Here are today's sponsors:
Worldsmith - Easy D&D Prep - Start a Free 7 Day Trial: https://session0studios.com/worldsmith-podcast
Roll and Play Press - Easier D&D: https://session0studios.com/rollandplay
Studio Fantasms: https://session0studios.com/fantasms
Feeling stuck or burned out as a Dungeon Master? You’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. In this episode, Justin and Tanner break down the Four Core Skills that every great DM needs to master:
1️⃣ People Management
2️⃣ Showmanship & Performance
3️⃣ Game Design
4️⃣ Storytelling
And yes… there’s a secret fifth pillar 👀
We discuss how to use these pillars as a personal skill assessment framework so you can stop overthinking your sessions and start building campaigns that actually improve week to week. Whether you’re overwhelmed with prep, worried you’re not “immersive enough,” or comparing yourself to pro DMs, this episode will reframe your mindset and re-energize your games.
🔑 What you’ll learn:
- The most overlooked DM skill (and why it makes or breaks your game)
- How to identify and strengthen your weakest pillar
- A tactical way to use these 4 skills to get “unstuck” mid-session
- How to balance emotional storytelling with crunchy mechanics
- Plus: A future tool we’re developing to help you self-assess
Special thanks to:
Benj Weyland for Graphic Design (https://www.instagram.com/benjweydesign/)
TJ Max, Juka, and TechSenpai for being amazing moderators
Foxy Beard, Kyle Wilson, and Nick Ammann for being our patrons.