Transcript - WBN Fireside GMGM.pdf 117.0 KB
November 18, 2025

Fireside Chat: Good Morning, Game Masters

You’re always asking for GM advice… so here you go! A flaming, high-speed breakfast broadcast of unhinged truths.

Brennan and Aabria take you inside the ancient art of pretending everything is going according to plan — when absolutely none of it is. Discover why one-shots shatter your soul, how players can smell fear from across the table, and why you are the only thing preventing total narrative collapse.

This is… Good morning, Game Masters. #GMGM


And please leave a comment with your favorite Cheesecake Factory cheesecake below.

Comments (229)

T
TheDorkyVegan · October 6, 2026

Really no one was willing to be Like # 666. Fine, I’ll do it.

t
thethingswesay · August 24, 2026

masterclass (and quite practical) advice - just like this whole thing🙏 I like Suvi's portrayal SO much, the whole ride of it so far👏 also, really into the soundtrack at the moment😍

y
yimyams · May 6, 2026

i have no idea why im just now seeing this

L
Little Cheese Confettis · March 20, 2026

I know this is came out several months ago and the odds of Brennan & Aabria seeing this are low but I just need yall to know how much I adore the Roll 20 Abraham Merhermbler games. I put on #2 & #3 on in the background alllll the time. It’s such a goofy fun lil time that brings me such joy. I shouldn’t be, cause this is your jobs and your professionals and incredibly good at what you do, but I am constantly amazed at how you bring 110% to every single show you do, regardless of how serious or unserious it is.

M
MaddieV2 · February 9, 2026

this is just Brennan and Aabria complimenting each other for 40 minutes, incredible

S
San · December 26, 2025

Salted caramel

A
Alyssa Black · December 24, 2025

Chocolate mousse cheesecake!!

K
King Humble · December 23, 2025

The one and only time I've been to a Cheesecake Factory was almost 8 years ago exactly... I went to the one in La Brea where we sat at the bar and ordered. While I'm sitting and eating my dinner, I feel a large presence sit down next to me. I glance over to see that a 7 ft. tall black man covered in tattoos and piercings, wearing dark sunglasses has faced his bar stool towards me as if we were in a conversation I was not aware of. He takes the moment to nod and say, "yup" very confidently, as if that explained his behavior. It then dawned on me that I was sitting with DENNIS RODMAN. We talked. Nice guy. He wandered around the room shaking hands. The bartender came over looking bored and said, "he does this a lot." I bought him a drink so I could say I did, and uh... he bought me a cheesecake. The next day my brother told me he and his wife were expecting their first child. Coincidence?!?! I refer back to this day as "The Dennis Rodman Miracle."

J
Just a Fox · December 21, 2025

I'm coming back to this wayyy late to comment WHAT DO YOU MEAN Abraham Merhermbler was a PRE-MADE character made by Roll20?? Brennan really made him his own, huh? Because I fully believed Brennan had built that guy as a janky mess on purpose, to go with the unhinged persona. And the crossover with Izzy's character on Coffin Run? Hot Artificer Summer was chef's kiss! Now I'm wondering who at Roll20 made the build like that, and if they had Brennan in mind? It boggles the mind.

B
Brody Thomas · December 18, 2025

Abraham Mehermblur is one of my favorite DnD characters. I’ve genuinely watched those one shots numerous times

D
Daughter of the Sun · December 7, 2025

All Cheesecake Factory food is made fresh in house, EXCEPT for the cheesecake, please stop the slander 😭😭😭

K
Konner · December 2, 2025

I’m getting misty listening to the joyful fusion of Brennan and Aabria sharing such good experiences…I’m jealous and appreciative and angry and prideful for wanting all the impossibly hard yet attainable things represented here. I’ve GM’d two games maybe a dozen sessions between the two; I wanted desperately to tell the story of a world and also bend the light and times around the characters that came to it. I’m grateful for this podcast and hope GM^2 comes back soon! Thanks for the positive energy!

n
nandrusin · December 1, 2025

Damn that took up the exact time of my commute lol

N
Nomade Moderne · November 27, 2025

Really enjoyed this conversation. The idea that a "one-shot" should be described more as a feature length movie got me thinking. By that logic, a short 6 episode campaign might be best described as a mini-series (maybe Shogun or Roots - though now I'm dating myself). So what does that make a full campaign? A soap opera or telenovela? Or is it more of a weekly sketch comedy show? Sometimes I feel like my current campaign is half Monty Python's Flying Circus and half... well, I don't know quite what the other half is.

J
Joseph Pasquence · November 26, 2025

Never been to a cheesecake factory, but anything that is set in front of me I shall eat. I loved this conversation and got so much out of it. For Brennan, how do you suggest running a Westmarches style campaign well? Watching season 4 of CR it looks like there is so much coordination involved for all the players. Did you run yourcollege games as specific tables of people with shared goals, whoever could show up at a specific time, or something else? There are so many people I love having at my table, and it's hard to choose between them. Also for both Aabria and Brennan how do you plan out a feature length campaign, is there a character or revolves around, or do you try and obtain a specific goal/arc?

