Epic Realms Podcast

In this episode of Epic Realms, we welcome veteran game designer, editor, and author Steven E. Schend. Steven’s work helped shape the Forgotten Realms, Spelljammer, and Planescape during the golden age of 2nd Edition Dungeons & Dragons. He’s also the author of the novel Blackstaff and contributed to the Marvel Super Heroes RPG and Alternity.

Our conversation explores Steven’s journey from gamer to TSR editor, designer, and nove...

Join us live for an exciting conversation with author Rosemary Jones! She’s written across beloved worlds including Dungeons & Dragons’ Forgotten Realms and Arkham Horror, with novels like City of the Dead, Crypt of the Moaning Diamond, Mask of Silver, and The Deadly Grimoire. We’ll talk about her career in fantasy and horror, her passion for storytelling, and her journey as both a novelist and short story writer. Don’t miss th...

In this episode of Epic Realms, we sit down with legendary game designer and author Jeff Grubb to explore his incredible career in tabletop and video games. Jeff shares how his early passion for wargaming grew into a role at TSR, then Wizards of the Coast, shaping iconic campaign settings like Forgotten Realms, Spelljammer, and Planescape.

We dig into behind-the-scenes stories, from developing the Karameikos box set and its lasting...

In this episode, we’re joined by fellow podcaster Treavor Bettis, co-host of Writing About Dragons and Sh*t alongside Erin M. Evans and B. Dave Walters. You can also catch Treavor on the DungeonScrawlers YouTube and Twitch channels. Treavor was lead writer for the Dungeons & Dragons based video game Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms, where he wore many hats including community manager and podcast host. We talk in depth a...

In this episode of Epic Realms, Nick welcomes debut author Lenora Woods, whose new novel Roll for Romance brings Dungeons & Dragons energy to the world of contemporary rom-coms.

Lenora shares her journey from gamer and fanfiction writer to published novelist, and how her love for geek culture, fantasy, and character-driven stories shaped her writing. From Renaissance faires to video games, Lenora’s world blends heartfelt emotio...

For our milestone 100th episode, Epic Realms welcomes back our very first guest: award-winning game designer, puzzle mastermind, and president of Lone Shark Games, Mike Selinker.

Mike and Nick dive into how the tabletop world has shifted since the pandemic — from game store survival to unexpected hits and long-delayed projects now seeing the light of day.  We check in on Lone Shark Games, Monster Academy, Betrayal at House on the H...

In this episode of Epic Realms, host Nick sits down with poet and editor Hailey Spencer to explore her journey through storytelling, healing, and self-discovery. Hailey shares how her childhood shaped her creative path and how she came to embrace poetry as her chosen medium. Together, they dive deep into the meaning of fairy tales, folklore, myths, and legends, unpacking their differences and emotional resonance.

Hailey offers thou...

This week on Epic Realms, Nick welcomes author Paul G. Vecchiet, writer of the thought-provoking novel The Disclosure Paradox.

In this episode, we dive into the real-life experiences that inspired Paul’s speculative fiction, including his time as a U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer and the discovery of cryogenics in unexpected military blueprints. We explore themes of meditation, spiritual awakening, skepticism of religion, and the con...

In this episode of Epic Realms, Nick is joined by author and writer Kelli Fitzpatrick.

Kelli is a science fiction writer, game writer, and teacher. She is the author of Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers Declassified (BenBella Books, 2025) and a contributing writer for the Star Trek Adventures roleplaying game from Modiphius. Her story “The Sunwalkers” won the 2016 Strange New Worlds contest from Simon and Schuster. Her short fiction ha...

This special charity livestream for AIM Youth Mental Health featured bestselling author Michael Witwer as we explored the rich history of Dungeons & Dragons. From the game's origins with Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson to its lasting impact on pop culture, we covered the creators' influences, original monsters, and behind-the-scenes stories. We also took audience questions live during the show for an interactive look at the world...

In this episode of Epic Realms, we sit down with legendary author and game designer Bruce Nesmith to explore his incredible career spanning decades of storytelling. From his early days at TSR, crafting unforgettable adventures for Dungeons & Dragons in settings like Ravenloft and Spelljammer, to his influential work as a freelancer across the tabletop RPG industry, Bruce has helped shape the worlds we love.

We dive into his tim...

Jim Zub is a powerhouse in the world of comics and storytelling. Known for his work on Dungeons & Dragons, Avengers, Conan the Barbarian, and creator-owned series like Skullkickers and Wayward, Jim blends action, humor, and heart in everything he writes. Join us as we dive into his creative career, his love for RPGs, and the stories behind some of your favorite characters and comics! https://www.jimzub.com/ Also check out our...

James L. Sutter is a co-creator of the Pathfinder and Starfinder RPGs. During his time at Paizo (2004–2017), he helped shape Pathfinder, launched Starfinder as Creative Director, and oversaw the Pathfinder Tales novel line.

He’s the author of the queer YA romances Darkhearts and The Ghost of Us, as well as the award-winning fantasy novels Death’s Heretic and The Redemption Engine. His work has appeared in Nightmare, F&SF, Escap...

Today's guest is an award-nominated game designer and writer with an impressive portfolio. They’ve worked with industry giants like Paizo and Green Ronin and contributed to renowned franchises such as Cyberpunk, Fallout, Star Trek, Dishonored, and more!

In this episode, we dive into their journey into the gaming world, how they broke into the industry, and their experiences crafting adventures. We also discuss the challenges and re...

New York Times bestselling author Kevin Hearne returns to Epic Realms to share updates on his latest projects, creative insights, and journey as a writer. We dive into his expansion across multiple genres, his experiences in publishing, and his independent imprint, Horned Lark Press.

Kevin also discusses Coyote Run, his upcoming collaboration with Lilith Saintcrow, and provides exciting updates on fan-favorite series, including Ink...

Carlos Cabrera is an ENNIE-winning game designer, writer, and voice actor with a passion for storytelling and world-building. As the founder of Something Clever Games, he has contributed to Pathfinder RPG, Dungeons & Dragons 5E, and numerous other TTRPG projects. He is the lead designer for the upcoming Welcome to Night Vale Roleplaying Game, bringing the surreal world of the beloved podcast to tabletop. In addition to game des...

B. Dave Walters is a celebrated storyteller, writer, and TTRPG personality, renowned for his work as a Dungeon Master on The Black Dice Society and his appearances in numerous other tabletop gaming shows. He is a writer for Dungeons & Dragons comics and worked on the Marvel’s Multiverse RPG, as well as a key creator behind the Kickstarter-backed Into The Motherlands RPG. A passionate advocate for representation and diversity, B...

Join us for an exciting episode of Epic Realms as we welcome back the talented Matt Forbeck, the mastermind behind the Marvel RPG! In this episode, host Nick dives deep into Matt's journey from the playtest phase to the successful launch of the Marvel multiverse game.

Discover how Matt and his team transformed the game based on player feedback, streamlined the mechanics, and created a system that feels authentically Marvel. We dis...