The Lazy RPG Podcast - D&D and RPG News and GM Prep from Sly Flourish

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Games #63

The Lazy RPG Talk Show and the Lazy GM Prep show. D&D news, commentary, spotlights, Q&A, and lazy GM prep with Mike Shea of Sly Flourish.

Recent Episodes
  • Returning Greyharp – Dragon Empire Prep Session 26
    Jun 13, 2025 – 43:15
  • Daggerheart Spotlight – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Jun 9, 2025 – 59:37
  • Vestar the Shining Storm – Dragon Empire Prep Session 25
    Jun 6, 2025 – 30:33
  • The 5e Artisanal Database – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Jun 2, 2025 – 01:08:23
  • The Third Heaven – Dragon Empire Prep Session 24
    May 30, 2025 – 29:14
  • Daggerheart Released – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    May 26, 2025 – 01:01:41
  • The Shadow Drake – Dragon Empire Prep Session 23
    May 23, 2025 – 37:32
  • Gary Gygax's 25 Year D&D Predictions from 1999 – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    May 19, 2025 – 01:05:01
  • Court of Winter's Love – Dragon Empire Prep Session 23
    May 16, 2025 – 26:14
  • Three 5E Systems in One Game – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    May 12, 2025 – 01:07:27
  • The Scholar's Path – Dragon Empire Prep Session 22
    May 9, 2025 – 31:02
  • Chessex Battle Mat Deep Dive – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    May 5, 2025 – 01:06:36
  • Sunray – Dragon Empire Prep Session 21
    May 2, 2025 – 27:58
  • Is WOTC a Good Steward of D&D? – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Apr 28, 2025 – 59:47
  • Let's Make an Adventure with the City of Arches
    Apr 25, 2025 – 39:19
  • Play D&D 6e Today – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Apr 21, 2025 – 55:18
  • Graymist – Dragon Empire Prep Session 20
    Apr 18, 2025 – 31:11
  • How RPGs Die – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Apr 14, 2025 – 01:09:10
  • The Blackspire Heist – Dragon Empire Prep Session 19
    Apr 11, 2025 – 39:10
  • WOTC Was Right! – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Apr 7, 2025 – 01:07:25
  • Path to Blackspire – Dragon Empire Prep Session 18
    Apr 4, 2025 – 42:19
  • Memoirs of a Dracolich – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Mar 31, 2025 – 56:39
  • Sigil's Demise – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Mar 24, 2025 – 01:12:27
  • Shopping Cliffhanger – Dragon Empire Prep Session 17
    Mar 21, 2025 – 42:23
  • Shadowdark Love-Fest – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Mar 17, 2025 – 59:20
  • The Sunless Stream – Dragon Empire Prep Session 16
    Mar 14, 2025 – 37:15
  • RPGs I Want to Play – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Mar 10, 2025 – 01:02:48
  • Shrine of Isis – Dragon Empire Prep Session 15
    Mar 7, 2025 – 31:49
  • Challenge Rating Deep Dive – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Mar 3, 2025 – 01:00:01
  • The Red Portal Part 2 – Dragon Empire Prep Session 13
    Feb 28, 2025 – 32:46
  • The End of One D&D – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Feb 24, 2025 – 01:03:30
  • The Red Portal Part 1 – Dragon Empire Prep Session 12
    Feb 21, 2025 – 43:37
  • D&D 2025 Monster Manual Deep Dive – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Feb 17, 2025 – 01:10:55
  • Ziggurat of Thoth-Hermes – Dragon Empire Prep Session 11
    Feb 7, 2025 – 42:02
  • D&D 2025 Monster Manual First Look – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Feb 3, 2025 – 01:04:18
  • Blood Magic – Dragon Empire Prep Session 10
    Jan 31, 2025 – 40:13
  • Independent Spaces for RPG Discourse – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Jan 27, 2025 – 01:12:15
  • The Puzzle Box – Dragon Empire Prep Session 9
    Jan 17, 2025 – 34:01
  • Monster Manual Concerns – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Jan 13, 2025 – 01:04:55
  • Unending Thirst Part 2 – Dragon Empire Prep Session 8
    Jan 10, 2025 – 33:21
  • OGL Fiasco Two Years Later – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Jan 6, 2025 – 01:03:00
  • Pit of Unending Thirst – Dragon Empire Prep Session 7
    Jan 3, 2025 – 36:31
  • Monster Overhaul Spotlight – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Dec 30, 2024 – 55:20
  • 2024 TTRPGs Year in Review – Lazy RPG Talk Show Special
    Dec 26, 2024 – 56:41
  • Notable Sections of the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Dec 23, 2024 – 01:06:55
  • Eryz the Akinji – Dragon Empire Prep Session 6
    Dec 20, 2024 – 35:35
  • Tales of the Valiant Game Master's Guide Walkthrough – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Dec 16, 2024 – 01:04:41
  • Ruins of Blood and Sand – Dragon Empire Prep Session 5
    Dec 13, 2024 – 42:07
  • High-Use RPG Products – Lazy RPG Talk Show
    Dec 9, 2024 – 01:04:21
  • Kukkutarma – Dragon Empire Prep Session 5
    Dec 6, 2024 – 46:22
Recent Reviews
  • LyonPryde13
    Best RPG Podcast
    Mike Shea offers a variety of amazing content - his published works on DMing, his excellent articles, his terrific YouTube channel, and his podcast series on prepping for games. He is positive, constructive, and mostly objective when reporting on news and other RPG subject matter. I highly recommend consuming all of his products and offerings, including his Patreon. Great value.
