Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

We're excited to share this special preview of Revisionist History with you today! In this episode Malcolm Gladwell tells the story of how his parents and their friends sponsored three Vietnamese refugees, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. And wonders: do we underestimate the value of ordinary acts of kindness? You can hear the full episode , and more from  Revisionist History ,...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Anticipation in Chapter Twenty-One of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Sirius waiting to face the dementors, Dumbledore's vague hint of a plan, and, of course, Hermione's big secret! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we form a healthy relationship with anticipation? Thank you to Ann for this week’s voicema...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Confidence in Chapter Twenty of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Sirius offering Harry a new home, Harry's emergency Patronus, and Peter's escape. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is confidence appropriate, and what are the limits of it? Thank you to Nicoletta for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're readi...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Virtue in Chapter Nineteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Snape delivering wolfsbane to his nemesis, Peter's consistent alliance with power, and Harry summoning some of his father's virtue. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we live virtuously in morally complicated situations? Thank you to Jessica for...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Friendship in Chapter Eighteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Peter as a failed friend, Sirius & Lupin's renewed friendship, and some perspective from Aristotle. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what does it mean to be a good friend? Thank you to Bianca for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading...

This week, Vanessa and Matt are joined by fellow podcaster and award-winning journalist Imara Jones to discuss her work founding Translash Media , a cross-platform journalism, personal storytelling and narrative effort, which produces content to shift the current culture of hostility towards transgender people in the US. Thanks to Barbara, Adeetee, Dasha, and our anonymous listener for their beaut...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Partnership in Chapter Seventeen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss the difference between partnership and friendship, the trio's unwavering dedication to one another, and Crookshanks' role as intermediary. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is required for a strong partnership? Thank you to James for this we...

This year in commemoration of Juneteenth, we’re spotlighting The Final 5 Campaign , a coalition working to close the final five youth prisons in Illinois. We’re joined in conversation by one of their leaders, Alicia Brown, who tells us about what it means to be a prison abolitionist and her work with the campaign.  Please join us by making a donation , learning more about the failures of yout...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Rest in Chapter Sixteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss end of year exams, Trelawney's mid-nap prediction, and the inefficient use of time-turners. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we embrace and account for rest as a necessity? Thank you to Tatiana for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading C...

We're taking a quick break from our usual programming to introduce the newest season of Hot and Bothered , where we're currently reading through Pride & Prejudice! Each week, Vanessa and Lauren Sandler will deep dive into a chapter (or two or three) of the novel. We are talking to Jane Austen scholars, fans, and skeptics and we are going to constantly be asking ourselves: Why is this the...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Triumph in Chapter Fifteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Gryffindor's big win, Hermione's out of character behavior, and Trelawney's dedication to feuding with children. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we think of triumph in a way that doesn't put down others? Thank you to Amber for this week’s voi...

Every week during our episode, we dedicate some time to remembering members of our community who have been loved and lost. This week we are also remembering the 19 children and 2 teachers killed in Uvalde, Texas last week. May their memories be a blessing to us all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Matt are joined by very special guest Casper ter Kuile to explore the theme of Wisdom in Chapter Fourteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss increased security measures at Hogwarts, a timely piece of sage advice from Hagrid, and the teeny tiny delivery owls. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we combine our lived experiences and pe...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Independence in Chapter Thirteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss sports(!!!), Neville's exile, and the pros and cons of Hermione's current lack of dependence on the boys. Throughout the episode we consider the question: to what extent does independence truly exist in our interconnected lives and relationships? Thank you to S...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Inspiration in Chapter Twelve of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss the trio's ongoing friendship troubles, the proper inspiration behind a successful patronus, and the healing properties of Lupin's steady supply of chocolate. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is inspiration and how can we persevere through the...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Pride in Chapter Eleven of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Harry's pride in his broom, the etymology of pride vs. how it is understood in the modern day, and the intersection of pride and recklessness inherent in Harry's pursuit of Sirius Black. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is pride a display of excess...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Confusion in Chapter Ten of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss the trio's stay at Hogwarts over the holidays, Harry's attachment to the shards of his broomstick, and the disruption that the dementors create on school grounds. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can confusion contribute to isolation, and how do we...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Rehabilitation in Chapter Nine of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Harry's fall from his broomstick, the rehabilitation of Snape's image, and Cedric Diggory's good sportsmanship. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can rehabilitation help us move forward, when we are not able to return to the way things were? Th...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Respect in Chapter Eight of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Lupin's robes, the inkling of respect Peeves shows to Dumbledore, and Hermione's disdain for Trelawney. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we recognize and appreciate the different ways people may show respect? Thank you to Anjoli for this week’s...

Vanessa and Matt are joined by special guest Jackson Bird this week, as they explore the theme of Burnout in Chapter Seven of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss the etymology of burnout, Snape's villain origin story, and the Boggart as an exercise in teamwork. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what resources can we draw upon to mitigate burnout? Thank y...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Joy in Chapter Six of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Slytherin laughter, the joy of teaching, and McGonagall's take on Trelawney. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we find joy even during long periods of stress and unhappiness? Thank you to Sam for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 7...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Redemption in Chapter Five of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Scabbers vs. Crookshanks, Percy's love life, and Lupin's redemption arc. Throughout the episode we consider the question: who has the power to redeem us? Thank you to Hannah for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 6, Talons and Tea Leaves, through...

Matt and special guest Jolie Doggett (!!!) explore the theme of Home in Chapter Four of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Harry's newfound freedoms, the abundance of good meals in the chapter, and Crookshanks' new home. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what contributes to our sense of home? Thank you to Rhi for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're r...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Effort in Chapter Three of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss the myth of effort as an unlimited resource, the Ministry's search for Sirius Black, and Stan's introduction to "Neville Longbottom". Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we apply effort efficiently? Thank you to Anna for this week’s voicemail! Next...

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Ignorance in Chapter Two of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss news coverage of Sirius Black, the ignorance of muggles, and, of course, Aunt Marge's Big Mistake. Throughout the episode we consider the question: at what point does ignorance become willful? Thank you to Millie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapt...