Reviews
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“I am a vehement 11 year old Tolkien nerd, having read the The Lord of the Rings 8 times and working on No. 9, having read The Silmarillion twice, and the Hobbit twice. Also slowly working on The History of Middle Earth. This is a great podcast. My dad has suggested that I start my own Tolkien...”Read full review »
75/25ConservativeLibertarian via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/03/24
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“I have listened to many Tolkien-based podcasts over the years and I have to say this one of the best. The chemistry between the co-hosts is great and the content is top-notch. I love their down-to-earth approach to tackling the deeper things of Tolkien and his writings while at the same time...”Read full review »
EarendilHope via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/05/24
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“I was enjoying listening to Carswell and his wife discuss the Silmarillion, a Tolkien work that I feel is woefully unread by many. He obviously has loved the Professor’s work for many years, and she, through him, is discovering these works.
Then came episode 6. I honestly think I may know the...”Read full review »
The Nameless Twin via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/24/23
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“Longtime LOTR fan and serious Tolkien student. Ready to launch midgrade fantasy series co-developed w 3 grandkids: Narnia spirituality combined w Tolkien epic battles between good and evil. Dipped into a few podcasts and was highly impressed w content and Christian values.
I decided to start w...”Read full review »
Rick Wms Sr via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/30/23
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“Love listening to this show. It’s not just a break from the chaos but I’m actually learning ways to remain grounded in the chaos.”
Karoline04 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/19/23
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“This is a great podcast and super informative but John is really rude to his wife. It’s pretty off putting.”
laurenduke300 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/04/23
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“I love how you guys mix deep Tolkien knowledge, his storytelling and his deep Catholicism. It adds a great new Dimension to the Tolkien podcast world that isn’t often discussed. Keep up the great work.”
AvHaze via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/03/23
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“The Tolkien Road is helpful in understanding the works and views of Tolkien. I enjoy the Catholic insight on Tolkien’s work as someone who is not Catholic and would never have noticed certain nuances without this podcast’s guidance. Through the struggles of life The Tolkien Road gives me comfort....”Read full review »
Talia_Inkleberry via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/08/23
“I’ve only now discovered your podcast and am having a marvelous time going back to follow your explorations into the LORC. I also listened to your #300 episode and was moved and inspired by your candid openness. Dear Tolkien must indeed be watching over you! Do keep up this valuable work! And...”Read full review »
S. Armau via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/03/23
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“This podcast truly helped me as I read the Silmarillion and I love their dedication to give justice and insight on each major event and chapter. Thanks for all the time they took to make and record this show.”
BereNice Alc via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/30/22
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“Down to earth and sincere. Absolutely love the podcast and looking forward to more episodes!”
icampbellc via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/21/22
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“As someone who tries to avoid the despair of evil seeping into the corners all around us in the news, I find this podcast a light in the dark. I listen to it in my spare moments and while trying (sometimes in vain) to get my baby to sleep in the late hours of the night. Greta and John’s...”Read full review »
mila_keys via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/08/22
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“Love the show! John has a lot of great insights and Greta helps with balance to be more conversational for folks that aren’t already in the deep end of the lore. After Rings of Power, I was digging for more second age knowledge. Really enjoyed the akallabeth and mariners wife episodes. I look...”Read full review »
Chris14738 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/07/22
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“The show really is great and shares a ton of great insight into Tolkien. I went through the 1 star review and they all seem to be butthurt Rings of Power fans who can’t take criticism. Yes, we get it. Peter Jackson took liberties too! But, the difference is Peter Jackson still kept the heart and...”Read full review »
phoenixrisng41704 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/23/22
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“It’s sad but this podcast doesn’t even hide the racist views of at least one of the hosts. It’s shocking that there are views like this in 2022. I hope they change but seems unlikely”
A&R2819 via Apple Podcasts ·
Norway ·
10/18/22
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“I started listening to these guys years ago and they’ve been on my ‘subscribed’ list ever since. Informative without being too slow, funny without being cringe worthy, and their focus on ‘what would Tolkien think?’ is (I think) the best way to look at this whole Rings of Power conversation. Give...”Read full review »
The real Fingolfin via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
10/06/22
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“Thanks so much for sharing your love of Tolkien and his works. You both do a great job and I enjoy listening as I go about my work day or working out at the gym.”
SandorClegane1983 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/05/22
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“I could do without all the Christian evangelism. It’s like the co-worker who’s always traps you in conversations about Jesus and invites to church.”
RustyCuzy via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/27/22
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“I’m only 14 episodes into this podcast and I am enjoying it immensely John is very knowledgeable and has immense insight into Tolkiens world. I’m only listening to the Silmarilion discussion at the moment but I’m looking forward to the discussions on more of Tolkien’s works. John and Greta...”Read full review »
claireb550 via Apple Podcasts ·
Ireland ·
09/17/22
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“I really like this podcasts and would highly recommend it. I’m doing a project on Tolkien, so it’s really helpful. Would you mind doing an episode on the United Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor, as I’m a little confused. Also, I really think that elf genealogy and the family trees of characters such...”Read full review »
3rdmarshalloftheriddermark via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
09/09/22
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“John and Greta are a breath of fresh air. Their interplay and verbal jousting are hilarious. I’m sorry to see some people can’t appreciate the great relationship these two enjoy as it is obviously expressed in the casual nature and candid honesty between them. I listen for the extras now as much...”Read full review »
Homeschooling Father of 8 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/08/22
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“Not great. Pretty unstructured. Hosts use 10,000 words when 500 works. First half of every episode is just chatter. If you want just the lore, skip the first half of every episode”
CFiddler via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/28/22
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“First, John and Greta are awesome! Love their interaction on the podcast and how they approach the story, each in their own unique way.
