79 episodes

Athrabeth is a monthly podcast that invites you down the lesser trod paths of Tolkien's Legendarium. Each episode we pick a single chapter, essay, fragment, or topic, and do a deep dive, exploring it as both fans and scholars.

Athrabeth Jude Vais & Stef Midlock

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 26 Ratings

Athrabeth is a monthly podcast that invites you down the lesser trod paths of Tolkien's Legendarium. Each episode we pick a single chapter, essay, fragment, or topic, and do a deep dive, exploring it as both fans and scholars.

    Episode 68: Lesser-trod Histories 2 - The Cottage of Lost Play

    Episode 68: Lesser-trod Histories 2 - The Cottage of Lost Play

    “And so here we builded of good magic this Cottage of Lost Play: and here old tales, old songs, and elfin music are treasured and rehearsed.”
    Lesser-trod Histories continues with the Cottage of Lost Play in the Book of Lost Tales, Part 1! Jude and Stef discuss the nascent legendarium and meet friends familiar and foreign in this second episode of our new series! Join us for big gongs, little ghosts, and gnarly gnomes!

    • 46 min
    Episode 67: Lesser-trod Histories 1

    Episode 67: Lesser-trod Histories 1

    This month Athrabeth is proud to announce a new, ongoing series: Lesser-trod Histories! We’ll be exploring the 12 volumes of The History of Middle-earth, picking topics and writings that we find intriguing or fun! Enjoy our first episode on Christopher Tolkien’s Foreward to The Book of Lost Tales: Part 1!

    • 54 min
    Episode 66: Tolkien and New Media - Live from Oxonmoot 50

    Episode 66: Tolkien and New Media - Live from Oxonmoot 50

    Join us this month for the long-awaited audio from the panel titled “Tolkien and New Media '' presented at the Tolkien Socieity’s Oxonmoot 50, on September 2, 2023.

    Panelists include Marcel R. Bülles, Mercury Natis, S.R. Westvik, and Athrabeth’s own Jude Vais, with Stef Midlock as the moderator. Thank you to the panelists and the Tolkien Society for making this possible!

    Stick around after the panel for Jude and Stef’s discussion of their experience attending Oxonmoot 50.

    • 1 hr 59 min
    Episode 65: Interview with Thomas P. Hillman

    Episode 65: Interview with Thomas P. Hillman

    Join Jude and Stef in episode 65 for an in-depth interview with Tolkien scholar and author Thomas P. Hillman. Tom’s new book titled, “Pity, Power, and Tolkien's Ring: To Rule the Fate of Many” is being published on December 19, 2023, by Kent State University Press. Thank you to Tom for joining us for this lively discussion!

    • 1 hr 8 min
    Episode 64: A-door-able Doors

    Episode 64: A-door-able Doors

    Join us this month for a discussion of Tolkien’s doors, exploring various door themes from literature with examples of each theme. First we’ll look at doors as boundaries between physical places, with examples of the Doors of Durin and the Door of Night. Next, we’ll talk about doors as places of transition between states of being, with examples of Bag End’s Green Door and the Closed Door. Finally, we’ll discuss doors as keepers of secrets, including the overly-hilarious Back Door and the mysterious Door under Dwimorberg. We hope to deepen your un-door-standing of Tolkien’s doors!

    • 1 hr 9 min
    Hobbitween 2023

    Hobbitween 2023

    It's the most wonderful time of the year, yet again: Hobbitween! Celebrate the season with another bonus actual play RPG episode!

    • 2 hr 30 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
26 Ratings

26 Ratings

TkPkResident ,

Good for both deep and casual fans

I really like the balance/interplay between the hosts and the way that they take care when going over events, characters and themes that are highly nuanced and detailed to always include context so that even casual fans can understand. Jude is admirably knowledgeable and amusingly cranky, and Steph is *also* admirably knowledgeable and has perhaps the most supportive/affirming vibe of any host of any podcast I listen to! And she loves Rohan, so her priorities are on point.

hoper333 ,

Accessible and interesting

I learned of this podcast through Oxonmoot 2023 and I already love it after just 2 episodes! A topical Tolkien podcast is definitely something I need in my life, and the hosts are personable, knowledgeable, and willing to explore the depth and complexity of Tolkien’s legendarium while keeping things accessible and fun! Great work.

AppieWiecz ,

Wonderful podcast that’s informative and fun

I came to the Tolkien game late… I watched the movies, then the Amazon series which ultimately led me into wanting to read the books. I struggled with the Silmarillion and was looking for a podcast that was informative but could keep my attention. I’m so glad I found this podcast. Jude and Stef are absolute gems - I’ve learned so much and have laughed so hard. I can’t recommend this podcast enough.

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