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INFAMOUS Media Group Podcasts

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Nerdcognito

INFAMOUS Media Group

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Nerds invite you into their world and chats about TTRPGs w/ OSR vibes, Board & Video Games, pop culture, & more! Listen and Subscribe for real, irreverent, yet relevant discussions, creator interviews, nerdy news, product reviews, and more!
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Infamous: NXIVM's Inner Circle

Campside Media / Sony Music Entertainment

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News leaks that someone in the self-help group NXIVM has branded female members with their leader’s initials. Now, the nation believes they are a cult. In the hopes of changing the narrative, NXIVM gives Vanessa exclusive access to the group’s top members, like Seagram’s heir Clare Bronfman and Smallville star Allison Mack. Unlock all episodes of Infamous: NXIVM's Inner Circle, ad-free, right now by subscribing to The Binge. Plus, get binge access to brand new stories dropping on the first o ...
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I'm Not a Monster

BBC Radio 5 Live

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Seeking to separate fact from fiction, the multi award-winning series returns to investigate the divisive story of Shamima Begum. When three London school girls went missing in 2015, they generated global headlines and the media storm that ensued continues to this day. Back then, investigative journalist Josh Baker was filming at a mosque in the girls' neighbourhood as their families came to seek help; their daughters were on the way to Syria to join the Islamic State group. But it was too l ...
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The Raven

