Best RPG Reanimators Podcasts (2025)

1
S1:E44 – TTRPG Scenario Editing and Formatting - Consultation with XPLovecat 58:41

Play Pause

9d ago58:41

58:41

Episode Notes In this episode, we consult with Leslie "XPLovecat" Horn as a resident expert on scenario editing and review to help us understand some ways to help turn that splatter of words on a page into a properly monstrous scenario. We also discuss ways that scenario authors may find or summon their own editors, as well as the proper pronunciat…

1
S1:E43 – Good Player Habits - Consultation 1:00:56

1M ago1:00:56

1:00:56

Episode Notes In this episode, we consult on some good player habits and practices which we always like to see from our side of the GM screen. Consultations are free-form topic discussions based on our own GM experiences, preferences, and gaming philosophies. We hope some of this gibbering madness can be helpful to other GMs dealing with, or consid…

1
S1:E42 – Call of Cthulhu Scenario Inspiration Across the Decades (Chaosium Con 2025 Live Panel) 51:09

2M ago51:09

51:09

Episode Notes Listen to a live recording of our nearly sold-out panel at Chaosium Con 2025 where we discuss sources of inspiration for new Call of Cthulhu scenarios in underused decades between the traditional 20s-30s settings and modern day! We cover different ideas and themes for mythos horror scenarios in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and ea…

1
S1:E41 – Queer Horror - Consultation with Hailey Piper 2:02:39

2M ago2:02:39

2:02:39

Episode Notes In this episode, we meet with horror author Hailey Piper to discuss queer horror as a genre and how we might apply some of her expertise from novel writing to emphasize queer themes, characters, and narratives in horror TTRPGs. We also discuss lots of queer media recommendations and TTRPG systems, as well as a mildly concerning amount…

1
S1:E40 – Manifesting Personal Horrors on the Page - Consultation with Todd Keisling 1:40:55

2M ago1:40:55

1:40:55

Episode Notes In this episode, the Reanimators have some cross-contamination with Beth of the David Behaviour book review podcast to branch outside of the RPG space to interview horror author Todd Keisling to see if there are any lessons we can learn from novel writing that could be applied for writing or running horror TTRPG scenarios. We cover a …

1
S1:E39 – Teaching RPGs and Safety Tools - Consultation with Fiona 2:10:50

3M ago2:10:50

2:10:50

Episode Notes In this episode, we ask our consulting expert Fiona of the What am I Rolling? podcast (and many other podcasts) about a variety of topics, including techniques to help teach new RPGs to players new and old, some best-practice methods to promote accessibility and using safety tools in RPGs, as well as improv techniques which can help p…

1
S1:E38 – The Code - Dissection with Jon Hook 2:01:09

4M ago2:01:09

2:01:09

Episode Notes In this episode, we dissect and reanimate The Code written by Christopher Lackey with Lynne Hardy for Call of Cthulhu 7e, and available as part of the Mansions of Madness vol. 1 collection from Chaosium (links below). We're also joined by special guest Jon Hook from the Modern Mythos podcast! Jon has been a huge fan of this scenario f…

1
S1:E37 – Unland - Dissection with Scott Dorward 1:56:29

5M ago1:56:29

1:56:29

Episode Notes In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Call of Cthulhu scenario UNLAND written by Scott Dorward, with the author himself! We dissect the creepy amusement park rides and talk about Silent Hill 2 more than a bit, while Scott shares how he runs this scenario very differently than written, as the scenario that made it to print beca…

1
S1:E36 – The Burning Stars - Dissection with Matt Sanderson 1:38:22

5M ago1:38:22

1:38:22

Episode Notes In this episode, we meet with Good Friend Matt Sanderson to talk about his favorite Call of Cthulhu scenario The Burning Stars, written by David Conyers for Call of Cthulhu 6th edition. I describe this as "the most Call of Cthulhu-y-est scenario I have ever played" and for the first time, I'll recommend to anyone who has not already r…

1
S1:E35 – Realism, Verisimilitude, and Pulp in TTRPGs - Consultation 1:05:41

6M ago1:05:41

1:05:41

Episode Notes In this episode, we bicker about how to handle realism and verisimilitude vs. explosive pulpiness when we run RPGs, and how this can vary depending on system, scenario, and players. (Spoiler: Communication is still key) Consultations are free-form topic discussions based on our own GM experiences, preferences, and gaming philosophies.…

1
S1:E34 – Cthork Borg with Richard Kelly - Aberration 1:44:58

7M ago1:44:58

1:44:58

Episode Notes In this episode, we hack apart another game system, Cthork Borg, with its mad scientist creator Richard Kelly. Cthork Borg is a low-prep cosmic horror RPG set in the gloomy jazz age. As it's name suggests, it's an aberrant mutation from the Mork Borg core ruleset with some interesting changes by Richard that help it feel fresh, wriggl…

1
S1:E33 – Lights Out, Spilsbury #9485, The Mummy of Pemberley Grange, Wreck this Deck - Choice Cuts 2 47:14

8M ago47:14

47:14

Episode Notes In this second Choice Cuts episode, we dissect and reanimate 3 short one-shot scenarios and a card game(?) back-to-back in the following order: Lex shares Lights Out, by Joe Trier (starts ~1:19) Holly shares Spilsbury #9485 by Adam Gauntlett (starts ~10:22) Alex shares The Mummy of Pemberly Grange by Allan Carey & Nic Holland (starts …

