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 ninth 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!
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
423 – What Do You Want?
It turns out the Stones are more amenable to legitimate users; too bad all we have are Alan and Shawn. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as we conclude ou
Jul 26 2 h 24 min
422 – Who Are You?
After the Kings, Gondor declined into a Middle Age of fading knowledge and simpler skills. Alan and Shawn find that surprisingly familiar. Join The Man of the West and Th
Jul 19 1 h 58 min
421 – Faith Manages
Some people believe that “Gandalf” was the last appearance of Manwë; Alan is convinced Shawn is the last appearance of Oromë. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the
Jul 12 1 h 52 min
420 – I Have Always Been Here
The Istari were never young and aged only slowly; Alan and Shawn will have to settle for only one of those two. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as they
Jul 5 1 h 57 min
419 – A Voice In the Wilderness
The wizards went about in simple guise, as it were of Men already old in years. Alan and Shawn have been doing that for years. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of th
Jun 28 2 h 16 min
418 – Questions After Nightfall 35
Join The Man of the West as The Lord of the Mark submits his application to return to the PPP as guest host for a six-episode run to wrap up Season 10; Alan welcomes Shaw
Jun 21 1 h 51 min
417 – I Am a Rock
Aghan brings a watch-stone to Barach’s house; Alan and Don wonder if that violates the HOA rules. Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy as
Jun 14 1 h 44 min
416 – The Sound of Silence
The Folk of Haleth retained many practices that seemed strange to the Eldar and the other Atani; Alan retains a few strange practices and Don wants nothing to do with the
Jun 7 1 h 40 min
415 – Saruman’s OPSEC Problem: Unfinished Tales with Dr. Bret Devereaux
Short cuts lead to long delays… or perhaps just slaughter and death. Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy as we welcome back the always-in
May 31 1 h 51 min
414 – With or Without You
The Elendilmir worn by the Kings of Arnor had not the ancientry nor potency of the original; there’s got to be a joke in there about Alan and Don, right? Join The Man of
May 24 2 h 04 min
413 – The Unforgettable Fire
Isildur proclaims his sovereign lordship over all the Dúnedain; Alan knows better than to proclaim lordship over his own podcast. Join The Man of the West as he welcomes
May 17 1 h 55 min
412 – Far Fallen
Saruman has no time for the simples of peasants; Alan and Matt wouldn’t mind if things were simpler. Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the Rings as we get an in-de
May 10 1 h 55 min
411 – Saruman Won’t Back Down
Gollum was peculiarly fitted to survive in Moria, though at cost of great misery; Matt is also able to survive his time on the PPP with the same cost. Join The Man of the
May 3 1 h 54 min
410 – You Got Lucky, Gollum
Christopher Tolkien tells us that the manuscripts for this story are “in great, though hardly exceptional, confusion” — so it seems this podcast is in good company. Join
Apr 26 1 h 52 min
409 – Runnin’ Down a Ring
Saruon had never paid heed to the halflings, even if he had heard of them — and Matt still doesn’t pay heed to Alan, even if he works with him. Join The Man of the West a
Apr 19 2 h 02 min
408 – Questions After Nightfall 34
Join The Man of the West as he welcomes The Nerd of the Rings for his run of episodes this season by throwing him into the deep end of a Live Q&A in the PPP Common Room f
Apr 12 1 h 38 min
407 – River of Dreams
Treebeard and the unnamed King of Lórien set bounds between them; Alan and James clearly know no bounds. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we conclude
Apr 5 2 h 11 min
406 – The Longest Time
Of the Elessar two things are said, though which is true only those Wise could say who now are gone — to paraphrase Merry, “that leaves us out, James”. Join The Man of th
Mar 29 1 h 48 min
405 – Tolkien Reading Day 2026
Join us all in the Common Room for the Prancing Pony Podcast’s 11th annual Tolkien Reading Day special. Tolkien Reading Day is observed every March 25 in honor of the des
Mar 22 2 h 18 min
404 – Uptown Girl
Lórien had long years of peace and obscurity under the rule of Amdír; the PPP has had 10 years of, well, obscurity under the rule of Alan. Join The Man of the West and th
Mar 15 1 h 55 min
Chart trend
Position in the Arts chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#75#148JunJulAugSep
#51
all-time peak
477
days in the top 100 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where The Prancing Pony Podcast ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 19, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I just started listening to this podcast early in 2026. These gentlemen bring so much depth and connections to the Legendarium! And they are funny! I’ve been listening while I am trail walking. At some points they have me laughing out loud. Between the puns, movie and music references, they just bring a freshness and fun the Professor’s works. I haven’t read whether balrogs have wings yet, but I agree—who doesn’t like Firefly! Since I am so far behind, I will be listening for many years, I think!
Quilter1986 · Aug 2026
This podcast has been my companion in my almost year long project to read and truly understand the Silmarillion. I first re read the hobbit and the Lord of the rings and then just finished the Silmarillion with these podcasts after each chapter. Great podcast and helped me go from casual fan to a deep lover of these works. Loved the special episodes on topics like race and faith. The hosts have come to feel like friends. I do caution, not sure if someone outside of the Gen X crowd would like it as much because that’s where most of the pop culture references come from.
But yes this is the perfect readers companion to people who want to go beyond the movies and deep into the lore.
Lybrand1234@& · Aug 2026
After years of trying on my own I finally finished reading the Silmarillion AND feel like I understand it. The hosts are long winded (and often digress) but when they actually talk about the text, it is so informative and enjoyable. Episodes are long but worthwhile. I’m years late to the party having just finished the Silmarillion section but looking forward to moving on to the hobbit!
Bfjjcsdjk · Feb 2026
Great show! Funny and informative. Hosts bring in outside sources to expand our knowledge of the books.
Ploskd · Feb 2026
I am a Tolkien nut and was excited for a truly deep dive! These hosts just cannot stop themselves going off topic and shouting unrelated pop culture slogans and lyrics at each other. It’s just too much. I want to escape to Middle Earth and this isn’t it. I wanted to love this but it is unfortunately a mess.
FletchVV · Mar 2026
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Prancing Pony Podcast, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
