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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
Aragorn
Galadriel
Frodo Baggins
Gandalf
Aldarion
Númenor
Erendis
Hobbits
The Silmarillion
The Hobbit
Sauron
Dwarves
Saruman

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 eleventh 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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes432Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsFilm ReviewsTV & Film

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Prancing Pony Podcast

Latest Episodes

Huan knows that the days of the power of the cats are over; Alan and Sara aren’t entirely sure that’s still the case. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as Beren is freed from the Cat Condo of Terror and Lúthien’s face says freedo... more

Huan wants to end the power of cats forever; Alan and Sara would settle for ending the power of internet trolls for a few years. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as Tevildo’s doorkeeper gets laid off the hard way as we continue ... more

Tinwelint (Thingol to the rest of you) asks his daughter to “put this folly away from thee”; Sara’s been telling Alan to do the same for years now. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as Tinúviel makes good her escape from the migh... more

Beren is so hungry that he picks his way through leftover scraps at an Orc camp; Alan and Sara are somehow no longer hungry at all. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we continue our look at The Tale of Tinúviel in Beren and Lú... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Katie McKenna
Friend of The Prancing Pony Podcast, Patreon Community Coordinator and Events Coordinator for the PPP Moot
The Prancing Pony Podcast
Episode: 422 – Who Are You?
Anna Maria
Patron guest exploring alternate Númenórean marriage scenario
PPP Patrons
Episode: 418 – Questions After Nightfall 35
Corey Olson
The Tolkien Professor, guest
Signum University
Episode: 417 – I Am a Rock
Dr. Bret Devereaux
Ancient and military historian, teaching assistant professor at North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
Episode: 415 – Saruman’s OPSEC Problem: Unfinished Tales with Dr. Bret Devereaux
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
Don Marshall
Published author, The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts guy
The Prancing Pony Podcast
Episode: 405 – Tolkien Reading Day 2026
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

Hosts

Alan Sisto
Host with frequent co-hosts, well-versed in Tolkien lore and philology.
Shawn Marchese
Co-host and Tolkien lore enthusiast, known for depth of knowledge and humor.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 5.5k ratings
  • Sara…

    Seems to be a truly lovely woman and very funny at times but she does talk down to viewers and frankly has a very dreary view of the world and the women who live in it and Tolkien as well. I find calling him a man of his time to be redundant. You can’t be someone out of your time. Either be honest what you think of Tolkien or quit throwing him under the bus and measure his moral health by your own standards. This show is still fantastic and I consider myself highly indebted to it.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Nerdb01
    United Statesa month ago
  • Wonderful!

    Second update! I love Sarah. She is so funny and so inspiring and she adds a different perspective to the discussion which makes for more inclusion. Tolkien is for everyone!

    Updating: I had read the Silmarillion and just didn’t “get it.” But rereading while listening to PPP and sharing the enthusiasm and love that Alan and Shawn have, has really made me appreciate it. I wasn’t willing to commit to nearly 400 episodes but I’m now 40 in and I get so much from every one. This is just amazing.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tofulish
    United Statesa month ago
  • Mixed feels

    Episodes with Shawn and Alan are 5 star. Outstanding. When Sara is on, more like 2 stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    M F G B
    United Statesa month ago
  • What an absolute pleasure to listen

    So my mom was born in the 1960s and sometime in the 1980s she gave me her paperback Hobbit and LOTR series. Unbeknownst to them I was surviving childhood with inattentive ADHD. If there was ONE thing I could always lose myself in was a few good chapters. Decades later I learned that was hyperfocusing. As the years passed I consumed anything and everything I could. When it came out that Jackson was doing the movies the only thing I could think was “I swear Jackson if you screw up the Ents I’m do... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Uttzey
    United States2 months ago
  • Indebted but

    They talk down to listeners who disagree. Echoing race hustling rhetoric. Pandering virtue signaling. If they just stick to the text and held all adaptations to the same standards they would be more bearable. The two missing stars are personal but the show Is still a jewel and masterpiece and an anthem made for the professor’s memory. It was an invaluable help in seeing the true beauty of the text. Eventually Alan will have to choose between the Professor or his audience. He would have never h... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Nerdb01
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many feel like friends after many episodes and appreciate scholarly insights.
Listeners praise deep lore, humor, and strong host chemistry.
Some fans worry about digressions or off-topic moments impacting focus.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#17
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#55
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#16
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#17
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#53
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#70
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

429 – Rhiannon
Q: What does Tinúviel's careful wording when responding to her father's demands tell us about her, and does it change how we read what follows?
The hosts say it shows Tinúviel's honesty, foresight, and refusal to despair. She will not make a promise she cannot keep, and her hope helps carry both her and Beren through danger.
429 – Rhiannon
Q: Is Tolkien having fun at Melko's expense, or does the episode show Angband running on petty rivalries and bruised egos?
The hosts see both humor and a broader point: evil is petty and self-interested, with alliances based on power and convenience rather than genuine friendship.
425 – Questions After Nightfall 36
Q: What is the thing in the History of Middle-earth that most surprised you when you read it and made you reinterpret the way you read the rest of the legendarium?
The guests discuss how the layers of drafts and essays changed perceived themes, especially mortality and the relationship between humans, elves, and other beings, with Myths Transformed offering especially illuminating perspective.
420 – I Have Always Been Here
Q: Do you think all peoples have something that might seem magical to others, as TJ suggested?
Yes, the speakers propose that each race has a distinct capability or essence that could appear magical to others, from hobbits' stealth to dwarves' craftsmanship and elvish artistry, though in reality these are deeply rooted in culture, biology, and history rather than magic alone.
419 – A Voice In the Wilderness
Q: Sidney asked why Tolkien never writes Gandalf from Gandalf's own perspective since he's a Maia with vast knowledge.
The hosts argue that Tolkien often uses the epistemic regime—telling stories from the least knowledgeable characters (usually Hobbits) to unfold exposition naturally, which preserves mystery, maintains narrative tension, and helps readers learn alongside the characters.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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, lore-forward discussion about Tolkien's Middle-earth, mixing dense textual analysis with lighthearted humor, pop culture riffs, and community updates. Hosts build long-running conversations around the Legendarium, often inviting scholars and dedicated fans to illuminate obscure details, while maintaining a pub-night vibe that makes deep dives feel approachable. Notable strengths include rigorous textual close-reading, strong guest contributions from academics and seasoned enthusiasts, and a vibrant, donation-supported community that fosters collaboration and events. Potential listeners who enjoy thorough lore, philology, and witty banter will likely find this show rewarding, though some episodes run lengthy due to their digressive... 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. Lord of the Rings Lorecast - J.R.R. Tolkien's World & Writings Explained
3. Gone Medieval
4. The Ancients
5. The Tolkien Professor

How many episodes of The Prancing Pony Podcast are there?

The Prancing Pony Podcast launched 11 years ago and published 432 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. Katie McKenna
2. Anna Maria
3. Corey Olson
4. Dr. Bret Devereaux
5. Sam H. Sam
6. David Smith
7. Don Marshall
8. Matt from The Nerd of the Rings

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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