Continuing on with the Lesser-Trod Histories series, this month, Jude and Stef look at two chapters from Volume 7 of the History of Middle-earth: The Treason of Isengard- Chapter 12: Lothlórien and Chapter 13: Galadriel. We chuckle about some fun tidbits that Tolkien toyed with, and discuss the evolution of the Three Elven Rings and their association with Sauron. You won’t believe who almost took the place of the Balrog in Khazad-dûm! Citations Tolkien, J. R. R. The Treason of Isengard: The Hist...
Jul 02, 2025•54 min•Ep. 84
Join Jude and Stef and our special guest Knewbettadobetta for our first-ever live show, “Athrabeth Podcast Live: The Unsung Underachievers of Tolkien’s Legendarium” from Westmoot 2025! We put three of Arda’s wettest noodle’s on blast! Thank you Westmoot for having us, and thank you Knewbetta for joining us! Citations: Thank you to our special guest, Knewbettadobetta! Knewbetta’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/Knewbettadobetta Knewbetta’s plugs: Voices of Arda- linktr.ee/voicesofarda Kali- linktr.ee/...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 83
How did Tolkien start writing his epic tale, “The Lord of the Rings”? Join Jude and Stef as they discuss the humble beginnings of the book that became the Fellowship of the Ring in this month’s episode about volume six of the History of Middle-earth, The Return of the Shadow. We chat specifically about the Foreword by Christopher Tolkien, and dig deep into the first chapter, The Long-Expected Party! Citations Tolkien, J. R. R. The Return of the Shadow: The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part ...
May 07, 2025•53 min•Ep. 82
We made it to the History of Middle-earth volume 5, “The Lost Road and Other Writings” in our Lesser-trod Histories series! This month we’re chatting about the Etymologies, a list of stems and their derivatives upon which Tolkien’s Elvish languages are built. Join us to learn about the Professor’s interest in the process of language evolution throughout history! Citations: Tolkien, J. R. R. The Lost Road and Other Writings. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 5. Unwin Hyma...
Apr 02, 2025•57 min•Ep. 81
We’re back to our Lesser-trod Histories series! This month, we are looking at the History of Middle-earth Volume 4, The Shaping of Middle-earth. Jude and Stef chat about the Dagor Dagorath (a.k.a. the Last Battle, or the Second Prophecy of Mandos) from its earliest stages in the Sketch of the Mythology through to the most recent version in The War of the Jewels. We discuss why a questionable Man is involved in slaying Arda’s baddest baddie, and we discuss whether this story should have been incl...
Mar 05, 2025•58 min•Ep. 80
This month we are joined by Tolkien professor and scholar, Dr. Sara Brown! Join us for Sara’s lesser-trod path, Feminist criticism of Tolkien’s work! In context of the four waves of feminism, Sara gives us an overview of the past and present of feminist criticism of Tolkien’s work, as well as some thoughts on the future. Thanks for joining us, Sara! Citations Thank you to our guest host, Dr. Sara Brown! How to find Sara: Bluesky: @aranelparmadil.bksy.social Sara’s publications can be found at: h...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 79
Join us this month for a deep dive on Tolkien’s bodacious baddie, the one and only Sauron. Tolkien scholar and Sauron expert, Cameron Bourquein, leads us down her lesser-trod path exploring Sauron’s evolving nature, the meanings of his name, and his changing role in the legendarium throughout its development. Citations: Thank you to our guest host, Cameron Bourquein! How to find Cameron’s work: Website: https://cameronbourquein.com/ Blog: https://theroadtoardahealed.substack.com/ Website: https:...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 78
In this very special AthraChat, Jude and Stef sit down to discuss the new film, Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim, directed by Kenji Kamiyama. We ruminate on giant turkey legs, things that go crunch in the water, and general punching. Beware of spoilers! Citations: Smith, Chris. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Visual Companion. William Morrow. ISBN: 9780063422223 https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-war-of-the-rohirrim-visual-companion-chris-smith?...
