Shows
The Labyrinth and the ThreadSteve Discont on building skills and structuresMany thanks to our guest Steve Discont! You can find Steve Discont and Porter Green's podcast Session Zero on most podcatchers, including iTunes and Overcast, and you can follow Steve on Twitter at @BearlyNormalRecommended by Steve:Hip-hop dancer Tea-Buggz at https://dovetail-studios.com/new-page-46The Labyrinth and the Thread focuses on mental health and creativity. If you need support, here are some resources to find mental health professionals:Psychology Today Directory: National directory of therapists. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapistsTherapy for Black Girls: Find trusted, culturally competent therapists...2021-01-0822 min
Session ZeroGaming with Kids
Steve Discont can be found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.Shareef Jackson, his writing, and his social media can be found at his website, and can be found on the Dungeon & Dragons Actual Play show Rivals of Waterdeep.You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:Rosselet, J. G., & Stauffer, S. D. (2013). Using group role-playing games with gifted children and adolescents: A psychosocial intervention model. International Journal of Play Therapy, 22(4), 173–192. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034557Sa...2020-03-3134 minSession ZeroGaming at a Social Distance
Steve Discont can be found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:“Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve”,” by Harry Stevens at The Washington Post.Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352Umberson, D., & Karas Montez, J. (2010). Social Relationships and Health...2020-03-1730 minSession ZeroGMing with Anxiety
Steve Discont can be found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:“Tabletop Roleplaying for the Shy and Cerebral” on The Mary Sue by Becky Chambers.Blackmon, W. D. (1994). Dungeons and Dragons: The use of a fantasy game in the psychotherapeutic treatment of a young adult. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 48(4), 624-632.Scudder, S. (2019). Reflections: the Positive Effect of Cooperative Roleplaying Games on Anxiety Disorders.*Here is the...2020-03-0334 minSession ZeroTherapy with Characters: Hee-nod of the Carral Clan
CW: Discussion of human predation by a fantasy speciesSteve Discont can be found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.Hee-nod was portrayed by Shelby Green (Porter’s wife)! Shelby can be found on twitter at @kamber.Want to hear another pretend therapy session, this time with a vlogger who needs help because he’s way in over his head? Become a $5 or more backer with the ONE SHOT Network Patreon, and you can get access to the Network’s SECRET ARCHIVE where this therapy session can be found. There’s a chan...2020-02-1915 minSession ZeroAnxiety & Shyness at the Table
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:“Tabletop Roleplaying for the Shy and Cerebral” on The Mary Sue by Becky Chambers.Blackmon, W. D. (1994). Dungeons and Dragons: The use of a fantasy game in the psychotherapeutic treatment of a young adult. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 48(4), 624-632.Scudder, S. (2019). Reflections: the Positive Effect of Cooperative Roleplaying Games on Anxiety Disorders.*Here is the Refl...2020-02-0432 minSession ZeroResearch on Roleplaying
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.Our guest Ben Aldred can be found at @sleepingscholar. You can find a blog of Ben’s thoughts on gaming here.You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:Ben Aldred’s graduate thesis on the folkloric study of roleplayingBen Aldred’s study of the use of humor at the gaming table“Tuskegee Experiment: The Infamous Syphilis Study” by Elizabeth Nix at History.co...2019-09-2428 minSession ZeroTherapy with Characters: Spit, from the Uhuru
CW: Discussion of sexual interests, brief discussions of murderSteve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.Our guest James D’Amato’s work can be found at his podcasts One Shot & Campaign. James can be found at his twitter at @oneshotrpg. His book, The Ultimate RPG Game Play Guide, can be found here.Want to hear our consultation session between Steve and The Broker from Campaign: Sky Jacks? Become a $5 or more backer with the ONE SHOT Network Patreon, and you can get access to the Network’s SECR...2019-09-1026 minSession ZeroRunning Games with ADHD
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
Our guest James D’Amato’s work can be found at his podcasts One Shot & Campaign. James can be found at his twitter at @oneshotrpg. His book, The Ultimate RPG Game Play Guide, can be found here.
A quick note: Steve on the podcast referred to a mobile app called 30/30. At the time of this episode airing, it seems this app is longer available online. Sorry!
