Gaining Advantage – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we explore using tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) for language learning. Shane Dunkle, a Language Pedagogy Specialist at the University of Chicago, shares his research on assessing English proficiency through board games and TTRPGs like D&D.

Discover how these games create an engaging environment for practicing real-world communication skills, from mastering idioms to navigating social cues. Shane reveals strategies for convincing skeptical faculty and his vision for embracing TTRPGs as a mainstream educational tool.

0:00 Opening0:10 Exclusive Charity Offer Reveal - How Your Purchase Can Change Lives2:49 Meet the Gamer Turned Innovative Educator Revolutionizing Language Learning4:06 Traditional vs Game-Based Teaching: The Authenticity Showdown18:26 From Munchkin to Murderhobo: Navigating the RPG Classroom Transition21:31 Mastering Real-World Interactions Through In-Game Role-Play28:34 Student Resistors vs Faculty Skeptics: Overcoming Unconventional Hurdles33:51 Three Wishes to Transform Language Education Worldwide35:45 The Recipe for Educators: Embracing Unorthodox Methods That Work40:47 Convincing the Naysayers: A Manifesto for Embracing Gaming in Academics42:34 Behind the Scenes: Upcoming Pedagogical Playground Projects44:47 Your Doorway to Immersive Language Learning Resources

• Wyrmworks Publishing: https://wyrmworkspublishing.com
• Rio Grande Flood Charity Bundle: http://rio.inclusiverpg.com
• University of Chicago English Language Institute: http://esl.uchicago.edu/
• Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing

This episode explores the cultural significance and far-reaching influence of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) through an insightful interview with Premeet Sidhu and José Zagal, editors of the book "50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons." It offers insights into how the iconic tabletop RPG has influenced various aspects of global culture, from gaming and entertainment to education and beyond.

The discussion covers D&D's historical roots, examining its evolution from a niche hobby to a mainstream phenomenon. Sidhu and Zagal shed light on the game's unexpected crossovers with diverse fields, such as interactive storytelling, solo journaling, and educational applications.

Key points covered include:

• The book's approach to celebrating D&D from a scholarly yet accessible perspective
• Surprising insights into the game's evolution, such as the progression of combat systems
• D&D's influence on other media and how it has been influenced by culture in turn
• The game's potential in education and fostering critical thinking
• Speculative discussions on D&D's future, including the role of AI and emergence as a mainstream entertainment genre

• Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing
• Wyrmworks Publishing Nexus: https://books.inclusiverpg.com 
• Fifty Years of D&D: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547604/fifty-years-of-idungeons-and-dragonsi/ 
• Get it at the Wyrmworks Publishing Nexus & support the show: https://bookshop.org/a/103322/9780262547604 
• University of Utah’s Division of Games - https://games.utah.edu/ 
• José Zagal Academic Profile - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=a4a3GTMAAAAJ&hl=en 
• Seeing Red: Nintendo’s Virtual Boy - https://bit.ly/3UIHvmb 
• Premeet Sidhu Academic Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WGI4GlUAAAAJ&hl=en 
• Premeet Sidhu Twitter: https://twitter.com/premeetsidhu 

0:00 Introduction

0:19 Wyrmworks Publishing Updates

03:18 Interview with Premeet Sidhu and José Zagal

06:12 "50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons" Book Overview

10:41 Insights and Revelations

15:58 D&D's Cultural Influence

18:33 Future of D&D

36:01 Upcoming Projects

43:57 Patreon Showcase & Closing

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

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Dale interviews Bill Lemmond, a passionate gamer and comic artist. Bill shares his personal story of how tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) have played a pivotal role in transforming his life, from finding joy and relaxation to overcoming depression and pursuing education. Discover the power of gaming to create a supportive community, foster creativity, and provide a much-needed escape. Join us as we explore the impact of TTRPGs on mental well-being and the importance of inclusivity and fun in gaming.

0:00 Introduction: Limitless Champions Update01:35 Interview: Bill Lemmond51:30 Patreon Showcase & Closing

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PastshelfdateJr 

• The Lair: https://cutt.ly/LairYT 
• Wyrmworks Publishing: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com

Dale interviews Drew Wale about the Dretelia campaign setting, which is based on his chronic illness,  and the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in creating meaningful and resonant tabletop roleplaying games. We discuss how drawing on personal experiences and emotions can help to create more engaging and immersive worlds, and how being open and honest about our own struggles can help to create a more welcoming and inclusive gaming community. 

0:00 Introduction: Help caption the D&D cartoon03:51 Interview: Drew Wale and Dretelia Campaign Setting50:07 Patreon Showcase & closing

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

• Dretelia Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dretelia/dretelia-campaign-setting-for-dandd-5e 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/strongestbunny3 

• The Dragon’s Hoard Email Subscription: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com/hoard
• Help caption the D&D Cartoon: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com/help-caption-the-dungeons-dragons-cartoon/ 
• Reddit Blackout: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com/reddit-ipo-reddit-banishes-the-disabled-community/ 
• The Lair: https://cutt.ly/LairYT 
• Wyrmworks Publishing: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com

Dale interviews Hunter Goetzman, the creator of Mercury Adventure Club, a TTRPG club and summer day camp that uses tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons and Dragons to empower kids. The camp aims to provide a low-cost and accessible way for children to learn and enjoy the game while building a supportive community. Hunter discusses the benefits of introducing kids to gaming, the structure of the camp, and the positive impact it can have on their lives. The episode also highlights the Limitless Champions Kickstarter campaign, which aims to create a diverse collection of disabled fantasy game miniatures to promote inclusion in the gaming industry. 

