Panda's Talking Games

It’s sure been a time! Phil and Senda talk their 2025 gaming, then things to look forward to in 2026. This feels like a good time to reiterate that we have specifically chosen to maintain this podcast space (as much as we can) as a place where you will not be jump scared by current events. We’ve done this not because we don’t care, but because we all need a rest stop along the way so that we can keep going. We would like to create that space for you when you need it — come take a breath with us. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic : https://polygamero.us/panda

Show us how you…do a year end topic round up?? Phil is joined by Ryan, our always intrepid editor, for a quick topic round up to “round off” our recording year. (eh? eh? you see what I did there? Nevermind.) This is our last show for 2025 — we’ll be back in 2026, so drop your topics to us in all the ways, including the ones you can find at the links below! Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic : https://polygamero.us/panda

Show us how you handle a game end when you don’t get to wrap it up, whether that’s for a story or a character! Phil and Senda talk about closure/closing loops, and other ways to approach getting closure on your own if the game is gone. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic : https://polygamero.us/panda

Show us how you form good TTRPG teams! Phil and Senda revisit the Tuckman model of Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and (wah wah) adjourning when your group changes up — whether that’s people, scheduling, or splitting a group in two! Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic : https://polygamero.us/panda

Show us how you balance agency vs story structure in table top games! Phil and Senda talk spectrum and (hopefully) nuance of this potentially loaded question. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic : https://polygamero.us/panda

Show us how you move from a more traditional game to PbtA for the first time! Phil and Senda talk tips for grocking the major differences in the system whether you’re new to TTRPGs in general or an old hand at more traditional games and looking to try something new. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp.Find us on the internet or drop us a topic : https://polygamero.us/panda

Show us how you handle failure in your games! Phil and Senda talk competent failure, incompetent failure, and failure at various story points. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic : https://polygamero.us/panda

Show us how you handle asking your group for more — more role play, more emotional stakes, more shared narrative. Phil and Senda talk about the ways you might approach that conversation and what you might do on both sides of it, as well as potential outcomes and what you might make of them. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic : https://polygamero.us/panda

Show us how you use the principles of servant leadership to GM your games! Phil and Senda once again bring their professional training to bear on this gaming topic to discuss servant leadership for GMs. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic : https://polygamero.us/panda

Show us how you manage your setting/info dump! Phil and Senda talk just in time info and some ways to approach it. Bamboo Lounge for Patreon backers today! Find these and more at http://patreon.com/mmp. Find us on the internet or drop us a topic on our linktree: https://polygamero.us/panda