On this “What’s Your Favorite Fandom?” episode of Fan Effect, Chris Graham of “Games & Things” returns to talk all things Tolkien. While J.R.R. Tolkien’s works “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” always seemed to be a part of Producer KellieAnn’s life (even her childhood dog was named after a character), Chris’s introduction was more meandering yet meaningful. Together, they discuss the history, impact, and various versions of the beloved fantasy world of Tolkien, as well as how to enter the expansive fandom. 

With a world-building so vast, Chris has some recommended sources to explore all things Tolkien: the fan-created wiki the Tolkien Gateway, the 12-part book series History of Middle-Earth, “Tree and Leaf” which is Tolkien’s more philosophical writing, “J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography” by Humphrey Carpenter, Deseret News’ article talking to The Rings of Power’ showrunner, and of course The Tolkien Professor, Dr. Corey Olsen. (Oh, and we can’t forget to include KellieAnn’s favorite Lembas Bread recipe to share with her fellow food-loving hobbits.)

Originally published May 6th, 2025.

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Utah: This is the place… for Fans!

The “Utah Fan Culture” podcast and blog highlight Utah’s unique place in storytelling, arts, and entertainment — as well as the fans that support them.

Utah is unlike any other state due to its clash of conservative and liberal arts scenes, as well as a stunning variety of natural locations showcased at museums, venues, conventions, filming locations, historic landmarks, and more. That, coupled with community support, as Utah is ranked #1 for live arts participation per capita, showcases that “This is the place… for fans!” Even TIME declared it the Nerdiest State of the Union in 2014.

At Utah Fan Culture, former KSL’s “Fan Effect Podcast” host and producer, KellieAnn Halvorsen, continues her work showcasing fans, fandoms, and fantastic storytelling through reviews, interviews, and event spotlights.

Quote of the week

“That’s the wonderful thing with nerds: they’re enthusiasts. Not having a life means you get to love things with a passion and nobody bothers you about it.”
― John Burnside, The Glister

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