The Ultimate RPG Podcast
James D'Amato, the creator of One Shot and Author of The Ultimate RPG series for Adams Media invites you to join him in getting to know some of your favorite creative people by listening to them create. Every other week he invites a new guest to discuss their latest work and creative process before joining him in a character or worldbuilding exercise from the Ultimate RPG series. Gain insight and watch inspiration with The Ultimate RPG Podcast!
Episodes
July 29, 2025 • 88 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Taylor Moore in a discussion about the formation of the Kickstarter workers union and how one organize a union, the appeal of audio as an art form, the relationship between the actual play performer and editor, as well as a peak into the behind the scenes of Worlds Beyond Number. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they create a saint in a pheromone based hive mind society.
SHOW NOTES
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Mark as Played
July 15, 2025 • 104 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Sharang Biswas in a discussion about what defines a game designer, teaching game design, as well as the role and influence of sexuality in his games. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Sharang created a healing institution founded by ghosts, a faction of militant vegan dragon riders, and their worst enemies — the cheese makers.
SHOW NOTES
Sharang Biswas is a designer and writ...
Mark as Played
May 20, 2025 • 86 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Gannon Reedy in a discussion about time constraints in actual play, especially when it comes to combat. They also talk about visualizing actual play as the GM, how Gutter became a horror podcast and Gannon's approach to making horror actually scary. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they create an inscrutable god whose whims are impossible to predict, let alone please.
SHOW NOTES
Gann...
Mark as Played
May 6, 2025 • 89 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Aram Vartian in a discussion about setting professional standards for yourself, the future of TTRPG publishing, the power of collaboration and how it has influenced his work. They also talked about Aram's upcoming projects including Dragon Age: In Darkness Eternal. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Aram create an outer space human civilization with moral AI gods, the discovery o...
Mark as Played
April 22, 2025 • 115 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Dr. Emily Friedman in a discussion about the unique challenges of studying actual play, "the ambitious middle," the overreliance on digitization as preservation, as well as the responsibility of reviewing actual play and its obstacles. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Dr. Friedman create a punk world that answers the question "What if Rococo got covered in ash?"
SHOW NOTES
Dr. ...
Mark as Played
April 8, 2025 • 96 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Sam Leigh in a discussion about their inspirations, what tarot can bring to TTRPGs, how they approach reviewing games, the future of their videos, and more. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Sam create a horror corporation that hides its true actions behind friendly little mascots.
SHOW NOTES
Sam Leigh is an award-winning tabletop game designer and the owner of Blinking Birch Ga...
Mark as Played
March 25, 2025 • 82 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Kienna Shaw in a discussion about the draw of solo and duet TTRPGs for them and whether the inability to be present for solo games changes how they design their games. Kienna also discusses their strengths and weaknesses as a designer and the biggest difference working on videogames vs TTRPGs has been, in their experience. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Kienna create an abando...
Mark as Played
March 11, 2025 • 99 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Jeff Stormer in a discussion about Jeff's evolving sense of what "Party of One" is, the evolving perceptions of what actual play should be, and the possible negative side effects of that. They also talk about what WebFests mean to Jeff as an artist. In the second half of the episode they create a superhero with reality warping powers and a moral code made of steel.
SHOW NOTES
Jeff Stormer is an aw...
Mark as Played
February 25, 2025 • 72 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Viditya Voleti in a discussion about the benefits of leaving games unfinished and the decision making process behind prioritizing projects, choosing which games to publish, and how to price them. They also discuss the differences in designing a game when you're envisioning it as a physical vs digital product. In the second half of the episode, James and Viditya create a sunken cyberpunk city in a ...
Mark as Played
February 11, 2025 • 77 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Sean Foer in a discussion around the magic of introducing children and other beginners to the boundless creativity of TTRPGs, common mistakes game designers make, and his upcoming adventure module for Perils and Princesses called "Secret of the Night Market." In the second half of the episode, James and Sean create a sci-fi murder mystery!
SHOW NOTES
Sean Foer is a professional Game Master, consul...
