The best podcasts for Folks into TTRPGs and Actual Plays

This was the first podcast I listened to that used a non D&D system and opened a whole new world for me. The GM weaves a fantastic tale for his players and listeners. The cast has incredible rapport and they play off each other well. All of the PCs feel lived in, and really well developed. Kamala, the assassin with a distrust of robots, is a highlight. They've also built a fun community on their discord.

Friend & Foe uses a system based on the Borderlands video games, but you don't have to know anything about it to enjoy it. I had no idea it was a video game when I started listening. BM Riley tells a rich story filled with equal parts drama and comedy. The irreverent tone is what really draws me in and the players lean into it perfectly. If your show doesn't have occasional pop culture reference breaks, is it even a show?

Caveat that I have only listened to Campaign 2 so far, but BlackwaterDnD is well produced, and the GM Tim has built an incredible homebrew world. Campaign 2 takes place years after the first campaign and even without the context the world feels so lived in and full of lore. The character relationships are bolstered by the fact that the cast is all close in real life. The cross talk at the table (which for some, I admit, would be hard to deal with but I love) is just an added layer to the lore of the group. My favorite character has changed like 6 times already with only 42 episodes so far, but Thistle the druid who used to be a tree is destined to become a classic.

Listen, if you are a rules lawyer or someone who needs to be fully immersed in a session, this probably isn't for you. But if you love to hear newer players cope with the struggle of learning system rules with comedy, bargaining and just straight up denial, you'll love this as much as I do. GM Eli is constantly exasperated with his players as they just pull apart his story to do whatever they want. The constant ribbing from all angles makes you feel like a part of the group, and what does anyone want more than another para-social relationship?

There's a lot of good things to say about Gals & Goblins, but I'm going to start with: Beans FOR LIFE! The gals of Gals & Goblins are helping their GM Jared weave an engrossing tale of a group of gals (and one maybe not so gal) matriculate at an adventuring school and navigate new friendships, romantic interests, and...cults??! The cast is a hoot and there's nothing better than when you can feel the fun a group is having.