Rephonic
Artwork for The Tolkien Professor
Gondolin
A Christmas Carol
Middle-Earth
Union Of Maedhros
Morgoth
Alice In Wonderland
Elrond
Christmas
Spirited
Scrooge
J.R.R. Tolkien
The Muppet Christmas Carol
1951 A Christmas Carol
The Noldor
Maedhros
Fingon
Silmarillion
Winnie the Pooh
Disney
Gwyndor

The Tolkien Professor podcast is a series of lectures, discussions, and seminars on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien by Corey Olsen, President of Signum University. All are welcome to enter – even those without any party business!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes634Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooksEducation

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Artwork for The Tolkien Professor

Latest Episodes

Maggie and Corey return to Pride and Prejudice! It's time to regroup and work towards script notes for our first episode.Corey and Maggie continue planning for their deep dive into the adaptations of Pride and Prejudice.

Other Minds and Hands:

An ... more

Maggie and Corey and back, and today we are looking at the brilliant adaptation work of Miriam Ellis in her paintings.Corey and Maggie review a video from artist Miriam Ellis ( www.miriamellis.com/ ) where she introduces two of her Tolkien pa... more

Corey and Maggie look forward towards Rings of Power Season 3, with a discussion of their Sneak Peak videos.Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 113,

recorded on September 29, 2025.Join us on the Sign... more

Maggie and Corey return for a fun activity: An Unexpected Adaptation Workshop!Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 111,

recorded on September 8, 2025.For more information about Signum Studios and Sign... more

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Recent Guests

Miriam Ellis
Artist and author of 'The Art of Mercy in Middle-Earth'
Solid Books
Episode: 635: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 114
Bradley Bethel
Director of the film 'Ranger of the North'
Signum University
Episode: 633: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 112
Ben Davis
Episode: 615: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 99
Anni Fosberg
Preceptor in the SPACE Program, specializing in anime modules.
Signum University
Episode: 607: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 94
Daniel Falconer
Designer at Weta Workshop, involved in design for the Lord of the Rings films
Weta Workshop
Episode: 604: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 92
Alana Mushen
Screenwriter and guest of the podcast discussing script details.
Episode: 599: SilmFilm 7-20: Episode 5
Leith McPherson
Dialect coach for 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power'
Prime Video
Episode: 597: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 88
Jordan Rannells
A soundscape artist creating immersive audio experiences for audiobooks
Episode: 595: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 86
Kirsten Cairns
Green Dragon from TheOneRing.net
TheOneRing.net
Episode: 593: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 84

Host

Corey Olsen
Host of various discussions and lectures on literature and film, including deep analyses of J.R.R. Tolkien's works as well as thematic studies in adaptations.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 722 ratings
  • So much content!

    My all-time favorite podcast. There are several shows here, all of them fantastic. I especially love the SilmFilm Project as well as Other Minds and Hands. I wasn’t a fan of Rings of Power but I have thoroughly enjoyed the thoughtful discourse on the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pricegouging
    United States7 months ago
  • 100 stars

    Five stars is too few. His lectures on Tolkien are beyond awesome. How does this only have 200 ratings on iTunes?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    skarwer
    United States7 months ago
  • Surprisingly entertaining

    “Other Minds and Hands” should be so boring. Can’t quite figure out why it isn’t.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Man of Cambridgeshire
    United States2 years ago
  • Sorry not enjoyable to listen to

    Often an uncontrolled firehose of poorly connected concepts and ideas via a delivery that is not engaging or entertaining. Perhaps the professor should study Tolkien as a story teller?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Shadwell von Bernstein
    United States3 years ago
  • Absolutely brilliant

    This is a must for anyone who is interested in Tolkien’s world

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MJ333
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback indicates that certain episodes can delve into complexities that may alienate casual fans, suggesting a need for balance in accessibility versus depth.
There is a lively engagement with discussions around adaptations, particularly how they resonate or differ from the source material, showcasing a thoughtful community of fans.
Listeners appreciate the insightful deep dives into Tolkien's writings and adaptations, often expressing admiration for the hosts' knowledge and analytical skills.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#233
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#164
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#158
Germany/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#139
Netherlands/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#210
Finland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#218
Norway/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

607: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 94
Q: Are there stories in The Legendarium that would be really good in anime?
The Discovery of Gondolin stands out as an excellent candidate for an anime adaptation.
607: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 94
Q: Anni, what are some of the differences between an anime audience and a Western anime audience?
There's a greater expectation of fantastical elements and similarities to live-action films in Western audiences.
559: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 63
Q: What role does audience perception play in the adaptations?
Adaptations target different audience reactions, with modern interpretations often broadening the audience and expectations compared to the original works.
559: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 63
Q: How do the adaptations of Alice's Adventures differ from the originals?
The adaptations combine elements from both Alice books, often leading to a blending of characters and themes that can significantly alter the original narrative structure and intent.
579: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 75
Q: How different is an opera adaptation from other mediums?
Unlike film, operas rely predominantly on music to convey narrative, rather than visuals, requiring more emphasis on singing and choreography to keep audiences engaged.

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 The Tolkien Professor

What is The Tolkien Professor about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on in-depth discussions and analyses of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, alongside adaptations of his writings into various media. Episodes frequently explore thematic elements, character dynamics, and the nuances of adaptation, showcasing how visual storytelling can reinterpret literary classics like 'Pride and Prejudice' through the lens of Tolkien's narratives. The exploration is not limited to Tolkien alone, as discussions also branch into contemporary adaptations across other celebrated works, allowing a broader dialogue about literature and its interpretation in modern entertainment. Unique insights from relatable hosts create an engaging and intellectually stimulating environment, appealing to both dedicated Tolkien f... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Tolkien Professor?

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1. Mythgard's Exploring The Lord of the Rings
2. The Prancing Pony Podcast
3. Mythgard Academy
4. Tides of History
5. Today's Tolkien Times

How many episodes of The Tolkien Professor are there?

The Tolkien Professor launched 7 years ago and published 634 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 Tolkien Professor?

Recent guests on The Tolkien Professor include:

1. Miriam Ellis
2. Bradley Bethel
3. Ben Davis
4. Anni Fosberg
5. Daniel Falconer
6. Alana Mushen
7. Leith McPherson
8. Jordan Rannells

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