British philologist and author, creator of classic fantasy works
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It's certainly not what Alan's team members call him. Join The Man of the West as we continue letter 246 and visit the moment that Tolkien calls perhaps the most tragic in the entire Tale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Check out Cam's latest novel / audio drama here! Summerween continues with an in-depth discussion of the very first Paranormal Activity. How did this landmark horror movie advance so many subgenres at the same time, from found footage to haunted house and horror romance? How does it weaponize almost every single seemingly innocent element of the setting and performances into becoming part of its creature design? And HOW does a movie that we've been watching and rewatching for almost twenty years still keep us up at night? Comparisons include: The Blair Witch Project, Midsommar, Tolkien's fractal introduction of Shelob, The White Stripes song Ball and Biscuit, and maybe ten seconds of Doctor Faustus. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram Feedback & Theories: secondbreakfastpod@gmail.com 00:00 A Tablespoon of Vomit 02:16 Second Impressions 10:07 Runtime / Pacing 18:58 Subgenre Innovation 30:52 Creature Design 42:35 Comparisons (Midsommar / Blair Witch) 51:57 Theory: Conspicuous Clues 55:12 Theory: Paranormal Jealousy 01:00:30 Theory: Possession Timeline 01:03:58 Punctum: Watchful Ironwork 01:07:52 Punctum: Unheroic Sacrifice 01:13:16 Closing Thoughts
Have you ever finished a book or television series and wished you could stay longer in that world? Fan fiction is a thriving art form, with millions of women writing and sharing their tributes to favourite stories, by taking famous characters and placing them in new situations. Datshiane Navanayagam meets women who take part and study this world. Dawn Walls-Thumma in the USA is a middle-grade teacher by day, and by night runs the Silmarillion Writers Guild, a community for fan fiction set in Tolkien's universe. This has led her to become a published Tolkien expert. Kristine Michelle Santos in the Philippines is an associate professor of Japanese and researches Boys Love, the biggest genre of fanfiction in Japan and South-East Asia, and now a multi-billion yen industry.Producer: Hannah Sander(Image: (L) Betty Barbara Nsachilwa, courtesy Betty Barbara Nsachilwa. (R) Sofia Eriksson, credit Hannah Lovell)
We continue our Lord of the Rings study with a detour to Plato and a different ring of power.Purchase the entire course, including our recorded live meetings, here:Purchase CourseWatch the video of this episode and subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/Z_OfCpjFgTkBecome a patron of Mythic Mind at patreon.com/mythicmindListen to all THREE Mythic Mind podcasts:Mythic MindMythic Mind GamesMythic Mind Movies & Shows(or become a patron to get all three shows in one ad-free feed)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mythic-mind--5808321/support.
Aghan brings a watch-stone to Barach's house; Alan and Don wonder if that violates the HOA rules. Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy as we conclude our two-episode look at The Drúedain from Unfinished Tales — and Don's run of episodes on this season of the PPP. Barach needs home protection, Aghan learns a painful truth, and it's no surprise the Drúedain are a secretive people. We wonder if Sauron considered that he might have to take a share in the hurts of a thing he made, express our admiration for Tolkien's story-within-a-story, and discover that while a rock feels no pain, Drúedain do. Also, The Tolkien Professor stops by for a visit! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Will Blesch is a researcher, entrepreneur, marketer, and dual American–Israeli citizen whose work is fueled by a lifelong fascination with history's greatest mysteries. Having lived and worked within one of the world's most ancient and spiritually significant regions, he brings a unique perspective to questions surrounding theology, politics, human origins, and the forces that have shaped civilization. A former member of the central council of Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home), the conservative Israeli political party once led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett,Will has experienced firsthand the cultural and ideological dynamics that continue to influence modern Israel and the Middle East. Alongside a successful career in international marketing and media, including serving as Global Marketing Director for the Adizes Institute, Will has remained deeply committed to exploring the unknown. Inspired by the works of Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien, he investigates the fascinating crossroads of ancient history, theology, UFO phenomena, and speculative thought. Through both research and storytelling, Will seeks to uncover hidden truths and examine the mysteries that lie beyond conventional understanding, exploring where faith, history, and the unexplained converge.Spaced Out Radio is your nightly source for alternative information, starting at 9pm Pacific, 12am Eastern. We broadcast LIVE every night. #UFO #UAP #AlienDisclosure #UFOSightings #UFOCoverUp #Aliens #SpacedOutRadio #Paranormal #UFOCommunity #disclosure -------------------------------------------------------You can now join the Space Traveler's Club;Join us at https://www.patreon.com/sor_space_travelers_club --------------------------------------------------------Grab Our Latest Spaced Out Radio Gear At:http://spacedoutradio.com/shop It's a great way to support our show!--------------------------------------------------------OUR LINKS:TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/spacedoutradio FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/spacedoutradioshow SPACED OUT RADIO - INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/spacedoutradioshow DAVE SCOTT - INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/davescottsor TWITCH: https://www.twitch.com/spacedoutradioshow WEBSITE: http://www.spacedoutradio.comGUEST IDEAS OR QUESTIONS FOR SOR?Contact Klaus at bookings@spacedoutradio.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spaced-out-radio--1657874/support.
