Magic Beyond the Books

It’s the Second Triwizard Task of the Triwizard Tournament and Harry Potter is unprepared. Hufflepuff Lynn guest-hosts as we discuss Mad-Eye Moody’s eye capabilities, wizarding world foods, and Viktor Krum’s appearance in the books vs the movies. Rene shares details on gillyweed, grindylows, and merpeople. Come seek us where our voices sound and listen to this episode!

Michael Corner lives a parallel storyline to Harry, dating the same women and fighting against Voldemort in Dumbledore’s Army. In this episode, I discuss Michael’s storyline throughout the Harry Potter books and get into some wild fan theories about the character (maybe Michael Corner is secretly a muggle?). Grab your bffs Terry Boot and Anthony Goldstein and listen to this episode all about Micha...

It’s Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff in a Hogwarts quidditch match and none other than Luna Lovegood is commentating (book 6, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, chapter 18, Elf Tails). Jessie returns as we discuss our wands, Harry’s competency as a quidditch captain, and Cormac McLaggen’s questionable coaching. Fly in for this fun episode!

Calling all Harry Potter fans! In each Magic Beyond the Books episode, I break down a scene, character, or special topic from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Warning: there are spoilers in every episode. Grab your wands and send owl post to all your friends. Let's go on a magical journey through JK Rowling’s hit series. This is a Harry Potter podcast you don’t want to miss.

Stanley “Stan” Shunpike, conductor on The Knight Bus and secret death eater? I discuss Stan’s character arc through Harry Potter books 3-7, dive into the etymology behind his name, give my take on fan theories, and share my fan casting for the role. It’s time to play some jazz music and hop on The Knight Bus for this episode all about Stan Shunpike - “Take ‘er away, Ern!”

The trio, accompanied by the Granger parents and Weasley family, takes a trip to Flourish and Blotts during Gilderoy Lockhart’s book signing but are dismayed to run into the Malfoys (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, chapter 4, At Flourish and Blotts). I talk about Lucius Malfoy’s motivations to plant the diary on Ginny, Arthur Weasley’s surprising violence, and the theory that Draco rips o...

It’s the upbeat Harry Potter fan girl and Order of the Phoenix member, Dedalus Diggle! Despite sharing a name with the ingenuitive character of Greek mythology, Daedalus, Dedalus Diggle doesn’t seem like the brightest (though he does a great job protecting the Dursleys in book 7). I talk about Diggle’s cut scene from the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone movie, answer fan questions, and give m...

Voldemort is back, evil as ever, catching up with Harry and the Death Eaters (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, chapter 33, The Death Eaters, and chapter 34, Priori Incantatem). Jess guest-hosts as we discuss wands, portkeys, horcruxes, and rat lore. Get in, loser, we’re going to bring back the Dark Lord!

We take a portkey to the graveyard for Voldemort’s return (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, chapter 32, Flesh, Blood, and Bone). Jess guest-hosts as we discuss Harry as a protagonist, cauldron weights, how Peter Pettigrew became a Death Eater, and matching tattoos. Tune in to learn about yew trees and find out who in this scene Jess finds sexy (hint: it’s not who you think).

This week we talk all about Dobby, including his undying loyalty to Harry Potter, potentially romantic relationship with Winky, and terrible negotiation skills. John guest-hosts as we get into everything from Dobby’s fashion sense to crazy fan theories. Is Dobby a secret evil genius? Did Dobby make an unbreakable vow with Harry? Is Dobby actually a Death Eater? All these questions and more are ans...

The newest Harry Potter theme park is open at Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida! In this special episode, I talk all about my trip to Epic Universe and give details of the Battle at the Ministry ride and Le Cirque Arcanus show. I answer your questions, share fantastic beast fun facts, and give tips for the best ways to enjoy the theme park. Grab your interactive wand and take a walk with me down t...

Expelliarmus! Professors Lockhart and Snape teach the Hogwarts students how to duel in this scene from book 2, Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets (chapter 11). Jessie guest-hosts and we learn her patronus from the HarryPotter.com quiz. We discuss everything from Harry’s signature spell success rate to snake symbolism. Grab your wand, take a bow, and listen to this episode in 3…2…1… LEGO Set Link...

This one's for the Romione and Hinny shippers. Jess guest-hosts as we discuss the relationships of Ron and Hermione and Harry and Ginny as well as potential other matches for each of them. We compare the books vs movies and talk about romance tropes. Love is in the air this week on Magic Beyond the Books - grab your amortentia potion and do some snogging!

