Passive (Aggressive) Perception
66 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratings🎲System-agnostic tabletop roleplaying game discussions. Level up your TTRPG sessions with topic deep-dives, news, and tips for D&D and so much more. 🌲New EVERGREEN episodes every Wednesday. 🤹♂️Always as goofy as they are sincere, Ivan and Steve are two forever GMs obsessed with making your next TTRPG session the best one yet. 🗣Covering topics including •metagaming •interviews with industry leaders •bringing real life socio-political issues into your campaigns •TTRPG news, and beyond. 🧙♂️Passive (Aggressive) Perception investigates any and all games/systems including D&D, Pathfinder, Savage Worlds, Call of Cthulhu, Star Wars, Vampire the Masquerade, and anything else they can get their hands on. If it can be played it's fair game. 📚The conversation is never limited by any one game, but all of the topics, tips, and core principles easily apply to Dungeons & Dragons or whatever else you happen to be playing at the time. 💻icastspells.com & anywhere you get podcasts.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
So Long and Thanks For All The Crits (Final Episode)
October 01, 2022 02:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBI won't bore you with an overly-verbose description for this one. I'll only use this opportunity to say THANK YOU for accompanying us on this grand journey, and we hope that your next session is the best one yet. -Ivan & Steve
Ep 61 - Bright Lights, Big City (Playing In City Settings)
September 21, 2022 11:00 - 56 minutes - 38.8 MBDo your players (or yourself as a player) behave differently when your PCs enter a city, village, or township? Today we're discussing some of the unique challenges of playing in a city setting. We go in-depth on how specific game times associated with city play differ from a traditional gaming model which heavily incorporates the TTRPG pillar of exploration. We run down several methods for keeping the action moving, avoiding boredom, and maintaining canon. We also cover the idea of player ...
Ep 60 - Campaign Length (and Knowing When To Quit)
September 14, 2022 11:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBTo have the problem of finishing a campaign milestone and have your players still wanting more, even though the story is over, is a much better problem to have than your players being bored because there is no end in sight. How many campaigns have you been a part of that have languished and died because of a lack of payoff. Is your gaming group losing steam? Are you scrambling to wrap up story arcs? We address these challenges and more as we discuss how we think many stories are better for ...
Ep 59 - No-Combat Sessions
September 07, 2022 12:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBDo you ever run entire sessions without a combat encounter? This week we analyze how varying level of combat work in your TTRPG games. We discuss engaging the players in a way that simulates the thrill of combat but in social and exploration encounters. We also talk about the message of "might makes right" and how realism can affect players' enthusiasm or aversion to in-game violence. Mad Jack Churchill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Churchill Our Website: https://icastspells.com Our ...
Ep 58 - Alex Clippinger: Game Design & Adapting 5e
August 31, 2022 11:00 - 55 minutes - 38.3 MBThe incredible and prolific TTRPG designer, Alex Clippinger has joined us this week to give us an inside look into Cubicle 7's new project, Broken Weave, drop some game design knowledge, and talk through some of the benefits and pitfalls of adapting Dungeons & Dragons: Fifth Edition. This was a fantastic conversation covering several topics including points of focus for growing as a designer, expectations we bring to the table, burgeoning out into playing non-D&D systems, and much more. We ...
Ep 57 - Factions, Guilds, & Other Affiliations
August 24, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBIs your TTRPG character affiliated with anything larger than themselves or the party they roll with (heheh puns)? This week we cover TTRPG factions, guilds, and other big-picture affiliations. We discuss how they can provide scope, inform character backstory, create fascinating and useful narrative drivers for your campaigns, and much more. Website: https://icastspells.com Twitter: @passive_podcast Email: [email protected] Show Breakdown: 0:00: Intro 01:12: TTRPG News 10:12...
Ep 56 - GM Fiat (And Deus Ex Machina)
August 17, 2022 11:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBWhat would you do if your GM said "because I said so" during a session? Talking about when GMs flex their table authority 'just because.' There are two sides of the GM using unilateral decision making, and we investigate both the positive and the negative aspects of this contentious issue. We talk through deus ex machina and offer our hot takes on popularized forms of it, plus much more. Website: https://icastspells.com Twitter: @passive_podcast Email: [email protected] Show B...