"Días de Ocio en el País de Yann" (Idle Days on the Yann), publicado originalmente en 1910 como parte de la colección The Book of Wonder, es una de las joyas más brillantes de la literatura fantástica temprana. Lord Dunsany, a menudo considerado un precursor fundamental de autores como J.R.R. Tolkien y H.P. Lovecraft, nos regala aquí una pieza de fantasía onírica y atmosférica que destaca por su exquisito uso del lenguaje y su capacidad para evocar mundos olvidados. Música y Ambientación: Arkham Horror - Graham Plowman Remixed by JMT Blog del Podcast: https://lanebulosaeclectica.blogspot.com/ Twitter: @jomategu
Are you an empath, a sensitive soul, or the one in the family who feels everything, and right now you are absolutely, utterly running on empty? What if the most irreverent, direct, and genuinely transformative ascended master on the planet has a message for you today that is either going to set you completely free or seriously tick you off? Probably both. Michael welcomes back Geoffrey Hoppe, channel for the legendary Adamus Saint Germain, Ascended Master, founding energy of the Crimson Circle, and the being who has spent 25 years delivering some of the most blunt, funny, and cosmically precise transmissions on the planet. What begins as a raw conversation about why the world's most sensitive people are falling apart faster than everyone else becomes a full live channeling from Adamus himself, and he arrives in rare form today. No softening. No hedging. No vague answers. Just the most direct, loving, and occasionally infuriating cosmic tough-love you've ever received from someone who has watched humanity loop the same patterns lifetime after lifetime and has officially had enough of it. This isn't about pushing through the hard times. This is about getting the bleep out of your own way, and finally letting the extraordinary being you already are come all the way through. Key Topics: Why the world's most sensitive, conscious, and awakened people are the ones struggling the most right now, and why that's not a sign that something's wrong, but that something massive is coming online. The eucatastrophe revealed: J.R.R. Tolkien's term for the unexpected, joyful, impossible turn at the very last moment, and why Adamus says it's not coming in the future. It's happening right now, inside you. The oxygen mask law for empaths: why continuing to pour yourself out for everyone else while running on empty isn't noble, isn't compassionate, and is actually, according to Adamus, screwing the world up. Suffering is optional: the boldest, most controversial thing Adamus has ever said on this show, and why he not only stands by it but doubles down. Why your fried nervous system is actually great news, and how the very fact that it's blown out is making room for the free energy body, the new sentience, to finally come all the way in. The light body upgrade explained: why your body aches, your memory is fuzzy, your emotions swing wildly from oversensitive to completely numb, and why this uncomfortable in-between is not breakdown but metamorphosis. New sentience: the completely unprecedented way of perceiving reality that is arriving on the planet right now, one that has nothing to do with emotions, mind, or anything written about before, and everything to do with getting out of your own way. The caterpillar, the butterfly, and the eagle: what to do for the people you love who aren't transforming at your pace, and why trying to pull them into the chrysalis with you is the single least compassionate thing you could do. The Split Earth decoded: what it actually means that a New Earth is already sitting right on top of the old one, and what shifts when you stop stealing energy from others and realize everything you need is already inside you. Why guilt is a luxury you can no longer afford, how you were hypnotized into it, how it functions like glue holding your old stories in place, and the one choice that dissolves it without ceremony, without ritual, without even trying to figure it out. The eucatastrophe isn't a point on the horizon. It's not waiting for the world to sort itself out. It is a reality unfolding right now inside every single person who is ready to stop looping, stop waiting for an angel to swoop in and save them, and finally, finally, take that deep breath, make the move they've been procrastinating on for years, and discover that the other side was right under their feet all along. The answers aren't in the Bible, the Quran, Lemuria, Atlantis, or any star system out there. They're right here. They always were. And they're so simple you've been overlooking them your entire life. Join the Inspire Nation Soul Family!
C.S. Lewis once said, "We read to know that we are not alone”. Let's spend the year reading with the most reluctant convert and one of the world's most beloved authors and theologians. In this episode, Carrie shares the year-long unit study she did with her family on the life and works of C.S. Lewis. The first part of the unit study is perfect for the whole family- from 1st graders to high schoolers. The second part of the literature study is perfect for older students and teens. Carrie shares conversation starters, writing activities, research topics, projects, and even "Inkling" Tea Talks you can use as you read the works of C.S. Lewis. Pour yourself a cup of hot tea, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a little coffee and conversation about C.S. Lewis and reading.Books Mentioned in this Episode:The Chronicles of NariaMere ChristianityThe Screwtape LettersThe Great DivorceThe Abolition of Man The Four LovesA Year with Aslan: Daily Reflections from The Chronicles of Narnia C. S. Lewis' Little Book of Wisdom: Meditations on Faith, Life, Love, and Literature Finding Narnia: The Story of C. S. Lewis and His Brother by Caroline McAlister C.S. Lewis: The Writer Who Found Joy (part of the Here I Am! biography series) by Dan DeWittC.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller Part of: Christian Heroes: Then & NowAll My Road Before Me: The Diary of C. S. Lewis, 1922-1927 by C. S. LewisSurprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by C. S. LewisA Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918 by Joseph Loconte The Most Reluctant Convert: C. S. Lewis's Journey to Faith Support the showSupport the ShowPurchase A Home Education Handbook: 9 Questions to Ask for Simple & Balanced Home-Based LearningPurchase Homeschool High School: A Handbook for Christian EducationPurchase Just Breathe (and Take a Sip of Coffee): Homeschool Simply & Enjoyably. Schedule a Coffee Date (One-on-One Personalized Coaching Session: Coffee With Carrie Subscribe to Coffee With Carrie email newsletter for FREE Morning Time Plans and monthly tips https://coffeewithcarrie.org Follow on Instagram @coffeewithcarrieconsultant.
In this episode of Ave Explores: Catholicism in Literature, Katie sits down with Kaitlyn Facista and Andrew Swafford to discuss the enduring legacy of two of Christianity's greatest storytellers, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Facista, author of _Into the Heart of Middle-earth and founder of Tea with Tolkien, shares how Tolkien's works played a significant role in her conversion to Catholicism. Drawn into Middle-earth by its unforgettable heroes and villains, she discovered profound lessons about virtue, vice, courage, and sacrifice. In a culture hungry for authentic examples of goodness and bravery, Tolkien's stories continue to awaken the heart and point readers toward truth. Swafford reflects on encountering Tolkien later in life while reading The Lord of the Rings with his children. Those family readings sparked rich conversations, nurtured their spiritual imaginations, and created opportunities for catechesis. He also discusses introducing students at Benedictine College to Lewis's Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Great Divorce, marveling at Lewis's ability to reach students of every background and faith. Through imagination and story, Lewis demonstrates how art and literature can communicate truths that might otherwise remain hidden. Journey through the wardrobe and wander into the Shire for an inspiring conversation about faith, imagination, and the transformative power of great stories. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)
Today we consider Aragorn considering Sam's scalp wound. And whortle-berries. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv Interested in discussing Dr. Corey Olsen's ExLoTR podcast? Signum University is hosting live Discussion Groups via Zoom through our Blackberry platform ( https://blackberry.signumuniversity.org/ ). Groups will meet once per month for 1 hour for live discussion via Zoom. Sessions will be recorded as well in case you are unable to attend live and are FREE for our first 3 months! Registration for sections can be found here: https://blackberry.signumuniversity.org/partners/enroll/
This video explores the life, legacy, and theological significance of C.S. Lewis, emphasizing his journey from atheism to Christian faith, shaped by personal loss, intellectual inquiry, and the influence of friends like J.R.R. Tolkien. It highlights Lewis's masterful use of imagination, storytelling, and reason to communicate Christian truth, exemplified in works like Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, and Till We Have Faces. The narrative underscores his role as a modern apologist who made faith accessible through allegory, philosophical argument, and vivid narrative, bridging the gap between intellect and heart. His enduring impact is rooted in his ability to engage audiences shoulder-to-shoulder, using clarity, reason, and imaginative depiction to convey timeless spiritual truths. The sermon also corrects a myth about Lewis's relationship with Tolkien, affirming their deep friendship until Lewis's final days. Ultimately, Lewis's life and writings remain a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith, reason, and story in the modern world.
