The Tolkien Professor

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

674: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 136

Maggie and Corey are back for a Rings & Realms pre-production meeting! We will tell you what we plan to do, and get your feedback on what you'd like to see. Other Minds

Oct 15
1 h 00 min

673: SilmFilm 8-17: Season 8, Episode 1

The SilmFilm team is ready to start with real episodes! Today we discuss the Episode 1 script, written by Ilana Mushin. Join us on the Signum University Discord server:

Oct 1
1 h 32 min

672: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 135

After a discussion of the recently released Narnia images (which reveal a lot!), Corey and Maggie return to think about what we expect in S3 of Rings of Power. Other Mi

Oct 1
1 h 04 min

671: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 134

Corey and Maggie are back, and thinking through Rings of Power Season 3 stuff, and the Road Ahead. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Ada

Sep 21
1 h 09 min

669: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 133

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation Corey and Maggie take a step back to think through the upcoming Tolkien film adaptations (Ri

Sep 11
1 h 34 min

670: SilmFilm 8-16: Music Commissioning

The SilmFilm writer's room is joined our resident composer, Phil Menzies, for some discussion of the musical themes and passages that we will want to include in Season 8.

Sep 11
1 h 57 min

667: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 132

Maggie and Corey are together in the studio to chat more about Rings of Power Season 3 and Rings & Realms. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tol

Aug 27
1 h 19 min

668: SilmFilm 8-15: Casting Criteria

SilmFilm returns, in the homestretch of the pre-production process. Today we discuss Casting Criteria for our new characters in Season 8. Join us on the Signum Universi

Aug 27
2 h 08 min

666: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 131

Maggie and Corey return to the Rings of Power to do some analysis of the Rings of Power Season 3 teaser trailer. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion o

Aug 27
59 min

665: SilmFilm 8-14: The Frame Story

It is time to decide on the frame story for Season 8! Today, we consider possibilities and flesh out its relationship to the main story and theme of Season 8. Join us on

Jun 18
1 h 51 min

663: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 130

Maggie and Corey return today, and they return to Jane Austen, to check in on and continue that production. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tol

Jun 10
1 h 03 min

664: SilmFilm 8-13: The Season Outline

In today's writers'-room meeting, the SilmFilm team will complete the planning of the Season Outline for Season 8! Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https

Jun 10
1 h 56 min

662: SilmFilm 8-12: The Season Outline

As they near the end of the pre-production process, the SilmFilm team sits down to examine and finalize the detailed outline of all of Season 8.

May 16
1 h 37 min

661: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 129

Maggie and Corey return to Anne of Green Gables for Part 2 of their discussion of LM Montgomery adaptation. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tol

May 16
1 h 25 min

660: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 128

It's May the 4th, so Maggie and Corey are going to indulge in a Star Wars Diversion and take a close look at the final trailer for the upcoming Mandalorian film. Other M

May 7
1 h 16 min

659: SilmFilm 8-11: The Villains

As the SilmFilm Writer's Room nears the end of the pre-production planning, they look north, turning to the Villains. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: ht

Apr 26
2 h 04 min

658: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 127

Tonight, Maggie and Corey fulfill a long-standing request and look at Anne of Green Gables! Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation,

Apr 16
1 h 03 min

656: SilmFilm 8-09: The Havens

Join the SilmFilm team as we continue pre-production discussions, takling about Elves. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFA

Apr 10
2 h 11 min

657: SilmFilm 8-10: Galadriel

Today, the SilmFilm team finally turns to the question that Tolkien himself never got around to answering fully: What was Galadriel up to in the last stages of the First

Apr 10
2 h 06 min

655: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 126

After touching on some news updates, Maggie and Corey continue with their Pride and Prejudice discussion, focusing on their analysis of Lydia's introduction. Other Minds

Mar 31
1 h 23 min

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I’ve been listening to The Tolkien Professor for over 10 years now and have always appreciated his love for my favorite author and his careful analysis of his works and adaptations. Other Minds and Hands is no exception and I’ve enjoyed listening to these companion episodes alongside watching Rings of Power. Thanks for opening up Tolkien in a new way!

SButing · Jan 2026

My all-time favorite podcast. There are several shows here, all of them fantastic. I especially love the SilmFilm Project as well as Other Minds and Hands. I wasn’t a fan of Rings of Power but I have thoroughly enjoyed the thoughtful discourse on the show.

pricegouging · Apr 2025

What a refreshing concept! Instead of opinions and unsubstantiated drivel, this is a truly intellectual and analytical discussion about works from a creative standpoint that allows for thought, understanding, wondering, and possibles without being pretentious or patronizing.

Sheri M B · Sep 2022

I have been following Corey since late 2010; when it was just the Tolkien professor podcast. Now, I am still listening to most of the podcasts that signum and Mythgard Academy are producing, and attending mythmoot live as often as I can. Very well informed and in depth reading of Tolkien works and related fantasy literature. I think it may be the best material the casual fan can find today, besides the published works. Highly recommend. Oh, and very good chances or participation. Excellent literary analysis by the professor, as well as commentaries from various listeners.

Haru Otaku · Feb 2020

The discussion of The Rings of Power is so pretentious and obnoxious. “Didn’t like the show? Well, you must be too dumb or impatient! You obviously don’t know the lore. You need to put in the work!” I at first found entertainment from the mental gymnastics the hosts do to convince themselves that the show is somehow good, but I eventually grew tired of being talked down to.

Ultimafax · Dec 2022

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