Ep 55 - Storybuilding Vs Storytelling
August 10, 2022 11:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBThis week we talk about the ancient and honored tradition of human storytelling, its base components, what defines a great storyteller, and how all of this applies to the TTRPG experience. We discuss how examining this discipline can improve our games, and how the idea of collaborative storytelling (i.e., story building) has evolved to accommodate the modern gaming paradigm. We try to cut through the haze of semantic arguments and getting stuck on specific language, and hope to unify some o...
Ep 54 - SPECIAL #RPGaDAY2022 Pt. 2
August 01, 2022 11:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBPart two of our special 2-part series where we give our answers (and encourage you to give yours) to the questions presented from #RPGaDay2022, an annual celebration of tabletop roleplaying games conceptualized by @autocratik which you can find at https://www.autocratik.com. In part one we answer the first 16 questions from this highly hash-tag-able social experience, and we hope you will respond with your interesting answers and anecdotes. In this episode we cover questions 17-31. Website:...
Ep 53 - SPECIAL #RPGaDAY2022 Pt. 1
July 26, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 49 MBA special 2-part series where we give our answers (and encourage you to give yours) to the questions presented from #RPGaDay2022, an annual celebration of tabletop roleplaying games conceptualized by @autocratik which you can find at https://www.autocratik.com. In part one we answer the first 16 questions from this highly hash-tag-able social experience, and we hope you will respond with your interesting answers and anecdotes. Website: https://icastspells.com Twitter: @passive_podcast Emai...
Ep 52 - Taverns (and Other TTRPG Waypoints)
July 18, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBDiscussing everyone's favorite stomping ground, tabletop roleplaying game taverns. We cover a lot of ground ranging from tips and advice on how to keep your players on their toes, to how we think adding extra flavor to a tavern setting can prevent this part of gaming from becoming just another uninteresting place to take a long rest. NPC generation tips, keeping continuity in questing, listener feedback, TTRPG news, and much more. Website: https://icastspells.com Twitter: @passive_podcast E...
Ep 51 - Lore
July 11, 2022 12:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBThis week we cover the importance of a tabletop roleplaying game's setting lore. We discuss why we think it's sometimes neglected and cover the potential risks of not being wholly acquainted with your in-game world. We touch on topics such as setting uniqueness, campaign scope, bringing real-world assumptions into sessions, the loremaster player archetype, and much more. Website: https://icastspells.com Twitter: @passive_podcast Email: [email protected] Show Breakdown: 0:00: ...
Ep 50 - Ask A GM (Getting To Know Us: Redux)
July 04, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 68.8 MBAt the behest of several listeners, we're finally doing a general "Getting To Know Us" episode. In this episode we talk briefly about our roots, who we are, and what led us to gaming. The majority of the episode is comprised of individual questions from listeners and friends of the show that had questions for us as GMs that they might otherwise not have had the opportunity to ask. We cover narcissism in GMing, character quirks that people might find distasteful, using pop-culture references,...
Ep 49 - Diseases, Curses, and Other Afflictions in TTRPG
June 27, 2022 19:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBThis week we cover incorporating diseases, curses, maladies, and other general afflictions into your tabletop roleplaying games. We analyze why we think this aspect of gaming doesn't get as much love as it should and talk about some interesting ways to make it work at your table. We go over how to run diseases and curses, pick apart how they can affect your campaign, give tips on how to make them a more meaningful part of the world, and offer examples that bridge the gap between the mundane ...
Ep 48 - Life Skills Gained From TTRPGs
June 20, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBHaving a meaningful discussion about how skills and experiences at the tabletop roleplaying game table can apply to one's 'real life.' We cover career impacts, its influence on self-improvement and self-exploration, how it can aid in developing and nurturing strong interpersonal relationships, its applications in psychotherapy, using it as a tool for learning, and much more. We also cover some TTRPG news and discuss several replies from listeners. Website: https://icastspells.com Twitter: @...