Join The Man of the West for a black fence, a shadow that argued with itself, a mountain that watched the wrong way — and the Latin word Tolkien used to describe Gandalf. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hello!*This episode was first released on April 10th 2024*Deep in a mountain in the Pontic Alps, North-East Turkey, there's a monastery reminiscent of Tolkien's Minas Tirith; the seven-walled fortress city built on the spur of a mountain. Nestled in a steep cliff at an altitude of about 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) and facing a beautiful wooded mountain valley is Panayia Soumela Greek Orthodox monastery, dedicated to Virgin Mary. This is the heartland of the Pontic Greeks. And my journey today begun from a church with the same name, near my home town of Veria, in Northern Greece, 1800 Km away from Trabzon, deep in a forested mountain on a similar altitude...The Pontic Greeks lived in the region of northern Turkey roughly in the areas of Trabzon, Samsun and Gerishun, Sinop for about 2 millennia before their forced expulsion and genocide.But their food and culture remains still alive luckily for us, and even their unique Greek language which traces its lineage to ancient Greek!So what did they eat? How they cooked their foods? And how does their cuisine differ from other Greeks, and the similarities with other Black Sea nations around...Some spectacular videos of Panagia Soumela Monastery and countryside in Trabzon region mountains:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQb3UJVvbmMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynLcqCxCh0sFor traditional Pontic produce in Greece today go to Thessaloniki and find this guy:http://ragian.gr/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=4Google map link for the Thessaloniki shop:https://maps.app.goo.gl/QJGjFiEBW4YN7W369The farm were they age cheeses in caves, smoke their own meats and produce their pasta:https://maps.app.goo.gl/yVQHg9HVdGDcEyWdAMore information about history and culture of Pontic Greeks:https://pontosworld.com/index.phpAnd the Guardian article that inspired me to do this episode today:https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/apr/03/endangered-greek-dialect-living-bridge-ancient-world-romeykaWith music from Pavlos KapralosEnjoy!Support the podcast on Ko-Fi and Patreon for ad-free episodes! https://ko-fi.com/thedeliciouslegacypodcasthttps://www.patreon.com/c/thedeliciouslegacySupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-delicious-legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This video explores the life, legacy, and theological significance of C.S. Lewis, emphasizing his journey from atheism to Christian faith, shaped by personal loss, intellectual inquiry, and the influence of friends like J.R.R. Tolkien. It highlights Lewis's masterful use of imagination, storytelling, and reason to communicate Christian truth, exemplified in works like Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, and Till We Have Faces. The narrative underscores his role as a modern apologist who made faith accessible through allegory, philosophical argument, and vivid narrative, bridging the gap between intellect and heart. His enduring impact is rooted in his ability to engage audiences shoulder-to-shoulder, using clarity, reason, and imaginative depiction to convey timeless spiritual truths. The sermon also corrects a myth about Lewis's relationship with Tolkien, affirming their deep friendship until Lewis's final days. Ultimately, Lewis's life and writings remain a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith, reason, and story in the modern world.
Send us Fan Mail"Shire" and "guild" refer to a wide variety of subjects, ranging from Tolkien's fictional hobbit homeland to real-world administrative districts in the UK, video game factions, and even historic trades. But, today we are talking about CNCH, otherwise known as Conference of Northern California Handweavers. Don't let the name fool you. According to their website, The Conference of Northern California Handweavers, Inc. was founded in 1953 to further the art and appreciation of the craft of handweaving. Today the member Guilds of CNCH embrace all fiber arts associated with weaving. Our membership includes not only weavers, but also dyers, basketmakers, and spinners.Today, Susan is going to tell us all about the guild, the yearly conference, and what all they offer. So, sit back and enjoy The Shire!Links:https://www.cnch.org/about-2/https://www.cnch.org/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GuildSupport the show
Connect with Us: Follow us for updates, bonus content, and discussions about all things South Park. On Facebook: @SouthParkPod On YouTube : @SouthParkPod On TikTok : @SouthParkPodOn X: @SouthParkPodsOn Blue Sky: @smbsouthparkreview.bsky.social On Instagram: @SouthParkPodcastSubscribe and Support: Subscribe to SMB South Park Review Crew on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episodeContact: Got a question, suggestion, or just want to share your thoughts on South Park? Reach out to us at suckmyballspod@gmail.co or visit us at linktr.ee/southparkpod
Septuagésimo primer programa del spin-off de La Casa de EL. En esta entrega de KyG (Kryptonianos y Gothamitas) hablaremos con Mónica Sanz, traductora y correctora de Tolkien en Minotauro, sobre el nuevo libro "Cartas" de J.R.R. Tolkien.
Join The Man of the West as we continue letter 246, where Tolkien turns from Frodo's blame to Frodo's wounds — and the question Gandalf wouldn't answer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get the Exploring Tolkien App to listen to every episode, a Tolkien calendar, the latest news, and member exlcusives! “Day shall come again”–but for now, it's the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. In this episode, we walk through Chapter 2 of The Children of Húrin a breaking down Tolkien's bloodiest, most tragic battle. We cover the epic (and doomed) alliance of elves, men, and dwarves, the double-cross by the Easterlings, and why Morgoth's victory still leaves him filled with dread. And we even get the Pope involved! We also look at: Why the elves' greatest host could never stand against Morgoth—and what the battle's tactics reveal about Tolkien's “epic history” mindset The legendary valor (and fate) of Húrin and Huor—plus the prophecy that links Gondolin to Morgoth's ruin Tolkien's use of prophecy, fate, and heroism: why the darkest chapter is full of hope for the future The difference between Tolkien's approach to battles and the modern appetite for nonstop action In our extended episode (available via our Exploring Tolkien App or for our site’s members–), we go deeper on: Listener comments about tragic foreshadowing, and Turin's nature. More LEGO Lord of the Rings Why pop culture's take on Tolkien struggles with the deeper logic of Middle-earth
Tolkien is known to despise allegory, but he is also clear that fiction, including his own, has a relationship with the primary world that can be used as a conduit for truth. In this lesson from the 2025 Lord of the Rings study, I discuss Tolkien's approach to allegory and application.Purchase the entire course, including our recorded live meetings, here:Purchase CourseWatch the video of this episode and subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/c9-2YjcmxnMBecome a patron of Mythic Mind at patreon.com/mythicmindListen to all THREE Mythic Mind podcasts:Mythic MindMythic Mind GamesMythic Mind Movies & Shows(or become a patron to get all three shows in one ad-free feed)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mythic-mind--5808321/support.
