This week on Tolkien on Tap, host Tara Jo Nee is joined by Jen and Lilly for a heartfelt and heavy exploration of depression, grief, and hope in Tolkien's Middle-earth — from characters who succumb to despair to those who find their way back to the light.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains in-depth discussion of depression, despair, and mental health themes as portrayed in Tolkien's works.

🍺 Grab a drink for comfort and enjoy. Almien!

📖 Topics Covered:

• Éowyn — depression, identity, and the will to live
• Théoden — grief, manipulation, and recovery
• Denethor — despair, hopelessness, and the danger of losing faith
• Míriel Þerindë — the first great act of surrender in Arda
• The House of Húrin — a generational saga of suffering, doom, and resilience
• What Tolkien's legendarium teaches us about mental health, hope, and perseverance

Connect with the Guests:

📚 Jen — Deep Roots Book Club 🔥 Lilly — Hall of Fire on Substack

Tara Jo Nee is an avid Tolkien enthusiast sharing their love of Middle-earth with the world. 🌿 Linktree – More Tolkien Content

🎙️ Subscribe to the Tolkien on Tap podcast feed on Spotify

🎨 Logo by Alida Mau — follow her work: Instagram | Threads | Bluesky

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