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The Prancing Pony Podcast

The Prancing Pony Podcast
Middle-Earth
The Lord Of the Rings
Tolkien
Numenor
J.R.R. Tolkien
Rohan
Gondor
Galadriel
Aragorn
Frodo Baggins
Aldarion
Númenor
Erendis
Gandalf
Hobbits
The Silmarillion
The Hobbit
Dwarves
Sauron
Samwise Gamgee

The Prancing Pony Podcast is a weekly show about the Middle-earth legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, hosted - for six seasons - by Alan Sisto and Shawn E. Marchese. Now in its ninth season, Alan is joined by an all-star cast of co-hosts as he explores more of Middle-earth! Alan and all his co-hosts are passionate Tolkien enthusiasts, inviting listeners to enjoy their detailed exploration of Tolkien’s ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes415Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksFilm ReviewsArtsTV & Film

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Artwork for The Prancing Pony Podcast

Latest Episodes

The Elendilmir worn by the Kings of Arnor had not the ancientry nor potency of the original; there’s got to be a joke in there about Alan and Don, right? Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy as we conclude our two-part... more

Isildur proclaims his sovereign lordship over all the Dúnedain; Alan knows better than to proclaim lordship over his own podcast. Join The Man of the West as he welcomes back Don Marshall to the Common Room to begin our two-part look at the chapter T... more

Saruman has no time for the simples of peasants; Alan and Matt wouldn’t mind if things were simpler. Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the Rings as we get an in-depth look at Saruman’s continuing jealousy of Gandalf as we conclude our four-epi... more

Gollum was peculiarly fitted to survive in Moria, though at cost of great misery; Matt is also able to survive his time on the PPP with the same cost. Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the Rings as we get a closer look at Saruman’s unenviable ... more

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Recent Guests

Sam H. Sam
Guest from the North Wing, Tolkien enthusiast
Episode: 414 – With or Without You
David Smith
Guest, Tolkien enthusiast described as a listener guest in The North Wing
Episode: 409 – Runnin’ Down a Ring
Matt from The Nerd of the Rings
Content creator and co-host
The Nerd of the Rings
Episode: 405 – Tolkien Reading Day 2026
Sara Brown
Shield maiden of Rohan, co-host
The Prancing Pony Podcast
Episode: 405 – Tolkien Reading Day 2026
Chris Pete
Tolkien enthusiast and creator of the Imladris calendar
Wizard Way
Episode: 399 – Under Pressure
Joe Hanfman
Listener and Tolkien enthusiast
Episode: 397 – Rebel, Rebel
Dawn Marshall
TikTok creator known for his Lord of the Rings facts; discussing his new book about J.R.R. Tolkien
Adams Media
Episode: 392 – Help!
Michael D.C. Drout
Accomplished Tolkien scholar and author of 'The Tower and the Ruin'
Wheaton College
Episode: 391 – By Grabthar’s Hammer, What a Book!
Jordan Rannells
Soundscape artist and creator of the soundscapes for the podcast
Episode: 390 – Hello, Goodbye

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 5.4k ratings
  • Best Tolkien Podcast

    informative, funny, entertaining! if you love the works of JRR Tolkien, this podcast is for you!

    Audible
    5
    D. A.
    United Statesa month ago
  • Good show but…

    When it comes to being stewards to Tolkien’s works you have failed terribly to defend his world. I’m way behind and found the ppp first talking about the rings of power. It was lazy and pretentious garbage and to this day they refuse to call it what it is. Even on eve of the third season they say nothing as arda is marred. Nonetheless they taught me Tolkien and gave insight that I will cherish forever. To the books they mastered light. To the movies they succumb to glare. Good show. Good men. Se... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Nerdb01
    United Statesa month ago
  • I’m sorry

    I am a Tolkien nut and was excited for a truly deep dive! These hosts just cannot stop themselves going off topic and shouting unrelated pop culture slogans and lyrics at each other. It’s just too much. I want to escape to Middle Earth and this isn’t it. I wanted to love this but it is unfortunately a mess.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    FletchVV
    United States3 months ago
  • The religious guy is insufferable

