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The People I Play With

The People I Play With

By: Jesse Burneko
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About this listen

“The People I Play With” is an interview podcast where I talk one-on-one with people with whom I have recently played a role-playing game. It is not a product review show. In fact I try to keep the specifics of the game to a need-to-know minimum in order to focus on the guest’s insights into their own play process.

Episodes
  • Greg Hellings On Fantasy For Real
    Apr 7 2026

    In which Greg and I discuss:

    • Bringing fresh ideas to player material
    • Setting up other players for character moments
    • Pace of developing a characters motivation
    • Considering other player characters’ motivations when acting.
    • Pushing for the fail moment.
    • Contingency planning or lack there of.
    • Character informing game decisions.
    • The morality of letting an NPC you could save die.
    • Processing the tone of a game.
    • Fantasy For Real as a GM training tool.
    • Having the perfect storm of players and game.

    Music

    • “The Best Jazz Club In New Orleans” by Paolo Argento

    Thanks To My Patreon Supporters:

    • Michael S. Miller
    • Vincent Baker
    • Ralph

    Lend Your Support

    • Patreon

    Friends of The People I Play With

    • Recaps & Revelries
    • Adept Play

    Follow Me On

    • Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jburneko.itch.io
    • Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@jburneko
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Sarah ChristianScher On Broken Tales
    Mar 24 2026

    In which Sarah and I discuss:

    • Developing a character from game cues.
    • Playing a protagonist that mirrors the antagonist.
    • Self-expression in an open magic system.
    • The morality of child vengeance and recruitment..
    • Developing an ethical framework in a villainous character.
    • Setting inspiration.
    • When player magic intersects with each other.
    • Watching inappropriate media in our youth.

    Music

    • “The Best Jazz Club In New Orleans” by Paolo Argento

    Thanks To My Patreon Supporters:

    • Michael S. Miller
    • Vincent Baker
    • Ralph

    Lend Your Support

    • Patreon

    Friends of The People I Play With

    • Recaps & Revelries
    • Adept Play

    Follow Me On

    • Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jburneko.itch.io
    • Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@jburneko
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Kodi Gonzaga On Ten Candles
    Mar 10 2026

    In which Kodi and I discuss:

    • Bringing emotions to the game.
    • Games as safe spaces for bad feelings.
    • Emotionally connecting with your character.
    • RPGs as “therapy” and self-expression.
    • Being emotionally disconnected from overly scripted moments.
    • Resonating with biracial themes in our game.
    • Struggling with awkward resolutions.
    • The difficulty with mixed-successes.
    • The myth of agency through narrative control.
    • Why math shouldn’t pace your games.
    • Thirsty Sword Lesbians, game or meta-game?

    Music

    • “The Best Jazz Club In New Orleans” by Paolo Argento

    Thanks To My Patreon Supporters:

    • Michael S. Miller
    • Vincent Baker
    • Ralph

    Lend Your Support

    • Patreon

    Friends of The People I Play With

    • Recaps & Revelries
    • Adept Play

    Follow Me On

    • Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jburneko.itch.io
    • Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@jburneko
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
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