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Wander Middle-earth with Past Episodes

May 2, 2024

154: Fear and Friendship | JRR Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring | Chapter 5 Part 1

Delve into the untold depths of Tolkien's masterpiece as we uncover a lost chapter omitted from the film adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings." In this episode, we explore the themes of friendship and fear, examining the pivo...
April 25, 2024

153: The Unseen Tale of Farmer Maggot | JRR Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring | Chapter 4 Part 2

Dive into the character of Farmer Maggot, uncovering his resilience and determination through the clues hidden in his land. From the stout gates to the well-ordered fields, we explore how Tolkien intricately weaves the essenc...
April 18, 2024

152: Short Cuts and Film Cuts | Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring | Chapter 4 Part 1

Embark on a journey through "Shortcut to Mushrooms", the fourth chapter from JRR Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring. Delve into the tension between dark and light, the overlooked richness of characters like Farmer Maggot, a...
April 11, 2024

151: Stargazing in Middle-earth | JRR Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring | Chapter 3 Part 4

We're turning our gaze skyward to explore the celestial wonders that illuminate the night skies of Middle-earth. We’ll wander through the hobbit’s reactions to an unexpected party of Elves. And we will delve into the depths o...
April 4, 2024

150: Walking Songs and Starlight | JRR Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring | Chapter 3 Part 3

Frodo has survived his first brush with evil while on the Road in the Shire. But does he have the courage to continue the journey? Help will come from unexpected places along the road. Today on Lore of the Rings we continue o...
March 28, 2024

149: Frodo's First Steps | JRR Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring | Chapter 3 Part 2

The Road goes ever on, but it has to start somewhere. And shadowy fate lurks just around the corner. Today on Lore of the Rings we look at the first days of Frodo’s journey after leaving Bag End. We continue our wandering of ...
March 21, 2024

148: Frodo's Near Miss with Darkness | JRR Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring: Chapter 3: Part 1

We uncover the intricate web of fate and chance that hangs over Frodo's departure from Bag End, as we dissect the near miss with evil that sets the stage for his perilous journey and the unseen forces that guide his path. I’m...
March 14, 2024

147: The Hobbit's Choice: How a Moment of Pity Shaped the Fate of All | Fellowship of the Ring: Chapter 2 Part 4

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them?" This poetic piece of wisdom is one of many from Gandalf that we will explore today. I’m Aaron, your host and fellow Middle-earth wandere...
March 7, 2024

146: The Twisted Origins of Gollum: From Smeagol to the Ring's Servant | A Shadow of the Past | Part 3

Did Gollum eat babies? My Precious! Say it isn’t so! Gollum is shrouded in mystery and rumor within J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary Middle-earth saga. But who is Gollum, truly? Called by some “one of Tolkien’s most original creati...
Feb. 29, 2024

145: A Dreadful Chance: How Frodo Got the Ring | “A Shadow of the Past” Part 2

In this episode we dissect Tolkien's "Shadow of the Past" chapter, unraveling character motivations, obstacles, and stakes. From Frodo's quest for understanding to Gandalf's dire warnings, we explore the looming threat of Sau...
Feb. 22, 2024

144: In the Footsteps of Legends: The Conversation that Changed Everything: JRR Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring Chapter 2

We venture into the heart of Middle-earth, exploring the intricate details of J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, "The Lord of the Rings." We begin by examining the significance of the 17 years that passed between Bilbo's Long-Expe...
Feb. 15, 2024

143: The End of the Long Expected Party | Tolkien’s The Fellowship Chapter 1, Part 3

I'm Aaron, your guide through the realms of Middle-earth, and together, let's embark on a journey through the next pages of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring. Exclusive discounts for you : https://www.ringspodcast.c...
Feb. 8, 2024

142: Echoes of Adventure: Bilbo's Party and Beyond | Chapter 1 of JRR Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring | Part 2

The Long-expected party has finally arrived, and beneath its jovial surface lies a tapestry woven with threads of history and destiny. From subtle callbacks to Bilbo's epic journey and echoes of Middle-earth's ancient past, t...
Feb. 1, 2024

141: Hobbit Gossip and Shire Society: The Opening Scene of The Fellowship of the Ring

Embark on a literary adventure as we delve into the heart of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth in this episode. Join us as we dissect the opening chapter of 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' titled "A Long Expected Party." From the t...
Jan. 25, 2024

140: Bilbo's White Lie: The Revision of The Hobbit and the Finding of the Ring | Lord of the Rings Prologue Part 3

The art of pipe smoking, the intricacies of Shire governance, and the unexpected twists in Bilbo's tale. Join me as we wander through the pages of lore, blending fantasy and reality in a podcast that celebrates the timeless b...
Jan. 18, 2024

139: How did Sméagol Find the One Ring? Unraveling the Origins of Hobbits

We delve into the Prologue of "The Lord of the Rings," exploring the mysterious origins of Hobbits during their "Wandering Days." Discover the different Hobbit groups – the Harfoots, Stoors, and Fallohides – and the intriguin...
Jan. 11, 2024

138: From Bilbo's Diary to Tolkien's Masterpiece: The Prologue to Lord of the Rings

We begin our wandering of J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece, the Lord of the Rings. We start with the prologue, Concerning Hobbits, but after only two words, we’ll need to turn around and explore the labyrinthine depths of the fir...
Jan. 4, 2024

137: And Back Again: New Books, New Episodes, and the Origin of Trolls

The riveting return from a two-week break as I delve into the enchanting realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's latest books, unveil exciting plans for 2024, and shed light on the intriguing origins of trolls. We'll explore the captivati...
Dec. 14, 2023

136: 2023 Wrap up for the Lore of the Rings Podcast (plus Bloopers!)

Stats, stories, plans, and bloopers. We review 2023 for the Lore of the Rings podcast. Exclusive discounts for you : https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/discounts/ Find contact info, social media links, discounts and more on the L...
Dec. 7, 2023

135: Tolkien's "Imaginal" World | An interview with Tolkien Scholar Becca Tarnas

Today we are joined by a Tolkien scholar, Becca Tarnas, to explore why Tolkien’s works move us in such deep ways, Jungian archetypes in the Lord of the Rings Legendarium, and more. Becca is truly a kindred wandering spirit, a...
Nov. 30, 2023

134: The Second Fall of Man | JRR Tolkien's Letter to Waldman Part 5

The fifth and final breakdown of JRR Tolkien's letter to Waldman, in which he summarizes the second fall of Man represented by the fall of Numenor. Exclusive discounts for you : https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/discounts/ Find ...
Nov. 23, 2023

133: Rivendell: Reflection and Feasting

We explore a footnote in JRR Tolkien's letter to Waldman: the function of Elrond and Rivendell. Happy Thanksgiving! Exclusive discounts for you : https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/discounts/ Find contact info, social media links...
Nov. 16, 2023

132: The Power of the Rings of Power | Tolkien's Waldman Letter Part 4

What exactly is the power of a Ring of Power? How did Sauron rise from a second-in-command for the Great Enemy to becoming the dominant Shadow, the formidable Lord of the Rings? Today we wander, for the fourth time, into Tolk...
Nov. 9, 2023

131: How to Change the World | JRR Tolkien's letter to Waldman Part 3

In Tolkien's rich tapestry of storytelling, the First Age unfolds with tales of valor and tragedy, while the very essence of light is both a scientific and imaginative marvel. Join us in uncovering the divine creation of Midd...