A
Alicia · November 26, 2025

The cheesecake factory concept really permeated by outlook. I'm going to be thinking about that for a while

T
The Pompous Peasant · November 24, 2025

Brain hutrs

M
Meg · November 21, 2025

This is for lore nerds like our wbn folks. Irish pagan school (https://www.irishpaganschool.ie) is an excellent resource for learning indigenous Irish lore and history. Someone tell Brennan please?

L
LordByron'sLover · November 21, 2025

I believe that rather than Voltaire the "If I had had more time I would have written a shorter letter," originally stems from the philosopher Pascal of Pascal's Wager, though of course it's a thought others have also had at other times, a sort of Newton/Leibniz calculus situation.

A
Anyo · November 21, 2025

My favorite Cheesecake....yes

K
Kimberly W · November 20, 2025

I'm not a huge cheesecake person (its a texture thing I think) but I will go for a slice of key lime pie cheesecake any day of the week 🤤

E
Eric · November 20, 2025

Is Brennan actually keto? Do I not understand what keto is?

R
Rachel Yadlowski · November 24, 2025

I think Brennan has done keto. I think Brennan's rubber arm could be twisted if offered cheesecake.

C
Cathie Heyer · November 20, 2025

Love the Lemon Raspberry so much!

T
The Wizard Sardonic · November 20, 2025

Mango Key Lime 😤

J
Joanna · November 20, 2025

Saw that there's a little video short on youtube for the beginning of this discussion, does the rest of the conversation exist in video form somewhere?

S
Shannon Ho · November 20, 2025

Hi Joanna! Video firesides are not readily available, unfortunately. We just take clips from the cast's recording sessions for social.

C
Cassidy Turner · November 20, 2025

lemon raspberry cream cheesecake is my #1 they really put their factorussy in that one

J
Jackson Roth · November 20, 2025

Cures depression

C
Clare Robertson-Quinn · November 20, 2025

Hello, this was excellent, I look forward to tuning into GM GM every morning on my commute please

r
rosa bronks · November 20, 2025

It's so interesting to hear Brennan dislikes one shots. As most of my gaming experience ( player never gm) comes from cons where you play a lot of one shots. I actually feel for me I can offer an invest myself more in a once-off because I don't feel I have to sustain this level of investment and emotion.

M
Mike Chapman · November 20, 2025

I just have to say that I was astonished to learn that Abraham was a pregen handed to Brennan, not his own creation, and that his chief contribution was to give it the second-worst* name in history. Favorite cheesecake is the Reese's because I don't actually like real cheesecake. I was raised on the boxed pudding stuff. *names are ranked by the amount of venom Aabria used while repeating them in the WBN launch Live.

F
FiendishNoodles · November 20, 2025

Obligatory comment that final fantasy X (10) is followed by final fantasy X - 2

F
FiendishNoodles · November 20, 2025

Which is followed by final fantasy X-Men United

m
mguin · November 20, 2025

Is there cheesecake in front of me? That's my current favorite (except salted caramel - just no)

L
Lucy Leveret · November 19, 2025

We don't have cheesecake factory in the UK, but one of my besties made me a cheesecake topped with grilled nectarines and thyme sugar for my birthday this year which was devine. Also, I loved this so much - I'm attempting to start GMing my first campaign (just having some scheduling issues with 6 players to coordinate 😂) and it was such a joy hearing Aabria and Brennan talk about being their PCs number one fans ❤️

B
Bea W · November 19, 2025

Chocolate or orginal

S
Seb · November 19, 2025

B’s comment about Onyx vs. Steel is my favorite type of bone cone. More please about specifically how the sausage of Book 1 was made!

L
Luccan · November 19, 2025

Oh, Abraham was an Undying Warlock? That killed your optimization from the start. But hey, you came up with an excellent character

C
Cherie Lovell · November 19, 2025

Most fruit flavored cheesecake I'd not say no to.

W
White Noise · November 19, 2025

As someone who runs a westmarch style sigil campaign with 30+ players who are homeless young adults from all over Portland. I needed this. Truely you are the gods of RPG's

W
Witch of the Winding Rivers · November 19, 2025

I love this! Definitely would pay many dollars as a gm to hear two of my faves talk about the craft

y
yupo · November 19, 2025

close enough welcome back matt colville

S
Spazzy McGee · November 19, 2025

I would pay infinity dollars for a weekly/monthly “Brennan and Aabria talk GMing/Storytelling” show.

M
Matthew Breit · November 26, 2025

💯 hard agree; adamantium agree times infinity

R
Riverlikesmath · November 19, 2025

sometimes i want my ttrpg sessions to have less stakes, the details of the story don't matter as much, just want to hang out

J
Jill K. · November 19, 2025

Which is cool, I like that too. I just think Brennan’s saying that’s not how he likes to play personally.

