An up and coming TTRPG actual play podcast that takes place in the homebrewed world of Virelios, created by Spencer Hart.

I am Spencer Hart, the creator and Dungeon Master behind Crit Happens! I have been playing and running tabletop role playing games for years, and I started this show because I love storytelling, character moments, and the kind of chaos that only happens at a real table with real friends.

Crit Happens! is an actual play Dungeons and Dragons podcast. We focus on cinematic dark fantasy adventures, big choices, and honest reactions, with plenty of humor mixed in. The goal is to make it feel like you are sitting at the table with us, not just listening to a scripted story.

Our listeners are people who enjoy actual play shows, D and D fans, and anyone who likes immersive fantasy stories with a fun group dynamic. A lot of them are either players and DMs looking for inspiration, or newer folks who want a show that is easy to jump into and follow.
 

I started Crit Happens because our table kept producing moments that felt too good to live only in our group chat. I wanted a way to capture the laughs, the clutch rolls, and the quieter character beats, and share that energy with other D and D fans. Podcasting made the most sense because it is intimate, easy to follow on a commute, and it lets the story speak for itself without needing a huge video setup on day one.

Yes, I listen to podcasts a lot. Actual play shows were a big inspiration, but I also listen to creative and small business podcasts, so I was already used to the format and the consistency it takes.

My initial goals were simple: build a show that feels like a real table, tell a long form story we can be proud of, and create something our friends and community can rally around. I also wanted a creative outlet with deadlines, a reason to keep improving as a DM, and a place to showcase my players and the world we are building together. Over time, it also became about inviting new players in and showing that you do not need perfection to start.

We started the podcast in 2025. I spent the early weeks testing microphones, learning editing, making the cover art, and setting up hosting and distribution. From the day we committed to doing it to releasing the very first episode, it took about a month, mostly so I could dial in the audio and have a small buffer of episodes ready.
 

We release episodes on a consistent schedule, and the production time depends on the episode. Recording is the easy part since it happens during our normal game night. The real work is after. On average, it takes me several hours to produce an episode once it is recorded, mostly editing for pacing, cleaning up audio, balancing levels, adding music or ambience when it fits, and writing show notes and posts for social media.

Finding time with a day job came down to treating it like a routine instead of a huge project. I block off specific windows during the week for editing and admin work, even if it is only an hour or two at a time. I also batch tasks when I can. One night might be only audio cleanup, another night is scheduling posts, and another is prepping the next session. Having a simple checklist keeps me moving even when life is busy. I also try to stay a couple episodes ahead so I am not scrambling every week.

Funding wise, I keep the budget realistic. The main costs are hosting, any software subscriptions, and occasional upgrades like microphones, cables, and storage. Marketing can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it, so I mostly focus on free growth through clips, community posts, and networking with other creators. When I do spend money on marketing, it is small and targeted, like boosting a post or printing a few promo items.

Right now, I fund the podcast myself. I wanted to prove the show could stand on its own before leaning heavily on sponsorships or paid support. As the audience grows, the plan is to reinvest anything we earn back into better production, art, and more ways to engage the community.
 

What I gain most from podcasting is growth. It pushes me to learn new skills like audio editing, storytelling structure, branding, and promotion. It also makes me a better Dungeon Master because I pay closer attention to pacing, clarity, and how to spotlight each player. On a personal level, it has helped me make new friends in the TTRPG community and feel more connected to creators and fans who love the same weird niche hobby I do.

Right now we do not take paid sponsorships, and we have no revenue. The “sponsors” we have are more like community partners who support us through word of mouth, sharing our links, or giving us a shoutout.

Our first sponsor was Scrybe Quill. That came from simply reaching out, introducing who we are, and showing genuine interest in what they do. They were kind enough to put our link on their website. We did not have solid download numbers at the time, and we also do not have analytics tied specifically to that sponsorship, so we cannot measure direct conversions from it. It was more about building a relationship and getting our name in front of the right audience.

Nowadays, sponsor outreach is more organized. I am compiling a list of local game stores around us and contacting them directly, since they already have a community that overlaps with our listeners. I am also sending emails to TTRPG focused companies and indie creators, especially ones whose products fit naturally with actual play audiences. I try to make it simple for them to say yes by offering clear options, like a shoutout, link swap, or a small collaboration.

As for downloads per month now, we are still gathering and organizing the numbers across platforms so we can speak on it accurately. The important part is that it is trending upward, and that gives me more confidence every time I reach out.

