The Prancing Pony Podcast
Episodes
405 – Tolkien Reading Day 2026
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join us all in the Common Room for the Prancing Pony Podcast’s 11th annual Tolkien Reading Day special. Tolkien Reading Day is observed every March ...
404 – Uptown Girl
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lórien had long years of peace and obscurity under the rule of Amdír; the PPP has had 10 years of, well, obscurity under the rule of Alan. Join The ...
403 – Only the Good Die Young
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When Sauron learned of Celebrimbor’s revolt, his wrath was revealed; Alan doesn’t wait for James to revolt, but his wrath is reduced to nothing mo...
402 – All About Soul
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Christopher Tolkien says his father’s writing on Galadriel and Celeborn is “very roughly composed”; some way that our episodes are even more rou...
401 – She’s Got a Way
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Celeborn has dwelt in the West since the days of dawn; it only seems like Alan has as well. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we e...
400 – Starmen
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tal-Elmar hopes to turn the tables on Mogru, the town’s Master; James manages to turn the table on Alan by interviewing him about his decade in podc...
399 – Under Pressure
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tal-Elmar refuses to help the Master because his “father is the elder”; James refuses to help Alan even though Alan is the elder. Join The Man of ...
398 – Changes
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tal-Elmar spots three strange birds upon the water; Alan and James are just two strange guys with microphones. Join The Man of the West and The Sage o...
397 – Rebel, Rebel
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hazad’s beard was five feet long without stretching; Alan and James can’t get the podcast to two hours without stretching. Join The Man of the Wes...
396 – Questions After Nightfall 33
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Come celebrate the New Year with us here at The Prancing Pony Podcast as The Man of the West welcomes The Sage of the South! James and Alan invite our...
395 – Yesterday
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tar-Aldarion changes the law of succession in Númenor; thankfully primogeniture will play no role in determining Sara’s successor on the podcast. J...
394 – Back in the Emerië
04 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
All of Aldarion’s efforts in Middle-earth were swept away with time and tide; we’ll have to wait awhile to see about all of Alan’s efforts on th...
393 – From Me to You (the Sceptre)
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aldarion prepares to go from this misenchanted isle of daydreams filled with insolent women; Alan puts 10 pence in the Sara to get her take on said ‘...
392 – Help!
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aldarion watches everyone celebrate and party from the sidelines; Alan painfully recalls his awkward teenage years, while Sara isn’t sure those are ...
391 – By Grabthar’s Hammer, What a Book!
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan for a very special conversation with Dr. Michael D.C. Drout, author of The Tower and the Ruin: ...
390 – Hello, Goodbye
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aldarion offers the usual assortment of excuses for his shortcomings, and delivers the mail to Meneldur; Alan and Sara offer no excuses for the PPP’...
389 – Nowhere Man
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aldarion claims to ask for only two years, but takes a lot more; Alan and Sara ask for only two hours, and only take a little bit more. Join The Man o...
388 – All You Need is Love (Maybe)
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Away from the Sea, Aldarion finds little peace or joy; away from the podcast, Alan is just fine, thank you very much. Join The Man of the West and The...
387 – We Can Work it Out
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Erendis’ mom gives her some pretty questionable relationship advice; Alan and Sara give you a pretty questionable podcast episode. Join The Man of t...
386 – Got to Get You into My Life
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aldarion runs headlong into contentment and doesn’t even recognize it; Alan and Sara run headlong into more bad jokes and don’t particularly care....
385 – I Saw Her Standing There (in Rómenna)
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Erendis arrives at a very important party, and is caught by Aldarion’s beauty and splendor of bearing; that never happens to Alan or Sara. Join The ...
384 – Ticket to Ride
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tolkien writes about the difficulty of relating the legendarium without “explanatory digressions”; Alan and Sara realize the PPP has a new subtitl...
383 – Questions After Nightfall 32
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us all in the Common Room here at The Prancing Pony Podcast as The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan answer listener questions again ...
382 – We Are Those Fans: a Chat with Wētā Workshop
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Lord of the Mark returns for a special episode to help get Season 10 of The Prancing Pony Podcast underway, as we chat with Dan Falconer and Leona...
381 – The Bywater Village Committee: an interview with Wētā Workshop’s Darren Ormandy
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan and James sit down with fellow Tolkien-nerd and lead writer for Wētā Workshop's new game, Tales of the Shire. We discuss the depth of world-bui...
