The Bearded Nerd Podcast

How to Make Unique Cultures and Societies for Your World

Culture is more than clothing and cuisine—it’s how people think, live, and survive.
In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to design unique, believable societies that feel alive at the table. You’ll learn how to use environment, history, and worldview to craft civilizations that reflect real emotion and meaning—without falling into stereotypes or clichés.
What You’ll Learn:
The three pillars of a distinct culture: environment, history, and worldview
How to create societies that feel authentic and layered
Tools for portraying culture through language, food, and symbolism
Tips to avoid one-dimensional or trope-heavy worldbuilding
Get the Culture Builder Toolkit:Download the Culture & Society Builder Toolkit on Patreon for questions, templates, and worksheets to design your own civilizations.👉 Patreon aka "The Guildhall"

Myth Making: Creating Legends & Folklore in Your Game World

Every great fantasy world has stories—ancient myths, forgotten heroes, and whispered folk tales that shape how people see the world around them.
In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to design believable legends and myths that add meaning to your world. You’ll learn how to write stories that feel ancient, connect to your cultures, and give your players something deeper to discover than just monsters and maps.
What You’ll Learn:
The three core types of myths: creation, heroic, and cautionary
How to write folklore that feels authentic to your world’s cultures
How to use myths to foreshadow secrets, shape religions, and guide tone
Practical tips to turn simple legends into playable story hooks
Get the Toolkit:Download the Myth-Making Toolkit on Patreon for templates, myth prompts, and worldbuilding exercises to create your own legends.👉 patreon.com/thebeardednerd

Dealing with “Murder Hobo” Players: A GM’s Survival Guide

Every GM eventually meets them—the players who burn taverns, stab kings, and ignore every moral compass. But chaos doesn’t have to ruin your story.
In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to identify why players go “murder hobo,” how to redirect that energy into story, and how to re-establish order without killing the fun.
What You’ll Learn:
Why “murder hobo” behavior happens (and what it really means)
How to respond with story, not punishment
In-game tools for redirecting destructive choices
Conversation strategies to reset expectations respectfully
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Grab the Toolkit:Download the Murder Hobo Management Toolkit on Patreon for printable guides, consequence tables, and communication templates.👉 patreon.com/thebeardednerd

Cultural Storytelling in TTRPGs: Interview with Jonathan of Latinos Against Spooky Shit

In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian sits down with Jonathan from Latinos Against Spooky Shit, one of the most influential voices blending culture, comedy, and storytelling in the tabletop RPG community.
This conversation explores how cultural identity, family traditions, horror folklore, and lived experience shape the stories we tell at the gaming table. Jonathan shares insight into building inclusive spaces, creating comedy that connects across cultures, and using humor to navigate topics of fear, representation, and community.
We discuss:
How cultural roots influence TTRPG storytelling
The power of representation in Dungeons & Dragons and tabletop RPGs
Why comedy and horror work so well together
Building community through authentic content creation
Creative challenges faced by tabletop creators online
How to keep storytelling grounded, funny, and emotionally real
Whether you're a Dungeon Master, player, writer, or TTRPG creator, this episode delivers inspiration, practical advice, and heartfelt perspectives on what makes tabletop storytelling meaningful.
If you enjoyed this deep dive into cultural storytelling, follow The Bearded Nerd Podcast for more creator interviews, worldbuilding tips, Dungeon Master guides, and storytelling episodes. And check out Jonathan’s work at Latinos Against Spooky Shit — one of the funniest and most authentic voices in the TTRPG community.