  • Chumplestilskin
    Truly a help to present and future GMs
    I have listened to many podcasts over the last few years that were focused on helping people become better Dungeon Masters. While I enjoy those as well, the Lazy RPG Podcast is truly a finely tuned GM building machine where one benefits from the vast knowledge and creativity of Mike Shea (host). The podcast gives solid advice and tricks on spending less time prepping for your games and yet also ideas to add to the quality of your presentation to your players. This allows more time for the fun part of coming up with cool ideas or spending more time on other imporant things in life without your RPG game taking any back seats. Not only that, he sounds like he generally enjoys doing it. A show well worth your time to listen to and is my absolute favorite podcast!
  • DrCheese&Crackers
    Amazing show and big thanks to Mike for all his work.
    Great advice on how to DM and run a game effectively. Thank you for everything.
  • the Shepster
    My Favorite D
    I’m a DM and find Mike’s prep and discussion to be entertaining and educational. Nice to hear how his campaign is going, and what he is doing to prepare for the upcoming one. Great tips and tricks. Always looking forward to when a new episode drops.
  • Krizzter
    Awesome
    A vital resource and a must listen.
  • Bill Byrne
    So Good,You Will....
    So good, that you will feel "guilty" about not joining his Pateron page, but then you realize, he has these great books. That are totally worth buying, and that helps with my guilt. Any podcast, that Mike Shea, is on is worth you time. I just like how he GMs and how he games and thinks.
  • irv4some
    B&B!!!!
    I NEED MORE ADVENTURES OF BARUNDOR AND BING!!!!!!
  • jhgffdcjklkhfdsshjkhf
    Just what you need
    Vcvbfhb morning was good ghjgh
  • Matt from Monster Island
    Mike Shay. That’s it. That’s the title.
    I don’t know where you find the time to produce these every week on top of all the other things you do, but my hat is off to you (way off). This podcast, like much of Mike’s contributions to the community, is an invaluable resource. Buy his books!
  • AWR Gator
    Great content and style
    Mike Shay’s Lazy DM books made me love DMing, and listening to him prep and run adventures has been transformational. The audio sound is sometimes really quiet which is annoying, but that’s nothing given the content he is putting out. Love the Dragon of Icespire Peak play through!
  • dabewley
    Great Content for DM’s looking to learn
    Great guests and good conversations. Learned a lot as a new DM. Really appreciate the time set aside for questions.
  • GMChance
    A font of knowledge
    This podcast is not only full of really useful information for TTRPG players and GMs from a professional that clearly devotes himself to helping people out with this, but Mike Shea has fantastic guests that give insights I would never have thought to want, but are crazy valuable. Flows well and easy to listen to also.
  • Agranok
    Fantastic Discussion
    Mike Shea is great, and he has fascinating in-depth discussion with great guests. I have really been enjoying and benefitting from the perspectives he and his guests bring. Quickly became my favorite podcast about GMing.
  • Mantato
    I’m learning a lot!
    I’m really enjoying this show and I learn something to implement in my own dming every episode. Thanks for the great show!
  • Becca Seraph
    Mike is a great interviewer and insightful D&D guy!
    Mike has great discussions and insights about D&D! There are great guests, interesting conversations and sometimes game prep that is very informative! Keep it up Mike!
  • Alpinetam
    Even lazy DMs should listen ;)
    Fasting moving and a great synthesis of fun and serious discussion of D&D. Even when I don’t share his opinion, I want to hear what he has to say because it’s always considered and insightful. My only request: more frequent episodes please!
