Rephonic
Artwork for An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien

An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien

Lord of the Rings
Rings Of Power
Tolkien
Middle Earth
Sauron
Galadriel
The Rings Of Power
The Silmarillion
Celebrimbor
Silmarillion
Middle-Earth
Concerning Hobbits
Lord Of the Rings
Noldor
Elrond
Elves
Hobbits
Aragorn
The Fellowship Of the Ring
Eregion
Dwarves

Welcome to “An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin’ Tolkien”. We are excited to be covering the Rings of Power TV series; we also invite you to join us in an adventure as Ezra and Lane delve deep into Middle Earth. Each fortnight we will gather for a book re-read, show speculation, and much more! So grab your book, a highlighter, cup of coffee, and keep a pocket-handkerchief close at hand. Remember, “Not a... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes214Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmArtsBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien

Latest Episodes

This episodes was recorded in Ohio, transported to Germany, edited and posted from the SHIRE ~ Cirencester, England! The stars are no longer the only lights in Middle-earth, and the Elves are no longer alone. This week, we dive into Chapter 12 of The... more

In this episode, we break down “Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor” Tolkien's origin story of the Sun and the Moon and the Valar's collective response to refuse the death of hope, instead hoping against all hope for light to be rekindled a... more

In this episode, we break down “Of the Sindar” a chapter full of filling in the white spaces of the events in Beleriand and all Middle-earth for those elves who decided to stay: the twilight, the Grey Elves, the Sindar.

We see the arrival of the Dwa... more

In this episode, we break down “Of the Flight of the Noldor,” one of the most tragic and defining chapters in The Silmarillion.

After the Darkening of Valinor, the Noldor are driven by grief, pride, and vengeance—leading to rebellion, exile, and one... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Pagenerd
Pagenerdby the pagenerds
The Prancing Pony Podcast
The Prancing Pony PodcastThe Prancing Pony Podcast
StarTalk Radio
StarTalk RadioNeil deGrasse Tyson
Kennedy Saves the World
Kennedy Saves the WorldFOX News Podcasts

Recent Guests

Matthew Johnson
Guest on this episode, introduced as a friend and contributor
Concerning Hobbits
Episode: The Silmarillion: Chapter Eleven: Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor
Mike Charles
Actor and Voice Actor
Episode: Superman 2025 Set Insider – Interview with Rick Flag’s Stand-In & DCU Theories
Travis Sigler
Owner of Wyrd Leather and Mead
Wyrd Leather and Mead
Episode: #148 - 1 on 1 with Travis Sigler from Wyrd Leather and Mead

Hosts

Ezra Kirk
Co-host and guide, often introduces guests and drives the conversation; deeply engaged with Tolkien lore and community
Lane Smith
Co-host, frequently contributes and challenges ideas, helps steer debates and connects with listeners

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 959 ratings
  • Luke Marshall

    Best podcast ever. They are able to go through each chapter picking out gems the love themselves and make it fun. A perfect duo of Lane going off Al the rail and Ez bringing him back on track.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tlukemarshall
    United States3 months ago
  • Long podcasts with minimal content

    These episodes are far too long and give minimal content in regards to the lore of middle earth. I’m surprised their overall rating is so high. People are weird.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nico1028tyty
    United States3 months ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts

    I’ve been listening to this podcast from the beginning and it’s actually one of the things my former boss cites as the reason he wanted to give me a job haha. He asked about what podcasts I listen to and I mentioned this podcast and that sparked our now amazing friendship bonding over our shared love of LOTR. This podcast makes me so happy every time I listen and I love hearing about Lane and Ez’s lives. It always feels like I’m reconnecting with old friends. Love, love, love and one of my regul... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Christinelane2018
    United States7 months ago
  • Crotchfruit!

    Not only has this podcast blessed my life, but it has enriched each day.

    Listening to them grow and become more, just as I do has been monumental.

    Welcome Ez to the Dad part of the universe, blessings to him and this new chapter of his adventure.

    PS. Just realized that not only is this podcast 7 years old now, but me and my Rosie have been married 7 years two weeks ago.

    Glad to be on this journey together.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eothane
    United Statesa year ago
  • Rings of Power

    Nobody cares what you think. We listen because we like the show. You are not Siskel and Ebert God speed to your demise.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Flexibleofficeruler
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans echo strong camaraderie and genuine friendship between hosts, making conversations feel like chats with friends.
Episodes are deeply lore-focused with occasional long tangents; fans often cite the warmth and community as standout positives.
Listeners appreciate accessible deep-dives into Tolkien's world, with many returning for long-running discussions and humor.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#173
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#206
Belgium/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#211
Ukraine/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Silmarillion: Valaquenta: Of the Valar and Maiar
Q: Dwelling alone, she is acquainted with grief and mourns for every wound that Arda has suffered at the hands of Melkor. Who are we talking about?
Nienna, the Lady of Tears.
The Silmarillion: Valaquenta: Of the Valar and Maiar
Q: What are the Illumory?
The great horns of Ulmo.
Superman 2025 Set Insider – Interview with Rick Flag’s Stand-In & DCU Theories
Q: What was it like to work with James Gunn?
It was incredible; the whole production felt like a fun and organized experience.
Superman 2025 Set Insider – Interview with Rick Flag’s Stand-In & DCU Theories
Q: How does it feel to be in a Superman movie?
It's amazing to be part of something this huge that's taking the world by storm.
King Thingol Explained: From Cuiviénen to the Silmarils (SNEAK PEAK)
Q: Is Doriath where King Thingol saw her dancing?
Actually, just east of that, in a small glade called Non-Elmoth.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien

What is An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A devoted, lore-forward show that revisits Tolkien's work chapter by chapter while also exploring related adaptations and the broader Middle-earth universe. Listeners can expect enthusiastic, friendly host banter, deep dives into mythic lore, and lively discussions about Rings of Power, film casting rumors, and fandom happenings. The format blends rigorous textual notes with personal anecdotes, community shout-outs, and occasional guest contributions, creating an approachable yet nerdily detailed listening experience. Notable for its long-running, warm community vibe and a willingness to speculate boldly about future projects while staying rooted in the source material.

Where can I find podcast stats for An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien have?

To see how many followers or subscribers An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' 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 An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien?

These podcasts share a similar audience with An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien:

1. Pagenerd
2. The Prancing Pony Podcast
3. StarTalk Radio
4. Kennedy Saves the World
5. MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

How many episodes of An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien are there?

An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien launched 9 years ago and published 214 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 An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien?

Recent guests on An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien include:

1. Matthew Johnson
2. Mike Charles
3. Travis Sigler

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days