Will is an incredible artist, writer, comedian, cartoonist, etc. I've gotten to know him a little bit from curating his show, Rooftopolopis at the Dog House Gallery, and seeing him perform comedy. Two things that struck me about Will —to me, he presents as a heteronormative male, albeit, an unusually multifaceted one. I found out that he had an only fans account and that he was queer. One thing I did not know about Will Kiley until I did research on him was that he had an older brother that died. Will Kiley takes us on his journey which includes parents that are folklore professors, an inability to do math and being popular in high school. He generously shares his story and how the tragic experience he went through has affected and shaped him. More proof that art is healing and that Will Kiley is one helluva driven MoFo. Instagram: @will_kiley_santino @rooftopopolis Website: https://www.willsantino.com/ (including his New Yorker cartoon! BIO: Will Kiley Santino is best known for his New Yorker cartoons, but has been drawing, writing, and making up new worlds and stories for his entire life. The cartoons emerged out of a particularly difficult time. In 2017, as a caregiver to a terminally ill older brother, the humorous sketches became a way to find light and levity in the darkness. They also honored the bond of silliness he shared with his brother. Will sold his first cartoon to The New Yorker in 2020, after drawing and submitting over 400. He left his job as an animator at an art studio in 2021, supporting himself with freelance work, cartoon sales, and, most importantly, the amazing enthusiasm of his Patreon supporters. Will's creative practice is multifaceted. In addition to the cartoons, he also writes whimsical rhyming poetry under the nom de plume J. K. Ellomenope. His illustrations are magical and mythical. In various media, including acrylic paint, watercolor, collage, and digital, he depicts worlds of his own creation. These include metaphorical realms, such as Sunset City and the Outer Oops, and creatures like the Sobaloopsians. These characters and geographies are enriched with histories and backstories that recall the world-building of Tolkien. While the visuals are meant to delight, beguile, and inspire wonder, the themes tackle more adult topics, such as grief and love, shame and confusion, sexuality, self-acceptance, and self-discovery.
Join the vassals Adam (drownedsnow) and Kevin (Nuncle Kevin) as they discuss season 2 of the HBO Max show “The Pitt”. Hosts: Adam (drownedsnow) and Kevin (Nuncle Kevin). Spoilers: Season 1 and 2 of The Pitt as well as some … Continue reading →
In this episode of WCAT TV's discussion of Mount Doom, author Paul List and Tolkien scholar Joseph Pierce discuss their interpretations of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" through a Thomistic lens.Paul emphasizes the book's themes of original sin, mortal sin, and the fear of death, linking characters like Tom Bombadil and Goldberry to the rational will and intellect. Joseph praises the book's comprehensive analysis but cautions against reductionism, suggesting that Tolkien's work is broader and more nuanced. They also discuss the potential impact of artificial intelligence and the importance of preserving Catholic tradition. Both agree on the significance of Tolkien's work in addressing contemporary spiritual and technological challenges. The discussion explores the connections between J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and the themes of technology, artificial intelligence, and Christian faith.Paul highlights Tolkien's prescience, particularly his understanding of Alan Turing's concepts, which influences the portrayal of Sauron and the Eye of Sauron. Joseph emphasizes the importance of reading Tolkien's work as a story and of recognizing its deeper Christian themes, such as the long defeat and the ultimate victory of good over evil. Both agree on the need to return to faith and the dangers of worshiping technology.Concerning the book under discussion:In Mount Doom: The Prophecy of Tolkien Revealed, Paul List and Ali Ghaffari present a bold reinterpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien's mythology, arguing that a hidden philosophical and spiritual framework underlies The Lord of the Rings. Drawing from Catholic theology, Thomistic philosophy, psychology, and cultural criticism, the authors explore Tolkien's legendarium as a prophetic warning about technology, artificial intelligence, idolatry, and the crisis of the modern soul. This provocative study challenges readers to see Middle-earth—and themselves—in an entirely new way. Concerning the speakers:Paul List is co-author with Ali Ghaffari of Mount Doom: The Prophecy of Tolkien Revealed. Drawing on years of study in philosophy, theology, mythology, and Tolkien's legendarium, Paul has developed a bold and deeply original interpretation of Tolkien's work—one that connects The Lord of the Rings to questions of metaphysics, technology, artificial intelligence, and the spiritual crisis of modern civilization. His work challenges readers to reconsider Tolkien not only as a master storyteller, but also as a prophetic thinker speaking directly to our own age.Joseph Pearce, one of the world's leading Catholic literary scholars and biographers. A prolific author, editor, and speaker, Joseph has written extensively on J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, and many of the great literary voices of the Christian tradition. His work has helped countless readers rediscover the spiritual, philosophical, and theological depth embedded within great literature.
Today, Fr. Buster makes his return to the podcast to tell Fr. Gale and Avery about his experience cleaning out the rectory fridge. The three also discuss Fr. Gale's recent trip, the Pope's new encyclical, and the widely-known works of Tolkien.
The great grandson of J. R. R. Tolkien, Royd Tolkien, has a special connection to New Zealand but not just because of its role as Middle-earth.
