HJRP S36E16 | Politics at the Table, Safety at Con Games, & Realistic Physical Combat
This episode covers listener questions about managing politics at the gaming table, ensuring safety at convention games, and incorporating realistic physical combat into RPGs. It also features Indie Designer of the Month, Jess Pendley.
- HJRP S36E15 | Prep vs Campaign Length, Is Prep Death?, Combat & XP Issues
In this episode of Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show, hosts Kimi, Pooja, Adam, and Courtney discuss how Game Master preparation varies based on campaign length, address the question of whether preparation can be detrimental ("prep death"), and r…
- HJRP S36E14 | GM Tricks, Math Rocks, & Dealing with a Dominant Player
This episode of Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers GM tricks, math rocks, and managing a dominant player, including an interview with Indie Designer Jess Pendley.
- HJRP S36E13 | Scheduling Games, Generic Systems, & Successful Horror Story?
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show addresses listener questions on scheduling games and generic TTRPG systems. It also includes a listener's successful horror story that utilized safety tools, along with mailbag segments.
- HJRP S36E12 | First System Impressions, Extroverts Supporting Introverts, & IPs Made for Play
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers three listener questions: how initial experiences shape opinions of game systems, strategies for extroverted players to support introverted ones, and the distinction between playing in…
- HJRP S36E11 | What are Storygames?, Safety Tools Failure, & Learning Hard Systems
In this episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show, hosts Kimi, Rose, and Clara discuss the definition of storygames, a listener's experience with safety tool failure, and methods for learning complex game systems. The episode includes seg…
- HJRP S36E10 | GM Feedback, Clerics vs Warlocks, & City Campaign Settings
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show addresses listener questions on GM feedback, the comparison of Clerics and Warlocks, and advice for running city campaign settings. It also features a segment on an indie designer and listene…
- HJRP S36E09 | GM Dice Rolls, Finding A Group, & Making Combat Interesting
This episode of Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show addresses GM dice rolling practices, strategies for finding a gaming group, and techniques for making combat encounters more engaging. It includes listener questions from Denmark and Sweden.
- HJRP S36E08 | Ross Payton of RPPR, Horror Systems, & Player Agency vs. Rolls
In this episode of Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show, hosts Kimi and Adam are joined by Ross Payton of Role Playing Public Radio. They discuss system recommendations and player agency in relation to dice rolls, referencing a 2019 archive segment…
- HJRP S36E07 | Mid Campaign Safety Tools, Non-AI GM Resources, Playing Gods
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show addresses listener questions about implementing safety tools during a campaign, finding GM resources that are not AI-based, and explores the concept of GMs playing gods, featuring a segment f…
- HJRP S36E06 | Creating PC Importance, APs vs. Home Games, & Play by Post
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show features listener questions on creating PC importance with low-level characters, the differences between playing in Actual Plays and home games, and discussions about Play by Post games. It a…
- HJRP S36E05 | Weird Player Problems, Cool Game Idea, & NPC Crowd Control
This episode addresses listener questions on managing inclusivity for difficult player issues and NPC crowd control, alongside sharing game ideas. It features segments from Thomas of Denmark and Steffi of Scotland, with hosts Kimi and Jaso…
- HJRP S36E04 | Getting a Great PBTA Experience, Favorite NPCs, & Fun Kid Stories
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers how to maximize a PBTA game experience, discusses favorite NPCs, and features kid stories from the archive. It also includes mailbag segments and highlights Black Armada Games as the I…
- HJRP S36E03 | Ethical AI Use, Appropriation vs. Appreciation, & a Dream Campaign Idea
This episode of Happy Jacks RPG addresses listener questions on the ethical use of AI as a Game Master and how to differentiate appropriation from appreciation within role-playing games. It also revisits a listener's dream campaign idea fr…
- HJRP S36E02 | Hot Takes on Savage Worlds, Weak Heroes Rule, & Shadowrun Success
Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show S36E02 discusses listener questions regarding Savage Worlds, the effectiveness of weaker heroes, and a listener
- HJRP S36E01 | Live from Gateway 2025!
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show was recorded live at Gateway 2025. It features a panel with audience members and discusses stories from various convention games. The show notes mention that the audio quality reflects the li…
- HJRP S35E25 | Horizons Fellowship, Fantasy Dinosaurs, & Stat Array Drama
Kimi, Joshua Fox, and Becky Annison discuss the Horizons Fellowship and a listener's idea for a fantasy world centered around dinosaurs. They also revisit a 2019 question about player agency and stat arrays.
