Tabletop Tune Up

About Tabletop Tune Up

Here's a podcast for you, the rpg gamemaster (or dungeonmaster). Join your hosts and GMs Ben Dyer and Mark Lehman as they give you the short-form tips and tricks on how to make your rpg adventures easier for you and more fun for everyone. Theme music by Suno, cover image by Dall-E.

Publisher

Ben Dyer and Mark Lehman

Category

leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Jun 2024

Latest episode

20 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

63 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Sept 2026

   The Old School Renaissance

   How good were the good old days? In this week's episode, Mark and Ben talk about the Old School Renaissance, a trend in modern games to return to themes and styles of play popular in the early days of role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. We'll talk about some of those themes and styles, and what makes them a refreshing alternative to modern gameplay today. Was it all great? Probably not, but tune in this week and learn more about a whole category of games that will inspire you to consider traveling the hobby's ancient roads in your next game.

2. 

   1 Jul 2026

   Running the First Session

   In this session, Mark and Ben talk about a recent campaign they've just started, and how to start that first session well. Whether it's getting players into the action or setting up the story threads that bring the characters together beyond the initial moments of adventure, we'll discuss how to make the first session one that gets your players interested in a second one after it. Join us and we'll help you start your next game well!

3. 

   7 May 2026

   Cultural Appreciation

   This time Mark and Ben take on the touchy topic of cultural appropriation in RPG settings. As a worldbuilder and in the run of your games, you'll draw on real world history, culture, and traditions, and it's likely not all of them will be your own. We discuss how to do so with appreciation and sensitivity rather than stereotypes and exoticism. Tune in for our deep dive into one of our most challenging topics!

Who has been a guest on Tabletop Tune Up

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Duncan Rhodes
• Bob Gerard
• Brandon Holland

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

902

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

69

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

32

Contact Tabletop Tune Up

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Tabletop Tune Up