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The Prancing Pony Podcast

The Prancing Pony Podcast

By: The Prancing Pony Podcast
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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!© The Prancing Pony Podcast Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • 415 – Saruman’s OPSEC Problem: Unfinished Tales with Dr. Bret Devereaux

    415 – Saruman’s OPSEC Problem: Unfinished Tales with Dr. Bret Devereaux
    May 31 2026
    Short cuts lead to long delays… or perhaps just slaughter and death. Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy as we welcome back the always-insightful, often-hilarious Dr. Bret Devereaux to the Common Room! Our favorite ancient and military historian (the conjunction is important) joins us to answer questions ranging from Númenórean naval power to the practicality, or lack thereof, of steel bows. You’ll learn more about ship-building than you thought you’d ever need to know, find out that donut armies are (sadly) not covered in sprinkles, and hear about centuries-old food that is still edible — alcohol is a good plan. We ask why a navy might take five years to arrive for their “friends”, wonder how Saruman thought he could actually win this thing, and find ourselves educated about riverine transport. Also: “they’re the same flaw”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 51 mins
  • 414 – With or Without You

    414 – With or Without You
    May 24 2026
    The Elendilmir worn by the Kings of Arnor had not the ancientry nor potency of the original; there’s got to be a joke in there about Alan and Don, right? Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy as we conclude our two-part look at The Disaster of the Gladden Fields from Unfinished Tales. Isildur realizes he can’t live with or without the Ring, Aragorn discovers a piece of ancient Númenórean history, and Saruman is a naughty wizard. We wonder what the Ring makes invisible, decide neither of us will take part in The Isildur Challenge, and wonder if Aragorn can count. Also: will Don write a new TTRPG campaign? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 5 mins
  • 413 – The Unforgettable Fire

    413 – The Unforgettable Fire
    May 17 2026
    Isildur proclaims his sovereign lordship over all the Dúnedain; Alan knows better than to proclaim lordship over his own podcast. Join The Man of the West as he welcomes back Don Marshall to the Common Room to begin our two-part look at the chapter The Disaster of the Gladden Fields from Unfinished Tales. Isildur plans a long road trip, the orcs have the high ground, and Elendur tells his dad to walk til you run and don’t look back. We discuss the state of hand-me-downs among families of Númenórean descent, agree that it is dawn — not Don — that is ever the hope of men, and discover we both liked Solo, thank you very much. Also: another book from Don! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 55 mins
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Absolutley brilliant podcast, passionate, informative and very very funny.these guys know their Tolkien and have a true talent for communicating their ideas on themes and the text.

Best Tolkien podcast around.

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