This month, Jude and Stef talk with Tolkien scholar, artist and calligrapher, Wizard Way Kris, Kris Piet, about their newly published “Elvish Calendar - 2026–2027: 14-month adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s Calendar of Imladris”. Kris, our favorite Resident Elf Boi, describes how the calendar developed, how elves measure time, and we talk about elvish holidays found in Tolkien’s legendarium. Kris also introduces the stunning artwork commissioned for the calendar. Despite the elves having only six seasons and six-day weeks, this beautiful calendar is synchronized to the Gregorian calendar and is available now!

In this episode, Jude and Stef discuss History of Middle-earth Volume 9: Sauron Defeated, the final book in the History of the Lord of the Rings. Jude introduces The Drowning of Anadûnê, discussing the different versions of the tale of the Drowning of Númenor and the cultural traditions for which they were written. Jude also talks about the importance of adaptation and fan fiction in relation to Tolkien's works. Later, Stef presents the omitted Epilogue to the Lord of the Rings, which gives us a glimpse of Sam’s life and family after the event of the Lord of the Rings.

This month, join Jude and Stef for a lively interview with cartoonist and newly minted Tolkien author, Tom Racine, about his new book, “Doomed to Die: An A-Z of Death in Tolkien” published on November 11, 2025 by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. We talk about Tom’s love of Edward Gorey, the process of turning an viral Instagram Inktober series into a book, banishing the imposter demons, and more. A huge thank you to Tom for joining us and for his warmth and humor.

This month, Jude and Stef have the pleasure of interviewing Tolkien educator, influencer and now biographer Don Marshall about his new book, “J.R.R. Tolkien: The Father of Modern Fantasy” which will be published on November 25, 2025, by Adams Media, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. We chat with Don about how the book came about, the challenges and delights of the writing process, and the surprises Don found along the way. Thanks for joining us again on Athrabeth, Don!

With the thinning of the veil comes our annual autumnal offering! Just when you thought you were safe from repulsive repasts, pilfered plates, and things that slither in the night- Hobbitween 6 has arrived! Join Theo Fleetfoot, Ozzie Oiolaire, Finellen Frostbeard, Iadar Listbalarion, Pumpkins Proudfoot, and our fearless Lore Master for another terrifying trip to Middle-earth. Happy Hobbitween!

In episode 87, we discuss highlights from our recent trip to Oxonmoot, and present our session from Oxonmoot titled, “Athrabeth Podcast Live: Tolkien’s Try-hard Troublemakers” with special guests Dr. Sara Brown and Dr. Kristine Larsen. Join us as we explore what happens when characters from Tolkien’s legendarium go that extra mile to make everything around them just a little bit worse. Thank you to Sara and Kristine for joining us for this session, you are brilliant and hilarious and we are huge fans! Thank you to the Tolkien Society for having us, and thanks to their volunteer squad who made the weekend fun and safe! Thank you to our audience who joined us both in Oxford and online, and thank you to our amazing room steward, Kit Hannah!

When you first read the Lord of the Rings, which character did you most relate to? Has that changed as you’ve gotten older? This month, we are joined by Dr. Luke Shelton, who leads us down his lesser-trod path, exploring reader response theory and the ways that personal experience and interpretation interact with criticism. Thanks for joining us, Luke, for this fascinating and emotional discussion!

In this next installment of The History of Middle-earth, Jude and Stef chat about volume 8: The War of the Ring. Stef talks about Part 2, Chapter 5, “Faramir”, and Jude focuses Part 3, Chapter 9, “The Battle of the Pelennor Fields”. We discuss Tolkien’s writing process, the character development of Faramir, Eowyn, and the Witch King, and the progression of thematic elements of Rohan and Gondor.

Continuing on with the Lesser-Trod Histories series, this month, Jude and Stef look at two chapters from Volume 7 of the History of Middle-earth: The Treason of Isengard- Chapter 12: Lothlórien and Chapter 13: Galadriel. We chuckle about some fun tidbits that Tolkien toyed with, and discuss the evolution of the Three Elven Rings and their association with Sauron. You won’t believe who almost took the place of the Balrog in Khazad-dûm!

Join Jude and Stef and our special guest Knewbettadobetta for our first-ever live show, “Athrabeth Podcast Live: The Unsung Underachievers of Tolkien’s Legendarium” from Westmoot 2025! We put three of Arda’s wettest noodle’s on blast! Thank you Westmoot for having us, and thank you Knewbetta for joining us!