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
Oct 25, 2016 • 33min
Disappointment: The Worst Birthday (Book 2, Chapter 1)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of disappointment in the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. They discuss homesickness and why returning home sometimes brings out the worst in us, acknowledge Petunia's domestic labor, and return to the spiritual practice of Lectio Divina. Throughout the episode they consider the question: how do we maintain optimistic and integrity when confronted with disappointment? This week's voicemail is thanks to Grace Halverson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 1, 2016 • 26min
Special Edition: Owl Post and Professor Stephanie Paulsell
In our last episode of season one, we hear from a few more listeners and have a meta-conversation about the podcast itself. Vanessa and Casper also have the opportunity to chat with Professor Stephanie Paulsell, with whom they developed this project at Harvard Divinity School. We’re back with season two in a few weeks! Note: This is our last week of particularly bad audio quality. Hurray! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 24, 2016 • 23min
Wrap-Up: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
In the final episode of season one, Vanessa and Casper pull out a few key insights from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They finally get around to talking about Harry himself, revisit the kindness of the Weasley twins, and think about the thematic relevance of food in the book. Throughout the episode they come back to ideas about vulnerability, friendship, and love. Note: Unfortunately, we're still having trouble with microphones. This time, just to keep you on your toes, it's Vanessa that sounds a little wonky. All will be fixed (hopefully!) in season two. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 17, 2016 • 25min
Love: The Man with Two Faces (Book 1, Chapter 17)
**Note: We had some technical difficulties in the studio this week (mainly with Casper’s microphone) so unfortunately the sound of this episode is not up to our usual standard and occasionally distracting. Still, the conversation was fruitful enough that we wanted to share it with you. Thanks for your patience and, if you have the option, maybe leave your good headphones at home for this one! Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of love in the final chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They debate whether Quirrell loves Voldemort, celebrate the Weasley twins, and take a closer look at the title of the chapter. Throughout the episode they consider the question: Is sacrifice necessary for love? This week's voicemail is thanks to Lindsay Surtees. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 10, 2016 • 25min
Destiny: Through the Trapdoor (Book 1, Chapter 16)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of destiny in chapter sixteen, the penultimate chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss why Neville is excluded from the trio's adventure, where Hermione's strengths and weaknesses come from, and the possible symbolism of chess pieces. Throughout the episode they look at the question: are our choices part of our destiny? This week's voicemail is thanks to Micah Herstand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 3, 2016 • 25min
Regret: The Forbidden Forest (Book 1, Chapter 15)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of regret in chapter fifteen of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss the eccentric behavior of centaurs, celebrate Neville's burgeoning bravery, and try to justify Filch's ongoing sadism in this chapter. Throughout the episode they return to the question: why do we regret things that are out of our control? This week's voicemail is thanks to Kevin Bianchi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 28, 2016 • 24min
Rebellion: Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback (Book 1, Chapter 14)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of rebellion in chapter fourteen of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss Casper's high school antics, Hagrid's lack of self-care, and whether the ends justify the means when Hermione manipulates Hagrid to gain information about the Sorcerer's Stone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 20, 2016 • 26min
Special Edition: Catching up on the Owl Post
Vanessa recounts how she came to read literature as sacred and, in Casper’s absence, uses voicemails from the audience as her conversation partners this week. Together, they touch on a new theology of horcruxes, the difficulty of transitions, and why Hermione wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw. We’re back to your regularly scheduled programming next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 13, 2016 • 25min
Hope: Nicolas Flamel (Book 1, Chapter 13)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of hope in chapter thirteen of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss Neville's brawl with the Slytherins, the sacred space of quidditch, and whether a rhetoric of hope can be exploitative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 6, 2016 • 25min
White Privilege: The Mirror of Erised (Book 1, Chapter 12)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of white privilege in chapter twelve of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They discuss Molly Weasley's continued generosity, explore the topic of invisibility both literally and metaphorically, and begin a new spiritual exercise: the Jewish practice of Havruta. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
