Episodes
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Tara Nee, The Last Mallorn, and Mrs. Maggot - The Wolf’s Head and the Cultivation of Welcoming Tolkien Community
In this latest Tolkien Pop! podcast episode, Nick sits down with Tara Nee aka @JRRTransQueen and The Last Mallorn about The Wolf’s Head, an online queer- and women-led periodical dedicated to the ideas of fellowship, pity, hope, and love standing in direct opposition to the tech giants and bigots...
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Will Rose - Rest, Listening, and Revisiting The Lord of the Rings
In this latest Tolkien Pop! podcast episode, Nick sits down with Will Rose, host Your Matter Matters podcast and one of the hosts for Systematic Geekology. Will is a pastor and had the privilege of taking a sabbatical this year. During his sabbatical, he decided to reread The Lord of the Rings…
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Dr. Thomas Hermans-Webster - Tolkien, Dungeons & Dragons, and Spiritual Formation
In this episode, Nick sits down with Dr. Thomas Hermans-Webster to talk about the chapter he co-wrote with his dad entitled “Role-play, Spiritual Formation, and Theological Education,” in the volume Theology, Religion, and Dungeons & Dragons. We also talk about Tom’s Tolkien experience, Tolkien’s...
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Dr. Tripp Fuller - Tolkien’s Apocalyptic Vision
In this Tolkien Pop! podcast episode, Nick talks with Dr. Tripp Fuller, host of Homebrewed Christianity and Process This about apocalypse in the ages of Tolkien’s legendarium. We also hear Tripp describe his personal Tolkien experience, our excitement for Season 3 of The Rings of Power, and...
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Dr. Sørina Higgins - Tolkien and the Power of Words
In this Tolkien Pop! podcast episode, Nick sits down with Dr. Sørina Higgins to discuss the power of the words of Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams, and other members of The Inklings. We also talk about Sørina’s professional work as a scholar, creative, and cultural critic. Dr....
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Dr. Robert Tally - The Mismeasure of Orcs and What it Means to be an "Orc Sympathizer"
In this Tolkien Pop! podcast episode, Nick sits down with Dr. Robert Tally to discuss his book The Mismeasure of Orcs, the importance of taking orcs into account in Tolkien’s work, and what the practical implications are for fostering a sense of orc sympathy. Rob also shares his Tolkien…
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Dr. Tom Hillman - Pity and Power in Tolkien and What that Means for Us
In this Tolkien Pop! podcast episode, Nick sits down with Dr. Tom Hillman to discuss his book Pity, Power, and Tolkien's Ring along with Tom's Tolkien experience and how pity and power are not only important for understanding Tolkien, but giving us insight into a better way we as people can act…
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Rev. Dr. Tom Emanuel - Tolkienian Theology Beyond the Boundaries of Religion
In this Tolkien Pop! Podcast episode Nick sits down with Rev. Dr. Tom Emanuel to discuss his recently completed PhD work on the religiosity of Tolkien fandom in a post-religious world. We also discuss his Tolkien experience, progressive theology and religious studies in Tolkien Studies, and how…
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Dr. Luke Shelton - Tolkien, Young Readers, and the Importance of Experience & Relationality
In this Tolkien Pop! Podcast Episode Nick sits down with Dr. Luke Shelton, Editor-in-Chief for Mallorn, the academic of The Tolkien Society and overall awesome Tolkien scholar and friend. We talk about his Tolkien experience, doctoral work and dissertation ‘Small Hands Do Them Because They Must’:...
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C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien: The Forge of Friendship - Ralph Linhardt, Kirk Manton, and Jock Petersen
Nick sits down with Ralph Linhardt, Kirk Manton, and Jock Petersen, the filmmakers of the documentary series The Forge of Friendship, which focuses on the lives and friendships of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Ralph, Kirk, and Jock talk about their own Tolkien and Lewis experiences, how it has...