EPISODE 722 - Andrey Medina - Screenwriter and Author - Sci-Fi storyteller who's fascinated by the questions that don't have easy answersIn this episode, Dave sits down with author and screenwriter Andrey Medina to explore how imagination, movement, and instability as a child sparked a lifelong inner world that eventually led him to science fiction. Andrey explains that he was not so much “called” to authorship as he was found by science fiction itself, discovering in it a way to imagine alternatives to reality. Influences like Tolkien and Asimov did more than shape his taste; they fundamentally shaped how he thinks about worlds, systems, and psychohistory-level questions of how reality can be simulated and reimagined.Andrey shares honest, practical advice for aspiring writers: finish something. Even a three to five page story matters, because reaching the end delivers pride and a deeper sense of catharsis as both writer and reader of your own work. He describes how completing a story can move you to tears or leave you breathless, and why that emotional climax is the best encouragement to keep going. From there, the second crucial step is to show your work to someone. Even if the reader does not fully connect, the simple fact that they speak your character's name out loud proves that someone else now carries a piece of your imagination in their mind. He also talks about setting himself a week-long challenge during Covid to write a short story every day, emphasizing that even “crappy” stories hold fragments of gold worth revisiting later.The conversation turns to craft and career. Andrey talks about mining small but powerful ideas from imperfect drafts, like a story of a boy who believes he is a robot and a father forced to deconstruct life into tiny, teachable truths. He discusses writing both for himself and for readers, consciously merging the stories he loves with clear commercial awareness, particularly in his young adult speculative dystopian thrillers. Drawing on his screenwriting background, he explains how thinking in scenes, locations, conflict, and emotional reaction shapes his novels, and how good dialogue functions as action rooted in motivation and emotional baggage.Andrey introduces his series, beginning with The Conduit Trials, featuring Ren, a sixteen year old rebel in a totalitarian regime whose botched mission leads to a death sentence and a shocking offer to become a fighter pilot for the very system she opposes. He teases themes of moral ambiguity, propaganda, and critical thinking in a world where nothing is fully right or fully wrong, and shares how recent chaotic global events helped fuel the emotional “lava” behind the story. He wants readers to be fully immersed in Ren's world while constantly asking themselves, “What would I do in her place?”He also explains how listeners can currently read The Conduit Trials as a free ARC through BookSprout, join his mailing list via a link at the end of the book, and stay updated on future installments and launches.Key takeaway: Finish something, no matter how small, and let it be seen. Completion gives you emotional proof that you are a storyteller, and every shared story, even an imperfect one, plants your imagined world in another person's mind.https://www.facebook.com/andreymedina84Send us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca
We'll DM you a Steam code for Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny if you support MinnMax at the $2 tier before Monday, June 8th, 2026. Offer for brand new supporters only. https://www.patreon.com/minnmax MinnMax's Ben Hanson, Jacob Geller, Janet Garcia, Leo Vader, and Kyle Hilliard share their favorite games and reveals from the big kick-off to the summer gaming reveal season with Sony's State of Play. The big talker is a new God of War game from Santa Monica Studio starring Kratos' wife Laufey in the afterlife. We also unpack Insomniac's Wolverine, Ace Combat 8, Rayman Legends Retold, and a whole lot more. Then we shed some light on two great independent games recently released called Luna Abyss and Motorslice. Then we answer questions submitted on Patreon by the community and award the iam8bit question of the week! You can win a prize and help make the show better by supporting us on Patreon and submitting a question! https://www.patreon.com/minnmax Watch and share the video version - https://youtu.be/M68OMxYU1XQ Help support MinnMax's supporters! https://www.iam8bit.com - 10% off with Promo Code: RETURNOFTHESIXTH To jump to a particular discussion, check out the timestamps below... 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:51 - God of War: Laufey 00:35:28 - God of War: Sons of Sparta spoilers 00:36:44 - Back to God of War: Laufey 00:39:07 - Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve 00:41:41 - September's wild release schedule 00:43:10 - Silent Hill Townfall 00:44:31 - Marvel's Wolverine 00:54:09 - Stuntman: Hollywood 01:00:46 - The Lost Wild 01:03:34 - Rayman Legends Retold 01:14:14 - Kemuri 01:18:09 - Until Dawn 2 01:23:32 - Luna Abyss 01:32:47 - Motorslice 01:43:26 - Thanking iam8bit - https://www.iam8bit.com/ 01:45:21 - Community questions 02:33:45 - Get A Load Of This Leo's GALOT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTOfOPEQ8HM Jacob's GALOT - https://www.sega-16.com/2026/05/interview-mike-fischer-soa-product-manager-vp/ Hanson's GALOT - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolkien%27s_round_world_dilemma Janet's GALOT - https://us.filofax.com/collections/collections Community GALOT - https://wavelengths.online/posts/welcome-to-overworld https://www.overworld.vg/ More links mentioned in the show... Jacob's event with Emma Kidwell - https://www.prattlibrary.org/indie-game-fest The Most Useful Hitman Facts - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkdqgffb2q4 Disclosure - Games discussed on MinnMax content are most often provided for free by the publisher or developer. Support us on Patreon -https://www.patreon.com/minnmax Support MinnMax directly on YouTube - https://youtube.com/minnmax/join Follow us on Twitch -https://www.twitch.tv/minnmaxshow Subscribe to our YouTube channel -https://www.youtube.com/minnmax Subscribe to our solo stream channel - https://www.youtube.com/@minnmaxstreamarchives Buy MinnMax merch here -https://minnmax.com/merch Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/minnmax.com Go behind the scenes on Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/minnmaxshow This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit claremontinstitute.substack.comPope Leo XIV, in his first encyclical, dropped a quote from J.R.R. Tolkien's Gandalf. Inspired, Ryan Williams and Spencer Klavan examine why, as other franchises become cringe, the Lord of the Rings books remain moving and important. Even despite some rough streaming adaptations, the stories pair sacred story with timeless moral lessons and unmatched world building. Ryan and Spencer rank the best—and worst—of the fantasy universe Tolkien helped inaugurate.
British singer and songwriter Paris Paloma, a very sharp and thoughtful young artist who considers grief, politics, creativity, love, art, Greek mythology, and power structures in her music and in interviews, has opened for Florence & the Machine, played Glastonbury, and lent her voice to the Tolkien universe. She has built a community – her fairies –over the past few years, from her first EP, 2021's cemeteries and socials (you want dark? Folk-horror-pop? She's got you) to what will be her latest album, The Fatal Flaw, due out in September 2026. [View the artwork for the single “Good Boy”] Paris Paloma offers the anti-AI song “Miyazaki”, about the unstoppable human need to create – and yes, named after the legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki. Plus, she plays an intimate version of her feminist anthem, “Labour”, (which she played with the Resistance Revival Chorus on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2025), in-studio. Set list: 1. Labour 2. Miyazaki 3. Stem the Flow Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris chats with Liz Zenger, program manager of The Inklings Project, which provides resources for professors, teachers, and other groups developing Inklings-related courses. Also, by way of update, this just in from Liz herself: This is currently live for 6-12 teachers! Goes along with your second to last question of the podcast :-) Call for Proposals Inklings Project Fellowship for 6-12 Teachers Applications can be submitted via this link until Aug 1, 2026. For the first time in its history, the Inklings Project, under the University of Notre Dame's McGrath Institute for Church Life, is opening its fellowship to middle school and high school educators. Previous cohorts have drawn from college and university faculty; this new two-year cohort, beginning in Fall 2026, will be made up of those who educate in grades 6–12. Middle and high school is when many readers first encounter C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien—and where an educator's love for these authors can ripple outward to students, parents, and an entire school community. View the Call for Proposals or visit www.inklingsproject.org/apply for more information on the fellowship and application requirements. Applications can be submitted via this link until August 1, 2026. Among other things, we discuss: What The Inklings Project is (~0:53) — Liz explains the initiative: supporting faculty to create Inklings courses, providing grants, and building fellowship through a cohort model. The Wade Center at Wheaton College (~4:10) — The in-person annual gathering for fellows, housing original manuscripts, Tolkien's desk, Lewis's wardrobe, etc. Diverse faculty backgrounds (~6:30) — How professors from biology, business, public relations, and other non-literary fields are teaching Inklings courses, and why that breadth matters. The origin story of the project (~10:20) — Liz traces it from a CS Lewis course she took as a freshman at Brown, to founding a student society, to pitching the idea to Notre Dame's McGrath Institute. The challenge of reading loads & expanding to high schools (~17:30) — How professors handle the sheer volume of Inklings material, and the project's potential future cohort for high school and homeschool teachers. Next Week: At long last, The Silver Trumpet!