0:00 Introduction: Limitless Champions Update05:21 Interview: Hunter Goetzman of Mercury Adventure Club35:09 Patreon Showcase & closing

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

• Mercury Adventure Club: https://mercuryadventureclub.com 

• Limitless Champions: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wyrmworkspublishing/limitless-champions-disabled-dandd-5e-npc-cards-and-miniatures?ref=d7yy50 
• The Lair: https://cutt.ly/LairYT 
• Wyrmworks Publishing: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com

This month, we talk to Tahina Andale, co-host of Dicecourse, about accessibility and avoiding ableism in tabletop roleplaying games. Tahina shares her experience as a disabled woman and provides tips on accommodating different accessibility needs. She emphasizes the importance of representation and encourages listeners to be more empathetic and respectful of others' needs.

0:00 Introduction: Limitless Champions Preview10:50 Interview: Tahina Andale, co-host of Dicecourse39:22 Patreon Showcase & closing

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

• DiceCourse Podcast: https://dicecourse.com/

• Limitless Champions: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wyrmworkspublishing/limitless-champions-disabled-dandd-5e-npc-cards-and-miniatures?ref=d7yy50 
• The Lair: https://cutt.ly/LairYT 
• Wyrmworks Publishing: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com

This week, we welcome Simone Arnold, owner of Hero's Journey Counseling in Vermont, who discusses outrage fatigue, which can lead to burnout and empathy fatigue, how to balance the desire to make the world better with our own limitations, and prioritize rest.

0:00 Introduction

8:59 Interview: Simone Arnold, owner of Hero's Journey Counseling

31:15 Wrap-up

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

• Website: https://www.herosjourneycounseling.net 
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@herosjourneycounseling7933
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonearnoldmc 
• Twitch: https://twitch.tv/dessicanuvell 

• Limitless Heroics: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com/product/limitless-heroics/?utm_source=youtube 
• The Lair: https://cutt.ly/LairYT 
• Inclusive Artwork: Fantasy Stock Art with Disability Representation for TTRPGs: https://crowdfundr.com/inclusiveartwork/?utm_source=youtube 

Wyrmworks Publishing: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com

Roleplaying games are already great, but what happens when they’re intentionally used to improve lives? We welcome Jack Berkenstock Jr., MHS, Executive Director, The Bodhana Group to talk about therapeutic RPG.

0:00 Introduction3:54 Interview: Jack Berkenstock Jr., MHS, Executive Director, The Bodhana Group44:43 Wrap-up

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

Script Change: http://briebeau.com/scriptchange 

• https://www.thebodhanagroup.org 
• https://twitter.com/thebodhanagroup 
• https://www.facebook.com/thebodhanagroup 

• Limitless Heroics: http://inclusiverpg.com 
• The Lair: https://cutt.ly/LairYT 
• Limitless Champions: http://mini.inclusiverpg.com 

Wyrmworks Publishing: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com

What happens when a bunch of neurodivergent people sit down to play D&D together and connect through the game? Things get awesome. And our guest, Caleb Valorozo-Jones, wrote a Master’s Thesis on it!

But before that, Dale takes an honest look at what it takes to get started in the TTRPG industry, especially in light of the changes at Twitter. It’s not as difficult as many would lead you to believe.

0:00 Introduction0:22 Getting started in the TTRPG Industry without Twitter17:51 Announcements22:18 Interview: Caleb Valorozo-Jones56:37 Wrap-up

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

Writing Your First Adventure (Storytelling Collective)

• All the links
• Twitter
• Thesis

• Limitless Heroics: http://inclusiverpg.com 
• The Lair: https://cutt.ly/LairYT 
• Limitless Champions: http://mini.inclusiverpg.com 
• Wyrmworks Publishing: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com

Disabled people are among the most resourceful on the planet. They have to be. We welcome kindred spirits, Rachel Voss & Wesley Magee-Saxton at Forge Ahead: A Party To Access, who are creating amazing D&D 5e resources for disability inclusion. Next, we welcome Alexander Grinton on our Playing the Other segment to talk about his experience with Autism and ADHD, and how it connects with tabletop gaming.

• 0:00 Introduction
• 4:19 Interview: Rachel Voss & Wesley Magee-Saxton at Forge Ahead: A Party To Access
• 48:55 Playing the Other: Alexander Grinton
• 1:12:58 Wrap-up

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

• Forge Ahead Website

• Limitless Heroics: http://inclusiverpg.com 
• The Lair: https://cutt.ly/LairYT 
• Limitless Champions: http://mini.inclusiverpg.com 
• Wyrmworks Publishing: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/wyrmworkspublishing 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/wyrmworksdale