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Check latest episodes from The Prancing Pony Podcast podcast

319 – Big Damn Heroes, Sir

2024/02/25

The minstrel’s voice rises like silver and gold, and all men were hushed; except for The Man of the West who just won’t stop talking. Join Alan and Sara as we find a golden ring that can’t be melted in our second episode on The Field of Cormallen. Frodo and Sam have done the impossible, and that makes them mighty; Aragorn is humble; and Pippin is… well, Pippin. We talk about this being the eucatastrophe, peer into Legolas’ future, and listen to the best song you’ll never hear. Also, Alan butchers some Old English.

318 – Burn the Land and Boil the Sea

2024/02/18

The Realm of Sauron is ended, and the realm of Sara has begun. Join The Man of the West as he welcomes back Dr. Sara Brown as we visit the vulcanology lab once more in our first episode on The Field of Cormallen. Sam won’t let Frodo quit just yet, The Host of the West prepares for their imminent demise, and the Eagles play one more show at the Morannon. We talk about virtuous pagans, look for our invites to Gandalf’s retirement party, and compare Thorondor to an Airbus. Also, Sara sets herself up for singing disappointment. (CW: discussion of Denethor’s suicide.)

317 – Curse Your Sudden But Inevitable Betrayal

2024/02/11

Mount Doom threatens to burn the land and boil the sea; Matt threatens more “where there’s a whip” references. Join us as we’re joined by Tom Hillman to talk about his book Pity, Power, and Tolkien’s Ring just in time for said ring to be destroyed in our final episode on the chapter Mount Doom. Sam finally feels pity for Gollum, the Phial of Galadriel’s batteries die, and Frodo thinks he has a better idea for the Ring after all. We discuss the many alternate endings that Tolkien envisioned here, speculate about how quickly the Nazgûl could arrive, and confirm that Santa Claus is Eärendil. Also, Matt coins a new word which is really just an old word.

316 – I Swear By My Pretty Wheel of Fire, I Will End You

2024/02/04

Frodo understands that when you can’t crawl, you find someone to carry you; Matt understands that when you can’t get a reference, you find someone to explain it to you. Join us as we offer a brief lesson on vulcanology in our third episode on the chapter Mount Doom. Frodo crawls towards a road, Sam wonders how it got there, and an old friend drops by to say “Wicked masster”. We talk about talking objects, put skill points in Domination, and debate at length about the height of Barad-dûr. Also, where there’s a whip, knock it off!

315 – Sometimes A Thing Gets Broke, Can’t Be Fixed

2024/01/28

Sam naively offers to ‘share the load’ with Frodo, while Matt naively offers to do a few more episodes of the podcast. Join us as Sam goes full Marie Kondo for the last steps of their journey in the chapter Mount Doom. We remember the Host of the West, Sam remembers the oliphaunt, while Frodo is naked in the dark, unable to remember much of anything. We observe that when you can’t run, you crawl; and we speculate about Gollum’s possible post-Ring life. Also, our new favorite hobbit name is Nick Bowman.

314 – Everybody Dies Alone

2024/01/21

Sam decides to trust to luck again, while Alan and Matt decide to back the Gríshnakh-Uglúk 2024 ticket. Join us in examining the virtue of cloaks as we begin the chapter Mount Doom. Sam considers the difficulty of the route, evaluates the remaining supplies, and carries on an inner dialogue about Bywater and Rosie Cotton. We learn what Tolkien thought about scientification, look for an excuse to read Éowyn dialogue, and admit we’re going to receive emails from football fans. Also, Matt denies making an old joke, and probably misses another Firefly reference.

313 – Breakfast in Mordor

2024/01/14

Sam suggests that Frodo and he should trust to luck, while Alan and Matt suggest they might want to reconsider. Join us as we spot that stinking villain — no, not Fëanor — sniffing around Frodo, as we wrap up the chapter on The Land of Shadow. Sam gives until it hurts, Frodo falls asleep, and they somehow find themselves participating in the 10k Run to Mordor despite their not having paid an entry fee. We observe that even the big orcs like to file reports almost as much as they like to whip small orcs. Also, Matt completely abandons Alan when singing Where There’s a Whip, There’s a Way.

