Exploring Tolkien

Exploring Tolkien is a weekly show that dives deep into JRR Tolkien and all the ages of Middle-earth. Jonathan Watson and Michael Grumbine are your hosts as they read through Tolkien’s works, interview other Tolkien enthusiasts and authors, and criticall

Recent Episodes

15. The Rings of Power : Episode 1 : In-Depth Discussion (and a Michael Scott moment)

Posted September 6, 2022 • 00:45:46

Jonathan and Michael dive into a deeper discussion of Episode 1 of The Rings of Power, “A Shadow of the Past”. They look at how much of Tolkien’s...

14. Tolkien is Worth Defending : Why The Rings of Power MUST be excellent!

Posted August 30, 2022 • 00:26:22

Jonathan, Michael, and Dan discuss why Tolkien is worth defending–and defending ardently. If Tolkien’s work is truly excellent, how much excellence...

13. Burn the Ships - Of the Flight of the Noldor - The Silmarillion - 10

Posted August 22, 2022 • 00:50:52

We tackle one of our favorite chapters in The Silmarillion: “Of the Flight of the Noldor”. Finally the ill choices of Fëanor are brought to bear...

12. Morgoth's Arachnophobia - Of the Darkening of Valinor - The Silmarillion - 9

Posted August 16, 2022 • 00:41:44

This week we dive right in and get deep into Ungoliant, what she does, who she might be, and how even Morgoth fears her.

Episode 11 Links

11. The Road to Hell - Of the Silmarils - The Silmarillion - 8

Posted August 8, 2022 • 00:40:21

Michael tries to stump Jonathan and Dan with “All That is Gold Does Not Glitter”… As we dive further into Fēanor’s story, Dan realizes that...