Magic Beyond the Books

Griphook the Gringotts goblin appears in books 1 and 7 (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) playing a big role in Harry’s bank visits. In this episode, I breakdown goblins in folklore vs. Harry Potter and talk all about the great sword dispute. Finally, don’t miss this week’s listener question of the week where I sort the penguins of Madaga...

“So, all in all not one of Ron’s better birthdays.” It’s Ron’s eventful 17th birthday (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, book 6, Chapter 18: Birthday Surprises - Chapter 19: Elf Tails). Jess guest-hosts as we discuss real-life bezoars, what amortentia would smell like for us, and the Lavender-Ron-Hermione love triangle. Happy birthday, Ronald! Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTok

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - the movie! New guest-host, Tori, joins the podcast as we rewatch movie #3. We discuss everything from our favorite aspects, background catches, behind-the-scenes facts, and even our patronuses. Break out of Azkaban and pull out your time-turner, and listen to this week’s episode! Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTok

Press play and watch Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Amazon Prime Video Version) with me while I add my comments, share differences from the book, and give behind-the-scenes fun facts. This is a special watch-along episode for the movie fans! Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTok

“It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements and the other nations will help you become whole.” - Uncle Iroh Lynn guest-hosts as we compare Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) and Harry Potter. We sort ATLA characters into Hogwarts houses, place Harry Potter characters into the Ava...

“You have your mother’s eyes.” Today’s episode is all about Harry Potter’s green-eyed mother, Lily Evans Potter! I talk about her willow wand, review her tragically short timeline, and share my fan casts for the role. Plus, there are some crazy fan theories circling around about this red-head (maybe Crookshanks is Lily’s long lost cat??). I dig up all the dirt on our favorite flower in this episod...

Lee Jordan’s radio show “Potterwatch” hits the airwaves and I talk about everything from the codenames to current events in the muggle world (book 7 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 22: The Deathly Hallows). I celebrate 50 episodes of this podcast by sharing behind-the-scenes facts about Magic Beyond the Books. No password is needed to tune in to this week’s episode! Follow us on In...

Lynn guest-hosts as we review the tragic tale of Winky the house-elf, servant to the Crouch family. We talk about Winky coddling Barty Crouch Junior, discuss theories around how house-elf ownership works, and ponder how Dobby and Winky met. To top it off, this week’s listener question of the week has us wondering if Harry Potter is actually left-handed. Grab your tea towel and your stolen wand, an...

“Not a dog. Harry, it’s a trap. He’s the dog. He’s an animagus!” Jessie guest-hosts the pod as we discuss the scene where Sirius Black is revealed in the Shrieking Shack (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 17: Cat, Rat, and Dog, Chapter 18: Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, and Chapter 19: The Servant of Lord Voldemort). We discuss the many plot twists in this scene, our favorit...

We predict you will listen to this episode! Professor Sybill Patricia Trelawney, best known for her exploits as the divination teacher at Hogwarts, takes center stage today as we discuss her many predictions, the symbolism behind her name, and her short-lived marriage. Jess shares her theories about how prophecies end up in the Ministry of Magic and Rene shares Emma Thompson fun facts. Follow us o...

Happy Christmas from Hogwarts! I cover the Christmas scene from book 1, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone (chapter 12, The Mirror of Erised). Learn about the Potter family history, muggle and wizard Christmas crackers, the 50 pence piece, and Christmas pickles in this episode. And afterward, maybe try to make a flaming Christmas pudding?  Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTo...

In our first ever crossover episode, Jess and Rene compare A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) with Harry Potter. We sort ACOTAR characters into Hogwarts houses, put Harry Potter characters into courts of Prythian, and discuss what mating bonds would look like if they existed in Harry Potter. Warning: there are ACOTAR spoilers in this episode (from the first five books). Follow us on Instagram Fo...

The hottest yet most forgotten Weasley brother, Charlie, is the star of today’s episode! I discuss Charlie’s favorite dragon, give a breakdown of the Weasley children, discuss fan theories, and share my fan cast for the role. Ride your dragon and catch a snitch because today is all about Charlie Weasley! Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTok

Harry sneaks into Hogsmeade Village and has his first butterbeer in this scene (book 3, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, chapter 10, The Marauder’s Map). Lynn guest-hosts as we play Harry Potter 20 questions, learn what nougat is, and discuss the Hogwarts professors’ drinks of choice. Grab your convicted murderer godparent and Honeydukes sweets and join us for this week’s episode! Follow...

