Claim OwnershipHarry Potter and the Sacred Text
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It’s the English class you didn't know you missed and the meaningful conversations you didn't know you craved. Join Vanessa Zoltan and Matt Potts as they bring thought, reflection and laughter to Harry Potter; not just as novels, but as instructive and inspirational texts that will teach us about our own lives. Relive the magic of Harry Potter chapter by chapter as Matt and Vanessa explore themes such as commitment, revenge and forgiveness. This podcast creates time in your week to think about life’s big questions. Because reading fiction doesn’t just help us escape the world, it helps us live in it.
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is produced by Not Sorry Productions, a feminist organization that produces podcasts, educational content, live shows, and immersive experiences with the explicit goal of addressing the spiritual needs of its participants. Through community, rigor, and ritual, we treat traditionally secular things as if they were sacred. To learn more about what we do, visit https://notsorryworks.com/.
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We're taking a two week break between seasons of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text! While we're off, we thought we'd share a recent episode of The Real Question. Casper wants to feel closer to his paternal grandparents. But there’s a problem: they’ve been dead for a few years now. Is there a way, as he grows older, for him to keep his grandparents an active part of his life? Drawing upon The Suitcase by Frances Stoner Saunders and Children and Art from the musical Sunday in the Park with George, Casper and Vanessa think through how grief changes over time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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, wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today, Vanessa is joined for a small bonus conversation by Hannah McGregor and Marcelle Kosman! Marcelle and Hannah are the cohosts of the podcast Witch, Please and will be leading several workshops for our upcoming summer camp: Calling All Magnificent People. Together, they apply a critical lens to traditional camp structures, and explore how we hope to create a more inclusive and welcoming space at our own camp. If you haven't yet signed up for camp, you can do so on our website! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10In the premiere episode of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text, Casper and Vanessa talk about why they are starting this project and analyze the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone through the theme of commitment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of loneliness in chapter two of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss the Dursleys' parenting choices, the significance of numbers, and the birthday blues. A small correction: In this week’s epsiode, Vanessa says that the letters for chai are יה (yud hay), when they are actually חי (chet yud). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of fear in chapter three of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss Vernon Dursley's illusion of control, the psychology of bullies, and climate change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of generosity in chapter four of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Casper demonstrates his excellent Hagrid impression and Vanessa addresses whether we can or should empathize with the Dursleys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of "being a stranger" in chapter five of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss hefty ideas like consumerist culture in the wizarding world, Hagrid's status as an outsider, and mentorship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of expectations in chapter six of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss Harry and Ron's budding friendship, the unusual bravery of Scabbers the rat, and how our bodily practices relate to our spiritual experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of vulnerability in chapter seven of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss how Harry’s experience with the sorting hat teaches us to reclaim our own narratives after trauma, and extend blessings both to know-it-all Hermione and know-nothing Neville.*NB: Vanessa’s opening story is about sexual assault. If you want to skip it, the 30-second recap starts about 5 minutes into the episode. * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of promises in chapter eight of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss tropes in bad 80s tv shows, Harry's reaction to his own fame, and Hermione's destiny to smash the patriarchy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of betrayal in chapter nine of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss bullying, Brexit, and why Professor mcGonagall might be a worse teacher than you think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of friendship in chapter ten of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss Hermione's confrontation with mortality, give an allegorical reading of Quidditch, and offer a possible redemption for McGonagall after last week's criticism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of goals in chapter eleven of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss Voldemort's questionable judgment in this chapter, whether our intentions are as important as our actions, and Vanessa's lasting admiration for Whoopi Goldberg. