PTBP feels like hanging with several of my most unhinged and funny friends. I definitely don’t use this podcast as a substitute for hanging out with my actual friends, which I totally have! You will never guess what’s gonna happen next, especially if it’s Luke’s turn. I named my dog after these sick sound waves. It’s just that good. Listen to the pod, love the pod, dedicate your life savings to the patreon. You won’t regret it!

Comedy on point, horror on point, creativity? 🤌 the boys sprinkle little treats everywhere in the podcast and it makes me feel real good all over. Wolfy, you’re my boy, how I miss our long walks on the beach, gazing upon the stars and telling each other about our dreams. May your grease be plentiful and your dreams be fulfilled.

I’m used to Dnd style actual plays, and I had only recently learned of Delta Green, so when I started listening I had very little background to inform my experience. Come to find out, the GM, like all good GMs, home brewed the system, so I was informed about as much as anybody else. This actual play is unique through and through. The GM is extremely invested and the players respect the effort by doing their best to play their roles and help craft the story. They label themselves as comedy and horror and they deliver on both fronts. The editing and audio quality is very well done and makes for easy listening. If you are reading reviews trying to convince yourself, stop reading, start listening, and enjoy the ride.

Alegernon wasn’t named after Algernon Blackwood, a writer of Cthulhu Mythos??

So much fun listening to these goofballs run their characters through gloriously terrible decisions while they make equally terrible jokes and lose their minds. This podcast is worthy tribute to the elder gods of its world.

I started listening to *Pretending to Be People* during my 5 AM drives to work, and it’s quickly become my favorite part of the day. There's something about the dark, quiet roads and the eerie atmosphere outside that makes the show even more intense. The mix of horror, mystery, and unpredictable chaos fits perfectly with that early-morning chill when the world still feels asleep. The storytelling is top-notch, and every episode has me on edge, gripping the steering wheel as things get weirder and more terrifying for the characters. It feels like I’m right there with them, unraveling the mysteries and creeping closer to the unknown. The dark humor is great too, giving just enough of a break from the tension to keep me hooked. If you’re into creepy, immersive stories that will make your morning drive feel like a descent into madness, I highly recommend *Pretending to Be People*. Just be prepared—you might find yourself driving a little slower so you can finish the episode!

I’m binging my way through PTBP’s back catalog now — just finished Season 1 — and I’m going to be sorry when I run out of new episodes. This is a fun, high-energy actual play using primarily Delta Green, with some diversions into other systems, and the long-form campaigns are original, not published scenarios. The players are happy to take risks and make “bad” choices for the sake of interesting story, and play off each other so well. Zach builds a great world and is always ready to “yes, and” the players as the story builds — I’m reminded a bit of the TAZ Balance arc in the manic creative energy of Contention’s story growing far beyond small-town policing. I also really love the way he handles it when a player has a murderhobo moment — he doesn’t try to stop them from doing what they want, just uses that incident as a seed for future events/conflicts that develop out of their choices. Great stuff. Also I love the obvious friendship among the whole crew, how much they like and are fans of each other (while also being happy to tease). The humor is often crass but never mean. Pretending or not, these are great people to listen to.

This podcast is my favorite, and almost the only thing I listen to! The writing and humor keep me coming back for more, as well as the wonderful boys and guests playing their absolute best.

Dear Wolf the Dog, Your ILLEGAL and DEPRAVED pirate radio station is ruining my life. I completely regret ever turning the dial past its natural limit and tuning into 694.2 PTBP. Although the songs you play are certified bangers, I am begging you to stop beaming your sloppy meat sounds directly into my sleeping mind. Every night I see visions of bad cops, missing pets, Wheel of Fortune, newsmen, numbers, numbers, and numbers. My family has ostracized me, my therapist is encouraging me to seek in-patient treatment, and I am on the verge of losing my job. Please cease these nocturnal radio emissions. Derek from Chicago PS: could you play that Kudzu No Backbone song again?? That song is my JAM!!! Totally dings in the whip

Thoroughly enjoyable. Realistic of a group of friends who genuinely like each other and enjoy the game playing together listening to this podcast feels more like you’re listening to a home game then a semi professionally recorded piece of media in the best way possible. early episodes remind me of Stephen King novel, and as the boys find their pace and their “writing voice” the story takes on new and fresh dimension. The players are all excellent role players and when they’re not acting in character perfectly It makes sense. I think people sometimes forget what a role-playing game should be. This is what a role-playing game should be. fun, creative, imaginative. The story is rich and enjoyable 10 out of 10 would listen again.

