Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Harmony in chapter nineteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss the downfall of Cormac McLaggen, Luna’s sports commentary, and Harry’s sense of home. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is it important to blend in vs. stand out? Thanks to Becca for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading ch...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Recklessness in chapter eighteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Casper’s experience in graduate school, Harry’s privilege in Potion’s class, and the three ‘D’s of apparition. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Is recklessness in the eye of the beholder? Thanks to Brady Call for this week's voicem...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of attention in chapter 17 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we come to you live from our show in Washington, D.C. We discuss how the Ministry treats Morfin, how Hermione ignores Ron, and the similarities between Voldemort and Dumbledore. We were so very lucky to have our dear friend, Ursa Ghazi, with us to tell a story from her experience. N...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Erosion in chapter sixteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we are joined by writer and mentor Terry Tempest Williams, who shares an opening story about the landscape of Utah. Casper and Vanessa discuss Molly’s tireless work for her family, the way Harry stands up to Scrimgeour, and how Vanessa came to love musicals. Throughout the episod...

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to our Don’t Be a Dursley campaign! We have hit our goal of $25,000 a full month earlier than expected. But please, don’t stop donating! We’ll still be running our campaign through December 25th and hope to raise another $10k by then. *Harry and the Potters *have so kindly donated this song, Don’t Be a Dursley, as a congratulations for hitting our goal...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of sacrifice in chapter fifteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Snape’s love of Draco, Luna’s calming presence, and Hermione’s date with McLaggen. Throughout the episode we consider the question: can someone force you to sacrifice? Or does it have to be a choice? Thanks to Niya Kelly for this week's voicemail! Nex...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of resistance in chapter fourteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss LARPing, Vanessa’s experience in Business School, and how the patriarchy acts on Ron. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do our fears keep us from learning? Thanks to Grace Carroll for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading...

Vanessa and Casper and special guest, Mike Schubert from the Potterless Podcast, explore the theme of superstition in chapter thirteen (spooky!) of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. They discuss Tom Riddle’s need for control, Dumbledore’s self-awareness, and the power of hindsight. Throughout the episode they consider the question: how do we acknowledge our own lack of control in a healthy w...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of resilience in chapter twelve of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Harry’s obsession with Draco, why Filch is still at Hogwarts, and Katie’s amazing friend Leanne. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do we know when to keep going and when to quit? Thanks to Annie for this week's voicemail! Next week...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of pleasure in chapter eleven of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss the ethics of Hermione confunding McLaggen, Hagrid’s fight with the trio, and Lavender’s crush on Ron. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Do we like things more when we get to experience them less? Thanks to Emily Hilton for this week's vo...

The whole idea of this podcast is that we want to get ready for when tragedies happen near us. We want to make sure that if an opportunity to love a one year old, dropped off at our door were to ever happen to us, we won't be a Dursley . Tragically, a vividly clear example of this is happening on our figurative doorstep; the American southern border with family separation, closing of borders from...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of temptation in chapter ten of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa unpack the tragic story of Merope Gaunt, considering her abuse and the way she perpetuates it with Tom Riddle Sr. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we interrupt temptation when it leads us astray? Thanks to our anonymous listener for this w...

Why would anyone want to be a Slytherin? Vanessa and Casper to talk with Travis McElroy about his devotion to his Slytherin identity. They touch on the importance of pride, the difference between patriotism and nationalism, and whether we should just dismantle the whole house system. This episode we also hear owl post from Laura, Harriet, an Anonymous caller, Sasha, and Tesla. Next week, we’re rea...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of friendship in chapter nine of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we are joined by internet super-star Gaby Dunn, who shares an opening story about a friendship break-up. Casper and Vanessa discuss McGonagall’s relationship with Neville, whether Ginny considers Harry ‘family’, and why Harry isn’t friends with Ernie Macmillan. Throughout the epi...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of anxiety in chapter eight of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Harry’s response to Snape, Hagrid’s imminent disappointment, and Ginny’s non-anxious presence. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we take care of ourselves and each other in moments of anxiety? Thanks to Kent Stephenson for this week's voicemail! Nex...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of glamour in chapter seven of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Draco’s violence, Harry’s relationship with Neville and Luna, and how the members of the Slug Club are treated. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we embrace moments of glamour without objectifying ourselves? Thanks to Hongyue Guo for this week's voi...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of stubbornness in chapter six of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Draco’s need to be taken seriously, Molly’s fear for her children, and Ron’s eternal hope that he’s the same as Harry. Throughout the episode we consider the question: can there be ‘big’ stubbornness? Or is it always about small things? Thanks to Kath for this week's...

CW: This week’s voicemail is about the shooting in Dayton, Ohio. If you’d rather skip it, the blessing start around 48:30. Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of yearning in chapter five of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we’re joined by John Green, who tells an opening story about heart-break set in Alaska. Vanessa and Casper discuss Fleur’s feelings in the Burrow, Ron’s adorab...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of joy in chapter four of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Horace’s supposed ‘cowardice’, Dumbledore’s good pedagogy, and the usefulness of inappropriate jokes. Throughout the episode we consider the question: is joy more likely in community? Thanks to Vivianna for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter five, An Exces...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Skepticism in chapter three of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Harry’s magical thinking, Kreacher’s humiliation, and Dumbledore’s relationship to lemon drops. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when do we need to trust authority and when should we be skeptical? Thanks to Nici for this week's voicemail! Next week we’...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Prudence in chapter two of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. This week we discuss Peter Pettigrew’s relationship to his hand, Narcissa and Bellatrix’s love for one another, and when to quit a job. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Can you only know prudence in hindsight? Thanks to K Doraiswamy for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re r...

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Helplessness in the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. This week we discuss the election of Rufus Scrimgeour, all things related to the muggle Prime Minister, and whether Fudge is too polite for his own good. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How much information helps us during times of crisis and how much actually hurts...

Welcome to Season 6! This week, Vanessa and Casper get together to talk what they're looking forward to in Half Blood Prince. They discuss the complications of Slytherin identity, Vanessa’s feelings about Ron, and Harry’s evolution from the last book. Next week, we’re reading Chapter 1, The Other Minister, through the theme of Helplessness. ’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

Our new podcast, Hot & Bothered, officially launched today. We’re so proud to share our first episode with you: Justice for Dragons. This is the only episode of Hot & Bothered we’ll drop in this feed, so please go subscribe wherever you find your podcasts! — Vanessa Zoltan thinks that happy endings are the best part of romance novels. Bryce Gilfillian is writing his first romance novel and...

What does the 4th of July mean and what should it mean? It’s Independence Day in the United States and so Casper sits down again with Professor Matt Potts to talk about tradition. They touch on marriage equality, Lectio Divina, and Matt’s favorite Christian Theologian - Julian of Norwich. This episode we also hear owl post from Rachel, Emily Ross, Ariel Weeks, Rachel Quint, and Mike Murphy. We’re...