The Fandom Apprentice

Sam and Ryn discuss magical telephone, regional dialects of Elvish, chibifying Sauron, Dwarves as Jewish rep, Gimli's growth, and archaeology! We needed a break in Lothlórien after the events in Khazad-dûm, but will our heroes emerge from that break unchanged? Listen to find out!

Covers chapter 18 of Fellowship: Lothlórien

Ryn and Sam talk about bad tentacles, Dwarven mortuary pratices, and evil incarnate as the Fellowship takes a shortcut through Moria! But shortcuts make long delays, and for some members of the party, this delay will be very long indeed...

We discuss Chapters 16 and 17 of Fellowship, A Journey in the Dark and The Bridge of Khazad-dûm!


CWs for discussions of suicide, death, and rape

Our Company of brand-new besties escapes an interminable meeting! Sam and Ryn offer suggestions for improving evil monologues and advice for where not to buy your sex toys.  

Covers the end of Book 2 Chapter 2 through Chapter 3 (Chapters 14 and 15) of Fellowship, The Council of Elrond and The Ring Goes South

Ryn and Sam talk about time, elf gender,  erectile dysfunction medication, class divides, whether Frodo should be cancelled for being an unethical boss, and also the book, maybe!

Covers Book 2 Chapter 1: Many Meetings and the first half of Chapter 2: The Council of Elrond (or Chapters 13 and the first half of Chapter 14 depending on how your edition marks them)

Sam and Ryn finish Book 1 of Fellowship (aka the first half) as things take a turn for the creepy! Is our rescue pony stealing Frodo's life force? How many midges have to be in a marsh for it to be named the Midgewater Marshes? All this and more within!

Covers chapters 11 and 12 of Fellowship: A Knife in the Dark and Flight to the Ford

We meet a customer service professional, a cow jumps over the moon, and Sam is totally normal about Aragorn! It's Pride Night at the Pony and we're having an incredible time!

Covers chapters 9 and 10 of Fellowship: At The Sign of the Prancing Pony and Strider

Every month is Pride Month here at The Fandom Apprentice. That means nothing bad can happen to our queer little hobbits... right? Not so long as Tom Bombadil is wandering near! 

Covers chapters 6-8 of Fellowship: The Old Forest, In the House of Tom Bombadil, and Fog on the Barrow Downs

Ryn and Sam get Horny on Main, do hobbit genealogy, and establish more definitely universal laws of fantasy. Wizards don't have to do dishes. You, however, do, so listen to this episode while you wash!

Covers Chapters 3-5 of Fellowship: Three is Company, A Shortcut to Mushrooms, and A Conspiracy Unmasked

Ryn and Sam start their readthrough of Fellowship! Do straight hobbits exist? We'll find out but we don't think so!

Covers chapters 1-2, A Long Expected Party and The Shadow of the Past

Meet your hosts! We're two nerdy queer best friends talking about Tolkien- we discuss each of our backgrounds, our histories with Tolkien and related media, and give a little snippet of what's in store for the future!