312 – Take the Long Way ‘Round

2024/01/07

Two orcs engage in a spirited debate about Gollum, while two other orcs engage in a spirited debate about… oh, who am I kidding? Alan and Matt never debate. Join us as we discover that orcs prefer tattling on their peers rather than just killing them, as we keep moving deeper into The Land of Shadow. A tracker orc fails to track two very nearby hobbits, a soldier orc fails to shoot Gollum, and Sam fails to remember all those dead orcs in the Tower. We speculate about how Sam might tell his own story, and talk about the Eye of Sauron. Also, Matt is too young to recognize a reference to The Who.

311 – When All the World’s Asleep

2023/12/17

Sam insists on drinking first to protect Frodo, while Alan and Matt ruin any chance they have at a couple of bottled water sponsors. Join us for our discovery that Mordor is only mostly dead, as we continue our long and unpleasant way north in The Land of Shadow. We take a closer look at the geography of Mount Doom, while Frodo and Sam take a closer look at the extent of Sauron’s branding efforts. We linger on the highlight of Sam being given hope by the appearance of Eärendil, while no appearance of the famous mariner is complete without a brief visit from The Lord of the Mark himself. Also, don’t tell Oromë that Matt thinks he’s a diet Ulmo.

310 – Give a Little Bit (of Your Cloak to Me)

2023/12/10

Frodo and Sam get out of the predicament in the Tower only to have to head further into Mordor, as Alan and Matt get out of their QAN predicament only to have to… well, do this. Join us as Sam exaggerates the lengths of thorns while we begin our four-part walk through The Land of Shadow. Nazgûl cries just don’t hold the same terror anymore, Shagrat is not delivering water despite Sam’s professed interest, and we spend way too much time talking about the wind. Also, we laugh at the Rankin-Bass RotK Witch-king. Again.

309 – Questions After Nightfall 25

2023/11/26

We’re known for our short and concise answers, says The Nerd of the Rings, as he joins The Man of the West just in time to answer listener questions on our 25th Questions After Nightfall! From Ainur bowling leagues to light bulb moments, from Farmer Maggot to our favorite head canon, our listeners keep us on our toes. Matt whiffs on a Firefly reference, and we agree that the Valar are less murdery than most pantheons.

308 – Boy, You’re Gonna Carry That Weight

2023/11/19

Frodo declines to acquiesce to Sam’s request to share the burden of the Ring… means ‘no’. Join Alan and Don as Sam becomes Frodo’s personal shopper in the worst clearance sale ever in our final episode on The Tower of Cirith Ungol. Sam forgives Frodo for his Ring-induced thievery allegation; we discuss the origin of orcs (again!); and the Watchers can’t stop Frodo and Sam. Also, The Lord of the Mark returns to speculate on Tolkien’s favorite Indiana Jones film.

Read The Prancing Pony Podcast podcast reviews

4.9 out of 5

1790 reviews

Laiahabigail 2024/02/05

10 out for 5 stars

Such a great show. These are some awesome guys!

Me20100311 2024/01/29

Such a Great Podcast!

Thank you for the years of continuing contribution and curating of such wonderful lore!

Control your game 2024/01/24

10/10

I LOVE THIS! i have been deep diving into lotr lore and needed something to listen to at work, this is amazing !!

Calladriel 2024/01/18

Wow

I have been waiting my whole life for this. I’m blown away. I thought I knew a fair amount about Tolkien and his legendarium, but I am a mere neophyte...

JOJOdall 2024/01/14

Best Tolkien- related podcast!

Whether you’re a Tolkien nerd or a fan of the films, or just confused about who all these elves, humans, hobbits, Dwarfs, Orcs and Wizards are, this i...

geostrophi 2024/01/11

Fellowship

They are like old friends, and I get such a warm feeling from this podcast - thank you.

Hex1979 2024/01/08

Wonderful, accessible, and a in depth Tolkien Podcast

I have been looking for ways to go more in depth into the Legendarium especially on long drives. I have been through all the audio books in the car an...

Shannara76 2023/12/24

Prancing Pony Podcast

I love this podcast! These two are fun to listen to plus they are knowledgeable about Tolkien’s work. Also the rating is wrong these guys are pg

Quilldwa 2023/12/22

Late to the show

Just got here a few months ago, so I have a long way to go to catch up. Thoroughly enjoying the show, and have finished The Silmarillion with a much g...

b23rt{}# 2023/12/20

Um why is it explicit now?

Please fix this issue

check all reviews on aple podcasts