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Artwork for By-The-Bywater: A Podcast about All Things J.R.R. Tolkien

By-The-Bywater: A Podcast about All Things J.R.R. Tolkien

Jared Pechaček, Oriana Scwindt, and Ned Raggett
J.R.R. Tolkien
The Rings Of Power
Lobelia Sackville-Baggins
The War Of the Rohirrim
Tolkien's Works
Middle-Earth
The Ring Of Power
The Wheel Of Time
Amazon
Tolkien
Rohan
Aragorn
Atlas Of Middle-Earth
The Lord Of the Rings
The West Passage
Middle Earth
Avari
War Of the Rohirrim
Dunlendings
Druidine

All things J.R.R. Tolkien: his work, his inspirations and impact, creative interpretations in other media, languages, lore, ripoffs, parodies, anything we think is interesting!

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes82Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsTV & FilmBooks

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Artwork for By-The-Bywater: A Podcast about All Things J.R.R. Tolkien

Latest Episodes

Jared, Oriana and Ned discuss Ned’s choice of topic: The Bovadium Fragments and Tolkien as environmentalist. Published in November 2025, The Bovadium Fragments are a short, academically-minded collection of comedic observations on a then-current civi... more

YouTube

Jared, Oriana and Ned discuss Jared’s choice of topic: the journey. Both The Hobbit and more specifically and thoroughly The Lord of the Rings, referencing quite well established tropes about quests and more, are centered around months-long journeys ... more

YouTube

Jared, Oriana and Ned discuss Oriana’s choice of topic: Beren and Lúthien. One of what Tolkien considered his three ‘Great Tales’ at the heart of the legendarium material that eventually formed versions of The Silmarillion, the story of a man and an ... more

YouTube

Jared, Oriana and Ned discuss Ned’s choice of topic: marriage. Tolkien himself was the child of an apparently happy marriage, though one that met with tragedy when first his father and then some years later his mother died while he was still a boy. H... more

YouTube

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Hosts

Ned Raggett
Host and co-host discussing various aspects of Tolkien's works, with a focus on literary analysis and cultural impact.
Oriana Schwent
Co-host providing insights into Tolkien's narratives along with cultural commentary and personal anecdotes.
Jared Pekacek
Co-host focusing on literary discussions, adaptations, and the cultural significance of Tolkien's works.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 78 ratings
  • Great fun!

    Loving listening to these three friends discussing all manner of Tolkien-related books and media. Started listening a few months ago and have enjoyed every episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    christine.l.t
    United Statesa year ago
  • Just really good listening for Tolkien fans

    By-The-Bywater is my favorite podcast. This trio is a great mix of fun and insightful personalities, the jokes are funny, the deep dives are fascinating, and even if you’re a casual Tolkien fan, the laid back and conversational style and friendly way they describe his lesser known works can be really helpful, and they make a point of explaining the more complex parts so even just the movie fans can participate.

    The vibe of this podcast brings me back to my days of passing notes with a friend o... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    =^..^= Kat
    United States2 years ago
  • Tolkien with snark

    If u like discussions on Tolkien with a lot of snarky comments, this is the Podcast for you

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    frankieyoda
    Ireland2 years ago
  • My favorite Tolkien podcasts

    Informative and detailed, yet also, a lot of fun and entertaining. Covers a wide variety of topics, but always focused on Tolkien.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KYoldtimer
    United States3 years ago
  • Brilliant Tolkien podcast

    I was looking for a Tolkien podcast during lockdown that wasn’t a read-along, and this by far and away the best one! Lord of the Rings is frequently mischaracterised as a tale of good and evil, but it’s so much more interesting, dealing with issues of environmental destruction, imperialism, coercive power and authority and the small acts of resistance that may, for a while, make things better. This podcast is a good mix of scholarly critique and pop culture commentary, without getting too bogged... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dougal Macqueen
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the engaging and insightful discussions on Tolkien's work and relevance.
The podcast is praised for its balance of entertainment and scholarship, making it accessible to both casual and academic audiences.
Many enjoy the hosts' chemistry and varied perspectives, contributing to a lively conversation format.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#131
Denmark/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

75. Obsessive (Complimentary).
Q: What would you do if you were to take on some gigantic, insane, quixotic fan project?
Ned is already working on adapting the fall of Numenor into a TV series.
75. Obsessive (Complimentary).
Q: What is your favorite map from this book?
Orianna liked the attempt to do both the Flat and Round Earth.

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 This Podcast

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

Discussions center around the works and legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien, covering a vast range of topics from literary analysis and personal experiences to interpretations of his work in various media. In episodes, hosts explore themes such as the depiction of love, the significance of characters, the societal implications of Tolkien's narratives, and the broader influence of Tolkien on pop culture. Regular features include insightful critiques, lighthearted banter, and reflections on new adaptations, making it a comprehensive resource for both casual fans and deep academic discussions on the Tolkien universe.

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1. The Prancing Pony Podcast
2. Athrabeth
3. Radio Atlantic
4. The Opinions
5. The Bulwark Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 7 years ago and published 82 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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