380 – So Mind-Bogglingly Useful
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tolkien believes that his method of translation-by-sense “perhaps needs some defence”; Alan and James know their method of podcasting requires a l...
379 – A Big Wide Sounding Name
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Elves speak in a more gracious and antique style; James thinks there’s an old joke in there somewhere. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of ...
378 – Don’t Panic
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maybe Celebrimbor just has poor penmanship; and maybe Alan still can’t pronounce things correctly. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the Sout...
377 – This Must Be Thursday
22 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Númenóreans altered the calendar of the Elves; Alan & James never could get the hang of Thursdays. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the ...
376 – Questions After Nightfall 31
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Grab a drink at the bar and step into the Common Room — it’s time to join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we answer listener ques...
375 – If You Don’t Know Me By Now
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the greatest Elven loremasters finally gets his time in the spotlight; and in an ironic twist, James gets some time in the spotlight (or is tha...
374 – Holding Back the Years
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tolkien is forced to shrink the Tale of Years to satisfy his publisher; James is forced to co-host a few episodes of the PPP to satisfy Alan. Join The...
373 – Let’s Go Crazy (and Take a Hobbit)
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christopher Tolkien explains that “the textual situation… is complex and hard to unravel.” Fortunately, the podcast situation is quite simple. J...
372 – Little Red Dragon
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gandalf worries that the dragon Sauron might use with terrible effect; Sara worries that the bad jokes Alan might use with terrible effect. Join The M...
371 – When Dwarves Cry
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A deep dive into Tolkien’s oldest stories about the Dwarves uncovers all sorts of interesting details, as Alan hands the reins of the PPP to Sara fo...
370 – Take Me With U, Legolas
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
They say that Gandalf is wise and knows more than any other of what goes on in the world; they say Alan can sometimes do math. Join The Man of the Wes...
369 – Party Like it’s (Third Age) 1999
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thráin escapes the Balrog in Moria and establishes Erebor; Sara can’t escape Alan and the PPP quite yet, despite her best efforts. Join The Man of ...
368 – If You Leave Me Now
20 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a long reign as King, Aragorn finally takes his rest, and a great beauty was revealed in him; after a season of the PPP, Alan takes a week off, ...
367 – Hard to Say I’m Sorry
13 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After years away doing errantry, Aragorn returns to Rivendell, looking like an Elf-lord. After a week away doing a few errands, Alan returns to the Co...
366 – You’re the Inspiration
06 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gilraen’s mom and dad have differing opinions on whether she should marry Arathorn; Alan and Sara just have differing opinions. Join The Man of the ...
365 – QAN 30
30 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time to come into the Common Room with The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we answer listener questions again in our 30th Ques...
364 – Tolkien Reading Day 2025
23 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Tolkien fandom and community — along with The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark — for the PPP’s 10th annual Tolkien Reading Day,...
363 – Til You Find Your… Ancient & Military Historian?
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Man of the West bids farewell to The Nerd of the Rings, as they welcome everyone’s favorite ancient and military historian back to the PPP: Dr. ...
362 – Follow Every Marshal
09 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Marshals of the Mark faithfully serve the King by leading their trained Riders in battle; Matt faithfully serves Alan by… well, we’re still fi...
361 – Ford Every Stream
02 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Erkenbrand takes command of the West-mark after the death of Théodred; Matt makes it clear that, in the event of Alan’s death, he wants no such res...
360 – Climb Every Eyot
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Rohirrim are loyal to Théoden, even in his dotage; Matt’s loyalty to Alan is in doubt. Join us as Saruman begins his assault on Rohan with a st...
359 – Play the Tradition Tonight
16 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Isildur counsels his successors to bring their heirs to the Hill of Awe to reveal the secrets of the realm; Alan and Matt wonder if there’s a Gondor...
358 – Oath of No Return
09 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Steward of Gondor and the Lord of the Éothéod swear oaths to one another; Alan and Matt simply try not to swear at one another. Join us as Eorl ...
357 – Cirion, Wayward Son
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Come on, you had to know it was coming. Everyone wonders how Cirion will reward Eorl; nobody wonders how Alan will reward Matt. Join us as Cirion and ...
356 – Hold On
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cirion uses his Phone-a-Friend lifeline and, fortunately, Eorl picks up; Alan uses his Phone-a-friend lifeline and… Matt picks up. Join us as Cirion...