So much sci-fi likes to imagine that humans survive for centuries with some knowledge of classic literature, music, and cultural memory—everything except our religious beliefs. But today we explore a new sci-fi subgenre that dares to suggest the opposite. Faithful priests and other religious heroes of the future may not be wicked villains. In fact, they may be kind of awesome—and potentially fight in powerful mech armor. What is this subgenre some creators call incensepunk?[1. Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash.] Episode sponsors All That Glows by Lauren Smyth Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Author Update from Author Media Descendant Publishing Mission update New at Lorehaven: Stephen is on break for the annual Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference; welcome to any new listeners he met while teaching about fantastical stories there Now we're getting ready for Realm Makers. More on that soon. Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Concession stand Stephen and Zack are Protestants, and yet often enjoy fellowship with Catholic friends. Many creators of fantastical fiction, such as J.R.R. Tolkien, come from these other traditions. So we wanted to speak with today's Catholic creators of fantastical stories. We'll be joined today by the staff of Incensepunk Magazine They promise “High tech, high church… science fiction that envisions a future where faith is a living part of culture.” Backstories: Incensepunk staff Jon James, editor-in-chief Jon's work has been published in the Listen: the Sound of Fear anthology, the Killer Queen comics anthology, Recompose Journal, Theme of Absence, and Rehumanize International. His hobbies are as multifarious as the genres he writes in. Follow him: Twitter, bsky, Substack, Website Yuval Kordov, developmental editor Yuval Kordov is a chronically creative nerd, tech professional, husband, and father to two amazing girls. Over the course of his random life, he has been a radio show DJ, produced experimental electronic music, created the world of Dark Legacies®, and built custom mechs with LEGO® bricks. Follow him: Twitter, bsky, Substack, Website Andrew Gillsmith | Marketing Director Andrew Gillsmith is a science fiction writer living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the author of Our Lady of the Artilects, the Deserted Vineyard series, the Planet Gallywood series, and The Jerusalem Passage. He currently works in publisher development in the programmatic advertising space. He is married to Cheryl and has two young sons, a Great Dane, and a pet rat named Reggie. Follow him: Twitter, Substack 1. Who built the Roman sci-fi roads Exploring foundational sci-fi and fantasy stories from Catholic authors “What we call the Catholic novel isn't necessarily about a Christianized or catholicized world, but simply…one in which the truth as Christians know it has been used as a light to see the world by.” —Flannery O'Connor 2. How the Roman sci-fi road is being rebuilt What Incensepunk does differently than secular, Protestant, or even other Catholic authors “Incensepunk is, at its core, a genre of longing. It desires a world in which traditional faiths and churches play a major role in society. Incensepunk extrapolates Byzantine and Gothic architecture styles into a modern world of skyscrapers and globalization. However, it is not regressive. It doesn't view the past as good and the present as wicked and depraved. Instead, it tries to envision what the world could look like if faith and society were more integrated.” —from the Incensepunk Manifesto 3. Future directions for the Roman sci-fi road How the future is religious “Artificial intelligences do not undergo experiences, do not possess a body, do not feel joy or pain, do not mature through relationships, and do not know from within what love, work, friendship or responsibility mean. Nor do they have a moral conscience, since they do not judge good and evil, grasp the ultimate meaning of situations, or bear responsibility for consequences. They may imitate or even simulate, but they do not understand what they produce, for they lack the affective, relational, and spiritual perspective through which human beings grow in wisdom.” —Pope Leo XIV on X.com Com station Top question for listeners What is your favorite fantastical story featuring a Catholic character? From Victor DiGiovanni in response to Ep. 313: Should Christian-Made Stories Evangelize Nonbelievers? I love that we are in an era of Christian media to where a single book or movie or TV show doesn't have to accomplish all the goals of Christian media. It always seemed that a “Christian book” or film HAD to have a very straightforward call to action. Next on Fantastical Truth What if the wicked villains did conquer the elves? And what if a young elf-maiden was forced to carry the offspring of one of the invaders? That's the new novel The Rending Cauldron, just brewed by fantasy author and Realm Makers co-founder Rebecca P. Minor. Next week, Becky joins us in the studio to explore tough topics, dark drama, and the expanding worlds of Christian-made fantastical fiction.
News and Updates: Pope Leo's AI Encyclical: Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, calls for AI to be "disarmed" from monopolistic control and refocused toward humanity's common good, citing Tolkien's Gandalf. Vatican AI Translation: St. Peter's Basilica debuts an AI-powered real-time translation system, allowing Mass attendees to follow liturgical celebrations in up to 60 languages via their smartphones. Bezos on AI & Jobs: Jeff Bezos urges workers to embrace AI like a bulldozer replacing a shovel, predicting massive productivity gains, while others like Dario Amodei warn of significant white-collar job displacement. News Archives Blocked: Over 382 U.S. news outlets are now blocking the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, fearing AI companies will use archived content as free training data, threatening free public access to journalism. Mythos Uncovers 10K Bugs: Anthropic's restricted Claude Mythos AI has identified over 10,000 critical software vulnerabilities across major platforms, including 400 high-severity flaws in Cloudflare's critical systems alone.
