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The Prancing Pony Podcast

The Prancing Pony Podcast

300 episodes

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!

More about the show

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!

Episodes page 2 of 6

  1. 380 – So Mind-Bogglingly Useful

    · 2 h 10 min

    Tolkien believes that his method of translation-by-sense “perhaps needs some defence”; Alan and James know their method of podcasting requires a lot of defense. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we…

  2. 379 – A Big Wide Sounding Name

    · 2 h 05 min

    The Elves speak in a more gracious and antique style; James thinks there’s an old joke in there somewhere. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we begin our two-episode exploration of Appendix F to The…

  3. 378 – Don’t Panic

    · 2 h 07 min

    Maybe Celebrimbor just has poor penmanship; and maybe Alan still can’t pronounce things correctly. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we urge you to take the advice provided in the episode title when…

  4. 377 – This Must Be Thursday

    · 2 h 07 min

    The Númenóreans altered the calendar of the Elves; Alan & James never could get the hang of Thursdays. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we practice only the best kind of pedantry in our exploration…

  5. 376 – Questions After Nightfall 31

    · 1 h 35 min · S9 E36

    Grab a drink at the bar and step into the Common Room — it’s time to join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we answer listener questions again in our 31st quarterly Questions After Nightfall. From…

  6. 375 – If You Don’t Know Me By Now

    · 1 h 43 min · S9 E35

    One of the greatest Elven loremasters finally gets his time in the spotlight; and in an ironic twist, James gets some time in the spotlight (or is that ‘under the bus’?). Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the…

  7. 374 – Holding Back the Years

    · 1 h 58 min · S9 E34

    Tolkien is forced to shrink the Tale of Years to satisfy his publisher; James is forced to co-host a few episodes of the PPP to satisfy Alan. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we get to the sooner…

  8. 373 – Let’s Go Crazy (and Take a Hobbit)

    · 1 h 56 min

    Christopher Tolkien explains that “the textual situation… is complex and hard to unravel.” Fortunately, the podcast situation is quite simple. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we conclude our…

  9. 372 – Little Red Dragon

    · 2 h 08 min

    Gandalf worries that the dragon Sauron might use with terrible effect; Sara worries that the bad jokes Alan might use with terrible effect. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin our…

  10. 371 – When Dwarves Cry

    · 2 h 08 min · S9 E31

    A deep dive into Tolkien’s oldest stories about the Dwarves uncovers all sorts of interesting details, as Alan hands the reins of the PPP to Sara for her expertise on the Dwarves. Join The Man of the West and The…

  11. 370 – Take Me With U, Legolas

    · 2 h 11 min · S9 E29

    They say that Gandalf is wise and knows more than any other of what goes on in the world; they say Alan can sometimes do math. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we continue our team in Appendix…

  12. 369 – Party Like it’s (Third Age) 1999

    · 1 h 46 min · S9 E29

    Thráin escapes the Balrog in Moria and establishes Erebor; Sara can’t escape Alan and the PPP quite yet, despite her best efforts. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin a five-part look at…

  13. 368 – If You Leave Me Now

    · 2 h 06 min · S9 E28

    After a long reign as King, Aragorn finally takes his rest, and a great beauty was revealed in him; after a season of the PPP, Alan takes a week off, and… well, the comparison ends there. Join The Man of the West and…

  14. 367 – Hard to Say I’m Sorry

    · 1 h 58 min · S9 E27

    After years away doing errantry, Aragorn returns to Rivendell, looking like an Elf-lord. After a week away doing a few errands, Alan returns to the Common Room, looking much the same. Join The Man of the West and The…

  15. 366 – You’re the Inspiration

    · 1 h 58 min · S9 E26

    Gilraen’s mom and dad have differing opinions on whether she should marry Arathorn; Alan and Sara just have differing opinions. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin a two-part series —…

  16. 365 – QAN 30

    · 1 h 38 min

    It’s time to come into the Common Room with The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we answer listener questions again in our 30th Questions After Nightfall! From the necessity of real-world physics to…

  17. 364 – Tolkien Reading Day 2025

    · 2 h 21 min · S9 E24

    Join the Tolkien fandom and community — along with The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark — for the PPP’s 10th annual Tolkien Reading Day, observed every March 25 in honor of the destruction of the Ring and the…

  18. 363 – Til You Find Your… Ancient & Military Historian?