355 – Dust in the Wind
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ondoher learns that battlefield intelligence is crucial to survival; Alan and Matt learn that bad dad jokes are crucial to this podcast. Join us as Ki...
354 – Fight Fire With Northmen
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The story of Cirion and Eorl begins with an introduction to the Northmen; the story of Alan and Matt begins with Matt having to pronounce hard words. ...
353 – They Should’ve Known
05 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gondor and Rohan honestly believed in Saruman, while Alan and Matt aren’t sure what to believe anymore. Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the...
352 – White Horse
15 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Felaróf pays Eorl back by surrendering his freedom, while Matt pays Alan back with poetic body shaming. Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the ...
351 – Questions After Nightfall 29
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the Rings as we answer listener questions once again in our 29th Questions After Nightfall! From Nazgûl back...
350 – Wanted Dead Or Alive
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Stewardship of Gondor became hereditary as a kingship; should the PPP co-hosts follow suit? Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the R...
349 – I’ll Be There For You
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Wainriders strike Gondor, leaving them without a king for a time, while Don’s old jokes leave Alan to cry a thousand rivers. Join The Man of the...
348 – You Give Love a Bad Name
10 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The waning of Gondor had already begun in Atanatar’s day; let’s hope Don brings better luck for the PPP. Join us as Gondor reaches the summit of i...
347 – Livin’ On a Prayer
03 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Arvedui offers the Lossoth jewels they don’t want; Alan and Don offer bad puns you don’t want. Join us as evil comes to Arnor as we continue our t...
346 – Already Gone
27 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tolkien gives us 3400 years of Númenórean history in just a few pages; Alan and Don make those few pages *feel* like a 3400-year long episode. Join ...
345 – Take It Easy
20 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shall I describe it to you, or would you like Alan and Don to find you a map? Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts guy as ...
344 – Life in the Fast Lane
13 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tolkien regrets the ‘truncated and compressed form’ of the Appendices to The Lord of the Rings, while Alan and Don regret the truncated and compre...
343 – Questions After Nightfall 28
06 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy as we answer listener questions in our 28th Questions After Nightfall episode! Fr...
342 – Paperback Writer
29 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sam answers all of Elanor’s questions, as Alan tries to dodge most of Don’s questions. Join The Man of the West and the Obscure Lord of the Rings ...
341 – Everyday I Write the Book
22 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Well, we’re back. Join The Man of the West and Don Marshall, the Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy, as we begin Season 9 of The Prancing Pony Podc...
340 – Since You’re Gone
04 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bilbo wakes up from his nap just in time to pass the Old Took; Alan and Shawn wake up from our nap just in time to pass the two-hour mark. Join The Ma...
339 – You’re the Girl
28 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rosie is the girl that keeps Sam up at night, so they get married; we are the podcast hosts that keep you up at night - all we ask from you is to subs...
338 – Good Times Roll
21 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Spring surpassed Sam’s wildest hopes; Alan and Shawn are content just avoiding disappointment. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as ...
337 – Magic
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Merry tells Sandyman that he is “dirty and insolent”, and the obvious jokes about your podcast hosts write themselves. Join The Man of the West an...
336 – Let’s Go
30 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Gaffer hopes that Sam’s behaved hisself and given satisfaction; we hope we’ve done the same for you. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of ...
335 – Just What I Needed
23 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The voice is right, and your face is no worse than it was, Sam. Also true for Alan and Shawn. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as our...
334 – Shake It Up
16 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is rather a comic cavalcade that hosts this episode, but at least we’re not under arrest. Yet. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark ...
333 – Triple Nelson: The PPP Turns 333
09 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for yet another party of special magnificence as The Prancing Pony Podcast releases its third highlight episode: it’s almost time for ou...
332 – Hello Again
02 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
No admittance between sundown and sunrise; except for Shawn, he can come and go as he pleases. Join The Man of the West as he welcomes back The Lord o...
331 – Questions After Nightfall 27
26 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tom talks in trochaic tetrameter today, triggering a trend. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South in his last episode (this season) as we...
330 – And Here’s To You, Master Barliman
19 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dark shapes and dreadful things are terrifying Barliman; James and Alan will try not to make it any worse. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of th...
329 – Hello Pony, My Old Friend
12 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Not all wounds can be healed, and not all episode descriptions can be clever. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we accompany Ganda...