Podcasting benefits me beyond numbers. It gives me a creative outlet that feels meaningful. And it has opened doors to meet people in the TTRPG space that I never would have met otherwise.
 

My process is pretty straightforward and repeatable, because consistency is everything. On the hardware side, we use dedicated microphones and basic recording gear so everyone sounds clean and clear, even though we are not in the same room. For software and services, Discord is our home base for voice chat and running sessions together, and Adobe Audition is what I use for recording and audio editing. After we record, I take the raw audio into Audition to clean it up, balance levels, cut out dead space or tech hiccups, and tighten the pacing while still keeping it feeling like a real table.

Right now we do not do interviews, so we are not booking guests for the main show. That said, a separate show in our network is currently in production that will include more direct discussion and guest style content, so we are building that system behind the scenes. When we start bringing guests in, it will mostly be through the TTRPG community, local game stores, other creators, and people we have already connected with online.

Preparing each episode starts before we ever hit record. I usually do my main prep the day before. That includes outlining the next session, reviewing notes, planning key beats, and making sure I am ready to improvise when the party inevitably does something unhinged. I also do a quick tech check to make sure microphones, settings, and Discord audio are working properly, because fixing problems later in editing is way harder than catching them early.

As far as recording format, everything is currently done online. All sessions are conducted through Discord, and that is also how we would handle guest audio for future shows. Keeping it remote makes scheduling easier and lets us collaborate with people outside our local area without changing the workflow.
 

Marketing for Crit Happens is a mix of being consistent, being visible, and making it easy for people to share the show. Most listeners find us through Spotify right now, but we also rely heavily on our RSS feed to distribute the podcast across a lot of platforms. That includes places like Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and others. The goal is to remove friction, so no matter what app someone uses, they can still find the show.

We do not have a perfect percentage breakdown of listener acquisition sources at the moment, like “60% from Apple Podcasts” or anything that specific. We are still compiling that data across platforms. What we do know is that Spotify is currently the biggest driver, and the rest of the audience is spread out through the other directories the RSS feed reaches.

The marketing channel that has been the most useful for us so far is Facebook. It has been the easiest place to build community locally and regionally, share episode posts, post updates, and interact with people who are already interested in tabletop games. It also helps that Facebook groups and local nerd communities are very active, so word travels fast when something clicks.

Beyond social posts, I also do outreach by email. A lot of that is focused on marketing opportunities and partnerships, like reaching out to local game stores, local businesses that overlap with our audience, and TTRPG themed companies. Those emails are less about hard selling and more about starting conversations, building relationships, and finding ways to collaborate.
Overall, my approach is simple: show up consistently, post where our people already hang out, and keep expanding the number of places where the podcast is available so discovery can happen naturally.
 

My biggest advice for new podcasters is to start before you feel ready. You will learn more from releasing five real episodes than you ever will from planning the perfect first one. Your early content will not be flawless, but that is normal. The important thing is consistency. Pick a schedule you can actually maintain and protect it like a promise.

One thing I learned that was not obvious at the start is how much time the “small stuff” takes. Editing, writing titles, show notes, posting to social media, uploading, and troubleshooting audio all add up fast. If you plan for that time up front, you will avoid burnout. I also learned that good audio matters more than fancy visuals. People will forgive a lot, but they will not stick around for audio that is painful to listen to.

Do not be afraid to take risks and ask for sponsorship or partnership opportunities, even when you are small. The worst they can say is no. A lot of creators and businesses are more open to helping than you would expect, especially if you approach them with respect and a clear idea of what you are offering.

For resources, one of the best moves you can make is networking with shows in your category that are bigger than you. Reach out, be polite, and ask specific questions. Most people will not respond, but the ones who do can save you months of trial and error. Also, look for YouTube channels and creator blogs that focus on podcast editing and growth, because practical tutorials will take you farther than vague motivation. Finally, join communities of podcasters and creators. You will get feedback, guest opportunities, and the reminder that everyone is figuring it out as they go.
 

The best place to learn more about me and Crit Happens is our main website on Podpage: podpage.com/CritHappens. That is where you can find the show, episodes, and the core info all in one spot.

For everything else, our Linktree is the easiest hub: linktr.ee/CritHappensPodcast . It has links to our Facebook page, our email, and any other socials we are active on, plus the platforms where you can listen. If you want to connect, collaborate, or follow updates, the Linktree is the quickest way to find the right link without hunting around.

Right now, we keep things simple and centralized so listeners can find us fast, no matter what platform they prefer.