Explore every episode of the podcast The One-Shot Show
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 45: Q&A Volume 2 | 21 févr. 2026 | 00:19:43 | |
What GM assistance tools do we use? What are some systems we dislike? How do we feel about solo-play RPGs? We answer all these and more! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 44: Villain Archetypes Vol. 1 | 14 févr. 2026 | 00:16:21 | |
This is another new series that goes in depth on some of the kinds of villains or antagonistic forces you might want to use in your games. Think of it as a sort of dark mirror to the 'Character Archetypes' series. For this first one we're talking about the Mastermind and the Muscle. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 43: How Campaign Length Changes How You Plan | 07 févr. 2026 | 00:16:32 | |
We talk a lot about long-term campaigns and one-shots, but we seldom talk about the middle ground! We (try) to get into it this episode, but quickly get sidetracked in realising that we ought to deep-dive into specific campaign lengths. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 42: Character Archetypes Vol. 1 | 31 janv. 2026 | 00:16:20 | |
This is a new series we've been cooking up for a while where we talk about certain character archetypes and how best to provide for them at your tables. Each episode will cover 2 archetypes in depth. For this first one we're talking about the Face and the Tank If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Bonus Episode: Kishōtenketsu Storytelling Structure | 27 janv. 2026 | 00:09:02 | |
This is a preview of this month's bonus episode! You can find the full version on our Patreon. These bonus episodes are longer than our usual fare, at around 25-30 minutes each, and are where we dive deeper into topics too big to fit in a regular episode. Enjoy! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 41: New Year, New Character | 24 janv. 2026 | 00:16:32 | |
Losing your character sucks, except when it doesn't. This week we're talking about some of the reasons a player might actually enjoying seeing their character meet their end. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 40: The Strangest Thing of All | 17 janv. 2026 | 00:15:51 | |
We went into the studio early especially to record this while Stranger Things 5 is still topical. We have gripes about it, of course. It's not just the writing, it's not just the inaccurate D&D, it's the terrible writing *within* the show's D&D. Paddy has an axe to grind this time and the Duffer Brothers' heads are on the block! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 39: Diegesis | 10 janv. 2026 | 00:16:04 | |
This topic got us really excited when we hit upon it because it nails a concept that we've skirted around before but never quite had the language to address directly. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 38: The Role of Comedy in TTRPGs | 03 janv. 2026 | 00:17:36 | |
This week we're talking about the place comedy has in our home games. If you're anything like us, you like a laugh at the table, but how do you make sure it's not distracting or otherwise 'ruining' your game? If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Bonus Episode: The Impossible Problem | 29 déc. 2025 | 00:25:52 | |
We're releasing December's bonus episode completely for free! This episode goes into the business side of TTRPGs. We're talking about the inevitable tension between player-oriented and GM-oriented products and how it presents a fundamentally unsolvable dilemma. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 37: Running Non-Combat Encounters | 27 déc. 2025 | 00:18:05 | |
We've talked about non-violence and avoiding combat, but we've never gone into the nuts and bolts of running non-combat encounters like chases and negotiations. That changes now. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 36: Stocking Stuffer Christmas Special! | 20 déc. 2025 | 00:18:11 | |
We're doing a special Christmas episode full of all the little tidbits of advice that didn't quite fit into our other episodes this year. We've stuff our stockings full of them and are opening them up today to share with you all! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 35: Non-Violence in TTRPGs | 13 déc. 2025 | 00:17:12 | |
This week we're talking about how to play games that avoid violence altogether. That doesn't mean they avoid conflict, mind you! So the question comes: how do we introduce conflict while avoiding violence? If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 34: Pitch-A-System | 06 déc. 2025 | 00:19:07 | |
This week each of us has brought a system to pitch to you the viewer (as well as each other!) If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 33: What Is 'Official' Anyway? | 29 nov. 2025 | 00:16:45 | |
This simple-seeming question is deceptively complex. This week we're breaking down why and might just change your perspective on what you consider to be 'Official' content. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Bonus Episode: Improv Beyond 'Yes, And' | 23 nov. 2025 | 00:10:05 | |
This is a preview of this month's bonus episode! You can find the full version on our Patreon. These bonus episodes are longer than our usual fare, at around 25-30 minutes each, and are where we dive deeper into topics too big to fit in a regular episode. Enjoy! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 32: Recycling Roads Untravelled | 22 nov. 2025 | 00:17:27 | |
There's nothing worse than preparing something really cool, only for your players to go in a completely different direction. All that effort wasted! Or is it... If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 31: How Do You Want To Do This? | 15 nov. 2025 | 00:16:46 | |
You've probably come across the phrase 'How do you want to do this?' or possibly even use it already in your games. This week we're talking in depth about it as a tool and how to take it even further! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 30: Where The F*** Are The Dungeon Crawl Rules? | 08 nov. 2025 | 00:18:06 | |