Dec 16, 2024•39 min
Stef and Jude are joined by Tolkien collecting expert and moderator of the Tolkien Collector’s Guide, Andrew “Trotter” Ferguson. Andrew tells us about his experience collecting and sharing the Professor’s material culture. As it is the holiday season, we finish our discussion with the Father Christmas Letters. Thank you for joining us, Andrew! Citations : Thank you to our special guest, Andrew “Trotter” Ferguson! Andrew’s Bsky: @trotter.tolkienguide.com Tolkien Collector’s Guide website: https:/...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 77
Join us this month for a special interview with Shaun Gunner, Chair of the Tolkien Society. We discuss Shaun’s time with the Society, the upcoming Christopher Tolkien Centenary Conference, and a brand new event for 2025. Citations: Thank you to our special guest, Shaun Gunner! Twitter: @ShaunGunner Websites: shaungunner.com Tolkien Society- https://www.tolkiensociety.org @TolkienSociety Christopher Tolkien Centenary Conference Online only, November 23-24, 2024 Information and registration at: ht...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 76
To celebrate the ghastliest time of the year, the Weenie gang is back in this very special bonus episode of creepy chimeras and monstrous mills. Join us for Hobbitween 5, and Happy Hobbitween to one and all! Citations The One Ring role playing game by Free League: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/en/games/the-one-ring/ Cast: Lore Master: James Kaku Pierson, @jpierson Theo Fleetfoot: Max Jiménez Ozzie Oiolaire: Zeke Pease, @ezpease, @greenvillearms Iadar Listbalarion: Jude Vais, @eremiticjude Pum...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 54 min
We are bummed that Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 is over. Join us for one last AthraChat for episode 8, “Shadow and Flame.” Beware of spoilers and sexy Sauron. Find us on the web at https://podcast.athrabeth.com/ Join the conversation on the Athrabeth discord ! Athrabeth is a production of the Athrabeth Podcast Network . Athrabeth is Produced by James Kaku Pierson...
Oct 07, 2024•43 min
In episode 75, Jude and Stef take you on a textual safari to explore the... let's be honest… very weird magic of Sauron. Jude connects the Ósanwe-kenta to how Sauron gets the title of Necromancer, and we have a SPIRITed (hah, see what we did there) discussion of explicit descriptions of his magic in The Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion. Come for the werewolves and stay for the vampires! Citations: Ósanwe-kenta: J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Tr...
Oct 02, 2024•52 min•Ep. 75
This isn’t fine…. We just dropped a new AthraChat in which Jude and Stef discuss just how Celebrimboned everyone is in Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7, “Doomed to Die.” Beware of spoilers and aerial horse acrobatics. Find us on the web at https://podcast.athrabeth.com/ Join the conversation on the Athrabeth discord ! Athrabeth is a production of the Athrabeth Podcast Network ....
Sep 30, 2024•34 min
Take the plunge with us in our new AthraChat episode as we discuss Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, episode 6, “Where Is He?” We’re taking a deep dive and making a splash! Water you waiting for? Beware of spoilers in the Abyss! Citations Tolkien Gateway entry for “Secret Fire” https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Secret_Fire (Accessed Sept 21, 2024) Find us on the web at https://podcast.athrabeth.com/ Join the conversation on the Athrabeth discord ! Athrabeth is a producti...
Sep 23, 2024•43 min
Citations Lea’s Tiktok account- silmarilleanne https://www.tiktok.com/@silmarilleanne?lang=en Find us on the web at https://podcast.athrabeth.com/ Join the Athrabeth discord: https://discord.gg/4rZynfWv3f Athrabeth is a production of the Athrabeth Podcast Network.
Sep 15, 2024•42 min
Join Jude and Stef for a fun, informal AthraChat about Amazon’s The Lords of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, episode 4. Beware of spoilers and a tree or mud that may swallow you.
Sep 07, 2024•30 min
Citations: Francesco Nepitello on Twitter: @FNepitello The One Ring by Free League Publishing: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/the-one-ring/ (Accessed August 27, 2024) War of the Ring strategy game by Ares Games: https://www.aresgames.eu/games/war-of-the-ring-line (Accessed August 27, 2024)
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 74
Find Athrabeth on the web at https://podcast.athrabeth.com/ Join the Athrabeth discord: https://discord.gg/DH2WJP452a
Sep 01, 2024•42 min
Jude and Stef discuss the first episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - season two! Beware spoilers for episode 1 of season 2, as well as spicy opinions about Elrond, elven set-design, and which version of Sauron is sexiest!
Aug 31, 2024•27 min
Citations: Tolkien, J. R. R. The Lays of Beleriand. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 3, George Allen and Unwin, London, 1985. Kindle edition, eISBN: 978-0-358-61268-1, Version 07182023KO v1.0421 (Accessed July 12, 2024) Tolkien, J. R. R. The Lord of the Rings. HarperCollins e-books. Apple Books edition. (Accessed July 12, 2024) Tolkien Gateway entry for “The Lays of Beleriand” https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/The_Lays_of_Beleriand (Accessed July 12, 2024) Tolkien Society...