M
Mehmet · November 19, 2025

I want to say watching Brennan GM in Fantasy High is what got me into DND and it is why I am the forever GM in my friend group. Thanks Brennan, I too now love cooking for my friends.

M
Mehmet · November 19, 2025

WAIT Aberham Mhermbler was given to you… while watching I thought you intentionally made a disjointed build to go with your character sheet but I guess you made a weird character to go with the weird character sheet you were given. That’s Amazing

A
Alyssa · November 19, 2025

Did anyone happen to find the New Yorker article Aabria references? By Andy Lang, I think she said?

B
Breoni Hester · November 19, 2025

I think she said Angie Wang

A
Ashe · November 19, 2025

Man I absolutely love these Brennan Aabria gm talks are absolutely amazing! Love you guys you are truly masters in terms of expertise 😉

a
abardnamedkate · November 19, 2025

I NEED Brennan and Aabria to know that I have never felt to vindicated as a GM in my life. Thank you for your “spicy” takes. I have cooked so many feasts (literal and game wise) to be heated up a hot pocket 😂. I have tried to run one-shots that almost always end up being 2 shots, because I care about getting to tell a feature length story! And I have gotten my heat broken as my wonderful little guys get lost in Fantasia 😮‍💨. I AM NOT ALONE! Thank you that genuinely made me feel good to know.

S
Saoirse · November 19, 2025

I feel so honored to be able to listen to this deep technical and emotional conversation between friends and indeed masters of this craft. Thank you all for making WBE, and I can't wait for Aabria's turn at the wheel <3

S
Saoirse · November 19, 2025

Damn this is so fascinating to hear how they approach "yes and-ing" player character choices by deciding which of those choices are idiosyncratic and which are reflective of the time and place they come from.

S
Saoirse · November 19, 2025

I absolutely love learning that Brennan renamed Steel immediately after Aabria named Soft and Stone. Also cool to learn the in-world origin of the S names as the sibilants of the desert sands. This campaign has truly opened my eyes to the radical potential of collaborative storytelling, genuinely creating something emergent, that I think is better than anything that could exist individually. That's the magic of bringing together humans who love and trust each other to do what they have each individually spent a lifetime honing their own skills in.

T
Tessa Worner · November 19, 2025

Original cheesecake with sour cream topping. No strawberries.

B
Bo0gie · November 19, 2025

White chocolate raspberry truffle

L
Lost Girls Podcast · November 19, 2025

It's Linda's Fudge Cake all damn day! <3

D
Daniel Wong · November 19, 2025

I'm a teacher in Singapore, and Aabriya's comment about names signifying a time and place is totally true. The number of Braydon, Jayden, Haydon, Caydens (with many variations of the spelling) I've had to teach is crazy. Also... I've never had the chance to sample the cheesecake factory cakes yet, so no opinion for me.

A
Alyssa · November 20, 2025

As a teacher, I was thinking the SAME thing of the -ayden group of names 😂 Aiden, Brayden, Jayden, Cayden, Hayden

W
Witch of the Whispered Word · November 19, 2025

Aabria Iyengar the genius you are. I hope you know we love you much, this was such a treat. Speaking of treats, vanilla bean is my fav but Oreo extreme is a close second

K
Kathleen Norsworthy · November 19, 2025

So excited to hear that they're going to do more of this. I just started DMing and I would love all the advice

C
Carrie Mook Bridgman · November 19, 2025

They're still doing Adventuring Academy on Dropout as well, yes?

A
Andreshmandre · November 19, 2025

Oreo Dream Extreme

J
Jazz · November 19, 2025

I cannot have any dairy at all but man do I wish I could have cheesecake factory cheesecake lmao.

A
Andrew Pace · November 19, 2025

I watched the recent video of Brennan’s last meal on the “mythical kitchen” YouTube channel and there a bit at how his meals were hefty(25lbs), simple and delicious. And it was noted perhaps ‘low class’ It was such a lovely moment to hear that when it comes to a TTRPG experience, he doesn’t want the simple meal. Give the man the lobster bisque of the TTRPG player experience

E
Emily C · November 19, 2025

Let's go red velvet!!!! What an excellent conversation between amazing performers and masters in their fields. I love hearing passionate people talk about what they love

J
Jo Goforth · November 19, 2025

Chocolate hazelnut crunch is the answer for any dessert always as far as I'm concerned. (But do also love lemon and raspberry). It's so funny hearing your disdain for the term one-shot. For one you've certainly put enough time in to go ptoo at not being narratively rewarded the way you have given other people. And two I have only very recently experienced genuine one shots, whereas before one shots were always (okay but actually they will be four-six sessions that start out funny and then Wreck Your Shit). Thank you for this wonderful little discussion Aabrya and Brennan. It was lovely hearing you talk about the relationship to prep giving you the support you need for the improv at the table. And that conversation about names is already baked into my DNA now.

