Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

This week, Vanessa and special guest Nathalie Folkerts explore the theme of Love in Chapter 38 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Hagrid’s caretaking, systemic failures, and loving moments with the kids! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we create more loving systems? Thank you to Helena for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're wrapping up Book 5 wi...

This week, Vanessa and special guest Micaela Blei explore the theme of Control in Chapter 37 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Dumbledore’s disclosures, Harry’s anger, and Trelawney’s gift! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is actually within our control? Thank you to Marie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 38, The Second War Be...

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Mercy in Chapter 36 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Dumbledore’s grand return, Lupin’s gentle explanation, and Bellatrix’s punishment! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what distinguishes mercy from things like compassion or care? Thank you to Eva for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter...

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Desire in Chapter 35 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss the Deatheaters’ true desires, the prophecy, and the Ministry’s denial.  Throughout the episode we consider the question: what underlies our surface desires? Thank you to Yvette for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 36, The Only One He Ever Fear...

This week, Vanessa and Jolie explore the theme of Success in Chapter 34 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Harry’s plan, the Deatheaters’ success, and Ron as an engine. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what are the many possible ways in which we can measure success? Thank you to Emily for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 35, Beyond...

This week, Vanessa and Matt are joined by special guest Neil J. Young as they explore the theme of Anger in Chapter 33 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Grawp’s big feelings, Harry’s outburst, and the Centaurs’ generational anger! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does our anger guide us? Thank you to Brittany for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're r...

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Isolation in Chapter 32 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Umbridge’s leadership, Hermione’s master plan, and Snape’s code! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we get creative to combat isolation? Thank you to Annalisa for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 33, Fight and Flight, thro...

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Naivete in Chapter 31 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Hagrid’s arrest, Harry’s big plan, and the end of Occlumency lessons! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does naivete leave us more vulnerable? Thank you to Alex for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 32, Out of the Fire, through th...

This week, Vanessa and special guest Jackson Bird explore the theme of Determination in Chapter 30 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss the titular Grawp, Peeves’ newfound determination, and times the word actually comes up in the text! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how are sacrifice and determination intertwined? Thank you to Grace for this week’s voicemai...

This week, Vanessa and Matt are joined by Delphene Mooney of On The Rise as they explore the theme of Community in Chapter 29 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Fred & George’s departure, Draco’s (lack of) community, and the various sub-communities of Hogwarts. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what does it mean to be a good community? Thank you to Janie...

We're still in the middle of our March fundraiser for On The Rise , but thanks to you all, we've already reached our initial 10k goal! As a special thanks to our listeners for helping us reach this point, Matt and Vanessa have recorded this bonus conversation discussing their favorite spring recipes. We've extended our goal to 15k, visit https://notsorryworks.com/ to learn more about the fundraise...

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Kindness in Chapter 28 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss James and Snape and Lily, oh my!  Throughout the episode we consider the question: where can we attempt to employ more kindness? Thank you to Shruti for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 29, Careers Advice, through the theme of Community wit...

We're currently in the middle of our March fundraiser for On The Rise , a great organization that supports people experiencing homelessness. As a special thanks to our listeners for helping us get halfway to our fundraising goal of 10k this month, Matt and Vanessa have recorded this special bonus conversation discussing which baby animals they would assign as patronuses to Hogwarts professors. Vis...

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Discernment in Chapter 27 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Firenze’s newfound employment at Hogwarts, Hagrid’s autonomy, and the chaotic scene in Dumbledore’s office. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we practice discernment in moments of crisis? Thank you to Sophie for this week’s voicemail! Next week...

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Doubt in Chapter 26 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Ron’s game day performance, Trelawney’s firing, and Harry’s ongoing Occlumency lessons. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is doubt a useful tool, and when does it hold us back? Thank you to Zeph for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapte...

This week, Vanessa and special guest Hope Rehak explore the theme of Attention in Chapter 25 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Harry and Cho’s date, Umbridge’s surveillance, and Wizarding journalism. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how is attention a loving act? Thank you to Nat for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 26, Seen and Unfore...

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Release in Chapter 24 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Sirius’s imprisonment, Harry’s first Occlumency lesson, and Hermione’s assistance. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what does it mean to release something? Thank you to Ian for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 25, The Beetle at Ba...

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Vulnerability in Chapter 23 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss our reintroduction to Gilderoy Lockhart, Neville’s parents, and Mr. Weasley’s experiments in muggle medicine. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does vulnerability affect our decision-making capabilities? Thank you to Jamie for this week’s voicem...

This week, Vanessa and Mauricio Bruce explore the theme of Individuality in Chapter 22 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Harry’s dream, the Weasley clan, and Dumbledore’s wall of support. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we focus in and out of our own individuality? Thank you to Jessie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 23, Ch...

Every once in a while we like to take a step back from our current chapter, and appreciate some overarching themes from the series and our approach to the podcast! This week, Matt and Vanessa are talking about treating books as sacred, some of their favorite authors, and the role reading currently plays in their lives. -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon...

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Care in Chapter 21 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Hagrid’s return to teaching, Hermione’s attempts to aid Hagrid’s return to teaching, and ~young love~. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what are the many ways we show care to one another? Thank you to Jamie for this week’s voicemail. If you or someone you k...

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Heartbreak in Chapter 20 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Hagrid’s mother, the new Gurg, and the healing powers of dragon meat. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we carry on after a heartbreak? Thank you to Therisa for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 21, The Eye of the Snake, t...

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Grace in Chapter 19 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Harry’s game-saving capture of the snitch, Ron’s first big match, and Hermione’s magical talent. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what are the conditions which allow us to be graceful? Thank you to Emily for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading C...

Every Christmas, we like to share a favorite poem. This year it's 'The Magi' by William Butler Yeats. We'll be back with our regularly scheduled episodes on January 5th. Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're concluding our collaboration with The Greater Good Science Center, examining the theme of Intellectual Humility as Vanessa and Matt look back at key moments in the entire Harry Potter Series! They discuss the lack of overlap between Wizard and Muggle worlds, the unraveling of the Ministry, and Neville's blossoming self confidence. We're taking a quick break for the holidays, but wi...