The Prancing Pony Podcast

106 - Questions After Nightfall 5

16 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time once again for Alan and Shawn to welcome several visitors to the Prancing Pony! Hear us stay mostly on topic as we attempt to answer live,...

105 - Who Wants to Leave Forever?

09 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Now with more Elves — for a limited time only! Book I, Chapter 3 of The Lord of the Rings concludes with a meeting between our hobbit heroes and the...

104 - I See a Little Silhouetto of a Man

02 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

103 - Goodbye Everybody, I've Got to Go

18 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We begin Book I, Chapter 3 of The Lord of the Rings, “Three is Company”. After months of preparation, Frodo sells Bag End. He leaves home with Sam...

102 - Arthur of the Century: An Interview with Sørina Higgins

11 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Draw the sword from the stone and light the grail-shaped beacon as we welcome Sørina Higgins — editor of the award-winning book The Inklings and Ki...

101 - Now I Need a Place to Hide Away

04 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In the final pages of Book I, Chapter 2, “The Shadow of the Past”, Gandalf recounts how he found Gollum and filled in the gaps in the Ring’s his...

100 - There's a Shadow Hanging Over Me

28 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In the second of three episodes on Book I, Chapter 2, “The Shadow of the Past”, Gandalf gives Frodo a brief history of the Rings of Power and the ...

099 - Yesterday, All My Troubles Seemed So Far Away

21 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

098 - Questions After Nightfall 4

14 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Once again, Alan and Shawn are joined live by several visitors to the Prancing Pony for some “Ask Me Anything”-style unscripted questions! Topics ...

097 - A Hard Day's Night

07 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Book I, Chapter 1 of The Lord of the Rings concludes with the aftermath of the birthday party. Bilbo has left behind gifts for friends and family r...

096 - I Don't Want to Spoil the Party, So I'll Go

30 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As Book I, Chapter 1 of The Lord of the Rings continues, the Baggins binary birthday bash begins with food, fireworks, and no unwanted poetry. Bilbo...

095 - They Say It's Your Birthday

23 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In the first pages of Book I, Chapter 1 of The Lord of the Rings, “A Long-Expected Party”, we see Bilbo Baggins through the eyes of the hobbits ...

094 - This Shire is Your Shire

16 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Never ones to skip over the pages with Roman numerals, we begin reading The Lord of the Rings at the famous Foreword, where Tolkien offered his most...

093 - We're In the Same Tale Still!

09 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

At long last, we finally… really this time… begin The Lord of the Rings! In this episode, we introduce the novel (not a trilogy) with the epic sto...

092 - We're Not Saying It's Monsters, But It's Monsters

02 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Before turning to The Lord of the Rings, Alan and Shawn gain some needed insight with a look at Tolkien’s influential essay “Beowulf: The Monsters...

091 - Laughing Shall We Die: An Interview with Tom Shippey

26 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Season 3 is here, and we begin by welcoming Tom Shippey to The Prancing Pony Podcast! We discuss his classic works The Road to Middle-earth and J. R. ...

090 - Between Light and Dark: An Interview with Verlyn Flieger

08 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Alan and Shawn are honored to welcome Verlyn Flieger, author of There Would Always Be a Fairy Tale, to The Prancing Pony Podcast! We discuss her new b...

089 - Questions After Nightfall 3

01 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for the latest Prancing Pony Podcast Q&A episode! This time around, Alan and Shawn attempt to answer live questions from guest patrons on ...

088 - Live From Mythmoot Five

27 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Alan and Shawn finally draw swords together in person for a live recording from Mythmoot V in Leesburg, Virginia! We interview this year’s special g...

087 - No Shrubberies: The Hobbit Retrospective

17 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Oh, what sad times are these when Tolkien podcasters can make it through an entire season without a single reference to shrubberies? For our final epi...

086 - Not Quite Dead

10 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Having survived trolls, goblins, wolves, spiders, riddles with Gollum and Smaug, the horror of battle, and the rude awakening of Elvish singing, Bilbo...

085 - Bilbo "Two Chests" Baggins

03 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Bilbo wakes up after the Battle of Five Armies in Chapter 18 of The Hobbit, dazed, confused, and very much invisible. Returning to camp, he has a bitt...

084 - The Violence Inherent in the System

27 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As Chapter 17 of The Hobbit begins, the Lonely Mountain is under siege. Thorin — hanging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the econ...

083 - Oh Yes, Ees Very Nice-uh

20 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 16 of The Hobbit, little Bilbo takes matters (and the Arkenstone) into his own hands and makes a deal with Bard and the Elvenking, who pres...

082 - What is the Airspeed Velocity of a Decrepit Old Raven?

13 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 15, birds again show that their value in The Hobbit far outweighs their inability to carry a coconut. Bilbo and the Dwarves learn of Smaug’...