In a bonus episode originally published on the Catholic Culture Podcast (Sept. 5, 2023), Thomas Mirus interviews Carla Galdo about the poetry of St. John of the Cross, who recites some of the poems in Spanish and English. St. John of the Cross is not only one of the Church's greatest mystics, but also one of the most important figures in the Spanish poetic tradition. A new book of translations of St. John's poems, brought into English by contemporary bilingual poet Rhina Espaillat, gives us a chance to discover or rediscover this singular spiritual and artistic master. Carla Galdo joins the podcast to discuss Espaillat's translations of St. John of the Cross. Comparing them with earlier translations by Roy Campbell (a friend of Tolkien and Lewis) provides opportunity to highlight various approaches and problems in translating poetry. Carla and Thomas also discuss common misconceptions about the dark night of the soul, and John's use of the classic mystical symbolism of bride and bridegroom representing the relationship between the soul and God. Links The Spring that Feeds the Torrent: Poems by St. John of the Cross, Translated by Rhina P. Espaillat https://www.wisebloodbooks.com/store/p135/The_Spring_that_Feeds_the_Torrent%3A_Poems_by_St._John_of_the_Cross%2C_Translated_by_Rhina_P._Espaillat.html St. John of the Cross: Poems, trans. Roy Campbell https://clunymedia.com/products/poems Musical setting of "El pastorcico" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se0fcCvKqzY Well-Read Mom https://wellreadmom.com SUBSCRIBE to the Catholic Culture Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ the-catholic-culture-podcast/id1377089807 DONATE to make this show possible! http://catholicculture.org/donate/audio
Episode 95 celebrates all things Westmoot, the American gathering of the Tolkien Society held from May 22-24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota! We begin with a reflection on our experience at Westmoot. Then we present our live show from Westmoot, “Disasters, Downfalls, and Dives: Athrabeth Podcast Live” with special guests Clare Moore and Tori Owens. We each chose our favorite disaster to present to the listeners: Daeron, Finrod, Saeros, and Túrin. Citations Thank you to our guests, Clare Moore and Tori Owens! Clare can be found on Bsky at @clarelmoore.bsky.social The Big Read dates and information can be found here: https://erikjampa.substack.com/p/tolkien-society-seminar-and-tolkien?utm_source=publication-search (Accessed May 30, 2026) Learn more about the upcoming volume More Perilous and Fair, with Cami Agan, Clare Moore Dr. Robin A. Reid: https://dc.swosu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1081&context=mythpro (Accessed May 30, 2026) Tori can be found on instagram @_toriello, and on Bsky @itstoriello.bsky.social The Sillymarillion podcast can be found at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sillymarillion/id1571617612 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/thesillymarillion/ On Instagram at @sillymarillions On Bsky at @thesillymarillion.bsky.social Join the Athrabeth Discord! https://discord.gg/4rZynfWv3f
What do a cursed Roman ring that inspired Tolkien and a political trap set for Jesus have in common? Our text in this study is: Mark 12:13-17 Series: Who Do You Say That He Is? Gene Pensiero Jr Find the rest of the series at https://calvaryhanford.com/whodoyousay Subscribe on YouTube at: https://youtube.com/calvaryhanford Read the notes at: […]
What does it take to write and publish 43 books? In this inspiring episode of the Speaking Podcast, we sit down with Aaron Ryan, a prolific author and voiceover artist who has mastered the art of indie publishing. From his early "calling" in second grade to his latest epic sci-fi releases, Aaron shares the secrets behind his incredible productivity and creative process. We dive deep into the advantages of being an indie author—retaining rights, commanding higher royalties, and maintaining total creative control. Aaron also reveals his unique approach to marketing: stop "selling" and start being an enthusiast. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a fan of epic sagas like Dissonance and The Talisman, or simply looking for a masterclass in following your passion, this conversation is packed with heart, humor, and actionable advice. Timestamps Timestamp Topic Description 0:00 Welcome & Introduction to Aaron Ryan 0:47 The 43rd Book Launch: A prolific journey in writing 1:35 The Origin Story: Writing "The Electric Boy" in second grade 2:41 A Mother's Gift: Reclaiming childhood memories and early work 3:31 Creative Inspiration: J.R.R. Tolkien and the legacy of Lord of the Rings 4:34 Cinematic Roots: How movies like "I Am Legend" spark book ideas 5:21 The Structure of Creativity: Riding the wave of inspiration 6:12 The Reactive Career: Balancing authorship with voiceover work 6:43 The Art of the Book Cover: Subjectivity and designing your own brand 8:16 The Growing Library: Managing a massive catalog of work 9:17 Indie vs. Traditional Publishing: Why creative control is king 11:37 The Enthusiast's Marketing Strategy: Stop selling, start sharing 12:54 Box Sets and All-in-Ones: Meeting readers where they are 14:35 Formatting for Legibility: Trial and error in book design 16:13 The Emotional Toll of Writing: Therapeutic work and the 9/11 connection 25:57 Dealing with Reviews: Developing structural integrity against the "haters" 31:19 Trajectory vs. Endorsement: Why the mission comes before the feedback 33:05 The 51-Hour Audiobook: Bringing stories to life as a voice actor 34:40 The Talisman Finale: Navigating the multiverse and interstellar names 36:31 The Heart of the Work: Why "The End" saga and "Forecast" are personal favorites 42:52 Where to Find Aaron: AuthorAaronRyan.com and exclusive groups 43:44 Outro: RoyCoughlan.com and the PodFather Network
Tolkien called 111 "eleventy-one." For our 111th episode, we celebrateswith a six-round Tolkien trivia competition that tests our panel of Jeff Haecker, Rob Leonardi, Patrick Mason, and Robert Story, who must face host Alix Murray's toughest questions. Who will win and be crowned King Under the Trivia? The post The Eleventy-First Quiz Show appeared first on StarQuest Media.
Join The Man of the West as we begin a four-episode read-through of letter 246 — in which Tolkien defends Frodo, demolishes simple-minded heroism, and gives us the entire argument in three words. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Four years?! Somehow we've been talking about Tolkien long enough to celebrate another podcast birthday, and this year we're marking the occasion with a special bonus episode! Join us as we share our first-ever reactions to The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim—the moments we loved, the things that surprised us, and a few thoughts that may or may not change after future rewatches. Fair warning: we intentionally recorded before diving into timelines, lore deep-dives, or research, so these are our completely unfiltered first impressions. Then the celebration continues with a Tolkien-themed game of Jeopardy! Play along with us and see if you can beat our scores. Bonus points if you immediately knew the answer to Abi's tricky question that we absolutely could not remember in the moment. Thank you for spending the last four years journeying through Middle-earth with us—we couldn't have done it without you!P.S. Ashley would like the record to show that she is aware that Thengel was Théoden's father, not his grandfather. (He was Éowyn's grandfather, which is where the wires got crossed.) Sorry! Nobody's perfect.https://linktr.ee/sistersoftheshirepodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/sistersoftheshirepodcast/https://www.patreon.com/sistersoftheshirepodcasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/1HIhmdeX6761vi7RyOjl8f?si=_qwdGdP7SbmAP2RWlji54w
This is a major part of the fertility crisis. Feminism has made women value independence above all else, and when it comes to getting married and having kids, it's no longer "logical" to get a husband if a woman is making money. In fact, the more money women make, the less likely it is that they'll have children...which is the complete opposite of men. It's almost like feminism was designed to destroy the family or something. Hm... Dive into this conversation with Danica Patrick and Orion Teraban and find out what feminism is doing to women who decide to value the marketplace over the home. On this episode, we talk about: 0:00 Intro 1:03 When women accumulate money 3:28 The 2 Theories 7:31 Feminism Overriding Nature 8:49 Interdependence Over Independence Resources Mentioned: Danica Patrick and Orion Teraban Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X25vRBKNKD0 FREE COURSE: 5 Days To Transform Your Family Into A Team: https://familyteams.com/transform --- Subscribe on Substack ➡️ https://jeremypryor.substack.com --- Follow Jeremy on: Instagram: https://instagram.com/jeremympryor/ X: https://x.com/jeremympryor --- Welcome to Jeremy Pryor's Podcast, or what I like to call, "Jeremy Pryor Unfiltered." We are excited to bring you seasons of content all the way from Tolkien to Theology, from Business to Family. If you like to contemplate deep philosophical ideas across a wide range of topics, you've come to the right place. Make sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss out on future episodes!
