Friends at the Table


Friends at the Table is an actual play podcast hosted by Austin Walker. The podcast has been active since September 2014, and episodes are released weekly. The collaboration between the gamemaster and the players is a major component of the show, in contrast to many tabletop role-playing games where the gamemaster has total control over worldbuilding.

Production

The show is an actual play podcast, but due to its heavy editing, the show is similar in presentation to a radio drama or audiobook. Players on the show contribute to worldbuilding more than in many tabletop role-playing games, where worldbuilding is often left to the gamemaster. The show has been producing episodes since September 2014, and releases episodes on a weekly basis.

Cast

  • Austin Walker
  • Art Martinez-Tebbel
  • Alicia Acampora
  • Jack de Quidt
  • Sylvia Clare
  • Janine Hawkins
  • Keith J. Carberry
  • Andrew Lee Swan
  • Nick Scratch

    Seasons

The show is split across two feeds: the main feed, which is accessible for free on the website and on podcast platforms, and a paid feed via Patreon. The main feed includes weekly episodes, which are split into seasons. The end of a season is marked with a "post mortem" episode, where the cast answers questions about the season.
Seasons one and two of the show were based on Apocalypse World. According to Walker, he drew inspiration for season six from Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt, Code Geass, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Aldnoah.Zero, and Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team. Various other seasons of the show have drawn elements from many different tabletop role-playing systems, including Dungeon World.
The Patreon feed consists of two main campaigns along other show formats and extras.
Show nameRelease periodDescription
Bluff City2017-OngoingThe main Patreon campaign, released parallel to any ongoing main feed seasons.
Clapcast2017-OngoingA collection of bloopers and off-topic discussions cut from various episodes.
Live at the Table2017-OngoingOneshots or short series played live, usually on a stream previously only available to Patreon patrons.
Tips at the Table2017-2021An advice show where the cast answers questions about roleplaying.
Drawing Maps2018-2023Austin Walker's show where he discusses preparations for games as a GM.
Gathering Information2023-OngoingA behind the scenes show where Alicia Acampora discusses specific aspects of the current ongoing season with other cast members.
Realis2025-OngoingAn actual play show in Austin Walker's Realis system, released parallel to the main feed seasons.

Since 2023, Friends at the Table has also produced podcasts outside of the actual play genre, which appear in their own public feeds.
Show nameRelease periodDescription
Media Club Plus2023–OngoingA discussion show about specific pieces of media, beginning with Hunter x Hunter and moving on to the films of M. Night Shyamalan.
Side Story2025–OngoingA discussion show about video games.

Reception

The podcast had more than 3,929 Patreon supporters as of 2021. The show was featured on iTunes in 2020. Dan Neilan wrote in The A.V. Club that it is an "intimidating podcast to jump into" and a "bit overwhelming", but despite this the story had "rich, complex lore." It was cited by The Adventure Zone GM Griffin McElroy as an inspiration for elements of that podcast's first campaign.

Awards