logo
episode-header-image
About this episode
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
Up next
Jul 26
119 - Willows & Ashes & Oaks (oh my!)
Fr. Anthony talks with arborist Mark Caldwell, about the sixth chapter of Fellowship of the Ring, “The Old Forest,” as the hobbits leave the Shire behind and enter into the Wide World in a place that is not at all wide and open. 
2h 45m
Jun 25
118 - One Last Look at the Shire
Fr. Anthony talks with his original Tolkien Interlocutor, Josh Cook, about the first five chapters of the Fellowship of the Ring, returning to some of the essential themes that we have identified over the past several months. 
2h 41m
May 28
117 - Sing Hey! for the Bath
Fr. Anthony talks with returning guest co-host Richard Barrett about Chapter 5 of the Fellowship of the Ring: A Conspiracy Unmasked, and they dig deeply into an entirely different sort of music in Middle Earth than Richard and Fr. Andrew discussed five years ago. 
2h 53m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 16
Throwback: Who Is Tom Bombadil?
Unable to meet this week, the Pugcast decided to share an episode from the 2019 archives. Tune in for this blast from the past!Perhaps the most controversial character in all of Tolkien's writing is Tom Bombadil. People seem to either love him or hate him. But regardless how you ... Show More
1 h
Nov 2017
059 - Run Away!
As we resume Chapter 4 of The Hobbit, Bilbo and friends are captured by goblins. Thorin Oakenshield’s name and reputation are known in these parts, and the Great Goblin does not take kindly to his arrival. Gandalf comes to the rescue with his shining Elven-sword, allowing our her ... Show More
1h 23m
Mar 2025
Frodo
Frodo Baggins: brave hobbit, reluctant hero, and possibly the most exhausted character in literary history. Follow his epic (and very tiring) journey from the Shire to Mount Doom, where he carries the One Ring and a whole lot of stress. A perfect bedtime tale—just don’t let Gollu ... Show More
32m 52s
Apr 2021
205 – Here Comes the Sun
Upon entering the Golden Hall, Gandalf is challenged once again; this time by Wormtongue, the king’s counsellor who may not exactly have Rohan’s best interests in mind. Gandalf puts the worm in its place (before Gimli can dissect it for smack-talking Galadriel) and then leads Thé ... Show More
1h 55m
Sep 2017
053 - A Hole New World
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 the ... Show More
1h 44m
Sep 2021
118 - The Hobbit
SPONSORED BY: AUDIBLE To get a 30-day trial, a free book, and access to the library, go to audible.com/ndq or text “NDQ” to 500500. The audiobook being discussed is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Matt choose this book narrated by Andy Serkis and Destin chose the book narrated by R ... Show More
1h 22m
Aug 2024
Tolkien: Middle Earth & the Middle Ages
For millions of Tolkien lovers around the world, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are more than just fantasy fiction. Their rich mix of sacred mythology and archetypal saga stories draw deeply into history and legend and profoundly resonate with universal human experience. Bu ... Show More
36m 26s
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
Jul 2019
133 - It's Only Rock (Not Trolls) But I Like It
Strider’s path to Rivendell leads the hobbits through rough terrain; all the while, the days get colder and Frodo gradually succumbs to the evil effects of the Witch-king’s blade. A bad situation starts to look even worse when Pippin and Merry catch a glimpse of three trolls ahea ... Show More
1h 18m
Oct 2018
099 - Yesterday, All My Troubles Seemed So Far Away
Years have passed since the farewell party, and as the first part of Book I, Chapter 2, “The Shadow of the Past” unfolds, Frodo has come into his own as the new resident oddball at Bag End. But rumor begins to reach the Shire about a growing shadow in the East, and soon Gandalf r ... Show More
1h 56m