Today's Tolkien Times

Episod

• Week 121 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Down and Down 15.06.2026 10min

  But not to goblin-town; not yet. Join The Man of the West as Sam finds the way up to Frodo, and the two escape the Tower of Cirith Ungol — into The Land of Shadow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 120 - Silmarillion Saturday: With Both Hands 13.06.2026 12min

  Join The Man of the West as we go back to where the whole tragedy begins — Melkor slips south to the lightless land of Avathar, and strikes a bargain with a dark hunger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 120 - Friendship Friday: Above All the Jewels 12.06.2026 11min

  What Fëanor didn’t get after begging three times, a Dwarf gets at first asking. Join The Man of the West as Gimli leaves Lothlórien with three golden hairs and an unexpected wound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 120 - Third Age Thursday: Till Éomer Comes 11.06.2026 11min

  Two wolfriders, a two-mile charge, and a horn in the dark. Join The Man of the West as Elfhelm reaches the Fords of Isen, and the Prince of the Mark speaks his last words. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 120 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Full Power 10.06.2026 11min

  Join The Man of the West for a black fence, a shadow that argued with itself, a mountain that watched the wrong way — and the Latin word Tolkien used to describe Gandalf. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 120 - Tolkien Tuesday: Where Shall I Find Rest? 09.06.2026 10min

  Join The Man of the West as we continue letter 246, where Tolkien turns from Frodo’s blame to Frodo’s wounds —  and the question Gandalf wouldn’t answer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 120 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Climbs Backwards-Like 08.06.2026 10min

  Join The Man of the West (who climbs forward, if at all) as we follow Sam in, and up, the Tower of Cirith Ungol on his quest to find Frodo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 119 - Silmarillion Saturday: Dark Fruit 06.06.2026 12min

  Join The Man of the West as the last two sons of Fëanor wish they’d ordered oven mitts, and the Quenta Silmarillion comes to its end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 119 - Friendship Friday: I Need You Both 05.06.2026 12min

  Two peoples, three Ages of grievance, and one wizard who refuses to give judgment. Join The Man of the West as we begin our look at An Unexpected Friendship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 119 - Third Age Thursday: Too Late 04.06.2026 11min

  Join The Man of the West as Saruman’s trap closes around Théodred at the Fords of Isen — and Grimbold proves his worth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 119 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Through the Cenedril, and What Gimli Found There 03.06.2026 11min

  That would be a very different book, Mr. Carroll. Join The Man of the West for a look at a river and a lake, six names, and a 1971 BBC interview with Tolkien Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 119 - Tolkien Tuesday: He Did That 02.06.2026 12min

  Join The Man of the West as we begin a four-episode read-through of letter 246 — in which Tolkien defends Frodo, demolishes simple-minded heroism, and gives us the entire argument in three words. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 119 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Boom. Clang. 01.06.2026 10min

  Join The Man of the West as we approach the Tower of Cirith Ungol with Sam — from leaving Frodo’s body behind, to the Two Watchers at the gate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 118 - Silmarillion Saturday: Who Shall Release Us? 30.05.2026 10min

  Join The Man of the West as the two surviving sons of Fëanor argue the theology of an oath sworn to Ilúvatar, with one simply asking: can we just do a little less evil? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 118 - Friendship Friday: Two Is Enough 29.05.2026 9min

  Four episodes, two cousins, and one Man with a regrettable attitude. Join The Man of the West as we wrap up our time with Merry and Pippin, from the road home to their beds set beside the great king. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 118 - Third Age Thursday: Five Days 28.05.2026 11min

  Join The Man of the West as we shift gears on Third Age Thursday and being a series-long read through of The Battles of the Fords of Isen from Unfinished Tales: and learn just how close Saruman came to winning the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 118 - Word-nerd Wednesday: To Have and To Holdwine 27.05.2026 9min

  Join The Man of the West for a pair of Sindarin words from Shelob’s Lair, and three Old English words from the open horse-lands of Rohan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 118 - Tolkien Tuesday: Crabbed and Not Too Legible 26.05.2026 10min

  Tolkien’s writing, not mine — though my writing is rarely legible. Join The Man of the West as Tolkien, developing his ambidexterity, answers a reader's questions about runes and the gift of death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 118 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Filth Unnameable 25.05.2026 10min

  No, not the latest hotel review from The Man of the West. Join us as we open Series 16 in the dark, fragrant comfort of Shelob’s Lair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Week 117 - Silmarillion Saturday: And Yet Unvaliant 02.05.2026 15min

  Join The Man of the West — to whom this episode’s title does not refer… usually — as we read the climax of the War of Wrath, and Morgoth finally gets what’s coming to him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices