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Artwork for Exploring Tolkien

Exploring Tolkien

TheOneRing.com
The Hobbit
Tolkien
Middle-Earth
Rings Of Power
The Rings Of Power
Celebrimbor
Elrond
Sauron
Riddles In the Dark
Gil-Galad
Gollum
Eregion
War Of the Rohirrim
The Lord Of the Rings
Bilbo Baggins
Gandalf
Goblins
Tolkien's Revisions
One Ring
NOEL

Exploring Tolkien is a weekly show that dives deep into JRR Tolkien and all the ages of Middle-earth. Jonathan Watson and Michael Grumbine are your hosts as they read through Tolkien’s works, interview other Tolkien enthusiasts and authors, and critically examine how Tolkien’s world is being treated by mega-corporations like Amazon.com and Warner Bros.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes155Founded4 years ago
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Latest Episodes

In this episode, we wrap up The Hobbit with “The Last Stage” and reflect on Bilbo’s road home, the petty (now less petty?) Rivendell elves, the unexpected return to Bag End, and how Tolkien so thoroughly captures the meaning of “home.” We also take a... more

Three dwarves lost and a shape-shifting berserking bear unleashed—the aftermath of the Battle of the Five Armies reconciles Bilbo to Thorin and gives us a completely different Elvenking than what you saw in the movies. In this episode, we dig into To... more

Did Tolkien “earn” The Battle of the Five Armies, or is the surprise enough to justify its existence? In this episode, we look at Tolkien’s climactic battle from The Hobbit, comparing how it unfolds on the page to its chaotic portrayal in the extende... more

Bilbo owns up to his burgling — a betrayal that drives Thorin to the brink of killing him. But Bilbo isn’t cowed… and the armies of elves and men aren’t cowed by Dain’s special forces. But maybe they should be!

We also explore:

* Bilbo’s crowni... more

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Recent Guests

Elijah Wood
Actor known for his role as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Episode: 141. An Interview with Elijah Wood

Hosts

Jonathan Watson
Host who offers critical examination of Tolkien and engages deeply with literary themes.
Michael Grumbine
Co-host who brings enthusiasm for exploring Tolkien's lore and insights on adaptations.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 82 ratings
  • Quality decline

    Production quality has suffered, making it difficult to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Conchobar Schmidt
    United Statesa year ago
  • Become a Member!

    Fell into this podcast a couple months ago after the glowing review of the greatest show ever made, episode aired early April. This episode started my journey to binge every single podcast episode. I became a member and have greatly enjoyed my experience with the extra content and joining a new community of Tolkien enjoyers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LerTy14
    United Statesa year ago
  • If You Like Tolkien

    Best podcast to both escape into fantasy worlds and explore philosophy most applicable for today. No longer a freeloader. Definitely worth the $4.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    someone else took my name
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast for Tolkien lovers

    I enjoy listening to you guys talking about your love of all things Tolkien

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JohnTuttleIII
    United States2 years ago
  • Phenomenal.

    In a world that seems intent on subverting Tolkien’s stories, it’s incredibly refreshing to hear Michael, Jonathan and Dan appreciate Tolkien’s world for what it is, without imposing their own world views on it. I’ve never heard anyone delve so deeply into Tolkien’s universe: a must-listen-to if you’re a real Tolkien fan!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fdfhcfgg
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the deep insights into Tolkien's lore and the thematic discussions that connect literature to contemporary issues.
The community aspect is highlighted, with members feeling a part of an enthusiastic group of Tolkien fans.
Feedback includes some critique on production quality but overall a positive reception of the hosts' knowledge and passion for Tolkien's works.
Many praise the engaging banter between the hosts, making complex subjects accessible and enjoyable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#194
Sweden/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

146. Smaug’s Hydrophobia – The Hobbit #31
Q: What was your experience when Bard was introduced in the story?
Hosts describe their surprise at Bard's sudden introduction, reflecting on their childhood impressions that he seemed to come out of nowhere as a hero.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Exploring Tolkien

What is Exploring Tolkien about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content centers around an in-depth examination of J.R.R. Tolkien's works, particularly focusing on his narratives within Middle-earth. Listeners can expect a rich combination of readings, discussions, and insights that cover major themes, character analyses, and comparisons to cinematic adaptations of Tolkien's writings. The hosts also engage with current events and adaptations, particularly the impact of corporate entities on Tolkien's legacy, which adds a contemporary relevance to the discussions. Unique elements include playful banter between the hosts, guest interviews, and critiques of modern interpretations of Tolkien's works, making it appealing not just to die-hard fans but to anyone interested in the intersection of literature ... more

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How many listeners does Exploring Tolkien get?

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How many subscribers and views does Exploring Tolkien have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Exploring Tolkien has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Exploring Tolkien?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Exploring Tolkien:

1. The Prancing Pony Podcast
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3. The Rest Is History
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5. Pod Save America

How many episodes of Exploring Tolkien are there?

Exploring Tolkien launched 4 years ago and published 155 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Exploring Tolkien?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Exploring Tolkien?

Recent guests on Exploring Tolkien include:

1. Elijah Wood

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