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Nate Lindberg (he/him) & Conrad Audette (he/him)

Nate & Conrad joined Momma on July 12, 2021 for a live Q&A via Twitch to talk about Mental Health Awareness & Advocacy

About Conrad & Nate

Nate Lindberg is a Podcaster, Columnist, Content Creator, IT Professional & a life-long technology buff, wrestling nerd & gamer. Together with his childhood friend of 23 years, Nate is the co-creator of Deges & Dragons, a weekly YouTube series that highlights the use of tabletop RPGs and how they can be used in a directed therapeutic manner. He is also the host of "The Degecast", a supplemental podcast to Deges & Dragons. Nate and his co-hosts dive deeper into RPG gaming and therapy, conduct interviews with Table Top RPG developers & more! When he is not being a Dege, or "Degenerate" with his childhood friends turned colleagues, Nate is an analyst for the Pro Wrestling Torch, one of the oldest pro wrestling journalism entities in existence. And to pay the bills, he fixes computers for a living.

A lifetime lover of psychology, Conrad graduated with distinction receiving a master's degree in counseling psych. While working in the field as a crisis clinician, GI autoimmune disease interrupted every aspect of life. After years of hospitalizations, 3 major surgeries, abdominal nerve damage, and a still ongoing search for effective treatment, Conrad kept his sanity through tabletop RPGs. Using roleplaying as a means of redefining strength, sense of self, worth, and purpose he was able to find a positive outlook. Knowing the value and impact of RPGs, Conrad approached his friend of 20+ years, Nate Lindberg, about creating a show together to share the power of RPGs. Now Deges & Dragons educates how to play indie tabletop games and discusses their therapeutic benefits.

Socials / Links for Their Info

Episode Summary

If you're curious about how tabletop role-playing games can help reframe self-understanding or provide a unique tool for coping with chronic illness, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, guests Nate Lindberg and Conrad Audette explore how tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) can be used to foster self-understanding and serve as a therapeutic tool, particularly for those facing chronic illness. The conversation explores how the structure and storytelling aspects of TTRPGs help players reflect on their behaviors, explore new identities, and engage in socialization within a group setting.

Nate and Conrad begin by discussing their focus on independent role-playing games like Goblinville, Kids on Bikes, and Clink, explaining how these games can serve therapeutic purposes, even if not originally designed with that intent. Nate highlights that different games address specific emotional or mental health needs. For example, Goblinville is particularly effective in helping people manage depression and anxiety, offering low-pressure activities like digging ditches in a make-believe world. These simple, structured tasks mimic the core ideas behind cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where small, achievable goals help individuals move forward.

The collaborative nature of these games also fosters social connection, a crucial aspect for individuals with chronic illness who may face isolation. Nate and Conrad talk about how players share stories, ask each other questions about their characters, and develop these narratives together, creating strong social bonds and a sense of community. The importance of these social dynamics is underscored by the way TTRPGs help players externalize their thoughts and feelings in a safe, creative environment. This often leads to reflective discussions about why characters acted a certain way, which translates into better self-awareness and emotional regulation in real life.

They also touch on the flexibility of TTRPGs to adapt to different therapeutic settings. Conrad explains that games like RetroStar allow players to adjust the tone and seriousness of each session through "dials" that set the level of humor, seriousness, or special effects. This flexibility makes the games suitable for both lighthearted play and deeper therapeutic work, depending on the needs of the group.

Nate and Conrad share insights about how TTRPGs can be especially useful in a therapeutic setting to explore personal identity. For example, by playing a character vastly different from oneself, such as a charismatic leader or a heroic figure, players are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones. This experience can lead to personal growth as they build confidence and learn new perspectives. The act of embodying a character provides a safe space to experiment with behaviors, which can help players deal with challenges in their personal lives.

The episode wraps up with Nate and Conrad reflecting on the therapeutic potential of TTRPGs and their capacity to break down stigmas related to mental health. They emphasize that whether or not a game was designed with therapy in mind, the act of playing itself often leads to valuable psychological benefits, making TTRPGs a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing.

This episode offers an insightful look into how games can go beyond entertainment to become a meaningful part of mental health care, especially for those living with chronic conditions.