Episodios

  • 391 – By Grabthar’s Hammer, What a Book!

    391 – By Grabthar’s Hammer, What a Book!
    Nov 23 2025
    Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan for a very special conversation with Dr. Michael D.C. Drout, author of The Tower and the Ruin: J.R.R. Tolkien’s Creation, the new must-read book about Tolkien’s legendarium. Professor Drout builds the best dark towers ever, confesses his man-crush on Tom Shippey, and starts a fight with Alan about the talking fox. We discuss Jerry Springer in Middle-earth, laugh at a joke no one else laughed at, and whole-heartedly agree with Mike that “they cannot conquer forever.” This is a long and heartfelt conversation that every Tolkien fan should listen to — immediately before buying The Tower and the Ruin. Also, the title really is relevant, I promise. The Tower and the Ruin: https://amzn.to/49KAUzy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 h y 16 m
  • 390 – Hello, Goodbye

    390 – Hello, Goodbye
    Nov 16 2025
    Aldarion offers the usual assortment of excuses for his shortcomings, and delivers the mail to Meneldur; Alan and Sara offer no excuses for the PPP’s shortcomings, and wonder why Gil-galad hasn’t written to us. Join The Man of the West and the Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we continue our close readings in the story of Aldarion and Erendis in Unfinished Tales. Zamîn has “the talk” with Ancalimë; Erendis says ‘stop’, Aldarion says ‘go’; and Erendis looks for signs of regret in a man proving himself incapable of it. We wonder how much trouble Zamîn is in for naming Aldarion, express our appreciation of Meneldur’s counsel for his son, and note how incredibly easy it is to irk Aldarion. Also, Alan aspires to be a Sheep Lord. Soundscape: https://jordanrannells.com/shop Use code PPP25 for 25% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 h y 22 m
  • 389 – Nowhere Man

    389 – Nowhere Man
    Nov 9 2025
    Aldarion claims to ask for only two years, but takes a lot more; Alan and Sara ask for only two hours, and only take a little bit more. Join The Man of the West and the Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin to discover that maybe we should have asked for more than 10 episodes in the story of Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales. Ancalimë, the daughter of Aldarion and Erendis, is born just in time for Aldarion to let her down; the King’s Heir proves to be as blind as he can be, just sees what he wants to see; and Núneth once again proves that motherly advice is not always good advice. We decide to stop long enough to smell the Oiolairë, note that guile is the last thing we want the Valar to send our children, and wonder if Aldarion just used the Númenórean version of “calm down, woman”. Also, we’d buy tickets to see Turuphanto in concert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 h y 12 m
  • 388 – All You Need is Love (Maybe)

    388 – All You Need is Love (Maybe)
    Nov 2 2025
    Away from the Sea, Aldarion finds little peace or joy; away from the podcast, Alan is just fine, thank you very much. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we reach the halfway mark in our 10-episode run through the walking billboard for premarital counseling that is Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales. Aldarion wants to build Erendis a big, shiny boat because he doesn’t listen; Erendis proves she’s the bigger person (give her time, folks, she’ll catch up); and the Elves bring amazing gifts as always. We interview a real pinball wizard, consider the Dunlendings in a whole new light, and talk about new titles for these episodes. Also, Sara endures Alan’s singing yet again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 55 m
  • 387 – We Can Work it Out

    387 – We Can Work it Out
    Oct 26 2025
    Erendis’ mom gives her some pretty questionable relationship advice; Alan and Sara give you a pretty questionable podcast episode. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we near the halfway point of our 10-part series on Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales. Aldarion tells Erendis to try to see it his way, but Erendis reminds him life is very short, and there’s no time; the stars of this rom-com finally get betrothed; and Meneldur gives his wayward son some hard truths. We talk about Tolkien’s incredible ability to write two sides to a debate, discuss the importance of contentment and agree that once you’re 300, you’re too old for wheelbarrows at dawn. Also, we spot a Temu Elendilmir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 h y 10 m
  • 386 – Got to Get You into My Life

    386 – Got to Get You into My Life
    Oct 19 2025
    Aldarion runs headlong into contentment and doesn’t even recognize it; Alan and Sara run headlong into more bad jokes and don’t particularly care. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we find ourselves moving swiftly through our 10-part series on Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales. Meneldur takes Aldarion’s cell phone, turns off the Wi-Fi, and stops giving him in allowance; Erendis’ name might be a little on the nose, but we’re sure it will have no effect whatsoever on every single day of her life; and Valandil accidentally puts his foot in his mouth. We offer relationship advice, dive deep into a discussion of duty and desire, and wonder about the differences between Tar-Red Flag and Tar-Restraining Order. Also, Alan fights his self-control and loses baaaadly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 h y 2 m
  • 385 – I Saw Her Standing There (in Rómenna)

    385 – I Saw Her Standing There (in Rómenna)
    Oct 12 2025
    Erendis arrives at a very important party, and is caught by Aldarion’s beauty and splendor of bearing; that never happens to Alan or Sara. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we continue our 10-part dive into the story of Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales. Queen Almarian drops a hint that Aldarion just can’t catch, Meneldur has wisdom for his son — even if he ignores it, and Aldarion can’t stop looking at Erendis as he sails away… before too long, he’ll fall in love with her. We math out the age gap relationship, discover Erendis’ connection to Tuor and Huor, and decide that this day, we sail. Also, Sara is in open rebellion. The Muster at Marquette link: https://youtu.be/QC-JkWDq7dk Don’t forget to join the Oral History Project at https://www.marquette.edu/library/archives/Mss/JRRT/fandomoh.php Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 59 m
  • 384 – Ticket to Ride

    384 – Ticket to Ride
    Oct 5 2025
    Tolkien writes about the difficulty of relating the legendarium without “explanatory digressions”; Alan and Sara realize the PPP has a new subtitle. Join The Man of the West and the Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin — hold on to your headphones — a ten-part series on the story of Aldarion and Erendis, as the PPP begins its season-long look at Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth. Meneldur is a humble and wise king; Vëantur gives his grandson a ticket to ride; and Aldarion starts his cult of personality early on. We wonder if Tolkien would ever have been satisfied with The Silmarillion, challenge listeners to put “ready to mirth” on their dating profiles, and discover that what we’ve got here is failure to communicate. Also, Alan sings too much. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 36 m