The Tolkien Road

Finally, we arrive at SMITH OF WOOTTON MAJOR! In this episode, we’ll be reviewing the story and having a knock-down, drag-out, deep dive discussion, classic Tolkien Road style! But here’s the thing: as you’re going to find out, Smith of Wootton Major is one of Tolkien’s biggest mysteries. And a lot of other folks have written extensively about WHAT IT MEANS, including Tolkien himself. For that rea...

In episode 322, I'm joined by Andrew Snyder of The Mythic Mind podcast. We talk Middle-earth, Tolkien, Christianity, Kierkegaard, The Shadow, and the consolation that Tolkien provided in Andrew's life during a very dark period. Join us! ANDREW SNYDER » https://linktr.ee/andrewnsnyder EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Eru27 WATCH THE VIDEO » https://y...

I'm delighted to share a sample of my recent conversation with Echoes of Eternity, a new-ish podcast from animator Ben West and evangelist Matthew Cantrell. We had a blast, and you're going to love this conversation (1 hour plus). Check out the whole thing here: https://echoesofeternitypodcast.com/episodes/019-john-carswell-the-tolkien-road-adaptations Make sure to check it out! Coming soon from T...

We're joined by Solomon Schmidt, the man behind HistoryBites.com . Solomon is leading a Tolkien-themed tour to the UK (England and Scotland) in July of 2023, and we sit down with to hear all about the plans. Seriously folks, this looks like the adventure of the lifetime. If not now, ask yourself: WHEN??? THIS SOUNDS AMAZING . Do yourself a favor and take it all in, and then head on over to https:/...

Merry Christmas, fellow travelers! Let's take a close look at the Middle-earth / Christmas connection as well as the recent Rings of Power discussion with Amazon Studios' Vernon Sanders. Join us! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/gr7WfZZoFAk EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: - Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien - John R - Jacob Lockham - John H - Scotchy Bobo - Eru27 FOLLOW & SUPPORT US: - https://patreon.com/to...

What was the purpose of Númenor? In this episode, we explore that question through the lens of the song of Númenor. Many of you know that I have argued that Númenor’s purpose went beyond being a mere reward for the descendants of the Edain, and seemed to be filled with symbolism and rituals intended to point them to a greater destiny both in this world and beyond it. "Lovely is Númenor. But my hea...

Have you ever asked yourself how the Rings of Power work? In other words, WHY did Sauron’s Ring bring him mastery over the other Rings? What sorts of power did the Rings convey? Let's take a close look at these questions! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/-w5vlKc6pH0 EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: - Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien - John R - Jacob Lockham - John H - Scotchy Bobo - Eru27 This episode was releas...

2022 was a pretty busy year for this podcast and for Tolkiendom on a broad scale! It was pretty intense to cover both The Silmarillion and The Rings of Power. And, to quote Bilbo, it's made me feel like butter scraped over too much bread. I may have been TOO HASTY at times! There’s so much Tolkien still to cover. And to re-read! But sometimes you need to slow down and breath a little deeper... FOL...

In a 1963 letter, we find this remarkable line from Tolkien: “Frodo indeed ‘failed’.” What did he mean by that? Is there a deeper message that Tolkien himself took away from writing the scene of Frodo’s failure? What bits of wisdom can we glean from Tolkien’s commentary on Frodo’s failure at Mt Doom? We’ll dive into these questions and seek to understand what deeper truths about mercy, justice, an...

Is the latest Tolkien book worth your time and money? In this episode, I take a close look at The Fall of Númenor and tell you what I think! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/kx-r92L7ydc EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo, Eru27 Buy THE FALL OF NÚMENOR » https://amzn.to/3U7Z3Vf “Of Númenor [Elrond] spoke, its glory and its fall, and the...

In this episode, we will be looking back on The Rings of Power season 1, and most importantly, discussing some of the in-depth feedback we’ve received along the way! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/E-RTe65YO78 EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo, Eru27 TOLKIEN, 1957: "You will receive on Monday the copy of the ‘Story Line’ or synopsis o...

Join us for an in-depth discussion as we explore "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age", an account that covers six millennia of Middle-earth history, from the beginning of the Second Age to the end of the Third. WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/oajJtpC8_HA EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo, Eru27 This final chapter of The Silmarill...

Join us for an in-depth discussion as we explore "Akallabíth", the legend of Númenor's fall from JRR Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Learn about the rise of Sauron, Pharazôn's assault on Valinor, and the escape of Elendil and Isildur to establish Arnor and Gondor. WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/JRqaGOaRkz0 EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bo...

The first season of The Rings of Power is behind us, and for a lot of us, including me and Greta, it was pretty disappointing. In this episode, I’m going to explore how I would have approached telling the story of the Second Age. WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/g2ScN9YK-0A EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo, Eru27 *** RELEASED TWO DAYS...

Join us for an in-depth discussion as we explore "Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath", the 24th chapter of JRR Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Learn about Eärendil's and Elwing's journey to the Blessed Realm, the final battle with Morgoth, and the fates of the Silmarils and the Sons of Fëanor. RELEASED 2 DAYS EARLY FOR OUR AMAZING PATRONS » https://patreon.com/tolkienroad WATCH THE VIDEO »...

In "Alloyed", the Three Elven Rings are created, Tar-Palantír dies, and Sauron is REVEALED! Join us as we discuss it all! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/tQ45xB90Jsw EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo THE THREE ELVEN RINGS» https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Three_Rings GOOD FANTASY VS. THE SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF "What really happens is...

In "The Eye", Elrond is denied access to Mithril, Galadriel and the Númenoreans search for survivors, and The Stranger departs for Greenwood the Great. Join us as we discuss it all! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/6Lv9JqFcMTw ***THIS AUDIO AND VIDEO WERE RELEASED 3 DAYS EARLY FOR OUR PATRONS!!!*** EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo QUE...

In "Udûn", the Southlanders stay the Orcs, Númenor comes to their aid, and something boils to a blow beneath the surface of Middle-earth. Join us as we discuss it all! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/ncrSx2IoF0M EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo GOOD FANTASY VS. THE SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF "What really happens is that the storymaker p...

In "Partings", a sinister new figure arrives at The Stranger's crater, Galadriel is addicted to fighting, Gil-galad makes a big deal about Mithril, and Númenor's forces depart for Middle-earth. Join us as we discuss it all! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/hUykYXcIboA ***AUDIO RELEASED 3 DAYS EARLY FOR OUR PATRONS*** EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John...

In "The Great Wave", Míriel is haunted by a prophetic dream, Galadriel touches a Palantír, and Arondir delivers a message from Adar! Join us as we discuss it all! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/kWoODn2MFJ8 ***AUDIO RELEASED 3 DAYS EARLY FOR OUR PATRONS*** EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo FOLLOW & SUPPORT US: - https://patreon.co...

In "Adar", we finally arrive in Númenor, and we're introduced to a mysterious orc father-figure. Join us as we discuss it all! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/D78RkJzkx_E ***AUDIO RELEASED 2 DAYS EARLY FOR OUR PATRONS*** EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo GOOD FANTASY VS. THE SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF "What really happens is that the sto...

"Adrift" introduces Dwarves, Khazad-dûm, Eregion, Halbrand, and "The Stranger", and we're covering it all in Episode 305. Join us! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/v7f4fgjLUu0 ***VIDEO RELEASED 1 DAY EARLY FOR OUR PATRONS*** ***AUDIO RELEASED 3 DAYS EARLY FOR OUR PATRONS*** EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo GOOD FANTASY VS. THE SUSPENS...

Is Amazon erasing Galadriel's husband??? If so, this would be a HORRIFYING move on their part, as it has major implications for legendarium in terms of Lord of the Rings and the later history of Middle-earth. In this video, I ask: WHERE IS CELEBORN??? Join me as I explore the possibilities for his absence from The Shadow of the Past, the first episode of The Rings of Power! FOLLOW / SUPPORT / MERC...

The Rings of Power is upon us! What Would Tolkien Think??? Greta and I discuss Episode 1, A Shadow of the Past, and go into all of the things Amazon got right and wrong. Join us! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://www.patreon.com/posts/reaction-rings-1-71443807 EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo TOLKIEN vs. TIME COMPRESSION "I fail to see why the...

Join us for an in-depth discussion as we explore "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin", the 23rd chapter of JRR Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Learn about Tuor's journey and Ulmo's efforts to save Turgon and his people from doom! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/Ynw-JeVnhRk EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H, Scotchy Bobo With Nargothrond and Doriath both...