Distractible: "Wade Has An Interest" (October 3, 2025)

Hosts: Mark Fischbach, Wade Barnes, Bob Muyskens
Episode Theme:
In this lively episode, the hosts dive deep into Wade’s love for Dungeons & Dragons, moving quickly from light banter to personal stories about gaming obsessions, local Cincinnati oddities, recent news, and absurd proposals for "fixing" the podcast. The episode showcases a classic Distractible blend of humor, friendship, creative problem-solving, and genuine geekery.

Main Theme & Episode Purpose

Wade’s passion for Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) anchors this episode, as the hosts discuss what gaming means to them, struggles with making time for hobbies as adults, and the quirks of role-playing. The conversation meanders through their gaming histories, personal routines, city trivia, viral videos, football, and brainstorms for the future of the podcast. Listeners get an authentic, entertaining look into the hosts’ dynamic and the joy—and challenges—of geeky interests in adulthood.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Wade Opens Up About Dungeons & Dragons (02:54–14:49)

• Wade’s Barbarian Adventures:

  • Wade played D&D until 4AM, taking the unusual route of a "good barbarian."
  • He’s running an "invulnerable rager" with unique mechanics due to playing an EPIC6 campaign (level-6 cap, extra importance on powers).
  • “I go in, I get the beat out of me, but I actually take slightly less damage...” —Wade (03:21)

• One-Shot Campaigns & Roleplay Aspirations:

  • Mark pitches a rotating one-shot D&D podcast, wanting more improv and action, less traditional DM involvement.
  • Wade admires Critical Role but doubts he’s "Critical Role worthy" due to "their voice acting capabilities... I can do some voices but..." (05:51)
  • Humorous exchange of “Matt Mercer duel” challenges follows.

• Game System Innovations:

  • Wade discusses new, brutal D&D systems (reminiscent of Critical Role’s innovations).
  • Bob and Mark share their desire for more action-oriented gameplay.

2. The Realities of Gaming as Adults & Group Scheduling (07:36–11:48)

• Scheduling Reality Checks:
  • Mark laments that work/family commitments and "normal people" schedules make nighttime marathons impossible.
  • "I really try and reserve family time... I don’t have 4–6–10 hours a week to do nighttime D&D.” —Mark (08:32)
• Roleplay vs. Action:
  • They joke about excessively long role-play (RP) segments spent shopping in-game, even furniture shopping for an hour.
  • Bob: “Most D&D I’ve played... four of those hours in town trying to buy something.” (09:06)
  • Desire for a more streamlined, action-forward campaign.

3. Notable Stories From Actual Games (12:25–14:49)

• Warhammer Campaign on Twitch:
  • Wade shares wild anecdotes:
    • Playing in a lethal, action-heavy Warhammer campaign as expendable soldiers
    • Characters hallucinate due to botched cooking rolls: “...my character was seeing a bunch of monkeys... shooting lasers.” —Wade (13:50)
• RP Addiction Confessions:
  • Wade reminisces about his “GTA RP” phase, warning it's super addictive due to FOMO.
  • “There was a time where I got on at 4pm and was on till 7am... The fear of missing out was crazy.” —Wade (14:49)

4. Gaming Vices & Mobile Game Money Pits (20:05–26:22)

• Mobile Game Downfalls:
  • Bob describes his leadership of a top-ranked mobile game guild, only possible by giving out tons of in-game currency (“diamonds”).
  • “All you need to do to get people to call you king and boss in chat is give them lots of diamonds.” —Bob (21:19)
  • They joke about microtransaction spirals, addiction, and the sunk-cost fallacy, extending to Mark’s own Valorant skin spending (“easily $600 or $700 bucks”). (23:02)
  • “I need a vice, man.” —Mark (24:29)

5. Local Cincinnati Trivia, Parks, and Infrastructure (26:05–33:58)

• Hidden Cincinnati Wonders:
  • The trio raves about local parks they never knew existed, incredible green spaces, and even a “beautiful cemetery.”
  • “Cincinnati is really nice... One of the best park cities in the world.” —Mark (26:33)
• Random City Knowledge:
  • Bob shares the city recently sold its historic railroad for $1.5bn.
  • Wade dives into tech—self-repairing roads in Germany: “Repairs cracks and potholes on their own using microcapsules, steel fibers, and induction heating.” (31:36)

6. How to Fix the Podcast: Satirical Brainstorm (34:44–43:14)

• More Staff, More Boats, More D (dice?):
  • Mark jokes about needing a huge writing staff (35:05), Bob suggests unpaid fan labor, and Wade is adamant: “More boats.”
• Sex Appeal & Travel Vlogs:
  • The group debates adding “boobs,” anime effects, “hot tub streams,” and male nipple content as faux clickbait (38:43–39:29).
  • Mark proposes travel vlogs: “We need to get some big backpacks, take this show on the road.” (41:16)
• Absurd Content Ideas:
  • Surviving in the snow and being miserable for views: “People like it when people are miserable.” —Bob (42:15)

7. Viral News & Sinkholes (43:01–47:22)

• Shocking Sinkhole Videos:
  • The group describes a viral Chinese sinkhole video that looks “fake” but is real, discussing the terror of sinkholes in cities: “That shit just kept going down.” —Bob (43:23)
  • They joke about founding a series to go hunt for (or accidentally create) sinkholes at YouTuber houses.

8. Cincinnati Sports Woes (48:18–53:43)

• Bengals’ Recent Bad Luck:
  • Updates on Joe Burrow’s surgery and the team’s record-breaking worst loss.
  • “Even when it’s pain, it’s records.” —Mark (49:20)
• Bearcats’ Blowout:
  • UC Bearcats’ 70–0 win and the possibility of mercy rules in college football.
• Blocked Field Goal Weekend:
  • Mark describes seeing more blocked and returned field goals than ever before.
  • Sad but humorous discussion on the fate of Cincinnati’s O-line and chili as a possible culprit.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wade on Roleplay:
  “I don't think I'm Critical Role worthy, but... having a full D&D thing.” (05:25)
• Bob’s Money-Sink Leadership:
  “All you need to do to get people to call you king and boss in chat is give them lots of diamonds.” (21:19)
• Mark on Addictive Gaming:
  “I haven't had anything... I need a vice, man.” (24:29)
• Cincinnati Realization:
  “Cincinnati is really nice... I just never knew they existed.” —Mark (26:33)
• On Roleplaying Tasks:
  “I had to RP with a tax accountant and attorney. That was the worst thing.” —Wade (09:56)
• Podcast Fixes:
  “Editors, give us all big anime titties.” —Mark (38:55)
• On Sinkholes:
  “Sinkholes in general terrify me... that shit just kept going down.” —Bob (43:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Wade shares his D&D experiences: 02:54–14:49
• Adult schedules and D&D challenges: 07:36–11:48
• Funny campaign stories: 12:25–14:49
• Mobile game addiction, money talk: 20:05–26:22
• Local Cincinnati/parks trivia: 26:05–33:58
• Brainstorming podcast "fixes": 34:44–43:14
• Sinkhole viral video discussion: 43:01–47:22
• Cincinnati sports recap: 48:18–53:43

Closing Thoughts

The episode is a masterclass in Distractible’s signature tone: self-deprecating, scattered, endlessly playful, veering from confessions about gaming vice to silly fix-the-show pitches to personal routines and local lore. Through Wade’s interest in D&D, the hosts organically touch on the relatable difficulties of holding onto hobbies, the lure and trap of online games, and the enduring appeal of just hanging out and sharing stories as friends.