Show overview
The Nerd of the Rings has been publishing since 2021, and across the 5 years since has built a catalogue of 18 episodes. That works out to roughly 80 hours of audio in total. Releases follow an irregular cadence, with the show now in its 4th season.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 52 min and 1h 33m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Arts show.
The show is still active — the most recent episode landed 2 months ago, though releases have slowed compared with earlier in the run. The busiest year was 2021, with 10 episodes published. Published by Nerd of the Rings.
From the publisher
The official podcast of the Nerd of the Rings YouTube channel, featuring Tolkien-related news and interviews with those who live, breathe, and work in Middle-earth!
Latest Episodes
S4 Ep 1Christopher Paolini talks Tolkien, writing, and Eragon adaptation!
Today, I chat with Christopher Paolini about Tolkien's influence on his own works (The Inheritance Cycle, Fractalverse), how he has grown as an author, the upcoming Eragon Disney+ adaptation, and much more!
S3 Ep 4War of the Rohirrim with Philippa Boyens, screenwriters Phoebe Gittins & Arty Papageorgiou
During my time in Wellington, I caught up with Philippa Boyens (The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit trilogies)! Here, she discusses her latest adventure in Middle-earth: the anime film The War of the Rohirrim! We are also introduced to screenwriters Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou in their first official interview for the film! The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim releases December 13, 2024. Taking place 260 years before The Lord of the Rings, the story finds Rohan invaded by the Dunlendings. The story eventually finds Rohan's king, Helm Hammerhand, taking refuge in the fortress that will one day bear his name.
S2 Ep 3Tolkien scholar Tom Shippey talks Beowulf, Tolkien, & more!
Dr. Tom Shippey joins us to talk about his new book on Beowulf, Tolkien, and why his favorite character is...an orc? Enjoy this great conversation with one of the world's leading Tolkien scholars! Purchase the NEW Beowulf: Translation and Commentary: https://amzn.to/3FndkZx Other links for Dr. Shippey & his books: J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century: https://amzn.to/46z4Udm The Road to Middle-earth: https://amzn.to/3tJvX7u Dr. Shippey's website: https://tomshippey.com/ Dr. Shippey has taught at six universities, including St. Johns, Oxford, and Visiting Professorships at Harvard and the University of Texas. At Leeds, he held the Chair of English Language and Medieval English Literature (a post held by Tolkien in the 1920s.)
S3 Ep 2Bear McCreary, Composer, The Rings of Power, God of War, & more!
Chatting with Bear McCreary about his work on The Rings of Power, God of War, and more! We'll talk about his work creating the themes for the show, connecting to The Lord of the Rings' Third Age, and what's in store for Season 2!
S3 Ep 1Gino Acevedo, Creative Art Director, Wētā FX
We chat with Gino Acevedo about his road to New Zealand, pranks with John Rhys-Davies, making the transition from practical to digital effects, and more!
S2 Ep 3Maxim Baldry, Isildur - The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
We chat with Maxim Baldry about Isildur in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, including diving into the text, a more in-depth look at the dynamics in Númenor, and seeing Isildur as the hero he is in the books.
S2 Ep 2Wayne Yip, Director - The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
We chat with Wayne Yip about his directing work on episodes 3, 4, & 5 on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
S2 Ep 1Lloyd Owen, Elendil - The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Today, we chat with with Lloyd Owen about his character Elendil, the island realm of Númenor, and his deep dives into Tolkien's more obscure writings to inform the Elendil we meet in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power!
S1 Ep 10John Rhys-Davies talks Gimli, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, and more!
