Best AFIRE Podcasts (2025)

The morning brings many surprises in the Queen of Harrows' palace: breakfast, gifts, hexes, childhood friends...and a voyage into the forbidden. The second half of Season 1's penultimate session! It is a twisting trail indeed that leads our young Poets to their goal--a trail that may know their goals better than they do. STARRING Jay Ben Markson as…

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Duality Bites! Ep 9: Thirsty Sword Thespians (The Dramaturgy of Daggerheart) 38:21

Play Pause

8d ago38:21

38:21

In a wide-ranging episode, David and Asteria wax philosophical--and psychological, and dramaturgical--about the art of TTRPG storytelling. Get ready for two hyper-intellectual elder millennials who've made theater together since the 90s, cuz they're gonna talk about Daggerheart! (And Jacques Lacan. And we cut the part where they try to remember the…

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Episode 12: Reap What You Sow (Part 1) 2:04:37

23d ago2:04:37

2:04:37

Separated in the Queen of Harrow's palace, our young Poets must tread carefully. Even a tiny cut from ones own dagger can have grave consequences--imagine saying the wrong thing to (or stealing the wrong book from) the Queen's most mysterious agent... The first half of Season 1's penultimate session! Stay tuned as these heroes step further into the…

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Harry's Inbox: Used cars, PhDs and holidays with heart 12:58

29d ago12:58

12:58

The Hearts Afire team answers your Harry's Inbox questions and talks about the Heart of the Holidays celebrations.By David King

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Episode 11: A Harrowing 1:45:21

1M ago1:45:21

1:45:21

The Harvest Court contains multitudes, and our Poets no longer no whom, or what, to trust. It's been a long, weary road, after all, marked by loss and upheaval. But when the Queen of Harrows questions you, you don't want to lose your head... STARRING Jay Ben Markson as Lemma Katie McLean Hainsworth as Evelyn David Skeist as OrLeon Carmela Smith as …

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Developing your career at BBG, with Brandi Bradford 9:17

2M ago9:17

9:17

Brandi Bradford, Manager, Organizational Design and Culture, talks about the vital need for career development programs in the modern workplace - including ours.By David King

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Episode 10: What Hath Iron Wrought 1:50:27

2M ago1:50:27

1:50:27

Faced with a showdown between Glory and Fortune themselves, the Poets make some quick decisions--and try to put together the pieces of all that's befallen Lacuna in a few short days. STARRING Jay Ben Markson as Lemma Katie McLean Hainsworth as Evelyn David Skeist as OrLeon Carmela Smith as Ginny and Asteria the Hag as Game Master Produced by Asteri…

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Harry's Inbox: PTO, ice and 'healthy' food trucks 8:46

2M ago8:46

8:46

Angelica Sandoval and David King tackle questions from Harry's Inbox, including inquiries about paid time off, an ice machine and if there really is such a thing as a "healthy" food truck.By David King

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Duality Bites! Ep 8: The Great Weasel Trap (Environments, Adversaries, & Combat Design) 34:48

2M ago34:48

34:48

Asteria and Carmela react to the big Episode 9 combat, and break down Asteria's use of the "Burning Heart of the Wood" environment. Listen to the actual play podcast we're talking around, "Queen of Daggers, Heart of Fire," at https://www.hagdealgaming.com/qod-podcast Featuring Carmela Smith and Asteria (aka Liz Thaler) Edited by Asteria This produc…

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Episode 9: A Ring Afire 1:58:26

2M ago1:58:26

1:58:26

The Poets at last find themselves in a fight they can't escape. What will they learrn about themselves in this trial by chaotic fire? Will motes of Madness herself change their fates? STARRING Jay Ben Markson as Lemma Katie McLean Hainsworth as Evelyn David Skeist as OrLeon Carmela Smith as Ginny and Asteria the Hag as Game Master Produced by Aster…

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What the heck does Learning & Development do? 11:14

3M ago11:14

11:14

It's not the same ol' training videos and handouts - our Learning & Development team works collaboratively to get you what you and your team needs. Find out how it works from Tilley Stone, who joins the podcast this month as part of National Learning & Development Month.By David King

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Muertos Fest: A chance to connect with the community 15:12

