Best Senda Linaugh Podcasts (2025)

1
PTG 402 – GM as Servant Leader 59:51

Play Pause

4h ago59:51

59:51

Show us how you use the principles of servant leadership to GM your games! Phil and Senda once again bring their professional training to bear on this gaming topic to discuss servant leadership for GMs. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic : https://polyga…

1
PTG 401 – The Info Dump (and how to avoid it) 53:28

7d ago53:28

53:28

Show us how you manage your setting/info dump! Phil and Senda talk just in time info and some ways to approach it. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our linktree: https://polygamero.us/pandaBy Senda Linaugh and Phil Vecchione

1
PTG 400 – Pod Stars & Wishes and a Grab Bag 1:02:09

14d ago1:02:09

1:02:09

It’s episode 400! Show us how you…do 400 episodes? Phil and Senda reminisce a bit and talk stars and wishes for the podcast, then answer three shorter listener questions. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our linktree: https://polygamero.us/panda…

1
PTG 399 – Culture of Collaboration 1:04:29

21d ago1:04:29

1:04:29

Show us how you create a culture of collaboration at the table! Or, show us how you make sure that everyone is getting their game needs met in balance at the table! Phil and Senda talk tools, like spotlight management and hand raising, but also deeper discussion on approaching the root cause of folks not getting an opportunity to speak or act. Bamb…

1
PTG 398 – Culture of Critique 58:59

1M ago58:59

58:59

Show us how you get useful feedback as a GM or a player! Phil and Senda talk ways to get critique and what needs to be true to make it useful. Also, sometimes the game is fine but the brain weasels are weaseling. Please do not be tricked by the brain weasels. We know that you can defeat them. ALSO! No new episode next week — see you the week after!…

1
PTG 397 – When You’re Not Feeling It 56:53

2M ago56:53

56:53

Show us how you handle starting a game that’s lost it’s shine…or should you? Phil and Senda talk communication with your players and ways to approach a game that’s lost its shine between when you recommended it and when you actually start running it. ALSO! We will be on vacation next week — see you the week after! Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers …

1
PTG 396 – GM Manipulation via NPC 1:04:36

2M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

Show us how you avoid manipulating your players via NPC/GMPC (GMC)! Phil and Senda talk the actual question from last week: how to avoid unconscious (or conscious) bias in using your NPCs to communicate with your PCs! Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic o…

1
PTG 395 – Don’t be Clever — Experiment! 49:04

2M ago49:04

49:04

Show us how you try new or risky ideas at the table! Phil and Senda tackle a single question that turns into two parts (so come back next week for the rest of the discussion). For this week: we dissect our frequent saying “Don’t Be Clever” with some better nuance, from the perspective that if you always play safe and never try anything new, you’ll …

1
PTG 394 – Check Ins 50:21

2M ago50:21

50:21

Show us how you handle mid-game check ins! Phil and Senda talk checkins: after session, four sessions in, going into a new arc, going into the end game, and when something goes wrong. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our linktree: https://polygamero…

1
PTG 393 – Phil’s Prep Problem 54:19

3M ago54:19

54:19

‘Show us how you rebuild your game prep strategy when life throws you a curveball! Phil and Senda talk through Phil’s updated free time reality, how that’s been impacting his gaming, and what his new plan is to resolve it. There will be no episode next week, so we’ll see you again on July 16! Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and …

1
PTG 392 – Our Most Important Areas for New GMs 49:34

4M ago49:34

49:34

Show us what three things are most important for a new GM to learn! Phil and Senda talk through what we think — do you agree? Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our linktree: https://polygamero.us/panda…

1
PTG 391 – What a Game Wants, What a Game Needs 1:03:18

4M ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Show us what you want from a rulebook! Phil and Senda tackle a question about what we most want to see in a rule book, for running a game or for potentially purchasing a game. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our linktree: https://polygamero.us/pand…

