The Prancing Pony Podcast

By: The Prancing Pony Podcast
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  • Summary

  • 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 work, with smart but straightforward discussion and a healthy dose of self-effacing humor, pop-culture references, and bad puns. These are the folks you'd want to hang out with at a pub and talk Tolkien with!
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Episodes
  • 366 – You’re the Inspiration

    366 – You’re the Inspiration
    Apr 6 2025
    Gilraen’s mom and dad have differing opinions on whether she should marry Arathorn; Alan and Sara just have differing opinions. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin a two-part series — which rapidly becomes three parts — on The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen as the PPP returns to Appendix A in The Lord Of the Rings. Aragorn strays into a dream and discovers she’s the meaning in his life, she’s the inspiration; Elrond seems to learn a lesson from Thingol’s error; and Aragorn has some errantry to run. Alan and Sara wonder what song Aragorn was singing, speculate about Aragorn’s teenage angst, and decide that Aragorn’s journeys must have taken him at least 500 miles from Arwen’s door. Also, Sara’s retirement dreams: bon-bons in the Hall of Fire. This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/PONY and get on your way to being your best self! Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code PONY at ShopMando.com! #mandopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs
  • 365 – QAN 30

    365 – QAN 30
    Mar 30 2025
    It’s time to come into the Common Room with The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we answer listener questions again in our 30th Questions After Nightfall! From the necessity of real-world physics to whose brooch did Bombadil find; from Fëanor’s favorite games to Thingol’s quite-appropriate guilt, our listeners always bring their A game… or would that be their Q game? Alan is confusticated and bebothered, and Sara reminds us all of how Tolkien could do all that he did. Also, never disrespect librarians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • 364 – Tolkien Reading Day 2025

    364 – Tolkien Reading Day 2025
    Mar 23 2025
    Join the Tolkien fandom and community — along with The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark — for the PPP’s 10th annual Tolkien Reading Day, observed every March 25 in honor of the destruction of the Ring and the downfall of Barad-dûr. This year’s theme, as chosen by the Tolkien Society, is Fellowship and Community — and not only do we have some incredible readings that showcase this year’s them, the PPP is demonstrating its own fellowship by bringing in each of the co-hosts from the last two seasons! Matt stops the story of Beleg where it ought to have ended, Don sings a bath song, James prepares to say goodbye to Rivendell, Sara leaves the Quenya for Alan, and Shawn makes Alan feel at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 23 mins

Featured Article: When Does The Rings of Power Take Place? Tolkien's Second Age, Explained


The Prime Video streaming series The Rings of Power is set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Rooted in J.R.R. Tolkien's history of Middle-earth, the series is expected to cover all of the major events of the fictional world's Second Age. But what is the Second Age, and how does this period of time factor into the rest of Tolkien's world? Read on to find out.

Featured Article When Does The Rings of Power Take Place Tolkien's Second Age Explained
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Profile Image for Red Riverbrook

True Tolkien scholars, for true Tolkien scholars!

An informative and thought provoking journey through Tolkien's world. The show has a very seamless performance as well.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Awesome. I absolutely love this podcast. Thanks for the great insight

This podcast is funny, interesting and entertaining. I absolutely love it. Please keep it going!

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Profile Image for Joshua de Rose

New Listener Not a New Nerd

Hey guys I’m about 35 episodes into this podcast and I love it. Is exactly what I’m looking for as a fantasy fan. Especially as a J. R. R. Tolkien fan. These guys dig right into the heart of the lengendarium and pinpoint supple plots and Easter eggs. I love it. If you’re a fan you should listen.

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Profile Image for Arthur Vandalay

Simply splendid!

These two experts on Tolkien and his works deliver a delightful, in-depth discussion on the wonders of JRR Tolkien’s books. Their discourse will leave you laughing and pondering the underlying themes of Middle Earth.

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Profile Image for Chiara Siasat

My go to Podcast

Been a huge fan of the PPP for a while now and Alan and company do not disappoint with their vast knowledge of the books and lore as well as the many interviews with Tolkien scholars and artists. I can’t think of a better podcast to listen to everyday.

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Profile Image for Joan Frederickson

Tolkien for All!

Wow! that's my main reaction! Family friendly, Feanor piñata bashing, hilarious, deep word nerdery dives...fun!

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Profile Image for Michael M.

Details

Can you guys do an episode on the New Shadow ? I am enthralled with the little bit that the master wrote and would very much like to hear your perspectives

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Profile Image for Daniel Morlan

A Fun Haven for the Tolkien Enthusiast

Intelligent, funny, digressive, and wonderful sanctuary for the fans of Tolkien's work. Listening to this podcast is a welcome reprieve from the rigors and stresses of the world. A place of peace and a strong sense of fellowship flavors this family-friendly show. If you would like to understand the depth of the Lord of the Rings story, and appreciation of Tolkien's prose and poetry, this fun podcast is for you. I write this review with so much gratitude to the PPP, and my quality of life has been greatly enriched by their presence.

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Profile Image for Aimee H

Helped me get through the Silmarillion...

These guys are amazing. their podcast was suggested to me in March of 2020 on Spotify and I saw they were going chapter by chapter through the Silmarillion. I've been a hard-core Tolkien fan since I saw the Peter Jackson films and I read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings books. I could never get through the Silmarillion and the Prancing Pony Podcast got me through it! These guys are delightful and knowledgeable. I can't recommend them enough!

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Profile Image for andre hernandez rosado

Genius !

I started this podcast and I can't get enough. I find everything so entertaining and I can relate so much to what is being discussed. I feel like I can visit Tolkien world with friends and I am so happy I founded this.

Thank you so much for creating this!

Btw the way back machine was so genius

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