A pomodoro alternative for beginners: Forest (https://www.forestapp.cc/) A lovely app for begi...2019-08-2730 minSession ZeroColonialism in Gaming, Part 2
CW: Discussions of racism, frank discussions about colonialism, discussions of socioeconomic class, violence
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
Our guest James Mendez Hodes can be found at his website at www.jamesmendezhodes.com or at his twitter at @lulavampiro.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Wikipedia page on Colonialism
Sohn, S. H. (2008). Introduction: Alien/Asian: Imagining the racialized future. MELUS, 33(4), 5-22. Retrieved from http://www.jstor...2019-07-3034 minSession ZeroColonialism in Gaming, Part 1
CW: Discussions of racism, frank discussions about colonialism
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
Our guest James Mendez Hodes can be found at his website at www.jamesmendezhodes.com or at his twitter at @lulavampiro.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Canadian Psychological Association, & the Psychology Foundation of Canada (2018). Psychology’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report. Ottawa, ON, Canada; Canadian Psychological Association.
Ok...2019-07-1625 minSession ZeroRituals at the Table
The Session Zero duo delve into what the field of psychology thinks rituals are, what purpose they can serve at the table, and explore some of their own tried and true rituals together.
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Hobson, N. M., Schroeder, J., Risen, J. L., Xygalatas, D., & Inzlicht, M. (2018). The psychology of rituals: An integrative review and process-based framework. Personality and Social Psychology...2019-07-0227 min
Session ZeroPersonal Growth & Development
Our characters have taught us all sorts of interesting and useful life skills, like public speaking and picking locks! Come join Porter and Steve while they discuss personal growth through gaming and explore the ways that we support and scaffold each other towards our developmental goals and values.
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Roleplay for Development: “The Surprising Benefits for Role-Playing Games (and How to...2019-06-1829 min
Session ZeroEpisode Fourteen: Escapism
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Types of Escapism: Hagstrõm, D., & Kaldo, V. (2014). Escapism among players of MMORPGs – conceptual clarification, its relation to mental health factors, and development of a new measure. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(1), 19-25. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0222
Actual–ideal self in gaming: Li, D., Liau, A., & Khoo, A. (2011). Examining the influence of actual-ideal self-discrepancies, depression, and escapism, on pathological gamin...2019-06-0427 min
Session ZeroEpisode Thirteen: Representations of Mental Illness in Gaming
The Session Zero duo delve into mental illness and its function in game worlds. Join us in thinking a little deeper about the tropes and traditions of our hobby and how they sometimes mimic people’s lived experience of pain.
CW: Mentions of violence, mental illness, discussions of psychological trauma, brief mentions of suicidal ideation, brief mentions of sexual assault
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this ep...2019-05-2131 min
Session ZeroEpisode Twelve: Personal Stigma and Gaming
The Session Zero duo explore those awkward feelings of concern and fear of judgment that some tabletop and live action roleplaying gamers feel when interacting with non-gamers. We will dive into the concept of stigma and explore what it’s like to experience the stigma of being a gamer.
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Stigma: The Wikipedia page for Social Stigma
Fandom identity st...2019-05-0727 min
Session ZeroEpisode Eleven: Privilege
Porter and Steve discuss privilege and how it can play out in our imaginary worlds as well as the real one. What role does oppression play in our imaginations? Join us in examining the impact of the statuses we hold on the worlds we build and the characters we make.
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Privilege, Power, and Oppression: Johnson, A. G. (2018). Privilege, power...2019-04-2328 min
Session ZeroEpisode Ten: Metaphors and Internal Worlds
Porter and Steve explore what types of meaning we can make in our shared, internal, imaginary worlds through the use of symbolic metaphors and analogies. Join us to find out why gaming can be philosophically true even if it isn’t real.
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Robert Bohl’s Misspent Youth
The Spark Roleplaying Game
Fate Core
None...2019-04-0926 min
Session ZeroEpisode Nine: Bleed, Part Two
Porter & Steve are joined by game developer and conservationist Emily Care Boss in the second half of a two-part interview where they come together to discuss whether bleed is a good or a bad thing, strategies for addressing and mitigating bleed safety, and some positive takeaways they have experienced from their own experiences of bleed.