3M ago15:12

15:12

Angelica Sandoval talks with Susan Smith about how the organization's altar at Muertos Fest helps connect the community with the BBG team.By David King

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Duality Bites! Ep 7: Fish Don't Know They're Wet (Knowledge Rolls & World-Building) 30:16

3M ago30:16

30:16

Part 2 of our Live From Chicago session! Asteria, Carmela, and Katie talk about exploring the Realm of Lacuna through player questions and dice rolls. Plus, these veterans of multiple systems compare the Daggerheart experience to other games in their wheelhouse (especially the super-crunchy ones). Featuring Katie McLean Hainsworth, Carmela Smith, a…

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Episode 8: Waking 2:15:14

3M ago2:15:14

2:15:14

Strange visions greet our Poets in their sleep. Stranger still is the task that awaits them on the morrow... STARRING Jay Ben Markson as Lemma Katie McLean Hainsworth as Evelyn David Skeist as OrLeon Carmela Smith as Ginny and Asteria the Hag as Game Master Produced by Asteria (aka Liz Thaler) and Carmela Smith Sound Editor Carmela Smith This produ…

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SPOILER-FREE BONUS Duality Bites! Ep 6.5: Improv is Scary, RPGs Are Great 13:09

3M ago13:09

13:09

The second half of our most recent chat episode, for those who haven't yet listened to episodes 6 and 7 of Queen of Daggers, Heart of Fire. In this section, Asteria and Jay Ben discuss the pre-campaign groundwork that went into creating the Elegists, and into building comfort with group worldbuilding and storytelling as a whole. Featuring Asteria a…

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Duality Bites! Ep 6: Back to the Future (Backstory Collab & Dramatic RP) 30:31

3M ago30:31

30:31

Asteria and Jay Ben share the collaboration and pre-campaign discussions that led to Lemma's flashback scenes and backstory reveals. Looking back on the vignette of Lemma's kindling, we discuss how we've been able to set each other up for dramatic improvisation and build off each other's storytelling--while still, ideally, ruining each other's live…

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Episode 7: Touched by Fire 2:13:59

3M ago2:13:59

2:13:59

As night falls on the Shadowjack camp, our heroes are drawn apart--by their pasts, by their fates, and by curiosity. Though they call themselves allies, each mysterious figure here sings a different siren song. What will our young Poets discover about themselves in the shadows? They may have changed the world, but they're now learning how strange i…

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Duality Bites! Ep 5: Prologue Dice! (Homebrew Mechanics & Collaborative Storytelling) 31:03

3M ago31:03

31:03

Asteria and Carmela visit Katie in Chicago for our first ever in-person coven meeting! In this portion, we talk about the homebrew mechanics of Season 1, our biggest collaborative storytelling moments, and the inherent Daggerheart-iness of fitting your method to your madness. Featuring Katie McLean Hainsworth, Carmela Smith, and Asteria (aka Liz Th…

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Love as a change strategy, with Frank Danna 15:57

4M ago15:57

15:57

The Hearts Afire podcast is back with Frank Danna, Creative Director at Softway, talking about his organization's new book, "Love as a Change Strategy."By David King

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Duality Bites! Ep 4: One Hand Tied (Playing Sub-Optimally, for the Fiction) 16:27

4M ago16:27

16:27

Carmela and Jay Ben return to discuss playing half a season using only one of their two domains. What's it like to be a spellcaster who won't cast spells? (Yes, both of them.) Featuring Carmela Smith and Jay Ben Markson Edited by Asteria This product includes materials from the Daggerheart Playtest Manuscript 1.5 © Critical Role, LLC. under the ter…

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Episode 367 "Besties" 1:12:31

4M ago1:12:31

1:12:31

This week on KellzPodcast: The studbudz rebound, Paige Motherphkn Buckets, and Tyla flops.By Kellz

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Episode 6: A Road Diverged 2:05:50

4M ago2:05:50

2:05:50

A jam-packed episode! Our Poets are caught in the thick of a shadowy ambush. In the aftermath, they'll learn things about Lacuna--and themselves--they never imagined. The beginning of a big second arc. Who (and what) are the Shadowjacks? Where is the Sallow Ring, and why are generations of Poets drawn there? How many accents will Asteria attempt in…

