It's Christmas-time, which means it's time for a very special episode featuring our good friend and special guest, Joseph Loconte. Joe joins us to discuss his latest book, The War for Middle-Earth, the relationship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and how their experiences in the first and second world wars shaped the stories they told and their faith, and more.

Recommended reading:

1. The War for Middle-earth: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933–1945 by Joseph Loconte
2. The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis
3. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
4. The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
5. Tales from the Perilous Realm by J.R.R. Tolkien (which includes Leaf by Niggle)
6. Dominion by Tom Holland
7. Bel Canto by Anne Patchett

About our Guest:

Joseph Loconte, PhD, is an author, historian, and filmmaker. He serves as Director of The Rivendell Center in New York City (www.rivendellcenternyc.org). He is a Presidential Scholar at New College of Florida and a Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute. Mr. Loconte’s commentary appears in outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, National Affairs, The New Criterion, National Geographic, Law and Liberty, The National Interest, and National Review. For ten years Mr. Loconte served as a commentator for National Public Radio’s All Things Considered. A native of Brooklyn, New York, he divides his time between Washington, DC, and New York City.

It seems like only yesterday that we released our latest episode… or was it? We really don't know anymore. But what we do know is that Dave and Aaron are here with another episode of Table of (mal)Contents. Watch and listen as we discuss two incredible celebrity biographies and memoirs, Lorne by Susan Morrison and The Uncool by Cameron Crowe. Also in this episode:

• Our ranking of the best Cameron Crowe movies
• The problem with sequels to Mike Myers movies
• What we were reading when we recorded this episode

All this, and the return of a favorite segment, the Jack Reacher Sucker Punch of the Week™, in which Aaron calls out a certain type of writer.

Get the books discussed (affiliate links):

• Lorne by Susan Morrison: https://amzn.to/48rL86Y
• The Uncool by Cameron Crowe: https://amzn.to/48w8ojh
• Faith Simplified by Aaron Armstrong: https://amzn.to/4ia064Z

Does time still have meaning? Absolutely. We might be time-bound, linear beings, but that doesn't mean our podcast feed has to be. Join us for a very special episode of Table of Malcontents we recorded a while back that took way longer to edit than expected (because we tried something new—video, which you might find on YouTube if Aaron gets it uploaded before 2026). In this episode, Dave and Aaron talk about Aaron's most recent book, Faith Simplified: What We Believe and Why We Believe It, as well as updates on what it's like working together again, Aaron's citizenship journey, and, of course, what we're reading.

Get your copy of Faith Simplified everywhere books are sold, and learn more at faithsimplifiedbook.com.

As for when our next episode drops, who can say? Maybe a year—maybe yesterday…

While our hiatus as a podcast continues, I started a new podcast called Your Next Favorite Book, where I share about one book I really enjoy in every episode. These books run the spectrum of genres and styles—in much the same way the books Dave and I would share here do. But this is a bit of a deeper dive, almost a book review experience.

And today, I want to share with you one of my favorite episodes so far, which focuses on a book that I discovered by accident. This is Faith, Hope, and Carnage by Nick Cave and Sean O'Hagan.

And if you like what you hear, I hope you'll subscribe to Your Next Favorite Book on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast app.

Even though we’re still on a hiatus, it doesn’t mean that Dave and Aaron aren’t still doing things together. In fact today’s episode is a conversation recorded at Landmark Booksellers in Franklin Tennessee on March 1, 2023, to commemorate the release of Aaron's new book, I’m a Christian—Now What? A Guide to Your New Life with Christ.

In this conversation, we discuss why Aaron wrote the book and some of its key themes. We also talk about some of the advice he wishes he’d been given and things he would have done differently if he could have a do-over as a new believer. We even had a chance to take a few questions from the audience at the store!

I’m a Christian—Now What? A Guide to Your New Life with Christ is available now. Order today from Amazon or wherever you buy books.

Introducing Your Next Favorite Book, a new podcast from Aaron Armstrong. Learn more and subscribe at https://anchor.fm/aarmstrong

It's the most wonderful time of the year. The trees are decorated. The stockings have been hung with care. The lights are all over every tree. And Aaron is grinching about the whole thing. Which means it's a perfect time for us to drop a very special episode of Table of (mal)Contents!

Listen in as we discuss

• Our favorite books of the year
• Getting and receiving books as gifts
• What's happening with the show—are we back?

A few of the books in this episode

• Some of Aaron's favorites of 2021
• The Storyteller by Dave Grohl
• Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• American Gospel by Lin Enger
• Art Matters by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell
• The Hardest Job in the World by John Dickerson

• A few of Dave's favorites of 2021
• Man at Arms by Steven Pressfield
• A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
• Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber
• The High Divide by Lin Enger
• The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield

A quick note for listeners: I'm using new software for editing and it's taking a bit to get used to, so if it's a bit echo-y, I apologize.

Wildwood Flower: Stories of Women who Built Country Music is back for Season 2!

Intro episode will drop on October 1st! Available on all platforms.

To find out more about the podcast, listen to the introductory episode here.

Subscribe and follow on Instagram at wildwoodflowerpod to stay updated on new episodes and special announcements.