III. Trials of the Valar Episode 135: The Roots of Douglas A. Anderson

Episode 135: The Roots of Douglas A. Anderson

Join Douglas A. Anderson and I as we discuss how he originally got to know Humphrey Carpenter, Wayne Hammond, and Christopher Tolkien. Learn how his Annotated Hobbit came to be, and hear some truly interesting stories and anecdotes about independent scholarship and fantasy publishing going back 35 years. Doug and I also discuss our D&D …

Read Article Read More

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 131: Intrōspiciō

Episode 131: Intrōspiciō

In this episode, Jared looks back at the previous 130 episodes, talks about what he has learned, and what he would do differently. He talks about how important the Tolkien community has been for him over the last three years. He talks what’s left to come in the podcast: Cuiviénen, Angband, and Gundabad. There are …

Read Article Read More

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 127: In the Room with David Bratman

Episode 127: In the Room with David Bratman

Few have given so freely of their time and contributed so much to the Tolkien community as David Bratman. Over the past 40 years, he has spent much of his time writing and organizing essays, bibliographies, reader guides about Tolkien and his body of work. Listen as we discuss elven magic, sub-creation, the three different …

Read Article Read More

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 122: The Steward of Myth, Dr. Vicki Ronn

Episode 122: The Steward of Myth, Dr. Vicki Ronn

Dr. Vicki Ronn joins us on this episode to talk about the Mythopoeic Society, their conference, and their awards. She and Jared discuss Tolkien’s “old cat lady.” Jared asks about the (supposed) newly established Inklings at Oxford. Dr. Ronn mentions what is next on her reading list, the book referred to as the “Chinese LOTR,” …

Read Article Read More

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 118: My Most Beloved Stars

Episode 118: My Most Beloved Stars

The Coronavirus is bad. Thousands of people are sick and dying. Many people are isolated. Governments and economies are suffering. People have had to put their lives on hold, so to speak. And though the Longwinded One is suffering the same fate as millions of others, including a delayed Tolkien pilgrimage to England, there is …

Read Article Read More

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 114: A Conversation with Dr. Dimitra Fimi

Episode 114: A Conversation with Dr. Dimitra Fimi

A treasure trove of fun and interesting stories, listen as Dr. Fimi discusses her written work, her most influential mentors, her favorite interviews, discovering treasures in the Bodleian Library, why The Hobbit is so much fun to read aloud, and the lay called Narsilion. Tolkien Experience Podcast: https://luke-shelton.com/2020/01/03/tep-1-dimitra-fimi/

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 112: Fan Interview: Liam and Bea

Episode 112: Fan Interview: Liam and Bea

Join us as we talk to two fans of the podcast. Liam is from the USA and Bea is from Norway. Together we talk about the campaign, Tolkien, and D&D in general. At around 29 minutes you begin to understand why the podcast is called the “Longwinded One.” Other Podcasts Mentioned: Adventure Zone Realms of …

Read Article Read More

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 107: Ted Nasmith: A Powerful Affinity for Tolkien

Episode 107: Ted Nasmith: A Powerful Affinity for Tolkien

An incredible artist, scholar, musician, and conversationalist, Ted Nasmith delights in this episode as he talks about the evolution of his art and projects. Get to know the man who has turned beloved words into beloved art. Podcast References: All Artwork can be found on tednasmith.com Ballantine LOTR Covers Hildebrandt Calendars Oxonmoot Paul C Godfried …

Read Article Read More

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 102: Dr. Verlyn Flieger, Part 2

Episode 102: Dr. Verlyn Flieger, Part 2

In this second part of the interview with Dr. Flieger, we discuss many of her essays. We use “The Body in Question: the Unhealed Wounds of Frodo Baggins” as a vehicle for discussing Raiken. We talk about Numenor in “Drowned Lands” and whether it is possible for sailors to find Meneltarma after the breaking of …

Read Article Read More

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 101: Dr. Verlyn Flieger, Part 1

Episode 101: Dr. Verlyn Flieger, Part 1

Kick off the last chapter of the trilogy with Dr. Flieger. Listen as we discuss Tolkien’s larger body of work, such as: The Lost Road, The Notion Club Papers, The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, On Fairy-Stories, and Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics. Learn about the concept of “eucatastrophe” and how that relates to the …

Read Article Read More