

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

Dec 22, 2022 • 14min
Special Sneak Peek! (Forgiveness: An Alternative Account)
Beloved co-host of the pod, Matt Potts, released his book Forgiveness: An Alternative Account a few weeks ago and it is so! good!! We're very excited to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book - read by Matt himself. You can find the book wherever books are sold, or snag a signed copy from our website!--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 15, 2022 • 53min
Intellectual Humility: The Unforgivable Curses (Book 4, Chapter 14)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Intellectual Humility in Chapter Fourteen of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, with some help from Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren! They discuss Snape's cruelty towards Neville, the logic behind Barty Crouch Jr. / Moody's approach to teaching the unforgivable curses, and the early days of S.P.E.W. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we use the concept of Intellectual Humility to be more "right-sized" in our everyday lives? We're taking a break for the holidays, but we'll be back next year reading Chapter Fifteen, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang through the theme of Creativity!--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 8, 2022 • 53min
Rage: Mad-Eye Moody (Book 4, Chapter 13)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Rage in Chapter Thirteen of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss Bobotuber pus, Hagrid's care of magical creatures, and the classic Barty Crouch Jr. / Mad-Eye Moody conundrum. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when does anger spill over into rage? Thank you to Emily for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter Fourteen, The Unforgivable Curses, through the theme of Intellectual Humility. --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 1, 2022 • 36min
Special Episode: Harry Potter through the theme of Forgiveness!
Last week, our very own Matt Potts published his book Forgiveness: An Alternative Account, in which he explores the complex moral terrain of forgiveness. In honor of the book being out, we're bringing you this special episode of HPST - looking at the theme of Forgiveness in the Harry Potter series! Throughout the episode we use Matt's theory on forgiveness to help us better understand the text, and one another. Next week we're reading Book 4 Chapter 13, Mad Eye Moody, through the theme of Rage.--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.

Nov 24, 2022 • 50min
Compassion: The Triwizard Tournament (Book 4, Chapter 12)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Compassion in Chapter Twelve of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss Hermione's introduction to house elves at Hogwarts, the Giant Squid's excellent demonstration of compassion in action, and the lack of support for rain drenched children at Hogwarts. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when do allow ourselves self-compassion? Thank you to Aurora for their voicemail. Next week we're doing a special episode on the theme of Forgiveness in the Harry Potter series to celebrate the release of Matt's book!--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.

Nov 17, 2022 • 56min
Peace: Aboard the Hogwarts Express (Book 4, Chapter 11)
This week, Vanessa and Matt are joined by special guest Jolie Doggett as they explore the theme of Peace in Chapter Eleven of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss the lack of peace in Moody's life, a classic Draco Malfoy train encounter, and Ron's superhuman strength. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we find little pockets of peace when life becomes overwhelming? Thank you to Bitty for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Book 4 Chapter 12, The Triwizard Tournament, through the theme of Paranoia.--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.

Nov 14, 2022 • 14min
Special Announcement: Rebecca Pilgrimage with Dana Schwartz!
Vanessa is joined by Dana Schwartz to chat about their upcoming Rebecca pilgrimage and the theme of haunting. Find out more here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 10, 2022 • 56min
Quitting: Mayhem at the Ministry (Book 4, Chapter 10)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Quitting in Chapter Ten of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss Arthur's obligations as both a parent and government employee, Harry's confession to his pals, and the usefulness (or lack thereof) of portkeys. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when does quitting allow us to choose something better? Thank you to Sarah for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Book 4 Chapter 11, Aboard the Hogwarts Express with special guest Jolie Doggett (!!), through the theme of Peace.Vanessa's new project, "Should I Quit" is now available wherever you listen to podcasts!--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.

Nov 3, 2022 • 51min
Humility: The Dark Mark (Book 4, Chapter 9)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Humility in Chapter Nine of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss the return of the Death Eaters, Harry's Quidditch dreams, and Winky's predicament. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what does it mean to be appropriately humble? Thank you to Callahan for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Book 4 Chapter 10, Mayhem at the Ministry, through the theme of Quitting.--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.

Oct 27, 2022 • 54min
Nostalgia: The Quidditch World Cup (Book 4, Chapter 8)
This week, Vanessa and very special guest Jackson Bird explore the theme of Nostalgia in Chapter Eight of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! They discuss sports(!!!!!), Dobby stirring the pot for house elves, and the Malfoy vs Weasley dichotomy. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we reconcile our conflicting feelings about the past? Thank you to Sydney for their voicemail! Next week we're reading Book 4 Chapter 9, The Dark Mark, through the theme of Humility.--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.


