Join Andie, Kali and friends as they re-discover Middle-earth together by comparing the Lord of the Rings books to their various adaptations, starting with Peter Jackson&#39;s epic film trilogy.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/8/27/19/e3d05981-8b03-4cca-91fe-80b3112e21e9_fire_n_water_audio.m4a

In this episode, we welcome Haley (aka @haleydegagne on TikTok) to discuss the chapter &#34;Fire and Water&#34; and the corresponding section of Peter Jackson&#39;s Hobbit trilogy. Our discussion includes:- Smaug&#39;s attack on Lake-town- Bard&#39;s expanded role in the films- The return of the talking thrush!- And much more!

Episode 42: Fire and Water

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/5/4/2/7d567fb3-aabe-46fd-9d29-57bcec72c473_welcome_my_friends_to_isengard.m4a

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome back one of our favorite people, Nic aka Fornost42, for kind of a special episode. We say “special,” because this chapter is effectively not in the movie. So join Andie and Nic as they dive into the chapter “Not at Home.”

Episode 41: Not at Home

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/9/13/1/8c19b19b-30a2-4abc-beed-ba09aa0ac4d7_twf_rop_4.mp3

Kali and Andie welcome Miranda (aka @exlibrismir) to the podcast and welcome back Emily (aka @silmaremily) to discuss every second of &#34;Eldest,&#34; the fourth episode of season two of Rings of Power. In this episode, we discuss:<ul><li>Who the standout characters are so far this season</li><li>Several moments taken directly from the Lord of the Rings books</li><li>How Andie would have improved the Barrow-wight scene </li><li>Theories about who the Stranger and Dark Wizard may be</li><li>Adar&#39;s quick appearance and what it could mean for his character</li></ul> Be sure to follow Miranda here:<ul><li>https://www.instagram.com/exlibrismir/</li><li>https://www.threads.net/@exlibrismir</li><li>https://www.tiktok.com/@exlibrismir</li></ul> And Emily here:<ul><li>https://www.instagram.com/silmaremily/</li><li>https://www.threads.net/@silmaremily</li><li>https://www.tiktok.com/@silmaremily</li><li>https://x.com/silmaremily</li></ul>

Rings of Power: "Eldest" Deep Dive

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/9/11/4/d536bc8e-1635-42a9-bd6a-dfef8554781f_vibes__spoilers__audio_final.m4a

In this episode, Andie, Kelly (aka The Middle Page) and Kaia Kay continue their discussion of the first three episodes of season two of Amazon&#39;s The Rings of Power. They avoided spoilers in part one, but now they are covering the rest of their thoughts about the opening episodes of season two.Don&#39;t forget to follow Kelly:<ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/themiddlepage/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/themiddlepage/</a></li><li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@themiddle.page" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@themiddle.page</a></li></ul>And Kaia:<ul><li>https://www.instagram.com/kaiakayy/</li><li>https://www.tiktok.com/@kaiakays</li><li>https://www.threads.net/@kaiakayy</li></ul>

Rings of Power Vibe Check: Part Two

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/9/5/23/df2e8c69-36ed-455e-a89d-77e1d2a8a24f_rings_of_power_vibe_check_partone_audio.m4a

In this special episode, Andie is joined by friends Kelly (aka The Middle Page) and Kaia Kay to discuss the first three episodes of season two of Amazon&#39;s The Rings of Power. Andie and Kelly recorded this while sick and Kaia dealt with our coughing and stuffy noses so we could get our thoughts out while they were still fresh. We talk a little bit about our thoughts on season one before diving into how we&#39;re feeling about the beginning of season two.Keep an eye out for Part Two, where we go a little deeper. While this episode has no spoilers, our next one will! Don&#39;t forget to follow Kelly:<ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/themiddlepage/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/themiddlepage/</a></li><li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@themiddle.page" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@themiddle.page</a></li></ul>And Kaia:<ul><li>https://www.instagram.com/kaiakayy/</li><li>https://www.tiktok.com/@kaiakays</li><li>https://www.threads.net/@kaiakayy</li></ul>

Rings of Power Vibe Check: Part One (No Spoilers)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/8/20/2/a2a7d8f8-1e54-4da3-9b08-b39bc2034c81_bonus_checkingin.m4a

Hi there! In this short bonus episode, Kali and Andie check in to give a few updates about Tolkien with Friends, such as:<ul><li>Why it has taken so long to release these Hobbit episodes</li><li>What&#39;s next for the podcast</li><li>How we get by with a little help from our friends</li></ul>More soon!

