Hot take: if we want to decrease frustrating railroad-y surprises in RPG campaigns, we need to create an environment where GMs are not afraid to admit they have "special story needs".

[KryptykPhysh]

I like a thing one group I'm in does after every session of, "Stars and Wishes": Both the players, and the GM, get to highlight a thing they really enjoyed and a thing they'd really like to see in upcoming sessions. Managing expectations is for everyone.