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
Feb 23, 2023 • 53min
Vulnerability: The House Elf Liberation Front (Book 4, Chapter 21)
This week, Matt and special guest Jackson Bird (!!) explore the theme of Vulnerability in Chapter Twenty-One of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss Rita Skeeter's interest in Hagrid, Neville's trauma, and the hidden power of the house-elves. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we take care of ourselves after we've chosen to be vulnerable? Thank you to Kait for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter Twenty-Two, The Unexpected Task, through the theme of Ceremony with Hannah and Marcelle from the wonderful podcast Witch, Please!--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.
Feb 21, 2023 • 25min
Special Edition: Interview with Delphene Mooney from On the Rise
Hello everyone! Today we're very excited to bring you this special episode of HPST, in conversation with Delphene Mooney, Executive Director at On The Rise. Over the month of February, we're hoping to raise $10k to support their incredible organization. If you haven't already, please check out our fundraiser. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 16, 2023 • 47min
Intelligence: The First Task (Book 4, Chapter 20)
This week, Matt and special guest Margaret H. Willison (!!) explore the theme of Intelligence in Chapter Twenty of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss Hermione's approach to studying, Harry's natural ability on the broom, and Ron's apology, or lack thereof. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what distinguishes intelligence from other forms of talent? Thank you to Rebecca for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter Twenty-one, The House-elf Liberation, through the theme of Vulnerability with special guest Jackson Bird.--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.
Feb 9, 2023 • 47min
Annoyance: The Hungarian Horntail (Book 4, Chapter 19)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Annoyance in Chapter Nineteen of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss Harry’s misdirected annoyance at Cho, Hermione’s growing frustration in the role of mediator, and Charlie’s touching concern for Harry. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what distinguishes annoyance from genuine fear or anger, and how can we handle it appropriately? Thank you to Ingrid for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter Twenty, The First Task, through the theme of Intelligence.--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.
Feb 2, 2023 • 45min
Reluctance: The Weighing of the Wands (Book 4, Chapter 18)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Reluctance in Chapter Eighteen of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss the "Potter Stinks!" badges, Rita Skeeter's journalistic practices, and the home court advantage of Mr. Ollivander examining the wands. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what can we learn from paying attention to moments where we feel reluctance? Thank you to Lynn for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter Nineteen, The Hungarian Horntail through the theme of annoyance.--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.
Jan 26, 2023 • 51min
Embarrassment: The Four Champions (Book 4, Chapter 17)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Embarrassment in Chapter Seventeen of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss the growing teen angst in these chapters, Karkarov and Maxime's reaction to unexpected tournament changes, and Ron's intertwining feelings of anger and embarrassment. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what does our embarrassment indicate about our values? Thank you to Alicia for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter Eighteen, The Weighing of the Wands, through the theme of reluctance.--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.
Jan 19, 2023 • 48min
Maturity: The Goblet Of Fire (Book 4, Chapter 16)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Maturity in Chapter Sixteen of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss the Goblet of Fire's age restriction, lurking romances at Hogwarts, and poor Poliakoff. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we measure maturity, and how is it limited by ability? Thank you to Krissy for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter Seventeen, The Four Champions, through the theme of embarrassment.--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.
Jan 12, 2023 • 34min
Owl Post Edition: An Interview with Stephanie Paulsell!
This week, Matt is joined by Stephanie Paulsell to discuss Wizarding supremacy in the Harry Potter series and a recent report on the legacy of slavery at Harvard. The two consider how we might use the Harry Potter series to think through injustices that are deeply ingrained into our buildings and gathering places, and what responsibility we have to name and atone for our shared history of violence and oppression.Thanks to Callie, Jaime, Erica, and our anonymous caller for their beautiful voicemail contributions! Next week we're reading Chapter Sixteen, The Goblet of Fire, through the theme of maturity.--It’s only two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollar 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.
Jan 5, 2023 • 40min
Creativity: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang (Book 4, Chapter 15)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Creativity in Chapter Fifteen of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss Harry and Ron's creative predictions in Trelawney's class, Snape's threatening approach to a potions lesson, and Neville's involuntary gymnastics. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we harness our creativity in order to problem solve? Thank you to Courtney for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter Sixteen, The Goblet of Fire, through the theme of maturity.--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.
Dec 25, 2022 • 2min
A Christmas Poem from Matt: Christmas Dog, by Shel Silverstein
Every Christmas, we like to share a favorite poem. This year it's 'Christmas Dog' by Shel Silverstein.We'll be back with our regularly scheduled episodes on January 5th. Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
