42 Best Tolkien Podcasts to Listen to (2026)

The Prancing Pony Podcast is a weekly show about the Middle-earth legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, hosted - for six seasons - by Alan Sisto and Shawn E. Marchese. Now in its eleventh season, Alan is joined by an all-star cast of co-hosts as he explores more of Middle-earth! Alan and all his co-hosts are passionate Tolkien enthusiasts, inviting listeners to enjoy their detailed exploration of Tolkien's work, with smart but straightforward discussion and a healthy dose of self-effacing humor, pop-culture references, and bad puns. These are the folks you'd want to hang out with at a pub and talk Tolkien with! more

From The Silmarillion to the Hobbit to The Rings of Power and The Lord of the Rings. From the creation of the world to what happened after the destruction of the One Ring, this podcast explains all of the lore, characters, history, and mythology of J.R.R. Tolkien's amazingly deep and complex world one topic at a time. It's like the best college course you could ever take with a professor who loves Middle Earth and adds in some mind-blowing concepts along the way. Whether you're new to the fandom or someone interested in brushing up on the details and expanding your perspective, this is the perfect Tolkien podcast for you. This is part of the Robots Radio network and is brought to you by the host of other hit lore shows including the Fallout Lorecast, Elder Scrolls Lorecast, and Retro Recall. For business inquiries or advertising please contact ****@gmail.com. This podcast is supported by our patrons at https://patreon.com/lotrlorecast. more

Welcome to 'An Unexpected Podcast: Talkin' Tolkien'. We are excited to be covering the Rings of Power TV series; we also invite you to join us in an adventure as Ezra and Lane delve deep into Middle Earth. Each fortnight we will gather for a book re-read, show speculation, and much more! So grab your book, a highlighter, cup of coffee, and keep a pocket-handkerchief close at hand. Remember, 'Not all those who wander are lost' and we intend to let our imagination wander far and wide. Speak 'Friend' and ENTER!!! more

Embark upon a wondrous journey through the realms of Middle-earth and beyond with the Tolkien Road, a podcast dedicated to the enchanting tales and writings of JRR Tolkien. Come, join John, Greta, and our mighty Fellowship as we delve deep into the magic that lingers within the pages of these timeless legends. And always remember: DO NOT BE HASTY!!! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support . more

Exploring the Tolkien Legendarium with the Christian Faith

The Tolkien Professor podcast is a series of lectures, discussions, and seminars on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien by Corey Olsen, President of Signum University. All are welcome to enter even those without any party business! more

In this series, story expert Alastair Stephens guides you through the pages of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. more

Join The Tolkien Professor, Dr. Corey Olsen, on a sentence-by-sentence journey through the text of Tolkien's epic fairy story, and explore Middle-earth through the magical game-world of Lord of the Rings Online. more

Secrets of Middle-Earth explores the deeper meanings, themes, and symbolism found in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and their screen adaptations. From The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to The Silmarillion and beyond, each episode goes past plot summaries to examine Tolkien's myth-making, moral vision, and spiritual imagination. Hosted by a panel of thoughtful Tolkien enthusiasts, the show blends literary insight, theology, and lively discussion to reveal why Middle-earth continues to resonate so powerfully. If you love Tolkien and want to understand what his stories are really saying about courage, evil, hope, and sacrifice, this podcast is for you. more

The Lamp-post Listener is a podcast where two friends travel further up and further into classic works of children's literature - from the woods of CS Lewis's Narnia to the mountains of JRR Tolkien's Middle-earth. Each episode chronicles the narratives, themes, and truth found in these timeless tales with C.S. Lewis as a Virgil-like guide. Phil and Daniel are currently reading 'The Hobbit.' more

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 Age Thursdays; hear from Tolkien fans around the world on Fandom Fridays; and dive deep into Middle-earth history on Silmarillion Saturdays!And on Sundays? That's what The Prancing Pony Podcast is for! So subscribe to Today's Tolkien Times and follow us on all our social media channels! more

Discussing themes and lore from Tolkien's works.

