Podcast · Leisure & Travel

What Would The Smart Party Do?

by The Smart Party · English · Leisure & Travel

The UK's Premier RPG Podcast

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 1 hr 4 min
Latest: 12 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 17 min

Chaosium Interview with Mike Mason and Paul Fricker

It was a delight once again to have Chaosium favourites and writers of Call of Cthulhu 7th ed, Mike Mason and Paul Fricker back on the show. This time round we discussed their experiences at Gen Con and Necronomicon, publishing via Miskatonic Repository and more! You can get hold of Upstairs, Downstairs as discussed in the episode here . Modern day action fighting a cult back from the dead is available in Burning Desire too! Get all the latest news from Chaosi . um at their Blog

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E206 · 27 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster
Behold Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster – we speak once again to Mike (a.k.a. Sly Flourish) about his latest tome of GMing tricks and tips, the state of the hobby and much more! Get loads of free tips on Mike's site here You can find the Kickstarter here
S1 · E206 · 1 May 2026 · 52 min
Bare Metal Gaming Seminar - The Spring Kraken
While at The Kraken Gaming Retreat, Gaz and Stunt Ben Guy joined legendary game designer Jonathan Tweet to discuss all manner of gaming topics, taking many quandaries live from the audience and delivering sage advice. You can pick up the Wizard Fighter Elf chapbook here
S1 · E205 · 24 Apr 2026 · 56 min
Jonathan Tweet Interview - Live at The Kraken
While at the Kraken gaming retreat, Gaz and Stunt Ben (Guy) caught up with famed game designer Jonathan Tweet to discuss his chapbook for the event - Fighter Wizard Elf — My Rules for Bare Metal D20 Gaming among his many other games, design in general and what it's like to travel to a German Schloss to play games with like-minded folk!
S1 · E204 · 30 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Public Access with Jason Cordova
We were delighted to be joined by returning guest, Jason Cordova, to talk about his new release of anthology retro horror game, Public Access. You can check out the Kickstarter here . Check out an Actual Play of the game on Unconventional GMs .
S1 · E203 · 2 Mar 2026 · 56 min
Tim Denee - Blades '68
Love Blades in the Dark, but want that Swinging 60s vibe? Maybe you're more of a Tinker, Tailor, spy maker kind of guy? Join us this time to go all psychedelic and groovy (or dark and moody) with Tim Denee telling us all about the new Blades '68. With guest Stunt Ben, Chris (aka Dirk the Dice off of The Grognard Files ) Out on Backerkit
S1 · E202 · 21 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
One on One Action
There's a new trend of playing with tiny groups, from solo journaling to one-on-one play and just having a pair of folk to game with due to scheduling or family time or many other factors. What's it all about? This time we dive into playing with 1d3-1 other players.
6 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
Wyrd Science Magazine
An enlightening chat with John from Wyrd Science. What does it take to make an RPG magazine in the modern age, and why on earth would you do it? Who reads the publication, and how would you determine what to put in there? You can find more about Wyrd Science here
S1 · E200 · 5 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
200th Celebratory Show
It's been a long time since Gaz and Ben started this podcast, well over 200 episodes in fact. In this official 200th* show the lads reminisce and consider what they might have learned over recent years. What's been your favourite show? * more than 200 shows are available.
S1 · E199 · 11 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
System Matters with Paul Fricker
Call of Cthulhu Associate Editor Paul Fricker returns to talk about systems in RPGs - are they a help or a hindrance? Have you picked the right system for you? Can you have the best session ever (TM) without rolling any dice? You can listen to Paul's latest project Eldritch Stories here See some excellent Call of Cthulhu Actual Play on Unconventional GMs
21 Aug 2025 · 1 hr
Historical TTRPGs with Dirk the Dice
What to make of history? Why, some great gaming of course! We are joined by Dirk the Dice from The Grognard Files to chat about what can be learned from the past and turned into gaming gold. Don't forget to check out the Hexham Heads and other myths!
E197 · 28 Jun 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Great Adventures - RPG Discourse
Gaz is joined by Unconventional GMs co-host Guy Milner to talk about great adventures, scenarios and other things for ttrpgs. There has been a lot of discourse recently about scenarios being the thing that defines a game or it's designers, so the lads romp through some old and new examples of what is a good (or suboptimal) adventure. Drop a line with your favourites!
3 Jun 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Out With The Old In With The New
Dirk the Dice, genial host of the Grognard Files joins Gaz this time to talk about humble beginnings, the games we used to play and how that's changed over the years. The tables get turned part way through as interviewer becomes interviewee, but that's no bother as a lovely chat on all things gaming transpires. You can listen to the Grognard Files here See great examples of Actual Play at Unconventional GMs , including Dirk the Dice in Deathmatch Island
22 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Cold City with Malcolm Craig
The long-awaited return of Cold City and Hot War gives the lads a perfect opportunity to talk to designer Malcolm Craig about the new versions of the game, inspiration for cold war Berlin, a deep dive into lazy-GM mechanics and much more! For an Actual Play of the new game in action, go to the Unconventional GMs youtube channel. Check out more details on the games on the Handiwork website .
29 Jan 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Black Armada Games Interview
This time Becky Annison and Josh Fox of Black Armada Games join us to talk about the new edition of Lovecraftesque, GMless games, design and small press publishing. Find out all about Black Armada on their website . Check out fast-paced Actual Play at Unconventional GMs !
20 Jan 2025 · 59 min
Keeping Pace
