ABOUT US
THE SHOW
Character Creation Cast
Character Creation Cast is a discussion and interview podcast where hosts Amelia Antrim and Ryan Boelter invite guests on to discuss an RPG, then create characters using that system. Our guests are people who are passionate about the featured system, ranging from podcasters to game designers to players and GMs who simply love the game. With the help of these expert guests, we discuss the basics of the system and setting, run through the process of creating characters from beginning to end (with each guest making their own character as well) and discuss what creating those characters can show us about how the system works, the ways the mechanics can relate to story, and how the process stacks up against others that we’ve tried. All of this is done in a family friendly setting so that people of all ages can enjoy each episode.
Character Evolution Cast
Released between most series are special Character Evolution Cast episodes. These episodes dive deep into topics related to bringing your characters to the table and creating the best play experience possible. If the normal Character Creation Cast episodes are Character Creation 101, think of Character Evolution Cast as the 200 or 300 level courses for making and playing great characters. These episodes are done with a specific focus on player advice and experience, with each episode covering a specific advice topic. We believe that there is a lot of advice available for GMs, but player participation is an enormous factor in how things transpire at the table and we want to make that experience amazing.
Character Creation Spotlight
Every now and then a project comes across our plate that we really want to hype up due to a crowd funding campaign or a major release, but we don’t have enough time or space in the schedule to do a full series on the project. These Spotlight episodes are perfect for this. They follow an abridged format to our normal series where we look at the game or tool as a whole with a focus on character creation options. If time permits, we even create a single character with our guests walking us through the process! It’s a great way to showcase new and exciting projects that we usually release between series when able.
THE HOSTS
Ryan Boelter
Ryan started playing RPGs in middle school, way back in 1993. A friend approached him on the playground one day saying that he found an ad in the school newspaper that was looking for people to join up and play Role Playing Games together. They initially thought it would be like Final Fantasy. Once they got there, and it was just a bunch of books, they were confused, but also intrigued. Ryan quickly found that it lit his imagination on fire and he was hooked. He took a break after college when friends moved away, but after discovering the joy of one shots, podcasts, and online play, he has jumped in with both feet. Ryan is currently working on designing a new role-playing system named Chimera, a Powered by the Apocalypse RPG focused on blending genres and collaborative world building.
In addition to co-hosting Character Creation Cast, Ryan is also the webmaster for both blockpartypodcastnetwork.com and for the Whelmed: The Young Justice Files podcast, which can be found at crashingthemode.com. Ryan’s work can also be heard in the sound design and production of the A Horror Borealis podcast, as well as the dialogue editing of The Broadswords Podcast. He lives in Appleton, Wisconsin with his wife, Ashley, and his children, Quin and Alivia.
Amelia Antrim
Amelia began playing RPGs in high school when her friends played d20 Modern. Despite this questionable introduction, she somehow remained interested and over the years, but didn’t play regularly.
She eventually found her way back to the hobby through RPG podcasts. She has taken great joy in discovering new systems and styles of play. Amelia loves exploring the complex and fascinating interactions between mechanics, and story, as well as how character creation decisions influence narrative.
Aside from being the co-host of Character Creation Cast, Amelia also served as a 2021-2022 judge for the ENnie Awards, which celebrates excellence in all areas of RPGs.
She lives in Germantown, Wisconsin with her two children, Nathan and Eleanor, and her golden doodle, Peggy.
