The DISEASE of Our Age: Tolkien on Dragon Sickness, Greed, & Eucharistic Devotion | Joseph Pearce

💲Use Coupon Code FRODO to get 50% off any Joseph Pearce book at TAN Books: https://tanbooks.com/search?tanbooks%5Bquery%5D=Joseph%20pearceIn this episode Conor sits down with renowned author and literary scholar Joseph Pearce for a deep dive into the life, faith, and imagination of J.R.R. Tolkien. From Tolkien’s childhood and the trauma of World War I to his years at Oxford and friendship with C.S. Lewis, Pearce reveals how Tolkien’s personal suffering and deeply-held Catholic faith shaped his life and the creation of Middle-earth.At the heart of the conversation is Tolkien’s idea of “dragon sickness”: the danger of comfort, greed, and being owned by what we own. Through Bilbo’s journey, Tolkien delivers a timeless warning to a culture obsessed with wealth, security, and ease—and points toward freedom through sacrifice, humility, and adventure.🌐 Learn more about Joseph and support his work at: https://jpearce.co🎧 If you enjoy this episode, then check out The Authority: TAN’s Podcast with Joseph on great works of literature: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfAMkqREoxMvFVf9Ww5DBsUENSyLB6f34&si=KwLlDgsbEePV7ZTP👍 Like, Subscribe, or Follow The Conor Gallagher Show on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conorgallaghershowInstagram: https://instagram.com/conorgallaghershowTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@conorgallaghershowSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qtdMK8FqjAQ3ODlFXCEYt?si=ae4598b16c1d4cdeApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conor-gallagher-show/id1789476722CHAPTERS0:00 - Trailer6:55 - Joseph's Work11:35 - Tolkien's Early Life17:55 - Meeting His Wife, Edith24:02 - Tolkien's Creation Myth30:13 - Oxford Years and World War I47:45 - Writing Stories58:11 - The Father Christmas Letters & Family Life1:05:17 - The Inklings1:17:13 - Tolkien's Faith1:32:56 - Dragon Sickness & the Catholic Imagery of Middle Earth1:51:20 - Gandalf, Frodo, and Bilbo2:11:43 - Magic in Tolkien Versus Rowling2:16:18 - Samwise Gamgee2:18:00 - Providence