Keep on Tolkien is a podcast that takes you on a sarcastic and passionate journey through the Tolkien Legendarium. Our aim is to provide quality information about Tolkien lore while keeping a fun-loving and casual atmosphere. It's like hanging out with your buddies...if your buddies were three foul-mouthed nerds with a rather unhealthy obsession with how terrible the hobbit movies are.Have questions, comments, or suggestions? Shoot us a message on your favorite social media site!We want to hear from you! more

The bi-weekly podcast for serious Tolkien fans. Hosts Jonathan Watson and Michael Grumbine of TheOneRing.com (the internet's longest Tolkien community since 1999) read through The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and every Age of Middle-earth — chapter by chapter. Plus conversations with artists, creators, and scholars and honest commentary on what Hollywood keeps getting wrong about Tolkien's legacy. 160+ episodes. more

A Lord of the Rings Podcast where your two hosts, Dave and Johnny discuss all things Middle-earth. Each week, we bring character deep dives, topic discussions, movie/tv-show reviews or the latest news involving Middle-Earth. Ideal for die-hard fans of Tolkien, new-to-Tolkien-comers and anyone who wants to kick back and have a laugh. Entertainment guaranteed. Welcome to the Council ⚔️ Get in touch: https://linktr.ee/themellonheadsFor new listeners, a good episode to start on:Who is Aragorn Really? - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4TmpXivJJdpMkvJ9u6XVNA?si=4ee980722ee044e5 more

Athrabeth is a monthly podcast that invites you down the lesser trod paths of Tolkien's Legendarium. Each episode we pick a single chapter, essay, fragment, or topic, and do a deep dive, exploring it as both fans and scholars. more

All things J.R.R. Tolkien: his work, his inspirations and impact, creative interpretations in other media, languages, lore, ripoffs, parodies, anything we think is interesting! more

Discussing anything and everything related to J.R.R. Tolkien, from Middle-earth to real life.

Got questions about The Lord the Rings, Middle-Earth, and Tolkien? At The Lord of the Rings AMA podcast, Tolkien fan (not expert) Matthias Austin will do his best to answer your questions as in-depth as possible about the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and all of the greater Legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien! Episodes released weekly! more

Queer Lodgings is a queer-led podcast covering all things Tolkien. Join Alicia, Grace, and Leah (and sometimes Tim), a group of fans and scholars, as we discuss Middle-earth from a lgbtq+-focused, intersectional, antiracist, and non-christian perspective. more

Have you ever wanted to know more about the world of Lord of the Rings? Maybe you even started the Silmarillion but couldn't get into it. Too many names (usually beginning with 'Fin', let's be honest).I feel you. And I have your back.Join me and my wife as I do all the research for you and explain all the amazing stuff hidden within Tolkien's works. There's like 50 years he was writing for so there's a lot.The podcast breaks down Middle-earth's history like I'm your pal at the pub. I keep it accessible and relatable because as many people as possible should appreciate Tolkien's world. more

Welcome to Exploring Middle-Earth. A Lord of the Rings lore podcast where two friends, Grant and Jay explore all things Tolkien. Episodes are posted every other Monday.Check us out on Goodreads:Grant: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/175355524-grant-mulderJay: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/61189862-jay-benedictFollow us on Instagram! @exploringmiddle_earth Follow us on Twitter! @ExpMiddleEarth https://twitter.com/ExpMiddleEarth Connect with us on myspace: https://myspace.com/exploringmiddle-earth Contact us at ****@gmail.com more

Dive into Middle-earth with the 'Sisters of Tolkien' podcast! Join Abi and Ashley on an epic journey through J.R.R. Tolkien's lesser-known works, including The Silmarillion and The Unfinished Tales. Whether you're a Tolkien enthusiast or a newcomer, we've got you covered! Explore the depths of Tolkien's universe, all in bite-sized portions that fit into your busy schedule. Let's make Tolkien's world accessible and enjoyable together. Tune in for fun discussions, pronunciation struggles, and everything in between! Speak, friend, and enter into the magic of Middle-earth with us! more

Join us as we read through JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. One chapter per episode. One episode per week. Connect with us at ****@waywardwizards.com and learn more at waywardwizards.com. more

Join brothers, Seth and Sam Moldenhauer on the walls of Isengard as they dissect the many works of Tolkien and discuss life. Enjoy this fun fellowship and be careful, as there's no telling where you will be swept off to. Email us your Tolkien Story at ****@gmail.com to be shared on the podcast. more

Welcome to the Lorehounds! David, John, & Marilyn take you through the world of Middle-earth. Full breakdowns of The Rings of Power and chapters of The Silmarillion . Check out our linktree for more. https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds more

A podcast dedicated to talking about all things Lord of the Rings and Tolkien! Special guests and fans every week!  more

Co-hosts Kenny Talarico and Sam Lieberman discuss the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and what they tell us about politics, philosophy, religion, and life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

