The Prancing Pony Podcast
The Prancing Pony Podcast
The Prancing Pony Podcast is a weekly show about the Middle-earth legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, hosted - for six seasons - by Alan Sisto and Shawn E. Marchese. Now in its ninth season, Alan is joined by an all-star cast of co-hosts as he explores more of Middle-earth!Alan and all his co-hosts are passionate Tolkien enthusiasts, inviting listeners to enjoy their detailed exploration of Tolkien’s work, with smart but straightforward discussion and a healthy dose of self-effacing humor, pop-culture references, and bad puns. These are the folks you'd want to hang out with at a pub and talk Tolkien with!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 6, 2016 • 1h 54min
024 - Territories
A journey through the geography and realms of the Elves in Beleriand in Tolkien's Silmarillion. Lessons in Dwarvish pronunciation, a deep woodwind sound, and a personal pronoun. Discussions on biography accessibility, Treebeard, and C.S. Lewis's voice. Importance of maps, geographic locations, and the beauty of Belarian and Dorthonian. Exploring Tarns and Tours in the rugged landscapes resembling the Scottish Highlands. Descriptions of Middle-earth and ancient forms of Kwenya and Entish speech. Imagery of seasons, the terrifying forest of Nandungortheb, and the formation of hills in Beleriand.
Oct 23, 2016 • 1h 43min
023 - Distant Early Warning
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 messages about taking action before it’s too late. The Noldor successfully place Angband under a siege that will last for centuries, but Morgoth has a new secret weapon in development. A question from Barliman’s Bag gives us a chance to revisit Fëanor - and Tolkien’s own thoughts about the character - one last time, and we stretch the limits of pop culture reference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 9, 2016 • 1h 45min
022 - Subdivisions
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 gets more awkward when somebody calls Uncle Thingol. Fëanor's dream of revenge goes up in flames, and we tally up his good-or-evil score including Tolkien's own thoughts from his letters. We also read the inspiring story of Fingon and Maedhros, and have way too much fun with the new toy in Alan's studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 25, 2016 • 1h 43min
021 - New World, Man
In Chapter 12 of The Silmarillion, the Second Children of Ilúvatar - the Atani, or Men - awake, and we quickly learn precisely what the Elves think of them. We revisit the differences that Tolkien created between Elves and Men in both life and death, along with the ominous portent this new race holds for the Firstborn. Plus, the monotony of Manwë’s wardrobe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4 snips
Sep 18, 2016 • 1h 4min
020 - Tolkien's Secret Vice: An Interview with Dimitra Fimi and Andrew Higgins
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 critical edition of Tolkien’s A Secret Vice. We turn the word-nerdery up to 11 to talk about Tolkien’s approach to language invention and the lasting impact his work had on the Middle-earth legendarium and the fantasy genre itself. Our inner geeks get the vicarious thrill of handling manuscripts written in the Professor’s own hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 11, 2016 • 1h 43min
019 - How to Get the Celestial Body You Want
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 celestial lights to illuminate all of Arda: the Sun and Moon. We also delve into some of Tolkien’s own concerns about his astronomical myth. Finally, the Valar go shopping for a home security system, but instead opt for a really, really big wall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 28, 2016 • 1h 59min
018 - Menegroth: Love It or List It
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 remnant of the Teleri in Beleriand ruled by Thingol and Melian befriend the Dwarves and delve underground to build the fairest dwelling this side of the Sea. But soon Morgoth's beasts and Orcs move in next door, and the neighborhood goes downhill quickly. Plus, Elvish beauty secrets and a surprise visit from an old friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 14, 2016 • 1h 43min
017 - ...Don't You Come Back
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 by Fëanor’s oath. We witness the terrible Kinslaying at Alqualondë, hear what Mandos has to say about that, and see the straw that broke Fingolfin’s back. Also, we date ourselves terribly with some appropriate music references. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 31, 2016 • 1h 60min
016 - Hit the Road, Jack...
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 continue their crime spree in Formenos. Fëanor goes full-emo and rallies the Noldor to pursue his Black Foe back to Middle-earth, swearing a terrible oath in the process. We revisit Míriel in Mandos, and also discuss how a Silmaril is like a bite of ribeye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
29 snips
Jul 17, 2016 • 1h 38min
015 - Along Came a Spider
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 to get his revenge with a little help from the mother of all evil spiders (literally), Ungoliant. We bring back the 'Tolkien Fun Facts' segment with a young Professor's trek through the Swiss Alps, and wonder about Valarin bug spray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
