Podcasts about The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings sound designer David Farmer joins us for an interview about his work on the films of Middle-Earth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Half-elf Arwen Evenstar from the Lord of the Rings universe had to navigate questions of love and immortality. We delve into her story, and the differences between her adaptions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The A.M. Update covers fallout from the Cities Church disruption in St. Paul, where protesters including Don Lemon heckled worshippers over alleged ICE ties—prompting Assistant AG Harmeet Dhillon to signal potential FACE Act and Klan Act charges against coordinated participants. Tim Walz issues a weak statement urging peaceful protest, while Lemon doubles down, framing backlash as white entitlement. DHS confirms 10,000 criminal illegal aliens arrested recently, with no slowdown despite blue-state resistance. Trump heads to Davos, where Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previews messages of America First leadership, growth focus, and deregulation. A stunning pair of stories from China. Palmer Luckey explains naming Anduril after Lord of the Rings themes of confronting evil to protect the unaware. Aaronalysis urges gospel clarity amid Scott Adams discussions.    The AM Update, Cities Church disruption, Don Lemon, FACE Act charges, Tim Walz, ICE arrests, China birth rate collapse, Davos Trump, Palmer Luckey Anduril, Scott Adams faith, global demographics, conservative commentary

We have arrived, on our 9th Anniversary Class, at Gandalf's speech on the Bridge of Khazad-dum! Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Catchin' up on some TV and movies.  This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we chat about the use of Dungeons & Dragons in Stranger Things, the continuing appeal of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films and discovering the original TV movie version of Woman in Black.  * * * Read Stu's essay on the Woman in Black films! Instagram? Old news. Join the Vintage RPG Newsletter! That's where all the cool kids are now! Stu's book, Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground is for sale now! Buy it! Patreon? Discord? Cool RPG things to buy? All the Vintage RPG links you need are right here in one place! Like, Rate, Subscribe and Review the Vintage RPG Podcast! Edited by the one and only R. Alex Murray. Send questions, comments or corrections to info@vintagerpg.com. Available on iTunes, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, YouTube and your favorite podcast clients. The Vintage RPG illustration is by Shafer Brown. Follow him on Twitter. Tune in next week for the next episode. Until then, may the dice always roll in your favor!

We return to Australia after many a year as Darvily joins me for this episode! I had stumbled across her on Threads and loved the fandoms she was into, and we get to jump into a few of them for this episode. Darvily and I kick things off with talking about the broad topic of video games. We talk about the first games that she experienced, starting with Spyro. We focus on a few games that Darvily specifically was into over the years, including Animal Crossing, Pokemon, and Skyrim. Darvily also talks about some of her favorite indie games that she likes and recommends. Want the recommendations? Listen! From video games, we make our way into the realm of Fantasy Fandom. We talk about Darvily's love of How To Train Your Dragon, books like Lord of the Rings, Fourth Wing, and A Court of Thorns and Roses, to name a few. We also bundle in talk about Renfaires in Australia, as well as Darvily's experience with Dungeons and Dragons. We then wrap up with a conversation about Cosplay. Darvily talks about getting into Cosplay, along with some of the character she does. From Spider suits to Renfaire looks, Sailor Umbreon, and more. We talk about how she decides and chooses her looks and what she's working on for this year. You can find Darvily at: https://www.instagram.com/darvilyyy/ https://linktr.ee/darvily https://www.tiktok.com/@darvilyy https://www.twitch.tv/darvily https://www.youtube.com/@darvilyy

Listeners, the power of the Three Rings is ended. This week we fulfill our oath and complete the Peter Jackson LOTR trilogy!We're talking Denethor (aka Dennis Thor), the army of the dead, Aragorn's long sword, Eowyn being horny, the Mouth of Sauron being repugnant (put him back into the theatrical cut, cowards!) and how fun it is to see what Gandalf looks like when he sleeps.Also….Death! Death! Death!Next week, we're throwin' in a bonus! It's another super-important adaptation featuring many famous literary characters…THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN (2003). With a super secret very special guest! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Special FeaturesFrom Book to Script: Forging the Final ChapterDesigning Middle-earthHome of the Horse LordsCameras in Middle-earthWeta DigitalEditorial: Completing the TrilogyMusic for Middle-earthThe Soundscapes of Middle-earthThe End of All ThingsThe Passing of an AgePeter Jackson: A Filmmaker's Journey by Brian SibleyCinefex #96 Production HistoryCinefex Peter Jackson InterviewASC Cinematography BreakdownCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sir Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood return for The Hunt for Gollum but no Viggo! All the latest on the upcoming film along with news of 25th anniversary of Lord of the Rings, Lego announcements, The Rings of Power and much more!We are on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/themellonheadsYou can find us at: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/themellonheads⁠⁠If you enjoy our content and would like to support us, you can do so at this link: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/themellonheads#thehuntforgollum #lotr #lordoftherings

Westeros is back baby! We just watched the premiere of HBO’s new Westeros related show, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Find out how the Vassals feel about the first episode and let us know what you think. Hosts: Adam … Continue reading →

Come celebrate the New Year with us here at The Prancing Pony Podcast as The Man of the West welcomes The Sage of the South! James and Alan invite our listeners to the Common Room, answering their questions again in our 33rd Questions After Nightfall! James fishes for a bonus (already?) while we rate Galadriels; we re-write The Lord of the Rings from Legolas' perspective and ponder career opportunities for ex-wizards. Also on the agenda: the problem children of Ilúvatar and our standing rule about Babylon 5 callbacks. Finally, why is Tom? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We get together and discuss some of our favorite books, movies, and TV shows that we encountered in 2025 take a look at a few things we are looking forward to in 2026. Hosts: Adam (drownedsnow), Bina (Bina007), Stephanie (gsdg), … Continue reading →

Brian From is joined by Adam Holz from Plugged In to talk about the theatrical re-release of The Lord of the Rings extended editions and why the films still resonate 25 years later. They also dive into Plugged In’s new 2026 technology guide for parents, offering practical wisdom on screens, mental health, and digital boundaries for families. Adam closes with a simple, realistic first step for anyone looking to reset their relationship with phones and technology in the new year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Death in tabletop RPGs is a lot like a group project: everyone insists they're prepared for it, nobody actually reads the rules, and somehow it's always the wizard's fault. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew stares straight into the great beyond—death saves, dying conditions, resurrection magic, and those awkward moments when the cleric checks their spell slots and quietly says, "So… about that body." Whether your character goes out in a blaze of glory or bleeds out behind a crate because no one had an action left, we're breaking down how death really works at the table—and how to make it memorable instead of miserable. Show Notes Character death is one of the most emotionally charged—and mechanically misunderstood—parts of tabletop roleplaying games. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dig into how death mechanics work across popular systems, why they often feel harsher (or softer) than intended, and how players and GMs can turn character death into a powerful storytelling moment instead of a buzzkill. The discussion covers death saves, dying conditions, instant death effects, and the role of healing magic in prolonging—or preventing—the inevitable. The crew examines how different RPG systems handle mortality, from forgiving safety nets to brutal attrition-based designs, and what those choices say about the kind of stories those games want to tell. Beyond raw mechanics, the episode explores meaningful death: heroic sacrifices, last stands, narrative consequences, and when resurrection magic enhances the story versus when it cheapens the moment. The hosts also share table-tested advice for GMs on foreshadowing danger, setting expectations, and making sure character death feels fair—even when it's devastating. If you've ever wondered whether death should be rare, frequent, reversible, or permanent—or why every party suddenly becomes a tactical mastermind the moment someone drops to zero HP—this episode is for you. Key Takeaways Death mechanics shape tone. How a system handles dying directly affects whether the game feels heroic, gritty, or forgiving. Death saves are drama engines. They create tension, spotlight teamwork, and often reveal who really read their character sheet. Instant death is rare—but memorable. When it happens, it should feel earned, telegraphed, or narratively significant. Resurrection is a storytelling tool. Bringing a character back should have consequences, costs, or complications to preserve emotional weight. Heroic sacrifice beats random loss. Deaths tied to player choice are almost always more satisfying than unlucky math. GM communication matters. Clear expectations about lethality prevent resentment and help players invest emotionally. Death doesn't end the story. It can launch new arcs, reshape the party, or permanently change the world. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

