Podcast: Download

The theme for Tolkien Reading Day 2024 is Service and Sacrifice, so Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Patrick Mason shares their favorite quotes from Tolkien’s works on the subject, concluding that nearly the whole Legendarium is on that topic.

Podcast: Download

Awakening. Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Pat Mason continue their walk through the Silmarillion, covering the creation and awakening of Elves, origins of orcs, the first binding of Morgoth, and themes of power, sacrifice, and morallity.

Podcast: Download

So much happens in Peter Jackson’s film verison of The Two Towers. Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Alix Murray discuss the film’s portrayals of Faramir and Theoden; the themes of hope, unity, and despair at Helm’s Deep; and the changes made from the book.

Podcast: Download

Continuing their discussion of The Silmarillion, Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason discuss the beginning of the Quenta Silmarillion and the themes of fate, free will, creation, and destruction within Tolkien’s universe.

Podcast: Download

We gave Patrons the opportunity to ask our Tolkien experts Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, Mike Schramm, and Patrick Mason their related questions and made the answers available exclusively to Patrons first and the later to the whole audience. This time the questions cover the origin and fate of the wizards, where the Entwives went, and what part of Tolkien’s stories they would change.

Podcast: Download

Focusing on Peter Jackson’s Fellowship of the Ring, Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Alix Murray share their experiences of the film; highlights, including Boromir’s redemptive death; its cultural impact; controversies about changes from the books; and more.

Podcast: Download

Over 23 years Tolkien wrote a series of letters from Father Christmas to his children. Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason discuss their experiences of the letters; Tolkien’s whimsical, playful side; his devotion as a father; and the enduring magic of his imagination.

Podcast: Download

Tolkien’s Silmarillion begins with the Ainulindale and Valaquenta and so Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason begin the first part of a conversation about these two stories, on Middle Earth’s creation, the balance of good and evil, immortality and free will, and more.

Podcast: Download

Examining Tolkien’s Elves and Dwarves, Thomas Salerno, Mike Schramm, and Jeff Haecker discuss their mystical and earthly natures; portrayals in media; their rich backstory in “The Silmarillion;” symbolism in their relationship—elves reflect beauty; dwarves, greed; their history of conflict and cooperation, especially in “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” where Gimli and Legolas’s friendship exemplifies their potential harmony.

Podcast: Download

Explore the theological and philosophical themes concerning good, evil, and power, as reflected in the One Ring’s symbolism. Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Mike Schramm discuss the influences of Tolkien’s work on modern fantasy, highlighting the Ring’s evolution from a plot tool to a symbol of power and corruption, paralleled in modern takes on sin and redemption. The Ring’s symbolic narrative rooted in Judeo-Christian themes signifies a timeless struggle between power’s allure and the redemption found in its renunciation, showcasing Tolkien’s enduring impact on the genre and moral discourse.

Podcast: Download

One of the first film versions of Tolkien’s work, Rankin Bass’s animated The Hobbit continues to delight. Thomas Salerno, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Jeff Haecker discuss the virtues of the adaptation and the differences from its more famous brethren.

Podcast: Download

Not all Middle-Earth movies are big-budget Hollywood productions. Thomas Salerno, Kaitlyn Facista, and Jeff Haecker review the fan-made LOTR film “Born of Hope” and discuss the bittersweet tale of Aragorn’s parents Arathorn and Gilraen.

Podcast: Download

Smeagol or Gollum? Thomas Salerno, Thomas Sanjurjo, Jeff Haecker, and Kaitlyn Facista do a deep dive on the character of this Ringbearer, his motivations and roles in various, the latest video game featuring Gollum, and the controversial opinion: Is Gollum the hero of LOTR?

Podcast: Download

Happy Father’s Day! Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, Kaitlyn Facista, and Thomas Sanjurjo are celebrating Dads as they discuss the fathers of Middle Earth, both good and bad, including both biological fathers and spiritual fathers.

Podcast: Download

Happy Mother’s Day! Jeff Haecker, Kaitlyn Fascista, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Thomas Salerno discuss motherhood in Tolkien’s Legendarium and Rings of Power, including how his own mother’s death at a young age affected his portrayal of mothers in his own works.

Podcast: Download

The Valar are the angelic guardians of Middle-earth who watch over the heroes and influence the world in dramatic and surprising ways. Thomas Salerno, Kaitlyn Facista, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Jeff Haecker discuss their favorite Valar and even create their own original Valar characters.

Podcast: Download

It’s Tolkien reading day and Thomas Salerno, Kaitlyn Facista, Jeff Haecker, and Thomas Sanjurjo offer up their favorite passages on the theme of travel and adventure, from the darkest depths to the hopeful highs.

Podcast: Download

Tolkien’s stories are filled with tales of romance and friendship, and Thomas Salerno, Kaitlyn Facista, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Jeff Haecker discuss all the great love stories, including their favorites, like Beren and Luthien, Aragorn and Arwen, and even Gimli and Galadriel.