I discovered The Tolkien Road back in July after listening to an episode of Pints with Jack where John was giving an interview. Honestly, I was a little...”Read full review »
F2celtic via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/27/22
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“I have really enjoyed listening to and reading along with the episodes about The Silmarillion.”
Naoommii via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
08/22/22
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“I was very disappointed in John’s recent comments about diversity. I respect his passion for Tolkien’s works and I hope he revisits the issue of multiracial casting in a future episode and revises his take.
In his July 23rd episode, John argued that Cynthia Addai-Robinson wasn’t the “right...”Read full review »
From Kingston with Love via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/31/22
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“I have been a Tolkien fan since I first saw Fellowship of the Ring in theaters when I was 10 years old. I read The Hobbit & LOTR books multiple times, and failed to finish The Silmarillion multiple times. I started listening to this show as a companion for my reading through the Silmarillion,...”Read full review »
Philly Navs via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/31/22
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“I’ve listened to the first 9 episodes of this podcast, trying to give it a fair shot, and I just can’t anymore. It’s clear the male host loves all things Tolkien and the female host (his wife?) doesn’t care at all. He frequently sets her up for failure by asking questions she doesn’t know the...”Read full review »
iamemem via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
07/25/22
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“Every episode you crap all over a show that you haven’t seen yet. Maybe give it a chance first? Peter Jackson made some changes to the “legendarium” as well and that seems to have worked out.”
AlaNole31 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/24/22
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“Thank you for your honest opinion on the issues, especially the new show.”
Daniel Swab via Apple Podcasts ·
Switzerland ·
07/24/22
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“This is the first podcast I ever followed and they are amazing. I love the interaction between Greta, who is knowledgeable, and John who is very invested. They are upfront with their eagerness to know more and freely share what they know! If you enjoy talking and don’t subscribe to this you’re...”Read full review »
Stamkids via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/14/22
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“A wealth of knowledge!!”
Windsor Pulsar via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/13/22
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“This show is Christian propaganda disguised as a discussion of Tolkien mythology. It’s fine to be Christian, obviously Tolkien was a Christian, but Christianity doesn’t exist in Arda. The mythology was not meant to be a metaphor for Christianity/the Bible - Tolkien had said that he dislikes such...”Read full review »
Megancm92 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
05/26/22
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“Just too much rambling digression from him, and the dynamic between the married couple come across as him patronising her. I hope her married life is not like that all the time!”
Louanna1 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/28/22
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“I’m sorry, I’m really trying to listen to this podcast. I love the idea of it, but there are three things that make it unbearable. 1. This man speaks down to his wife and is so condescending. Sure, keep repeating fancy words from the book If that makes you feel good man, but I hope this woman...”Read full review »
Yeliah77 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/03/22
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“The prime series just isn’t going to work. Loose and Inaccurate depictions of elves and dwarves, hobbits in the 2nd age. (No) Wizards in the 2nd age (no) compression of historic time lines. Lack of humility to serve the source material will be it’s downfall. The reason it’s beloved is because of...”Read full review »
Gulzs via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/28/22
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“Being extremely dyslexic and adhd I bought the audio book of the silmarilion. it had no Charts or maps obviously & I was lost the whole time , also when the host took a brake from the silmarilian to focus on the LOTR it truly made me want to reread the book again! Funny becase I i just...”Read full review »
Hissatsu5 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/24/22
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“You guys are amazing!!!”
mommybd2012 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/30/22
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“Greta notifies the Haiku on Sil-ma-ril-li-on is 5 syllables. Main dude gets defensive “I’m gonna be critical back at you. Show is good but if Greta questions or disagrees on something, the main guy directly gets defensive. I know this type of personality and I don’t understand why he needs to do...”Read full review »
Devvab via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
01/28/22
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“Read the review by StarkFrost on 10/21/21. I couldn’t write a better review so I am echoing what was written. I would never speak to my wife the way John does. Be a better man John.”
Ghghgy via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/22/22
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“A deep dive into all things Tolkien by a smart and funny couple. I thought I knew a lot about the Professor’s works but I always seem to learn something new listening to these guys. And I’m happy that they don’t shy away from the role faith played in Tolkien’s life and works. Highly recommend...”Read full review »
chestersc via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/16/22
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“Great stuff for listening to when doing jobs around the house. Feel like John and Greta are already old friends.”
Dr Bombadil via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/31/21
“Huge fan of all things Tolkien and love this podcast. I’ve listened to every single episode at least once. I’m currently rereading The Silmarillion. I recently had a killer find on a First Print First American Edition. After each chapter, I listen to the corresponding episode for things I may...”Read full review »
E.Yarbrough via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/06/21
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“If I could I would give more than 5 stars. I'm learning so much from John and Greta about Tolkien. I've also almost finished The Silmarillion after trying 2 previous times. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone who is a fan of Tolkien. I also find them immensely hilarious at times.”Read full review »
Skullders via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/23/21
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“Honestly, I think you have great content. I recently started listening and I’m about 30 episodes in. However, I’m really struggling with how John constantly puts his wife, Greta, down. I feel like her part in the episodes are extremely valuable because her inexperience with Tolkien is extremely...”Read full review »
StarkFrost via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/21/21
“Great podcast on your favorite author. Very interesting topics and a great dynamic between the two. They get very religious sometimes but its tolerable.”
Kerry Paz via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/05/21
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“I came to learn more about The Silmarillion, and the quality of the conversation and insight, presented in such an enjoyable way, has kept me coming back.”
Johnny R D via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
09/27/21
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“New to reading Tolkien. Just started reading the hobbit and following along with your podcast has been great.”
malatobear via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/02/21
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