- 216: You can ask Tolkien just ONE question, what is it? - VIP Patron Chat May 2026
There's so much we still don't know about Tolkien's world. If you had a chance to ask him a single question, what would it be? What do you want to know more than anything else?
Some of our VIP Patrons share their questions and we discuss how Tolkien may have answered them.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE216 - 1h 1m - Jun 8, 2026 - 217: FotR 19: Frodo, Sam & Pippin's Personalities and Social Class
As Froda, Sam, and Pippin begin their journey across the Shire, we begin to understand more about their personalities and how social status influences their actions.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE217 - 34m - Jun 15, 2026 - 218: This Summer's Best New Game Announcements - Robots Radio Summer Host Crossover 2026
What recently announced games are at the top of your list? Robots Radio podcast hosts get together every quarter for a fun crossover episode. We discuss the new games we're most excited about and why you might want to add them to your wishlists.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE218 - 1h 8m - Jun 22, 2026 - 219: FotR 20: Frodo vs Nazgul Round 1
Frodo again saves the journey before it really begins by following his gut, but he begins to feel the power of the Ring tempting him and almost fails.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE219 - 28m - Jun 29, 2026 - 220: Time Changes All Things, Including Our Perspectives - VIP Patron Chat June 2026
How has your perspective of Tolkien's world changed over time? Over multiple readings or movie rewatches? Do we see and feel different things as we get older?
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE220 - 1h 2m - Jul 6, 2026 - 221: FotR 21: Frodo vs Nazgul Round 2... Wait, Elves!?
The way everything lines up in this section of chapter 3 is genius.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE221 - 28m - Jul 13, 2026 - 222: FotR 22: The Meaning Behind Elves in the Shire That You May Not Have Realized
Frodo, Sam, and Pippen run into Gildor and his group of Elves in the Shire. At first, it may not seem that important, but there's more going on here than you probably realize.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE222 - 29m - Jul 20, 2026 - 223: FotR 23: Gildor's Confusing Advice to Frodo Actually Makes Sense
At the end of chapter 3 Frodo and Gildor sit down and have an important conversation. Frodo asks for advice while still withholding information about the ring, and Gildor's response is unexpected, but genius.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE223 - 35m - Jul 27, 2026 - 224: FotR 24: Tolkien Doesn't Get Enough Credit for Dialogue Between Friends
Chapter 4's beginning gives us even more insight into the personalities of the Hobbits in a way that feels so real and honest, which is surprising in it's own way.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE224 - 29m - Aug 3, 2026 - 225: FotR 25: Frodo (Uknowingly) Trained to Avoid Black Riders by Running From Dogs
Frodo is a good person, but he made his mistakes. The Hobbits avoid the Nazgul by cutting cross country and onto Farmer Maggot's land, and we learn about why Frodo fears him and his dogs so much. But maybe that was a good thing.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE225 - 30m - Aug 10, 2026 - 226: FotR 26: Nobody Talks About How Awesome Farmer Maggot Is!
The conversation with Farmer Maggot plays out in ways that Frodo never expected, and reveal so much about Maggot's character. What a stand-up guy.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE226 - 32m - Aug 17, 2026 - 227: FotR 27: An Unexpected Merry Appears!
As the Hobbits set out for the ferry, we get horror vibes and meet an unexpected rider on the road. We discuss how this section of the novel and movie diverge and get a first glimpse of Buckland.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE227 - 31m - Aug 24, 2026 - 228: FotR 28: Comfort, Safety, and Three Bathtubs
The Hobbits finally find safety and a time to relax after being chased for 2 days by Black Riders. We get a real sense of just how much his friends care about him. They know Frodo better than he realizes.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE228 - 29m - Aug 31, 2026 - 229: What If You Lived In Middle Earth? - Patron Chat, Aug 2026
What if you were an elf and could perfect a skill or craft over thousands of years, what would you choose? What culture would you fit most naturally into? If you lived in the Shire, where would you live? Why did Tolkien design the Valar to be married couples?
We discuss these questions and more!
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE229 - 1h 0m - Sep 7, 2026 - 230: FotR 29: Tolkien's Profound Understanding of True Friendship
How do you know that you have the best friends ever? They keep your secrets better than you keep them. Merry reveals that they know all about Frodo leaving, the Ring, and even Bilbo's book, and this reveals exactly how deeply Frodo's friends care about him.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE230 - 34m - Sep 14, 2026 - 231: Data: Older Stuff Beats Newer Stuff - What's going on? Host Crossover Chat Fall 2026
Tolkien is more popular than ever and it's partly due to a major cultural shift. Old books are out-selling new books. Valve pc gaming sales show old game beating new games. Old music is more popular with Gen Z and A. Old movies and shows are streamed more than new ones. What is going on and what does that mean for podcasts like this?
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE231 - 1h 18m - Sep 21, 2026 - 232: FotR 30: Foreshadowing The Old Forest
The way that Tolkien foreshadows future events is perfect, including his use of dreams. We'll take a look at both as the hobbits prepare to enter the Old Forest.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE232 - 32m - Sep 28, 2026 - 233: Would You Survive Tolkien's Spookiest Situations? VIP Patron Chat, Sept 2026
We're kicking off spooky month with a discussion of Tolkien's spookiest moments. Which would you survive? Which terrify you the most?
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE233 - 1h 5m - Oct 5, 2026 - 234: FotR 31: How The Old Forest Prepares Us For Fangorn and The Ents
Tolkien's themes often repeat through his stories. With the Old Forest, we get a glimpse of Fangorn before we even know that Ents exist.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE234 - 29m - Oct 12, 2026 - 235: FotR 32: The Old Forest Echoes Myths & Stories Beginning 4,000 Years Ago
As the hobbits make their way to the heart of the Old Forest, I noticed some new connections to old stories like Dante's Inferno, Spencer's Faerie Queen, and even the Epic of Gilgamesh.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE235 - 30m - Oct 19, 2026