T
The Wizard Swift · November 18, 2025

I love the Hershey's Chocolate Bar Cheesecake.

D
Danica Dickison · November 18, 2025

UGH perfectly timed y’all - about to start a new campaign with session 0 right around the corner! Always love hearing y’all’s advice 😊

M
MyMyOnDaWay · November 18, 2025

Dulce de Leche cheesecake slaps.

P
Patrick Dennett · November 18, 2025

Please make this a regular thing. I love this kind of theory discussions. After years of playing in games that fell apart and just never caught in I finally just took over as GM a few years ago and muscled a table into regular sessions until it stuck. I’m finishing the second year long chapter of my 5e standard fantasy game and am getting ready to switch them over to Starfinder 2e the beginning of next year and these kinds of talks are really helpful.

A
Alyssa · November 18, 2025

Also, I got “Hero Kids” as a Christmas present for my kiddo! He’s obsessed with the WWWO (mostly Matsuri), shiny dice, magic, and swords ⚔️ Perfect present for him and perfect practice for me! 🥰 GMing for kids has strong “players sprinting as fast as they can in opposite directions” that Aabria was describing 😂 big herding cats energy

w
whiskeyii · November 18, 2025

As a player who’s been tentatively toying with the idea of DMing (but in a slightly different system) to give our pair of forever-DM brothers a break, I’m strapping in for what’s sure to be a wild ride! :D (Also it’s always a toss-up between Vanilla Bean or Oreo)

A
Alyssa · November 18, 2025

I’ll be GMing for the first time this summer, for my mom and her friends! 🌞 they are all 60-75 years old Because they now all have TTRPG obsessed kids or son/daughter in-laws and want to try it! 😭 my mother literally cannot remember that it is “dungeons and dragons” and keeps calling it like “that dragon game” 😂 I can’t wait

C
Carrie Mook Bridgman · November 19, 2025

When the time comes, please share if they're OK with it!

T
Tony Handel · November 18, 2025

the factory itself is my favorite flavor. yummie bricks

L
Lucia V. · November 18, 2025

This is amazing!! How do I spell Abraham Marghumblurgh?

L
Lucia V. · November 18, 2025

Ah! Merhembler!

J
Jam Leomi · November 18, 2025

I love this because as Im thinking about what story to give for my first go as GM, saying I have a "feature length" campaign definitely sounds more inviting than one shot (and also its because I wanna do a romcom campaign). 😃

J
Jam Leomi · November 18, 2025

Adams Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple FTW.

Y
Yaseen abdul-malik · November 18, 2025

Finally some one says it! No more one shots. Only feature length campaigns

S
Shalane Giles · November 18, 2025

I've never been to a cheesecake factory. I think the first I would try from this menu would be either strawberry or banana cream on a chill day. Lemon raspberry cream would be a strong contender if I was having a crazy day.

V
Victoria Royal · November 18, 2025

lemon raspberry is our favorite!! it’s really light and nice, top tier flavor combo

A
Ashe · November 18, 2025

I always thought Steel was for the Steelman argument against fascist imperialism... Brennan is so quick. 8 love this

R
Rebekah · November 18, 2025

OMG y’all are life savers, I’m just about to start my first ever long term home game as a DM and this is what I needed. Wish me luck! 🫡 (Also, key lime cheesecake/pie yum 🍋‍🟩🥧 )

J
John Marinelli · November 18, 2025

OG all the way. I've long dreamt of hearing how Brennan discusses character creation with players. How much game info is given upfront vs. created collaboratively during character design. Do players create characters together? Are there situations where characters are refined to mesh better with the world or party?

A
Aviva · November 18, 2025

So much to ponder here but, oooh. Aabria! I love that image of touching things in the PCs background and watching for what lights them up. What a cool way to feel out what connects at the table, and letting that guide how the world expands and deepens. Joyful. ♥️

L
Lauren · November 18, 2025

yes cheesecake factory food is costco food but costco food is also good ‼️

z
zachary lockwood · November 18, 2025

Reese

A
Alyssa · November 18, 2025

Pronounced REE-SEE, of course

T
The Wizard Seeker · November 18, 2025

Fresh banana cream.

K
Konner · November 18, 2025

(Mango Key Lime) My first GM experience was a fantasy retelling of Dante’s Inferno! I was in love with the idea of it, but didn’t support my players narratives so we had to shift to something new. I learned a lot in a short period of time.

T
The Spirit of Vicious Inspiration · November 18, 2025

my very first foray into GMing was a Thundercats one-shot I made, and from now on if I pitch it again to friends I'll just ask if they want to play an episode of Thundercats haha

T
TheWizardSleaze · November 18, 2025

key lime new york style cheese cake will always be superior

T
Tesseract King · November 18, 2025

I'm running my first professional GM game in three days. This couldn't have been better timed. (Raspberry lemon cream.)