1
PTG 390 – Core Loops and Investment 52:53

4M ago52:53

52:53

Show us how you create an engaging core loop — as another part of your setting creation! Phil and Senda talk core loops and how they drive investment and character creation, and also how to get people attached to the setting at a micro level instead of a macro level. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com…

1
PTG 389 – Collaboration and Facilitation 1:06:23

4M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

Show us how you handle facilitation and collaboration at the table…and specifically, how do you make sure everyone stays involved! Phil and Senda are pretty passionate about this because it’s part of both their hobby and their respective day jobs! References: Divergent/convergent thinking for brain storming Psychological safety Soft Skills on the M…

1
PTG 388 – Missing Games 50:01

5M ago50:01

50:01

Show us how you manage players missing games! Phil and Senda talk about what you may need to take into consideration, including length of absence, how key that character is to the story, etc. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our linktree: https://po…

1
PTG 387 – Zeroing in on Session Zero 1:01:49

5M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Show us your favorite things to include in your session 0! Phil and Senda are joined by invisible third panda Ryan Boelter (our editor) in celebration of their 100th show with us. Thanks Ryan!! Check out the Creation Cast session 0 document here: https://sessionzero.charactercreationcast.com/ Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and …

1
PTG 386 – One Venti Iced Campaign, Please 50:08

5M ago50:08

50:08

Show us how you bring an iced campaign back from a long hiatus! Phil and Senda both have some experience with this. As usual this is a buffet, so some may be helpful for your specific situation or not! Take what works and leave what doesn’t. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the inter…

1
PTG 385 – Tech at the Table 1:00:27

5M ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Show us how you manage tech at the table for players and GMs! Phil and Senda talk about everything except the monster in the corner (focus). Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our linktree: https://polygamero.us/panda…

1
PTG 384 – Dear Pandas: Patterns of Behavior 1:06:27

6M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

Show us how you manage patterns of behavior at your table! We love games, and games require people, which means that sometimes you will run into a social dynamic that’s just not working. We do our best to help in one specific scenario! Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or…

1
PTG 383 – Biting the Bullet Point 1:03:07

6M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Show us how you prep for play vs. prepping for reading! Phil and Senda talk about the different ways we use prepared adventure materials, and things you may consider to make your prep work for you, accessibly, in play at the table. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or dro…

1
PTG 382 – New and Returning Players 45:31

6M ago45:31

45:31

Show us your tips for new players — and for getting old players back to the table! Phil and Senda talk new players and players returning after a hiatus (for whatever reason). Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our linktree: https://polygamero.us/panda…

1
PTG 381 – GM Manipulation 1:01:56

7M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Show us ho GMing is manipulation — or not! Or, how to make sure you’re not doing it by accident or for the wrong reasons. Phil and Senda talk when you might be subconsciously manipulating the table and some ways to dodge it. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a …

1
PTG 380 – Going from GM to Player 48:57

7M ago48:57

48:57

Show us how you go from GM to player — especially if you’re a forever GM! How do you transition your skills and hand over default leadership gracefully? Phil and Senda talk this and also accidentally GM manipulation. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on…

1
PTG 379 – A Chit Chat! 43:54

7M ago43:54

43:54

Phil and Senda are having a busy *life* moment, so for your listening pleasure we bring you this chit chat! The chit chat is not our normal format of show, for which we’d recommend going back (or probably forward) an episode. We talk about what’s giving us life in gaming and in life, and Senda expounds a lot on her extreme excitement for the LARP s…

1
PTG 378 – Playing Characters in Other IPs 55:11

8M ago55:11

55:11

Show us how you handle known characters in known IPs (intellectual properties)! Phil and Senda talk characters, setting, and what kind of characters you might be bringing in. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our linktree: https://polygamero.us/panda…

1
PTG 377 – Book Inspiration 55:25

8M ago55:25

55:25

Show us how you take inspiration from the books you’re reading — or really any media? Phil and Senda talk about distilling the experience of reading to various levels of specificity and applying that potential to your game. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a t…

