Queer Lodgings: A Tolkien Podcast

For a special Halloween episode, we invited our favorite Sauron experts Cameron and Mercury to talk to us about some of Arda's biggest villains. Specifically, the ship pairing known as 'Angbang', which pairs the Dark Lord Sauron against the fallen Valar Morgoth, also known as Melkor. From the history of this ship and how its depictions changed over time, to the best-known Angbang fan fic and fan artists, to all the problematic, messy power dynamics involved... we dive deep into some dark, kinky transformative works to explore why 'Angbangers' are so enthralled with this pairing.

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of sex, sexual relationships, kink, BDSM, intimate partner violence at various levels of consent, rape, sexual assault/abuse, abusive relationships, and abusive power dynamics.

Queer Lodgings returns for its first episode in 6 months, with special guest Willie Jenkins, better known on Tiktok and other platforms as "Knewbettadobetta". Willie joins Alicia, Grace, Leah, and Tim to discuss growing up as a Tolkien fan in Brooklyn, how Tolkien's Legendarium provided escapism, and a former home with some friends that's known as "Goblintown" to this day. It even had its own rap, and Willie graced us with a bit of its verse! We chat about Willie's strategies for dealing with and attempting to "convert" Tolkien trolls, and experiences of racism on different social media platforms, as well as his positive experiences and community with other diverse Tolkien creators, which includes his work with the "Voices of Arda" podcast.

Connect with Knewbettadobetta & Voices of Arda: https://linktr.ee/Knewbettadobetta

Join us on the Queer Lodgings Discord server! https://discord.gg/8NPNaPqCAY

To celebrate Black History Month, we welcome Tolkien scholars Megan B. Abrahamson and Maria K. Alberto for a discussion on their in-progress research into Black fan art depictions of the elf Fingon. In between Fëanorian apologia, they share what inspired Tumblr artists to break with the 'default' depiction of Tolkien's elves as light-skinned.

Note: We experienced some intermittent audio issues while recording this episode. Please excuse the audio quality in places.

We're back! In this new series of episodes, Alica, Grace, and Leah tackle the criticism that "Tolkien would hate this podcast" for a whole host of reasons: We (and our listeners) are too Queer, too Progressive, not Catholic enough, too 'woke', or too willing to accept multiple and even contradictory readings. In this first episode of a series, we talk about Tolkien’s attitudes about his fans, reader interpretation/response to his works, and adaptation.

To celebrate our first 'Tolkien Reading Day' as a podcast, we each chose a favourite poem from Tolkien to read. Grace selected 'The Mewlips' (1962), Alicia chose 'Progress in Bimble Town' (1931), and Leah's pick was 'Errantry' (1933).