Listening to podcasts is something you can do almost anywhere, even when you’re not actively gaming. If you’re part of the TTRPG community, you know there’s an overabundance of RPG podcasts out there. But what if your favorite game isn’tDungeons & Dragons, but one of the hundreds of other RPGs on the market?
Podcasts about other gamesaren’t as common as D&D-based shows, but they’re still easy to find. From indie RPGs to forays into popular franchises like Call of Cthulhu and the World of Darkness, there are plenty of choices. We’ve scoured the internet for the best podcasts so you don’t have to.
8Blank Bodies
Blank Bodies is a podcast devoted to the edgy, lore-rich RPG that is Vampire: The Masquerade, with a heavy focus on V5. The show’s three hosts spend each episode discussing a wide variety of topics with each other, from consent in gaming to deep dives on every clan in the game.
This podcast really shines when the hosts discuss the more meta aspects of TTRPGs, such as advice for running historical games and the real-world inspirations for World of Darkness lore. If you’re a storyteller, this is definitely a show you’ll want to give a listen before plotting out your next chronicle.
7Oh These, Those Stars of Space
In Oh These, Those Stars of Space, GM Joe Lepore takes listeners to a universe that’s a more absurd, comedic version of Star Trek. If you’re a fan of the D&D podcast Rude Tales of Magic, you’ll probably recognize several of the same players, including Rude Tales DM Branson Reese.
Oh These, Those Stars of Space has a rotating cast of characters, although its core roster of players doesn’t change much from session to session. The show’s episodic structure makes it easy for new listeners to jump in wherever they might be interested, so look at the descriptions for each episode and see what catches your eye.
6The Call of Cthulhu Mystery Program
Do you want your morning commute to be filled with even more existential dread? Look no further than the Call of Cthulhu Mystery Program, an actual play podcast devoted to Call of Cthulhu and the Lovecraft mythos. Each episode goes heavy on the paranormal mystery, leaving you on the edge of your seat.
Each arc has a new story and cast of characters, so find which arc suits you and start at the beginning. Udates are pretty irregular, but new episodes are always in development, so you can check back for new terrors beyond your comprehension.
5The Eldritch Lorecast
Ben Byrne, Dael Kingsmill, Shawn Merwin, and James Haeck are some of the biggest names in the TTRPG community. While most people might know them for their contributions to D&D-related works, The Eldritch Lorecast coversa huge varietyof different systems, focusing on practical-minded news, views and reviews.
From news on the latest releases to discussions on how to handle difficult situations as both a GM and a player, this podcast has it all. One of the best features is its surprising amount of system-agnostic content, making it accessible to GMs of all sorts of systems. Tune in to the latest episode, or see what subjects interest you on the archive.
4Red Moon Roleplaying
Red Moon Roleplaying is a channel that covers a wide variety of games, but there’s one unifying factor: all of them have a heavy focuson grimdark worlds, with a heavy focus on fantasy. With incredible production values and a rotating cast, Red Moon has plenty of episodes for you to devour.
If you’re not sure where to begin, Red Moon’s various Kult: Divinity Lost games are a good place to start. However, there’s an ongoing Warhammer Fantasy campaign that’s also worth checking out.
3Me, Myself And Die
TTRPGs are normally a collaborative hobby, with each player (and the GM) bringing something new to the table. That being said, there are a number of solo RPGs out there for you to play, as well as plenty of homebrew rules to adapt traditional group RPGs to a solo game.
Me, Myself and Die is a podcast that focuses on solo play, with host Trevor Devall spending every episode playing single-player RPGs with himself. While Devall covers some big names on his show, there’s also plenty of representation for indie titles. If you’re looking for something different in actual play podcast space, this show just might scratch your itch.
2Lore By Night
Unlike the more casual vibes of Blank Bodies, Lore By Night sets itself apart with its production values and flair for drama. The creator, the Lore by Night Podcast Guy, presents each episode through the lens of a variety of different characters, each from a different corner of the World of Darkness.
Lore by Night is, hands down, the most detailed source you’ll find for World of Darkness lore in the podcast world. Every vampire clan, every faction, and every obscure detail is covered with an excruciating amount of care. The Vampire: the Masquerade and Wraith: The Oblivion series are more or less complete, with the creator currently working on episodes for Demon: The Fallen.
1Friends At The Table
Friends At the Table is one of the best actual play podcasts out there if you’re itching for content around lesser-known RPG systems. Sure, some arcs handle games under the Powered By the Apocalypse system, but there are even more episodes on indie titles that are desperately in need of more love.
While the majority of episodes focus on traditional character-focused TTRPGs, a few have the cast playing world-building-focused titles such as Microscope and The Quiet Year. It really puts into perspective how much the players are involved in the creation of each arc’s world.
