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How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

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Rating
★★★★★
4.8
from
42 reviews
Categories
Country
United States
This podcast has
250 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
Justin Lewis
Explicit
No
Date created
2021/07/07
Latest episode
2026/02/05
Average duration
18 min.
Release period
7 days

Description

Learn how to be a better DM (Dungeon Master) so you can tell better stories for yourself and your friends. Learn things like how to start a campaign, how to create realistic NPCs, how to move the plot along, and how and why to use session 0's for your party. Join hosts Justin Lewis, Cayden Ottley and Tanner Weyland as they distill all the DM tips, tools and resources for the beginner DM, for the DM with a few years of experience and for the Forever DM who's been playing for 20 years. If you're sick of searching for things like, "How to create a homebrew DND campaign?", click the play button and listen to become the best dungeon master you ever could be! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterdungeonmaster Discord Server: https://discord.gg/g77qt8quM2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtobeabetterdmpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@session0studios YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@session0studios Professional Dungeon Master Services: https://session0studios.com/dungeon-master-for-hire/ DM Coaching: https://session0studios.com/coaching/

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Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM podcast

Tips for Campaign Planning: A Secret of Successful Session Prep
2026/02/05
Welcome to How to Be a Better DM. Today, we continue our talk about campaign prep. In addition to the episode 2 weeks ago, we add the following tips: ​Ask what is the game we are trying to play​When stuck, Break the C.A.S.E.​Write up long term characters Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter ​
Character, Role and Archetype: The layers of a good NPC
2026/02/02
Welcome to the third episode of Creative Contraband! This time host Danny Barrett dives into the ins and outs of PCs and NPCs through theater theory. Why do all TTRPGs tend to have similar races and classes? Today we’ll unravel the core concepts that make complete and unique characters. In this episode, you’ll learn how to create, evaluate, and play characters with more personality, consistency and ease. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
Every Player Gets A Turn: Tips to help every player be part of the action
2026/01/29
Some players talk a lot. Others only pipe up at specific moments. But how can you, as the DM, make sure everyone feels included as a true part of the party? Tanner discusses tips for noticing and improving the opportunities of the less-involved in the group.
Rituals in Art - Infinite solutions in a simple concept
2026/01/26
In the second episode of Creative Contraband, host Danny Barrett takes us on a journey that blends psychology and performance. From beers to Superman, and all the way to a WWII poet, we will explore the power of Rituals in art. Today we will distill centuries of praxis into this podcast, so you can learn about one of the most powerful tools for solving People Management issues, and for creating emotional depth and enhancing immersion. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
Campaign Planning: The Secret Solve to Session Planning
2026/01/22
The true secret of great session prep isn’t a framework for session prep. It great campaign prep Which just so happens to be something a lot of people get wrong a lot of the time. But that ends today. 1. Strengths and Weaknesses as a DM 2. Time Constraints 3. Your Preferences as DM 4. Theme and Story Idea Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
Deus Ex Machina - Examples from Cinema and ways to do it right
2026/01/19
In the first episode of Creative Contraband, we meet host Danny Barrett to tackle a problem every long-form storyteller faces: How do you keep a story coherent over months or years without resorting to convenient miracles or last-minute fixes? Today we explore the quiet mechanics behind great storytelling: Chekhov’s gun, Foreshadowing and the fine line between setup and Deus Ex Machina. You’ll learn how to plant narrative seeds early and make your players think you are a DnD mastermind. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
Should D&D Players Set Goals Too?
2026/01/15
With the new year in full swing, your mind might be on goals for your next campaign or for your own personal journey as a DM... but what about your players? Should all the goal-setting and planning be solely on your shoulders? Of course not! But how can you create a positive goal-setting environment that helps all your players enjoy the game more than ever? That's what we'll talk about in today's episode! Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
Be a Better DM: 6 Ways to Actually Improve this Year
2026/01/08
Welcome to today’s episode. Today we talk about how to actually improve this year. ​Start recording your sessions​Use the Dungeon Master Level Up Guide ​Find a group of your peers​Take the PPDS Self Assessment​ Daily Study​Dedicated Practice ​Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
Session Prep with No Time: 5 Tips to Maximize Your Time
2025/12/25
Welcome back to How to Be a Better DM. Today we talk about 5 tips for session prep with no time. ​Adjust your expectations​Get inside your players’ minds​WorldSmith​Get a repository of Maps​Get Transposable Material ​Thanks for listening to today’s show. Merry Christmas Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
Cliffhangers: 3 DM Tips for using them like a—
2025/12/18
It almost feels like cliffhangers are a requirement for some DMs, or at least the professional ones! But are cliffhangers always necessary? And how can you use them more effectively as storytelling devices? Tanner discusses 3 tips for maximizing their effectiveness while avoiding cliffhanger-burnout.
Tips for Improv: Reacting and Responding to Players’ Unexpected Choices Part 3
2025/12/11
Welcome back to How to Be a Better DM. Today we continue talking about improv. We finish our tips for responding to player choices and actions. Here are the tips: ​The Rule of Intent​Yes AND​Spark or Prompts​Take Pauses and Breathes​Take Advantage of Cool Moments​Outsource to the Players​Maintain the tone or Subvert it ​Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
Lessons in Collaborative Storytelling
2025/12/04
Do you give your players much of a chance to collaborate on the storytelling? No? Well, you wouldn't be alone! In this episode, Tanner discusses some ideas for introducing collaboration into your D&D party so you can ramp up the storytelling AND player engagement!
5 D&D Game Mechanics to Get Excited About
2025/11/20
Today's episode is all about taking a normal or underutilized D&D game mechanic and using it to its fullest to add some real excitement to your D&D games! And if anyone deserves more excitement for playing, it's the DM. Tanner shares 5 specific mechanics to check out. Are there any others you can think of?
Tips for Better DM Improv Part 2
2025/11/13
Welcome back to How to Be a Better DM today we continue talking about better Improv Tips for DMs Here’s what we cover: ​The Rule of Intent​Yes AND​Sparks or Prompt Lists​Taking Pauses or BreathesThanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: ​Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith​Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay​Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms​Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios​Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord​Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon​Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
What to do with an NPC Companion...
2025/11/06
The problem of the NPC companion... the poor shmuck that your party drags along with them that YOU suddenly have to play as if you were both a player and a DM. They are just trouble, right? NO! If you learn how to pick your battles when using them in combat, roleplay situations, and other situations, you'll see that they can add to important moments without being a drag in the meantime.