Bonus Episode: Checking In

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/8/20/2/e76c2cc9-1ce8-48e3-8fc1-d96b19fabcb6_copy_79993bd0-8a69-49de-a339-2dcefe32ba80.m4a

We’re excited to be welcoming back Myla to help us finish the extended edition of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” and to discuss Chapter 12: Inside Information. In this episode, we discuss:<ul><li>Andie&#39;s gripes about &#34;The Desolation of Smaug”</li><li>Bilbo&#39;s approach to entering Erebor in the book vs the movie</li><li>Smaug, obviously</li><li>Thorin&#39;s &#34;dragon sickness&#34;</li><li>and more!</li></ul> Be sure to follow Myla and her Tolkien collection:<ul><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endofbag</li><li>Myla&#39;s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylamalinalda</li><li>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mylamalinalda</li><li>Twitter: https://twitter.com/MylaMalinalda</li><li>Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mylamalinalda</li></ul> You can find Tolkien with Friends on:<ul><li>Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends</li><li>Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends</li><li>Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  </li><li>Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends</li></ul>

Episode 40: Inside Information with @mylamalinalda

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/8/13/0/1b3e020a-850e-404b-b5db-fa7f86f8aeea_s02e39.m4a

In this episode, Andie and Kali cover the chapter, &#34;On the Doorstep,&#34; and it&#39;s comparable section of Peter Jackson&#39;s Hobbit trilogy. This covers the point from when Thorin, Bilbo and company – more or less in the movie’s case – leave Lake-town to the moment when Thorin opens the secret door on the side of the mountain. The discussion includes:<ul><li>Wait – how do we pronounce the dwarves names?</li><li>Taking a moment for the ponies of The Hobbit</li><li>When exactly is Durin&#39;s Day?</li><li>Gandalf, Thrain and Thrain&#39;s ring</li></ul> Don&#39;t forget to connect with Tolkien with Friends on:<ul><li>Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends</li><li>Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends</li><li>X/Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  </li><li>Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends</li></ul>

Episode 39: On the Doorstep

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/7/28/6/dbe4bf4b-c62d-4379-a4fb-c74c8c99f418_twf_38_audio.m4a

In this episode, we discuss the chapter “A Warm Welcome” – and about 30 minutes of “The Desolation of Smaug” from the time Bard shows up until most of the dwarves leave Lake-town. Our discussion includes:<ul><li>How Bilbo&#39;s &#34;luck&#34; guides the adventure</li><li>Lake-town&#39;s portrayal in the movies vs. the book</li><li>The prophecy on the return of the Durin’s Folk to Erebor</li><li>Tauriel as a moral compass</li></ul> Be sure to follow Emily:<ul><li>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@silmaremily</li><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silmaremily/</li><li>X/Twitter: https://x.com/silmaremily/</li></ul> You can find Tolkien with Friends on:<ul><li>Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends</li><li>Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends</li><li>X/Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  </li><li>Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends</li></ul>

Episode 38: A Warm Welcome with @SilmarEmily

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/5/0/2fbe47aa-fe9b-4b0b-a4b6-34dcc536e368_episode_37_barrels_out_of_bond_final_audio.mp3

