It’s the start of Season 2 here on The Prancing Pony Podcast as we start discussing the book that first introduced Middle-earth to the world: J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit! In this episode, we look at the novel’s composition, publication and lasting legacy. Alan and Shawn share their personal stories about reading The Hobbit for the first time, and talk about ... Show More
Apr 26
410 – You Got Lucky, Gollum
Christopher Tolkien tells us that the manuscripts for this story are “in great, though hardly exceptional, confusion” — so it seems this podcast is in good company. Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the Rings as we begin to sort through the various versions of the story of ... Show More
1h 52m
Aug 2024
The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power — An Empire Podcast Preview Special
One pod to rule them all? This Thursday (August 29) sees the return of Prime Video's epic J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation, The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, and to mark the occasion we've put together a little preview special, just for you. In it, you'll find an in-depth inter ... Show More
47m 22s
Sep 2025
174 - Hobbit Day (Mini Episode)
<p>On a new mini episode of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kalan (and Producer Devon) would like to tell you all about some very mini people: the Hobbits, from JRR Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings series! Today is Bilbo Baggins’ birthday (sort of, we’ll clarify that), so ex ... Show More
8m 45s
Jan 2025
001 A Long-expected Party – Book I, Chapter I, Fellowship of the Ring
<p>Join Zach & Logan as they read Book I, Chapter I of Fellowship of the Ring, A Long-expected Party. We explore the significance of Bilbo's birthday celebration, the nature of the One Ring, and the cultural nuances of Hobbiton. The conversation highlights the humor in Tolkie ... Show More
1h 8m
Jun 2024
116: The Hobbit Close Reading 2 - Baggins vs Took
Tolkien, in his masterful way, reveals so much about Bilbo through a quick description of Bilbo's parents, and a short conversation with Gandalf. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes, early access, and ad-free listening: https://www.patreon.com/lotrlorecastOn Youtube: https ... Show More
36m 14s
Sep 2025
What the right gets wrong about Tolkien
Many far-right conservatives think The Lord of the Rings is about them. They may love Tolkien, but it's very possible Tolkien would not have loved them back. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen with help from Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laur ... Show More
25m 57s
Sep 2025
731 The Brothers Karamazov Reclaimed (#19 Greatest Book of All Time)
Responding to a special request from a listener, Jacke discusses Fyodor Dostoevsky, his novel The Brothers Karamazov, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. This episode was originally released as episode #250 on October 7, 2020. For reasons Jacke discusses, it has no ... Show More
1h 21m
Dec 2024
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Caravan Of Garbage
<p>A mere year after the first entry in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy came The Two Towers, not simply a rehash of what came before but a vastly different continuation of the story. With the fellowship split up, Frodo and Sam making for Mordor with the one ring, Merry and Pippin ... Show More
27m 50s