328 – Alive and Kicking
05 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wormtongue wishes he could leave Saruman; James is stuck with Alan for a few more episodes: make of that what you will. Join The Man of the West and T...
327 – Promised You a Miracle
28 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Legolas is at a loss for words after visiting Aglarond with Gimli; Alan is at a loss for words after… well, never, really. Join The Man of the West ...
326 – Don’t You (Forget About Me)
21 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gimli offers to speedily fetch his axe, while James offers to speedily fetch his microphone. Join The Man of the West in welcoming back The Sage of th...
325 – When Love Comes to Town
14 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The reign of Aragorn Elessar begins, as the reign of Sara ends - quite possibly with her sailing off on a ship filled with cats. Join The Man of the W...
324 – A Sort of Homecoming
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for: The Return of… Ioreth. Join The Man of the West and The Shield-maiden of Rohan as Faramir tenders hi...
323 – Tolkien Reading Day 2024
24 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Put your own priorities aside and get ready to do the hard thing as you join us for the PPP’s ninth annual celebration of Tolkien Reading Day, obser...
322 – Questions After Nightfall 26
17 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Man of the West welcomes people who fanboy… about Sara, the Shield-maiden of Rohan, as we answer listener questions in our 26th Questions After ...
321 – Something to Talk About
10 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Éowyn is afraid that Darkness Unescapable is coming; Sara is afraid that Dad-Jokes Unescapable are coming. Join The Man of the West and the Shield-ma...
320 – Love Sneakin’ Up On You
03 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The women can tell Éowyn nothing; that’s only because Sara wasn’t there. Join Alan and Sara as Éowyn seeks to avoid yet another cage in our firs...
319 – Big Damn Heroes, Sir
25 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The minstrel’s voice rises like silver and gold, and all men were hushed; except for The Man of the West who just won’t stop talking. Join Alan an...
318 – Burn the Land and Boil the Sea
18 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Realm of Sauron is ended, and the realm of Sara has begun. Join The Man of the West as he welcomes back Dr. Sara Brown as we visit the vulcanology...
317 – Curse Your Sudden But Inevitable Betrayal
11 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mount Doom threatens to burn the land and boil the sea; Matt threatens more “where there’s a whip” references. Join us as we’re joined by Tom ...
316 – I Swear By My Pretty Wheel of Fire, I Will End You
04 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Frodo understands that when you can’t crawl, you find someone to carry you; Matt understands that when you can’t get a reference, you find someone...
315 – Sometimes A Thing Gets Broke, Can’t Be Fixed
28 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sam naively offers to ‘share the load’ with Frodo, while Matt naively offers to do a few more episodes of the podcast. Join us as Sam goes full Ma...
314 – Everybody Dies Alone
21 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sam decides to trust to luck again, while Alan and Matt decide to back the Gríshnakh-Uglúk 2024 ticket. Join us in examining the virtue of cloaks as...
313 – Breakfast in Mordor
14 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sam suggests that Frodo and he should trust to luck, while Alan and Matt suggest they might want to reconsider. Join us as we spot that stinking villa...
312 – Take the Long Way ‘Round
07 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Two orcs engage in a spirited debate about Gollum, while two other orcs engage in a spirited debate about… oh, who am I kidding? Alan and Matt never...
311 – When All the World’s Asleep
17 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sam insists on drinking first to protect Frodo, while Alan and Matt ruin any chance they have at a couple of bottled water sponsors. Join us for our d...
310 – Give a Little Bit (of Your Cloak to Me)
10 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Frodo and Sam get out of the predicament in the Tower only to have to head further into Mordor, as Alan and Matt get out of their QAN predicament only...
309 – Questions After Nightfall 25
26 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’re known for our short and concise answers, says The Nerd of the Rings, as he joins The Man of the West just in time to answer listener questions...
308 – Boy, You’re Gonna Carry That Weight
19 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Frodo declines to acquiesce to Sam’s request to share the burden of the Ring… means ‘no’. Join Alan and Don as Sam becomes Frodo’s personal ...
307 – I Want to Hold Your Hand
12 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the middle of his darkest moment, Sam sings; in the middle of this episode, Don and Alan sing. One of these two was a good decision. Join Alan and ...
306 – We Can’t Work it Out
05 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sam finds a way past the Watchers to rescue Frodo, as Don finds a way past Alan’s bad jokes to rescue the episode. Join Alan and Don as Sam continue...