Episode 685: Eleven Johnsons

Episode 685: Eleven Johnsons

Author: Kenneth Hite and Robin D Laws February 6, 2026 Duration: 1:01:02
Before beloved Patreon backer Sikander can betray us, the Gaming Hut answers his question about the Mr. Johnson trope in roleplaying games. Special guests Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan and James Wallis join us in the Mythology Hut for a paradoxology quiz. Which weird beliefs from ancient Greek and Roman texts are authentic to those texts, and which […]

Imagine a table in a cozy pub where two of the sharpest minds in gaming and pop culture have gathered for their regular chat. That’s the feeling you get with Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff. Each episode, Kenneth Hite and Robin D. Laws dive into a wonderfully eclectic mix of topics pulled from history, conspiracy theories, film, and of course, the intricate craft of game design. Their conversation is less a formal interview and more like eavesdropping on two friends who happen to be encyclopedic experts, effortlessly connecting the dots between a forgotten historical figure and a modern storytelling technique. You’ll hear them dissect the mechanics of a role-playing game with the same engaging depth they apply to analyzing a classic noir film or unpacking an odd slice of folklore. The charm of this podcast lies in the genuine chemistry between Ken and Robin-their thoughtful debates, witty asides, and shared enthusiasm make even the most niche subject feel immediately accessible and fascinating. It’s a consistent source of intellectual curiosity and entertainment for anyone who enjoys seeing where a meandering, insightful conversation between two creative professionals can lead. Tune in for a regular dose of clever ideas and unexpected connections, all delivered with a warm, conversational ease that feels both smart and welcoming.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff
Podcast Episodes
Episode 622: In the Interest of Asking a Question [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:53
In the Gaming Hut we discuss the challenge of revised edition design. When you encounter an element you wouldn’t build into a new system, how do you decide whether to replace it, or to respect the legacy and leave it in?…
Episode 621: Also I Would Like to Own Smaland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:33
In the Gaming Hut beloved backer Ryan McClelland argues that the Sailor is a fine Occupation that ought to be in Trail of Cthulhu 2nd Edition (now on Backerkit) and urges us to rebut him by listing even more such Occupat…
Episode 620: Where’s All My Bones Gone? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:26
It’s time to rattle some paper in the Gaming Hut as we discuss character sheet design. After that, a deluge, as the Archaeology Hut, at the behest of beloved Patreon backer Niclas Matikainen, studies the sunken city of R…
Episode 619: The Zeppo of the Golden Dawn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:38
In the Gaming Hut we build an F20 setting where everyone knows your level. At the behest of beloved Patreon backer Derrick Yates the Tradecraft Hut profiles baseball player and spy Moe Berg. In the Food Hut we decide wha…
Episode 618: The Big Dipper is Weird [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:31
In the Gaming Hut we look at the changes Ken did and didn’t make in character creation for Trail of Cthulhu 2nd Edition. The Cinema Hut highlight’s Robin’s fantasy, horror and SF discoveries from the 3rd Annual Robin and…
Episode 617: Live at Gen Con [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:47
Recorded live in a seminar room in the good Marriott at Gen Con, Ken and Robin talk the secret US-UK intergalactic financial war, chicken roasting secrets, our Indianapolis drinks of choice, a 1966 UFO incident and how t…
Episode 616: They Got to Construin’ Verbs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:05
This week the Gaming Hut populates the town of Locust Grove Oklahoma with gamemaster characters for a Trail of Cthulhu game. Beloved Patreon backer Andrew Bates convenes the History Hut for the story behind Kentucky’s ve…
Episode 615: Ranger Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:32
In the Gaming Hut we look at ways to tell whether your group will thrive in a sandbox game. Ken and/or Robin Talk To Someone Else features our chat with fast-rising board game designer Clarence Simpson, whose credits inc…
Episode 614: Elves Falling in Love with Guitarists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:15
At the behest of beloved Patreon backer Ian Carlsen, the Gaming Hut looks at ways to prepare for a technothriller game. The moment we learned of an increasingly ascendant Brazilian narco gang called the Bonde da Kabbalah…