In today’s episode, we talk all about our favorite Hufflepuff, Cedric Diggory. Jess guest-hosts as we discuss the meanings behind Cedric’s name, compare and contrast Edward Cullen and Cedric Diggory, and give our fan casts for Cedric. Rene tells us about Cedric’s wand and Jess shares Robert Pattinson fun facts. So jump out of a tree, grab your portkey, and join us for this episode! Follow us on In...

It’s Christmas and Hogwarts is hosting the Yule Ball. Jessie guest-hosts as we discuss the outfits, decorations, and many secret conversations happening at the dance. We talk about Harry’s socks, Snape’s mission to stop rosebush hookups, and, of course, Romione. So, put on your lacy dress robes, keep a magical eye out for beetles, and join us for this episode! Follow us on Instagram Follow us on T...

Take a portal with us to Universal’s newest theme park - Epic Universe! Jess guest-hosts as we discuss the five worlds included in the park - Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, Isle of Berk (How to Train Your Dragon), and Celestial Park. We discuss our favorite attractions, rank the worlds, and reminisce about delectable macaroni and cheese cones. Grab your expre...

Angelina Johnson - star chaser and Gryffindor quidditch captain - captured our hearts (and the Weasley twins’s hearts) in the Harry Potter books. Now it’s time to talk about her illustrious time at Hogwarts. She had two quidditch cup wins, NEWTs, a secret society membership, and multiple suitors - what else could a young witch need? Listen to this episode to hear all about Angelina! Follow us on I...

“TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS! Thought you ought to know.” Today Lynn guest-hosts the pod as we discuss the Halloween scene from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (chapter 10 Hallowe’en). There are thousands of bats at the Halloween feast, a troll has invaded Hogwarts, the trio officially begins their friendship, and Hermione is maybe wearing a wig! Needless to say, a lot happens in this scene. We di...

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone - the movie! Rewatching this film, I share my reactions, compare with the book, and note things “director Rene” would do differently. Strap in for some controversial topics as I answer the following: Is this a Christmas or Halloween movie? Did this movie deserve an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes? What movies do I think are worse that received a better rating? And, of...

It’s spooky season and what better time to discuss two of the most classic movie monsters? In this special episode, I talk all about vampires and werewolves in Harry Potter. I share the history of the lore, Harry Potter actors who make appearances as vampires or werewolves in other TV shows and films, and fan theories. Was there a vampire teacher at Hogwarts? Is Draco Malfoy a werewolf? Where did...

Bellatrix Maybe-Crazy-Lady Lestrange made her mark on the Harry Potter universe and today Jess is back on the podcast to discuss all things Bellatrix. We cover everything from Delphi’s role in the Cursed Child, the hottest Harry Potter movie men, and all theories about Bellatrix from her love life to her questionable sanity. Join us for this wild ride which includes movie behind-the-scenes facts,...

It’s September 1, 1991, and Harry Potter sails with the other first-years to Hogwarts castle (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone/Philosopher’s Stone, Chapter 6, The Journey From Platform Nine and Three-Quarters). I talk about what was happening in the real world in September 1991 and share JK Rowling’s map of the Hogwarts grounds. Put on your grunge outfits and grab a boat, it’s time to go to H...

Mr. Ollivander revolutionized the wand-making industry and sold wands to many great wizards (including Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort). Today I breakdown his story throughout the Harry Potter books and beyond. I share a breakdown of the three magical beasts from which he sources his wand cores - dragons, phoenices, and unicorns - and ponder the dark theories surrounding his business practices. Gr...

In this special episode, I discuss the two wizarding world gangs - Dumbledore’s Order of the Phoenix and Voldemort’s Death Eaters. I share the known members, leaders, companion groups, headquarters, communication methods, battle strategies, and even the other group names JK Rowling considered. Touch your tattoos and send patronuses to your friends because it’s time to talk about some secret societ...