We kick things off with the existential dread of FOLLOW UP and the absolute joy of jury duty. While xAI's Grok is busy getting banned in Malaysia and Indonesia for its CSAM-generating "features," the Senate is unanimously passing the DEFIANCE Act to give us some legal teeth against the deepfake machine. Meta is busy nuking 550,000 Australian accounts to appease regulators, while Roblox's age verification is so broken that a drawing of stubble or a photo of Kurt Cobain can get you into the adult lounge. Moving IN THE NEWS, Meta is trading its $70 billion Metaverse graveyard for a Reality Labs layoff and a pivot to AI hardware, fueled by an "AI infrastructure" buildout that's hiring former Trump advisors. Bandcamp is heroically banning AI "slop," Matthew McConaughey is trademarking his own face to fend off the bots, and ICE's AI hiring tool is such a disaster it's accidentally fast-tracking mall security as "officers." Between self-help gurus charging $99 for chatbot "advice," GM finally settling its driver-spying suit with the FTC, and NASA prepping for a February moon shot while China plans to launch 200,000 satellites into our already crowded orbit, the future looks exactly as messy as we expected.For MEDIA CANDY, we've got Lord of the Rings marathons, the diner-bridge of Starfleet Academy, and the usual joy of streaming price hikes hitting our "Premium" plans. We're tracking the 2025 "In Memoriam" and Gabriel Pagan's exhaustive movie list before sliding into APPS & DOODADS. Jony Ive and Sam Altman are reportedly building an hearing aide called "Sweetpea" to kill your AirPods, Siri is officially Google Gemini's new puppet, and Apple is finally bundling its creative apps into a "Creator Studio" subscription trap. Tesla is making Full Self-Driving a subscription-only Valentine's gift (good luck with that), Ring is rebranding surveillance as a "fire-watching" assistant, and a Chinese app called "Are You Dead?" is the new must-have for the lonely. To cap it off, the internet proved its maturity by using "Words.zip"—an infinite word-search grid—to draw a giant phallus, because of course they did.AT THE LIBRARY features the Anthony Bourdain Reader, the return of Bob in the new Laundry Files book, and Jimmy Carr's guide to happiness, which is apparently cheaper than therapy. Then we descend into THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE, where the dishwasher-installing, ham-radio-lunching Dave Bittner reveals Disney World has job openings for those of us who spent high school in the AV club. Lucasfilm is finally entering a new era as Kathleen Kennedy steps down, just as Galaxy's Edge admits the original trilogy exists, and we wrap it all up with lock-picking kits and the terrifying realization that Seymour from H.R. Pufnstuf is the ultimate Gen-X fursona.Sponsors:DeleteMe - Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use promo code GOG at checkout.Gusto - Try Gusto today at gusto.com/grumpy, and get three months free when you run your first payroll.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/729Watch on YouTube! https://youtu.be/1Y1jnRDw7g0FOLLOW UPMalaysia and Indonesia are the first to block Grok following CSAM scandalSenate passes Defiance Act for a second time to address Grok deepfakesMeta closes 550,000 accounts to comply with Australia's kids social media banRoblox's age verification system is reportedly a trainwreckIN THE NEWSMeta refocuses on AI hardware as metaverse layoffs beginMeta's Layoffs Leave Supernatural Fitness Users in MourningMeta Creates High-Powered Team to Oversee AI Infrastructure BuildoutBandcamp prohibits music made ‘wholly or in substantial part' by AIMatthew McConaughey fights unauthorized AI likenesses by trademarking himselfICE's AI Tool Has Been a Complete DisasterSelf-Help Ghouls Are Charging People Absurd Prices to Talk to Impersonator ChatbotsThe FTC's data-sharing order against GM is finally settledNASA is ending Crew-11 astronauts' mission a month earlyNASA makes final preparations for its first crewed moon mission in over 50 yearsAs SpaceX Works Toward 50K Starlink Satellites, China Eyes Deploying 200KMEDIA CANDYBeast Games Season 2Star Trek: Starfleet AcademyGrumpy Old ListThe Ongoing History of New Music, episode 1069: 2025 in MemoriamDepeche Mode: MAPPS & DOODADSJony Ive and Sam Altman's First AI Gadget May Try to Kill AirPodsApple's Siri AI will be powered by GeminiApple's Mac and iPad creative apps get bundled into “Creator Studio” subscriptionTesla's Full Self-Driving is switching to a subscription-only serviceRing founder details the camera company's 'intelligent assistant' eraAre You Dead?: The viral Chinese app for young people living aloneGive the Internet an Infinite Word Search and the Internet Will Draw a Dick on ItAT THE LIBRARYThe Anthony Bourdain Reader: New, Classic, and Rediscovered Writing by Anthony BourdainObvious Adams: The Story of a Successful Businessman by Robert UpdegraffBefore & Laughter by Jimmy CarrThe Regicide Report (Laundry Files, 14) by Charles StrossTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingHow to Read a Book: A Novel by Monica WoodWalt Disney World Resort is looking for Entertainment Stage TechniciansGalaxy's Edge Will Soon Cover All Eras of ‘Star Wars'Kathleen Kennedy steps down as Lucasfilm president, marking a new era for the Star Wars franchiseSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Lord of the Rings is back in theaters, but this story is about far more than elves, swords, and epic battles. In this episode, we uncover the deep Christian worldview behind Tolkien's masterpiece and why stories like this don't just entertain us they form us. From mercy and sacrifice to hope, courage, and the gospel itself, Middle-earth reminds us that evil is real, mercy matters, and even the smallest person can change the course of history. Plus, reactions to viral clips, modern prophecy chaos, parenting wisdom, and moments of surprising faith in action.   To learn more about the sponsor of today's show and what our family currently uses for our healthcare check out Christian Healthcare Ministries by visiting https://hubs.ly/Q02vWQGy0    Editing and production services provided by thepodcastupload.com   #TheKirkCameronShow #LordOfTheRings #Tolkien #ChristianWorldview #FaithAndCulture #GoodVsEvil #StorytellingMatters #BiblicalTruth #ChristianPodcast #MiddleEarth #Hope #GospelTruth #ChristianLiving #RaisingKids #FaithInAction #WeeklyWrapUp

