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 30, 2019 • 37min
Home: Beyond the Veil (Book 5, Chapter 35)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Home in chapter thirty-five of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This week we discuss the individuality of the Death Eaters, Harry’s relationship to Sirius, and the realities of war. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we appreciate a piece of text we hate?Thanks to Sarah-Jane for this week's voicemail! Next week we’ll be reading chapter thirty-six, The Only One He Ever Feared, through the theme of Jealousy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 23, 2019 • 42min
Concealment: The Department of Mysteries (Book 5, Chapter 34)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Concealment in chapter thirty-four of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This week we discuss Ron’s comment about the prophecy, whether Harry is fooling himself about Sirius, and the physical landscape of The Department of Mysteries. Throughout the episode we consider the question: If you could know when you die, would you want to?Thanks to Lorraine Haymen for this week's voicemail! Next week we’ll be reading chapter thirty-five, Beyond the Veil, through the theme of Home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 16, 2019 • 42min
Inheritance: Fight and Flight (Book 5, Chapter 33)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Inheritance in chapter thirty-three of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This week discuss Centaurs as isolationists, Neville’s wand, and Luna’s redemption in Vanessa’s eyes. Throughout the episode we consider the question: What’s the relationship between inheritance and loss?Thanks to Kimia for this week's voicemail! Next week we’ll be reading chapter thirty-four, The Department of Mysteries, through the theme of Concealment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 9, 2019 • 40min
Redemption: Out of the Fire (Book 5, Chapter 32)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Redemption in chapter thirty-two of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This week we look at a few characters and their possible arcs of redemption: Dolores Umbridge, Severus Snape, Kreacher, and Ron Weasley. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Do we feel comfortable saying that certain people are irredeemable?Thanks to Leah Holleran for this week's voicemail! Next week we’ll be reading chapter thirty-three, Fight and Flight, through the theme of Inheritance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 6, 2019 • 19min
Blessing Molly Weasley with Dr. Chloe Angyal
We have a special guest on this week’s episode of Women of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text - our dear friend Dr. Chloe Angyal. Chloe has chosen to bless Molly for invisible labor during this war. Vanessa invents a game about great animal moms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 2, 2019 • 41min
Celebration: O.W.L.s (Book 5, Chapter 31)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Celebration in chapter thirty-one of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This week we discuss Ron’s victory in the quidditch match, Harry’s opportunity to show off his Patronus skills, and joy as a tool of resistance. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do we make celebration about collection triumph rather than individual superiority?Thanks to Erik for this week's voicemail! Next week we’ll be reading chapter thirty-two, Out of the Fire, through the theme of redemption. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 25, 2019 • 43min
Owl Post from the Apocalypse with Professor Matt Potts
Vanessa sits down with Professor Matt Potts to discuss the theology of Apocalypses. They discover that many fruitful questions come out of contemplating an Apocalypse: What makes for a good life? What am I trying to preserve? Who is my responsibility to protect? What do I want to survive?This episode we also hear owl post from Peach Perera, Stephanie Greenley, Brit Barkholtz, Kari Gottfried, and Connie Kucani.Next week, we'll be reading Chapter 31 of Order of the Phoenix, O.W.L.s, through the theme of Celebration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 18, 2019 • 41min
Familiarity: Grawp (Book 5, Chapter 30)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Familiarity in chapter thirty of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This week we really pick apart Hagrid’s decision to ask the kids to take care of Grawp. Throughout the episode we consider the question: When does familiarity keep us from seeing the dangers around us?Thanks to Tess Schleitwiler for this week's voicemail! Next week Vanessa will be joined by Professor Matt Potts to talk about the apocalypse and answer some Owl Post. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 11, 2019 • 42min
Revenge: Career Advice (Book 5, Chapter 29)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Revenge in chapter twenty-nine of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This week we discuss the tension between Umbridge and Mcgonagall, the brilliance of Fred and George, and Harry’s dream to be an Auror. Throughout the episode they consider the question: How do we dissipate our need for revenge?Thanks to Kat Zdan for this week's voicemail! Next week we’ll be reading chapter thirty, Grawp, through the theme of familiarity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 8, 2019 • 21min
Blessing Ginny Weasley
It’s Vanessa’s turn to bless a female character of Harry Potter, and she’s chosen to bless Ginny for her trauma at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Ariana invents a game about youngest members of famous groups. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