081 - Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

06 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We cut away to Lake-town for Chapter 14 of The Hobbit, as the people of Esgaroth slowly realize that the lights coming from the Lonely Mountain are no...

080 - And There Was Much Rejoicing

29 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Trapped in the side-door tunnel at the beginning of Chapter 13 of The Hobbit, “Not at Home,” Bilbo leads the party in the only direction they can ...

079 - Smaug Gets Quite Irate

22 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In the second half of Chapter 12 of The Hobbit, Bilbo returns to Smaug’s lair to find the dragon waiting for him. Luckily he has on his ring, but th...

078 - Every Worm is Sacred

15 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As we begin Chapter 12 of The Hobbit, Bilbo the burglar is finally ready to enter Smaug’s lair alone, if only to get away from yet another self-impo...

077 - Questions After Nightfall 2

08 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In our second Prancing Pony Podcast Q&A episode, Alan and Shawn answer live questions from guest patrons on diverse topics, from the fate of Dwarves a...

076 - The Ministry of Silly Locks

01 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 11 of The Hobbit, Bilbo and the Dwarves finally reach the Lonely Mountain, but they don’t know where the hidden door is. Then they find t...

075 - Tolkien Reading Day Special 2018

25 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Tolkien Reading Day! On March 25 every year – the date of the fall of Barad-dûr – Tolkien lovers worldwide celebrate by reading the Profess...

074 - A Mandate From the Masses

18 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Please keep your arms and legs inside the barrels at all times, until the ride comes to a complete stop in Lake-town where our heroes arrive, barely, ...

073 - Some Farcical Aquatic Ceremony

11 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the world’s worst whitewater rafting trip in the second half of Chapter 9 of The Hobbit! Bilbo reveals his plan for escaping the Elvenking’...

072 - King Name-Not-Appearing-In-This-Book

04 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The rest of the Dwarves are taken by the Elves in the first half of Chapter 9 of The Hobbit. Bilbo avoids capture thanks to his ring, only to get stuc...

071 - Fortress Around Your Hoard

25 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In our final episode on Chapter 8 of The Hobbit, Bilbo dispatches the Mirkwood spiders and rescues his friends, though it must be said that one beard ...

070 - If You Love Somebody, Cut Them Free

18 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The second of three episodes on Chapter 8 of The Hobbit. As Mirkwood continues with no apparent end, our heroes get desperate and stray from the path ...

069 - Be Still My Fleeting Hart

11 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In the first episode of our trilogy on Chapter 8 of The Hobbit, Bilbo and the Dwarves enter Mirkwood and quickly learn the true meaning of the term "p...

068 - Exit, Pursued by a Bear

04 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We resume Chapter 7 of The Hobbit. Bilbo and the Dwarves spend a few days as the guests of Beorn, comfortable despite the occasional late-night sounds...

067 - Forget About Your Worries and Your Strife

28 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Chapter 7 of The Hobbit begins with a rude awakening in an Eagle’s eyrie. But our heroes are soon off on their way again, and find themselves at the...

066 - A Slaying Song Tonight: An Interview with Michael Drout

21 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Alan and Shawn are delighted to welcome Michael Drout to The Prancing Pony Podcast! As co-founder and co-editor of the journal Tolkien Studies and m...

065 - Lobbest Thou Thy Holy Pine Grenade

14 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We pick up Chapter 6 of The Hobbit with our heroes literally up a tree. Gandalf keeps the wolves at bay by playing with fire, but when the goblins a...

064 - And Now, the Larch

07 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As Chapter 6 of The Hobbit opens, Bilbo emerges from the mountains and soon hears the familiar voices of Gandalf and the Dwarves. He sneaks up on them...

063 - How Not to Be Seen

17 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We conclude our trilogy of episodes on Chapter 5 of The Hobbit. Gollum begins to realize that Bilbo has his ring, and Bilbo begins to realize what it ...

062 - Ere the Other Side He See

10 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Our second episode on Chapter 5 of The Hobbit. Tension mounts as the riddle contest between Bilbo and Gollum continues, with Bilbo’s life at stake. ...

061 - Answer Me These Questions Five...

03 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The first of three episodes on Chapter 5 of The Hobbit. Bilbo wakes up in the darkness below the mountains, and soon finds himself in a life-or-death ...

060 - Questions After Nightfall 1

19 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It’s our first ever Prancing Pony Podcast Q&A episode! Alan and Shawn answer live questions from our very special guests, ranging from the fun to t...

059 - Run Away!

12 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

058 - There Lies a Cave

05 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 4 of The Hobbit, our heroes begin the crossing of the mountains under threat of stormy weather and rock-hurling stone-giants. They seek she...