1
S1:E32 – RPG Handouts and Props - Consultation 1:05:17

8M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Episode Notes In this episode, we provide our non-expert opinions on using props and handouts in TTRPGs, including both physical and digital versions for in-person or online games. Consultations are more free-form topic discussions based on our own GM experiences, preferences, and gaming philosophies. We hope some of this gibbering madness can be h…

1
S1:E31 – Presence - Dissection 1:32:35

9M ago1:32:35

1:32:35

Episode Notes In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Delta Green scenario Presence written by Shane Ivey. We give our tips and advice from having read, ran, and played this scenario both as a multi-session investigation, as well as an explosive one-shot! Also, here is the player-friendly map we referenced. You can find the scenario at: https…

1
S1:E30 – Bedlam Hall - Aberration 56:35

9M ago56:35

56:35

This week, the RPG Reanimators discuss the dreadful game of Bedlam Hall, an RPG where you regrettably play the staff of a manor somewhere between Downton Abbey, the Addams Family, and Lemony Snickett. This in an Aberration where we focus a full system, rather than just a scenario. Unfortunately, Bedlam Hall was written by David Kizzia and published…

1
S1:E29 – Kingdoms - Consultation with Sophia Tinney 1:13:11

10M ago1:13:11

1:13:11

Kingdoms - Consultation with Sophia Tinney In this episode, we consult on the Kingdoms system with the author, Sophia Tinney! Sophia discusses the origin of the system, provides some guidance for game masters, and chats about the upcoming game Fever Dream Nexus. We reference our playthough of Kingdoms a fair bit in this episode, and you can find al…

1
S1:E28 – Flash Cthulhu Short Scenarios - Consultation with MJRRPG 52:11

10M ago52:11

52:11

In this episode, we consult on a spreading case of Flash Cthulhu quick one-shot scenarios for Call of Cthulhu with Michael of MJRRPG. Michael shares his arcane knowledge of writing and running short (~1 hour) horror scenarios, and then the rest of the Reanimators discuss the scenario Sell Yourself, which was recently featured in our It's Alive! AP …

1
S1:E27 – Field of Screams - Dissection 1:04:18

11M ago1:04:18

1:04:18

In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Pulp Call of Cthulhu scenario Field of Screams with the author Al Smith! The scenario is available at the following link: PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/378340/field-of-screams If you'd like to join our Discord: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/R8Q6aeyVk8⁠⁠⁠ All music and sound effects are sourced un…

1
S1:E26 – Convergence - Dissection 1:36:45

11M ago1:36:45

1:36:45

In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Delta Green scenario Convergence written by John Tynes and available from Arc Dream Publishing (links below). Holly, Alex, and Nathan run through their combined experiences running this scenario to share their tips and advice while Lex stares at the pretty lights in the sky. We're also sharing some reso…

1
S1:E25 – Music from a Darkened Room - Dissection 1:18:56

12M ago1:18:56

1:18:56

In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Delta Green scenario Music from a Darkened Room written by Dennis Detwiller and available as part of the Night at the Opera collection from Arc Dream Publishing (links below). Lex walks through his tips and advice from his "by the book" and reanimated runs of the scenario, and is also sharing the resour…

1
S1:E24 – Alien, Chariot of the Gods - Dissection 1:56:50

1y ago1:56:50

1:56:50

In this episode, the Reanimators and special guest Intern Tyler Hudak dissect and reanimate the Alien RPG scenario Chariot of the Gods, written by Andrew E. C. Gaska and available as part of the Alien RPG Starter Set from Free League Publishing. Now with remastered audio! Physical: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/shop/alien-rpg-2/starter-set/ Stan…

1
S1:E23 – The Necropolis - Dissection 51:07

1y ago51:07

51:07

In this episode, we continue our unofficial series on Gateway Scenarios by dissecting and reanimating the Call of Cthulhu scenario The Necropolis written by Leigh Carr and available via the following links as part of the Gateways to Terror collection from Chaosium. Featuring a special guest Jimmy the Intern (RIP...), and now with remastered audio! …

1
S1:E22 – Dead Boarder - Dissection 1:12:00

1y ago1:12:00

1:12:00

Now with remastered audio! In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Call of Cthulhu scenario The Dead Boarder written by Todd Gardiner with Mike Mason and available via the following links as part of the Gateways to Terror collection from Chaosium: Physical: https://www.chaosium.com/gateways-to-terror/ PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/prod…

1
S1:E21 – Gateway Scenarios - Consultation 1:00:15

1y ago1:00:15

1:00:15

In this episode we consult on a serious case of considering Gateway Scenarios to introduce new players to the TTRPG hobby and more experienced players to new systems. We cover some of our favorite examples from across systems as well as what factors we look for when trying to identify new possible gateway scenarios. Now with remastered audio! Consu…

1
S1:E20 – Bringing 1920s Scenarios to Modern Day + The Haunting Dissection (Chaosium Con 2024 Live Panel) 44:00

1y ago44:00

44:00

Listen to a live recording of our panel at Chaosium Con 2024 where we discuss obstacles and ideas to help bring classic 1920s-30s Call of Cthulhu scenarios into modern settings, and Reanimate the classic Call of Cthulhu scenario The Haunting by Sandy Petersen as a case example! We've tried to boost the audio for participant questions as much as pos…