The guys talk about lasers, sheep shear knives, camping in trucks, grinder springs, and The Lord of the Rings.youtube.com/theartofcraftsmanship@theartofcraftsmanship@theartofcameraguypatreon.com/theartofcraftsmanshipRecommendations:Dustin:Housemade.usTriple T Podcast and their 100th episodeDevon:Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on HBO Max airing the first episode this SundayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Craig Carton and Chris “C-Mac” McMonigle kick things off with food talk before diving into a spirited debate about the Dodgers' spending, whether buying championships still counts, and what truly defines a sports dynasty. The guys discuss why villains are good for sports, compare past MLB dynasties, and explain why everyone loves to hate dominant teams. As only the Carton Show can, the segment takes hilarious detours into Seattle fans, tridents, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and why Carton proudly avoids all of it.

Get to know Daniel Newman, board game designer and owner of New Mill Industries. We discuss the indie game markets that have been popping up at conventions over the last couple of years. They are a wonderful place to find unique games that only have very small print runs. And you get some insights on what the Tokyo Game market is like. We then talk about trick taking games that stood out to us from Japan and America. Some games might be hard to get but they might be interesting enough to you that you will want to hunt down. Then we talk about the mahjong resurgence and how Daniel connects to his son through Pokemon.00:00:00 Intro00:00:23 Getting to know Daniel Newman00:02:27 The Journey of a Game Designer00:04:35 The Indie Game Market Phenomenon00:09:25 Defining Indie Games and Their Market00:12:08 Criteria for Indie Game Market Participation00:19:45 5 Trick Takers that Stood out to usSkull King and Mythical Dice baseline00:24:01 Where to buy Japanese Games       https://trickyimports.com/       Tanoki games       UK - travel-games.co.uk      Amazon.jp      booth.jp      Consolidation services: Buyee00:28:58 Bid Coin00:32:09 No Loose Ends00:34:45 Karaoke Trick00:36:50 Cat in the Box00:39:08 Recurrring00:41:21 Mu and More      Zoo and More - Taylor Reiner - Seers catalog00:45:47 Sumida River00:48:04 Mystery Tricks00:53:24 I'm the CEO00:56:41 The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, Trick-Taking Game00:58:56 Vegeterrors01:00:12 Tezuma Trick      The Six of VIII01:03:36 Honorable Mentions01:03:54 Rebel Princess (Zombie Princess)      Spring Cleaning / Haunted Mouse01:05:02 Rascally Rabbits01:08:07 Moment of Positivity: The Resurgence of Mahjong01:12:07 Connecting Generations Through Pokemon01:13:38 Where to find Daniel & New Mill Industries      Daniel Newman on Bluesky     New Mill Industries Website01:14:58 Outro(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.) BGG Store: https://boardgamegeekstore.com/ Web: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: podcast@boardgamegeek.com

Join the vassals as we discuss the finale and final season of the Netflix show Stranger Things. A finale that was a decade in the making. How did you find the finale? Were satisfied or were all the plot holes … Continue reading →

Happy New Year from the Bar! Usually, we're pouring your favorite beverage, but now we're also poring over new guidance around provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill related to telehealth in high-deductible health plans, direct primary care arrangements, and onsite clinics. We also have an update on some fiduciary litigation. And in Last Call, Ed channels his inner Frodo and salutes the 25th anniversary of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Alright everyone, grab your Po-Tay-Toes and get ready for the second installment of LOTR: The Two Towers. In this episode, Meghan realizes she and Gimli are one, Jacqueline fully admits to being a horse girl, and they both fangirl over the Ents for a bit. Too bad they don't talk as slowly as they do, it might be easier to listen! Stay tuned for the final chapter! Follow LTP on Social Media

Dragons are eternal. Gaming mice are not. In today's episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we survive cursed peripherals, catastrophic Kingdom turns, and at least one near-fatal werewolf encounter before finally turning our attention to the real reason we woke up before dawn: Paizo's Lost Omens: Draconic Codex. It's a book that asks the important questions—like "What if dragons were powered by magical traditions?", "What if dragons were made of swords?", and "What if a dragon respawned because you can't kill the joke?" Pour yourself a gallon of coffee and join us as we dig into archdragons, dragon gods, delight dragons, wish dragons, and more dragons than should legally fit in one hardcover. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew reviews Lost Omens: Draconic Codex, Paizo's definitive Pathfinder Second Edition sourcebook for dragons. The discussion covers both lore and mechanics introduced in the Remaster era, highlighting how Pathfinder 2e has fully reinvented dragons to align with its four magical traditions: Arcane, Divine, Occult, and Primal . Covered Topics Include:  Remastered Dragon Lore Pathfinder's clean break from chromatic/metallic dragons Dragons aligned to magical traditions instead of color Why these dragons feel "native" to PF2e mechanics Dragon Creation Myth & Dragon Gods Apsu, Dahak, Sarshalatu, and the draconic origin story Dragon gods, pantheons, edicts, and anathema Cleric and champion support for dragon-aligned worship Archdragons & Dragon Physiology New age category: Archdragon Young → Adult → Ancient → Arch progression Why archdragons emerge during times of conflict Expanded archdragon stat blocks for existing dragons Bestiary Highlights (So Many Dragons) - Over 40 dragon types, including: Delight Dragons (joy, bubbles, toys, and respawning punchlines) Mocking Dragons (laughing at your failures—mechanically) Wish Dragons (granting wishes with no ritual cost… interpreted by the dragon) Vorpal Dragons (made of swords, can decapitate you and leave you alive) Sage Dragons (dragon nerds who weaponize your secrets) Wyrm Wraiths (void-fueled undead dragon horrors) Player & GM Options Dragon-themed archetypes and ancestry options Dragonets as playable, pseudo-dragon-like companions Expanded kobold options New spells, magic items, and dragon contracts (mechanical pacts that actually matter) GM Tools & Campaign Hooks Dragons as quest-givers, gods, villains, and punchlines High-level storytelling with wish-granting dragons Using dragons as expressions of magical philosophy Key Takeaways Lost Omens: Draconic Codex fully redefines dragons for Pathfinder 2e, making them mechanically and narratively distinct from D&D while remaining iconic . The four magical traditions give dragons clearer identities, spell access, and story roles. Archdragons provide true level-21+ threats with campaign-defining presence. Dragons in this book are not just monsters—they're gods, philosophers, tricksters, wish-granters, and walking rules arguments. Player options (dragonets, archetypes, contracts) meaningfully support dragon-centric campaigns. This book is a must-own for Pathfinder 2e GMs, especially for high-level or lore-heavy games. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Its our 400th episode! We might be recording a day early but that doesn't mean the news stops. Apparently the Doomsday trailers are a story, not a cohesive one though. Jackass is returning to theaters, but at what cost? GameStop is closing stores, are you surprised? Plus reactions to the Golden Globes, and more!