Gaz is joined by (Stunt Ben) Guy to talk about pacing in games. How do you manage pace and get the most out of your sessions? Check out Unconventional GMs for pace-filled games!
E192 · 23 Dec 2024 · 1 hr 10 min
Reviewing Reviews
Hi All It's been a minute, we've had a lot to deal with on the home front, but I've pulled out the stops and got you some Stunt Bens in to chat about reviews in gaming - how useful they are and what we want from them. Have a great festive season - all the best! Gaz & Ben
14 Sep 2024 · 1 hr 6 min
D&D Done Differently
With a new edition of D&D on its way, more evolution than revolution, what elements could be done differently? The lads dive into other games and new ideas to see what could make the hobby's big player even better.
2 Sep 2024 · 1 hr 22 min
Preparing New Games
How do you prepare a new game for running at a convention, event or just with your friends? Gaz is joined by Stunt Ben, Guy from the Burn After Running blog and Craig from Third Floor Wars to give you all the advice you need and more!
27 Jul 2024 · 1 hr 6 min
Jason Cordova Interview Two
We were delighted to have returning guest Jason Cordova on to talk about all things Brindlewood Bay, The Gauntlet and more! The Gauntlet Feat of a Black Dragon The Darkened Threshold Burn After Running Unconventional GMs
13 Jun 2024 · 1 hr 11 min
Player Agency
How much should players contribute to the ttrpg experience? How much are they allowed too? The lads discuss getting more out of your gaming sessions.
8 May 2024 · 55 min
Adventure Games with Robin D Laws
Live From the Spring Kraken 2024 in Germany, Gaz joined forces with game designer Robin D Laws and fellow Unconventional GM Guy Milner to give a seminar on running adventures games for ttrpgs. If you dig actual plays played with vim and vigour, check out the new ⁠⁠Unconventional GMs YouTube channel⁠⁠ .
25 Mar 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
Character In Your Characters
How do you put more character in your #ttrpg character? You don't have to go full method actor, here are some simple and actionable ideas to get you started. If you dig actual plays played with vim and vigour, check out the new ⁠Unconventional GMs YouTube channel⁠ .
8 Feb 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
What Games Workshop Can Teach Us
Episode 186 – What Games Workshop Can Teach Us There's a lot of crossover between geeky hobbies, and with the lads both working for the big Games Workshop back in the day, what can skirmish games teach us about RPGs? If you dig actual plays played with vim and vigour, check out the new ⁠Unconventional GMs YouTube channel⁠ .
23 Jan 2024 · 1 hr 2 min
Cities
Episode 185 – Cities (aka Fantasy Tripadvisor) After wandering the wilderness and diving down dungeons, plucky adventurers wish to go to an enthralling city. Maybe your entire campaign is based around one location. The lads explore various cities from ttrgps and the merits and flaws thereof! If you dig actual plays played with vim and vigour, check out the new Unconventional GMs YouTube channel .
23 Jan 2024 · 1 hr 12 min
Hot War, Cold City
Episode 184 – Hot War, Cold City (with Jon Hodgson and Malcolm Craig) Joining the ‘cast this time, Jon Hodgson of Handiwork Games and RPG author and academic Malcolm Craig . The Cold War period and monster hunting in Berlin come to the fore as the lads dive into Hot War and Cold City among other great games from the Handiwork studio! You can find out more about Malcolm Craig here . And here are some links for Handiwork Games : Hot War & Cold City FiveEvil Maskwitches Beowulf If you dig actual plays played with vim and vigour, check out the new Unconventional GMs YouTube channel .
23 Jan 2024 · 1 hr 3 min
Unacceptable!
Episode 183 – Unacceptable! (a.k.a. It’s Not You It’s Us) There are a plethora of gaming events to go to these days and you meet all kinds of people and playstyles. Often this is a cause for celebration, a way to pick up new ideas and techniques. Sometimes though, it’s suboptimal. There are still some people who haven’t got the memo about gaming with others, and this time the lads aim to set things straight.
23 Jan 2024 · 1 hr 3 min
How To GM with Justin Alexander
Episode 182 – How To GM with Justin Alexander The lads are delighted to have returning Good Friend of the Show, RPG producer and designer at Atlas Games, Justin Alexander. He’s got a new book coming out, available in all good purveyors of such things, So You Want To Be A Game Master . Join for great insights, some not seen or heard before on the Alexandrian (or maybe anywhere!) and to get a unique precis of what is in this fine work. Visit Justin’s excellent RPG resource The Alexandrian , as check out what’s hot at Atlas Games . If you dig actual plays played with vim and vigour, check out…
23 Jan 2024 · 1 hr
Gaming in Ukraine with Tasha from idearoll
Episode 181 – Gaming in Ukraine with Tasha from idearoll Fresh from The Kraken gaming retreat, the lads have met old friends and made new ones. Chief among those is Tasha from the idearoll youtube channel, who joins them this week to talk about gaming events, the scene in Ukraine and challenges of the current environment. A great episode full of enthusiasm and community spirit! You can find the idearoll channel below (in Ukrainian), which also has several other links for supporting the team’s efforts. idearoll on YouTube . Get yourself a copy of the Vaesen Spirits and Monsters of Mythic…
23 Jan 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
Shadow of the Weird Wizard with Rob Schwalb
Episode 180 – Shadow of the Weird Wizard with Rob Schwalb Returning special guest Rob Schwalb, creator of Shadow of the Demonlord, Punk Apocalyptica, D&D designer and more, returns to the show to tell us all about his design process and work on his new Kickstarter, Shadow of the Weird Wizard. The Kickstarter project page is here: Shadow of the Weird Wizard . If you dig actual plays, check out the new Unconventional GMs YouTube channel . Lots of great games played with vim and vigour in two hours or less.

About What Would The Smart Party Do?

The UK's Premier RPG Podcast

What Would The Smart Party Do? is a English leisure & travel podcast from The Smart Party. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: The Smart Party
Language: English
Category: Leisure & Travel
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 1 hr 4 min
Latest episode: 12 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1100147713
Rights: The Smart Party

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