Ep 47 - TTRPG Travel (Making It Meaningful)
June 13, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBIn this episode we're asking important questions about traveling in tabletop roleplaying games. We go in-depth into the handwaving paradigm, why we think that is, and methods you can employ to make it a more meaningful part of your table experience. We also discuss some of our favorite travel systems from games, how we've hacked them to work for us, and why it can be important to explore this particular pillar of RPGs. Website: https://icastspells.com Twitter: @passive_podcast Email: pass...
Ep 46 - Resuscitating A Campaign (After Time Off)
June 06, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBWe talk about getting your campaign back on track after a layoff, whether that be a week, a month, a year, or beyond. We address some of the challenges of getting players re-bought in , how to set the table for the best possible return experience, and some of the things that can kill a campaign. We also cover some new TTRPG releases and the return of a style of gaming which, to many, has been lost to time. Twitter: @passive_podcast Email: [email protected] Show Breakdown: 0...
Ep 46 - Resuscitating A Campaign (After Time Off)
June 06, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBWe talk about getting your campaign back on track after a layoff, whether that be a week, a month, a year, or beyond. We address some of the challenges of getting players re-bought in , how to set the table for the best possible return experience, and some of the things that can kill a campaign. We also cover some new TTRPG releases and the return of a style of gaming which, to many, has been lost to time. Twitter: @passive_podcast Email: [email protected] Show Breakdown: 0...
Ep 45 - Splitting The Party
May 31, 2022 13:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBIn this episode we cover some of the strategies behind, and the implications of, splitting your TTRPG party. We discuss how it can help expedite the action, but also increase work load and slow down your pacing. We go in-depth with several person and listener-sourced examples and dig into when splitting the party may be a good idea and when it may be ill-advised. Tune in for help running a split party, TTRPG news, listener feedback, and more. Twitter: @passive_podcast Email: passiveaggropo...
Ep 44 - Session Length (What's Ideal)
May 23, 2022 08:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBNEW COVER ART This week we're talking about what makes for an ideal session length? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of shorter vs longer sessions. Do we still have it in us to run marathon sessions that last the whole weekend? Tune in for insights on how to structure your games for time, TTRPG news, listener feedback, and more. Twitter: @passive_podcast Email: [email protected] Show Breakdown: 0:00: Intro TTRPG News: 1:00 @gazpachoTT "Playing I Spy": 7:3...
Ep 43 - Bringing Roleplay To Non-TTRPG Activities
May 16, 2022 11:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBWe cover bringing elements and tools from your TTRPG kit into other activities like board games, video games, fantasy sports, sex, and much more. We cover some of the tenets of how ascribing meaning through narrative and roleplay can help you build better memories with the things you love. Twitter: @passive_podcast Email: [email protected] Show Breakdown: TTRPG News: 0:42 Black Dragon Company @bddc_pod "El Guapo": 3:24 Addressing Twists In Games: 5:20 Role Playing Grena...
Ep 42 - To BBEG or not to BBEG?
May 09, 2022 08:00 - 50 minutes - 35.1 MBThis week we cover the story significance of adding a Big Bad Evil Guy (BBEG) to your campaign. We also discuss the non-literal interpretation of the concept, goal-oriented play, and providing context and significance to your in-game actions. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 41 - House Rules
May 02, 2022 08:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBDiscussing some of the more interesting house rules we know about, why we believe rules tweaking can benefit your games, and how sometimes customizing rules can be for all the wrong reasons. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 40 - Playing To Lose & Failing Forward
April 25, 2022 12:00 - 46 minutes - 32.3 MBThis episode is about redefining how we view personal failure in our TTPRG sessions, and how reframing the concept can open up whole new worlds of opportunity for the players at your table. Also, listener feedback, and TTRPG news. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 39 - Fudging & Rolling In The Open
April 18, 2022 08:00 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MBClickity clack! When dice attack! This week we talk about the very contentious topic of fudging rolls. We also cover some alternative ways to use dice at your table and their impacts, including rolling in the open vs behind a screen, and player-facing systems of conflict resolution. A brief review of DREAD, addressing listener feedback, and TTRPG news. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 38 - Saying NO
April 11, 2022 09:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MBDiscussing the sometimes difficult but sometimes necessary act of telling your players (or even your GM) NO. When is it appropriate and when does it require an explanation? Also, we dig into listener feedback and TTRPG news. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 37 - The Duality of Humor
April 04, 2022 13:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBDiscussing the double edged sword that is the witting (and sometimes unwitting) inclusion of humor into your TTRPG sessions. We investigate where the line is when it becomes too much, the nature of the sliding scale of tone, and the possible implications they can have on your games. We also cover some listener feedback and TTRPG news. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 36 - DIY Publishing & Zines (/w Eric Swanson of Narrative Dynamics)