The Gospel in Lord of the Rings In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings journey through the epic world of The Lord of the Rings—exploring how Tolkien's masterpiece mirrors the deeper spiritual realities of our own lives. From the quiet comfort of the Shire to the battlefields of Middle Earth, the conversation follows Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, and the fellowship as they answer the call to adventure, face down evil, and sacrifice for something greater than themselves. Using the trailers from The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, Michael and SJ unpack the arc of the Hero's Journey and why it continues to resonate. They reflect on the pull toward comfort, the cost of leaving "the normal world," and the significance of choosing hope in the darkest places. The ring becomes more than a plot device—it's a symbol of the burdens we carry and the battles we face daily. With personal stories, spiritual insight, and reverence for the storytelling genius of Tolkien, this episode reminds us that every man is in a larger story—one filled with glory, grief, and a King worth following. We hope you enjoy this episode and invite you to connect with us! Sign Up for the Heart of a Warrior Encounter: www.zoweh.org/events

This week! HOT GYPSY CHAT in brief, belated New Year Resolutions, Harbaugh is out, “Speaking of Minnesota,” and some other things on the front half. Then, the 25th anniversary of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Mr Bean Cinematic Universe (MBCU), and the CES Worst in Show (sort of) – wow!

In Episode 22 of Season 6, we look back on a 1-1 draw with Everton and a 6-1 (you read that right) win over Shrewsbury in the FA Cup. Can the beatdown of a League Two opponent spark further success in the EPL? Does JSL's hat-trick mean he will get back in the starting 11? Plus, Josh and Danny celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Lord of the Rings with a Wolves twist. --- Follow the show on X @wlwpod, on YouTube @WholeLottaWolves and on Facebook. E-mail us at wholelottawolves@gmail.com

Happy New Year! Four morons are back for the first "Wins & Wiffs" episode of 2026 (Ep. 184 of FITT) to talk about the incredible toy pickups kicking off the new year—and one member is suspiciously missing!This week's Wins are all about big finds and bigger deals:• A great score on a new collectible from Star Wars.• Finally completing a difficult hunt for classic 80s TV show action figures.• The Deal of the Year contender: Getting multiple, premium high-end vehicle collectibles for a ridiculously low price after a store clearance!• Starting a costly, high-stakes journey collecting retired, valuable fantasy building sets from a decade ago.Which toy haul was the biggest W? Let us know in the comments!0:00 Intro & Chris is Missing3:50 Win of the Week: First Pick4:51 Funko Pop Star Wars Bobblehead7:26 1983 Galoob A-Team Action Figures12:37 Super7 Batman Super Cyborg Batmobile 1989 Vehicle Store Display14:32 Super7 Batman Super Cyborg Batmobile Tumbler Store Display18:07 Retired 2012 LEGO The Lord of the Rings 9469 Gandalf Arrives Set22:23 Outro#toycollector #Batmobile #lotrlego #Super7 #tumbler #supercyborg #lordoftherings #ateam #vintagetoys #thefellowshipofthering #toydeals #collectibles #toyhaul #funkopops #lego #funko #actionfigures #podcast #toytalk #batman #lotr #rarelego #funkopop #galoob #mrt #gandalf #froto #batmobile1989 #lego2012 #legominifigures #lego9469-----------------------

We continue with LOTOR: The Fellowship of the Ring as Gandalf and Frodo face down The One Ring, drawing parallels to addiction of all kinds in the real world.

We continue to move through Middle-Earth. How has the unexpected journey turned out in the middle?

A feminist booktoker took to X to say that men didn't read or write fantasy and fiction and IMMEDIATELY got bodied by male fantasy fans on social media who pointed out that Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Game of Thrones and more do exist.Watch this podcast episode on YouTube and all major podcast hosts including Spotify.CLOWNFISH TV is an independent, opinionated news and commentary podcast that covers Entertainment and Tech from a consumer's point of view. We talk about Gaming, Comics, Anime, TV, Movies, Animation and more. Hosted by Kneon and Geeky Sparkles.D/REZZED News covers Pixels, Pop Culture, and the Paranormal! We're an independent, opinionated entertainment news blog covering Video Games, Tech, Comics, Movies, Anime, High Strangeness, and more. As part of Clownfish TV, we strive to be balanced, based, and apolitical. Get more news, views and reviews on Clownfish TV News - https://more.clownfishtv.com/On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ClownfishTVOn Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4Tu83D1NcCmh7K1zHIedvgOn Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clownfish-tv-audio-edition/id1726838629

Boomer & Brandon discuss the first major theatrical release of the year: Johannes Roberts's killer-chimp horror pic Primate (2026) https://swampflix.com/ 0:00 Welcome 03:06 The Islands of Yann Gonzalez (2006 - 2017) 07:51 The Wild Boys (2017) 12:10 Café Flesh (1982) 17:26 Star Trek - Section 31 (2025) 19:59 Rachel Getting Married (2008) 26:00 The Housemaid (2025) 32:00 Paris, Texas (1984) 36:10 The Host (2006) 42:04 Soul Survivors (2001) 47:46 The Lord of the Rings (2001 - 2003) 53:46 Looper (2012) 57:54 Bean (1997) 1:00:43 Eve's Bayou (1997) 1:05:48 Peeping Tom (1960) 1:09:38 Sleeping Beauty (1959) 1:14:52 The Age of Innocence (1993) 1:18:46 Breakdown (1997) 1:20:38 Shakedown (1988) 1:24:35 Dressed to Kill (1980) 1:28:55 Priscilla (2023) 1:31:07 Megadoc (2025) 1:34:20 Holes (2003) 1:38:29 THX-1138 (1971) 1:43:41 The Lighthouse (2019) 1:46:00 Primate (2026)

At the start of a new series, Daniel will be exploring the work of two prolific Fantasy writers: 1. JRR Tolkien. 2. George RR Martin. Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings have had a distinct cultural impact, but they also offer a window into the worldviews of the men who wrote them. This is what Daniel wants to explore. On the surface, GOT and LOTR may look quite similar, but that's due to an inability to see. Daniel's central question: How does the philosophy of two very different men produce vastly different worlds? Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-belfast-podcast/id1472441982 Follow us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1s3aaP3pUkQKBVXbsP8Y34?si=ca588a6165424c61 Instagram: @thebelfastpodcast Email: belfastpodcast@gmail.com The Belfast Podcast exists to help recapture the Christian imagination. Luke and Daniel see the trend of modernism doing no favors for a vibrant view of scripture. Our goal is to widen the field of vision for modern people reading the Bible as we grapple with its ancient context, literary beauty, and symbolic underpinnings. You may have been taught to read texts with an eye for their literary and symbolic structures in English courses in high school and/or college, but rarely is this taught to seminary students or lay Christians alike when it comes to the Bible. We want to keep this eye for symbolism, repetition, and structure as we investigate the Biblical canon, linking it to modern and old examples that are extemporaneous yet connected to aid in giving the broader field of vision mentioned earlier. Come along with us on our journey to reread your bible for the first time. We hope that through the words of those who have come before us, we can give Western Christianity its imagination back.

