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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
  • 371 – When Dwarves Cry

    371 – When Dwarves Cry
    May 11 2025
    A deep dive into Tolkien’s oldest stories about the Dwarves uncovers all sorts of interesting details, as Alan hands the reins of the PPP to Sara for her expertise on the Dwarves. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we explore the origin, awakening, culture, and language of Tolkien’s Dwarves as we take a sidebar into several volumes of The History of Middle-earth. From their early nature as evil creatures, to the fact that they all — women and babies, too — have beards, learn more about the Dwarves than you ever thought you could. Alan and Sara discuss recession-proof industries, dutifully avoid Disney jokes and figure Durin must have asked Aulë: “How could you just leave me standing alone in a world so cold?” Also, Sneezy and Bashful were the hardest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 9 mins
  • 370 – Take Me With U, Legolas

    370 – Take Me With U, Legolas
    May 4 2025
    They say that Gandalf is wise and knows more than any other of what goes on in the world; they say Alan can sometimes do math. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we continue our team in Appendix A III to The Lord of the Rings, on Durin’s Folk. Thorin is too proud to beg, Gandalf begins to worry about Smaug and Sauron becoming BFFs, and Gimli says he don’t care where we go, he don’t care what we do, just take me with U to the Undying Lands. Alan and Sara ask what Sauron would have actually done with the Seven, agree that bequeathing vengeance is not very kind to your descendants, and wonder what might happen if the Dwarves were just nicer to their women. Also, we knew Finrod — you’re no Finrod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 13 mins
  • 369 – Party Like it’s (Third Age) 1999

    369 – Party Like it’s (Third Age) 1999
    Apr 27 2025
    Thráin escapes the Balrog in Moria and establishes Erebor; Sara can’t escape Alan and the PPP quite yet, despite her best efforts. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin a five-part look at the Dwarves, starting with two episodes on Appendix A III to The Lord of the Rings on Durin’s Folk. Durin the Deathless lived a very long time, but still managed to die - for now; the Balrog drives Durin’s Folk out of Moria — there were people runnin’ everywhere, tryin’ to run from the destruction; and Azog signs his own death certificate: on Thráin’s forehead. Alan and Sara wonder how new baby Durins are recognized, ask if cold drakes have air conditioning, and salute Azog for not using Comic Sans MS. Also, Nar the pirate dwarf from Somerset shows up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 48 mins
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Featured Article: Sauron—A Lord of the Rings Character Guide


Mairon, Annatar, the Necromancer—the evil Dark Lord Sauron has gone by many names. But who is he, really, and what is his impact on J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth? Sauron is the trilogy's primary antagonist and the one who forged the One Ring to Rule Them All in the fires of Mount Doom. Sauron is storied throughout Tolkien’s lore and mythos. Here's what we know about the powerful and evil Sauron—his character, his history, his powers, and more.

Featured Article Sauron A Lord of the Rings Character Guide
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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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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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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Wow! that's my main reaction! Family friendly, Feanor piñata bashing, hilarious, deep word nerdery dives...fun!

Tolkien for All!

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Can you guys do an episode on the New Shadow ? I am enthralled with the little bit that the master wrote and would very much like to hear your perspectives

Details

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Intelligent, funny, digressive, and wonderful sanctuary for the fans of Tolkien's work. Listening to this podcast is a welcome reprieve from the rigors and stresses of the world. A place of peace and a strong sense of fellowship flavors this family-friendly show. If you would like to understand the depth of the Lord of the Rings story, and appreciation of Tolkien's prose and poetry, this fun podcast is for you. I write this review with so much gratitude to the PPP, and my quality of life has been greatly enriched by their presence.

A Fun Haven for the Tolkien Enthusiast

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These guys are amazing. their podcast was suggested to me in March of 2020 on Spotify and I saw they were going chapter by chapter through the Silmarillion. I've been a hard-core Tolkien fan since I saw the Peter Jackson films and I read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings books. I could never get through the Silmarillion and the Prancing Pony Podcast got me through it! These guys are delightful and knowledgeable. I can't recommend them enough!

Helped me get through the Silmarillion...

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I started this podcast and I can't get enough. I find everything so entertaining and I can relate so much to what is being discussed. I feel like I can visit Tolkien world with friends and I am so happy I founded this.

Thank you so much for creating this!

Btw the way back machine was so genius

Genius !

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