Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Vulnerability in Chapter 3 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Dudley, Vernon, and Petunia’s respective vulnerabilities in this chapter! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can showing vulnerability invite others to be more vulnerable themselves? Today's episode is dedicated to Judith Giller Leinwahl, who helped...

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Boundaries in Chapter 2 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Dumbledore’s many secrets, Dudley’s misunderstood act of kindness, and Hedwig’s cage! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do our boundaries change over time? Thank you to Chelsea for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 3, The Dursleys...

This week, Vanessa and Casper are joined by special guest Elizabeth Rowe as they explore the theme of Success in Chapter 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Snape’s evolving role as double agent, Voldemort’s measures of success, and the Deatheaters’ meeting! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does the way we measure success change over the course of our life?...

We're still off between seasons, but we though it would be fun to take a look back at our first read through of Book 7, Chapter 1 ahead of our 14th and final season starting back up next week! Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content ev...

We just dropped one of our favorite episodes so far of Let's Ask Taylor Swift with Vanessa and recent HPST guest host Daniel Schroeder, and since we're off between seasons of HPST we wanted to share that in the feed with you here! Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper wrap up their discussion of The Half-Blood Prince with a look back on the entire book! They discuss Dumbledore's strengths and weaknesses as a leader, Harry's final year at Hogwarts, and Hermione's unique role in this book. We're off for a few weeks between seasons, but we can't wait to get into Book 7 with you all! Stick around after the episode for a special conversation with...

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Love in Chapter 30 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Hagrid’s role as patron saint of transitions, Bill and Fleur, and Harry’s pity for Draco! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how are grief and love interconnected? Thank you to Ellen for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're wrapping up Book 6 with Casper. Harr...

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Separation in Chapter 29 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss the relationship dynamics on display in this chapter, Hagrid’s advice, and the end of Harry’s time at Hogwarts! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what causes us to feel separate from others? Thank you to Bethany for this week’s voicemail! Next week we'r...

This week, Vanessa and special guest Hannah McGregor explore the theme of Apocalypse in Chapter 28 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Snape’s subtle display of care, Hagrid’s hut, and chaos as a liminal space! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we continue after an apocalyptic event? Thank you to Heather for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading C...

This week, Vanessa and special guest Daniel Schroeder explore the theme of Helplessness in Chapter 27 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Harry’s immobilization, Dumbledore’s master plan, and Draco’s task! Throughout the episode we consider the question: when can a feeling of helplessness actually help force us to act? Thank you to Jerrica for this week’s voicemail! Next week w...

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Fear in Chapter 26 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Harry and Dumbledore’s opposite experiences of the cave, fear of the unknown, and Voldemort’s obstacle course! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we decide which fears are valid? Thank you to our anonymous listener for this week’s voicemail! Next week w...

This week, Vanessa and special guest Jolie Doggett explore the theme of Jealousy in Chapter 25 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Romilda Vane, the Prince’s gender, and Trelawney’s many admirers! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can jealousy be useful information? Thank you to Chris for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 26, The Cave, th...

This week, Vanessa and special guest Courtney Brown explore the theme of Impulsivity in Chapter 24 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Draco and Harry’s fight, Hermione’s “I told you so” moment, and the big kiss! Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is impulsivity fun and when is it harmful? Thank you to Julia for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading...

We'll be back with our regularly scheduled episodes on January 9th, but in the meantime we thought it would be fun to revisit Matt's first episode as a regular host. Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every Christmas, we like to share a favorite poem. This year it's 'Snowy Night' by Mary Oliver. We'll be back with our regularly scheduled episodes on January 9th. Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Ambivalence in Chapter 23 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Slughorn’s lesson, the splitting of souls, and Harry’s destiny! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does our ambivalence still lead us to a choice? Thank you to Marissa for this week’s voicemail! We're off for the holidays but we'll be back in 2025 rea...

Every once in a while we like to take a step back from our current chapter, and appreciate some overarching themes and important characters from the series. This week, Vanessa and special guest Jackson Bird are talking about the Marauders and some of their favorite moments from the friends throughout the series! -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for co...

Not Sorry has launched its first new podcast since 2020! Let's Ask Taylor Swift  is co-hosted by Vanessa and podcaster, writer and cultural critic: Daniel Schroeder.  In each episode Daniel and Vanessa will focus on one song from Taylor's discography, asking themselves, each other, and you— the audience— what it is about Taylor's music that resonates so...

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Failure in Chapter 22 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Harry’s lucky day, Ron’s apparition test, and Ernie’s potion! Throughout the episode we consider the question: when are success and failure out of our control? Thank you to Christine for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 23, Horcruxes, through the th...

Patience: The Unknowable Room (Book 6, Chapter 21) This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Patience in Chapter 21 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Harry’s stakeout, Hermione’s new approach to Ron and Lavender, and the upcoming promise of Apparition! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does patience reward us? Thank you to Elizabeth for this week’s v...

This week, Vanessa and special guest Mauricio Bruce explore the theme of Possibility in Chapter 20 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Dumbledore’s memory of Voldemort, Harry’s quest, and Hermione and Ron’s reconciliation! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we hold space for a multitude of possibilities? Thank you to Serena for this week’s voicemail! Next...

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Rebellion in Chapter 19 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Snape and Dumbledore’s agreement, Dobby and Kreacher’s quarrel, and McLaggen’s big game! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we rebel in both big and small ways? Thank you to Travis for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 20, Lord V...

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Discovery in Chapter 18 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Slughorn’s poisoned mead, Harry’s life saving bezoar, and Romilda Vane’s love potion! Throughout the episode we consider the question: are we always on some journey of discovery? Thank you to Auryn for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 19, Elf Tail...

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Knowledge in Chapter 17 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Harry’s lesson with Dumbledore, early Slug Clubs, and Slughorn’s titular memory! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do raw facts turn into knowledge? Thank you to Simone for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 18, Birthday Surpri...

This week, Vanessa and special guest Julia Argy explore the theme of Worthiness in Chapter 16 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss the value of peeling sprouts by hand, Percy’s Christmas, and Ron’s new necklace! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what are we weighing when we decide the worthiness of something? Thank you to Mo for this week’s voicemail! Next week we...