Shows / Today's Tolkien Times
Today's Tolkien Times
Get your Tolkien every day by subscribing to Today’s Tolkien Times! Alan Sisto, host of the award-winning Prancing Pony Podcast and Rings of Power Wrap-up, hosts a new short-format daily podcast available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever else you get your podcasts! Listeners get answers on Mailbag Mondays; discover more about the Professor on Tolkien Tuesdays; indulge your inner philologist on Word-nerd Wednesdays; learn more about the familiar stories of Middle-earth on Third…
Episodes
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 087 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Almost As Many Names As Aragorn
Join The Man of the West for a whirlwind walk through nine names of the chief protagonist (I can’t say ‘hero’) of the tragic story of Túrin. Learn more about…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 087 - Túrin Turambar Tuesday: And Now Thou Shalt Know Him
Túrin finally gets his vengeance on Glaurung, but it comes at a high cost for him — and for Níniel, who has her full memory tragically restored. Learn more…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 087 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Before Ever a Ship Came
Join The Man of the West as he continues his journey deep into the valley of Harrowdale, this time climbing a steep road and visiting the ancient Dunharrow…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 086 - Silmarillion Saturday: Forms of Majesty and Dread
Join The Man of the West as we wrap up week 86 with a reminder that you cannot call dibs on an entire world, even if you are Melkor. Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 086 - First Age Friday: Whatsoever Doom They Bear
And it’s quite a doom, Tuor, take my word for it. Join The Man of the West as Tuor rolls natural 20s for his loot check, resulting in some special gear. Ulmo…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 086 - Third Age Thursday: Nor Bid the Stars Farewell
We take a closer look at the moving song that Sam finds himself singing unbidden in the terrible Tower of Cirith Ungol, all alone. Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 086 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Not That Kind of Deer, Dear
Join The Man of the West as he explores the word-nerdery behind many names from our readings in the stories of Túrin and Tuor. Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 086 - Túrin Turambar Tuesday: A Shadow Fell Upon Her Mind
We continue our readthrough of the story of Túrin as he finally settles down and gets married — to the last person he ever should wed. Tragedy grows silently…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 086 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Frowning Precipices
Join The Man of the West, who tries to keep his precipices from frowning, for this week’s Middle-earth Map Monday as we head to the valley of Harrowdale. Learn…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 085 - Silmarillion Saturday: Let These Things Be!
Ilúvatar has some words for the Ainur — or, specifically, one very important word. We also get a tangible example of SPBMI in this week’s Silmarillion…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 085 - First Age Friday: Deathless But Doomed
Join The Man of the West for another reading in the story of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin, as Tuor spends months in the wilderness before swans lead him to…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 085 - Third Age Thursday: But a Doggrel
The herb-master in the Houses of Healing delivers a “rhyme of old days”, and Legolas sings of the beauty of Lebennin in this week’s exploration of poems and…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 085 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Lookout Hill
Join The Man of the West for a closer look at a few names from our readings about Túrin, and a surprise appearance by a phrase from our readings about Tuor…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 085 - Túrin Turambar Tuesday: Nor Her Own Name
Todays’ meeting of Glaurung and Níenor will lead to tragedy tomorrow, as we continue the story of Túrin Turambar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 085 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Riven From the Bones of the Earth
Join The Man of the West as we continue our walk through Middle-earth with a visit to Nan Curunír, Isengard, and Orthanc itself. Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 084 - Silmarillion Saturday: Strange and Free
While the episode title fairly describes this podcast (and, in a way, its host), it’s actually what the Valar saw in the Children of Ilúvatar as we continue…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 084 - First Age Friday: A Great Yearning
Tuor finds his way to the shores of the Great Sea and is struck with a deep Sea-longing in today’s continued reading in Of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin in…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 084 - Third Age Thursday: To the Day’s Rising