One does not simply walk into serious discussion… Fool of a Took Podcast is a show where deep lore meets even deeper nonsense! Enter the Shire-adjacent mind of Chris, your host, guide, and certified Fool of a Took as he sets out to read The Lord of the Rings for the very first time, joined by his book-loving wife RJ, fellow first-time reader and baker Laura, and Laura's husband Patrick, a devoted Tolkien super-fan. Fool of a Took is your book-club companion through Middle-earth—whether you're discovering LOTR for the first time, revisiting it again, or geeking out as a lifelong Tolkien fan. more

Your home for insight and intelligent discussion of Lord of the Rings, A Song of Ice and Fire, and more.Discover the best of fantasy as we dive deep into Tolkien's legendarium and all things Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, from the books to the screen, in nerdy detail. If you'd like to support the show, thank you! You can find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/indeepgeek more

Shire Reckoning is a twice-weekly podcast dedicated to the work of Professor J.R.R. Tolkien. Join Alastair Stephens every Sunday for the latest from the Shire, and accompany our Fellowship every Tuesday evening as we study Tolkien's work in a welcoming, unhurried journey through the most influential fantasy stories of all time. more

A discussion of all things Tolkien hosted by three Tolkien nerds.

A Father/Daughter team doing a deep dive into the world of Tolkien with some fun stuff and interesting guests along the way. more

Taking a casual journey though the works of Tolkien; going through the books as if it were an audio play, talking about upcoming Lord of the Rings news, and discussing thoughts and questions as we read through these stories. more

Help support The Tolkien Podcast to allow more time and attention to be devoted to it: https://buymeacoffee.com/larrydcurtis You've found THE TOLKIEN PODCAST where we will explore three essential things you need to know about J.R.R. Tolkien: 1. Why he is THE author of the 20th Century 2. Why six movies made outside of Hollywood in New Zealand have earned a stunning $6 billion just at the box office from all around the globe while earning so much more money in so many other ways 3. And maybe especially, why and how the author's words changed and will continue to influence the world we all live in. That's the launching point of the The Tolkien Podcast where as your host, my voice will be one of many you will hear from every corner of our world including scholars, artists, craftspeople, film makers, and Tolkienites, all reflecting on his works including the legendarium of Middle-earth. While we will delve deep into the past, Tolkien fans also have a lot to look forward to, as more works directly and indirectly inspired by The Professor continue to follow in his incomparable footsteps of creation. Another way to support: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436415/supporters/new more

Join Corey and Mike as they delve into the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings with a chapter by chapter analysis. more

A Catholic Journey Through the Lord of the Rings

Where Tolkien and Pop Culture Collide tolkienpop.substack.com

Exploring the intersections of Middle Earth and the therapy room, two worlds which have far more in common than you might think! Karen will be your host ,passionate about Tolkien, and fantasy in general, and their work as a psychotherapist. Alongside deep dives into passages of text, which shine a light on theraputic ideas and theories, there will be guests bringing their own experiences of Tolkien and mental health.A light to you in dark places when all other lights go out more

Welcome to Beyond the Brandywine - a Tolkien and Lord of the Rings podcast where we wander, wonder, and occasionally get lost in Middle Earth! Beyond the Brandywine is a cozy, curious, and occasionally chaotic journey across the lands of Middle Earth. Join us as we wander through stories, laugh over the odd bits of lore, and follow tangents like hobbits chasing second breakfast. We're here to explore the places where the map fades and the questions get weird.Each episode is a journey—sometimes we end up exactly where we planned, sometimes we discover something completely unexpected. New episodes drop bi-weekly. Available at Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. more

The Lucky Kiwi Podcast is a Tolkien podcast exploring The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Middle-earth, and the enduring legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien. Watch conversations with filmmakers and audiences. CREDITS: Producers / Hosts: Amanda & Jed Brophy Editing: Amanda Brophy Guest: Surprise Guest Original Theme Music: Stephen Gallagher Additional Original Music: Jed Brophy © 2026 All Rights Reserved. more

Welcome to the Hobbiton Huddle, the brand new Lord of the Rings podcast that's got all the Tooks, Chubbs, Grubbs, and Brandybucks in Hobbiton talking! Each ep, we're reading and discussing one chapter of Lord of the Rings. We're aiming to keep this relatively spoiler-free, so all you first-time fellowship members can join us on the adventure. Hosted by Hannah and Miles, two friendly Kiwis, the Hobbiton Huddle is a fortnightly-ish podcast with hour-long-ish episodes. Each episode, you can expect a deep-dive into the chapter we've read, as well as LOTR quizzes, trivia and original music. more