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 057 - Word-nerd Wednesday: A Plethora of Place-names Perchance?
Join The Man of the West as he looks at a number of places named in Aragorn’s retelling of the Song of Beren and Lúthien. Bonus: we learn what Morgoth’s…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 057 - Tolkien Tuesday: Equal Obstinacy
Once again, a title that could have something to do with The Man of the West, but does not. Today, we look at the importance of male friendships to Tolkien…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 057 - Middle-earth Map Monday: I Can Haz Palantir?
Join The Man of the West as he looks at the results of inequitable palantíri distribution amongst the kingdoms formerly known as Arnor. Learn more about your…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 056 - Second Age Saturday: The Root Of All Their Troubles
Aldarion’s sure he’s identified the cause of his “disastrous marriage to Erendis” and changes the law so that it won’t happen to his daughter, Ancalimë. But…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 056 - Fandom Friday: Airplane Facts are Not Like Tolkien Facts… or are they, Max?
Join The Man of the West as he welcomes Airplane Facts with Max to Fandom Friday to chat about his captivating content, and about his time at San Diego…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 056 - Third Age Thursday: In the Forest Singing Sorrowless
The Man of the West tells a tale of the old days, as we look at Strider’s recitation of the tale of Tinúviel on the slopes of Weathertop. Learn more about your…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 056 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Er is the Loneliest Number… of Hands
Join The Man of the West for a deep dive into the names of one of the heroes of the First Age, Beren son of Barahir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 056 - Tolkien Tuesday: Blundering, Brusque, or Downright Rude
While these words have been used of The Man of the West from time to time, it’s C.S. Lewis who needs to take heed this time, as we look at his views on male…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 056 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Filled With Evil Folk
Join The Man of the West for another Middle-earth Map Monday, as he takes a closer look at Arnor’s second capital, Fornost. Also, Círdan makes another…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 055 - Second Age Saturday: Enjoy It Before They Ruin It
Erendis offers strong words for her daughter in this week’s Second Age Saturday, as The Man of the West continues his readings through Aldarion and Erendis…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 055 - Fandom Friday: The Tea Is Always Right
The Man of the West continues his Fandom Friday chats with content creators who attended San Diego ComicCon in July, as Kaitlyn from Tea With Tolkien stops by…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 055 - Third Age Thursday: Mirrored in His Silver Shield
We can’t get enough of Gil-galad on Today’s Tolkien Times; in today’s episode, the Man of the West continues his look at the poetry of The Lord of the Rings…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 055 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Revered King
Join The Man of the West as he looks at the names of — well, this is awkward — The Man of the West, in a Word-nerd Wednesday on the many names of Aragorn…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 055 - Tolkien Tuesday: Holy Terror of Coteries
This week’s Tolkien Tuesday looks more closely at the kind of friends the Inklings were, along with a deep dive into C.S. Lewis’ view on the unofficial cliques…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 055 - Middle-earth Map Monday: His Chief City
Join The Man of the West as he begins another week of the TTT with Middle-earth Map Monday and a look at the original capital city of the Kingdom of Arnor…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 054 - Second Age Saturday: Too Late, or Too Early
A wizard may never be late, Frodo Baggins, but Aldarion apparently could be. Join The Man of the West for another reading in the Second Age tale of the…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 054 - Fandom Friday: Always Optimistic
The Man of the West is joined by The Tolkien Professor himself, Dr. Corey Olsen, for another chat about The Rings of Power and what we can be looking forward…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 054 - Third Age Thursday: Totally Irrational Non-Sequiturs
While this week’s title could describe most of The Man of the West’s ramblings, it’s actually a quote from Tom Shippey. Listen to find out more! Learn more…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 054 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Unto No Maner Wight
If Chaucer is quoted in the title, you know the episode must be good. Join The Man of the West for some word-nerdery on not one, but two words in this week’s…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 054 - Tolkien Tuesday: The Cause Rather Than the Result