A
Aviva · November 18, 2025

Well timed! I’ve been running some adventures to learn how to DM, and we’re coming up on the finales. Hopefully I can level up my GMing skills.

R
Robert Burke · November 18, 2025

Oreo Dream Extreme over here. I'm very excited to listen to this episode!

K
Kendall Smith · November 18, 2025

White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle for the win

W
Worlds Beyond Number · November 18, 2025

Shhhhh me too

A
Abigail Waldron · November 18, 2025

Ghirardelli is always so solid at my location, but getting it WITH a slice of strawberry is the move so you can move btwn the two as a table and get that solid brightness to contrast the richness

C
Carrie Mook Bridgman · December 12, 2025

Ghirardelli with a side of raspberry puree. Bliss.

J
Jo Carter · November 18, 2025

I want to hear more from Aabria about being a little bit in love with your scene partner in improv. I think I can guess what that means, but ... I'd rather hear how it was taught.

T
TheAnntagonist · November 18, 2025

Peppermint. Please make this an ongoing series!!!

E
Erik Koch · November 18, 2025

Dulce de leche is otherworldly

B
Brendan Fitzpatrick · November 18, 2025

Strawberry or s’mores

m
mahudude · November 18, 2025

Brennan I will happily run you a multi year long form campaign for you to do nothing but PC in because as much as I love hot pockets FUCK a hot pocket when you’re starving!!

K
Kellie O Edwards · November 18, 2025

They used to have a Baileys cheesecake that was GLORIOUS.... now I go for the dulce de leche

M
Michael Craft · November 18, 2025

I prefer the classic with strawberry and my wife loves the Godiva chocolate.

K
Kat B · November 18, 2025

There are definitely people out here that would absolutely run a banquet of a long-term game for you, Brennan. (cough me cough) You deserve to be fed in addition to feeding all your players!

J
Jo Carter · November 18, 2025

I'm in graduate school to be a therapist. More and more, I'm seeing parallels between GMing and being a therapist. I don't *think* I'm being delusional in that...?

A
Alyssa · November 18, 2025

Definitely connected! They’ve been some interesting studies recently too about dnd (and maybe other TTRPGs??) as a form of group therapy! They’re very cool studies!

C
Cabbage · November 18, 2025

If you're trying to run a one shot you want me at your table. Ever had a table railroaded by a player? You don't need to herd the cats if im around, I will be your little plot border collie

O
OpheliaHeine · November 18, 2025

It's not on this page of the menu but they have a coconut cream cheesecake that's the best 🤤. It's got a little bit of chocolate on the crust and a ton of coconut custard and its to die for

W
William Ijebor · November 18, 2025

That seems like far too many types of cheesecakes. It is cheesecake hubris

W
Winter · November 18, 2025

My fiancée and I always pick two different slices to share, but I always find myself getting the peanut butter fudge ripple because I know she’s probably going to pick the classic strawberry or the lemon meringue

D
Dana · November 18, 2025

I'd have to say my favorite is the vanilla bean.

r
ryanfornow · November 18, 2025

Red Velvet for that delicious Red 40.

B
BethKF · November 18, 2025

This was just the most delightful listen 💝 At the moment I’m the only person in my dnd party that doesn’t GM - we rotate campaigns to try and avoid burning any one GM out. I don’t bc I’m so worried with chronic fatigue that I suddenly won’t be able to sustain it, but it’s so, so tempting to try. i have run Honey Heist on a week where the GM had to pull out and none of the others were in a place prep-wise where they could step in. It was a lot of fun, if slightly terrifying to make it up as I went. I also totally relate to the creating-characters-for-oneshots feels. I don’t know how to create a character I don’t love. Even when I’m just quickly building something for a brief dungeon crawl, I always love them at least a bit by the time they’re sorted and I can’t not download their character sheet hopefully whenever I hit my D&DBeyond 6 slot limit and have to make space 😳🙈😂😂

T
Tawny Lacuna · November 18, 2025

As an English man, I've never experienced the delights of a cheesecake "factory". Though the chocolate and hazelnut sounds delightful! Tippety top, to you and How's your father!?

E
EmpathPriest · November 18, 2025

It is ALWAYS Oreo Dream Extreme.

B
Benjamin Rice · November 18, 2025

This was excellent. Love hearing the "spicy" takes. Forever GM here and I didn't realize how much I agree with the hot pocket sentiment. Like I'll never discourage my players and friends from running things, and my friends have definitely made some nice full course meals for me. But there have been points where I hunger for something more than a one-shot. That said, I think one of the best ways to get to that place, where everyone is making full course meals, is to be the one that kicks off the group by making a full course meal. Get everyone together feeling comfortable and trusting each other, so then they have that safe space to try cooking with their hearts.

B
Benjamin Rice · November 18, 2025

Also, I'm a devout PB and Chocolate fan, so Reese's is probably my go to.

