Arts

The Tolkien Professor

The Tolkien Professor podcast is a series of lectures, discussions, and seminars on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien by Corey Olsen, Assistant Professor of English at Washington College in Maryland. Find me on Facebook at “The Tolkien Professor,” on Twitter at @tolkienprof, or at my website at www.tolkienprofessor.com. I have also begun a grand new venture: the Mythgard Institute, offering courses on Tolkien studies for credit at the MA level, or just for fun! Join us at www.mythgard.org.

Latest Episodes:

655: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 126 Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

After touching on some news updates, Maggie and Corey continue with their Pride and Prejudice discussion, focusing on their analysis of Lydia's introduction.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 126,
recorded on March 31, 2026.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.gg/szXMFAv

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET,
on this SignumU Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/SignumUniversity
and SignumU Twitch channel https://www.twitch.tv/signumu
Check the schedule here. https://www.twitch.tv/signumu/schedule
For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/
You can watch or listen to the recordings here.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLasMbZ4s5vIV0nHc_Ji8CLs1C-a6iuXMY
https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subscribe

Hosts:
Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor
https://signumuniversity.org/directory/corey-olsen/
Dr. Maggie Parke
https://signumuniversity.org/directory/maggie-parke/

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit
Signum Studios
https://studios.signumuniversity.org/
Signum Collaboratory
https://collaboratory.signumuniversity.org/

For more information about Signum University
https://signumuniversity.org/

Support The Tolkien Professor

654: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 125 Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Maggie and Corey are back and returning to Pride and Prejudice and Adaptation!

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 125,
recorded on March 23, 2026.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.gg/szXMFAv

Hosts:
Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor
https://signumuniversity.org/directory/corey-olsen/
Dr. Maggie Parke
https://signumuniversity.org/directory/maggie-parke/

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit
Signum Studios
https://studios.signumuniversity.org/
Signum Collaboratory
https://collaboratory.signumuniversity.org/

For more information about Signum University
https://signumuniversity.org/

Support The Tolkien Professor

653: SilmFilm 8-08: Doriath Story Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Today the SilmFilm Team returns to pre-production discussions, considering the Doriath situation during the time of Turin.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Support The Tolkien Professor

652: SilmFilm 8-07: Outlaw Story Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

SilmFilm Season 8 Pre-production meetings continue in our writers' room for a discussion of Turin's outlaws.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Support The Tolkien Professor

646: SilmFilm 8-01: The Journey Thus Far Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

It is time at last to begin the Eighth Season of the SilmFilm Project! Today, we look back at what we've discussed and prepare for where we are headed.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Support The Tolkien Professor

648: SilmFilm 8-03: Story Structure and Themes Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

The SilmFilm team sits down to work through the big picture of the post-Nirnaeth Season 8.

https://signumuniversity.org/news/annual-fundraising-campaign-2025/

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Support The Tolkien Professor

650: SilmFilm 8-05: Tuor's Story Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Pre-production continues for Season 8, as the SilmFilm Team considers how to adapt Tuor's story and interweave it with Turin's story.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Support The Tolkien Professor

647: SilmFilm 8-02: The Journey Thus Far, Continued! Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Today the SilmFilm team is back to complete their discussion of the Journey Thus Far, our recap and discussion of the trajectory of the project to this point.

https://signumuniversity.org/news/annual-fundraising-campaign-2025/

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Support The Tolkien Professor

649: SilmFilm 8-04: Túrin's Story Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

It's time to continue working through the Season 8 storylines! Join the SilmFilm writing team as we work through the big plot and character questions for Season 8.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Support The Tolkien Professor

651: SilmFilm 8-06: Dor-lómin's Story Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Join the team in the SilmFilm Writers' Room, as we continue planning Season 8, with a focus on Dor-Lomin and the Easterlings.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Support The Tolkien Professor