The Man of the West continues in Humphrey Carpenter’s The Inklings, chasing down the fox that might still be there somewhere. Learn more about your ad choices…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 054 - Middle-earth Map Monday: While Their Realm Lasted
Join The Man of the West as he kicks off another week of Today’s Tolkien Times with a map visit to Lindon and the Grey Havens. Learn more about your ad…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 053 - Second Age Saturday: Madman and Churl
Join The Man of the West as King Meneldur finalizes his decision to hand the Sceptre to his son, and Erendis sees the choice as an attack by her estranged…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 053 - Fandom Friday: The Middle Page
The Man of the West continues his SDCC focus for the rest of Series 7, welcoming Kelly @themiddlepage from Instagram to talk about her channel, and The Lord of…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 053 - Third Age Thursday: A Mug of Beer Inside This Took
Is not a line in any of the three of Tolkien’s poems we’ll look at today. But if you think The Man of the West can avoid humming this tune, you could be wrong…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 053 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Hey Now, You’re an All Star
The Man of the West engages in a little star-gazing as he breaks down the names of the regions of the island of Númenor in this week’s Word-nerd Wednesday…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 053 - Tolkien Tuesday: I’m Not Accurate
While today’s episode title could reflect The Man of the West on nearly any given day, this time it’s a self-deprecating quote from C.S. Lewis, as we continue…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 053 - Middle-earth Map Monday: An Old Name… in an Older Language
Join The Man of the West as he begins another week of the TTT with a close look at the town not at all named for a soft, spreadable cheese. Learn more about…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 052 - Second Age Saturday: Myself as a Tame Hound
Join The Man of the West as Aldarion shares his unfiltered opinion with his father, King Meneldur — just as the king is about to make a major announcement…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 052 - Fandom Friday: The Dwarf of the Year Returns
The Man of the West changes up Fandom Fridays for the rest of Series 7, with a focus on Tolkien content creators who were at San Diego ComicCon, getting their…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 052 - Third Age Thursday: Tree-Tangled Middle-Lands
Join The Man of the West as the hobbits encounter Noldorin Exiles in the Shire, singing a beautiful Hymn to Elbereth. We also wonder about Gildor’s parentage…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 052 - Tolkien Tuesday: Scant Resemblance
The Man of the West returns to Carpenter’s book on the Inklings, this time to seriously question the notion of Tolkien, Lewis, Williams, and Barfield as ‘The…
- Today's Tolkien Times
Week 052 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Snow White is Very Inadequate
Look, I’m just saying what Tolkien says, okay? Sure, he means the translation of Fanuilos, and not the Disney princess, but maybe that’s true as well. Learn…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 052 - Middle-earth Map Monday: The Forefathers of the Edain
Join The Man of the West as he begins the week with a return to the new segment on Middle-earth Map Monday. Also, linguistic changes are unpredictable. Learn…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 051 - Second Age Saturday: Of What Worth Is Choice?
It’s time to return to our readings in Númenor as King Meneldur thinks through a no-win situation and makes a momentous decision regarding the future, as…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 051 - Fandom Friday: It’s Complicated
Join The Man of the West as he welcomes Inklings scholar Sørina Higgins to Fandom Friday to talk about the Oddest Inkling, Charles Williams, and explain some…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 051 - Third Age Thursday: Round the Next Corner
We continue our look at poetry and songs in The Lord of the Rings by taking a deep dive into one of Bilbo’s songs, set to a tune “as old as the hills” (yet…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 051 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Shout, Shout, Let It All Out
Join The Man of the West for a closer look at the name of Gil-galad’s father… or, maybe his father, or maybe not. Where’s Maury Povich when you need him? Also…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 051 - Tolkien Tuesday: Your Laugh In My Heart Echoes
We continue in our time in Humphrey Carpenter’s book, The Inklings, as we look more closely at the conflicted nature of Tolkien’s friendship with Charles…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 051 - Middle-earth Map Monday: The Memory of Many Injuries
Join The Man of the West for another week of Today’s Tolkien Times as he returns to a new Monday segment looking at places in Middle-earth. This time, we visit…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 050 - Second Age Saturday: Manwë Keep You Under the One
