This week I am looking at cogntive distortions, beliefs we hold onto as "facts" and how dangerous these can be with the weight of structural power behind them.

The seemingly harmless belief those folk the other side of the shire are all a bit queer shows us how these distortions can have all the authority of solid facts, for the right listeners in the Ivy Bush.

Content Notes for Mentions of racism, slavery, and conversion therapy.

https://www.routledge.com/Gender-Sex-and-Relationship-Diversity-Therapy-Theory-and-Practice/Davies-Neves-Prunas/p/book/9781032868806

A short gift giving episode and seasons greetings to all the wonderful people on this journey with me.

Here is to 2026! May we all be lights in the darkness for each other

Another inhabitant of middle earth joins me in my hypothetical therapy room, although in this case, as I will explore, I think a therapist's office would be the worst place for Fredegar Bolger to heal. In this episode I explore what the impact of his experiences might have been, and how as a therapist I might work with them.

Content notes for discussion of torture, the holocaust (briefly) incarceration and eating disorders/disordered eating.

My paper on Orcs (mentioned in the podcast) https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol22/iss2/ and if you have any thoughts, suggestions or comments you can find me on Bluesky - @karenpollock.bsky.social or email on [email protected]

Keywords -

mental health, Tolkien, trauma therapy, Fatty Bolger, resilience, healing, psychotherapy, literature, trauma, coping strategies

No Content Notes for this episode, but as always possible spoilers for anything in the works of Tolkien

Summary

In this episode, Karen Pollock explores the theme of hope through the lens of mental health and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. She discusses the importance of self-care, the dual concepts of Estel and Amdir as forms of hope, and how early experiences shape our beliefs about ourselves. The conversation delves into the post-apocalyptic world of Middle Earth and the significance of hope in overcoming despair, particularly in therapeutic contexts. The episode concludes with a poignant reading from The Lord of the Rings, highlighting a moment of hope amidst darkness.

Contact Karen [email protected]

No content notes, but as always there may be spoilers for those new to the legendarium

In this episode I explore the intersection of fear, horror, and Tolkien's work, particularly focusing on how fear serves a purpose in human experience. I discuss the psychological aspects of fear, the role of storytelling in conveying wisdom, and the enjoyment of horror through safe frames. The episode concludes with a reading from 'Fog on the Barrow Downs' that exemplifies Tolkien's horror elements.

contact me on [email protected]

Content notes for discussion of different forms of abuse and its impact throughtout

In this thought-provoking episode, psychotherapist Karen Pollock delves into the complex world of Tolkien's orcs, exploring themes of trauma, redemption, and the human condition. Drawing from their recent presentation at Euromoot, Karen examines the intergenerational trauma and epigenetics that could explain the behavior of orcs, challenging the traditional narrative of them as mere villains. Join us as we explore whether therapy could offer a path to healing for these misunderstood creatures and what this means for our understanding of humanity. #Tolkien #TraumaTherapy #FantasyInsights

contact me on [email protected]

Further Reading suggestions

https://existentialcomics.com/comic/175 (The council of Elrond)

Tally Jr., Robert T. The Mismeasure of Orcs: A Critical Reassessment of Tolkien's Demonized Creatures. McFarland & Co Inc, 2025.

Tolkiens squint eyed orc men Roger Echo-hart

Garth, John. Tolkien and the Great War: The Threshold of Middle-earth. Houghton Mifflin, 2003

Shippey, T. A. (2001). J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the century. Harper Collins

Welcome back after the summer break, with a celebration of autumn, and the publication of The Hobbit, with a reading from the end of the book

Let us all embrace our true selves as wonderfully as Bilbo does! Happy Hobbit Day!

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Autumn Reflections

03:02 Celebrating The Hobbit and Its Legacy

05:49 Bilbo's Journey and Happy Endings

https://signumuniversity.org/event/euromoot2025/

Not an unexpected party, but an unexpected podcast episode inspired by the wonderful Mythopoeic Society Online Midsummer Seminars and the Queer Lodgings crew. An exploration of how an affirmative Gender, Sex and Relationship diverse specialist therapist (i.e. me) might work with Eowyn from Lord of the Rings, shield maiden, gender warrior and all round amazing slayer of the witchking.

Normal podcast service will be resumed in September with season two, and dives into the Silmarillion

Content notes for mention of conversion therapy, suicidal ideation and a brief mention of sexual violence.

https://www.mythsoc.org/https://www.mythsoc.org/

https://signumuniversity.org/event/euromoot2025/https://signumuniversity.org/event/euromoot2025/

In this episode, Karen focuses on the character of Arwen exploring themes of identity. The discussion highlights the significance of the appendices, the complexities of Arwen's character, and the psychological aspects of her journey, particularly through the lens of psychosocial development. Karen emphasizes the importance of agency and choice in Arwen's life, moving beyond traditional narratives of female characters in literature and life

Arwen's story is short, so its does confound Karen that people seem to want to diminish it even more, here lets give Arwen, and her choices, the space they deserve.

Content Notes for parental abuse and rejection (in brief) and a short story from the Christian Religion.

More on the psychosocial stages of development

You can follow Karen on Bluesky @karenpollock.bsky.social where they would love to hear you thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for topics to cover.

Music by⁠⁠⁠Trygve Larsen⁠⁠⁠ from⁠⁠⁠Pixabay

In this episode, Karen delves into the intersection of mental health and J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, focusing on the tragic character of Turin Turambar. Through a psychotherapeutic lens, they explore themes of trauma and the impact of otherness, drawing parallels between Turin's experiences and real-world pathologisation of difference ways of being.

Content notes for discussing of life of Turin which includes suicide

You can follow Karen on Bluesky @karenpollock.bsky.social where they would love to hear you thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for topics to cover.

Music by⁠⁠Trygve Larsen⁠⁠ from⁠⁠Pixabay