You've read The Lord of the Rings.You loved Middle-earth.And then someone told you, “Now you should read The Silmarillion.”But do you actually need to?In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim gives a straightforward, no-gatekeeping answer to one of the most common — and most intimidating — Tolkien questions out there: Is The Silmarillion required reading?This isn't a lore flex.This is an honest conversation.We'll talk about:• The short answer (up front)• What The Silmarillion actually is — and what it isn't• What it adds to Middle-earth (if you read it)• What it absolutely does not do• Who will probably love it• Who can safely skip it (and why that's completely okay)• A better question to ask than “Do I need this book?”This episode is perfect if:• You've felt pressure to read The Silmarillion• You bounced off it once and wondered if that meant something• You love Tolkien but prefer story over dense mythology• You want permission to enjoy Middle-earth your own way

A Toast to Community Spirit Winchester's Old Town district is shaking off the post-holiday blues with a spirited comeback. In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and Brady Cloven, Executive Director for Friends of Old Town, recently embarked on what they jokingly called "research"—a Friday afternoon bar crawl previewing Old Town on the Rocks, a revived cocktail competition set for January 16-18, 2026. The event marks the return of a beloved tradition that disappeared during COVID. After a five or six-year hiatus, Brady and his team approached the original organizers to revive the competition. "They said, cool, we'll give you the ownership of it. Do what you want with it," Brady recalls with a laugh.  A New Focus on Main Street This year's competition takes a more focused approach than its predecessor. Rather than spreading across the entire city, Old Town on the Rocks concentrates exclusively on the Old Town Walking Mall and Main Street district businesses. "We're the Main Street Program and our region and our scope is the Old Town District," Brady explains. While future years may expand to include establishments like Oak Stone or Crush, this inaugural revival keeps things tight and manageable. The strategy serves a dual purpose: showcasing the creativity of local bartenders while driving business during one of the slowest months of the year. "Everybody backs off from being out after the holidays," Brady notes, "but this is trying to push them through for a weekend and say, hey, there's still things to do down here." Stop One: Hideaway Cafe's Coffee Cocktail Mastery The duo begins their journey at Hideaway Cafe, where co-owner Greg Armstrong has transformed a coffee shop into an unexpected cocktail destination. Located in the big green building on the corner of Cork and Loudoun—the old Bargain Corner for longtime Winchester residents—Hideaway boasts a unique advantage: a full espresso bar alongside its liquor license. Greg's background reveals a passionate hobbyist turned professional. Years ago, he took a bartending course as a gift, but his instructor quickly realized Greg's extensive knowledge. "The guy who was teaching the course realized that he would go through what was in the text, and then turn to me and say, what do you know about it?" Greg remembers. "And I would talk for half an hour about whatever it was." The Long Winter's Night Manhattan For the competition, Greg crafted the Long Winter's Night Manhattan, a sophisticated twist on the classic Black Manhattan. Instead of traditional vermouth, he uses Amaro—an Italian botanical liqueur—then adds Licor 43 (Cuarenta y Tres), a Spanish cordial with 43 infused botanicals that brings vanilla and citrus notes. A touch of Amarena syrup rounds out the cherry flavors. "It's got really good flavor," Brady observes after his first sip, noting the lingering spice from the whiskey and botanicals. Janet agrees enthusiastically, remarking that the alcohol doesn't overpower the complex layers—a common pitfall in bourbon-forward drinks. Greg's bar operates on an unconventional schedule. Patrons can order cocktails from 9 AM until closing, though Greg admits morning orders tend toward Irish coffees and espresso martinis. The cafe closes Mondays for administrative work, opens 9-2 on Tuesdays, 9-5 Wednesday through Saturday, and 9-4 on Sundays. Special evening events extend hours to around 7 PM, all posted on their Facebook page. Stop Two: V2's Nerdy Indulgence Next, Janet and Brady head to V2, where GM/bar manager Courtney has prepared something entirely different. The restaurant, which has anchored Old Town for 23 years, recently expanded its beverage program and just secured an ABC license for its sister restaurant, Mangia Cucina Italiana. Courtney's creation, the Red Eye Mordor, draws inspiration from an unexpected source: the 25th anniversary re-release of Lord of the Rings, screening the same weekend as the competition. "I'm a huge Lord of the Rings fan, as well as my boyfriend," Courtney explains. "I kind of just wanted something that inspired me from the movie, plus to kind of nerd out with it." A Coffee-Based Journey to Middle Earth The cocktail combines coffee with a hint of spice, referencing Frodo's sleepless journey into the fiery realm of Mordor. Edible gold glitter symbolizes the One Ring, while red glitter on top adds visual drama. When Janet admits she's never seen Lord of the Rings, Brady looks genuinely shocked. "This drink is literally going to be my introduction to Lord of the Rings," she laughs. After tasting, Brady's eyes widen. "Oh my gosh, it's like a spiced hot chocolate," he exclaims. "It lingers a lot in a good way." Janet agrees, noting that even non-coffee drinkers would appreciate the balanced flavors. Courtney's creative process involves considerable trial and error—and drinking. While developing the Red Eye Mordor, she struggled to identify a missing ingredient, complicated by recovering from illness. "Two days I'm stewing on this," she recalls. "I finally figured it out. I'm not gonna say 'cause it's a secret ingredient, secret recipe." Beyond the competition, V2 offers an extensive menu featuring fresh pasta and a growing tequila collection. Their happy hour runs 4-6 PM Monday through Friday, with a special Saturday morning happy hour featuring dollar oysters. The restaurant operates 11:30 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. Stop Three: Roma's Warm Surprise The final stop brings Janet and Brady to Roma, known primarily for pizza but hiding a sophisticated bar program. Chris, the bartender who created the competition entry, isn't present, but his Smooth Like Butta cocktail speaks for itself. This drink stands out as the only warm cocktail in the competition—a bold choice that initially makes Brady hesitant. "I'm not a huge fan of warm drinks," he admits. The cocktail features Elijah Craig Rye, house-infused apple brandy, house citrus shrub, and a touch of butter. Defying Expectations After the first sip, Brady's skepticism evaporates. "Oh, that is smooth like butta," he marvels. Janet, equally impressed, confesses her initial doubts: "I had my doubts, but all of my doubts have now been erased. This is amazing." The butter element proves particularly striking. "It even tastes like butter," Janet observes. "After you're done, you can feel it on your lips." Brady nods enthusiastically, calling the experience "insane." The warm cocktail's timing couldn't be better. While the preview happens on a mild 60-degree rainy day, the actual competition weekend will likely bring temperatures in the 30s or 40s—perfect weather for a warming drink. The Competition Framework Old Town on the Rocks features eight participating establishments: Hideaway Cafe, Roma, V2, Wine Room, TT Walls, The Half Note Lounge, Bistro Sojo, and Uno's (located under the George Washington Hotel). Each venue creates a unique cocktail using Elijah Craig bourbon, courtesy of sponsor Heaven Hill. The competition runs two parallel tracks. A panel of four judges—including Charlie Fish, one of the original Winchester on the Rocks organizers—will evaluate drinks using a standardized rubric. The winner receives a trophy provided by Elijah Craig. Simultaneously, fan voting occurs via QR codes at each location, determining the People's Choice winner. "I think it's a good way to have four judges who are all very interested in Old Town and live here, work here," Brady explains. However, Janet acknowledges that many restaurants value the popular vote even more than the judges' trophy. "They wanna know how many votes did they get as the most popular. That means a lot more to them sometimes." Heaven Hill Distillery and Elijah Craig stepped up as sponsors after Brady reached out following a suggestion from Caleb at Roma. "Just like that we did and they came and we had a conversation," Brady recalls. "I said, here's what we're thinking. They said, we'd love that idea." Beyond the Bourbon The event serves a larger mission for Winchester's Main Street Program. Brady pushes back against the perception that Old Town hibernates during winter months. "I don't think that Old Town goes into hibernation mode," he insists. "I think you just have to really look, and there are a ton of things that we have that can pull you indoors." He points to four museums within walking distance, an emerging arts district featuring Typewriter Studio and Polka Dot Pot, and the ongoing holiday market at ShenArts. "There is always something to do when it gets colder," Brady emphasizes. "You just still look a little harder, and we're hoping to push that forward." The timing also addresses a critical business challenge. January represents a financial lurch for small businesses—customers are waiting on tax returns, recovering from holiday spending, and generally reluctant to venture out. "It's still very important to support your small businesses," Brady urges. Even those who can't attend can help by sharing event information on social media. A Culinary Hub's Diversity Throughout their afternoon journey, Janet and Brady repeatedly note Old Town's remarkable diversity. "Everything is very unique down here," Janet observes. "You're not gonna walk up and down the mall or even on the ancillary parts and find exactly the same thing." The three cocktails they sample prove her point. From Hideaway's sophisticated Manhattan variation to V2's nerdy espresso martini to Roma's buttery warm concoction, each establishment brings distinct creativity to the same base spirit. "We've had a Manhattan, an espresso martini, and now a nice warm mock cider drink," Brady summarizes, still marveling at the variety. This diversity extends beyond beverages. V2 makes syrups in-house and infuses its own spirits. Courtney recently experimented with homemade limoncello for the group's new restaurant, Mangia, using V2 as her "guinea pig." Hideaway leverages its espresso equipment to create coffee cocktails other bars can't replicate. Roma operates Alesatian Brewery upstairs while serving creative cocktails downstairs. The Road Ahead As Janet and Brady wrap up their preview—admittedly feeling the effects of three bourbon drinks—they reflect on the challenge ahead. "We have eight different restaurants participating. We've only hit three," Brady notes with a laugh. "And at this rate, we may not hit more than... we may not hit. This may be the only three that we do." The bourbon requirement, while creating cohesion, presents its own challenge. "It's great because I love bourbon," Brady admits. "It's not great because when you're trying to drink eight bourbon drinks..." He trails off, closing one eye dramatically. Despite the research hazards, both hosts express genuine excitement for the competition's potential. The event represents more than just cocktails—it's about community resilience, creative expression, and proving that Old Town thrives year-round. For those planning to participate, Brady recommends spreading the experience across the full weekend rather than attempting all eight venues in one night. "You have plenty of opportunity to come in and try these drinks at all these different places," he suggests diplomatically. Raising the Bar Old Town on the Rocks ultimately celebrates what makes Winchester's downtown special: independent businesses run by passionate people who genuinely care about their craft. Greg's encyclopedic alcohol knowledge, Courtney's nerdy creativity, and Chris's willingness to experiment with warm butter cocktails all reflect a community that refuses to phone it in. As Janet becomes a newly minted VIP at Hideaway (complete with keychain proof), she embodies the event's spirit—locals discovering new dimensions of familiar places, supporting neighbors, and finding reasons to gather during the coldest, darkest months. "Just share it on Facebook," Brady urges those who can't attend. "You don't have to come out for Old Town on the Rocks. You can just share it, 'cause people may see it and want to go out." In the end, that's what community looks like: raising a glass together, even when it's cold outside. Old Town on the Rocks takes place January 16-18 throughout Old Town Winchester. Find more information at friendsofoldown.org or search "Friends of Old Town" on Facebook and Instagram.