    The number of times he promises not to beat you over the head with his religion only to then beat you over the head with his religion is insane. “As a Protestant….” Are 50% of his statements. I don’t care about your personal religious journey nor does any listener. If you have things to add to Tolkien in the context of religion great! But please stop beating us over the head with your word view “as a Protestant…”

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    podreviewquy
    United States3 months ago
  • Great reading accompaniment

    After years of trying on my own I finally finished reading the Silmarillion AND feel like I understand it. The hosts are long winded (and often digress) but when they actually talk about the text, it is so informative and enjoyable. Episodes are long but worthwhile. I’m years late to the party having just finished the Silmarillion section but looking forward to moving on to the hobbit!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bfjjcsdjk
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Praised for accessible yet rigorous discussion and community feel.
Mixed feedback on digressions but overall strong appreciation for depth and warmth.
Loves deep Tolkien lore and humor, with insightful interviews.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#32
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#91
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#43
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#57
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#120
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#181
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

414 – With or Without You
Q: When and how did you first discover Tolkien's works?
The guest shares that they were introduced through the movie adaptations, first encountering Tolkien in early childhood, then devouring the books later, which deepened their appreciation for the legendarium.
408 – Questions After Nightfall 34
Q: What are the two or three greatest unsolved mysteries of Middle-earth?
Many participants point to the Blue Wizards, the rest of Tuor's story through Gondolin, and the Lay of Latheirn (Lay of Latium) as major unsolved or underexplored arcs that could yield rich narratives if discovered in manuscripts or adaptations.
408 – Questions After Nightfall 34
Q: What hypotheticals about the afterlife and immortality are most debated among the group?
The discussion covers whether mortals who reach Valinor continue to exist, how long they live, and how time moves relative to Arda and Valinor, with various theories about the fates of Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam.
408 – Questions After Nightfall 34
Q: What is the nature of Gandalf's staff after his death and return as Gandalf the White?
The staff primarily represents authority and is a channel for power; Gandalf's breaking of his staff during the Balrog confrontation signified giving up some power and authority, which aligns with his later return enhanced as Gandalf the White.
408 – Questions After Nightfall 34
Q: Does Tolkien mention any other afterlives besides elves for hobbits and dwarves?
Hobbits are relatives of men and thus share the fate of death; dwarves have a separate, less clearly defined afterlife in Mandos, while elves have a different fate tied to immortality, with speculation about exact destinations when Arda ends.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Prancing Pony Podcast

What is The Prancing Pony Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly deep-dive into Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, mixing rigorous textual analysis with humorous banter and pop culture riffs. Episodes often explore less-trodden corners of the lore—Unfinished Tales, appendices, and Counterpoints across drafts—while peppering conversations with board-game and film-adaptation tangents. The show stands out for its approachable, pub-like camaraderie, ability to illuminate complex philology and history, and a knack for connecting scholarly detail to accessible storytelling. Listeners tend to be devoted Tolkien fans who appreciate thoughtful analysis, lighthearted humor, and a sense of community around a shared passion for lore.

Noteworthy angles include multi-episode arcs on canonical gaps, parallel... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Prancing Pony Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Prancing Pony Podcast:

1. Today's Tolkien Times
2. Pagenerd
3. Mythgard's Exploring The Lord of the Rings
4. The Tolkien Professor
5. Imaginary Worlds

How many episodes of The Prancing Pony Podcast are there?

The Prancing Pony Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 415 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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What guests have appeared on The Prancing Pony Podcast?

Recent guests on The Prancing Pony Podcast include:

1. Sam H. Sam
2. David Smith
3. Matt from The Nerd of the Rings
4. Sara Brown
5. Chris Pete
6. Joe Hanfman
7. Dawn Marshall
8. Michael D.C. Drout

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