F
Fen Petrichor · November 18, 2025

RE names pointing to a time and place and choosing them to try and reflect aspects of that time and place - my English deadname/old name was chosen for me precisely because my parents wanted my sibling and I to have names evocative of white Greatest Generation grandmothers, to better assimilate into American society (Taiwanese immigrants) without the issues my parents generation ran into with their own immigration to the US and in primarily non immigrant communities. The other reason was so my non English speaking relatives could say it - very simple, easy to say names. It very much was a conversation with both diaspora and American society at the time. I'm glad Aabria mentioned that aspect of naming, and it's something I'm going to be more conscious of going forward in my own campaigns (which have a lot of themes of immigration, displacement, and migration into new societies) also I'll have to go for the original cheesecake - I find the others too sweet lmao

M
Marianne · November 18, 2025

The Hersheys cheesecake is my go-to order and has never let me down

B
Blaize Gordon · November 18, 2025

Haven't been to one in forever, but going off your menu there id be stuck between the smores cheesecake or the key lime pie one 😋😋😋

T
TrashCritical · November 18, 2025

I am delighted by this and shattered that we didn't get to ask questions about fiasco such as where does Jesus Christ of Nazareth fall in spirit

E
Evan J. Miller · November 18, 2025

When I say I just wanna run a one shot, it’s because running a full length campaign is a much larger time commitment, and I don’t have the attention span to do consistent prep for them. Running a one shot definitely that is satisfying is definitely a good chunk of work, but it’s finished when we’re done, and that is a lower barrier to entry for me. I like the term feature length story!

S
Stone Pengelly · November 18, 2025

@16:48 are we just gonna skip over this and how beautiful it is in context to D&D. The oldest known origin is Blaise Pascal- (modern translation from old French) “I have made this (letter) longer than usual because I have not had time to make it shorter” Pascal known for being succinct, and his choice of words referred to not having the leisure to dedicate and revise the letter as he normally would.

B
Blaize Gordon · November 18, 2025

I was supposed to ben named like him, and the doc messed it up, I got a z instead but I kinda like it😁 never once thought about changing my name either

S
Suzanne Landig · November 18, 2025

Hi guys help me. I can find how pay my fees.

b
blue · November 18, 2025

of course Brennan becomes a weatherman the day of the cosmic catastrophe 🫡

C
CuteDeity · November 18, 2025

This was a great episode! There’s so much to take from this. As for cheesecake, any chocolate one is great :)

A
Aryn Davis · November 18, 2025

Bananaaaaaaaaaa

F
FoxyGobbo · November 18, 2025

Gotta be the Reese's PB cup one 🤤

T
The Wizard Sparrow · November 18, 2025

After looking at the menu..I’d have to say Mango Key line sounds intriguing. It’s been awhile since I’ve had the pleasure of eating at the Cheesecake Factory.

C
CJ Bonifati · November 18, 2025

The Reese's Cheesecake is by far the best one, but one slice will put you in a coma

R
RiversOblivion · November 18, 2025

Oh I need to go to a cheesecake factory

C
Connor Sponsler · November 18, 2025

Being a GM has a lot to do with being the glue between the PCs to hold them together as characters in a story. If there are less PCs, they might need less glue.

C
ChosenOfAeterna · November 18, 2025

Brennan, I’ll run you a 1-20 campaign. Try me 😤

T
The Wizard Sparrow · November 18, 2025

Ah, the march I miss you so much❤️🤗. As someone not familiar with GM-ing or playing a character I would think being involved in a long campaign would easier because you get the opportunity to develop a flow as you move forward, correcting you mistakes and learning as you go. Thank you for this learning experience and hearing this expertise 🔥❤️🦊

R
Reuben Canning Finkel · November 18, 2025

profound. as a DM who is also an Insight Junkie--this rocks. v grateful for you two (and your effortless eloquence).

M
MissNtrope Rachel · November 18, 2025

I don’t know if it still exists, but Snicker cheesecake was my go to

T
The Pompous Peasant · November 18, 2025

Yus!!! Marshmallows ftw firestormin!!!!!

J
JoelleDFTBA · November 18, 2025

I love annulus sun!

B
Ben Schneider · November 18, 2025

Its really says something about Brennans character that his opinions about one-shots (extremely reasonable, measured, well-considered opinions) are the most ungenerous I've ever heard him be. Crazy that this is his version of spiky.

N
NickSavage Eursulon’s Brother in arms · November 18, 2025

red velvet

T
TheWizardGilly · November 18, 2025

Fresh banana cream cheesecake is always a correct choice

A
Adam Press · November 18, 2025

Adam's Peanut Butter, all the way. I'm a slut for anything peanut butter, and it literally has my name on it.

M
MxDami · November 18, 2025

Lemon raspberry all the way!