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Chris Gragg and Kevin Doyle to discuss the 1974 audiobook version of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit.
This month on Magus we're discussing maybe the most influential wizard of all time, and a true original - it's only flippin' Merlin!We track his development through prehistory via the archetype of the "Lord of Ecstasy" - a deific entity who appears in mythologies from all over the world.In addition to exploring his British precedents in the form of the Northern and Scots Lowland wild man of the woods Lailoken and the Welsh version of that same character in the form of Myrddin Wyllt, we also marinade ourselves in the swell of "Arthurian" stories that rose and sloshed about across the Medieval era.After he's given the name 'Merlinus' by Geoffrey of Monmouth though, Merlin becomes central to not just tales of Camelot but the propaganda of a slew of European kings.We track how, across the British Isles, his identity continues to twist and mutate - befitting the Latin title of his forebears, homo silvaticus. Though at the same time, across the English Channel, the French and central European courts thought of Merlin as one of the great masters of 'Natural Magic.' Born of a demon and a virgin princess, to alchemists and occultists from Cornelius Agrippa to the Brotherhood of the Golden Dawn he was the first building block of an extensive and rigorous magical system which offered proponents God-like powers to shape reality.From Thomas Malory to Alfred Lord Tennyson, J.R.R. Tolkien to the Disney corporation, he is a cultural emblem whose meaning has only continued to shapeshift.Which is only appropriate really, when you think about it...Speak with you again on Thursday for another triple-bill of fairy tales and chats about them with The Ratcatcher and The True History of Little Golden Hood and The Three Dwarfs!Thumbnail cover art for this episode features "Volkhv" by Andrey Shishkin.Three Ravens is an English myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?REGISTER FOR THE TALES OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND TOURVisit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We begin our Lord of the Rings study with the beginning of Tolkien's world: the Ainulindalë, which tells of the making of Arda and the primordial fall of the devilish Melkor.After a presentation of the story, I briefly discuss the theology of Tolkien's world and its relationship with Tolkien's own Christianity.Watch the video of this episode and subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/IEIDwrI0ksoBecome a patron of Mythic Mind at patreon.com/mythicmindListen to all THREE Mythic Mind podcasts:Mythic MindMythic Mind GamesMythic Mind Movies & Shows(or become a patron to get all three shows in one ad-free feed)Become a Tier 3 patron to access the entire Lord of the Rings study immediately..Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mythic-mind--5808321/support.
On the fourteenth-century poem Pearl (and Tolkien's translation).
Did Beowulf really live on Gotland?In this episode of Exploring the Viking Age, we sit down with Hans Wanneby and Rikard Evertsson to explore one of the most fascinating theories surrounding the Beowulf poem.Together, we dive into:• The theory that Beowulf originated on Gotland• Ancient place names connected to the saga• Archaeological finds and reconstructed migration period environments• Picture stones, dragons, and celestial events• The catastrophe of 536 and its possible connection to the poem• Tolkien's fascination with Beowulf• The search for what may be Beowulf's final resting placeWe also explore how myth, oral tradition, archaeology, and landscape may preserve fragments of a story that has survived for over 1500 years.Subscribe to stay updated! Also available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and more.Find all links here:https://linktr.ee/grimfrost
For this show-within-a-show, Craig and Andrew learned about the world of Middle-Earth by reading J.R.R. Tolkien's posthumously published legendarium THE SILMARILLION. This episode posted first for our Patreon supporters in July 2025. If you want to hear our current longread project TOKYO DRIFTERS (and a bunch of other stuff besides), visit Patreon.com/overduepod.The Elves are here, and it's time to learn all about them! Because there are a whole bunch of different sub-types of them, mostly sorted by whether and how quickly they decided to heed the summons to come party with the gods on their paradise island.The most important one we meet is Fëanor, who forges the book's MacGuffins and then instantly gets super weird and possessive about them, in a way that ensures lasting misery for all involved. Hooray!The reading list:Ep 1 - Ainulindale, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion Ch 1-3Ep 2 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 4-10Ep 3 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 11-16Ep 4 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 17-20Ep 5 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 21-24Ep 6 - Akallabeth, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, AppendicesOur theme music was composed by Nick Lerangis.Follow @overduepod on Instagram and BlueskyAdvertise on OverdueSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Brad Onishi and Dan Miller discuss the Texas Senate race between Trump-backed Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico as a public theological contest between Christian authoritarianism and a Christianity centered on love of neighbor, noting Paxton's scandals and the right's misogynistic, transphobic attacks portraying Talarico as weak or deviant. They connect this politics of masculinity and domination to reports that Trump's DOJ opened (or is attempting to open) a perjury investigation into E. Jean Carroll after Trump was found liable for sexual assault and defamation, framing it as retaliatory weaponization and hostility toward women who “won.” They also preview Axis Mundi's expansion into live programming, then analyze Pope Leo's first encyclical on human dignity amid AI, highlighting critiques of homogenization, efficiency-over-dignity, sanctified hatred, and Tolkien imagery, including a reframing of Nehemiah against MAGA wall theology. Subscribe for $3.65: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Subscribe to our free newsletter: https://swaj.substack.com/ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tonight we begin the Health Care for Hobbits portion of the dash from Moria to Lothlorien. Can the hands of the king cure a septic scalp wound? Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv Interested in discussing Dr. Corey Olsen's ExLoTR podcast? Signum University is hosting live Discussion Groups via Zoom through our Blackberry platform ( https://blackberry.signumuniversity.org/ ). Groups will meet once per month for 1 hour for live discussion via Zoom. Sessions will be recorded as well in case you are unable to attend live and are FREE for our first 3 months!
Malcolm Guite joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation covering Arthurian legend, the friendship of Tolkien and Lewis, and the deep human longing for mystery and enchantment. Ep. 579 - - -