Tenderfoot TV and Audacy

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On January 31, 2000, just hours after Super Bowl XXXIV, Baltimore Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis and a group of friends got into an altercation outside of a club in Atlanta’s affluent Buckhead neighborhood. Within seconds, two men -- Richard Lollar and Jacinth Baker -- were dead in the street. Lewis and two friends, Joseph Sweeting and Reginald Oakley, were charged with murder. A media frenzy ensued, but in the end, all three defendants walked free. Less than a year after the killings, Lew ...
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We're chugging down the line! This week we look into the dreaded DM device.... railroading. Is there any good that can come of it? Why and how is it applied in Dungeons and Dragons and the TTRPG hobby? Also, we have a chat with Ben from the Manacaster team about their current projects! *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.nerdcognito.com/p/be-a-ch…
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This week, the gang EFAPs a Ginny Di video dedicated to bringing "romance" to your TTRPG table. Digging deeper in the video, discussion emerges about the social state of our nerd culture, and culture in general. Plus, RD learns the word "situationship," and promptly melts down. After the nerds recover, they also briefly dig into the news. *** Be a …
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Solo gaming has always existed but has seen large boons thanks to board games and TTRPGs over the last decade. This week Ryan, Bert, and Kyle dig into the idea of solo gaming and discuss its nuances. Plus, due to popular demand, Siobhan officially joins the gang for her first full episode of the big show! *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.nerdc…
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This week, Ryan finally got to introduce Bert and his core group to the sci-fi horor experience that is Mothership. Listen to their thoughts on the game, it's feel, and how they will handle some horrific nuance at the table. Then, sandwiched in with the news is a detailed discussion about Dungeons and Dragons newest executive in charge of "franchis…
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How important is it that you as a Dungeon Master and your players have a good "flow" in your game? It's not just about moving along plot points or hitting story beats... it is an overall feeling that your table is not stuck in the mud! The guys discuss this before an interview with the creator of Mafia Blitz, the new "werewolf-esque" game that's co…
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Wonderfilled Games founder and CEO Stephen Erin Dinehart IV has been making waves, anti-white statements, and according to some "crashed out" over the past two weeks. Ryan David had questions, opinions, and accusations that needed answers, so he invited Stephen on for a brutally honest and frank discussion about his actions and statements. Finalize…
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This week, Bert and Jack steer the conversation to Castles! Why are these structures revered and critical components in our tabletop and fantasy games? Naturally, the conversation spirals around to all sorts of tangents, and why shouldn't it? Especially considering that RD is still out on vacation and Kyle slept through his alarm! *** A Note to our…
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The guys continue where they left off last week and finish out the news before they dive into a discussion of creating custom classes. Of course, this spirals into a full on discussion about classes, class systems, and other tangents! Have some class... give a listen or watch! *** DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://bit.ly/nerdcognito *** Be a Check…
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He told each of them a different story: billionaire’s son, crypto genius, tech founder. None of it was true. From the outside, Ken was everything—successful, charming, generous. But when the women he deceived compared notes, they uncovered something far more sinister: a scam that stretched from Los Angeles to Italy, a man who kept reinventing himse…
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As the gang looks forward to a week of vacation, this first part of a two part episode brings you a discussion of large scale combat and big battles in TTRPGs! There are a bevy of ways to handle these as a Dungeon Master, but when your party goes to war... what works for YOUR table? All the massive scale chatter you can handle, plus a tiptoe into t…
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Lord Matteus sits in as guest host to discuss eroticism, sexuality, and naughty bits in gaming -- specifically taking a look at Paizo's new rainbow-stravaganza game blurring the lines between the gaming table and LGBT activism. After the news, the gang talks about long game sequels and how a show can be necro'ed, sometimes after decades! *** DIRECT…
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We know that the "six sessions" that the modern DnD gamer call a campaign seems short, so this week we ask the question of "why?" The differences between Classic Gaming/OSR tables vs. modern absolutely impact how we can have campaigns lasting years while they can't make a week. Then after the news, the guys break down the latest in the City State o…
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One year later... Daniel D. Fox, controversial creator of Zweihander and other TTRPGs, returns to Nerdcognito. His first trip addressed the "why we should not like each other" bits... and we came out of it... friends?!? This time around, Dan sits in with Ryan and Kyle and just talk about the hobby, their families, Wizards of the Coast, a hint of po…
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Goodman Games, creators of Dungeon Crawl Classics are now endeavoring to re-release The City State of the Invincible Overlord -- a legendary module which shaped Dungeons and Dragons and TTRPGs. Two issues have them drawing fire from all sides. "Reimagining for modern audiences" has Classic Gaming and the OSR up in arms while supporting a creator th…
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Rule Zero! The gang dives back into Rule 0 as TTRPG/DnD buzz online has picked up about it, RAW (rules as written), and the pros and cons of implementing this at the table. Opinions are across the board, and Bert gets a little hot at RD. Plus not one, but TWO trips to Reddit... with a twist! *** DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://bit.ly/nerdcognito…
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The guys reflect back on the visit that shocked the hobby... when Daniel D. Fox, creator of Zweihander and "enemy of the OSR" sat in and talked with RD and Kyle. We revisit this chat in anticipation of the upcoming "One Year Later" episode when Dan stops by again! Plus, chatter about the nerdy things we love, the news, and... a trip to Reddit! *** …
