Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
Not Sorry Productions
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/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 23, 2024 • 47min
Love: The Second War Begins (Book 5, Chapter 38)
This week, Vanessa and special guest Nathalie Folkerts explore the theme of Love in Chapter 38 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Hagrid’s caretaking, systemic failures, and loving moments with the kids! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we create more loving systems?Thank you to Helena for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're wrapping up Book 5 with Matt Potts!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 16, 2024 • 50min
Control: The Lost Prophecy (Book 5, Chapter 37)
This week, Vanessa and special guest Micaela Blei explore the theme of Control in Chapter 37 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Dumbledore’s disclosures, Harry’s anger, and Trelawney’s gift! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is actually within our control?Thank you to Marie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 38, The Second War Begins, through the theme of Love with Nathalie Folkerts!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 9, 2024 • 38min
Mercy: The Only One He Ever Feared (Book 5, Chapter 36)
This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Mercy in Chapter 36 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Dumbledore’s grand return, Lupin’s gentle explanation, and Bellatrix’s punishment! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what distinguishes mercy from things like compassion or care?Thank you to Eva for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 37, The Lost Prophecy, through the theme of Control with special guest Micaela Blei!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 2, 2024 • 42min
Desire: Beyond the Veil (Book 5, Chapter 35)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Desire in Chapter 35 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss the Deatheaters’ true desires, the prophecy, and the Ministry’s denial. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what underlies our surface desires?Thank you to Yvette for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 36, The Only One He Ever Feared, through the theme of Mercy with Casper ter Kuile!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 25, 2024 • 42min
Success: The Department of Mysteries (Book 5, Chapter 34)
This week, Vanessa and Jolie explore the theme of Success in Chapter 34 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Harry’s plan, the Deatheaters’ success, and Ron as an engine. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what are the many possible ways in which we can measure success?Thank you to Emily for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 35, Beyond the Veil, through the theme of Desire with Matt Potts!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 18, 2024 • 52min
Anger: Fight and Flight (Book 5, Chapter 33)
This week, Vanessa and Matt are joined by special guest Neil J. Young as they explore the theme of Anger in Chapter 33 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Grawp’s big feelings, Harry’s outburst, and the Centaurs’ generational anger! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does our anger guide us?Thank you to Brittany for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 34, The Department of Mysteries, through the theme of Success with Jolie Doggett!Check out Neil’s upcoming book, “Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right,” and more of his work on his website at https://neiljyoung.com/ !--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 11, 2024 • 40min
Isolation: Out of the Fire (Book 5, Chapter 32)
This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Isolation in Chapter 32 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Umbridge’s leadership, Hermione’s master plan, and Snape’s code! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we get creative to combat isolation?Thank you to Annalisa for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 33, Fight and Flight, through the theme of Anger with Matt Potts!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 4, 2024 • 36min
Naivete: O.W.L.s (Book 5, Chapter 31)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Naivete in Chapter 31 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Hagrid’s arrest, Harry’s big plan, and the end of Occlumency lessons! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does naivete leave us more vulnerable?Thank you to Alex for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 32, Out of the Fire, through the theme of Isolation with Casper ter Kuile!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 28, 2024 • 46min
Determination: Grawp (Book 5, Chapter 30)
This week, Vanessa and special guest Jackson Bird explore the theme of Determination in Chapter 30 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss the titular Grawp, Peeves’ newfound determination, and times the word actually comes up in the text! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how are sacrifice and determination intertwined?Thank you to Grace for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 31, O.W.L.s, through the theme of Naivete with Matt Potts!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 21, 2024 • 49min
Community: Careers Advice (Book 5, Chapter 29)
In this episode, they discuss Fred & George leaving, Draco's lack of community, and Hogwarts' sub-communities. They explore community building for the homeless and shared memories in fostering connections. The theme of courage within communities is contrasted with Draco's isolation. They also examine community dynamics at Hogwarts and Slytherin, along with the impact of genuine smiles during dark times.