057 - 'Tis a Silly Place

29 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 3 of The Hobbit, Bilbo’s story takes its first steps into Tolkien’s greater mythology, but these aren’t your grandfather’s Eldar....

056 - He’s a Burglar and He’s OK

22 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 2 of The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins wakes up to the pleasant lack of Dwarves. He’s beginning to think that he’s escaped adventure after al...

055 - Pining for the Hoards

15 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We wrap up Chapter 1 of The Hobbit, “An Unexpected Party”, where Bilbo’s Tookish side is awakened by the mysterious dwarf-song filling his home,...

054 - Nobody Expects the Dwarvish Inquisition

08 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We begin our reading of The Hobbit with the famous first line and meet Bilbo Baggins, living a predictable life of luxury and ease until Gandalf com...

053 - A Hole New World

24 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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....

052 - Exploring The Hobbit and More: An Interview with Corey Olsen

21 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of the 80th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit, Alan and Shawn are excited to welcome Corey Olsen, the Tolkien Professor himself, t...

051 - Why Does It Hurt So Much?: The Hobbit Film Trilogy

10 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It’s there and back again at the movies with the Prancing Pony Podcast! After talking about The Lord of the Rings films in our last episode, Alan an...

050 - You Have Kept Your Honor: The Lord of the Rings Film Trilogy

27 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Put aside the books and join us at the movies! In this episode, Alan and Shawn discuss Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. We watch ...

049 - The First Age Strikes Back: The Silmarillion Retrospective

13 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away, Alan and Shawn started discussing The Silmarillion. Now, witness the power of this fully armed and oper...

048 - People Are People

30 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In the second half of "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age,” Isildur refuses to destroy the One Ring when he has the chance, keeping it as his p...

047 - Never Let Me Down Again

16 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Alan and Shawn rewind to the end of the War of Wrath to begin "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age." Sauron refuses to beg the Valar’s pardon fo...

046 - Master and Servant

02 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The second of two episodes on the Akallabêth, Tolkien's story of Númenor. Ar-Pharazôn is offered no resistance by Sauron, and gets the bright idea ...

045 - Just Can’t Get Enough

18 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The first of two episodes on the Akallabêth, the story of Númenor. At the outset of the Second Age, the Valar reward the Edain with wisdom, long lif...

044 - The Threshold of Middle-earth: An Interview with John Garth

11 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Alan and Shawn are honored to welcome John Garth, the award-winning author of Tolkien and the Great War and Tolkien at Exeter College, to The Prancing...

043 - The Final Frontier

04 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Join Alan and Shawn as they don red shirts for the final chapter of the Quenta Silmarillion, the voyages of the star-ship Vingilot. Its continuing mis...

042 - Resistance is Futile

28 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We return to Chapter 23 of The Silmarillion with our second episode on Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin. Tuor’s star rises in the realm of Turgon, and ...

041 - Make It So

21 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In the first of two episodes on Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin, we go beyond The Silmarillion into Tolkien's Unfinished Tales to tell the story the way...

040 - He's Dead, Gem

07 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 22 of The Silmarillion, Húrin is released from Angband to finish his son’s work of destroying everything he touches, and his visit to Th...

039 - Exit the Warrior

23 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We conclude our trilogy of episodes on Chapter 21 of The Silmarillion, "Of Túrin Turambar." After Glaurung sacks Nargothrond, Morwen pulls a Thingol ...

038 - I Will Choose Free Will

09 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our trilogy of episodes on Chapter 21 of The Silmarillion and Tolkien’s tragic hero Túrin Turambar. Túrin comes to Nargothrond wit...

037 - No Man's Land: An Interview with Simon Tolkien

02 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Alan and Shawn are thrilled to welcome Simon Tolkien, novelist and grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien, to The Prancing Pony Podcast! Simon's new novel No Man...

036 - Fly By Night, Away From Here

26 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Alan and Shawn begin yet another trilogy of episodes — this time on The Silmarillion Chapter 21, “Of Túrin Turambar.” The son of Húrin of Dor-...

035 - Tolkien Reading Day Special 2017

25 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Tolkien Reading Day! On March 25 every year – the date of the fall of Barad-dûr – Tolkien lovers worldwide celebrate by reading the Pro...

034 - Let It All Out

12 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Shout for joy with Fingon as day breaks on the morning of the Fifth Battle, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, in Chapter 20 of The Silmarillion. Shout for outrage a...

033 - The Princess Bride

26 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The last of three episodes on The Silmarillion Chapter 19, “Of Beren and Lúthien.” After putting the Dark Lord down for a nap, the lovers succeed...

032 - Lady and the Tramp

12 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The second of three episodes on The Silmarillion Chapter 19, "Of Beren and Lúthien." Man's best friend has a soft spot for Elf-maidens too, as Huan t...