Join The Man of the West as he walks through some of the most powerful alliterative verses in The Lord of the Rings, including Rohirric ‘epitaph poems’. Learn…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 084 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Intelligent Man
Today’s episode title is clearly not referring to The Man of the West, but you’ll have to listen to find out who it is talking about. Join in as we look at the…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 084 - Túrin Turambar Tuesday: In Peace Unshadowed
If only Túrin were right about that. Join The Man of the West as we continue reading the story of Túrin who finally takes the overly-optimistic name of…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 084 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Rush and Chatter
No, The Man of the West isn’t in a hurry and he’s no more talkative than usual. Today’s Middle-earth Map Monday continues our visit in Rohan as we stop by the…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 083 - Silmarillion Saturday: Shall Prove But Mine Instrument
Join The Man of the West as he continues his reading of Ainulindalë, reaching the passage that spawned the classic PPP acronym, SPBMI. Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 083 - First Age Friday: Through Darkness
Tuor begins his journeys and runs into two unexpected Elves who have some counsel — and unexpected prophecy — for the outlaw. Also, blue lamps! Learn more…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 083 - Third Age Thursday: Fealty Kept He
Join The Man of the West as he takes a deep dive into dark Dunharrow and the dim morning, studying the alliterative verse of Rohan. Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 083 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Get Used to Disappointment
The Man of the West swings and misses at three words today, but still manages to bat .500 as he just keeps swinging. (Not a baseball fan? Please forgive the…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 083 - Túrin Turambar Tuesday: I Offer Thee Freedom
And if you really think that’s what Glaurung is offering, I’ve got a bridge to sell you — and it’s nowhere near Nargothrond. Learn more about your ad choices…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 083 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Tap by Tap
Join The Man of the West as he continues his trip through Rohan on Middle-earth Map Monday in a visit to the caves of Helm’s Deep: the Glittering Caves of…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 082 - Silmarillion Saturday: Like Unto Countless Choirs
It’s time for a deep dive into the musical origins of creation in the first of six readings in the Ainulindalë, the Music of the Ainur, from The Silmarillion…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 082 - First Age Friday: An Outlaw in the Land of His Fathers
Join The Man of the West for a new series of First Age Fridays as we look at the tale Of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin from Unfinished Tales. Learn more…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 082 - Third Age Thursday: Need Shall Drive Him
The Man of the West takes a long look at the words of Malbeth the Seer — including a look at the drafts when Malbeth had nothing to do with this prophecy at…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 082 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Noble Towers, Silver Birches and Golden Worms
Join The Man of the West as he powers his word-nerd way through six words from yesterday’s reading in the Tale of Túrin Turambar. Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 082 - Túrin Turambar Tuesday: Yet I Rue the Day
We continue our Túrin Turambar Tuesdays as Ulmo sends Orodreth some good advice, and Túrin promptly ignores it. Gwindor loses everything, and Túrin gets one…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 082 - Middle-earth Map Monday: The Far-off Days of the Glory of Gondor
Join The Man of the West as he begins Series 11 of Today’s Tolkien Times with a return to Middle-earth Map Monday as our Rohan road trip stops at Súthburg…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 081 - Silmarillion Saturday: With His Servant?!
I’d say Sam needs a new publicist. Join The Man of the West as we close out our time in Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age with, uh, well, the end of the…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 081 - Fandom Friday: Don Marshall
Join The Man of the West in welcoming back Don Marshall to Today’s Tolkien Times, as he tells us about the new book he’s writing! Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 081 - Third Age Thursday: Huge, Old, and Tall
I’d make one of those “I feel called out” jokes, but I know I’m not tall. Join The Man of the West for an in-depth look at a hobbit nursery rhyme that turns…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 081 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Orodreth Went to West Virginia?