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of white privilege in chapter twelve of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss Molly Weasley's continued generosity, explore the topic of invisibility both literally and metaphorically, and begin a new spiritual exercise: the Jewish practice of Havruta. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of hope in chapter thirteen of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss Neville's brawl with the Slytherins, the sacred space of quidditch, and whether a rhetoric of hope can be exploitative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa recounts how she came to read literature as sacred and, in Casper’s absence, uses voicemails from the audience as her conversation partners this week. Together, they touch on a new theology of horcruxes, the difficulty of transitions, and why Hermione wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw. We’re back to your regularly scheduled programming next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of rebellion in chapter fourteen of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss Casper's high school antics, Hagrid's lack of self-care, and whether the ends justify the means when Hermione manipulates Hagrid to gain information about the Sorcerer's Stone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of regret in chapter fifteen of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss the eccentric behavior of centaurs, celebrate Neville's burgeoning bravery, and try to justify Filch's ongoing sadism in this chapter. Throughout the episode they return to the question: why do we regret things that are out of our control? This week's voicemail is thanks to Kevin Bianchi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of destiny in chapter sixteen, the penultimate chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss why Neville is excluded from the trio's adventure, where Hermione's strengths and weaknesses come from, and the possible symbolism of chess pieces. Throughout the episode they look at the question: are our choices part of our destiny? This week's voicemail is thanks to Micah Herstand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This episode really missed the mark for me in terms of accurate depictions of mercy. They never defined what they viewed as the meaning of mercy and as I am relying on the standard/dictionary definition to guide my interpretations, their discussion really doesn't coincide with that view. As they discuss, it sounds like their view of mercy is simply being nice/kind to others to alleviate pain, whereas I'm viewing it more traditionally as an imbalance of power where the more powerful party has the capacity to inflict harm and consciously chooses to refrain. Love the podcast but this episode doesn't resonate.
Grace is something I wasn't too familiar with; similar to Casper and Vanessa. It seems to be overused A LOT in the Christian community/my small, Conservative town. After listening to this, I think the local context where I hear "grace" used has become incredibly diluted and taken so much away from this gorgeous concept.
I loved the brief discussion on Neville and his character! I had never noticed those link before and reading and thinking about destiny as it pertains to Neville fit so well within the story and really added to my appreciation of the many threads that weave this into a beautiful story.
reminds me a bit too much of the religious people I knew back in my home town. do think there could be more literary analysis though.
loved the Toni Morrison quote -- amazing! Also, excellent question posed by Dallas on the voicemail; so much to unpack and think about!
در ادامه با دل ببندی ببینید عدد پوشش توده عدد. همهپرسی عدد تتلو تو اون ر چون نه الان دارید دوستانتون او اقب پول غدد ببره در ببرد تا از د آن داد؟روی وول مدل ی ببریدندا خوف تا غ از پ فن در کنند فعال قهوه وب پس پس پل د پپ
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عالی
As a Dutchy, I loved Casper's 30s recap in this episode. Sounded hilarious with his accent 😂
"Real fighters die and people who give in survive." I'll be thinking about that for awhile.
A great podcast
Amazing how Vanessa just casually flawlessly quotes act 5 scene 5 of Macbeth.
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heard an ad for this pod on another feed. jk rowling hasn't "outed herself as transphobic." she hasn't said or written anything transphobic. you're repeating the misogynistic lie that protecting women's rights is an attack on trans identified people. it isn't.
Instead of listening to this episode by Americans, why don't you watch this British Trans woman talk about Rowling's essay on British issues in an objective manner? https://youtu.be/ixCFuFvNgLw
I'm sorry, "rapey"??? When? On my 10th pass through the series, I cannot find or think of anything to merit that, save for one harrassing comment made to Lavender in book 4. Please show me the lines that go beyond that. I absolutely think Ron is a flawed character & some of the podcast analyses of him are great, but Vanessa's double-standard has itched for awhile now. Hermione physically assaults Ron twice, disfigures a classmate, & keeps a woman in a jar, yet she is the paragon of virtue. Harry uses unforgiveable curses (& is chronically repulsed by feminine things). And Ron has issues but . . . having privilege while also disliking the poverty he was bullied for is not unreasonable. There's too much to nitpick here, but I'm just tired of the scapegoating.