Aug 07, 2024•58 min•Ep. 73
Citations: Garth, John. Tolkien And The Great War: The Threshold of Middle-earth. First Mariner Books edition 2005. eISBN 978-0-544-26372-7. V2.0519. (Accessed June 30, 2024) Tolkien, J. R. R. The Book of Lost Tales, Part II. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 2. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1984. (Accessed June 30, 2024) Tolkien, J. R. R. The Silmarillion. Edited by Christopher Tolkien. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Apple Books edition. (Accessed June 30, 2024) Tolkien G...
Jul 03, 2024•50 min•Ep. 72
Citations Tolkien, J. R. R. The Book of Lost Tales, Part I. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 1. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1983. Tolkien, J. R. R. The Book of Lost Tales, Part II. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 2. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1984. Takahashi, Dean. A new generation of J.R.R. Tolkien games is coming | Lee Guinchard exclusive interview. Venture Beat website. https://venturebeat.com/games/a-new-generation-of-j-r-r-tolkie...
Jun 05, 2024•56 min•Ep. 71
Citations: Tolkien, J. R. R. The Book of Lost Tales, Part I. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 1. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1983. Tolkien Gateway entry for “The Music of the Ainur” https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/The_Music_of_the_Ainur (Accessed April 27, 2024)
May 01, 2024•51 min•Ep. 70
Citations: Thank you to Fornad for joining us this month on Athrabeth! Check out these ArdaCraft links: ArdaCraft’s linktree: https://linktr.ee/ardacraft ArdaCraft homepage: https://ardacraft.me/ How to join ArdaCraft: https://ardacraft.me/join/ Discord: https://discord.com/invite/qcYBkCmAKZ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Ardacraft You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArdaCraftMC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ardacraft/ TikTok: https://tr.ee/gM2mTG1JeS Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArdaCra...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 69
Citations: Tolkien, J. R. R. The Book of Lost Tales, Part 1. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 1. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1983.
Mar 06, 2024•47 min•Ep. 68
Citations: Berridge, Elizabeth. “Recent Fiction”. The Daily Telegraph. Friday, 2 December, 1983, Page 21. Accessed through Newspapers.com on January 27, 2024. Tolkien, J. R. R. The Book of Lost Tales, Part I. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 1. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1983. TolkienBooks.net “An Illustrated Tolkien Bibliography” https://tolkienbooks.net/php/home-contents.php#i (Accessed 2/6/24)...
Feb 07, 2024•54 min•Ep. 67
Citations: Thank you to the panelists of the “Tolkien and New Media” panel at Oxonmoot 50, September 2, 2023: Marcel R. Bülles, a.k.a. The Tolkienist: Tolkien scholar and founder of the German Tolkien Society. @The_Tolkienist, @thetolkienist.com, https://thetolkienist.com/ Mercury Natis, Queer historian and Tolkien scholar. @Mercuryreads, @mercuryreads.bsky.social, https://lushthemagicdragon.carrd.co/ S.R. Westvik, Tolkien scholar, writer and researcher. @srwestvik, @srwestvik.bsky.social, https...
Jan 03, 2024•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 66
Citations: Thank you to Thomas P. Hillman for joining us on Athrabeth! Tom’s book: “Pity, Power, and Tolkien's Ring: To Rule the Fate of Many” is being published on December 19, 2023 by The Kent State University Press https://www.kentstateuniversitypress.com/2023/pity-power-and-tolkiens-ring/?highlight=Pity%20Power Tom’s blog: Alas, not me https://alasnotme.blogspot.com/ Tom’s YouTube channel: @tomhillman9519 https://www.youtube.com/@tomhillman9519 Tom’s social media: Twitter: @alas_not_me Bsky:...
Dec 06, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 65
Citations: The Book of Lost Tales, part 1 Tolkien, J. R. R. The Book of Lost Tales, Part I. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 1. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1983. (Accessed 10/26/23) Histories Volume 4 Tolkien, J. R. R. The Shaping of Middle-earth. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 4. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1986. The Hobbit Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit: or There and Back Again. HarperCollins E-Books. ISBN 978-0-00-732260. Apple Books...
Nov 01, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 64
