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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
  • 404 – Uptown Girl

    404 – Uptown Girl
    Mar 15 2026
    Lórien had long years of peace and obscurity under the rule of Amdír; the PPP has had 10 years of, well, obscurity under the rule of Alan. Join The Man of the West and the Sage of the South as we continue our deep dive into the story of Amroth and Nimrodel found in The History of Galadriel and Celeborn. Galadriel sees just how much those poor Silvan Elves need proper leadership; Amroth’s name, it turns out, might have come from living in a treehouse; and Imrazôr wonders what Mithrellas will do when she wakes up and makes up her mind. We encounter the Rick Steves of Middle-earth, determine that it’s always leg day in Minas Tirith, and discover that Alan cannot claim descent from the Kings. Also: Rhovanion on $10 a day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 56 mins
  • 403 – Only the Good Die Young

    403 – Only the Good Die Young
    Mar 8 2026
    When Sauron learned of Celebrimbor’s revolt, his wrath was revealed; Alan doesn’t wait for James to revolt, but his wrath is reduced to nothing more than bad jokes. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as Sauron has his way in Eregion in our third episode on The History of Galadriel and Celeborn. Celebrimbor runs with a dangerous crowd, the Númenóreans show up five years late, and Amroth tragically discovers that Elves can’t swim across an ocean. We remind you how helpful it is to read Tolkien aloud, agree that Círdan would never lie, and recognize that the taste for power marks the beginning of the Downfall. Also, Rings of Power catches a few strays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 13 mins
  • 402 – All About Soul

    402 – All About Soul
    Mar 1 2026
    Christopher Tolkien says his father’s writing on Galadriel and Celeborn is “very roughly composed”; some way that our episodes are even more roughly composed. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we continue our futile quest for a consistent storyline in The History of Galadriel and Celeborn. Amroth is and is not their son, Galadriel rolls a natural 20 for ‘Detect Evil’, and Celeborn wonders ‘why does she stay?’ We ask how to clean up the residue of evil, discover Sauron is a NIMBY, and ask who is Celebrimbor really. Also: why did it have to be guinea pigs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 2 mins

Featured Article: The Lord of the Rings—The Essential Guide to the Peoples, Places, and History of Tolkien's Middle-earth


Welcome to Middle-earth, the main continent of Arda and the setting for J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and a host of other in-universe stories. Middle-earth is a fantastical realm rooted in detailed world-building and mythos that have since gone on to inspire many other fantasy works. Read on for everything you need to know.

Featured Article The Lord of the Rings The Essential Guide to the Peoples Places and History of Tolkien's Middle earth
Continue Your Journey Through Middle earth

Continue Your Journey
Through Middle-earth

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This podcast is funny, interesting and entertaining. I absolutely love it. Please keep it going!

Awesome. I absolutely love this podcast. Thanks for the great insight

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An informative and thought provoking journey through Tolkien's world. The show has a very seamless performance as well.

True Tolkien scholars, for true Tolkien scholars!

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These two experts on Tolkien and his works deliver a delightful, in-depth discussion on the wonders of JRR Tolkien’s books. Their discourse will leave you laughing and pondering the underlying themes of Middle Earth.

Simply splendid!

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Been a huge fan of the PPP for a while now and Alan and company do not disappoint with their vast knowledge of the books and lore as well as the many interviews with Tolkien scholars and artists. I can’t think of a better podcast to listen to everyday.

My go to Podcast

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Hey guys I’m about 35 episodes into this podcast and I love it. Is exactly what I’m looking for as a fantasy fan. Especially as a J. R. R. Tolkien fan. These guys dig right into the heart of the lengendarium and pinpoint supple plots and Easter eggs. I love it. If you’re a fan you should listen.

New Listener Not a New Nerd

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