Eucatastrophe, a term coined by J.R.R. Tolkien, encapsulates the sudden, unexpected joy that breaks through moments of despair. Drawing from Tolkien's essay "On Fairy Stories", this episode delves into how eucatastrophe shape...
Frodo retraces Bilbo’s footsteps through troll-country , but the path is darker, colder, and far more perilous. This episode explores the rich narrative echoes between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings , revealing how Tolk...
Frodo’s journey to Rivendell grows more perilous as the Black Riders lurk and his Morgul wound worsens. Strider leads the hobbits through the wild, relying on hidden paths and small signs of hope—a green stone on the Last Bri...
Join us for a special crossover as we welcome the hosts of Nerd Best Friends ! Their podcast dives into all things nerdy—from Marvel and Star Wars to 80s cartoons and comic books—but they’ve never done an episode on The Lord ...
Why does the One Ring make some wearers invisible but not others? Why could the Nazgûl still see Frodo when he put on the Ring at Weathertop? And why didn’t Sauron, Gandalf, or Galadriel vanish when wielding a Ring of Power? ...
Dive into one of the most chilling moments in The Fellowship of the Ring : the attack on Weathertop. As Frodo and the hobbits face the Nazgûl, we explore the overwhelming power of fear, the courage of Aragorn, and the deep th...
Eärendil the Mariner—hero, wanderer, and the ancestor of Elrond and Aragorn—holds a legendary place in Tolkien’s mythology. But how does his tale connect to The Lord of the Rings ? In this bonus mini-episode, we explore the h...
We continue our exploration into A Knife in the Dark from The Fellowship of the Ring . Unravel Tolkien’s masterful use of time, explore the growing sense of overwhelm the hobbits feel on Weathertop, and uncover Strider’s chil...
As Strider leads the hobbits toward Weathertop , the journey becomes more than just miles traveled—it’s a slow descent into fear and uncertainty . The vastness of Middle-earth weighs heavily on the hobbits, and even Strider h...
As Frodo and the Fellowship leave Bree, danger and destiny close in from all sides. In this episode of Lore of the Rings , we explore the chapter “ A Knife in the Dark ” from The Fellowship of the Ring , diving into Tolkien’s...
Black Riders attack both Crickhollow and the Prancing Pony, forcing Frodo and his companions to flee into the wild under Strider’s guidance. As danger closes in, Fatty Bolger sounds the alarm in Buckland, and a chilling confr...
Twelve Tolkien fans, creators, and scholars share their favorite passages from The Hobbit , The Lord of the Rings , and beyond, reflecting on the words that shaped their love for Middle-earth. Featuring iconic lines from Bilb...
Why do you love Lord of the Rings so much? As a fan of Tolkien, you’ve probably heard that question more than once. I know I have! In fact, after three years and nearly 200 episodes, I think it’s hard for me to pin down just ...
Dive into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion with Kenzie from kenziescozybooksta . In this episode, Kenzi shares her first-time experience reading Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, discussing what inspired her to pick i...
You may be familiar with TTRPGs—tabletop role playing games—like Dungeons and Dragons. But did you know that there's an officially-licensed Lord of the Rings TTRPG? Join me and Clint, host of Claim to Game, as we discuss Tolk...
In this final deep dive into the chapter " Strider " from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring , we explore how Tolkien transformed a mysterious character into the iconic hero, Aragorn . Discover the subtle hints of Aragor...
In this mini Lore of the Rings episode, we explore the hidden connections between our world and Middle-earth through a starry detail in the chapter "Strider" from *The Fellowship of the Ring*. Discover how the constellation w...
In this episode of Lore of the Rings , Aaron dives into the chapter " Strider " from JRR Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring , examining Frodo's decision-making process about accepting Strider as a guide. Uncover the intrica...
What makes Strider one of Tolkien’s most compelling characters? In this episode, we examine the "Strider" chapter from JRR Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring to uncover hidden layers of Aragorn’s wisdom, Frodo’s linguistic ...
Where we wandered in 2024, and a sneak peek on where we're headed in 2025. Thank you for listening to the Lore of the Rings podcast and wandering Middle-earth with me. Links mentioned in this episode: 138 : Fellowship of the ...
Why were the Great Eagles in War of the Rohirrim ? Were these majestic creatures true to Tolkien’s lore, or was their presence an adaptation choice? In this episode, I answer listener Tiffany’s intriguing question and dive in...
If you love J.R.R. Tolkien , the Christmas season, or both, this episode is for you! Tolkien, a devout Catholic and master storyteller, wrote beautifully about Christmas in his personal letters —sharing memories, reflections,...
Thinking about seeing The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim in theaters but not sure if it’s worth it? This episode is perfect for newcomers and casual fans alike! I break down the film’s story, characters, dialogue, vis...
JRR Tolkien described The Lord of the Rings as a " fundamentally religious and Catholic work ." When this statement isn't outright ignored, it's wildly misunderstood. John Carswell of the Tolkien Road podcast joins me to expl...