Please consider donating to the GoFundMe drive to help Jef from System Mastery pay his hospital bills: http://bit.ly/livingmastery
Emily Care Boss can be found at her games website at www.blackgreengames.com, and on twitter at @emilycare.2019-03-2630 min
Session ZeroEpisode Eight: Bleed, Part One
Emily Care Boss can be found at her games website at www.blackgreengames.com, and on twitter at @emilycare.
Steve Discont can found on twitter at @bearlynormal, and Porter Green at @DagmarRugosa.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Bleed: https://nordiclarp.org/2015/03/02/bleed-the-spillover-between-player-and-character/ by Sarah Lynne Bowman
Bleed: https://nordiclarp.org/2019/01/25/investigating-types-of-bleed-in-larp-emotional-procedural-and-memetic/ by Kjell Hedgard Hugaas
Relationship Development through Roleplaying: http://jultika.oulu.fi/files/nbnfioulu-201412022038.pdf
Alibi: Montola, M., & Holopainen, J. (2012...2019-03-1238 min
Session ZeroEpisode Seven: Emotions
Porter & Steve discuss what the literature says about what emotions are at their core, what their meaning and value can be in the gaming experience, and some useful ways to consider and manage the emotions of yourself and your fellow roleplayer.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Weiss, H. M., & Cropanzano, R. (1996). Affective events theory: A theoretical discussion of the structure, causes, and consequences of affective experiences at work. In B. M. Staw & L. L. Cummings (Eds.), Research in organizational...2019-02-2630 min
Session ZeroEpisode Six: Gaming with ADHD
Steve and Porter explore the challenges that come with gaming at the table when you have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by exploring what ADHD is, how it can manifest, and what are strategies for working around it.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
The basics of ADHD: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/adhd
Strategies for managing ADHD: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/add-adhd/managing-adult-adhd-attention-deficit-disorder.htm/
Gershon, J. (2002). A meta-analytic review of gender differences in ADHD. Journal...2019-02-1228 min
Session ZeroEpisode Five: Termination
Steve and Porter explore what it means when things come to an end, be it for a game or a gaming group, and how you can prepare for it.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Paterson, J. M., & Cary, J. (2002). Organizational justice, change anxiety, and acceptance of downsizing: Preliminary tests of an AET-based model. Motivation and Emotion, 26(1), 83-103. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015146225215
Therapeutic termination: https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/say-goodbye-research-psychotherapy-termination/
2019-01-2923 min
Session ZeroEpisode Four: Implicit Theories of Playership
Show notes coming soon!
2019-01-1525 min
Session ZeroEpisode Three: Feedback
The Session Zero duo explore the idea of feedback at the table, how to structure it, and the importance and benefits of active communication for the roleplaying group.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
I-statements: Here is a great 5 minute video on how to structure an I statement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG25Kq_3gmg
Feedback: Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 81-112. doi:10.3102/003465430298487
Feedback: Kluger, A. N...2019-01-0123 min
Session ZeroEpisode Two: Implicit Theories of GMing
The Session Zero duo explore the rules and expectations that are often placed upon the person who sits at the head of the gaming table: the gamemaster.
You can go to the following URLs or research articles to learn about some of the topics discussed in this episode:
Schema: https://www.psychologistworld.com/memory/schema-memory
Schema: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schema_(psychology)
Implicit Person Theory: https://psychology.iresearchnet.com/industrial-organizational-psychology/leadership-and-management/implicit-theory-of-leadership/
Implicit Person Theory: Chiu, C., Hong, Y., & Dweck, C. S. (1997). Lay dispositionism and implicit theories of personality. Journal of Personality...2018-12-1822 min
Session ZeroEpisode One: Group Dynamics
Steve and Porter discuss one of the fundamental social units within roleplaying: The gaming group and the group's dynamics, norms, and more.
2018-11-2727 min
Session ZeroEpisode Zero: Introductions
Porter and Steve have their own session zero for Session Zero as they introduce themselves, talk about their professional backgrounds, and discuss what roleplaying means to them.
2018-11-2720 min