Every other week, except holidays, and where prohibited by law, Rudy and James crank out a non-scripted, unproduced, barely edited and improvisationally entertaining Behind the Scenes show (BTS for you HaveSpellerheads ) In these episodes, they typically interview cast members or ensemble players, they talk about the show, answer reader mail, beg for five-star reviews and subscribers, and give away huge spoilers. **SPOILER ALERT: No they don't.
Listeners who send in questions often get answers directly from the show's ruling cabal on the air. When recording is being done, the Behind the Scenes show intro includes a non-sequitur of the featured cast member answering a reader-submitted Levels Question of the Week, asked of the guest as a way to keep them talking while the recording artist sets the levels on the microphones, and also designed to stump the guest and get them to make up various silly things.
Guests on the BTS episodes have included:
BTS 1 - Rudy and James discuss the show
Rudy Basso and James Introcaso selfishly feature themselves.
In our first behind-the-scenes episode, James Introcaso and Rudy Basso introduce themselves and explain who they are and why they started this podcast. Hopefully you enjoy learning a bit more about the hosts of this journey!
BTS 2 - Ray Fallon
Ray Fallon is featured.
It's that time again! Behind-the-scenes time! This episode we talk to Ray Fallon, who plays Andar Patrone, leader of Party 13. Listen in as James, Rudy, and Ray discuss Ray's thoughts on the show, Andar, and Dungeons and Dragons.
BTS 3 - John Fischer
John Fischer is featured.
Greetings and hello to you, listeners! Join Rudy, James, and actor/composer/DOCTOR John Fischer as they discuss Thoven Battlebeard, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Half-Orc Monks!
BTS 4 - Vegas Lancaster
All-Namer Vegas Lancaster is featured.
Ensemble member Vegas Lancaster joins Rudy and James to discuss his various villainous roles, super powered vegetable TV Show Pilots, and why improv and D&D go together like chocolate and peanut butter.
BTS 5 - Dan Keyser
Dan Keyser is featured.
The man behind Benicio Markanti - Dan Keyser - joins Rudy and James to discuss improv and role playing, how to come up with a neat and memorable character, and how using a character voice can help you get into the headspace of your PC. Also, of course, his background in D&D and acting
BTS 6 - Dave Breidenstine
Dave Breidenstine is featured.
Rudy and James interview Dave Breidenstine, one half of the writing/composing team behind the Clam Song and Thoven's Song from Episode 2-2. In addition to being a talented musician, Dave voices the Clam himself, along with a number of other memorable characters. Then we're joined by the other half of the team - John Fischer- to learn more about the song writing/composing process. An incredibly fascinating listen - enjoy!
BTS 7 - Liz So
Liz is So featured.
Rudy and James have a chat with Liz So, the voice behind Veena the Water Nymph and various other roles. They discuss forensics, the allure and fun in getting to play lots of different parts, and improv in D&D (again!).
BTS 8 - Lili Timmes
Lili Timmes is featured.
Tune in to this latest BTS episode with ensemble member and professional law practitioner Lili Timmes. Hear about her hatred of law school, MOOT COURT (!!!), and the frustration of being D&D-adjacent but not actually playing it (which will be remedied!). In this episode Lili Timmes, when asked, as all guests are asked, how listeners can contact her did not tell them the easiest method, which would be to break the law in some significant way in the jurisdiction where she works as a prosecutor. You will receive her fullest attention.
BTS 9 - Evie King
Evie King is featured.
Rudy and James sit down with Evie King, a noted world traveler and foodie who has stepped away from her busy life to join with the HSWT ensemble. Hear her talk about her superhero alter ego Smart Girl, growing up with a D&D Dad, and living in South Korea.
BTS 10 - Sean Curry
Sean Curry is featured.
Aha! An interview with the man behind Filigrin the Feared and other notable characters - Mr. Sean Curry! Listen in to hear about cheese rankings, MORE improv talk, and SANDWICHES (I know, you were thinking Indian food)
Sean does not talk about his upcoming scripted radio drama, Filigrin the Feared and the Knights of Terror, appearing on a competing podcast network in the mind of Sean Curry.