The Man of the West returns to the story of Aldarion and Erendis for another set of Second Age Saturdays. In today’s episode, we look over the shoulder of King…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 050 - Fandom Friday: Because It Was About Time
In a TTT first, The Man of the West has a co-host: Sara Brown, the Shield-maiden of Rohan. Join them as they interview the man behind the Welsh translation of…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 050 - Third Age Thursday: My Evening-Rest
Join The Man of the West as he begins a series of readings through the poetry and songs of The Lord of the Rings… by starting with a song from The Hobbit…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 050 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Scion of Kings
It’s time for another return to Word-nerd Wednesday, with today’s episode looking closely at the several names of the last High King of the Eldar. But not at…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 050 - Tolkien Tuesday: We All Agree So
The Man of the West returns to Humphrey Carpenter’s book, The Inklings, for more on Tolkien and his circle of friends. Today, a closer look at the oddest…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 050 - Map Monday: The Land Was Rich and Kindly
Join The Man of the West as he begins a new series with a new Monday segment: Middle-earth Map Monday! In the first of this new segment, we learn the hobbits…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 049 - Second Age Saturday: Steel Hard to Break
Join The Man of the West as Aldarion all too briefly speaks with the daughter he abandoned years ago and coldly ignores her mother. Learn more about your ad…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 049 - First Age Friday: Master of Wolves
Finrod and his faithful followers accompany Beren north, and come up with one possible way to get by the Master of Wolves himself. Learn more about your ad…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 049 - Third Age Thursday: Even as Oromë the Great
It’s time for the last of our Théoden Thursday specials as The Man of the West takes us through the King of Rohan’s finest moments. Learn more about your ad…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 049 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Golden-Haired Champion
Join The Man of the West as he takes a closer look at the names of his favorite Elf from the First Age, including one that might have just been a derisive…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 049 - Tolkien Tuesday: Our Revered Hobbit-Ancestors
It’s time for another few letters in the Revised and Expanded edition, this time as we accompany Professor Tolkien on a trip to Rotterdam for maggot-soup and…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 049 - Mailbag Monday: With Vigour, Please
Join The Man of the West for the last week of Series 6 of Today’s Tolkien Times as he answers a question — okay, five questions — about the Dúnedain. Learn…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 048 - Second Age Saturday: I Am Mistaken, It Seems
It’s time for another heartbreaking episode in the tragic tale of Aldarion and Erendis as the King’s Heir finally returns home and meets the consequences of…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 048 - First Age Friday: Yours Ye May Break
Join The Man of the West as we meet the best Elf ever, Finrod Felagund, and find him in quite the conundrum. Also, thanks a lot Fëanor. Learn more about your…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 048 - Third Age Thursday: Maybe We Shall Cleave a Road
It’s time for another inspirational passage on Théoden, King of Rohan as The Man of the West continues reading his favorite moments in the life of a king who…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 048 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Here We Come A-Wassailing
Join The Man of the West for a dive into Old English as we look at some of the names and words from our Third Age Thursday readings about Théoden. Learn more…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 048 - Tolkien Tuesday: Stupidities and Vulgarities
You know that Professor Tolkien never minced words; now, so does Zimmerman. The Man of the West talks about some letters Tolkien wrote revealing his thoughts…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 048 - Mailbag Monday: Until the Rising of the Star
Join The Man of the West as he answers a question about inevitability, and speculates what might have happened to Turgon and the people of Gondolin had they…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 047 - Second Age Saturday: Breakers and Eaters
The noisy thing known as The Man of the West reads another passage in the tale of Aldarion and Erendis, as — surprise! — Aldarion doesn’t make it home when he…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 047 - First Age Friday: Terrible and Blasphemous
Some might say that describes The Man of the West, but thankfully Tolkien was speaking about the Oath of Fëanor and his sons, featured in this week’s reading…
Today's Tolkien TimesWeek 047 - Third Age Thursday: It Is Not So Dark Here
Join The Man of the West as he spends the final three Third Age Thursdays of the series reading his favorite passages on Théoden, King of Rohan. Learn more…