Show overview
Secrets of Middle Earth has been publishing since 2010, and across the 16 years since has built a catalogue of 127 episodes. That works out to roughly 130 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a roughly quarterly cadence.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 1h and 1h 21m — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Arts show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 weeks ago, with 15 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 30 episodes published. Published by SQPN, Inc..
From the publisher
Secrets of Middle-Earth explores the deeper meanings, themes, and symbolism found in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and their screen adaptations. From The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to The Silmarillion and beyond, each episode goes past plot summaries to examine Tolkien’s myth-making, moral vision, and spiritual imagination. Hosted by a panel of thoughtful Tolkien enthusiasts, the show blends literary insight, theology, and lively discussion to reveal why Middle-earth continues to resonate so powerfully. If you love Tolkien and want to understand what his stories are really saying about courage, evil, hope, and sacrifice, this podcast is for you.
Latest Episodes
View all 127 episodesRings of Power S3: The Balrog Talks
The Sin of Denethor
Roverandom
The Council of Robs
The Eleventy-First Quiz Show
Animals of Middle Earth
Women of Middle Earth
Music of the Legendarium
Leaf by Niggle
Tolkien Reading Day 2026: Unlikely Heroes
Sam resists the Ring. Fatty Bolger outruns the Nazgûl. Lúthien tears down Sauron's tower. Jeff Haecker, Robert Story, Patrick Mason, and Rob Leonardi celebrate Tolkien Reading Day with favorite passages on unlikely heroes. The post Tolkien Reading Day 2026: Unlikely Heroes appeared first on StarQuest Media.
Into the Heart of Middle Earth with Kaitlyn Facista
A new Tolkien book arrives: Kaitlyn Facista explains Into the Heart of Middle-earth—hope, virtue, and fellowship as lived wisdom. With Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Robert Story, she shares how her book is a spiritual companion that tracks the LOTR journey. The post Into the Heart of Middle Earth with Kaitlyn Facista appeared first on StarQuest Media.
The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies
Can spectacle replace substance? Jeff Haecker, Patrick Mason, and Rob Leonardi weigh Thorin’s fall and redemption, Bilbo’s brave choice with the Arkenstone, and a battle bursting with CGI. Does The Battle of the Five Armies honor Tolkien—or bury his themes beneath excess? The post The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies appeared first on StarQuest Media.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Lavish visuals, unforgettable Smaug, and one very debated romance. Jeff Haecker, Patrick Mason, Rob Leonardi, and Kathryn Laffrey weigh Tolkien’s themes against big-screen changes in Jackson's The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The post The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug appeared first on StarQuest Media.
Lord of the Rings (1978 Bakshi)
What happens when Tolkien meets experimental animation? Jeff Haecker, Robert King, Patrick Mason, and Rob Leonardi weigh Bakshi’s Lord of the Rings. Does visual ambition excuse rushed storytelling—or does Gandalf steal the show? The post Lord of the Rings (1978 Bakshi) appeared first on StarQuest Media.
The Silmarillion: Of The Third Age
What happens when evil isn’t fully defeated? Thomas Salerno, Pat Mason, and Jeff Haecker finish their discussion of The Silmarillion as they unpack Isildur’s failure, Gondor’s long decline, and the fading of the Elves. The Third Age asks a hard question: is victory ever final? The post The Silmarillion: Of The Third Age appeared first on StarQuest Media.
The Silmarillion: The Rings of Power
Sauron’s fake repentance. Celebrimbor’s fatal pride. What makes a ring powerful? In our 100th episode, Thomas Salerno, Rob Leonardi, Pat Mason, and Jeff Haecker uncover the roots of evil in the final chapters of The Silmarillion and what Tolkien says about the nature of corruption. The post The Silmarillion: The Rings of Power appeared first on StarQuest Media.
This Advent, Help StarQuest Continue the Mission
Advent begins. Help StarQuest bring faith and reason to the world. Become a $10/month patron (or increase your current donation by $10 per month) and be among the first 400 donors to receive a Mysterious World sticker signed by Jimmy and Dom. Your gift is matched up to $15,000. The post This Advent, Help StarQuest Continue the Mission appeared first on StarQuest Media.
Akallabeth, Part 2
What drives a golden kingdom to collapse into the sea? Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, Rob Leonardi, and Jeff Haecker dissect Númenor’s fall in Part 2 of the Akallabêth. Is Sauron the ultimate deceiver—or just the spark? The post Akallabeth, Part 2 appeared first on StarQuest Media.
Akallabeth, Part 1
Númenor teeters on ruin as fear of death eclipses faith. Is mortality a gift or a curse? Thomas Salerno, Rob Leonardi, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason dissect Tolkien’s Atlantis myth and its spiritual echoes. The post Akallabeth, Part 1 appeared first on StarQuest Media.
Ghosts and Undead of Middle Earth
What do Tolkien’s ghosts reveal about sin, redemption, and the afterlife? Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason & Rob Leonardi uncover the undead of Middle-earth—from barrow-wights to Nazgûl—and their spiritual meaning The post Ghosts and Undead of Middle Earth appeared first on StarQuest Media.