This show is awesome, listen to it. That is all.

Binging through Season 1 because it’s so good! Great vibe and a great mystery! Really funny and great audio quality. Fun to just listen to these guys and feel like part of the group.

It’s hilarious and creepy and I can’t listen to it before I go to sleep because I get nightmares so props to you Zach.

I’m about to finish season one despite most of the podcasts I’ve watched before being widely known and famous this one is by far my favorite. The characters are great and compelling the players are funny and talented and get better every single episode. Zach the dm is so very talented and this story he has written is incredible. Not even to mention Wolf the dog who intros every episode. This podcast makes me smile every single episode either from how good the story is or how silly the moments are. I’ve made some art for it and plan to make more considering how many moments are described in such a way that makes it perfect for art to be made of it. This podcast is so very incredible please consider listening.

Easily one of my favorite actual play podcasts and not because they play the fantastic rpg Delta Green. This group is one of the funniest around and before you know it you get enthralled by the story and start to feel the horror the characters are experiencing. I’ve gone from laughing my butt off to double checking behind me for any monsters in a single episode. Give it a listen you won’t regret it. Oh and if you like it their bonus stuff on their Patreon is also worth a listen.

i just finished season one of ptbp (i'm quite late, i know). when i listened to the first episode i thought "i will listen to this podcast to pass the time while i look for one i am actually interested in." then, by the end of the first episode, i was hooked. i have been explaining every episode to my husband in excruciating detail. i cannot shut up about this podcast. the humor, roleplaying, and interpersonal relationships between players and the dm are all so completely on point and entertaining. the story line is SO interesting and unique, and i am in love with every character (even the ones i just love to hate). i can feel it in my bones now that i will not know what to do with myself when i catch up to the current releases and have to start waiting between episodes. i have been an android user my entire life, but i got my first iphone JUST to write this review. if you are considering listening, i say absolutely do. you will not regret it.

Found you guys because of ain’t slayed nobody and let me tell you I binged through season one in like a week then went back for more. The creativity and sometimes chaotic nature of the plot, the niche humor and love for the game and craft muah chefs kiss you guys are the shizz and wolf I tried to summon you the other to help with out podcast edge of madness pod but I just got a dial tone maybe not enough garbage juice….. furiously goes back to drawing board

If you’re into hilariously immature but weirdly mature humor, this is it. Truly the only podcast that has made me laugh as if I’m in the room with these goofs.

Just started listening recently and wish I knew of this podcast from beginning but I’ve got so much content In front of since I’m only on ep 34. This group is so funny and even though I don’t play games like this I feel like I’d easily be friends with them. Thanks for making this mailman laugh while walking his route.

These people are my new absolute favorite. This series needs more recognition and everyone on this show deserves a major bag. Get them a major bag

Love the story and there is some really good humor but the players sometimes ruin it. Sometimes you can’t tell if some of the player are lazy of mind or slow or more focused on always trying to be funny. There are some great sections that will have you laughing but those are followed by the players lacking some basic skills in thinking and reasoning things out. You can tell the storyteller gets exasperated as the players continuously can’t figure some basic things out. It like they get basic information, like 1+1 but they get negative 3. It still kept me listening as the story is fun and good If the players would be more invoked in the game than trying to say the funniest thing every 30 seconds this could be a great story.

Haven’t experienced horror much as an audio medium, this has been an absolutely wonderful and terrifying podcast to dip my toes into!

I just binged the first season and absolutely loved it! The whole crew is awesome, and you can definitely tell all the love and effort they put into it. They hit such a great balance between being huge goofballs one minute and then navigating bone rattling terror the next. The whole thing had me enthralled, and I’m very excited to keep following the breadcrumbs into their dark, twisted, and silly stories.

I generally like actual play D&D podcasts, but the players and DM make this podcast fun and exciting. I'm 20 episodes into season one and loving it.

Pretending To Be People is the perfect storm of a horror focused Actual Play podcast, with a team of PCs and a handler that have an incredible quick wit and ability to make any situation hilarious, while simultaneously drawing you in with mysterious intrigue that keeps you motivated to keep listening to make sense of everything, sprinkled with moments of absolutely bone chilling horror. An absolute masterpiece.