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Mercury Natis - Tolkien, Queer Theory, and Punk Rock
Nick sits down with Mercury Natis (he/they, they/them) to talk about their Tolkien experiences, queer theory, and their work in Tolkien Studies - oh, and punk rock Orcs! \m/ Mercury s an interdisciplinary doctoral researcher in English Literature and History at the University of Glasgow,...
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Kaitlyn Facista of Tea with Tolkien:
Happy New Year, Tolkien Poppers! I hope that you have been conquering your resolutions and easing back into a sense of normality. To curb the adjustment, I give to you an interview with Kaitlyn Facista of Tea with Tolkien! We talk about her upcoming book Into the Heart of the Middle-earth:...
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Middle-earth in South Park:
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, Tolkien Poppers! Today’s episode is an audio version of an essay I wrote for The Tolkien Society’s journal Mallorn entitled “Middle-earth in South Park: ‘The Return of the Fellowship of the Ring to the Two Towers’ as Parody.” Stay tuned for some exciting Tolkien...
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Homebrewed Christianity Livestream - Drs. Craig Boyd and Tripp Fuller: Tolkien and Trump: The Professor or the Profligate
In this crosspost episode, Dr. Craig Boyd gave a live lecture and Q&A for the Process This Substack and Homebrewed Christianity. You can watch the full video conversation on Homebrewed’s YouTube channel: Craig gives listeners resources to debunk and combat the alt-right’s claim of Tolkien...
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Crystal of Literary Flour: Food, Fandom, and Good Business
In this episode of the podcast, Nick sits down with Crystal, the founder and owner of Literary Flour, a business that brings together literature and baking. Crystal has done some pop-ups in my local area with Tolkien-inspired treats and I knew I had to invite her to the pod. With the holidays...
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HALLOWEEN SPECIAL - Hannah Polk: Horror in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings Films
In this episode, Nick sits down with Hannah Polk (his sister!) to discuss the horror influence of Peter Jackson, his use of horror in The Lord of the Rings films, and how horror is essential for telling Tolkien’s epic. Hannah is a horror super fan and hosts the podcast Beware the Moon, where she...
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Dr. Giuseppe Pezzini: Tolkien and the Mystery of Literary Creation
In this episode, Nick talks with Beppe Pezzini about his newest book, Tolkien and the Mystery of Literary Creation, his own Tolkien experience, and what it means to study Tolkien now and the future. Beppe Pezzini is Associate Professor in Latin at Corpus Christi College, Oxford which he joined in...
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Clare Moore: feminism & Disability Theory in the Tolkien's Works
In this episode, Nick talks with Clare Moore, who is a Ph.D. student at the University of Glasgow, researching disability in Tolkien’s legendarium. She holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and a B.A. in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. Her research focuses on disability, gender, and race in…
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Mattew J. Distefano: Letters from the Shire
In this episode, Nick talks with Matthew J. Distefano from the Heretic Happy Hour podcast and Quoir to discuss his newly released book, Letters from the Shire. Released the day after Hobbit Day, being September 22nd and Frodo and Bilbo Baggins’ birthdays, this book is timely for cozying up for…
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Systematic Geekology: Tolkien and What it Means to be a Good Fan Among Fandoms
Nick sits down with Joshua Noel, Christian Ashley, and Will Rose from the Systematic Geekology Podcast to talk about their Tolkien experiences and being a fan in a world with multi-fandom belonging, diverse fan communities, and how to be a good fan amidst it all. You can follow Systematic…
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Dr. Leah Robinson: C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and Bad Theology
Nick sits down with Dr. Leah Robinson, a Professor of Religious Studies and Theology, author of the books Bad Theology and Bad Theology in a Time of COVID, and one of the hosts of Theology on the Rocks Podcast. We talk about our experiences with C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien alongside our…
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Elise Trudel Cedeño: Tolkien, Education, and Teaching with Magic
Nick sits down with Elise Trudel Cedeño, language specialist, educator, and the writer and producer of Teaching with Magic Substack and and podcast. We talk about Tolkien (duh!), Elise’s journey in education, how she integrates pop culture into her pedagogy, and the divide between “loosey-goosey”...