Mark as Played
January 28, 2025 • 95 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Ryan Mossberger in a discussion about how Ryan got into D&D, old school RPG forum discussions, what makes a game designer, as well as the experience of discovering TTRPGs outside of D&D. In the second half of the episode, James and Ryan created a Grimdark legion of godlings with microniche domains and very complicated relationships.
SHOW NOTES
Ryan Mossberger is a TTRPG creator making memes and Ti...
Mark as Played
January 14, 2025 • 108 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
James is joined by Ned Donovan in a discussion around their differing creative philosophies around actual play, Ned's three pillar theory, as well as the idea of divorcing parasociality from actual play. He also shares insights about the creation of Encounter Party. In the worldbuilding portion of the episode, they create a world where everybody is always watching and it would be a fatal mistake to take the wrong tu...
Mark as Played
December 31, 2024 • 67 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
Join James as he and Knife Lore talk about bringing characters to life with impersonations, trying to have a creative outlet in a bite size format, and the importance of using your platform and resources for good causes. For the worldbuilding portion of the episode, they created a "magical unpaid intern in the worst bureaucracy imaginable."
SHOW NOTES
Knife Lore is a TikTok creator, impersonator, full time law stude...
Mark as Played
December 17, 2024 • 110 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
Join James as he and Jeeyon discuss intention behind her prose approach of writing games, the experience of working with a game editor, and growing a community on Patreon! Then hang as they create a world based on natural magic.
SHOW NOTES
Jeeyon Shim is a second generation Korean American indie role-playing game and live action role-playing game designer and writer. A former outdoor educator, her body of work is st...
Mark as Played
December 3, 2024 • 96 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
Join James as he and Kendo discuss Voices in the Woods and how the real world and real world politics have influenced it. Then hang with them as they create a sci-fi horror world about a species of gaseous beings and the monsters that hunt them.
SHOW NOTES
Over the past several years Kendo has been combining their passion for TTRPGs and Digital Storytelling to create a wide variety of tabletop content. From Actual P...
Mark as Played
November 19, 2024 • 81 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
Join James as he discusses different approaches to character with Amelia Som!
SHOW NOTES
You can find Amelia Som on the podcast Unprepared Casters or raising money for Doctors Without Borders in Roll For Initiagive’s new series “The Apron Strings.” Thoughts and opinions expressed are direct revelations from god and do not reflect her personal beliefs. Visit links.ameliasom.com for info.
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Mark as Played
November 5, 2024 • 100 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
Join James as he discusses building with intention with Connie and Sea!
SHOW NOTES
Connie Chang (they/her/her) is a trans, Chinese-American actual play Game Master with a passion for threading queer drama with black-hearted apocalyptica. Connie has appeared in the New York Times, on NPR (twice!), and on Dimension 20's Adventuring Academy with Brennan Lee Mulligan. Connie loves menacing TikTok.
Sea Thomas (they/them)...
Mark as Played
October 22, 2024 • 74 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
Join James as he discusses creative character choices with multi-talented creator, Harlan Guthrie!
SHOW NOTES
Harlan Guthrie is a Canadian writer, editor, director, sound designer, musician, and voice actor. He is the sole creator and talent behind Malevolent, the Lovecraftian horror Audio Drama which is part of the Rusty Quill Network and runner up to the 2021 Discover Pods awards.
As a writer, a number of his work...
Mark as Played
October 8, 2024 • 96 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
Join James and Eric Silver as they discuss podcasting and learning as you go!
SHOW NOTES
Eric Silver is the best game master in podcasting. He has many shows, including Join the Party, Games and Feelings, Tell Me About It, and The Distraction. In addition, he's the Head of Creative at Multitude and even recently wrote a game for the One Shot Patreon's Book Club! Follow the links to find his work or look wherever pod...
Mark as Played
September 24, 2024 • 68 mins
EPISODE SUMMARY
Join James and Cate as they discuss creativity and what's inspiring them!
SHOW NOTES
Catieosaurus (she/they) is a certified ADHD sex educator, mental health advocate and full-time content creator. As a professional streamer and TTRPG influencer, she is passionate about opening conversations about neurodiversity and accessibility into the gaming community.
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Check Out the Ulti...
Mark as Played
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