I listen on Spotify, but downloaded apple podcasts to leave a review. I’m on S1EP89 and I just can’t get enough. I’ve been neglecting my other podcasts that I normally keep up with just to catch up to where the boys are in S2. I can’t wait to finish and see what Zach has been planning for so long finally come to fruition. If you’re looking for a new Actual Play podcast and you like genuinely scary settings/story telling with great (albeit pretty millennial) humor, this is a really great one to start on.

PTBP is the only RPG podcast worth listening to that isn’t produced by Glass Cannon

This wildly entertaining and well produced podcast has kept me sane (or functionally insane?) through the writer’s strike. I started listening this spring and got all the way caught up right as the deal was getting signed… Hot strike summer? More like Hot PTBP Summer! ✊💀

Pretending to Be People is what all other podcasts should strive to be. The sound quality, editing, attention to detail, storytelling ability, and collaboration are all unmatched by any other podcast I listen to. The dynamic between Justin, Thomas, Luke, Zack, and the characters they play is unreal. Each person brings personality and their energy to the story. Be warned: having listened to this podcast I literally have found all other Actual Play podcasts unlistenable.

This is my girlfriend’s phone, don’t have any iPhone. I thought that the incredible story telling deserved a five star review. Wolf the dog I hope to meet you in the dumpster one day covered in ooze - Corey

Just started listening and I hope they never stop posting!

This podcast only showed up in my life a few weeks ago and I’m nearly through the first 100 episodes. Zach’s DMing is delightfully deranged and he has great purpose in storytelling. Even if not all points are touched across the board, the amount of energy you feel from all of those included on the show (the main boys and amazing guests), you’ll feel like you’re sitting at the table. Each player has their own unique likability and it’s incredibly easy to find yourself lost in the great town of Contention.

Found this podcast on a whim on Spotify or maybe it’s the Eldritch God who spoke in my head regardless these guys really know what they are doing. The GM knows how to push the narrative and the players are so funny especially when things get tense. Keith is one of my new favorite characters I’ve ever seen played with his stupid stupid chaotic energy. Keep doing what you’re doing! Oh and also that sound under your the bed the one you think is nothing you might want to check again because its grabbing at your leg and it will take you soon…..

Awesome podcast if you want a little spooky mystery and want to diversify your TTRPG listening outside of D&D! It would be really great if content warnings for each episode could be included in episode descriptions for things like gore, body horror, etc.

Spooky, funny, thank y’all for the ride!

Do yourself a favor and listen to this fantastic pod. A friend that plays Delta Green recommended it and I jumped in, despite having no experience with RPGs. I have been sucked in to the creepy and fascinating world created here and have enjoyed every second. Keep up the great work.

I absolutely love PTBP! Not only are they funny and keep me laughing and entertained, it’s also an amazing way for me and my partner @Auxume who I have binge listened to with on our multiple band concert trips. Can not Recommend the show enough. It’s a cut above the rest!! Thanks to all the guys for all the time and energy they have put into it! Plan to continue to listen to for years to come!!!

I found this podcast while looking for some good Lovecraftian horror to usher in the spooky season, and while I didn’t find a lot of specifically Lovecraftian horror here, I did find some truly excellent Weird Fiction in real-play format. This is a Delta Green experience and it is a fantastic one. PTBP is intriguing and hilarious in equal measure. The dynamic between the hosts (and their occasional guest host, the sound designer) is absolutely fantastic, as magnetic as the stories themselves. Handler Zach does an incredible job of balancing the “what-ifs” present in a tabletop game with very firmly laid-out story ideas. Players Luke, Thomas, and Joe (and Justin, in his rare and treasured appearances) rush headlong into each nightmarish scenario with both eagerness and hilarity at the ready. The variety of guests they bring on the show, from local comedians to published Call of Cthulhu writers, are in turns delightful, diabolical, and downright funny. Season 1 is an X-files-style long-haul that is well worth your time, featuring government conspiracies, strange phenomena, some genuinely incredibly satisfying cinematic moments, and one of the frankly most chilling portrayals of a classic “Man in Black” sighting I’ve seen in fiction. Season 2 is still in the works, but I’m loving it so far, and the rest of their content is not to be missed. Perhaps it is nostalgia for my first gaming table (a bunch of goofy dorks who decided to play Call of Cthulhu) speaking, but most likely it’s a healthy respect and enthusiasm for what these storytellers can do, but regardless: this podcast has what it takes. As an added bonus, their taste in music is amazing. I’ve discovered many new artists I love through their intros/outros. What’s not to love? If you’re a fan of weird fiction, the X-Files, modern Forteana, horror, real-play, and especially the fantastic Delta Green system, do yourself a favor and check this one out.