031 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

29 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The first of three episodes on The Silmarillion Chapter 19, "Of Beren and Lúthien." The fugitive son of Barahir comes to Doriath and has a fateful me...

030 - Another One Bites the Dust

15 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 18 of The Silmarillion, Morgoth breaks the Siege of Angband with a sneak attack, beginning the Battle of Sudden Flame. As the fires die d...

029 - Tolkien's 125th Birthday Special

03 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We celebrate the twelfty-fifth birthday of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien with tributes from our listeners and our own thoughts on what Tolkien has meant t...

028 - Father of the Century: a PPP Christmas Special

23 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Alan and Shawn call for a Christmas truce on the Beleriand battlefront to enjoy Tolkien’s letters from Father Christmas to his children John, Michae...

027 - Go West, Young Edain

18 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Men arrive in Beleriand in Chapter 17 of The Silmarillion, and Middle-earth will never be the same. The Elves' reaction to the newcomers varies, but M...

026 - You're The One That I Want

04 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 16 of The Silmarillion, Aredhel of Gondolin shacks up with the Dark Elf Eöl and bears a son whose coming may spell doom for the last hope ...

025 - Watch Your Language

20 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 15 of The Silmarillion, Turgon heeds Ulmo's warning and begins the construction of the hidden city of Gondolin. The truth finally comes out...

024 - Territories

06 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a small world, after all. Take a trip around the map with Alan and Shawn in Chapter 14 of The Silmarillion, Tolkien’s extensive description ...

023 - Distant Early Warning

23 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A great feast is held in the conclusion of Chapter 13 of The Silmarillion, but not all is well in Beleriand, and two Elf-princes receive important me...

022 - Subdivisions

09 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 13 of The Silmarillion, Fëanor's host arrives in Middle-earth shortly before Fingolfin's, leading to an awkward family reunion that just...

021 - New World, Man

25 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 12 of The Silmarillion, the Second Children of Ilúvatar - the Atani, or Men - awake, and we quickly learn precisely what the Elves thin...

020 - Tolkien's Secret Vice: An Interview with Dimitra Fimi and Andrew Higgins

18 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Alan and Shawn welcome Dr. Dimitra Fimi and Dr. Andrew Higgins as the first guests to The Prancing Pony Podcast! They are the editors of the new criti...

019 - How to Get the Celestial Body You Want

11 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 11 of The Silmarillion, the Valar put forth their power to help the Trees bear one last fruit and flower, and then place them in the sky as...

018 - Menegroth: Love It or List It

28 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Returning to Middle-earth from Aman, we cover thousands of years in just a few pages in Chapter 10 of The Silmarillion, "Of the Sindar." The remna...

017 - ...Don't You Come Back

14 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In the second half of Chapter 9 of The Silmarillion, “Of the Flight of the Noldor”, the exiles continue down the road to certain doom, spurred on ...

016 - Hit the Road, Jack...

31 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In the first half of Chapter 9 of The Silmarillion, “Of the Flight of the Noldor”, Melkor and Ungoliant leave the dead Trees behind them and conti...

015 - Along Came a Spider

17 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Doom falls on Valinor in Chapter 8 of The Silmarillion. Manwë hosts a feast to reconcile the estranged sons of Finwë, but Melkor chooses that moment...

014 - Trouble in Paradise

01 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 7 of The Silmarillion, Fëanor crafts the most renowned jewels in the history of Middle-earth - the Silmarils - and conflict is immediately...

013 - The Blame Game

18 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 6 of The Silmarillion, Míriel chooses death over the labor of living, so Finwë remarries to the displeasure of his eldest son Fëanor (an...

012 - All in the Family

05 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapters 4 and 5 of The Silmarillion, one Telerin lord settles down with a lady way out of his league while the rest of the Eldar migrate across t...

011 - Elves and All! Hooray!

22 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 3 of The Silmarillion, we take a trip to Cuiviénen for the awakening of the Firstborn Children of Ilúvatar - the Quendi or Elves. Along...

010 - It Is A Gift

07 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In this special spoiler-filled episode, we delve into Tolkien's letters and The History of Middle-earth to examine Tolkien's concept of mortality as "...

009 - The Odd Couple

24 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Chapter 2 of The Silmarillion, Aulë and Yavanna demonstrate the principle of “opposites attract” even among the Valar, we witness the power of...

008 - And So It Begins

10 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Finally reaching Chapter 1 of the Quenta Silmarillion, we behold an Arda too perfect to last, offer a brief geography lesson, and shamelessly poke fun...

007 - The Powers of Arda

27 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In the second part of The Silmarillion we laugh with Tulkas, cry with Nienna, gaze on the starlit face of Varda and meet the rest of the Valar and Mai...