Today the Pugs welcome Dr. Scott Masson of Tyndale University onto the show. Scott is an Associate Professor of English and an authority on Romanticism. He also is known for his commitment to a recovery of classical learning. Today Scott reflects on the broken relationship between the humanities and theology and the disastrous consequences for higher education. He notes that this strikes right at the heart of the Christian faith because it separates the divine and human natures of the Son of God. He compares this to the broken sword Aduril from The Lord of the Rings and notes that the right ordering of our loves and the restoration of culture won't occur until the sword is reforged in the West. Join us for a great conversation. The Anduril Moment - A Call to Return to Christian Humanism: Dr. Scott Masson’s lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2IWBJcN5kk Dr. Masson’s Substack: https://drscottmasson.substack.com/ Paideia Today: https://www.paideiatoday.com/ Recommended videos from Dr. Masson’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/DrScottMasson i) How the Ideology of the French Revolution Destroyed Human Nature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEYyIHiA0kE ii) The History of Literary Theory (An overview): https://youtu.be/0QsnNzFq9cs?si=yw06YOzRR1R6H0LN iii) The Legacy of Romanticism: https://youtu.be/2-ethRyqhzQ?si=K5KEkrlN0E77izN6 iv) The History of Cultural Marxism: https://youtu.be/lC7q26ddu2k?si=m1R03Cu3fYdDqzDk www.paideiatoday.com Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/ Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

Today the Pugs welcome Dr. Scott Masson of Tyndale University onto the show. Scott is an Associate Professor of English and an authority on Romanticism. He also is known for his commitment to a recovery of classical learning. Today Scott reflects on the broken relationship between the humanities and theology and the disastrous consequences for higher education. He notes that this strikes right at the heart of the Christian faith because it separates the divine and human natures of the Son of God. He compares this to the broken sword Aduril from The Lord of the Rings and notes that the right ordering of our loves and the restoration of culture won't occur until the sword is reforged in the West. Join us for a great conversation.The Anduril Moment - A Call to Return to Christian Humanism: Dr. Scott Masson's lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2IWBJcN5kkDr. Masson's Substack: https://drscottmasson.substack.com/Paideia Today:  https://www.paideiatoday.com/Recommended videos from Dr. Masson's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/DrScottMassoni) How the Ideology of the French Revolution Destroyed Human Nature:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEYyIHiA0kEii) The History of Literary Theory (An overview):https://youtu.be/0QsnNzFq9cs?si=yw06YOzRR1R6H0LNiii) The Legacy of Romanticism:https://youtu.be/2-ethRyqhzQ?si=K5KEkrlN0E77izN6iv) The History of Cultural Marxism:  https://youtu.be/lC7q26ddu2k?si=m1R03Cu3fYdDqzDkwww.paideiatoday.comSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

Our adventure through Middle Earth comes to a close as we make the final trek to Mount Doom with the epic Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Journey with us as special guest Jonathan as we go over all those extended scenes and how Peter Jackson decided to adapt certain aspects of the book. We discuss the wide cast of characters and those legendary battle sequences. Is this the last great fantasy epic or is it too much of a slog to get through? So pour some rye, grab the one ring to rule them all, and get ready to cast it into the fire to save Middle Earth. Cheers!

