Fr. Anthony Cook returns to the podcast to talk about everyone’s favorite were-bear in “Queer Lodgings,” chapter 7 of The Hobbit, not to mention animals who walk upright, the proper greetings of eagles, the many blessings in The Hobbit, and Gandalf as the match-maker who introduces Beorn to his future Missus. References to Beowulf and Icelandic sagas natural ... Show More
Sep 22
174 - Hobbit Day (Mini Episode)
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 expec ... Show More
8m 45s
Sep 12
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
Dec 2018
104 - I See a Little Silhouetto of a Man
We return to Book I, Chapter 3 of The Lord of the Rings to find Frodo, Sam, and Pippin still in high spirits as they stroll through the Shire. Before long, though, they realize that they’re being followed by a shadowy, sniffing black rider. We talk about the “unpremeditated turn” ... Show More
1h 49m