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The Free Press Investigates

Author: The Free Press

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The Free Press Investigates brings you gripping, deeply reported stories you can't find anywhere else—and the investigations others won’t dare to cover. Our new series, Spiral: Murder in Detroit drops soon. Until then, listen to Season 1: The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling.

8 Episodes
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Season 1: Trailer

Season 1: Trailer

2023-02-1401:3723

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling premieres Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Learn more Read an essay by host Megan Phelps-Roper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Host Megan Phelps-Roper writes a letter to J.K. Rowling—and receives a surprising invitation in reply: the opportunity for an intimate conversation in Rowling’s Scottish home. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chapter 2: Burn The Witch

Chapter 2: Burn The Witch

2023-02-2155:4366

As "Harry Potter" becomes an international phenomenon, it coincides with the culture wars of the 1990s. In the backlash from Christians across America, author J.K. Rowling is accused of mainstreaming witchcraft and poisoning children’s minds. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chapter 3:  A New Pyre

Chapter 3: A New Pyre

2023-02-2801:02:1750

The early days of the internet collide with the feverish fandom of “Harry Potter,” and a sprawling, global community emerges. But the hopefulness of this new technology brings with it the darker impulses of human nature. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chapter 4: TERF Wars

Chapter 4: TERF Wars

2023-03-0701:03:0347

The movement for trans rights hits its stride in the early 2010s, but encounters fierce resistance from an unexpected source. J.K. Rowling watches the battle unfold with mounting unease. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chapter 5: The Tweets

Chapter 5: The Tweets

2023-03-1401:00:4844

After years of observing the conflict between advocates for trans rights and women’s rights, J.K. Rowling weighs in. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chapter 6: Natalie and Noah

Chapter 6: Natalie and Noah

2023-03-2101:13:0938

Transgender fans of Harry Potter share their criticism of J.K. Rowling—and the experiences that inform their views. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, Megan Phelps-Roper, and Candace Mittel Kahn, with special thanks to Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Host Megan Phelps-Roper asks J.K. Rowling to respond to pushback from some of her critics. The two also discuss the difficulty of discernment—why it can be so hard to know what’s right. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Comments (217)

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Sep 22nd
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Sep 22nd
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Parsa Kashef

calling this a "witch trial" is basically against women's rights, JK isn't some underdog, she has fueled hatred towards trans people and has invested large amounts of money in taking their rights away, and then goes and calls trans people her oppressers while hiding her bigotry behind the guise of women's rights, free speech doesn't mean freedom of consequence, and hate speech shouldn't be ignored and swept under the rug.

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