1
PTG 376 – Worldbuilding – To Collaborate or Not 1:00:59

8M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Show us how you world build — and is it collaborative? Phil and Senda talk worldbuilding in quadrants from not collaborative to all collaborative and do you do it alone or as a group (trust me, it makes more sense in the show). Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us…

1
PTG 375 – One on One Games 54:18

8M ago54:18

54:18

Show us how you play a one on one game! Phil and Senda talk one on one games and some tips on making them successful. We are back! Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our shiny new linktree: https://polygamero.us/panda…

1
PTG 374 – Project Management and the GM 57:35

10M ago57:35

57:35

Show us how project management skills can help you GM — and vice versa! Phil and Senda are both professionals in various project management offices at this point in their careers, and have a conversation about how those skills work in both places and how you can use one to hone the other. Also! This is our last show of 2024. We will be on podcastin…

1
PTG 373 – GM Mastery Part II 56:10

10M ago56:10

56:10

Show us…Gary Gygax’s tenants of GM Mastery! Phil and Senda go back for one more part on the 1987 book Role-Playing Mastery. Do they stand up to the test of time? Our take is…well, mostly. Also this episode: HOLIDAY HIATUS DATES. We will be taking some time off — but we will be back in January! Specific dates and information at the top of the show. …

1
PTG 372 – Gygaxian GM Mastery Part I 57:13

10M ago57:13

57:13

Show us how Gary Gygax thought you should be a master GM! Phil and Senda continue their conversation about the 1987 title Role-Playing Mastery by Gary Gygax, deciding what they think still holds true, what can be reinterpreted to modern play/situations, and what we have evolved beyond. In this episode, the beginning of GM Mastery! (CW: definitely c…

1
PTG 371 – Master Player Part II 58:38

11M ago58:38

58:38

Show us what Gygax considered a master player! Do we agree? Do you?! Phil and Senda talk through the first 9 steps to being a Master Player according to Gary Gygax/s 1987 book Role Playing Mastery. As a refresher, here are the first 9 points: Study the rules of your chosen role-playing game. Learn the goal(s) of the game. Discover the spirit of the…

1
PTG 370 – Master Player (according to Gygax) 53:29

11M ago53:29

53:29

Show us what Gygax considered a master player! Do we agree? Do you?! Phil and Senda talk through the first 9 steps to being a Master Player according to Gary Gygax/s 1987 book Role Playing Mastery. Here are the first 9 points: Study the rules of your chosen role-playing game. Learn the goal(s) of the game. Discover the spirit of the game, and make …

1
PTG 369 – Very Very Proactive Players 55:45

11M ago55:45

55:45

Show us how you balance a player that is much much more proactive than the rest of your table! Phil and Senda cover when it’s actually a problem and some ideas on how to address it. THERE WILL BE NO NEW EPISODE NEXT WEEK, OCTOBER 30th! We’ll be back in November! Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp.…

1
PTG 368 – Build a Gamer (Finding a Group Part II) 59:04

12M ago59:04

59:04

Show us how you find people…to be new gamers! Phil and Senda talk introducing people to gaming and finding the kind of people who a) would be interested and b) would be interested in the kind of gaming you are interested in. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a …

1
PTG 367 – Finding a New Gaming Group (Part I) 51:11

12M ago51:11

51:11

Show us how you find a new gaming group! Phil and Senda talk approaches to finding people and how to figure out who you might be looking for. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our shiny new linktree: https://polygamero.us/panda…

1
PTG 366 – Making Gaming Goals Happen 1:02:53

12M ago1:02:53

1:02:53

Show us how you make gaming goals happen! Phil and Senda follow up on their gaming goals from last episode, including an extemporaneous brain storm on positive feedback at the table. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our shiny new linktree: https://p…

1
PTG 365 – Goals for Gaming 59:39

1y ago59:39

59:39

Episode 365 – after a whole year of numbered episodes, it’s like a New Year’s resolution? Phil and Senda talk personal goals for gaming – for how they play, facilitate, and engage with the industry and community. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our…