Join The Man of the West for another look at a series of names connected to Nargothrond and Túrin’s time there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 081 - Túrin Turambar Tuesday: Not In Your Name
Gwindor speaks an unwelcome truth to Túrin, but he doesn’t want to hear it. Join The Man of the West as our tragic hero gains not one, not two, but three new…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 081 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Wide, Wind-Swept Walls
Join The Man of the West as Gandalf and his Companions reach Edoras and make their way through the town to the top of the hill and Meduseld itself. Learn more…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 080 - Silmarillion Saturday: Of Small Account
Join The Man of the West as we continue reading through Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, this time as the White Council finally serves an eviction…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 080 - Fandom Friday: Bag End at End of Bag
Join The Man of the West in welcoming Myla, a fellow collector of all things Tolkien, to the TTT to talk about our mutual obsession pastime. Learn more about…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 080 - Third Age Thursday: Rhymes of Lore
Join The Man of the West as he leaves alliterative Old English behind, in order to explore not one, not two, but three Rhymes of Lore. Well, maybe just two and…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 080 - Word-nerd Wednesday: There’s a Golf Joke Somewhere
Not that The Man of the West finds the joke, but you’ll understand. Join him for a whirlwind exploration of several words from the TTT’s recent, um, TTT…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 080 - Túrin Turambar Tuesday: Fate Was That Day More Strong
The day we all hoped would turn out differently has arrived, and Beleg meets his tragic end in this week’s installment of Túrin Turambar Tuesday. Learn more…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 080 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Like a Sentinel
Join The Man of the West for more map exploration in Rohan: this time, accompanying Gandalf and the Three Hunters as they ride for Edoras, the capital of…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 079 - Silmarillion Saturday: A Second Darkness
Join The Man of the West as we continue reading through Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age: Mithrandir is vigilant, Elrond is troubled, and Saruman plays…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 079 - Fandom Friday: Galadriel’s Gorgeous Gambeson
The Man of the West welcomes Silhouette Cosplay to the TTT to explain to us mere mortals how costuming magic is actually made! Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 079 - Third Age Thursday: Arise!
Join The Man of the West for an in-depth look at two pieces of alliterative verse cried out by a restored King Théoden… just ignore the butchering of Old…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 079 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Beleriand Geography — Lightning Round
It’s time to look at a few of the place names we’ve encountered in our Túrin readings this series; we move through seven locations faster than Túrin comes up…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 079 - Túrin Turambar Tuesday: With Little Hope
Join The Man of the West as Túrin’s reputation grows a little too big, Mîm picks a battle a bit too big, and Beleg runs across an Elf who’s had better days…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 079 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Great Brooding Presence
Once again, a title that could — at times — describe your host, but this time it’s where the Three Hunters are heading to start week 79 of the TTT! Learn more…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 078 - Silmarillion Saturday: How Great Was Their Peril
We continue in Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age as the Dark Lord makes his return, the forest gets a new name, and the Valar send a little help. They…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 078 - Fandom Friday: A Song of Greater Power
Join The Man of the West as he sits down with Tolkien scholar (and Ph.D. student) Clare Moore to talk about things he only barely understands. Learn more about…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 078 - Third Age Thursday: Unmarred, Unstained
Clearly not referring to The Man of the West or any of his clothing, today’s title references a line in a poem that Gandalf may have just made up on the spot…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 078 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Or, “Deadly Forest of Deadly Death”
Join The Man of the West for a closer look at Taur-nu-Fuin than you ever thought you’d like. Also, it turns out we’ve been misspelling the name of the River…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 078 - Túrin Turambar Tuesday: Such a Churl
Yet another line that could describe The Man of the West — but today, it’s Túrin’s own self-evaluation, as he reunites with an old friend. Learn more about…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 078 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Between Down and Fen
Join The Man of the West as he follows the Three Hunters into Rohan for another Middle-earth Map Monday to start week 78 of the TTT. Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 077 - Silmarillion Saturday: There Mirth Also Dwelt
Join The Man of the West as he continues Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, as we witness the power of the Three Rings — and the inevitability of their…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 077 - Fandom Friday: Kaiakayy
The Man of the West welcomes Kaia to Today’s Tolkien Times to talk Tolkien, TikTok and trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 077 - Third Age Thursday: Hwær Cwom Mearg?
Join The Man of the West for an attempt at Old English as he looks at Aragorn’s Lament for the Rohirrim, the classic ubi sunt, and reads Tolkien’s own words…