Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Hesitation in chapter six of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss the role of The Burrow in Harry’s life, why more people can’t hunt horcruxes, and the book’s conception of what souls are. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we introduce little moments of hesitation into our normal lives? Thanks to Kylie for this wee...

Hi everyone! Yesterday we released the latest Women of Harry Potter episode on Patreon . We make a new episode once a month and it’s our favorite Patreon perk. We've now released 30 episodes of our little spin-off show!  As a special treat today, we're releasing our March episode where Vanessa and Ariana blessed Aunt Muriel. If you haven't already, you can support us at https://www.patreon.co...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Health in chapter five of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we take some time to discuss the incredible grace of three characters: George Weasley, Ted Tonks, and Molly Weasley. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we disrupt the binary of ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ bodies? Thanks to Cory for this week's voicemail! Next week w...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Devotion in chapter four of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss Hedwig’s death and her role in Harry’s life, Petunia’s obsession with cleanliness, and Hagrid’s relationship with 4 Privet Drive. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is the relationship between duty and devotion?  Thanks to Dani for this week's voice...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Growth in chapter three of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we say goodbye to the Dursley’s and spend a little time talking about each of them. We look at how far Vernon has come in his grudging acceptance of Muggle/Wizard relations, celebrate Dudley’s steps away from his parents, and pity Petunia’s lack of strength. Throughout the episode we...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Boldness in chapter two of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss and what Dumbledore really saw the Mirror of Erised, Dudley's attempt at an olive branch, and the politics of Dumbledore's obituary. Throughout the episode we consider the question: is boldness always a mistake? Thanks to Jess for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re read...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Suspicion in the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss Snape’s bravery, the team culture amongst death eaters, and how Voldemort builds the groundwork for Narcissa’s betrayal. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How are suspicion and humiliation tied together? Thanks to Miriam for this week's voicemail!...

Welcome to Season 7! This week, Vanessa and Casper get together to talk what they're looking forward to in Deathly Hallows. They discuss all the heroism to come: Ron’s great return, Narcissa’s daring betrayal, and Dobby’s selfless sacrifice.  Vanessa and Casper also reveal what’s in store for the future of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text now that we’ve reached the last book of the series. Ne...

Happy Friday everyone! We have a new project to keep you company while sheltering in place: Twilight in Quarantine . Is Twilight by Stephenie Meyer the best book of all time? No it’s not. Is it the kind of cotton candy escapism joy we need during these uncertain times? Hell yes it is.  We'll be publishing Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the Hot and Bothered feed. Go subscribe! Hosted on Acast...

Are ‘thoughts and prayers’ worth anything? This week, Casper is joined by our mentor Stephanie Paulsell to talk about the practice of prayer. Stephanie introduces us to ideas of prayer from theologians such as Evagrius Ponticus, Augustine of Hippo, Simone Weil, and Howard Thurman. And together, Stephanie and Casper talk about what prayer could look like during the Coronavirus. We’ve had a flood of...

Vanessa and Casper look back at all of Season 6, and pull out a few key insights from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. They explore the deep similarities between this book and Book 2 of the series: comparing Slughorn to Lockhart, Snape's potions book to Tom Riddle's diary, and Tom Riddle to Draco Malfoy. Throughout the episode they explore the question: How much do we hold people accountabl...

Vanessa Casper explore the theme of Love in the last chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we praise Hagrid for his patient accompaniment throughout the series, defend Ginny and Harry's break-up, and examine the way that funerals fail us. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do we bring discipline into our love? We also announce some pretty big news this...

Friends, these are scary times and things have been feeling rather uncertain for us at Not Sorry Productions! So much of our revenue is based on travel for pilgrimages and live shows, and we’ve already had to postpone one pilgrimage and cancel two live events. If you want to support us, and have the means, we would be so grateful if you consider becoming a member of our Patreon . We’re doing a lot...

Vanessa Casper explore the theme of Power in chapter twenty-nine (the penultimate chapter!) of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Ginny’s strength, McGonagall’s leadership style and Fawkes’ song. Throughout the episode we consider the question: What kind of leaders do we want to be? Thanks to Hanna for this week's voicemail! Next week and we’re reading the final chap...

Vanessa and friend of the podcast Matt Potts explore the theme of Perfection in chapter twenty-eight of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss how Harry gently shepherds Hagrid into grief, why Hagrid still has to use an umbrella as a wand, and how Snape manages to take care of Harry despite his own deep brokenness. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Earnestness in the much-dreaded chapter twenty-seven of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we celebrate Dumbledore's humanity, sympathize with Draco's impossible situation, and discuss why Vanessa doesn't like death bed confessions. Throughout the episode we consider the question: When is earnestness actually naiveté? Thanks to Diana for...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Persistence in chapter twenty-six of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Voldemort's fatal flaws, Harry's great strengths, and the imminent loss of Dumbledore will all its implications. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when do you know that you should persist on someone else's behalf? Thanks to Katherine for this...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Indignation in chapter twenty-five of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Trelawney's defensiveness, Dumbledore's injured hand, and the sometimes cyclical nature of progress. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Can indignation be useful? Thanks to Christie for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re r...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Regret in chapter twenty-four of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we are joined by writer, pastor, and theologian Nadia Bolz-Weber, who shares an opening story about the way that accidents weigh on us. Casper and Vanessa discuss how much they blame Harry for hurting Draco, Snape’s punishment, and Harry and Ginny’s first kiss. Throughout the...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Memory in chapter twenty-three of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Harry’s resemblance to Tom Riddle, Dumbledore’s impending doom, and their different theories of the soul. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what’s our theory of the difference between a memory and a story we tell ourselves? Thanks to...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Bitterness in chapter twenty-two of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss why Hermione doesn’t want to go to Aragog’s funeral, whether Slughorn does a good eulogy, and Miriam from the story of Exodus. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Does bitterness have something to do with sorrow? Thanks to Eve for thi...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Affirmation in chapter twenty-one of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Harry and Hermione’s different relationships with house-elves, Ron’s sense of sufficiency, and some icky sexist moments that stuck out in this chapter. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Can you affirm yourself? Thanks to Sam Blanck...

How and why should we be in community? This week, Vanessa and Casper are joined by Reverend Burns Stanfield from 4th Presbyterian Church in Boston. Together they discuss how community gets us better at loving one another and ourselves. This episode we also hear owl post from Karen, Natalie, Cara, Christoffel, and Rachel. Next week we’re reading Chapter 21, The Unknowable Room, through the theme of...

Here's a little treat from Casper. You can find the poem in “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein. Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Good Will in chapter twenty of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Dumbledore’s disappointment with Harry, Luna’s burgeoning friendship with Ron, and the backstory of Hepzibah Smith. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when does Good Will become naiveté? Thanks to Jordan for this week's voicemail! We’re t...