Best First Time Lord Of The Rings Podcasts (2025)

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Imperfect Paradise: Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is officially in prison. What questions remain? 28:13

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2d ago28:13

28:13

Disgraced former Orange County supervisor Andrew Do reported to federal prison in Arizona on August 15th. Do had been found guilty of accepting bribes in exchange for directing millions of taxpayer dollars to a nonprofit that was supposed to be feeding hungry seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of those dollars were diverted elsewhere. N…

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -- 307 "What Is Starfleet?"

3d ago

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A filmmaker with connections to the crew captures the day-to-day of the starship Enterprise. Matt and Pete document episode 307, “What is Starfleet?” Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feedback by emailing [email protected], commenting at PhantasticGeek.com, or tweeting @P…

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Imperfect Paradise: The cost of becoming a teacher in California. Who can afford to do it? 39:39

9d ago39:39

39:39

Across the U.S., states are constantly in the midst of teacher shortages. California's teaching prep and residency programs are supposed to be part of the solution. But many hopeful teachers struggle to balance their passion with the risk of debt and high cost of living. Imperfect Paradise guest host and K-12 Senior Reporter Mariana Dale and LAist’…

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -- 306 "The Selat Who Ate Its Tail"

12d ago

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When the USS Farragut experiences a calamity, First Officer James T. Kirk is forced to act like a captain. Matt and Pete corral episode 306, “The Selat Who Ate Its Tail.” Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feedback by emailing [email protected], commenting at PhantasticGee…

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Imperfect Paradise: Deputies severely beat a man struggling with mental health issues. Where are the records? 24:58

16d ago24:58

24:58

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies severely beat Joseph Perez in 2020, then arrested him. His mom Vanessa alleges that she had previously told law enforcement that Perez has a serious mental illness and would need to be placed in a psychiatric facility. Mother and son believe the deputies used unnecessary force on Perez and are the center of…

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -- 305 "Through the Lense of Time"

18d ago

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The Enterprise assists Dr. Korby in an archeological excavation that may have best been left buried. Matt and Pete glimpse episode 305 “Through the Lense of Time.” Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feedback by emailing [email protected], commenting at PhantasticGeek.com, …

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The Fellowship is TOTALLY different in the book... 13:27

20d ago13:27

13:27

In The Lord of the Rings film adaptation, the fellowship is very unbalanced. It’s essentially Aragorn doing all the work, and Sam is the real hero, but I have to say, as I am reading through Lord of the Rings for the first time, I am astounded at the beauty of the fellowship and how they rely on each other. It is VASTLY different from the book comp…

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We need to talk about Saruman 17:10

21d ago17:10

17:10

We need to have a long talk about Saruman. That’s it. That’s the whole intro. Because I don’t even know where to go with this because he is so vastly different in the book and the details that you get for what he is wearing and what his mentality is in the tale that Gandalf told of his imprisonment at Orthanc is so strange. I just flat out don’t kn…

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Elrond is Lying in the Movies 10:38

22d ago10:38

10:38

In the Fellowship of the Ring, when Elrond says, “you’ve been summoned here to answer…” He’s lying. And it’s actually the coolest part of the whole Council of Elrond section in the book.By Jonathan Minnema

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Revisiting the Lonliness of Bilbo Baggins 10:40

22d ago10:40

10:40

I want to revisit the very first essay I published on the very first chapter of Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring. In that essay I talked about the Loneliness of Bilbo Baggins and how I thought there were a lot of underwritten things as well as overt things that showed that Bilbo didn’t really seem to have too many good friends. And that…

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Why Boromir is my Favorite Member of the Fellowship 16:24

22d ago16:24

16:24

There are no shortage of essays discussing the legend of Boromir in the books and the movies. He seems to be having some kind of resurgence in the last few years because enough time has passed from the films, which is what most people know LOTR from, that people are re-evaluating and looking at Boromir as a sympathetic character. But boy do they no…

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Imperfect Paradise: Despite three 911 calls, how did two men with disabilities die in their home during the Eaton Fire? 30:10

23d ago30:10

30:10

West Altadena residents Anthony Mitchell Sr. and his son Justin Mitchell were stuck at home when the Eaton Fire erupted Jan. 7. Both had disabilities, and to evacuate, they needed help. Mitchell Sr. and family members called 911 multiple times as the fire spread. But first responders didn't make it in time to evacuate the father and son. Seven mont…

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This Old House Radio Hour: The Ultimate DIY Cleaning Solution + Peter Sagal’s House from Hell! 51:18

24d ago51:18

51:18

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re scrubbing deep, digging trenches, and pulling back the curtain on the emotional side of homeownership. We open the episode with Brandon Pleshek—aka “Clean That Up”—who shares his go-to DIY vinegar-based cleaner, why it works, and where you should never use it. Then it’s onto the phones, starting with a …

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -- 304 "A Space Adventure Hour"

26d ago

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The crew of “The Last Frontier” went further to new space destinations before somebody starting bumping them off. Only La’An can figure out whodunnit. Matt and Pete clock episode 304 “A Space Adventure Hour.” Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feedback by emailing PhantasticGeek@…

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Imperfect Paradise: The dirty secret of trash: Illegal dumping in the Southern California desert 28:35