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Duality Bites! Ep 3: A Clank By Any Other Name (Customizing Heritage) 25:13

5M ago25:13

25:13

Carmela Smith (producer, editor, and hag-about-town) chats with her fellow player Jay Ben Markson about his PC's custom ancestry, and about how both Ginny and Lemma (their Queen of Daggers, Heart of Fire PCs) use the Orderborne community. A great discussion for anyone intereted in the mesh of mechanics and flavor/backstory in the Daggerheart system…

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Episode 5: The Heretics of Lacuna 1:07:43

5M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

Our Poets hit the road, and the books. Will unraveling Lacuna's past help them decide its future? And while they're choosing the realm's path, they'd better keep an eye on their own... STARRING Jay Ben Markson as Lemma Katie McLean Hainsworth as Evelyn David Skeist as OrLeon Carmela Smith as Ginny and Asteria the Hag as Game Master Produced by Aste…

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Duality Bites! Ep 2: The Only Thing We Have To Fear (A GM Self-Review) 17:28

5M ago17:28

17:28

GM Asteria, in a solo episode, considers a hallmark of the Daggerheart system: Making GM Moves. A nerve-wracking prospect--especially when your players roll with Fear! Eight months after the Queen of Daggers, Heart of Fire campaign began, what has Asteria learned the hard way? What might she do differently? Our Episode 2 look back at our other Epis…

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Duality Bites! Ep 1: "How Do I Optimize?" (Domains, Experiences, & the New Three Pillars) 27:27

5M ago27:27

27:27

GM Asteria chats Daggerheart mechanics! Joined by Katie McLean Hainsworth and Jay Ben Markson after the debut episode of Queen of Daggers, Heart of Fire, and the Daggerheart system itself. Just three theater folk who love spreadsheets, trying not to get hit. This product includes materials from the Daggerheart Playtest Manuscript 1.5 © Critical Rol…

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Mini-sode! The Poets Level Up 12:21

5M ago12:21

12:21

After Episode 4, Asteria and the players pause to talk through their level-up decisions. Almost NO SPOILERS or campaign familiarity required--just good clean system talk. (Plus some hard-hitting nostalgia around backpacks.) Though Season 1 used the Daggerheart playtest, almost everything we discuss here is applicable to the official release rules! …

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BBG Broadcast 12:29

6M ago12:29

12:29

Angelica Sandoval and David King talk about all the amazing features of the organization's mobile app, BBG Broadcast.By David King

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Episode 4: What's in a Name? 1:46:58

6M ago1:46:58

1:46:58

Everyone loves a carnival! Our heroes aren't exactly in the mood, but then they don't exactly have a choice, as the Rain Queen's court has blown into town as it always does--unexpectedly. If only they truly thought this was all a coincidence... Games of chance, mob unrest, and trying to figure out what it means for a person to be made out of your f…

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Episode 3: Upon a Zephyr 1:24:28

6M ago1:24:28

1:24:28

As strange music heralds the arrival of the Rain Queen's court, our heroes find themselves separated. Soren shows OrLeon what it's like to live amidst chaos; Ginny discovers yet another Duality; Evelyn is abandoned, but not alone; Lemma is faced at last with a choice he cannot ignore...but will he? An RP-heavy episode, with some major players revea…

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Episode 366 "Find some PRIDE!" 2:00:49

7M ago2:00:49

2:00:49

This week on KellzPodcast: PRIDE Month with the hosts of the Untitled Until podcast Lou and A.B. talking about all things gay and how Teyana Taylor aint fooling me!By Kellz

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Episode 2: Howl 1:47:12

7M ago1:47:12

1:47:12

WARNING: We curse in this one! The dice will do that to you. Our heroes scramble to reckon with the strange force they've unleashed. As the Ward cracks around them, they must stretch their Poetic powers into territory fearful and new. They've never been tested before--can they step up and save people, including each other? An action-packed episode …

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Camp Discovery, with Jennifer Cavazos and Susan Smith 22:11