Forth Eorlingas! This week we toss Gimli face first into the forces of the Enemy. It's another four hour tour of Middle Earth, and this time, we brought Ents.Is the middle film of a trilogy ever the best one? In this case, the jury's out, but one thing is for certain: it has the weirdest title of all three.Topics explored this week include: Legolas's whole deal, the groundbreaking creation of Sméagol, Merry and Pippin blazin' it with Treebeard, Helm's Deep, Helm's Deep, and a LOT more Helm's Deep.Next week, we complete the holy trinity with RETURN OF THE KING (2003), and then we promise we'll never talk about Rings again (just kidding, the Ring has corrupted us and there's no turning back now). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Special FeaturesWarriors of the Third AgeCameras in Middle EarthFrom Book to Script: Finding the StoryEditorial: Editing the StoryRick Porras as GollumThe Soundscapes of Middle EarthCinefex #92 Production HistoryAnything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-Earth by Ian NathanPeter Jackson: A Filmmaker's Journey by Brian SibleyUma Thurman Turns Down EowynASC Cinematography BreakdownCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Robbie GK joins the guys in studio for an all time hang session. From his original audition for Scott Hunter to the call from Jacob before episode 3 telling him to brace for impact because his world was about to change. We talk Kip's dad and Heated Rivalry dance offs. Plus, the guys nerd out on Lord of the Rings, video games, and playing spike ball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for our 2026 project hype draft! TJ Zwarych, Damon Gray, and Richard Nebens of Agents of Fandom rank their most anticipated TV Shows and Movies of the upcoming year. What will we choose? What did we miss? Let us know! (00:00:00) Intro(00:04:00) Whatcha Watchin? - Batman: Caped Crusader, Lord of the Rings, Cyberpunk 2077 (00:13:00) Most Anticipated Movies and TV Shows of 2026 - DRAFT!(00:58:00) Spider-Man: Brand New Day Predictions(01:10:00) Avengers Doomsday Predictions Full list: 1. Avengers Doomsday2. Spider-Man: Brand New Day3. Supergirl4. Shrinking S25. The Odyssey6. Daredevi: Born Again S27. Project Hail Mary8. Lanterns9. The Legend of Aang10. The Mandalorian and GroguCheck out https://www.agentsoffandom.com for the latest TV and Movie reviews! 

Today the Pugs welcome Dr. Scott Masson of Tyndale University onto the show. Scott is an Associate Professor of English and an authority on Romanticism. He also is known for his commitment to a recovery of classical learning. Today Scott reflects on the broken relationship between the humanities and theology and the disastrous consequences for higher education. He notes that this strikes right at the heart of the Christian faith because it separates the divine and human natures of the Son of God. He compares this to the broken sword Aduril from The Lord of the Rings and notes that the right ordering of our loves and the restoration of culture won't occur until the sword is reforged in the West. Join us for a great conversation. The Anduril Moment - A Call to Return to Christian Humanism: Dr. Scott Masson’s lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2IWBJcN5kk Dr. Masson’s Substack: https://drscottmasson.substack.com/ Paideia Today: https://www.paideiatoday.com/ Recommended videos from Dr. Masson’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/DrScottMasson i) How the Ideology of the French Revolution Destroyed Human Nature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEYyIHiA0kE ii) The History of Literary Theory (An overview): https://youtu.be/0QsnNzFq9cs?si=yw06YOzRR1R6H0LN iii) The Legacy of Romanticism: https://youtu.be/2-ethRyqhzQ?si=K5KEkrlN0E77izN6 iv) The History of Cultural Marxism: https://youtu.be/lC7q26ddu2k?si=m1R03Cu3fYdDqzDk www.paideiatoday.com Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/ Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), the final battle for Middle-earth reaches its epic conclusion. As Frodo and Sam struggle toward Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, Aragorn must embrace his destiny and unite the forces of men against Sauron's army. With loyalty tested and courage pushed to … Continue reading Ep. 08-18: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) →

A couple previews clips from our recent Patreon-exclusive in-depth analysis of Ridley Scott's 1985 film Legend. The full-length discussion continues our research into 1980s MK-fantasy films, with Brett previously having offered comprehensive looks at Labyrinth and Return to Oz here on the Patreon and us having discussed the animated LOTR films and The Last Unicorn with Carrie Olaje on the main feed. In the full episode we talk about Ridley's career and the ultra-sus Scott family, the film's occult metaphysics, revelation of the method, programming tropes, and "marriage to Satan" theme. Thomas also discusses the thematic relevance of Robert Eggers' The Witch and Scott's later movies Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. https://www.patreon.com/PsyopCinemaIf you enjoy Psyop Cinema, check out the Decoding Culture Foundation and Cultural Engineering Studies magazine - https://decoding-culture.com/print-copies/ - https://decoding-culture.com/publication/ - https://decoding-culture.com/https://twitter.com/CinemaPsyophttps://psyopcinema.com/https://linktr.ee/psyopcinemathomas-psyopcinema@protonmail.combrett-psyopcinema@protonmail.com   

Heard Tolkien fans casually drop phrases like First Age, Second Age, or War of the Ring and thought… I have no idea what any of that means?You're not alone.In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim breaks down the Middle-earth timeline in a way that actually makes sense — no charts, no textbooks, no lore overload. Just the big-picture flow of history you need to enjoy Tolkien without stress.We'll cover:• How Tolkien organizes history into Ages (and why that matters)• What happened before The Hobbit (quickly, I promise)• The rise and fall of power in the First and Second Ages• Where The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings fit in the timeline• Why the War of the Ring is the end of an era, not just a battleThis episode is perfect if:• You're new to Tolkien and feel lost when people talk timelines• You've read the books but want the history to finally “click”• You've only seen the movies and want context for the larger world• You want understanding without memorization