The one and only John Rhys-Davies talks about his experience as Gimli and Sallah, his library, and reads a fan-favorite portion from the books - Gimli's description of the Glittering Caves. This interview with the Lord of the Rings star was possible through the "It's Time to Shout James" fundraiser. To donate to a great cause, visit: http://tinyurl.com/47j9wfxr To get the full effect of my interview with John, check it out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qNnPE0Hpry8
S1 Ep 9Sir Richard Taylor, WETA Workshop
WETA Workshop Co-Founder and Creative Director Sir Richard Taylor joins us to talk about his time in Middle-earth! We'll talk about Richard's first exposure to Tolkien and what it was like bringing some of the most iconic locations, weapons, and characters to life in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films trilogies! For the latest and greatest videos on The Lord of the Rings and Middle-earth, visit youtube.com/NerdoftheRings
S1 Ep 8Carl Hostetter, editor, The Nature of Middle-earth
Carl Hostetter joins us to talk about the 25-year road to the publication of The Nature of Middle-earth, working with Christopher Tolkien, new discoveries for Tolkien fans, dancing bears, and more! The Nature of Middle-earth is now available for purchase: US: https://amzn.to/3mXzYzI UK: https://amzn.to/3DGgoO5 (affiliate links)
S1 Ep 7Billy Boyd & Dominic Monaghan, The Friendship Onion & The Lord of the Rings
Today, we chat with Dom & Billy as they launch their new podcast, The Friendship Onion! We talk about the films, The Scouring of the Shire, which cast members were funny, Dom's immunity to hiccups, and more! For the video version of this interview, as well as all kinds of great Middle-earth videos, go to www.youtube.com/NerdoftheRings Also, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review The Friendship Onion - available on all podcast platforms and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM2SO69PhFRKKEYwGSV4sHQ
S1 Ep 6Stephen Hunter, Bombur - The Hobbit Trilogy
In this interview (recorded in Dec '20), we chat with actor Stephen Hunter, who portrayed Bombur in The Hobbit Trilogy! We chat about all things The Hobbit - including how much his suit weighed and some amusing stories involving his dwarven castmates!
S1 Ep 5Brian Sibley, writer, BBC's The Lord of the Rings (1981)
Today, we welcome the writer of one of my absolute favorite Tolkien adaptations - the 1981 BBC Radio Dramatization of The Lord of the Rings - Brian Sibley! We talk about the radio drama celebrating its 40th anniversary, Brian's experience writing about Peter Jackson and his Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, the challenges of adapting for radio, why Tom Bombadil get's cut from adaptations, and much more! Visit youtube.com/NerdoftheRings for the video version of this interview, Middle-earth lore videos, theories, and more!
S1 Ep 4Ian Nathan, author, "Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-earth"
We talk about Peter Jackson and how the Middle-earth films came together with someone who spent time behind the scenes on both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. We hear his favorite stories from the set, what sets Peter Jackson apart from other directors, his idea for a future Lord of the Rings book, the upcoming Amazon show and more! Ian Nathan is a film author, who has written books on The Terminator, Fantastic Beasts, Ridley Scott, Tim Burton, Quentin Tarantino and most notably, "Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-earth". Visit YouTube.com/NerdoftheRings for weekly Middle-earth videos, including Tolkien Explained, Complete Travels, Theories, and the video version of this episode. To Support NOTR, visit Patreon.com/NerdoftheRings
S1 Ep 3Jed Brophy, actor - The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings trilogies
Today we are joined by the incredible Jed Brophy, one of the very few actors to appear in all six Middle-earth films! His roles include the orcs Snaga and Sharku, as well as the dwarf Nori. During this live chat on the Nerd of the Rings YouTube channel, we chat about all things Middle-earth, while raising money for frontline healthcare workers. Visit YouTube.com/NerdoftheRings for weekly Middle-earth videos, including Tolkien Explained, Complete Travels, Theories, and the video version of this episode. To Support NOTR, visit Patreon.com/NerdoftheRings
S1 Ep 2Francesco Nepitello, Designer - The One Ring RPG
Today, we chat with Francesco Nepitello about the brand new Second Edition of The One Ring RPG. We talk about what's new in this second edition, adapting Tolkien's world, and advice for players who are new to tabletop gaming! At time of release, The One Ring Second Edition has earned $1.9 Million on Kickstarter and is due for release in late 2021. Visit YouTube.com/NerdoftheRings for weekly Middle-earth videos, including Tolkien Explained, Complete Travels, Theories, and the video version of this episode. To Support NOTR, visit Patreon.com/NerdoftheRings
S1 Ep 1Corey Olsen, The Tolkien Professor
Talking with the Tolkien Professor about LOTRonPrime, LOTRO, The Silmarillion, and why balrogs don't have wings! Corey is the President and Founder of Signum University and the Mythgard Institute. For more info, visit Signum University on YouTube! Visit YouTube.com/NerdoftheRings for weekly Middle-earth videos, including Tolkien Explained, Complete Travels, Theories, and the video version of this episode. To Support NOTR, visit Patreon.com/NerdoftheRings