Rephonic
Artwork for Athrabeth
Rings Of Power
Sauron
Tolkien's Legendarium
Elrond
Celebrimbor
Silmarillion
Gil-Galad
Elven Rings
Book Of Lost Tales
Galadriel
The One Ring
JRR Tolkien
Tol Eressea
The Lays Of Beleriand
Eregion
The Book Of Lost Tales
Tolkien Society
Durin
Eriol
Ælfwine

Athrabeth is a monthly podcast that invites you down the lesser trod paths of Tolkien's Legendarium. Each episode we pick a single chapter, essay, fragment, or topic, and do a deep dive, exploring it as both fans and scholars.

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Artwork for Athrabeth

Latest Episodes

This month, Jude and Stef explore Tolkien's complex thoughts on justice, healing, and the intricacies of Elven marriage and reincarnation through an in-depth analysis of the 'Laws and Customs Among the Eldar' in the History of Middle-earth Volume 10,... more

In this episode, Jude and Stef welcome Dr. Kristine Larsen as our guest host in this special lesser-trod paths episode. Kristine talks to us about Tolkien's use of caves throughout his legendarium, such as the Glittering Caves of Aglarond and Gollum'... more

This month, Jude and Stef talk with Tolkien scholar, artist and calligrapher, Wizard Way Kris, Kris Piet, about their newly published “Elvish Calendar - 2026–2027: 14-month adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s Calendar of Imladris”. Kris, our favorite Residen... more

In this episode, Jude and Stef discuss History of Middle-earth Volume 9: Sauron Defeated, the final book in the History of the Lord of the Rings. Jude introduces The Drowning of Anadûnê,  discussing the different versions of the tale of the Drowning ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kris Piet
Tolkien scholar, artist, calligrapher, voice actor, and elf-focused content creator
Wizard Way Kris
Episode: Episode 91: Seize the date: Elvish Calendars with Wizard Way Kris
Tom Racine
Author of Doomed to Die, An A-Z of Death in Tolkien
William Morrow / HarperCollins
Episode: Episode 89: Interview with Tom Racine - “Doomed to Die: An A-Z of Death in Tolkien”
Don Marshall
Educator and Tolkien biographer; audiobook narrator
Self-employed / Independent author
Episode: Episode 88: Interview with Don Marshall - "J.R.R. Tolkien: The Father of Modern Fantasy”
Sara Brown
Dr. Sara Brown, Language and Literature Department Chair at Signum University
Signum University
Episode: Episode 87: Live from Oxonmoot 2025: Tolkien’s Try-hard Troublemakers
Kristine Larsen
Dr. Kristine Larsen, Professor of Earth and Space Sciences at Central Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University
Episode: Episode 87: Live from Oxonmoot 2025: Tolkien’s Try-hard Troublemakers
Dr. Luke Shelton
Tolkien scholar and researcher
Editor-in-chief of Malorn, the Journal of the Tolkien Society
Episode: Episode 86: Lesser-trod Paths with Dr. Luke Shelton
Dr. Sara Brown
Language and Literature Department Chair at Signum University
Signum University
Episode: Episode 79: Lesser-trod Paths with Dr. Sara Brown
Cameron Bourquein
Artist, graphic designer, and Tolkien scholar
Episode: Episode 78: Lesser-trod Paths with Cameron Bourquein
Andrew "Trotter" Ferguson
Moderator on the Tolkien Collector's Guide and Tolkien collecting expert
Tolkien Collector's Guide
Episode: Episode 77: Interview with Andrew “Trotter” Ferguson

Hosts

Jude Vase
Co-host with a strong emphasis on analysis and personal storytelling.
Stef Midlock
Co-host known for energetic delivery and deep dives into lore.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 80 ratings
  • Finally the deeper dive I was looking for

    I’ve been a fan of Tolkien‘s work for most of my life and have read and re-read the Silmarillion and my favourite parts of the HoME as well as some of the essays mentioned here. I absolutely adore listening to your deep and well-textured discussion of different aspects of the legendarium and beyond. I have been looking for an audio companion for so long and couldn’t be happier to have stumbled across this lovely podcast. Thank you for all the humour and insights that you bring to the table. Ever... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SilverGreyAnne
    Spaina year ago
  • Good for both deep and casual fans

