Dale Critchley speaks with Alyssia Merrick, a PhD candidate researching the powerful effects of Dungeons & Dragons on mental health. Discover the surprising benefits that TTRPGs offer to players of all experience levels, from reduced anxiety to enhanced self-esteem and community building. Alyssia shares insights into her research, exploring how D&D can serve as a tool for self-discovery and resilience—without requiring a therapist’s couch. Whether you’re a skeptical newcomer or a seasoned veteran, this episode uncovers new ways to engage with D&D for personal growth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=523AnLjFJa8

Alyssia Merrick (BPsych Hons) is a PhD candidate located at James Cook University, Townsville. Their research primarily focuses on the impacts of play on adults, with a particular focus on the employment of tabletop gaming as an intervention for wellbeing.

00:00 – Fantasy Characters as Therapy?
00:11 – Tabletop Games with Purpose: Introducing Andovir’s Gods
01:14 – Why We Created a New Class: Meet the Ardent
03:10 – Interview Introduction: Alyssia Merrick
05:00 – Beyond Entertainment: How TTRPGs Support Mental Health
08:13 – Research Findings: Mental Health Improvement After 8 Weeks
10:57 – Character Creation as Self-Exploration
11:29 – Surprising Results: New vs Veteran Player.
13:46 – TTRPGs in the Bigger Picture of Wellness
17:08 – Psychological Theories at Play: Flow and Self-Determination
19:26 – Could D&D Improve Your Next Office Meeting?
21:05 – Trauma, Personified: Combatting Personal Demons Through Play
21:58 – Alyssia’s Three Wishes for TTRPGs
25:48 – For New Players: Drop the Guard, Dive In
28:24 – For Veterans: Foster Mental Health through Play
30:17 – Ongoing Projects: Bringing Game Therapy to a Global Scale
33:40 – Where to Connect with Alyssia
35:06 – Thanks and Farewell

Links

• Investigating Tabletop Gaming for Wellness Promotion: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082697954259 
• Alyssia’s Published Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alyssia-Merrick-2 
• Free: Gods of Andovir: https://wyrmworkspublishing.com/lair/andovir/the-gods-of-andovir/ 
• Ardent Character Class: https://wyrmworkspublishing.com/lair/andovir/ardent/ 
• Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing 

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

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In this episode, we explore using tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) for language learning. Shane Dunkle, a Language Pedagogy Specialist at the University of Chicago, shares his research on assessing English proficiency through board games and TTRPGs like D&D.

Discover how these games create an engaging environment for practicing real-world communication skills, from mastering idioms to navigating social cues. Shane reveals strategies for convincing skeptical faculty and his vision for embracing TTRPGs as a mainstream educational tool.

0:00 Opening
0:10 Exclusive Charity Offer Reveal – How Your Purchase Can Change Lives
2:49 Meet the Gamer Turned Innovative Educator Revolutionizing Language Learning
4:06 Traditional vs Game-Based Teaching: The Authenticity Showdown
18:26 From Munchkin to Murderhobo: Navigating the RPG Classroom Transition
21:31 Mastering Real-World Interactions Through In-Game Role-Play
28:34 Student Resistors vs Faculty Skeptics: Overcoming Unconventional Hurdles
33:51 Three Wishes to Transform Language Education Worldwide
35:45 The Recipe for Educators: Embracing Unorthodox Methods That Work
40:47 Convincing the Naysayers: A Manifesto for Embracing Gaming in Academics
42:34 Behind the Scenes: Upcoming Pedagogical Playground Projects
44:47 Your Doorway to Immersive Language Learning Resources

• Wyrmworks Publishing: https://wyrmworkspublishing.com
• Rio Grande Flood Charity Bundle: http://rio.inclusiverpg.com
• University of Chicago English Language Institute: http://esl.uchicago.edu/
• Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing

This episode explores the cultural significance and far-reaching influence of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) through an insightful interview with Premeet Sidhu and José Zagal, editors of the book “50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons.” It offers insights into how the iconic tabletop RPG has influenced various aspects of global culture, from gaming and entertainment to education and beyond.

The discussion covers D&D’s historical roots, examining its evolution from a niche hobby to a mainstream phenomenon. Sidhu and Zagal shed light on the game’s unexpected crossovers with diverse fields, such as interactive storytelling, solo journaling, and educational applications.