1
PTG 364 – A Jrab Bag (Audio Fixed) 51:42

1y ago51:42

51:42

Today we answered a grab bag of questions all submitted by folks whose names start with J! Coincidence? We think….yes absolutely didn’t notice it until partway through the show. Today’s questions cover analysis paralysis and hustle vs. play. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the inter…

1
PTG 363 – The Case of the Missing Momentum 49:03

1y ago49:03

49:03

Show us how you manage the conversation when you realize your game has lost momentum! Phil and Senda use their own campaign as a live demo to put their money where their mouth is and talk (like they always advise) about their ongoing game night and what to do with it. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.co…

1
PTG 362 – An August Grab Bag! 59:11

1y ago59:11

59:11

Today we’re addressing some of our smaller questions! Realism vs. Playability in Combat Spotlight sharing at the table How to pick con games Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our shiny new linktree: https://polygamero.us/panda…

1
361 – Playing it like it’s Evil 53:45

1y ago53:45

53:45

Show us how you play an evil game! Phil and Senda talk how to make it work and the pitfalls of chaos vs. purpose in an evil game. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our shiny new linktree: https://polygamero.us/panda…

1
360 – Character and Player Goals 1:03:21

1y ago1:03:21

1:03:21

Show us how you make a good player goal! Phil and Senda talk what and why, and how a strong “why” can make even a generic or potentially boring “what” really interesting. It’s also back to one shots and campaigns! Check out Starscape from Golden Lasso Games on kickstarter right now! Found family and space travel, oh my! https://www.kickstarter.com/…

1
PTG 359 – Ch-ch-ch-changes (Major Life Ones) 1:09:45

1y ago1:09:45

1:09:45

Show us how major life changes might change your gaming! Phil and Senda speak from experience on many of these. Have you experienced changes in your gaming due to changes in your life? Check out Starscape from Golden Lasso Games on kickstarter right now! Found family and space travel, oh my! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/goldenlassogames/sta…

1
PTG 358 – Making Space for Fun 54:56

1y ago54:56

54:56

Show us how you make space in your game for different kinds of “fun” when different things give energy to different folks at your table! Senda and Phil talk about “fun,” defining it for yourself, and how to create space for your fun and other people’s as a GM and as a player. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://pa…

1
PTG 357 – Romantic Sideplots 58:15

1y ago58:15

58:15

Show us how you add a romantic sideplot, without sidelining your main plot! Phil and Senda talk involved players, uninvolved players, and GMs as well as spotlight sharing and setting up the proximity of the characters involved in the romance. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the inte…

1
PTG 356 – Get Your Board Game Friend In To TTRPGs 51:37

1+ y ago51:37

51:37

Show us how you can get a board game friend to try TTRPGs — and maybe when it’s not a good idea! Phil and Senda talk about some of the signs that your friend’s fun comes from parts of board games that TTRPGs are good at, and how to identify when they might not be. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mm…

1
PTG 355 – Shared World Building 59:29

1+ y ago59:29

59:29

Show us how you share your world building! One very traditional approach to facilitating games is for the GM to be in charge of all the world building, so Phil and Senda are here to talk about the spectrum of shared world building responsibilities and some ways to approach it. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://p…

1
PTG 354 – Embodying NPCs

1+ y ago

—

Show us how you embody an NPC at the table when advance prep is your stronger skill, or show us how you prep for a character when improv is where you excel! Phil and Senda talk small actions, mindset, and approaches to embodying NPCs, whether you’re doing some of that work up front or making it up as you go. The podcast episode Senda referenced in …

1
PTG 353 – Downtime Mechanics

1+ y ago

—

Show us how you mechanically handle downtime! Phil and Senda talk through Phil’s homebrew approach to downtime mechanics in Mutants in the Now, and how to create or apply something to any game you’re playing that doesn’t have a downtime mechanic built in. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find u…