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Ryan doesn't have a voice, but that doesn't stop he and Kyle from educating the very disconencted-from-the-internet Bert about the recent delving into Wizards of the Coast's license agreement -- which can be interpreted as opening the door to "stealing" content from designers and players alike. We don't often agree, but we can agree on this... cont…
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Jeremy Crawford has followed in the footsteps of others and "exited" (on his terms?) Wizards of the Coast. With now ALL of the core designers and decision makers out of the mix, where does this leave Dungeons and Dragons specifically, and the future of hobby in general? *** DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://bit.ly/nerdcognito *** Be a Check Mark H…
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With a tumultuous economy made even more murky with tariffs, the future of the hobby has been questioned by some. In today's slightly-more-political-than-usual Nerdcognito, the guys discuss tariffs in general and then move the lens over our hobby. How can and will these increased potential costs impact design, product availability, and production i…
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Ryan rounds up Kyle and Bert to discuss yet another lost art in the modern DnD/TTRPG hobby: Homebrewing. Why is it fading? Where has the creativity of the modern Dungeons & Dragons fan gone? Can this bespoke talent be resurrected or is it destined to vanish? *** DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://bit.ly/nerdcognito *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https:/…
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With Wizards of the Coast all but scrapping their official VTT for Dungeons & Dragons, laying off 90% of their digital staff, and Shadowdark roaring... we need a break! The gang talks about their gaming, enjoy a session recap from the Nerdcognito group, and dive into other news from the hobby this week. Reset button smashed! *** Episode Sponsors an…
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Ryan David leads the Nerdcognito crew through The Arcane Library's latest journey with Shadowdark. The gang discuss the success of the current Kickstarter, the impact of SD to the hobby, and even posit some positive (and negative) future outcomes. Kelsey and Shadowdark have changed the landscape of the industry, and everone needs to pay attention t…
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The boys get together to commiserate with Ryan; it seems like everything that could go wrong this week, did.The gang bounces around idea to idea and talk about random, flitting nerdy things... while RD broods.Forgive the audio quality as our production board blew up. Forgive the lack of format as our brains blew up. *** Episode Sponsors and Affilia…
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Minutes after the announcement of the late Ernie Gygax's passing... SparkleTrolls went on the attack online. Of course, this was hosted on Reddit. We take them to task here.Be like Ernie. *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates: Get YOUR T-shirt! https://amzn.to/3D5xr0z Shop Amazon and Support the Show: https://amzn.to/3djotja *We earn a small commissi…
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Small groups of loud voices with bad takes are shouting into the void about "Zero Prep" and what it means. When is no prep too much prep? How absurd can it get? We laugh as fauxs and joes alike double down on an absurd argument. *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates: Get YOUR T-shirt! https://amzn.to/3D5xr0z Shop Amazon and Support the Show: https://…
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Paizo has done it again, reminding us that they are no friend of the mainstream gamer. Catering to the woke warriors and weirdos that do not really play the game, they will be introducing mechanics for romance in their new core book. That's right, your resident rules laywer can now argue the size of their... heart. *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliat…
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Lost arts at the TTRPG table. Mapping in Dungeons & Dragons was at the top of the list this past weekend on the Speak, so the conversation continues here. Plus, the news of the week and a sidestep into another lost art -- the investigation. *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates: Shop Amazon and Support the Show: https://amzn.to/3djotja *We earn a sma…
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The 2025 Monster Manual is out! The changes are woke! And crippling! And lore erasing (literally!) The gang goes through the most egregious of these changes and discusses the future of these monsters and Dungeons and Dragons in general. Although they expected it to be bad, they did not expect it to be this dramatic of a change. What does this mean …
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"There was no satanic panic." Ok, pal. The gang deep dives into an apparent X engagement grab and examines what they believe to be the root cause of the campaign against D&D, Heavy Metal, and more in the 1980s. The triple-six discussion is capped off with a trip into the news of the week! *** The News: Kaiju! Alien! Reddit? *** Episode Sponsors and…
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After spending some time in the Nerdcognito Nation... Jack asks the forbidden question, "What is Horse Girl?" Well, he finds out. Then we take a trip into the news with a dip in the Reddit cesspool! After the news, former BrOSR, Joel Peterson drops in to talk about his bro journey as well as his video and tabletop games development. Suck it, Cuppa!…
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Ryan, Jack, and Bert dig into the details of the 2025 Monster Manual. It's great... if you listen to the pop gaming media. We have other opinions. After slogging through the news, the gang each throw out the name of their personal "favorite" TTRPG monster book. *** The News: You leveled up twice doing what? An classic board game "updated for modern…
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A prominent and previously politically benign designer gets political and then blasted for talking down to you about "Anticolonialism" in your TTRPG game. The guys have some very pointed opinions, as expected. The news delves into more DnD "lifestyle brand" announcements. After the gang survives another week of news, they share a list of the "best"…
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Nerdcognito LIVE!This special dual-broadcast episode kicks off with the gang talking about what makes the "quintessential DnD party." What group of characters is almost a must-have for a TTRPG campaign of adventure? The news highlights a pondering that makes people scratch their heads, likely because of the source. After the news, what media -- acr…