Welcome back to RPGBOT.Podcast, where Ash is a Top GM™, Tyler is still emotionally processing Bastions, and Randall has discovered that Eberron finally lets you live your best divorced-dad-with-a-houseboat fantasy. In Part 2 of our review of Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, we leave the artificer workshop behind and dive headfirst into dragonmarked intrigue, mobile bastions, noir detectives, political backstabbing, and the deeply dangerous question: "What if my base could walk?" This episode contains airships, crime fiction, economic monopolies, and at least one moment where we realize the answer to most Eberron problems is "build a bigger construct." Show Notes In RPGBOT.Podcast – Eberron: Forge of the Artificer (Part 2), the hosts continue their in-depth review of the book by shifting focus away from the artificer class and into the broader Eberron ecosystem. This episode examines the character options beyond artificers, including dragonmarked feats, reworked species, and the lore implications of opening dragonmarks to wider character concepts. From there, the discussion moves into Bastions, including mobile bases like airships, lightning rail trains, and ships—raising important questions about gameplay practicality, narrative freedom, and whether your party should legally be allowed to own a war machine. The back half of the episode explores Eberron's storytelling frameworks, including noir-inspired Sharn inquisitives, dragonmarked house intrigue, and campaign structures built around politics, monopolies, and inevitable wars. Key Takeaways Dragonmarks are the backbone of this book. If you like dragonmarked houses, intrigue, and economic power struggles, this chapter delivers in spades. New species updates are a big win. Warforged as constructs, kalashtar as aberrations, and revamped korovar (half-elves) meaningfully impact gameplay and spell interactions. Dragonmark feats heavily favor spellcasters. Martials should be cautious—many benefits scale best with spellcasting. Mobile Bastions are conceptually excellent and mechanically… messy. Airships, trains, and ships are cool, but DMs will need to smooth the edges. Eberron leans hard into genre play. Noir detective stories, Renaissance-style intrigue, and political drama are clearly supported. High-level play quietly breaks old Eberron assumptions. The book embraces higher-level NPCs and epic conflicts, even if it bends earlier canon. Everything eventually leads to war. Political intrigue, dragonmarked monopolies, and bastions all point toward large-scale conflict—and that's very on-brand for Eberron. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Today the Pugs welcome Dr. Scott Masson of Tyndale University onto the show. Scott is an Associate Professor of English and an authority on Romanticism. He also is known for his commitment to a recovery of classical learning. Today Scott reflects on the broken relationship between the humanities and theology and the disastrous consequences for higher education. He notes that this strikes right at the heart of the Christian faith because it separates the divine and human natures of the Son of God. He compares this to the broken sword Aduril from The Lord of the Rings and notes that the right ordering of our loves and the restoration of culture won't occur until the sword is reforged in the West. Join us for a great conversation. The Anduril Moment - A Call to Return to Christian Humanism: Dr. Scott Masson’s lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2IWBJcN5kk Dr. Masson’s Substack: https://drscottmasson.substack.com/ Paideia Today: https://www.paideiatoday.com/ Recommended videos from Dr. Masson’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/DrScottMasson i) How the Ideology of the French Revolution Destroyed Human Nature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEYyIHiA0kE ii) The History of Literary Theory (An overview): https://youtu.be/0QsnNzFq9cs?si=yw06YOzRR1R6H0LN iii) The Legacy of Romanticism: https://youtu.be/2-ethRyqhzQ?si=K5KEkrlN0E77izN6 iv) The History of Cultural Marxism: https://youtu.be/lC7q26ddu2k?si=m1R03Cu3fYdDqzDk www.paideiatoday.com Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/ Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

Middle-earth is one of the most beloved fantasy worlds ever created — but let's be honest, it can also feel intimidating.Maps. Songs. Names. Ages. Lore.If you've ever wanted to read Tolkien but worried you were “missing something,” this episode is for you.In this episode, Jim provides a true beginner's guide to Middle-earth — what it is, how it works, who matters, and what you can safely not worry about — so you can actually enjoy The Lord of the Rings without pressure, homework, or lore anxiety.We'll talk about:• What Middle-earth actually is (and what it isn't)• The basic peoples and cultures you'll encounter• Why the world feels ancient and melancholic• Good vs. evil in Tolkien (and why it's not simple)• The One Ring and why it's dangerous• What you don't need to know to have a great reading experienceThis episode is perfect if:• You've never read Tolkien and want a friendly starting point• You bounced off the books before and want to try again• You've only seen the movies and are curious about the novels• You want to enjoy Tolkien without drowning in lore

This new year we dive into one of the biggest movie trilogies of all time in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings! Jordan and Colin join Edwin and Alex to break down The Two Towers, the second installment from 2002. After hitting on our overall impressions on the film, we discuss: - The most important scenes to us (10:41) - Delightful moments (44:10) - Discussion question roundtable (57:17) All that, plus greasy ol' Wormtongue, trinkets to help Sam & Frodo, Gimli's fighting prowess, and Orcs ordering off a menu. So retreat to Helm's Deep, unbind the spell on you from Saruman, and ride out to meet your fate to discuss the middle of the LOTR saga! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We begin 2026 with a question: What if the most decisive battles in our time aren't fought with ballots or bombs—but with the imagination?Watch the full conversation on YouTube Russell Moore talks with historian and author Joseph Loconte about The War for Middle-earth, his book on how World War I and World War II forged the friendship, faith, and fiction of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Together they explore why The Lord of the Rings and Narnia weren't escapist detours from reality, but a deliberate counter-assault on cynicism, propaganda, and the will to power—written by men who had seen the trenches up close and knew exactly what modern darkness looks like. Loconte and Moore talk about why World War I has slipped from our cultural memory, what protected Tolkien from the disillusionment that swallowed so many of his peers, and why both writers keep insisting that deeds done in the dark are “not wholly in vain.” They also discuss Lewis's warning about the “cataract of nonsense” in modern media, and why genuine friendship is almost never built by chasing “community”—but by pursuing a shared mission so compelling you find yourself fighting alongside someone. Loconte shares the origin story of the Lewis–Tolkien friendship, why grace—not grit—is the hinge point in both Middle-earth and Narnia, and where to start if you've never read either author: The Screwtape Letters for Lewis, and Tolkien's short, haunting “Leaf by Niggle.” Resources mentioned in this episode: By J.R.R. Tolkien The Lord of the Rings The Hobbit Leaf by Niggle The Fall of Gondolin “Beren and Lúthien” (legendarium story) By C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters The Chronicles of NarniaOut of the Silent Planet That Hideous Strength The Space Trilogy The Four Loves Spirits in Bondage (early poetry collection) “Learning in Wartime” (sermon/essay) By Joseph Loconte The War for Middle-earth A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War Other Literary & Historical Works Referenced All Quiet on the Western Front — Erich Maria Remarque Paradise Lost — John Milton The Odyssey — Homer The Aeneid — Virgil The Divine Comedy — Dante Plato's Cave (from The Republic) — Plato Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is LucasFilm finally preparing to announce Kathleen Kennedy's replacement… or is something else going on behind the scenes? On today's episode of The Kristian Harloff Show, we break down the latest report suggesting Lucasfilm is setting up new co-presidents and what that could mean for the future of Star Wars, Disney, and the studio's leadership moving forward. We'll also be talking about the brand-new Avengers trailer dropping this morning and what impact it could have on Marvel's upcoming slate. Plus, Bond rumors continue to heat up as Callum Turner is reportedly emerging as a frontrunner for 007. We'll discuss whether he fits the role and what direction the franchise may be heading. In Middle-earth news, Ian McKellen confirms that Gandalf — along with Frodo — may be returning in upcoming Lord of the Rings projects. What does that mean for the future of Tolkien adaptations? And finally, James Wan has expressed interest in directing Avatar 4 — so we'll explore whether that pairing makes sense creatively and commercially. Join the conversation, share your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to support the show! SPONSORS: RAYCON: Go to https://www.buyraycon.com/kristian to get 20% off sitewide. Thanks to Raycon for sponsoring!