Rephonic
Artwork for The Tolkien Professor
Pride and Prejudice
Tolkien
Rings Of Power
Jane Austen
Sauron
Signum University
J.R.R. Tolkien
War Of the Rohirrim
Morgoth
The Lord Of the Rings
Galadriel
Easterlings
Gondolin
Middle-Earth
Silmarillion Film Project
The Rings Of Power
Kickstarter
Húrin
Gwyndor
The War Of the Rohirrim

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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes660Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsEducation

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Artwork for The Tolkien Professor

Latest Episodes

As they near the end of the pre-production process, the SilmFilm team sits down to examine and finalize the detailed outline of all of Season 8.

Support The Tolkien Professor

Maggie and Corey return to Anne of Green Gables for Part 2 of their discussion of LM Montgomery adaptation.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 128,

recorded on May 11, 2026.

Join us on the Signum ... more

It's May the 4th, so Maggie and Corey are going to indulge in a Star Wars Diversion and take a close look at the final trailer for the upcoming Mandalorian film.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 1... more

As the SilmFilm Writer's Room nears the end of the pre-production planning, they look north, turning to the Villains.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

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Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Olana Mushen
Writer in the Silmarillion Film Project writer's room
writer's room, Signum University
Episode: 662: SilmFilm 8-12: The Season Outline
Marie Prosser
Writer contributing to the Signum University project, involved in the writers' room discussion
Signum University
Episode: 649: SilmFilm 8-04: Túrin's Story
Ilana Mushen
Writer joining from Australia, contributing to the Túrin story development
Signum University
Episode: 649: SilmFilm 8-04: Túrin's Story
Una McCormack
A published author known for her works in science fiction and fantasy, including novels in the Star Trek universe.
Author
Episode: 643: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 122
Una McCormick
Author of several TV and film novelizations
Episode: 642: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 121
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
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

Host

Corey Olsen
Host of The Tolkien Professor; lecturer and Tolkien scholar; affiliated with Signum University.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 742 ratings
  • Long overdue

    I’ve been listening to The Tolkien Professor for over 10 years now and have always appreciated his love for my favorite author and his careful analysis of his works and adaptations. Other Minds and Hands is no exception and I’ve enjoyed listening to these companion episodes alongside watching Rings of Power. Thanks for opening up Tolkien in a new way!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SButing
    United States5 months ago
  • Excellent in-depth analysis. If you're looking for opinions, go somewhere else, but if you want expert insight you're in the right place.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ArtTheArt
    8 months ago
  • 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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 States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Engaging, with strong collaboration between hosts; essential for Tolkien studies fans.
Mixed reactions to debates over adaptation versus fidelity.
Some listeners feel episodes drift into niche detail; accessibility varies.
Accessible yet deeply informed; great for fans wanting lore depth.
Thoughtful, rigorous analysis that rewards careful listening.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#227
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#153
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#77
Finland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#214
Finland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#217
Netherlands/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#219
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
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Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Tolkien Professor

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

A rigorous, scholarly discussion series centered on Tolkien's works, with detailed analysis of texts, adaptations, and expansive worldbuilding projects. Episodes range from close readings of lore to planning sessions for large, multi-episode adaptations, weighing character arcs, thematic threads, and production logistics. Notable strengths include deep-dive literary critique, thoughtful framing of adaptation choices, and a collaborative, theory-driven approach that often spans multiple seasons and moots within a Signum University ecosystem.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Tolkien Professor:

1. The Prancing Pony Podcast
2. Mythgard Academy
3. Mythgard's Exploring The Lord of the Rings
4. Science Friday
5. The History of Literature

How many episodes of The Tolkien Professor are there?

The Tolkien Professor launched 8 years ago and published 660 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. Olana Mushen
2. Marie Prosser
3. Ilana Mushen
4. Una McCormack
5. Una McCormick
6. Miriam Ellis
7. Bradley Bethel
8. Anni Fosberg

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