7M ago22:11

22:11

Jennifer Cavazos, Executive Director of Discovery Camps, and Susan Smith visit with Angelica Sandoval about Camp Discovery and Donation Day.By David King

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Episode 1: Turn and Look 2:14:06

7M ago2:14:06

2:14:06

Four young Poets--the realm of Lacuna's specially gifted guardians--embark upon a simple visit to a neighboring town, as part of their training. Surely, despite the strange omens they've all seen, things will go as planned... A love letter to the brand new Daggerheart TTRPG system by Darrington Press. (By/for fans of Actual Play who love drama and …

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Episode 365 "MyManMyManMyMan!" 59:01

7M ago59:01

59:01

Episode 365 "MyManMyManMyMan!" by KellzBy Kellz

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Episode 364 "We Are All SINNERS." 1:30:33

8M ago1:30:33

1:30:33

This week on KellzPodcast: SINNERS, get in the gym and I am a gentleman!By Kellz

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Episode 363 "POS" 1:03:33

9M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

This week on KellzPodcast: Women's Final Four, White America chose ashes, DEI, and I am tired of stupidityBy Kellz

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Episode 362 "A House Afire" 1:00:00

10M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

This week on KellzPodcast: What we want the Dems to do, Mayor Cuomo, Kamala Harris did her job, The Oscars, Target forgets where it came from and The Grill.By Kellz

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Culture and change, with J.R. Becho 8:27

10M ago8:27

8:27

J.R. Becho, Organizational Design and Culture Director, talks about the evolution of the culture-building initiatives at BBG, including work on better explaining changes within the organization.By David King

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Episode 361 "Fly Eagles Fly!" 41:04

11M ago41:04

41:04

This week of KellzPodcast: The Philadelphia Eagles are 2 time Super Bowl Champs!, The Grammys & Kendrick Lamar et. al.By Kellz

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All night long, with Josh Sanders 12:00

11M ago12:00

12:00

Find out about life on the overnight shift in QualTex-San Antonio with Josh Sanders.By David King

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The elephant in the room, with Susan Smith 18:56

11M ago18:56

18:56

Susan Smith talks about the elephant in the room - grief, in its many forms - with Angelica Sandoval.By David King

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Episdoe 360 "Say What You Mean!" 1:04:23

11M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

This week on KellzPodcast: Happy BHM, plane crashes and it is time to Stand Up!By Kellz

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Welcome to BBG Advanced Therapies, with Adrienne Mendoza 9:52

11M ago9:52

9:52

The Chief Operating Officer of BBG Advanced Therapies talks about the subsidiary's origins and plans for 2025.By David King

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Afire: The 14th Victim & Missoula Fire Sciences Lab (Mann Gulch 75) 37:31

1y ago37:31

37:31

When Harry Gisborne, the Forest Service's first fire scientist, died investigating the Mann Gulch Fire in 1949, he became known as its '14th victim.' Through personal stories and historical accounts, we explore how the tragic fire that killed 13 firefighters led to the creation of the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab and revolutionized wildland fire rese…

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Episode 359 "Turns Out, We're Going Back" 1:10:54

1y ago1:10:54

1:10:54

I'm back yall. Aint no format to this episode, just roll with it.By Kellz

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Afire: The 13th Fire & Mr. Mann Gulch (Mann Gulch 75) 44:13

1y ago44:13

44:13

On a scorching August afternoon in 1949, a small fire in Montana's Mann Gulch turned catastrophic in just minutes. Through storyteller David Turner, experience this haunting tale that transformed wildland firefighting forever, and discover how this fire claimed the lives of 13 smokejumpers and sparked a revolution in fire safety and science. Join F…

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Afire: A Chief's Perspective on Fire 15:54

1y ago15:54

15:54

How does research shape a Chief's decisions about fire? Through personal stories and reflections, Chief Randy Moore shares how scientific discoveries have transformed our agency's understanding of fire, and explains how research informs decision-making at the highest levels, the role of partnerships in advancing fire science, and the future of fire…

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New art, with Cristina Sosa Noriega 14:43

1y ago14:43

14:43

We begin our talks with artists in the BBG collection by talking to Cristina Sosa Noriega, whose produced a mural for the Southeast Donor Center.By David King