- HJRP S35E24 | Black Armada Games, Solo Games, & 7th Sea Plot Question
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show episode S35E24 discusses Black Armada Games, solo RPGs, and a listener question about adapting 7th Sea. Hosts Kimi, Joshua Fox, and Becky Annison cover these topics, including a segment from their 2018 archi…
- HJRP S35E23 | Large Gaming Groups, Mechanics vs. Fun, Wish Struggles
This episode addresses listener questions about managing large gaming groups, concerns that game mechanics might hinder fun, and difficulties with wishes in RPGs. It also includes announcements and a spotlight on an indie designer.
- HJRP S35E22 | System vs. Story, An Origin Story, Keeping Engaged in Combat
In HJRP S35E22, hosts Kimi, Chris, and Pooja address listener questions on whether to prioritize game systems or story. They also share an origin story and provide tips for maintaining player engagement during combat encounters. The episod…
- HJRP S35E21 | Setting up a Big Bad, Safety Tools, & Plot Hooks
This episode of Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers setting up a Big Bad with advice from Steven, discusses safety tools with Davi, and shares plot hooks from an archive segment featuring GaztheDm. Jay Dragon is highlighted as the Indie Des…
- HJRP S35E20 | GMing for Jocks, Keeping the GM Spark, & Magic Systems
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers GMing for new players, strategies for maintaining GM motivation, and a discussion on GURPS and magic systems, featuring insights from Sean from NJ and Jeff in Tennessee, with archival…
- HJRP S35E19 | Resurrecting Old Campaigns, Open Table Style, & a D&D Question
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show episode HJRP S35E19 covers resurrecting old campaigns, open table style games, and a D&D question from a 2018 archive segment. The discussion includes listener mailbag questions and show announcements.
- HJRP S35E18 | Why Play TTRPGS?, How to Pace Games, & Unanticipated PVP
This episode of Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show features hosts Kimi and Riley discussing the fundamental reasons for playing TTRPGs, strategies for pacing game sessions effectively, and how to handle unexpected player-vs-player conflict. The s…
- HJRP S35E17 | Belonging Outside Belonging Advice, An Origin Story, Running Modern Games in Troubled Times
This episode of Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers Belonging Outside Belonging advice, an origin story from a listener, and a 2021 discussion on running modern, non-triggering games. It also features an interview with Indie Designer JMatth…
- HJRP S35E16 | Game Daze Story, What Systems need Upgrades, & 10yo Murder Hobo
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show features listener feedback, including Robin from the UK discussing their Game Daze experience and Carlos from Detroit asking about system upgrades. It also includes a segment from 2019 addres…
- HJRP S35E15 | BGE & TTRPG Retailers, Mike’s Origin Story, & PCs that are Too Good
This episode of Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers the retailer perspective on BGE, features Mike from New York sharing his origin story, and includes an archived segment from 2019 about a player character who was too powerful for their ga…
- HJRP S35E14 | Games Folk vs Outsider Art, D&D in Postwar Serbia, & GMs Prompting Players
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show covers the debate on Actual Plays as art, Steven's experience finding D&D in postwar Serbia, and a 2021 segment on GMs prompting players. It also includes announcements for Game Daze and high…
- HJRP S35E13 | Tariffs and TTRPGs, X-cards with Multiple Problems, & Disappearing Elves
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show episode covers tariffs impacting TTRPGs, advice on using X-cards when multiple players present issues, and a throwback discussion from 2022 about the fate of Stu's Elves.
- HJRP S35E12 | Prep Without a System, A Success Story, & Interesting NPCs
This episode of the Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show features a discussion on preparing for a game before the rules are established, a listener sharing a gaming success story, and advice on creating interesting NPCs, with hosts Kimi, Artem, and…
- HJRP S35E11 | People Against RPing, Reply about Stars & Wishes, & Hard-Won GM Lessons
This episode addresses listener Jörn's question about opposition to RPGs, features Jolene's response to a previous discussion on Stars and Wishes, and includes archived GMing advice from Craig. Announcements regarding Patreon and the Indie…
- HJRP S35E10 | Rediscovering the GMing Spark, Toxic LARP Mistakes, & Con Horror Story
This episode of Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show features discussions on reigniting a Game Master's enthusiasm, a listener question about a LARP experience, and a 2018 convention horror story. It also includes show announcements and a spotlight…
- HJRP S35E09 | Groups with no GM, Learning an IP FAST, & Calling Out our Pro-PBTA Bias
This episode addresses listener questions about forming TTRPG groups without a dedicated GM and how to rapidly learn a new intellectual property setting. It also includes a segment from 2019 where a listener critiques the show's perceived…
- HJRP S35E08 | Horror Game Reply, Preferring Online Games, & Religions in Games
The Happy Jacks RPG Advice Show episode discusses listener feedback regarding horror games, reasons for preferring online play, and a 2018 segment about religions in games. It also includes announcements and information about featured desi…