T
The King of House Cabraescuro · November 18, 2025

Nothing has ever beat the Fresh Strawberry for me. I like it classic with a bit of zazz

J
James Marx · November 18, 2025

I have never been to a Cheesecake Factory

J
Just a Fox · November 18, 2025

The talk about One-Shots and Feature Length Campaigns reminds me of a recent video by Mystic Arts DM about campaign lengths. They talked about how most One-Shots should maybe really be pistol magazine length stories of 6 or 8 sessions, or even a rifle magazine of 12 sessions. Big recommend, really changed the way I thought about campaign lengths and what I pitch to my players in Session Zero. Also, absolutely every "One-Shot" I've been invited to play has ended up being at least 2-3 sessions. It takes A LOT of skill to make a short story of only one session narratively satisfying, its not a safe bet for a new DM at all. We should perhaps change the culture and conversations about One-Shots versus short campaigns.

J
Just a Fox · November 18, 2025

https://youtu.be/lndc-G_YaHg

B
Brandon Carbaugh · November 18, 2025

Totally agree that running a one-shot (to a standard I consider "good enough") is wildly more difficult than running a campaign. A campaign is like a perpetual stew at a medieval inn -- it's always boiling on the fire, we'll throw in whatever ingredients we want or have on any given week, and most likely it's gonna turn out pretty good (and if it doesn't, hey, come back next week, we'll try something else). A one-shot is like one of those courses from The Menu, where it has to both hit the table in a way that makes you go oOOoOO, but ALSO has to be a satisfying meal. That's hard! There's a reason Ralph Fiennes is so crazy in that movie!

M
Miyaa · November 18, 2025

And I think the four episodes that WBN did with “Hint!” or much of Dimension 20 does with limited series RPG series is an answer to the frustrations that Brendan Lee Mulligan expresses with the one-shot.

C
Chas Coffman · November 18, 2025

Dutch Apple Cheesecake, basically an apple pie where the bottom crust is just another dessert of Cheesecake! The beast with two sugary backs, one might say....

A
Aviva · November 18, 2025

That sounds amazing. I have to go to Denver tomorrow. Surely they must have one of these Factories.

V
Victoria Cook · November 18, 2025

Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake every time. The Chocolate mousse and the 30th anniversary cake is good too.

C
Connor Casady · November 18, 2025

I've never attended a cheesecake factory however I am partial to a basque cheese cake myself.

C
Chris M · November 18, 2025

The trick to running a one-shot is making characters with the depth of movie characters and, if you can, get the players to pre-establish their relationships so you can keep the intro as brief as possible. If you do that, you can focus on the story you want to facilitate/tell. If you have to do full character intros, it’s no longer a one-shot.

k
katnotkitty · November 18, 2025

Love for this podcast and the lemon raspberry cream cheesecake 🙌🏼

E
Erik Lind · November 18, 2025

Sorry, I don't like cheesecake. More for the rest of you!

A
Aviva · November 18, 2025

🫡

L
Lulu · November 18, 2025

Im not a fan of strawberry, unless they're on a classic cheesecake!❤️

D
Devin Carter · November 18, 2025

Good morning, it's a weird one but the banana cream cheesecake for me all the way.

E
Emily Mitchell · November 18, 2025

LOVE the honesty, so refreshing to hear! Almost as refreshing as a lemon meringue cheesecake!

D
Dream Wizard Kyle Arca · November 18, 2025

"Oh, these 2 PROFESSIONAL D&D folks think a certain build isn't viable? WELL I'LL SHOW THEM AND PLAY IT!" I tell ya, folks. The inner voice sometimes be wild. 🤣

H
Heather Hancock · November 18, 2025

Pineapple upside down everything all the time.

E
Ellie Skiffington · November 18, 2025

Normally I don't like running one shots for all the reasons stated, the exception to that rule would be the 10 Candles RPG, a tragic horror system that's meant for one shots, I have told so many stories that made be feel so much both as a player and as a GM

S
Sid Richey · November 18, 2025

good morning :)

A
Allison Bruen · November 18, 2025

Key lime all the way

e
embraceweird · November 18, 2025

Only been once got the very cherry and it was bomb

c
civicswimmer · November 18, 2025

Pineapple Upside down 100%

e
eric · November 18, 2025

love the dulce de leche caramel

S
Sea Moose · November 18, 2025

Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake looks great

T
Teeven322 · November 18, 2025

Oreo Dream Extreme 🤷🏾‍♀️ I’m basic and that’s fine!

A
Aviva · November 18, 2025

It *is* fine!

N
Neil Weber · November 18, 2025

I rally want to try that Reese's Peanut Butter one.

F
Faith Benamy · November 18, 2025

Aabria clearly doing research for her PaxU panel on Actual Play as a medium

M
MG Valentine · November 18, 2025

Toasted marshmallow s’more cheesecake for our cozy fireside 🔥

S
Sven the Scribe · November 18, 2025

I want to try Banana Cream but I will say that classic strawberry likely remains the winner.

S
Sandi Valdes · November 18, 2025

Red velvet

K
Kristen Huete · November 18, 2025

Vanilla, strawberry, or Oreo

A
Alex O'Brien · November 18, 2025

Banana cream my beloved

D
DuckWorks · November 18, 2025

Godiva Chocolate, please

A
Azure · November 18, 2025

My answer to cheesecake is yes please

A
Amellabeth · November 18, 2025

Correct. Any of them. All of them.

