Lucky Kiwi Podcast

Stephen Gallagher is a two-time Emmy Award-winning composer and music editor from New Zealand whose work spans film, television, and Middle-earth. A dear friend of the podcast, Stephen also composed the original theme music for Lucky Kiwi Podcast. He served as music editor on The Hobbit trilogy, composed the music for “Blunt the Knives” and “The Torture Song” in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ,...

Graham McTavish - The Hobbit, Acting, Rejection, Fame & Life Beyond the Screen In this episode of the Lucky Kiwi Podcast, Graham shares stories from his remarkable career, reflects on his time in The Hobbit , and opens up about the realities of acting, dealing with rejection, navigating fame, and the experiences that have shaped him along the way. There are thoughtful moments, plenty of laughs...

Join Amanda and Jed Brophy for a conversation with Shane Rangi, a longtime friend of Jed’s and one of the most versatile performers to come out of Middle-earth and Narnia, working across acting, stunt performance, motion capture, and creature work. Known for bringing some of the most memorable characters to life, Shane is every bit as larger-than-life off screen. Warm, generous, and effortlessly f...

A rare and deeply insightful conversation with Mark Ordesky, one of the key figures behind bringing The Lord of the Rings trilogy to the screen. Mark reflects on the long road that led to Middle-earth—from early admiration of Peter Jackson’s work, to navigating the uncertainty of getting a project like this even off the ground at New Line Cinema. He also shares stories from behind the scenes of ho...

We're honored to welcome our very first guest on the Lucky Kiwi Podcast... We started our careers together, so it felt only right to begin this journey with him. Sir Richard Taylor is the co-founder of Wētā Workshop and one of the creative forces behind some of the most iconic film worlds ever made, including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and countless groundbreaking productions in film...

The Lucky Kiwi Podcast is a Tolkien podcast exploring The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Middle-earth, and the enduring legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien. Watch conversations with filmmakers and audiences. CREDITS: Producers / Hosts: Amanda & Jed Brophy Editing: Amanda Brophy Guest: Surprise Guest Original Theme Music: Stephen Gallagher Additional Original Music: Jed Brophy  © 2026 All Rights Reserved....