  • Romartel
    Wonderful Resource for DMs
    Excellent guest selection, interesting topics and packed iwth useful information. Keep up the great work.
  • TheZekestLink
    Huge Inspiration & Great DMing Advice
    The DM’s Deep Dive is a great interview show and the perfect place to pick up a variety of helpful DMing tips as well as unique perspectives and ideas on topics ranging from theater of the mind combat to fantasy economies to creating dastardly villains. Mike’s guests are always great and well-informed and his “Lazy DM” advice & products have saved my bacon on many a last-minute prep session!
  • Jishyoo
    Want to up your game? Listen to this!
    Mike Shea has so much great advice for making your Dungeons and Dragons games better with his D&D Beyond articles, his blog Sly Flourish and this podcast. This program is especially great because he's able to get other great DMs and game developers like like Matt Mercer to discuss specific areas to improve on. Can't wait for when a new one comes up and love listening to all the episodes over again for more tips.
  • Philmit71
    High return on time investment
    Minute by minute, this is the best return you’ll get for your valuable time. Mike’s a real pro with a good voice, a great interview style and a proven track record of delivering value to his audience. This is my favorite gaming podcast by far.
  • Crazed Artist
    A monthly gem
    I look forward to this podcast every month and listen to it immediately. Both the guests and the host, Mike Shea, are RPG experts and I never fail to garner fantastic tips to improve my own games. Thanks for everything. — Jen / Pixelscapes
  • Penultimate Jay
    Master class is DMing
    Every time I listen to this podcast, I'm inspired to make my game more exciting and more fun for my players and for myself.
  • Knarfenstein
    Dive in.
    Mr. Mike Shea takes a single topic and dissects it with a single guest. It's a simple and effective concept that is enjoyable to listen to. Shea has a knack for breaking down and examining each aspect of this hobby that any level of DM can benefit from listening in on and considering their own ideas regarding whatever the topic is. Thanks Mike for being such a deep diving type of DM and sharing your thoughts with us.
  • DM NatyB
    Useful for GMs of any system
    Don't be fooled by the D&D focus, the content is useful and relevant to Game Masters of any rpg. Entertaining and informative for new and old (school) GMs.
  • DanielGoro
    Dive Deep
    The best advice from the best in the biz. Thanks Sly!
  • Jkokoski
    Informative and entertaining
    Excellent resource for DM's and fun to boot. Great guests as well!
  • AmerMike
    Great depth!
    This is a really great resource for new and experienced dms alike. Mike does a great job as host and the guests thus far have been excellent.
  • Talix79
    Good D&D discussions
    Not a lot of wasted time talking about what unrelated thing the host did that weekend like you find on other podcasts. Just meaty D&D goodness with insightful discussions. 👍🏻
  • laylath
    The Best!
    Sly flourish is the best love this show can't wait each month for a new episode to deepen my gm knowledge.
  • Duane Costa
    Top-notch podcast for the true D&D enthusiast
    The ultimate "inside baseball" podcast for all things D&D. As the podcast title implies, Mike Shea has the ability to drill deep--very deep--into D&D lore, rules, history, and mechanics. He invites guests who share that same ability. The end result is a podcast rich with animated conversation about the selected topic-of-the-month. Unlike the "official" D&D podcast, Mike and his guests don't dawdle in slapstick banter and petty chit-chat. This is all-out, full-bore, serious D&D discussion at its very best. Anyone who loves the hobby as much as Mike obviously does will be enriched by listening.
  • GM-TheDM
    Shea-ite
    I am an unabashed disciple of the great Mike Shea and this is yet another amazing product from him!! Thank You!!!
  • Abscomb
    DM Awesomeness!!
    The gaming conversations in this podcast are invaluable to DMs new and old. I've been at this hobby for decades, and listening to Mike's conversations with his guests has allowed me to solidify some habits and question or re-evaluate others. Amazingly helpful.
  • Padrig the Bard
    Good job
    Keep it up Mike, your insight is invaluable.
  • Pemberfoot
    Excellent New Show!
    I have been a follower of Mike Shae since the D&D4e days. His advice and tips on both his website as well as his published book The Lazy Dungeon Master has always been a welcome down to earth take on Dungeon-mastering. Love the format of the show and will keep watching for more of those amazing tips from fellow long time DM.
  • MDHiTunes
    Good discussion
    Good discussion!
  • Aaron Fish
    Very Helpful Podcast for Newbie DMs
    Thanks Mike, this first episode has been extremely helpful for me, I'm listening to it for a second time while I am writing this. Your guest was great and I will definitely keep listening!
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