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It's Christmastime and the gang is talking all aspects of the holiday! Hear what each of the guys would love to see under their tree and what they have planned for the season! Plus, all the news you could want (or not want)! Siobhan also invades a news segment with some "fan" insight to a story that carried over from the Speakeasy -- "Dungeons and …
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Fan Fiction has always existed, but now, the lines between fanfic and canon are blurred. The barrier for entry of user created schlock into canon has all but been removed. Is this a good or a bad thing? How does this effect the hobby and your table? After the news, RD, Bert, and Kyle discuss holiday games at the TTRPG table. What role do these play…
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RD has no voice and the gang pick up the slack! Drizzt Do'Urden is too "problematic" for Wizards of the Coast to produce in a TV show.. or possibly any "old Drizzt" materials according to the pop gaming media and your average SparkleTroll. The news features a story that makes RD vow to revisit it on the next Speakeasy. Lastly, the guys rattle off m…
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With the TTRPG scene buzzing about Elon Musk potentially buying Hasbro and/or Wizards of the Coast, the guys weigh in with pros... AND cons of a possible Musk takeover. You might be surprised about who has apprehension! Then, after the news, the gang talks about a push in gaming to intentionally produce games as a mental health tool! But wait, it's…
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You do not need to check your glasses or rub your eyes... Ryan has invited BDubs of the #BrOSR to pop in to the big show. Never shying away from a conversation with anyone, this special episode does not disappoint! With the noticeable shift in power, poise, and presentation, RD had to find out the "State of the BroSR." BDubs does not disappoint tal…
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We hop on the controversy carousel and FINALLY give our thoughts on the old argument about paladins. Which of the gang believes they must be Lawful Good (and human) and who is playing the tiefling holy warrior? Then, we tackle the news with pop gaming garbage that boggles the minds of each of the guys. Lastly, we take a trip to Reddit where a LOT o…
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The whole gang is here and Ryan David leads the discussion around what "bones" are a must-have for the perfect fantasy role playing game? Spanning from philosophy to mechanics, the crew nominate elements that they simply couldn't exclude from their own "perfect D&D." The news is just one article -- but what an article it is! Do you know what your d…
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Wizards of the Coast has further GUTTED 2024 Dungeons and Dragons. Thanks to a leak and preview materials, we review all of the options and play choices that new to the hobby players and 5e folks alike now have had erased! It's not just an attack on most current players and old school classic gamers, it's open season for anything that doesn't fit t…
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Your Dungeon Master has no autonomy. Players can steamroll the table. PCs get a safe space where they are untouchable. The Wizards of the Coast 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide has codified safety tools and empowered the woke crybullies that run rampant in the hobby. Further accelerating the destruction of our hobby and bending the knee to the screaming…
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Randy dropped in and the gang just couldn't keep it to an hour! Listen to the overtime segment where the topic turns to the dark side... what happens when you have to remove a player from your group. The old kick to the curb is necessary and a part of the hobby, but how do you and your table handle this unpleasant task? Listen for insight, tales of…
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This week, friend of the show Randy Nichols sits in and talks with Ryan and Bert about preparations a player makes when tackling a new system, new table, or both. The boys talk their rituals and TTRPG "study habits." Of course, they get to talking and get caught up in the conversation -- so once the chat about the news finishes discussing the pop g…
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Extreme violence. Naughty bits. Gore. Uncomfortable situations. How much is too much at the table? Where is there a line? IS THERE a line? The gang weighs in. The news includes some surprising 2024 DND PHB information kicking off the week's update. After the news, the guys discuss player engagement and how to keep the focus on the table instead of …
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Ryan David does no prep. Bert does a lot. Kyle is in the middle. What session prep style is best, how does prep affect a game, and what ramifications does it have for your group at the table? Some interesting news with a new contender to dethrone the "horse." After, a DND DM is looking for an exit... but is he not enjoying the game because he isn't…
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The 2024 DND Players Handbook is the best selling Dungeons & Dragons supplement... EVER?!? Really? We dig into the numbers that are available and have some questions and commentary. This week we also welcome the Lost Lore Scholar, Jack into his seat as the newest host of Nerdcognito! After the news, all four of your friends, Ryan David, Bert, Jack,…
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The show picks up where we left off last week -- talking about comedy TTRPGs. Can funny have legs? Is a long-term comedy campaign sustainable? Then, we get buried in the news this week starting with a deep discussion on 2024 DND's new "time out" cleric spell; the one that allows you to short rest during a combat. Plus, woke warriors are forming yet…
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The gang pivots from talking about WotC, woke, or faux warrior drama this week and puts on their player character hats. What mindset, procedure, and thought process go behind the making of a character for D&D or any other TTRPG? Three very different perspectives and practices that offer insight into their game -- and hopefully yours! Plus, an exten…
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The Hero's Feast artwork from OneDND is the most Wizards of the Coast thing WotC has done... this week. We pick it apart, talk about "why?", and have a general good time because YouTube sensation The Dungeon Delver, Mr. Bill Silvey is guest hosting this week! This, plus one or two abysmal Reddit takes and the news makes for a great conversation abo…
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