Tabloid Journalist Rita Skeeter - Hero or Harpy? Jessie guest-hosts as we discuss Rita Skeeter, the writer and unregistered animagus beetle. We discuss the meanings behind Rita’s name, her fashion sense, and, most notably, her written works. Is JK Rowling actually a disguised Rita Skeeter? Were Rita and Bellatrix friends at Hogwarts? How are Veela created? All these questions and more are answered...

In this scene Harry joins five other students in Professor Horace Slughorn’s compartment on the Hogwarts Express for his first “Slug Club” meeting in book 6, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. We discuss Harry Potter emojis, the Slug Club members, and the meeting menu (who wants cold pheasant?). Calen tells us about the sword of Damocles and Rene shares nogtail facts. You are officially invit...

It’s everyone’s favorite guy - Professor Filius Flitwick, the charms professor and head of Ravenclaw house. We discuss Flitwick’s early life and his stark appearance change in the third Harry Potter movie. In this episode we delve into more mysteries of the wizarding world including wizard and goblin lifespans, the categorization of spells, and drinking at wizarding school dances. Cast your charms...

“Well if you’re sure - better be GRYFFINDOR!” In this scene, Harry Potter and the other new students meet the ghosts and are sorted into the four Hogwarts houses (book 1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, chapter 7, The Sorting Hat). We break down the houses, new students, ghosts, and dormitories. You’ll learn which alternatives JK Rowling considered for the sorting system and all about the my...

Gallop on over to this week’s episode; we discuss one of the Forbidden Forest’s many creatures - Firenze the Centaur! We cover the many mysteries of centaurs, share Firenze’s name origins, and give our fan casts for the character. Everyone loves the rebel centaur…except Trelawney. Warning - there are BIG spoilers in this episode.

Wedding bells chime as Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour get married at the Burrow (book 7 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, chapter 8 “The Wedding”). We discuss everything about this big wedding from the decorations to the guest list (i.e. Auntie Muriel). We ponder if Bill and Fleur are still together and give our ideas for different Harry Potter book titles. Rene shares 1990s wedding trends...

It’s Gryffindor’s quidditch captain and keeper, Oliver Wood! We discuss Oliver’s coaching abilities and many quidditch-based enemies. Calen shares a new logo design for Puddlemere United and Rene shares her fan theory about Oliver’s love interest. We ponder why Harry Potter fans adore Oliver but hate his coaching. Keep listening for a funny movie catch; let’s just say Sean Biggerstaff is astounded...

This is part 2 of our special travel episode where we break down all the places Harry Potter fans can travel to in the real (muggle) world. Today we cover all the travel spots outside of England (in the rest of the UK and world). Where did JK Rowling write Harry Potter? Where can you buy a golden snitch wand? Where can you walk through the Hall of Prophecy? All these questions and more are answere...

In our first two-part special episode, we break down all the places Harry Potter fans can travel to in the real (muggle) world. Today we cover all the travel spots in England! From behind the scenes movie facts to our Hogwarts houses, we cover it all. Where can you buy a horcrux? Why did J.K. Rowling choose Kings Cross for the Hogwarts Express platform? Where can you take broom flying lessons? All...

This is Harry Potter and Cho Chang’s first and only date from book 5 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (chapter 25, The Beetle at Bay). We discuss professional quidditch teams and the dating life of Roger Davies. Cho is not happy with Harry talking about Hermione and we are not happy about Cho’s behavior. Coffee vs tea, Cho vs Ginny, and what’s up with cherubs? This episode has it all.

Woof! This is all about Sirius Black alias Padfoot alias Snuffles alias Stubby Boardman. We cover Sirius’ best moments, many animal friendships, and crazy pureblood family tree. Tangents abound as we discuss Regulus Black’s motivations for betraying Voldemort, Peter Pettigrew’s unlikely friendships, Kingsley Shacklebolt’s work assignments, and alternatives for the Potters’ secret keeper. Grab your...

It’s time to talk about the time Hermione and Harry use the time-turner to time travel in book 3, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (chapter 21, “Hermione’s Secret”). We break down the rules of time travel in the Harry Potter universe, share our patronuses, and discuss the recent casting of John Lithgow as Dumbledore in the Max show. Foodies, tune in to the end for a special baking update w...