Podcast reviews

Read How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM podcast reviews

4.8 out of 5
42 reviews
★★★★★
DungeonMaster567 2025/02/10
Great show
This is a great podcast. It has helped me grow into a good DM. P.S. when will there be more pact and boon episodes?
★★★★★
lipphilz 2024/09/27
Great for a drive
Really good energy and enjoyable listen. As a 30-year DM, the biggest take away is the energy of other gamers sharing their enthusiasm. This is a very...
★★★★★
Uhnonemus 2024/06/20
Keep it up!
I’ve been listening to this and Pact and Boon for a while. I still need to catch up on a few episodes, but I’ve enjoyed the podcast a lot. Also, signe...
★★★★★
Madriven54 2023/11/09
I’m a new DM
I’m a new DM and I have really appreciated all the tips in this podcast. They have helped in my home brew
★★★★☆
wind water dragon 1122 2024/06/04
Great
I love this show and it has inspired me to make my own. Check out Dungeon Master’s Manual on Spotify!
★★★☆☆
Milobib 2024/05/15
Way too many ads
Currently I’m at the first few episodes so things may have changed more recently, but for 10-12 minute content, including the lengthy description at t...
★★★★★
TheGamer@minecraft 2023/10/18
A good idea maker
So many good ideas and pointers My players had so much more fun after I listened to this.
★★★★★
Cap. Main 2023/09/21
Great Podcast
This has to be the best DM podcast out there but as a home brewer wish there was more episodes like that. But Justin is a great podcaster and I recomm...
★★★★★
TFolls 2023/05/20
Helpful Indeed
This podcast definitely started a bit slower but has only gotten better in quality! This is one of the most helpful shows for new and experienced Dung...
★★★★★
Young Herm 2022/08/24
Great content and personalities
Justin has a great podcast voice.
check all reviews on apple podcasts

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