Game Master Burnout: How to Avoid It and Keep the Game Fun

Even the best Game Masters can burn out. Between prep, performance, and player expectations, running a campaign can start to feel like a second job.
In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to spot burnout early, prevent it with practical habits, and rekindle your passion for the game when the spark fades.
What You’ll Learn:
The warning signs of GM burnout
Common causes like over-prep, creative fatigue, and player mismatch
Prevention strategies to balance workload and enjoyment
How to reset, recharge, and return stronger
Get the Printable Resource:Download the GM Burnout Recovery Toolkit on Patreon—complete with burnout checklists, creative recharge ideas, and a step-by-step prevention guide.
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Hidden Histories: Writing Secret Past Events That Shape Your World

Every world has a past—but not every story knows how to use it.
In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to create hidden histories—those forgotten wars, buried empires, and ancient betrayals that quietly shape the present day. You’ll learn how to make history matter without info-dumping, and how to let your players uncover the past one mystery at a time.
What You’ll Learn:
The three types of hidden history: buried events, concealed truths, and forgotten knowledge
How to connect your world’s past to your current story arc
Simple prompts to seed mystery and discovery
How to reveal lore naturally through exploration and dialogue
Get the Printable Toolkit:Download the Hidden Histories Toolkit on Patreon for templates, prompts, and examples you can drop into any setting.
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World-Building Toolkit: The Best Tools and Resources for GMs

Tired of losing your notes or forgetting key lore details?
In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian shares the ultimate toolbox for world-building GMs. From dynamic campaign wikis like World Anvil to powerful mapping apps like Inkarnate, this episode walks you through the best tools to plan, store, and spark creativity for your campaigns.
🎲 What You’ll Learn:
The top 9 tools every GM should know
How to use them without getting overwhelmed
Quick-start workflows for Notion, Obsidian, and more
Name, dungeon, and town generators you’ll use again and again
🎁 Grab the full World-Building Toolkit PDF on Patreon
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How to Build a Fantasy City from Scratch

From layout and history to factions and festivals—this episode breaks down how to build a fantasy city that your players will actually want to explore.
In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian walks you through a step-by-step framework to design immersive cities that aren’t just maps—they’re living story hubs. Whether you're designing your campaign's capital or a weird little port town full of smugglers, this guide will help you get there.
🎲 What You’ll Learn:
How to define your city’s core purpose
Ways to use geography and real-world city models
How to build meaningful factions, landmarks, and culture
Bonus roll table to spark instant city drama
🎁 Download the City Building Blueprint PDF on Patreon:patreon.com/thebeardednerd

The Magic of Everyday Adventure — Exploring Obojima with 1985 Games

In this episode, Brian sits down with Justin and Jeremiah from 1985 Games to explore Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass — a D&D 5e-compatible setting that trades dragons and doomsday plots for spirit festivals, friendly frogs, and magical tea ceremonies. Discover how Obojima brings Studio Ghibli-inspired storytelling to tabletop roleplaying, creating adventures that feel heartfelt, hopeful, and deeply human.
In This Episode:
The origins and inspirations behind Obojima
Designing emotional mechanics through the Hero’s Journey Boon system
How to create tension without relying on combat
Tips for GMs who want to run cozier, character-driven campaigns
Why “slowing down” might be the next evolution of D&D storytelling
Links:🎲 Check out Obojima: The Isle of Wonder → 1985games.com🤝 Join the 1985 Games Discord → https://discord.gg/kR2FAN5zPz
✌️Support their Kickstarter → Obojima Tales🧙‍♂️ Support exclusive GM tools and behind-the-scenes extras → The Guildhall

How to Use Player Backstories to Shape Your Campaign

Your players’ backstories are more than character flavor—they’re the foundation for the best plotlines you’ll ever write.
In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian shares a step-by-step guide to using player backstories to fuel your story arcs, worldbuilding, and emotional moments. Whether your players gave you a paragraph or a five-page essay, this episode will help you weave it all into your campaign naturally.
🎙️ What You’ll Learn:
How to extract the most usable details from any backstory
Ways to tie personal history into current conflicts
A method for creating “echoes” across the campaign
Tools for tracking backstory moments and arc payoffs
🎁 Download the Backstory Integration Toolkit on Patreon:patreon.com/thebeardednerd