Here's the f***ing dungeon crawl rules by the way: We reference these in the episode and mention they will be linked in the show notes, so here's the link: https://apothecary.press/2021/01/18/where-the-f-are-the-dungeon-crawl-rules/ If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 29: Q&A Volume 1 | 01 nov. 2025 | 00:18:03 | |
This is a new episode format that we'll be doing intermittently going forward. Those of you who support us on Patreon can submit questions that we'll answer in these episodes! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 28: LFG Struggles | 25 oct. 2025 | 00:17:47 | |
Brought to you by Start Playing! Sign up with the link below for $10 off your first game: https://startplaying.games/referral/cmf5m9zlt00majr04kxq0eykz This week we take on a more casual tone as paddy and I sit around the fire and reminisce on our long years of difficulties in finding groups and players. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Bonus Episode: The MICE Quotient | 18 oct. 2025 | 00:08:19 | |
This is a preview of this month's bonus episode! You can find the full version on our Patreon. These bonus episodes are longer than our usual fare, at around 25-30 minutes each, and are where we dive deeper into topics too big to fit in a regular episode. Enjoy! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 27: Paying to Play | 18 oct. 2025 | 00:17:31 | |
Brought to you by Start Playing! Sign up with the link below for $10 off your first game: https://startplaying.games/referral/cmf5m9zlt00majr04kxq0eykz So you've signed up to a paid game - what now? We're joined by special guest Robert Hartley to walk us all through what to expect and how to approach joining your first paid game! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 26: Playing With Strangers | 11 oct. 2025 | 00:16:35 | |
Brought to you by Start Playing! Sign up with the link below for $10 off your first game: https://startplaying.games/referral/cmf5m9zlt00majr04kxq0eykz It's easier to turn D&D players into friends that it is to turn your friends into D&D players, that means you're going to spend a lot of time playing with strangers! This week we're talking all about how to approach playing with people you've never met and barely know... If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 25: Running West Marches Campaigns | 04 oct. 2025 | 00:17:34 | |
Brought to you by Start Playing! Sign up with the link below for $10 off your first game: https://startplaying.games/referral/cmf5m9zlt00majr04kxq0eykz This week we're covering West Marches-style campaigns, what some of the pros of running them are, and how your approach changes as a GM. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 24: Yes And (Revisited) | 27 sept. 2025 | 00:17:22 | |
This episode revisits the contentious topic of 'Yes And' in a TTRPG context. This time, however, Paddy's come armed and dangerous with examples of where this improvisational structure has been intentionally incorporated into a system's rules. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Bonus Episode: Theatre of the Mind | 21 sept. 2025 | 00:07:44 | |
This is a preview of our first monthly bonus episode! You can find the full version on our Patreon. These bonus episodes are longer than our usual fare, at around 25-30 minutes each, and are where we dive deeper into topics too big to fit in a regular episode. Enjoy! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 23: Gimmick Openings | 20 sept. 2025 | 00:17:06 | |
No joke, Matt thought we were recording a different episode and got taken by complete surprise by Paddy's opening. He thought we were revisiting 'Yes And' so improvised like a champ! This week we're diving into all those fun quirky gimmicks you can use to kick off your campaigns! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 22: The 3 Layers of Storytelling | 13 sept. 2025 | 00:15:30 | |
In this episode we break down a concept of Matt's called 'The 3 Layers of Storytelling', which is to say that Matt talks non-stop and at the halfway mark Paddy is finally allowed to speak. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 21: Surviving The TPK | 06 sept. 2025 | 00:19:26 | |
We're joined by new co-host Paddy Carroll, who you may remember from the 'Concept Campaigns' episode! This week we're picking up right where the 'Failing Forward' episode left off to talk about what you can do when the failure is so ultimate, so catastrophic, it results in a Total Party Kill. How do you handle it in the moment? Where do you take the campaign from there? How do you set yourself up for success long before the TPK comes to pass? If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 20: Failing Forward | 30 août 2025 | 00:15:38 | |
You may have heard of 'Failing Forward', the art of keeping the story going in spite of things going wrong. There's more than one way your games can reach a fail-state though! This week we're breaking them down and talking about what to do about them. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 19: Incorporating Player Backstories | 23 août 2025 | 00:19:52 | |
There's an art to incorporating player backstories into your campaigns. This week we're going in-depth on all the ways to go about tying all those stories together! We're joined this week by guest Henry Rolleston, who you may know from Cobbled Together! Check out their show here: https://open.spotify.com/show/59q2VidKB839MxfLm5TTCb If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 18: Player Pressure | 16 août 2025 | 00:17:55 | |
We all show up to our D&D sessions to have a good time, but when we sit in the GM's chair often it feels like we're responsible for that Good Time. This week we're talking about managing that pressure. We're joined by special guest Robert Hartley, who you may know from Viva La Dirt League's D&D campaigns! He goes a step further to also talk about the pressure of running games for established media personalities, and also for a wider audience. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 17: Playing Evil Characters | 09 août 2025 | 00:16:30 | |
