How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM cover art

How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

Written by: Justin Lewis
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About this listen

 Learn how to be a better DM (Dungeon Master) so you can tell better stories for yourself and your friends. Learn things like how to start a campaign, how to create realistic NPCs, how to move the plot along, and how and why to use session 0's for your party. Join hosts Justin Lewis, Cayden Ottley and Tanner Weyland as they distill all the DM tips, tools and resources for the beginner DM, for the DM with a few years of experience and for the Forever DM who's been playing for 20 years. If you're sick of searching for things like, "How to create a homebrew DND campaign?", click the play button and listen to become the best dungeon master you ever could be! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterdungeonmaster Discord Server: https://discord.gg/g77qt8quM2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtobeabetterdmpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@session0studios YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@session0studios Professional Dungeon Master Services: https://session0studios.com/dungeon-master-for-hire/ DM Coaching: https://session0studios.com/coaching/Justin Lewis
Episodes
  • The unexpected upside of the CASE framework: Diegesis and the fourth wall in DnD

    The unexpected upside of the CASE framework: Diegesis and the fourth wall in DnD
    Feb 23 2026

    Today we’ll dissect the ins and outs of immersion, guided by our usual host, Danny Barrett. In this sixth episode, we will go over the CASE framework and squeeze it for all it’s worth, going through concepts like Fourth wall, diegesis, and Verfremdungseffekt.

    This episode will help you prep more intentionally and better understand the limits of fiction in this hybrid medium.

    Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:

    Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith

    Roll and Play Press: http://session0studios.com/rollandplay

    Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms

    Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios

    Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord

    Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon

    Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • Fixing Tempo: Athletic Conditioning for the Heartbeat of Your D&D Games

    Fixing Tempo: Athletic Conditioning for the Heartbeat of Your D&D Games
    Feb 19 2026

    Welcome back to today’s show.

    Today we talk about tempo, using 2 analogies.

    D&D is like music.

    D&D is like a heart.

    If you understand those two facts, you’ll naturally improve your tempo.

    Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:

    Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith

    Roll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplay

    Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms

    Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios

    Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord

    Patreon:https://session0studios.com/patreon

    Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Pauses and Silences: What we say by not saying

    Pauses and Silences: What we say by not saying
    Feb 16 2026

    DISCLAIMER:The musical composition is called 4’33”, by John Cage. (Forgot to say the name). It can be found here: https://youtu.be/TrlKxV5KWJo?list=RDTrlKxV5KWJo

    Welcome to the fifth Creative Contraband episode! After some minor technical inconveniences, we explore the delicate art of empty spaces guided by the usual host Danny Barrett.

    Drawing from neuroscience, music, and other arts, you’ll learn about building suspense, tension release, cognitive processing limits, and more.

    Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:

    Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith

    Roll and Play Press: http://session0studios.com/rollandplay

    Phantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasms

    Monument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudios

    Discord: http://session0studios.com/discord

    Patreon: https://session0studios.com/patreon

    Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
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