March 28, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 43.3 MBWe have a conversation with very special guest, Eric Swanson. Eric is a TTRPG developer, illustrator, editor, DIY publisher, and the list goes on! In this episode we discuss the impacts of crowdfunding, democratization of development, tips for getting your first product to market, and much more. Eric even has a curated list of his own Dusty Stack games! Check out Eric's work at https://narrativedynamicspress.com/ || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 35 - Theater Of The Mind Vs Visual Aids
March 21, 2022 08:00 - 53 minutes - 37.1 MBThis week we fall down the rabbit hole discussing the advantages of honing your skills using theater of the mind, and how it compares against using tactical maps, minis, and other player aids. We also do some follow-up on last week's episode on GM burnout and cover recent TTRPG news || Steve's Article On 3D Printing PPE: https://romesentinel.com/stories/local-volunteers-join-covid-19-fight,95525 || 3D Printed Website For 3D Printed PPE: https://rist3d.org || Twitter: @passive_podcast ...
Ep 34 - GM Burnout
March 14, 2022 16:00 - 58 minutes - 40.2 MBDiscussing the tolls of mental exhaustion, and how that can translate in to affecting our games. We rap about some of the causes of, and coping strategies for, when you're feeling creatively burnt out || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 33 - TTRPGs As Education (/w Michael Low of Luck of Legends)
March 07, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MB"School is a badly designed game." Today we're talking with very special guest, Michael Low. Michael Is an educator, game designer, and leading innovator in using TTRPGs as a tool for learning. We talk about the common ground between TTRPGs and education, how it's currently being utilized, and its vast potential to improve the learning landscape for our youth. Find Michael's various projects at https://www.luckoflegends.com/ || https://storiesrpg.com/ || https://luckoflegends.itch.io/ |...
Ep 32 - Running A Mystery
March 01, 2022 00:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBDiscussing our thoughts and weirdly idiosyncratic opinions on what it takes to run a successful TTRPG mystery. Covering the importance of keeping things fresh and varied, and outlining how easy it is to mess up. Plus, some TTRPG news.
Ep 31 - Pacing (And Why It's Important)
February 21, 2022 10:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBTalking about pacing and how both GMs and players alike can promote tighter games by staying aware of this key concept, plus some suggestions for nailing it. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 30 - Running Away (From Encounters)
February 14, 2022 10:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBFly, you fools! This week we discuss incorporating 'unwinnable' encounters (both social and combat) into your sessions and campaigns and the tonal, and narrative advantages of doing so. We go over when we think it's appropriate to bolt from an encounter and how we can facilitate that understanding both as players and as GMs. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 29 - Character Backgrounds
February 07, 2022 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBBackstory Vs. 'Forestory'. This week we're discussing the process and impact of developing your character's backstory. We cover the merits and pitfalls of having a robust, pre-written backstory as well as the advantages of taking a more collaborative approach at the table. All mixed in with a little TTRPG news and the absurdity you have grown to expect (and hopefully accept) from us. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 28 - Metacurrency
January 31, 2022 09:00 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MBOn this episode we cover various systems of TTRPG metacurrency. We also discuss whether or not it's appropriate to distribute metacurrency based on merit/behavior, and the implications of defining either objective or subjective standards for rewarding players at the table. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 27 - Rewards (Quests & Adventures)
January 24, 2022 12:00 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MBJoin us as we discuss unique and story-driving ways to provide quest and adventure rewards that separate themselves from the typical gold/experience paradigm. We systematically analyze a gamut of ways to reward players while identifying what makes said rewards relevant to your PCs' goals and motivations. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 26 - Built Different (Alternate Character Generation)
January 17, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBThis week's episode is about using the widely varying and sometimes alternative methods of generating a character in your favorite TTRPGs. We answer some listener feedback from @Ivrione on Twitter, and go in-depth about our experience with Twilight 2000's lifepath character generation system. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 25 - Starting New Systems
January 10, 2022 15:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBToday we're talking about some of the stresses behind and strategies for more successfully bringing brand new systems to the table. We discuss the shifting responsibility for learning rules, how to navigate first sessions when no one at the table is familiar with the system, and the merits of broadening your repertoire. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Happy New Year!