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Ryan Does: The Mighty Thor, Tolkien, and the Eddas
In this interview, Nick talks with Ryan Does, host of Across the Bifrost: The Mighty Thor Podcast about the history of Thor in Marvel and his roots in the Prose and Poetic Eddas and their connection to Tolkien and fandom in general. Follow Ryan and his work here: Instagram: @iamryandoes and...
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Andrew Nicewander: Tolkien and Religious Trauma
In this interview, Nick speaks with Andrew Nicewander about experiencing religious abuse and trauma, Tolkien’s own religious trauma, deconstruction, and hope for a better (a)religious future. Andrew is a depressive castaway loved by his wife and children, who strives to live simply and softly. In...
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Dr. Robin Anne Reid: Tolkien, Atheist/Agnostic/Animist Fan Experiences, and Beyond
In this first official (kind of) Tolkien Pop! podcast interview, Nick shares an interview he did with Dr. Robin Anne Reid that was originally recorded for the Interchanging Melodies Online Summit held in 2023 that was hosted by Tripp Fuller from Homebrewed Christianity podcast and the Process…
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Tolkien Reading Day Special - Tolkien Session at Theology Beer Camp 2024
Buy Theology Beer Camp tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/theology-beer-camp-the-meaning-of-life-and-lager-tickets-1250790109889?aff=oddtdtcreator Buy my book here: https://a.co/d/1CB92i7 Subscribe to Tolkien Pop! Substack here: https://tolkienpop.substack.com/ Get full access to Tolkien...
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It Don’t Mean a Thing, If it Ain’t Got That Ring!
What’s Up Tolkien Poppers, Tripp Fuller and I’s livestream on The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 5 comes to you now—at the turn of the tide as we enter the latter half the season. You’ll hear Tripp give his Faramir-level quality recap of the episode, discussions about our favorite themes,...
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"If You Like It, Celebrimbor Put A Ring On It"
Hey Tolkien Poppers! This week, Tripp Fuller and I brought our friend Tom Webster on to talk our favorite character from Middle-earth (excluding Waldreg, of course!), Tom freaking Bombadil! That’s right, Tom Bombadil makes his first on-screen debut in episode 4 of this season of The Rings of…
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Tolkien Heads & the Bringer of Pods!
Nick and Tripp Fuller return to give their thoughts on the three episode premier of Season 2 of The Rings of Power! We discuss our favorite aspects of each episodes, the themes, its connection to Tolkien’s legendarium, and our spinoff show ideas - specifically for Waldreg: Maker of Mordor! Join…
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The Rings of Power Season 2 Pregame
Tripp Fuller from Homebrewed Christianity and Process This and I are back to talk The Rings of Power. On the eve of Season 2 of The Rings of Power, we come to you, at the turn of the tide. This was our pregame livestream this past Monday where we talk about Season 1, Tolkien's legendarium, our...
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Hope & Despair in LOTR - Craig Boyd at Theology Beer Camp 2023
In this Tolkien Pop! podcast recording, you’ll get to hear Dr. Craig Boyd give his talk on Hope & Despair in The Lord of the Rings at Theology Beer Camp: The God-Pods Strike Back in 2023 in Springfield, MO. Craig gave his talk at the Geek Stage during Beer Camp. The Geek Stage as well as Craig…
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Tolkien Pop! & Tolkien Heads at Theology Beer Camp
Hello There Tolkien Poppers! Today I am excited to share with you the first audio offering from Tolkien Pop! This is all thanks to my friend Josh Noel, who is the founder and one of the many hosts at Systematic Geekology and The Whole Church podcasts who was kind enough to record this…
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About this show
Where Tolkien and Pop Culture Collide
tolkienpop.substack.com
Hosted by
Nick Polk
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