    I really like the balance/interplay between the hosts and the way that they take care when going over events, characters and themes that are highly nuanced and detailed to always include context so that even casual fans can understand. Jude is admirably knowledgeable and amusingly cranky, and Steph is *also* admirably knowledgeable and has perhaps the most supportive/affirming vibe of any host of any podcast I listen to! And she loves Rohan, so her priorities are on point.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TkPkResident
    United States2 years ago
  • Accessible and interesting

    I learned of this podcast through Oxonmoot 2023 and I already love it after just 2 episodes! A topical Tolkien podcast is definitely something I need in my life, and the hosts are personable, knowledgeable, and willing to explore the depth and complexity of Tolkien’s legendarium while keeping things accessible and fun! Great work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hoper333
    United States3 years ago
  • Wonderful podcast that’s informative and fun

    I came to the Tolkien game late… I watched the movies, then the Amazon series which ultimately led me into wanting to read the books. I struggled with the Silmarillion and was looking for a podcast that was informative but could keep my attention. I’m so glad I found this podcast. Jude and Stef are absolute gems - I’ve learned so much and have laughed so hard. I can’t recommend this podcast enough.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AppieWiecz
    United States3 years ago
  • Great deep dives into the wilder corners of Tolkien

    I love the discussions of the stranger and less well known corners of the legendarium. Informative and lots of fun.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jimmyinhouston
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Dynamic duo with strong scholarly and entertaining balance.
Hosts are knowledgeable and engaging, making dense Tolkien material accessible.
Accessible deep dives that appeal to both casual readers and scholars.
Strong production and lively discussion, with memorable live moments.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#20
Ukraine/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#28
Ukraine/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#65
Sweden/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#182
Sweden/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 91: Seize the date: Elvish Calendars with Wizard Way Kris
Q: How do you synchronize with the Gregorian calendar and handle leap years?
They synchronized with the Proleptic Gregorian Calendar so leap years align every 12 years, making Elvish leap years occur on every third human leap year, and described the impact on days alignment.
Episode 91: Seize the date: Elvish Calendars with Wizard Way Kris
Q: How did you arrive at a 14-month adaptation of the Rivendell calendar?
Kris explains they followed Appendix D and compared multiple calendars, then created a practical, unified scheme with a leading extra month to teach usage, while choosing Sindarin for mutations and consistency.
Episode 92: Lesser-trod Paths with Dr. Kristine Larsen
Q: What's your favorite cave in the Legendarium?
Kristine Larsen responds that her favorite is Elrond's 'Star Cave' conceptually, and personally she loves the Father Christmas Letters' cave bears cave for its artistry and narrative significance.
Episode 83: Live from Westmoot 2025: “The Unsung Underachievers of Tolkien’s Legendarium” with Knewbettadobetta
Q: Do you think that's their parents to blame, or you think that's more on Andcalan?
Kids learn it from somewhere, right? And she just didn't have role models who were united, strong, wanting to do the right thing.
Episode 74: The One Ring RPG and Interview with Francesco Nepitello
Q: Can you tell us, how did you get into Tolkien?
Francesco shared that he was introduced to The Lord of the Rings by a friend during secondary school, ultimately leading him to read it during a week when he was ill.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Athrabeth

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

A deep-dive show that boldly explores lesser-known corners of Tolkien's Legendarium, often pairing scholarly theory with fan-focused discussion. Episodes balance rigorous analysis with engaging storytelling, featuring live events, reader-response ideas, and conversations with scholars to illuminate character development, lore, and the drafting process. A standout aspect is the partnership between two hosts whose complementary energies—one detail-focused and one energetic—create a warm, accessible atmosphere that invites both newcomers and seasoned fans into the conversation.

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Which podcasts are similar to Athrabeth?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Athrabeth:

1. The Prancing Pony Podcast
2. Today's Tolkien Times
3. The Daily

How many episodes of Athrabeth are there?

Athrabeth launched 8 years ago and published 114 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 Athrabeth?

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What guests have appeared on Athrabeth?

Recent guests on Athrabeth include:

1. Kris Piet
2. Tom Racine
3. Don Marshall
4. Sara Brown
5. Kristine Larsen
6. Dr. Luke Shelton
7. Dr. Sara Brown
8. Cameron Bourquein

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.

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