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Artwork for Exploring Tolkien

Exploring Tolkien

TheOneRing.com
The Hobbit
Tolkien
Middle-Earth
Rings Of Power
The Rings Of Power
Celebrimbor
Elrond
Sauron
Riddles In the Dark
Gil-Galad
Gollum
Eregion
War Of the Rohirrim
The Lord Of the Rings
Bilbo Baggins
Gandalf
Goblins
One Ring
Tolkien's Revisions
NOEL

Exploring Tolkien is a weekly show that dives deep into JRR Tolkien and all the ages of Middle-earth. Jonathan Watson and Michael Grumbine are your hosts as they read through Tolkien’s works, interview other Tolkien enthusiasts and authors, and critically examine how Tolkien’s world is being treated by mega-corporations like Amazon.com and Warner Bros.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes160Founded4 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Orc pods and Uruk-hai origins: lore-breaking or the best possible changes? In this episode, we dig into Peter Jackson’s “orc pod” scenes and the cinematic invention of Lurtz, the alpha Uruk-hai, We also weigh Tolkien’s less-than-precise lore against ... more

In this episode, we look at two of the most unloved film changes from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: Arwen replacing Glorfindel and making Arwen the only one with power and agency in The Flight to the Ford.. Michael and Jonathan break down why th... more

YouTube

We’re back to going through ALL the changes in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings! This week we discuss Aragorn’s sword substitions, changes at Weathertop, and that infamous messenger moth:

* Was Aragorn really just carrying around a package of sm... more

Most people haven’t read how Tolkien actually wrote how The Hobbit precisely connects to The Lord of the Rings. In The Quest of Erebor (first published in Unfinished Tales) Tolkien explains precisely how every major event in The Hobbit is connected t... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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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

Elijah Wood
Actor known for his role as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Episode: 141. An Interview with Elijah Wood

Hosts

Jonathan Watson
Co-host that provides critical insights into Tolkien's works and discusses their implications, focusing on literary themes and adaptations.
Michael Grumbine
Co-host known for his engaging discussions on characters and plots within Tolkien's narratives, as well as critiques of adaptations.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 83 ratings
  • Quality decline

    Production quality has suffered, making it difficult to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Conchobar Schmidt
    United Statesa year ago
  • Become a Member!

    Fell into this podcast a couple months ago after the glowing review of the greatest show ever made, episode aired early April. This episode started my journey to binge every single podcast episode. I became a member and have greatly enjoyed my experience with the extra content and joining a new community of Tolkien enjoyers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LerTy14
    United States2 years ago
  • If You Like Tolkien

    Best podcast to both escape into fantasy worlds and explore philosophy most applicable for today. No longer a freeloader. Definitely worth the $4.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    someone else took my name
    United States2 years ago
  • Great podcast for Tolkien lovers

    I enjoy listening to you guys talking about your love of all things Tolkien

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JohnTuttleIII
    United States2 years ago
  • Phenomenal.

    In a world that seems intent on subverting Tolkien’s stories, it’s incredibly refreshing to hear Michael, Jonathan and Dan appreciate Tolkien’s world for what it is, without imposing their own world views on it. I’ve never heard anyone delve so deeply into Tolkien’s universe: a must-listen-to if you’re a real Tolkien fan!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fdfhcfgg
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many enjoy the commentary on how modern adaptations handle Tolkien's legacy.
Listeners praise the insightful discussions and detailed analysis of Tolkien's work.
Some criticisms include concerns about production quality and a desire for more diverse topics beyond Tolkien.
Fans appreciate the deep dives into specific chapters and themes, highlighting the hosts' camaraderie.
Overall, the show is regarded as a must-listen for serious Tolkien fans.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

146. Smaug’s Hydrophobia – The Hobbit #31
Q: What was your experience when Bard was introduced in the story?
Hosts describe their surprise at Bard's sudden introduction, reflecting on their childhood impressions that he seemed to come out of nowhere as a hero.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Exploring Tolkien

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

This podcast offers a thorough exploration of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and the multifaceted world of Middle-earth. The hosts engage with a variety of themes, ranging from the detailed analysis of Tolkien's narratives to the implications of modern adaptations by major corporations. Episodes often feature discussions on specific chapters from Tolkien's texts, character developments, and the broader significance of his storytelling. Unique to this podcast is the combination of literary critique, personal insights, and cultural commentary on how Tolkien's legacy is shaped by contemporary media and fan interpretations, making it appealing for both devoted fans and newcomers to his work.

Where can I find podcast stats for Exploring Tolkien?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Exploring Tolkien. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Exploring Tolkien and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Exploring Tolkien get?

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What are the audience demographics for Exploring Tolkien?

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How many subscribers and views does Exploring Tolkien have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Exploring Tolkien has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Exploring Tolkien?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Exploring Tolkien:

1. The Ancients
2. The Tolkien Road
3. Morning Wire
4. Chesterton's Gateway
5. The World and Everything In It

How many episodes of Exploring Tolkien are there?

Exploring Tolkien launched 4 years ago and published 160 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Exploring Tolkien?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Exploring Tolkien?

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What guests have appeared on Exploring Tolkien?

Recent guests on Exploring Tolkien include:

1. Elijah Wood

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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