    · 2 h 31 min · S9 E23

    The Man of the West bids farewell to The Nerd of the Rings, as they welcome everyone’s favorite ancient and military historian back to the PPP: Dr. Bret Devereaux, author of A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry returns…

  19. 362 – Follow Every Marshal

    · 1 h 54 min · S9 E22

    The Marshals of the Mark faithfully serve the King by leading their trained Riders in battle; Matt faithfully serves Alan by… well, we’re still figuring that one out. Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the Rings…

  20. 361 – Ford Every Stream

    · 1 h 42 min · S9 E21

    Erkenbrand takes command of the West-mark after the death of Théodred; Matt makes it clear that, in the event of Alan’s death, he wants no such responsibility. Join us as there is a coincidence of calendars in our…

  21. 360 – Climb Every Eyot

    · 1 h 52 min · S9 E20

    The Rohirrim are loyal to Théoden, even in his dotage; Matt’s loyalty to Alan is in doubt. Join us as Saruman begins his assault on Rohan with a strategic faux pas in the first of three episodes covering The Battles of…

  22. 359 – Play the Tradition Tonight

    · 1 h 33 min · S9 E19

    Isildur counsels his successors to bring their heirs to the Hill of Awe to reveal the secrets of the realm; Alan and Matt wonder if there’s a Gondorian equivalent to Area 51. Join us as we step back in time to the…

  23. 358 – Oath of No Return

    · 1 h 43 min · S9 E18

    The Steward of Gondor and the Lord of the Éothéod swear oaths to one another; Alan and Matt simply try not to swear at one another. Join us as Eorl knows it’s time to ‘show the way and leave today’ in the fifth of our…

  24. 357 – Cirion, Wayward Son

    · 1 h 41 min · S9 E17

    Come on, you had to know it was coming. Everyone wonders how Cirion will reward Eorl; nobody wonders how Alan will reward Matt. Join us as Cirion and Eorl rise above the noise and confusion atop the Halifirien in our…

  25. 356 – Hold On

    · 1 h 54 min · S9 E16

    Cirion uses his Phone-a-Friend lifeline and, fortunately, Eorl picks up; Alan uses his Phone-a-friend lifeline and… Matt picks up. Join us as Cirion sees that the end of Gondor is “closer than you think and you’re…

  26. 355 – Dust in the Wind

    · 1 h 19 min · S9 E15

    Ondoher learns that battlefield intelligence is crucial to survival; Alan and Matt learn that bad dad jokes are crucial to this podcast. Join us as King Ondoher closes his eyes, only for a moment, and the moment’s…

  27. 354 – Fight Fire With Northmen

    · 1 h 23 min · S9 E14

    The story of Cirion and Eorl begins with an introduction to the Northmen; the story of Alan and Matt begins with Matt having to pronounce hard words. Join us as the Northmen have nothing to lose ‘cause it’s already…

  28. 353 – They Should’ve Known

    · 2 h 05 min · S9 E13

    Gondor and Rohan honestly believed in Saruman, while Alan and Matt aren’t sure what to believe anymore. Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the Rings as we look at all the Kings of Rohan, and Matt gives Alan his…

  29. 352 – White Horse

    · 1 h 48 min · S9 E12

    Felaróf pays Eorl back by surrendering his freedom, while Matt pays Alan back with poetic body shaming. Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the Rings as we meet the first King of the Mark, and flashback to his…

  30. 351 – Questions After Nightfall 29

    · 1 h 43 min · S9 E11

    Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the Rings as we answer listener questions once again in our 29th Questions After Nightfall! From Nazgûl backstories to chess in Middle-earth, from fantastic Middle-earth insults…

  31. 350 – Wanted Dead Or Alive

    · 2 h 00 min · S9 E10

    The Stewardship of Gondor became hereditary as a kingship; should the PPP co-hosts follow suit? Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy on his last episode this season as the Stewards of…

  32. 349 – I’ll Be There For You

    · 1 h 43 min · S9 E9

    The Wainriders strike Gondor, leaving them without a king for a time, while Don’s old jokes leave Alan to cry a thousand rivers. Join The Man of the West and the Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy as the arrival of…

  33. 348 – You Give Love a Bad Name

    · 1 h 37 min · S9 E8

    The waning of Gondor had already begun in Atanatar’s day; let’s hope Don brings better luck for the PPP. Join us as Gondor reaches the summit of its power in the first of two episodes on the Gondor and the Heirs of…

