Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

<p>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.</p><br /><p>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 <a href="https://notsorryworks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://notsorryworks.com/</a>.</p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The Real Question: Grandparents

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.

04-08
43:29

Revisionist History: I Was A Stranger And You Welcomed Me

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.

08-01
34:11

Special Edition: Reimagining Summer Camp with Witch, Please!

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.

05-09
16:19

Let's Ask Taylor Swift: Tim McGraw

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 much with fans. In our first season, every episode will look at the lead single from one of Taylor’s albums. We're sharing with you our first episode on Tim McGraw, but we've also just released our second episode on Love Story in the Let's Ask Taylor Swift feed. If you enjoyed this episode, go subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12-11
35:05

Commitment: The Boy Who Lived (Book 1, Chapter 1)

In 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.

05-19
26:54

Loneliness: The Vanishing Glass (Book 1, Chapter 2)

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.

05-27
32:19

Fear: The Letters From No One (Book 1, Chapter 3)

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.

06-03
28:14

Generosity: The Keeper of the Keys (Book 1, Chapter 4)

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.

06-11
27:49

Being a Stranger: Diagon Alley (Book 1, Chapter 5)

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.

06-18
30:23

Expectations: The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters (Book 1, Chapter 6)

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.

06-25
27:30

Vulnerability: The Sorting Hat (Book 1, Chapter 7)

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.

07-02
28:27

Promises: The Potions Master (Book 1, Chapter 8)

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.

07-09
30:35

Betrayal: The Midnight Duel (Book 1, Chapter 9)

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.

07-16
29:48

Friendship: Halloween (Book 1, Chapter 10)

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.

07-23
32:46

Goals: Quidditch (Book 1, Chapter 11)

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.

07-30
27:54

White Privilege: The Mirror of Erised (Book 1, Chapter 12)

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.

08-06
26:59

Hope: Nicolas Flamel (Book 1, Chapter 13)

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.

08-13
28:23

Special Edition: Catching up on the Owl Post

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.

08-20
29:23

Rebellion: Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback (Book 1, Chapter 14)

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.

08-28
26:18

Regret: The Forbidden Forest (Book 1, Chapter 15)

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.

09-03
27:52

Banafsheh Rezvani

Just enjoying listening to this podcast 🥲😍

08-09 Reply

Mahshid Nafeipour

Hi On the issue of Mental health, there’s this problem that we face in the last book: Even Dumbledore’s own sister is dealing with PTSD!!! The poor little Ariana was assaulted when she was very little by three muggles!! And her family did nothing to help her through medication or along for help from healers. It shows mental health used to be a source of shame. Dumbledores preferred to hide Ariana away rather to seek professional help.

03-17 Reply

Mahshid Nafeipour

Thank you guys. This podcast is amazing. I wanted to answer this question if I may that Why Dumbledore stood aside and let Fudge take Hagrid for opening The Chamber of Secrets, although both of them knew Hague didn’t do it. I think Dumbledore know how the government works. He knows of he challenges Fudge he might be removed from Hogwarts and students will be will lesser security. I believe Dumbledore had to make this sacrifice in order to stay at Hogwarts and try to catch Riddle.

03-17 Reply

Mohammad

thank u

06-15 Reply

Victoria

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03-18 Reply

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