30d ago28:35

28:35

Diapers, concrete and construction debris. The open secret about trash in Southern California is that some of the waste people assume is being properly handled is actually being disposed of on remote sites in the California high desert. The state agency in charge of waste, CalRecycle, has said the scale of illegal dumping has become an emergency. L…

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Fantastic Four: First Steps

1M ago

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The Fantastic Four are back... for the first time! But who else will arrive? PhantasticGeek.com's Pete and Matt surf into the story! Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feedback by emailing [email protected], commenting at PhantasticGeek.com, or tweeting @PhantasticGeek. Yo…

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -- 303 "Shuttle to Kenfori"

1M ago

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Pike and M’Benga make a desperate trip to a forbidden former Federation outpost to find a flower for a patient. Matt and Pete board 303 “Shuttle to Kenfori.” Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feedback by emailing [email protected], commenting at PhantasticGeek.com, or twe…

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -- 301 "Hegemony, Part II" and 302 "Wedding Bell Blues"

1M ago

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The Enterprise races against time to fend off the Gorn threat. When a strange visitor boards, Spock’s going to Chapel because they’re going to get married. Matt and Pete podcast episode 301, “Hegemony, Part II” and 302 “Wedding Bell Blues.” Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feed…

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Imperfect Paradise: How one man rebuilt his life, 100 miles at a time 49:34

1M ago49:34

49:34

Struggling with addiction and reentry after multiple stints in prison, Cesar Quijano discovers ultrarunning, a hobby that turns into his addiction and salvation. Through Cesar’s story to complete a 100-mile race, Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and producer Lucy Copp explore urgent questions around what support people need to successfully…

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The Two Towers: Bk 4 - Ch 1-3 1:42:38

1M ago1:42:38

1:42:38

Jon, Jenn, Danny, and Lizzy talk about how even though there isn't a lot that happens in the first three chapters, there is just so much character development. And they talk about what the Two Towers really are?By Jenn, Jon, Lizzy, Danny

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Superman (2025)

2M ago

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A new hope for a classic character. James Gunn stewards a Big Blue debut. Matt and Pete take flight with “Superman.” Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feedback by emailing [email protected], commenting at PhantasticGeek.com, or tweeting @PhantasticGeek. MP3…

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Sauron Wanted to Unite with the Dwarves... 7:26

2M ago7:26

7:26

This blew my mind.By Jonathan Minnema

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The most beautiful line that JRR Tolkien ever wrote 12:15

2M ago12:15

12:15

My grandmother died when I was 9. She was the kindest, most gentle and amazing woman I have ever known. When she laughed she had a kind of hiss to her laugh, not really a menacing one like a snake or anything, almost like a little rattle. This chapter of LOTR reminded me of her.By Jonathan Minnema

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Imperfect Paradise: Are Latino pollsters helping or hurting the Democratic cause? 53:08

2M ago53:08

53:08

As Democrats confront declining Latino support across three consecutive presidential elections, a fierce debate is unfolding within the party: Are Latino advocacy groups and polling firms helping or hurting the Democratic cause? Critics argue that a flawed messaging strategy — and a complacent advocacy infrastructure — have led to Latino voters dri…

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Ironheart: Looking Back at the Season

2M ago

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As we wrap the Ironheart adventure, PhantasticGeek.com's Pete and Matt review the six episode journey. Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feedback by emailing [email protected], commenting at PhantasticGeek.com, or tweeting @PhantasticGeek. MP3…

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This one line changed how I read Fellowship of the Ring 9:16

2M ago9:16

9:16

I could talk for hours about why JRR Tolkien is one of the best writers who has ever lived and written in the English language.By Jonathan Minnema

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -- Final Season 3 Preview

2M ago

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The crew of the Enterprise returns in a week--or less--and PhantasticGeek.com's Pete and Matt are ready for the season three launch! Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feedback by emailing [email protected], commenting at PhantasticGeek.com, or tweeting @PhantasticGeek. MP…

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Frodo is Much Tougher in the Book 10:14

2M ago10:14

10:14

Everything after Weathertop is SO DIFFERENT! I cannot believe how much changed from the book to the movie and this is going to just be a long rant on it and then I want to talk all about Frodo at the end and his courage which the movies don’t show.By Jonathan Minnema

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Tolkien is a MASTER of Foreshadowing 9:27

2M ago9:27

9:27

So I am reading the Lord of the Rings for the first time and I just finished the chapter where Frodo gets stabbed at Weathertop. And I have to say…everyone should have seen it coming in this chapter. The foreshadowing is right there…as well as for a few other things in this book too that I want to talk about.…

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Ironheart: 104 "Bad Magic," 105 "Karma's a Glitch," and 106 "The Past is the Past"

2M ago

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Riri comes up against some “Bad Magic” as she comes to understand “Karma’s a Glitch,” but “The Past is the Past.” Matt and Pete discuss episodes 4-6. Thanks as always to everyone who supports the podcast by visiting Patreon.com/PhantasticGeek. Share your feedback by emailing [email protected], commenting at PhantasticGeek.com, or tweeting @P…

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Imperfect Paradise: Trading in the American Dream for the Mexican Dream 26:30

2M ago26:30

26:30

For decades, there’s been a persistent story about Mexican immigrants crossing the border for a better life in the United States. But there’s a new trend emerging: Mexicans and Mexican Americans, disillusioned with American politics, moving to Mexico for a more fulfilling life. In the second episode of a three-part collaboration with Latino USA, Im…