N
Nelsina · November 18, 2025

It's seasonal, but the pumpkin pecan is absolutely addictive. Otherwise it's the red velvet for me

K
Keasha Jackson · November 18, 2025

The banana cheesecake is sooooo good

T
Terrion Burden · November 18, 2025

I only go for the meat loaf

M
Miyaa · November 18, 2025

I’ve often wondered how good is the Cheesecake Factory’s macaroni and cheese.

L
Lucas Copeland-Nguyen · November 18, 2025

GMGM (tm tm tm tm)

A
Andrew Simon · November 18, 2025

It's turtle pecan

K
Kelsey Aeilts · November 18, 2025

Lemon Meringue Cheese Cake for sure.

A
Alex · November 18, 2025

Lemon raspberry!

W
Witch of the widening horizons · November 18, 2025

Godiva cheesecake. (Eaten riding naked on a horse through town protesting against harsh economic oppression of the good townsfolk of course 🙃) *goes to procure cheesecake for my players for our upcoming session zero*

M
Mason Zack · November 18, 2025

Linda's Fudge Cake

A
Aeryn Mayer · November 18, 2025

S'mores or the Lemon Meringue

S
SpillboBaggins · November 18, 2025

Unironically the white chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts.

W
Worlds Beyond Number · November 18, 2025

Same

B
Bee · November 18, 2025

ALWAYS been a fan of the lemon raspberry cream, but the red velvet one hits different sometimes!!!

C
Caleb Jackson · November 18, 2025

Turtle pecan is so fucking good. Also if you do an Umora setting campaign supplement with a cool map my life is yours

W
William McKenzie · November 18, 2025

Never been, but I love me a red velvet

P
Pangab · November 18, 2025

I don’t like Cheesecake, but I’ve had reason to go for occasions before, and despite the name chocolate tower truffle cake sounding much better, I always go for Linda’s Fudge Cake. The rich fudginess is unbeatable.

T
The Wizard Sojourn · November 18, 2025

Dulce de leche caramel forever

K
Kevin Stanley · November 18, 2025

Oreo dream.

J
John Folmer · November 18, 2025

Love salted caramel cheesecake, also thank you I need constant advice from the premiere game masters in the world to make my games decent XD

V
Victoria Root · November 18, 2025

Godiva Chocolate..... So decadent!

G
GoodnightRobo · November 18, 2025

Peanut butter fudge ripple! Will destroy a friend so I eat it for them.

S
Steve Cartwright · November 18, 2025

I have never been to a Cheesecake Factory. I do not think they have them on this side of the Pond, and while I did manage to go to an In And Out Burger the one time I was briefly in California (it was all right), I missed out on cheesecake.

A
Anthony Smith · November 18, 2025

Chocolate Mousse, no hesitation

B
Brad Barnes · November 18, 2025

Their discontinued Tres Leches cheesecake was the best but Lemon Raspberry would be next

A
Alexa Ridgway · November 18, 2025

I've never been to one and I honestly don't care much for cheesecake anyway.

M
Michael Johnson · November 18, 2025

I’m all about that Reese’s peanut butter chocolate cake cheesecake 🤤

J
Jebediah Stone · November 18, 2025

Dulce de Leche all the way!

T
Toni · November 18, 2025

I've never been to cheesecake factory. And since having my 2nd kiddo have become lactose intolerant, but I love cheesecake. Therefore I would order EVERYTHING and then probably die in massive amount of pain and constipation, but HAPPILY.

B
B · November 18, 2025

sorry if you weren't looking for advice/already know about this etc. but lactase pills could work for a certain amount of dairy (they are a supplement that contain the enzymes ppl w lactose intolerance are missing)

G
Grace Buckland · November 18, 2025

Very Cherry Ghirardelli is the best cheesecake imo

T
Tyler Sweeney · November 18, 2025

My favorite cheesecake is the the cheesecake I'm with.

S
Sharon WaterfallAngel · November 18, 2025

Last time I was there they had a turtle cheesecake that hasn't been beat yet

M
MrContent · November 18, 2025

Banana Cheesecake mama mia

T
Tyler Joyce · November 18, 2025

Chocolate Tuxedo was always my favorite as a child! Probably too sweet for me now, but NOSTALGIA BABYYY.

C
Crits · November 18, 2025

raspberry lemon for sure

M
Miyaa · November 18, 2025

So GM-ing is like ordering a cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory? 🤔

A
Audrey Paluszka · November 18, 2025

that mango key lime one hits every time

C
Clayton Craft · November 18, 2025

The lemon raspberry cheesecake is probably the best IMO

C
Carrie Mook Bridgman · November 18, 2025

Godiva chocolate with a side of raspberry purée. Every time.