I started listening to 'Pretending to be People' because I thought it was a true crime podcast about identity theft. Turns out it’s a true crime podcast about cops (who are honestly very bad at their jobs) as they investigate all the criminally supernatural goings-on in the small town of Contention. Wolf the Dog, who runs the local radio station, seems to have an unnatural knowledge of everything happening so I suspect he’s more involved than he’s leading people to believe. I think the cops should be investigating into him more… He also seems to be able to time travel (??), but perhaps I should be questioning my own sanity at this point. He’s probably totally innocent. In reality though, this actual play role playing podcast is excellent and I couldn’t recommend it more highly. The story is expansive, the world building incredible, and Zach is a beyond brilliant story-teller. I’m always on the edge of my seat and have to pick my jaw up off the floor frequently. I’m nearing the end of season 1 as I write this review and I’m already planning on listening to it again – I can’t get enough of the town of Contention.

I am not the typical audience for this type of podcast. I haven’t really roleplayed before, and while people have raved to me about Critical Role and d20, I could never really get into them as someone outside the fandom. That changed with PtbP. First, I love weird fiction like Lovecraft, so the setting and genre were an instant hit for me. The ease of the game system also drew me in, and inspired me to join a Delta Green group of my own! But most importantly, the cast is awesome. I love their sense of humor that they inject, and listening feels like hanging out with some really cool guy friend. My boifriend introduced me to this, and we’ve binged up to episode 88 in a manner of weeks. And now that I wrote the review, I’m going right back to it!

I live just down the the road and I’m surprised that I’m just now finding out about this podcast. Since discovering it I’ve logged at least 4 episodes a day, so while it’s not very cool of me to be so late to the party, it’s definitely groovy to be able to binge during the long work days. Being so close regionally helps make you fellas a bit more relatable. If I made a movie about you guys making a podcast, I could cast you all with people that I know personally. And if someone made a movie about me making a movie about you making a podcast, I would probably be played by Chris Hemsworth. Note: sanitize this review as it was composed during morning rituals. (That means pee and poo and blood and… well you get it)

I’m new to ttrpgs and also podcasts in general. But this one has been extremely entertaining. It’s really hard to stop once you start. I have to force myself to take breaks and listen to something else and very now and then. Each character (including the NPCs) satisfies a different itch. You’ve got the noble, the greedy, the apathetic, the pathetic, the too cool for school, etc. I’m really appreciating the all facets they’re covering. And the horror is truly disturbing. I’ll never think of a citrus peeler the same. Excellent job. A+++

Such a cool show. Funny in all the right places and terrifyingly epic! Wonderful group of guys sitting around playing a TTRPG and letting us listen in to the magic.

Listen yall, wolf or otherwise. DNDaddies got me to try this podcast and I can’t stop listening to it. Some of my podcast favorites drop a new ep today? Too bad I’ve got Tons of Pretending to be People backlog to go through today. I almost hate it. Give it a try!

Listening to season 1 again & its great all over again (:

If you ever wanted to listen to an actual play podcast you would be hard pressed to do better than this

The first season was great! They perfectly walked the line between terror and fun, a fantastic trick for an Eldritch Horror game. Wolf The Dog does the boys a huge service with his omniscient news updates. I can’t watch Wheel of Fortune the same way ever again, though. Oh, and you boys made a joke about people finding you through David Winters, but that’s how you got this GCN fan to listen.

694.2 PTBP is the ONLY station worth listening to! Wolf the Dog always has up to date, unbiased news and premieres the HOTTEST new tracks out there! If you aren’t tuning in to 694.2 PTBP, you must be squamous!

Y’all ain’t posted in a while. Beth May got me into this podcast. I don’t know her. But I heard that she’s playing on this podcast. I love y’all and your creation. Eating trash just for the People.

This is exactly how you do a Delta Green / Cthulhu AP podcast. You can go as far as you want on the horror/bizarre side as long as you match it with equal amounts of silliness and fun. Give them a listen.