BTS 11 - Alex Basso, sort of.
Alex Basso, brother of Rudy and drummer of HaveSpellbook Halen, is featured. October 7, 2016
This second BTS in a row, due to scheduling abnormalities introduced by GenCon --- thanks Obama -- features brother and roommate of the creator of Have Spellbook, Alex Basso. Alphabetically, the pre-eminent Basso, Alex discusses his love of 4th Edition D&D, his hero-worship of brother Rudy, his lack of acting or performing experience and his new Amway distributorship.
BTS 12 - Rudy Basso, Part I
BTS 13 - Andrew Timmes
BTS 14 - Rudy Basso Part II, The Revenge of Rudy
BTS 15 - James Introcaso is featured
BTS 16 - Rudy and James discuss the new network
BTS 17 - Mark Smith,
Mark Smith is featured, standing in for Barack Obama who could neither be confirmed nor denied to be on the show.
BTS 18 - Finally, Sarah Stryker
Sarah Stryker appears, thanks to Rudy. February 16, 2017
BTS 19 - Bonnie MacDonald
Bonnie MacDonald, muse, lifemate and abiding force in the life of one half of the show's producers is interviewed on her recent introduction to D&D, her life in the Belgian Congo, the charity work she does for drooling goblins, her views on the whole Antarctic exploration thing, and likely none of these things that I literally just made up since I haven't had to drive downtown in a while and haven't listened to the podcast yet.
BTS 20 - Rudy and James. Again.
Where they announce that they'll be taking a break from doing the show for a little while because life.
BTS BONUS Episodes!
Q&A starring chief Havespellerhead Mark Smith and Ray Fallon speaking from the other side of the locked bathroom door. Oh and Rudy. And Alex shows up at some point. And a train. Mark and Ray answer questions from users and fans from 2016 and 2017, and debate the large questions of existence. This two-episode arc is also known as "Tacomin Live!!" These Behind the Scenes shows appeared on the break between Story Arc 5 and Story Arc 6, and didn't get numbers. Probably because of the Tacomin Effect.
BTS 21 - Caroline Collins
She talks about being a Havespellerhead, her acting career, CJ, her love of all things nerdery, the Actual Play, and her fearlessness in employing accents.
BTS 22 - Matt Uhrich
James and Rudy are joined by Matt Uhrich, California Resident, to discuss acting with a Mom Director, having zero experience with D&D, and voice over acting versus stage acting (a conversation we never get tired of). Also - book recommendations!
BTS 23 - Jen Fischer
The silver-throated Jen Nelson Fischer is featured May 3, 2017.
Jen voices Jennifer Strong in the podcast as well as other random ensemble parts. She loves romance novels, tending to the young 'uns, and not playing Dungeons & Dragons. The better singer of the Fischers, she has graced the podcast with her speaking voice, because Jennifer Strong would never come out as a multi-classing Bard... or would she?
BTS 23 also represents the 52nd weekly show produced by Rudy and James, meaning the podcast has been on air for one year (plus that vacation week back around Thanksgiving). Congratulations to the cast and crew for this important milestone. Dragnet was only on the air for about 9 years, so you're 15% of the way there!
BTS 24 - No guest, just news
Rudy and James talk about the just completed Story Arc 6, tease a bit the upcoming "Season 1 Finale" Story Arc 7 excitement, and answer a reader question about which Cons they will attend this year. Spoiler alert: GenCon, and two others!! (I listened in the car) Also, Don't Split the Podcast Network is plugged, Venture Maidens is promoted, and Rudy shills for Game O'Clock, featuring -- you guessed it -- Rudy and Alex Basso.
BTS 25 - Vin St. John
Vin St. John is featured, May 31, 2017.
Rudy and James speak with Vin St. John about college RAs, acting, Star Wars The Musical, and other things I didn't get to yet since I had a short commute this morning. But I'm guessing D&D. Bonus Havespellerhead trivia: One of Rudy Basso's favorite Sous-vide recipes is Coq au Vin St. John. Go ahead, look it up.
Some venturing maidens take a break from promoting their Venture Maidens podcast and instead plug the Dames & Dragons podcast. You should check it out.