There's nothing wrong with playing evil characters, so long as you're good at it. This week we're breaking down the dos and don'ts of playing evil characters! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 16: Concept Campaigns | 02 août 2025 | 00:16:57 | |
Ever wanted to play an 'Oops all bards' traveling troupe campaign? This episode we're talking all about running those 'gimmick' campaigns (or 'Concept Campaigns' as we call them), and how your approach changes as a GM. We're joined by special guest Pat 'Paddy' Carroll from Fury of the Small. Go listen to their brilliant show here: https://open.spotify.com/show/69EtOnt5NUQa72kYlOYr5E If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 15: Dynamic Combats | 26 juil. 2025 | 00:19:37 | |
If all your combats are 'The party and the monsters hit each other until only one side is left' then things are going to get stale very quickly. This week we share all kinds of techniques for making your combats more dynamic and keeping things fresh. There was definitely a lot more we could have said on this topic so expect it to come up again in future episodes! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 14: Avoiding Burnout | 19 juil. 2025 | 00:15:32 | |
Burnout is a very real thing that most if not all GMs face and it's an instant campaign killer (and fun killer!). This week we're going over the many ways you can actively avoid burnout so you can keep enjoying your games for longer! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 13: Character Voices | 12 juil. 2025 | 00:17:03 | |
When you're in the GM's chair there's a lot of pressure to make all your characters sound unique. We share our best tips and tricks for how to do that, even if you can't do accents! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 12: How To Break Up With 5th Edition | 05 juil. 2025 | 00:17:24 | |
If you've ever thought about leaving D&D5e we're here to tell you that it's ok to feel that way. Matt and Mock are here to show you how to leave 5th Edition behind, how to find something new, and how to get your group on board with your new favourite system. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 11: Improvising Plot Hooks | 28 juin 2025 | 00:16:34 | |
As a natural follow to our episode that talked about memorable NPCs, how to create them on-the-fly, and how they might lead in to deeper plots, this episode talks about creating those very plots entirely off-the-cuff. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 10: How To Create Interesting NPCs | 21 juin 2025 | 00:17:28 | |
We get into some of the tricks of the trade when it comes to creating NPCs that will stick with your players. This includes how to plan great NPCs, and how to make up unplanned ones! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 9: The Realism Fallacy | 14 juin 2025 | 00:18:06 | |
Matt's got another one locked and loaded, this time tackling why 'Realism' isn't really what people want more of in their games. Mock gets to talk too sometimes. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 8: How to be a Great Player | 07 juin 2025 | 00:18:54 | |
We're joined again by Brad Thompson as we get into how you as a player can make your GM's life easier and level up your own enjoyment too! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 7: How To Railroad Well | 31 mai 2025 | 00:15:50 | |
'Railroading' is a bit of a dirty word in TTRPGs. We try to clean up its image a little and talk about why it can actually be a useful tool for your games. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 6: Yes, And (Sucks) | 24 mai 2025 | 00:16:25 | |
There's a lot to be said here. 'Yes But, No And' is a literary structure you may find a lot of use in for your campaigns. We'll hopefully talk more about it but in the meantime people much smarter than us have said a whole lot on the subject so slap it into google and have at it! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 5: Production Value | 17 mai 2025 | 00:17:11 | |
We're joined this week by Brad Thompson from Cutting Words to break down what we mean by 'Production Value', easy ways to increase the production value of your sessions, and why you might want to do that in the first place. Brad's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CuttingWords If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 4: How to Start a Campaign | 10 mai 2025 | 00:18:38 | |
In this episode we share all the wisdom we've developed around how to run the first session of your campaigns and where to go from there to give your campaign the best start possible! If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 3: GM Style | 03 mai 2025 | 00:16:32 | |
In this episode we define what we mean when we say 'GM Style', how to develop your own style, and what impact your style has on your games. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 2: So You Want To Make Money Off D&D | 26 avr. 2025 | 00:16:28 | |
You might have heard about people paying GMs to run TTRPGs for them. In this episode we talk about how to go about becoming one of those paid GMs, why you might want to do it, and why you might not want to do it. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 1: Inspiration and Beginnings | 19 avr. 2025 | 00:15:54 | |
Join Matt Carroll and Mock Markridge on the very first episode of The One-Shot Show! Each episode we'll spend 15 minutes deep-diving into a topic around running TTRPGs. For this first episode we talk about what inspires our games, the early inspirations for the TTRPG genre as a whole, and how to find inspiration for your games. If you like tuning into The One-Shot Show, please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/oneshotshow Access video versions, bonus episodes, community discord access, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||