Andie and Kali are joined by their friend Kari, aka @EstarGuarsTia, to talk about the chapter, “Barrels Out of Bond,&#34; and all the chaos that ensues during this section of Peter Jackson&#39;s Hobbit trilogy. In this episode, we discuss:<ul><li>Wood-elves and their love of the stars</li><li>Tauriel as a character</li><li>How Bilbo helps Thorin and Company escape from Thranduil&#39;s fortress</li><li>The insanity behind THAT rapids scene</li><li>Lee Pace as Thranduil</li><li>And how Ian McKellen can do no wrong as Gandalf</li></ul> Be sure to follow Kari on:<ul><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/estarguarstia/</li><li>Twitter: https://twitter.com/estarguarstia</li><li>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estarguarstia</li></ul> You can find Tolkien with Friends on:<ul><li>Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends</li><li>Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends</li><li>Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  </li><li>Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends</li></ul>

Episode 37: Barrels Out Of Bond with @EstarGuarsTia

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/15/21/3b839592-0b9f-4dbc-ac66-e62b56494cec_episode_36_flies_and_spiders_final_audio.mp3

Andie and Kali welcome designer and Tolkien collector, Myla (aka @MylaMalinalda) to the podcast to discuss the eighth chapter of the Hobbit, &#34;Flies and Spiders,&#34; as well as the corresponding scenes from Peter Jackson&#39;s &#34;The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.&#34; In this episode, we cover:<ul><li>How Mirkwood is described in the book vs what we see in the movie</li><li>What we learn about wood-elves in this chapter — and how that differs from Peter Jackson&#39;s depiction</li><li>Mirkwood&#39;s various creepy crawlies</li><li>How Bilbo&#39;s role is reduced</li><li>Our hopes for the future of adaptations</li></ul> Be sure to follow Myla and her Tolkien collection:<ul><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endofbag</li><li>Myla&#39;s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylamalinalda</li><li>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mylamalinalda</li><li>Twitter: https://twitter.com/MylaMalinalda</li><li>Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mylamalinalda</li></ul> You can find Tolkien with Friends on:<ul><li>Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends</li><li>Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends</li><li>Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  </li><li>Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends</li></ul>

Episode 36: Flies and Spiders

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/14/22/25f35203-f2c5-431b-9b42-598a31890886_episode35_queerlodgings.mp3

In this episode of Tolkien with Friends, we&#39;re joined by Mary Clay Watt of That&#39;s What I&#39;m Tolkien About, to discuss the chapter &#34;Queer Lodgings&#34; and the beginning of Peter Jackson&#39;s &#34;The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.&#34; Our conversation includes:<ul><li>Thorin and Gandalf&#39;s &#34;chance&#34; meeting in Bree</li><li>Our frustration with the pacing in the Hobbit movies (like, please, can we take just one beat to enjoy Middle-earth?)</li><li>How Beorn is depicted in the book and the movie</li><li>Speculation on what Gandalf is really thinking</li><li>And much more!</li></ul> Be sure to follow MC:<ul><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcturndownforwatt/</li><li>Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcwattsup</li><li>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mcwattsup</li></ul> and her podcasts, That&#39;s What I&#39;m Tolkien About:<ul><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tolkienaboutpod/</li><li>Twitter: https://twitter.com/tolkienaboutpod</li><li>Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienaboutpod</li><li>Website: https://tolkienaboutpod.podbean.com/</li></ul> and for our Star Wars fans, MC&#39;s latest adventure, Skywalk Before You Run:<ul><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skywalkbeforeyourun/</li><li>Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skywalkbeforeyourun</li><li>Website: https://skywalkbeforeyourun.podbean.com/</li></ul>

Episode 35: Queer Lodgings

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/11/15/1/9c9371a6-153c-4c0d-ba3c-b86267f02d26_episode_34_out_of_the_frying_pan.mp3

After our unplanned hiatus, we are back with more of The Hobbit! In this episode, we are joined again by our friends Chris and Carlos of the Swolhirrim to help us cover the chapter &#34;Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire&#34; and the end of the movie, &#34;An Unexpected Journey.&#34; We discuss:<ul><li>Bilbo&#39;s reunion with Gandalf and the dwarves after finding the Ring</li><li>Wargs in the book vs the movies</li><li>Why can&#39;t Oin tell the difference between a thrush and a raven?</li><li>And much more!</li></ul> Don&#39;t forget to follow the Swolhirrim:- Instagram: instagram.com/the_swolhirrim/- YouTube: youtube.com/@theswolhirrim9201  - TikTok: tiktok.com/@the_swolhirrim You can find Tolkien with Friends on:- Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends  - Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  - Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends

Episode 34: Out of the Frying Pan

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/7/18/2/6a56e066-c802-4844-818a-84cddf19a8d5_episode_33_riddles_in_the_dark.mp3

On this episode, we welcome Minhas (aka @MinhasMorgul) to help us discuss one of our favorite chapters, Riddles in the Dark. For this episode, we focus solely on the riddles scene from Peter Jackson&#39;s extended edition of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and chapter five. While the movie cuts back and forth between the dwarves and Bilbo, we stay with Bilbo and Gollum for the full episode. We discuss:<ul><li>Whether or not Gollum is wearing pants or not</li><li>The riddles you may have missed if you&#39;ve only seen the movie</li><li>Gollum&#39;s various interpretations over the years</li><li>Bilbo&#39;s pity for Gollum and how it&#39;s expressed in the book vs the movie</li></ul> You can follow Minhas here:<ul><li>https://www.tiktok.com/@minhasmorgul</li><li>https://www.instagram.com/minhasmorgul/</li><li>https://www.youtube.com/@minhasmorgul</li></ul> And you can also join us on:<ul><li>https://www.patreon.com/TolkienwithFriends</li><li>https://www.instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends/</li><li>https://www.youtube.com/@tolkienwithfriends</li><li>https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends</li><li>https://twitter.com/tolkienfriends</li></ul> ***PLEASE NOTE: This was recorded in February 2023, months before the recent SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. We do not seek to promote any stricken work. Rather, we are just friends coming together to compare works and discuss Tolkien***

Episode 33: Riddles in the Dark

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/5/17/4/c61ac5a4-fab5-49e9-86fc-90ead7187c0b_episode_32_over_hill_and_under_hill.mp3

In this episode, we are joined once again by Kelly (aka The Middle Page) to discuss chapter four of The Hobbit, “Over Hill and Under Hill,” and the corresponding section of Peter Jackson’s extended edition of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Our conversation includes:·      Parallels and references to Fellowship of the Ring·      The differences between the stone giants in the book and the movie·      How we feel about Peter’s interpretation of the goblins of Goblin Town·      And a wild Princess and the Goblin appears!Don&#39;t forget to follow our lovely guest, Kelly:<ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/themiddlepage/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/themiddlepage/</a></li><li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@themiddle.page" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@themiddle.page</a></li></ul> And be sure to join us on Patreon to catch bonus segments of this episode that didn’t make the final cut: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/TolkienwithFriends" rel="nofollow">https://www.patreon.com/TolkienwithFriends</a>

Episode 32: Over Hill and Under Hill

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/4/4/22/3a6e4fb3-1178-439c-8560-8e8f87ee7616_episode31_ashortrest_audio.mp3

In this episode, Kali and Andie dive into “A Short Rest,” which is chapter three of The Hobbit, and about 36 minutes of the extended edition of “An Unexpected Journey.&#34; This section is really where we start to get into bigger departures from the source material, while also weaving in more from the Appendices. Our discussion includes:<ul><li>The smell of elves — and how the elves act in the movie compared to the book</li><li>A song about &#34;a merry old inn&#34;</li><li>Wargs as pets?</li><li>The White Council and the role it plays in the bigger picture</li></ul> And don&#39;t forget to join Tolkien with Friends on: <ul><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends</li><li>Twitter: https://twitter.com/TolkienFriends</li><li>Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TolkienwithFriends</li></ul>

Episode 31: A Short Rest

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/3/21/2/14fe84d7-8f56-4dd6-9e6f-fb2715d66dff_episode_30_roast_mutton.mp3

