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 7, 2017 • 32min
Promises: Mayhem at the Ministry (Book 4, Chapter 10)
Vanessa and Casper revisit the theme of promises in chapter ten of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This week, we discuss whether Rita Skeeter is a good journalist, Arthur Weasley's work at the ministry, and shifting familial roles. Our question this week is: When is it appropriate to break promises?Next week we're reading chapter eleven, Aboard the Hogwarts Express, through the theme of play. Our voicemail this week is thanks to Crysta Swarts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 30, 2017 • 33min
Grudges: The Dark Mark (Book 4, Chapter 9)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of grudges in chapter nine of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This week, we continue our discussion about Veelas and sexism, look at the connection between the personal and the political, and celebrate Hermione's truth-telling. Our question this week is: what responsibility to do we have to understand and forgive people who perpetrate violent hate crimes?Next week we're reading chapter ten, Mayhem at the Ministry, through the theme of promise. Our voicemail this week is thanks to Lonna Hays. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 23, 2017 • 39min
Fandom: The Quidditch World Cup (Book 4, Chapter 8)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of fandom in chapter eight of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This week, our opening story is told by Kevin T. Porter, host of Gilmore Guys and Good Christian Fun. We discuss Veeela, nationalism, and Krum's decision to catch the snitch. Our question this week is: Is there a difference between sports fans and other fans?Next week we're reading chapter nine, The Dark Mark, through the theme of grudges. Our voicemail this week is thanks to Fran Smith. Happy Thanksgiving! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 16, 2017 • 30min
Beauty: Bagman and Crouch (Book 4, Chapter 7)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of beauty in chapter seven of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This week, we discuss Mr. Weasley's exoticization of muggles, Harry's generosity towards Ron, and why Fred and George gamble their whole life savings. Our question this week is: Can you disentangle beautiful things from the sometimes ugly situations (and people) that create them?Our voicemail this week is thanks to Emily Pickens. Next week we're reading chapter eight, The Quidditch World Cup, through the theme of fandom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 9, 2017 • 32min
Acceptance: The Portkey (Book 4, Chapter 6)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of acceptance in chapter six of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This week, Vanessa and Casper discuss different parent/child relationships as they manifest in Amos and Cedric Diggory and The Weasleys. Our question this week is: How do we know when to accept someone else's choice, even if we think it's the wrong one? Next week we're reading chapter seven, Bagman and Crouch, through the theme of beauty. Our voicemail this week is thanks to Leena Werskey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 2, 2017 • 38min
Masculinity: Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes (Book 4, Chapter 5)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Masculinity in chapter five of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This week, Vanessa and Casper discuss Ron's love of quidditch, Bill's gender performance, and Mr. Weasley's Oedipal conflict. Our question this week is: How does one actually get outside the boundaries of gender? Next week we're reading chapter six, The Portkey, through the theme of Acceptance. Our voicemail this week is thanks to Weronika Bartczak. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 26, 2017 • 51min
Mystery: Back to the Burrow (Book 4, Chapter 4)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Mystery in chapter four of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This week, Vanessa and Casper are joined by Zach Kerzee, the founding pastor of Simple Church. Zach tells our opening story, shares from his experience with the foster care system, and deconstructs what Arthur Weasley does right in this chapter. Our question this week is: How do we manage our fear of the unknown?Next week we're reading chapter five, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, through the theme of masculinity. Our voicemail this week is thanks to Tom Johnson. And here's a link to that episode of Radiolab Vanessa mentions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 19, 2017 • 34min
Awareness: The Invitation (Book 4, Chapter 3)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Awareness in chapter three of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This week, Vanessa and Casper talk about Dudley's weight problems, Molly Weasley's perfect letter to the Dursleys, and why Muggles can't go to The Quidditch World Cup. The burning question this week is: Who is the narrator of this text?Next week we're reading chapter four, Back to the Burrow, through the theme of mystery. Our sponsor this week is Care/Of and our voicemail this week is thanks to Kate McManus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 12, 2017 • 34min
Destruction: The Scar (Book 4, Chapter 2)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of destruction in chapter two of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This week, Vanessa and Casper negotiate their different theological perspectives, discuss the nature of confidentiality, and celebrate a non-present Hermione. Throughout the episode they consider the question: Can destruction be a force for good?Next week we're reading chapter three, The Invitation, through the theme of awareness. Our voicemail this week is thanks to Olga. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 5, 2017 • 38min
Instinct: The Riddle House (Book 4, Chapter 1)
Vanessa and Casper dive into Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with The Riddle House - perhaps one of the most incongruous chapter in the the whole Harry Potter series. They discuss Frank's PTSD, Nagini's anatomy, and how Voldemort is just a big baby. Throughout the episode they consider the question: How do we avoid prejudice while following our instincts? This week our voicemail is thanks to Katie Kelly-Hankin. Next week we're reading The Scar, through the theme of destruction. Be sure to check out our website harrypottersacredtext.com to buy tickets for our live shows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
