In this episode of The Original Geek, hosts Steve Scarfo and Jeff Shaw are joined by their friend Dave Tufts as they dive into the evolution of geek culture through the eyes of the Dungeon Master. Once just the Gen X kid running games in a basement, the DM has now leveled up into performer, storyteller, and even paid professional. Steve and Jeff break down how D&D went from a weekend hobby to a legitimate side hustle, unpack the challenges of running a table, and debate the economics of charging for your magic. Along the way, they share personal war stories, celebrate the art of improvisation, and wrestle with the eternal question: build your own world, or lean on the modu
Dungeons and Dragons, Dungeon Master, Geek Culture, Professional DM, Role Playing Games, Game Master, Fantasy Gaming, RPG, 70s and 80s Pop Culture, Tabletop Games
Welcome to Original Geek—the podcast for anyone who rolled their first d20 on shag carpet, waited hours for a comic book JPEG to load on dial-up, and wore the label “geek” back when it got you mocked, not monetized.
Hosted by stand-up comic Steve Scarfo and Forever DM Jeff Shaw, we dive deep into what it meant to be a geek in the '70s and '80s—and how that underground culture became the mainstream multiverse we live in today.
🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, comic book chaos, geek court debates, and critical hits from your childhood basement.
👾 Follow us @OriginalGeekPodcast on socials and visit OriginalGeekPodcast.com for merch, extras, and to send us your own geeky tales.
If you ever hid a Monster Manual like it was porn, you’re not alone. You’re an Original Geek. Welcome home.
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