This week, @onlyannamaria joins us to discuss Roast Mutton, chapter two of The Hobbit and the corresponding part of &#34;An Unexpected Journey!&#34; In this episode, in addition to having a silly goose time, we discuss:<ul><li>Bilbo&#39;s extreme politeness and lack of pocket-handkerchiefs</li><li>How Bilbo handles the troll situation in the book and the movie</li><li>The appearance of Radagast the Brown</li><li>At least one thing we would change about this part of the movie</li><li>And even a little bit of Appendix A from Return of the King</li></ul> Be sure to follow Anna María on: <ul><li>Twitter: https://twitter.com/onlyannamaria</li><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlyannamaria/</li><li>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onlyannamaria</li></ul> And don&#39;t forget to join us on Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content: https://www.patreon.com/TolkienwithFriends

Episode 30: Roast Mutton with Anna María

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/3/5/4/e454acbc-997f-4fb9-ab2c-cac876aea584_episode_29_an_unexpected_party.mp3

Join us and FanGirlMeegs as we officially kick off season two with the first chapter of The Hobbit and about the first 41 minutes of the extended edition of the movie, “An Unexpected Journey.” In this episode, we discuss:<ul><li>How The Hobbit entered each of our lives</li><li>How the book is centered around Bilbo while the movie puts a lot of focus on the dwarves and their journey</li><li>How Bilbo&#39;s &#34;Tookishness&#34; comes out more in the book</li><li>The music of The Hobbit</li><li>And much more!</li></ul> Be sure to follow FanGirlMeegs:<ul><li>https://www.tiktok.com/@fangirlmeegs</li><li>https://www.instagram.com/Fangirlmeegs/</li><li>https://twitter.com/fangirlmeegs</li></ul>And don&#39;t forget to subscribe and follow us as well:<ul><li>https://www.instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends/</li><li>https://twitter.com/TolkienFriends</li><li>And we are now on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TolkienwithFriends</li></ul>

Episode 29: An Unexpected Party featuring FanGirlMeegs

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/2/10/23/2046e7d1-fe7e-4b20-8db6-c616103b36fc_episode_28_is_it_canon.mp3

Having just finished the Lord of the Rings and now looking ahead to the Hobbit, we thought this would be a good time to tackle the concept of “canon,” particularly within Tolkien and other fandom spaces. Joined by Chris and Carlos of the Swolhirrim, we discuss canon, or &#34;the official storylines and backstories invented by the creators of television shows, movies, and books,&#34; and how we approach “canon” in Tolkien’s legendarium. Be sure to follow the Swolhirrim:<ul><li>Instagram: instagram.com/the_swolhirrim/</li><li>YouTube: youtube.com/@theswolhirrim9201</li><li>TikTok: tiktok.com/@the_swolhirrim</li></ul>

Episode 28: Is it Canon? featuring The Swolhirrim

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/1/14/22/c512aaec-ee65-49f6-a625-7d728aab6c74_episode_27_recap_of_the_rings.mp3

In this episode, we&#39;re joined by our friend Anex Wilson to take a look back at all of our favorite moments in both the Lord of the Rings books and movies. We cover a lot of ground in this episode and spend about 2 hours discussing:<ul><li>How Peter Jackson&#39;s Lord of the Rings works as an adaptation</li><li>Our favorite moments from each of the three films</li><li>A few things we would have done differently</li><li>Our favorite things about the books</li></ul>Soon we will be releasing episodes on The Hobbit, comparing Peter Jackson&#39;s second trilogy to Tolkien&#39;s novel. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!Be sure to follow Anex on all his social media platforms:<ul><li>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anexwilson</li><li>Twitter: https://twitter.com/anexwilsonyt</li><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fantasyannexe/</li></ul>

Episode 27: The Recap of the Rings

A new podcast where friends discuss the differences between Tolkien’s works and their adaptations

Join Andie and Ahnna as they re-discover Middle-earth together by comparing the Lord of the Rings books to their various adaptations, starting with Peter Jackson's epic film trilogy.