January 03, 2022 08:00 - 5 minutes - 3.92 MBWe're taking a week off! Here's a brief message from a very groggy Ivan and a new track from John Potocnik's new album, Tunes From Pleasant Valley. This album is released completely royalty free for use in videos, podcasts, streaming, or however you see fit. Available anywhere you get your music. || Tunes From Pleasant Valley: https://open.spotify.com/album/0rme4ZJI3p4nMGmp8eNpNA?si=V7hOIwPqSsWLJVWeu5Hgag || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Happy New Year!
January 03, 2022 08:00 - 5 minutes - 3.92 MBWe're taking a week off! Here's a brief message from a very groggy Ivan and a new track from John Potocnik's new album, Tunes From Pleasant Valley. This album is released completely royalty free for use in videos, podcasts, streaming, or however you see fit. Available anywhere you get your music. || Tunes From Pleasant Valley: https://open.spotify.com/album/0rme4ZJI3p4nMGmp8eNpNA?si=V7hOIwPqSsWLJVWeu5Hgag || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 24 - Deities & Pantheons
December 27, 2021 15:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBThis week we're discussing deities in TTRPGs, and how a pantheon can pivotally affect the nature of a campaign. We discuss objective morality and what part in-game gods play in defining it. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 24 - Deities & Pantheons
December 27, 2021 15:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBThis week we're discussing deities in TTRPGs, and how a pantheon can pivotally affect the nature of a campaign. We discuss objective morality and what part in-game gods play in defining it. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 23 - Party Balance
December 20, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutes - 34.4 MBWe're talking about party balance, reconciling differences between party members both mechanical and narrative in nature, and when the 'why' of character generation over the 'how.' We also field some questions from listeners @KailaEvansDM of @cotdnd, and @grenchaw. Finally, we're feature a special track at the end of the episode from Ivan's father, John Potocnik, off his new album, Tunes From Pleasant Valley. This album is released completely royalty free for use in videos, podcasts, streami...
Ep 22 - Railroads Vs Sandboxes
December 13, 2021 12:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBWe compare highly linear storytelling against open-world methods of running a game and their respective advantages and disadvantages. We cover how to best incorporate principles from each into your sessions and the importance of making player-driven action both relevant and significant. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 21 - Improv
December 06, 2021 13:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBWe're talking improv! We go over some of the core tenets of improv and how they apply to the overall TTRPG experience. We discuss the commonalities, differences, the act of listening, agreement, facilitating the story, and much more. || Improv List: https://www.jesterzimprov.com/fundamental-improv-principles/ || @RPGrenadePod: https://linktr.ee/RolePlayingGrenade || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected] || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Obl...
Ep 20 - Wealth Systems
November 29, 2021 13:00 - 39 minutes - 27.3 MBWe discuss in-game currency, and the difference between granular systems and overarching wealth systems. We talk about some of the potential pitfalls of each and how to best incorporate them into your games in a meaningful way. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected] || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ
Ep 19 - Downtime
November 22, 2021 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBWe're talking about downtime! We hit on topics such as how to make things more story relevant, where to draw the line so it doesn't become rote or monotonous, and much more. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected] || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ
Ep 18 - Dusty Stack #2
November 15, 2021 09:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBWe're revisiting our Dusty Stacks! This time around we're discussing six games that we're dying to play, and their individualities that make them so compelling. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected] || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ || Paranoia: https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/us/rpgs/paranoia.html || Wheel Of Time: https://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Time-Roleplaying-Game-...
Ep 17 - Metagaming
November 08, 2021 09:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBThis time around we're discussing metagaming! We theorize on when metagaming stops being harmless fun and starts being disruptive to the table. We also talk about ways to make players' outside knowledge work narratively. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected] || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