Key points covered include:

• The book’s approach to celebrating D&D from a scholarly yet accessible perspective
• Surprising insights into the game’s evolution, such as the progression of combat systems
• D&D’s influence on other media and how it has been influenced by culture in turn
• The game’s potential in education and fostering critical thinking
• Speculative discussions on D&D’s future, including the role of AI and emergence as a mainstream entertainment genre

Links

• Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing
• Wyrmworks Publishing Nexus: https://books.inclusiverpg.com 
• Fifty Years of D&D: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547604/fifty-years-of-idungeons-and-dragonsi/ 
• Get it at the Wyrmworks Publishing Nexus & support the show: https://bookshop.org/a/103322/9780262547604 
• University of Utah’s Division of Games – https://games.utah.edu/ 
• José Zagal Academic Profile – https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=a4a3GTMAAAAJ&hl=en 
• Seeing Red: Nintendo’s Virtual Boy – https://bit.ly/3UIHvmb 
• Premeet Sidhu Academic Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WGI4GlUAAAAJ&hl=en 
• Premeet Sidhu Twitter: https://twitter.com/premeetsidhu 

0:00 Introduction

0:19 Wyrmworks Publishing Updates

03:18 Interview with Premeet Sidhu and José Zagal

06:12 “50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons” Book Overview

10:41 Insights and Revelations

15:58 D&D’s Cultural Influence

18:33 Future of D&D

36:01 Upcoming Projects

43:57 Patreon Showcase & Closing

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

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We explore the connections between language, masculinity, and tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) experiences with sociologist Dr. Steven Dashiell. He studies language in male-dominated spaces like gaming conventions.

We discuss how language use, rules lawyering, gamesplaining, and off-topic conversations (metadiscourse) at gaming tables can create barriers. These reinforce masculine norms and potentially alienate players from underrepresented groups. Dr. Dashiell shares research on gendered speech patterns, the historical invisibility of women TTRPG players, and the challenges that women face asserting themselves without seeming overly aggressive.

The conversation also covers the benefits of increased gender diversity in TTRPGs. Dr. Dashiell explains how bringing your authentic self enriches the gaming experience for all. He offers insights for designers to create more welcoming, inclusive spaces.

Whether new or experienced with TTRPGs, this episode provides a valuable perspective on building a more equitable gaming culture.

Links:

• Dr. Steven Dashiell at American University: https://www.american.edu/soc/faculty/dashiell.cfm

  • Dr. Dashiell’s Research and Papers: https://american.academia.edu/StevenDashiell

• Accessible Character Sheet: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/476978/Accessible-Character-Sheets-for-DD-Players-with-Print-Disabilities?affiliate_id=2455077&src=GainingAdvantage37
• Ready-to-Roll: Fairweather Friends Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wyrmworkspublishing/ready-to-roll-last-minute-no-prep-dandd-5e-adventure-1?ref=c7371z
• Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing?utm_source=gaining_advantage&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=037

Show Outline:

00:00 Welcome and intro
00:21 Accessible character sheet for print & reading disabilities
00:56 Ready-to-Roll: Fairweather Friends D&D adventure Kickstarter
01:29 Interview with Dr. Steven Dashiell sociology of language
04:57 Gender representation in TTRPG spaces
06:24 Metadiscourse and inside references
07:21 Masculine language and behavior in gaming
08:18 Rules lawyering and excluding players
12:14 Gamesplaining
14:51 Historical gender erasure of women gamers
16:12 Benefits of diversity in tabletop RPGs
18:26 Murderhobo
25:08 Charisma in D&D and its effect on inclusion
28:36 Male dominance in D&D
31:33 Bringing your authentic self to gaming table
41:40 Designing more inclusive TTRPGs
50:32 Gendered guilt when missing game sessions
52:01 Jerks and toxic behavior study
57:31 Support Inclusive Gaming

In this episode, Dale speaks with Steph from TTRPGKids.com about using tabletop RPGs to nurture creativity and connection with kids.

Before we get to the interview, here are a few updates:

• We’ll be at Gamehole Con on Friday – come say hi if you’re there!
• We’re releasing free weekly encounters for our upcoming Limitless Champions Adventures Kickstarter. Get them by joining our email list.
• Check out our new disabled_dungeons community on Lemmy after the Reddit shutdown.
• Due to GameHole Con, there won’t be a weekly adventure next week.

Do you want to ignite your child’s imagination? Our guest Steph from TTRPGKids shares how tabletop RPGs can transform family dynamics and nurture creativity in kids.

Steph discusses:

• The benefits of playing TTRPGs with kids
• Choosing age-appropriate games and mechanics
• RPGs as bonding and teaching tools
• Encouraging creativity and problem-solving
• Resources for families, teachers, and creators

0:00 Introduction
3:37 Interview: Steph from TTRPGKids
52:33 Patreon Showcase & closing

Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.

TTRPGKids Links

• TTRPGKids
• Tattered Bear
• Ludology Podcast

Wyrmworks Publishing

• The Lair: https://cutt.ly/LairYT 
• Get weekly updates: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com/hoard 
• Disabled_Dungeons Reddit Alternative: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com/reddit-alternative-a-response-to-reddits-accessibility-hostility/ 
• Wyrmworks Publishing: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com