Secrets of Middle Earth Podcast
1) The Silmarillion: Of The Third Age
What happens when evil isn’t fully defeated? Thomas Salerno, Pat Mason, and Jeff Haecker finish their discussion of The Silmarillion as they unpack Isildur’s failure, Gondor’s long decline, and the fa...Show More
2) The Silmarillion: The Rings of Power
Sauron’s fake repentance. Celebrimbor’s fatal pride. What makes a ring powerful? In our 100th episode, Thomas Salerno, Rob Leonardi, Pat Mason, and Jeff Haecker uncover the roots of evil in the final ...Show More
3) Akallabeth, Part 2
What drives a golden kingdom to collapse into the sea? Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, Rob Leonardi, and Jeff Haecker dissect Númenor’s fall in Part 2 of the Akallabêth. Is Sauron the ultimate deceiver...Show More
4) Akallabeth, Part 1
Númenor teeters on ruin as fear of death eclipses faith. Is mortality a gift or a curse? Thomas Salerno, Rob Leonardi, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason dissect Tolkien’s Atlantis myth and its spiritual...Show More
5) Ghosts and Undead of Middle Earth
SME097: What do Tolkien’s ghosts reveal about sin, redemption, and the afterlife? Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason & Rob Leonardi uncover the undead of Middle-earth—from barrow-wights to Na...Show More
6) Voyage of Earendil and the War of Wrath
SME096: Can mercy undo millennia of pride? Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, Jeff Haecker, and Rob Leonardi tackle Eärendil’s voyage, the Valar’s return, and Morgoth’s ruin—where hope is forged from doom...Show More
7) The Fall of Gondolin
SME095: Tolkien’s most ancient tale meets its sharpest lessons: Ulmo’s call to Tuor, Turgon’s fatal stubbornness, Maeglin’s betrayal, Idril’s foresight, and Glorfindel’s stand. With Thomas Salerno, Je...Show More
8) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
SME094: What makes An Unexpected Journey the strongest Hobbit film? Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Rob Leonardi debate Bilbo’s wit, Thorin’s grit, Radagast’s quirks, and whether Jack...Show More
9) Of the Ruin of Doriath
SME093: Was Thingol’s pride a greater curse than Morgoth’s malice? In The Ruin of Doriath, Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, Patrick Mason & Rob Leonardi confront greed, betrayal, and the Second Kinslayin...Show More
10) Tolkien (2019) Movie
SME092: Friendship, faith, and the fire of creativity—how much did the 2019 Tolkien biopic get right? Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Rob Leonardi unpack the war, love, and language that shaped Midd...Show More