  34. 347 – Livin’ On a Prayer

    · 1 h 44 min · S9 E7

    Arvedui offers the Lossoth jewels they don’t want; Alan and Don offer bad puns you don’t want. Join us as evil comes to Arnor as we continue our time in Appendix A, this time on Arnor and the Heirs of Isildur. Rhudaur…

  35. 346 – Already Gone

    · 1 h 57 min · S9 E6

    Tolkien gives us 3400 years of Númenórean history in just a few pages; Alan and Don make those few pages *feel* like a 3400-year long episode. Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts guy as we…

  36. 345 – Take It Easy

    · 1 h 48 min · S9 E5

    Shall I describe it to you, or would you like Alan and Don to find you a map? Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts guy as Tolkien introduces us to his island paradise in the…

  37. 344 – Life in the Fast Lane

    · 1 h 31 min · S9 E4

    Tolkien regrets the ‘truncated and compressed form’ of the Appendices to The Lord of the Rings, while Alan and Don regret the truncated and compressed form of this episode! Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord…

  38. 343 – Questions After Nightfall 28

    · 1 h 36 min · S9 E3

    Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy as we answer listener questions in our 28th Questions After Nightfall episode! From the negative buoyancy of hobbits to how long the wait is for a…

  39. 342 – Paperback Writer

    · 1 h 56 min · S9 E2

    Sam answers all of Elanor’s questions, as Alan tries to dodge most of Don’s questions. Join The Man of the West and the Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy, as we look at what was almost Tolkien’s post-credit bonus…

  40. 341 – Everyday I Write the Book

    · 1 h 34 min · S9 E1

    Well, we’re back. Join The Man of the West and Don Marshall, the Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy, as we begin Season 9 of The Prancing Pony Podcast with a deep dive into the first version of the Epilogue to The…

  41. 340 – Since You’re Gone

    · 2 h 27 min · S8 E39

    Bilbo wakes up from his nap just in time to pass the Old Took; Alan and Shawn wake up from our nap just in time to pass the two-hour mark. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as Sam finally figures out…

  42. 339 – You’re the Girl

    · 2 h 23 min · S8 E37

    Rosie is the girl that keeps Sam up at night, so they get married; we are the podcast hosts that keep you up at night - all we ask from you is to subscribe. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as…

  43. 338 – Good Times Roll

    · 1 h 51 min · S8 E37

    Spring surpassed Sam’s wildest hopes; Alan and Shawn are content just avoiding disappointment. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as the hobbits let the good times roll while rebuilding the Shire in the…

  44. 337 – Magic

    · 1 h 56 min · S8 E36

    Merry tells Sandyman that he is “dirty and insolent”, and the obvious jokes about your podcast hosts write themselves. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark for one of the saddest hours in our heroes’ lives…

  45. 336 – Let’s Go

    · 1 h 38 min · S8 E35

    The Gaffer hopes that Sam’s behaved hisself and given satisfaction; we hope we’ve done the same for you. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as the ruffians hack, burn, and ruin everything they touch in…

  46. 335 – Just What I Needed

    · 1 h 29 min · S8 E34

    The voice is right, and your face is no worse than it was, Sam. Also true for Alan and Shawn. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as our hobbit heroes are just what the Shire needs in the third of our…

  47. 334 – Shake It Up

    · 1 h 54 min · S8 E33

    It is rather a comic cavalcade that hosts this episode, but at least we’re not under arrest. Yet. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as Frodo and friends drive the two-feather Shirriff to exhaustion in…

  48. 333 – Triple Nelson: The PPP Turns 333

    · 2 h 13 min · S8 E32

    It’s time for yet another party of special magnificence as The Prancing Pony Podcast releases its third highlight episode: it’s almost time for our vinyl box set and reunion tour. Join The Man of the West and The Lord…

  49. 332 – Hello Again

    · 1 h 41 min · S8 E31

    No admittance between sundown and sunrise; except for Shawn, he can come and go as he pleases. Join The Man of the West as he welcomes back The Lord of the Mark as Frodo and friends return to a much-changed Shire in…

  50. 331 – Questions After Nightfall 27

    · 1 h 33 min · S8 E30

    Tom talks in trochaic tetrameter today, triggering a trend. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South in his last episode (this season) as we answer listener questions in our 27th Questions After Nightfall!…

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