Harry Potter And The Sacred Text

Vanessa and friend of the podcast Matt Potts explore the theme of Perfection in chapter twenty-eight of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss how Harry gently shepherds Hagrid into grief, why Hagrid still has to use an umbrella as a wand, and how Snape manages to take care of Harry despite his own deep brokenness. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do we use imperfect tools to do good work?Thanks to Steve for this week's voicemail! Casper is back next week and we’re reading chapter twenty-nine, The Phoenix Lament, through the theme of Power.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Earnestness in the much-dreaded chapter twenty-seven of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we celebrate Dumbledore's humanity, sympathize with Draco's impossible situation, and discuss why Vanessa doesn't like death bed confessions. Throughout the episode we consider the question: When is earnestness actually naiveté?Thanks to Diana for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-eight, Flight of the Prince, through the theme of Perfection with our friend Dr. Matt Potts.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Persistence in chapter twenty-six of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Voldemort's fatal flaws, Harry's great strengths, and the imminent loss of Dumbledore will all its implications. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when do you know that you should persist on someone else's behalf?Thanks to Katherine for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-seven, The Lightning-Struck Tower, through the theme of Earnestness.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Indignation in chapter twenty-five of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Trelawney's defensiveness, Dumbledore's injured hand, and the sometimes cyclical nature of progress. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Can indignation be useful?Thanks to Christie for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-six, The Cave, through the theme of Persistence.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Regret in chapter twenty-four of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we are joined by writer, pastor, and theologian Nadia Bolz-Weber, who shares an opening story about the way that accidents weigh on us. Casper and Vanessa discuss how much they blame Harry for hurting Draco, Snape’s punishment, and Harry and Ginny’s first kiss. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what does it mean to live with no regrets?Thanks to Rachel Friedensen for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-five, The Seer Overheard, through the theme of Indignation. It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Memory in chapter twenty-three of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Harry’s resemblance to Tom Riddle, Dumbledore’s impending doom, and their different theories of the soul. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what’s our theory of the difference between a memory and a story we tell ourselves?Thanks to Clover for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-four, Sectumsempra, through the theme of Regret with special guest Nadia Bolz-Weber.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Bitterness in chapter twenty-two of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss why Hermione doesn’t want to go to Aragog’s funeral, whether Slughorn does a good eulogy, and Miriam from the story of Exodus. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Does bitterness have something to do with sorrow?Thanks to Eve for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-three, Horcruxes, through the theme of Memory.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Affirmation in chapter twenty-one of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Harry and Hermione’s different relationships with house-elves, Ron’s sense of sufficiency, and some icky sexist moments that stuck out in this chapter. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Can you affirm yourself?Thanks to Sam Blanckensee for this week's voicemail! If you want to read our response to J.K. Rowling’s tweet, you can find it here. Next week we’re reading Chapter twenty-two, After the Burial, through the theme of Bitterness.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

How and why should we be in community? This week, Vanessa and Casper are joined by Reverend Burns Stanfield from 4th Presbyterian Church in Boston. Together they discuss how community gets us better at loving one another and ourselves.This episode we also hear owl post from Karen, Natalie, Cara, Christoffel, and Rachel. Next week we’re reading Chapter 21, The Unknowable Room, through the theme of Affirmation.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Here's a little treat from Casper. You can find the poem in “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein. Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Good Will in chapter twenty of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Dumbledore’s disappointment with Harry, Luna’s burgeoning friendship with Ron, and the backstory of Hepzibah Smith. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when does Good Will become naiveté?Thanks to Jordan for this week's voicemail! We’re taking two weeks off for the holiday but we’ll be back on January 9th with an Owl Post episode.Please consider supporting our Don’t Be A Dursley campaign. We’re in our last week of raising money for RAICES - an organization that helps immigrants and refugees struggling for rights in our country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Harmony in chapter nineteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss the downfall of Cormac McLaggen, Luna’s sports commentary, and Harry’s sense of home. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is it important to blend in vs. stand out?Thanks to Becca for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty, Lord Voldemort’s Request, through the theme of Good Will.Please consider supporting our Don’t Be A Dursley campaign. We’ll be raising money through Christmas for RAICES - an organization that helps immigrants and refugees struggling for rights in our country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Recklessness in chapter eighteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Casper’s experience in graduate school, Harry’s privilege in Potion’s class, and the three ‘D’s of apparition. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Is recklessness in the eye of the beholder?Thanks to Brady Call for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter nineteen, Elf Tails, through the theme of Harmony.Please consider supporting our Don’t Be A Dursley campaign. We’ll be raising money through Christmas for RAICES - an organization that helps immigrants and refugees struggling for rights in our country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of attention in chapter 17 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we come to you live from our show in Washington, D.C. We discuss how the Ministry treats Morfin, how Hermione ignores Ron, and the similarities between Voldemort and Dumbledore. We were so very lucky to have our dear friend, Ursa Ghazi, with us to tell a story from her experience.Next week we're reading Chapter 18, Birthday Surprises, through the theme of Recklessness. Thanks to everyone who came out to the D.C. show.Please consider supporting our Don’t Be A Dursley campaign. We’re trying to raise $35K by Christmas for RAICES - an organization that helps immigrants and refugees struggling for rights in our country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Erosion in chapter sixteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we are joined by writer and mentor Terry Tempest Williams, who shares an opening story about the landscape of Utah. Casper and Vanessa discuss Molly’s tireless work for her family, the way Harry stands up to Scrimgeour, and how Vanessa came to love musicals. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we stay open to change without degrading sense of self?Thanks to Paulinie Marie Dias for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter seventeen, A Sluggish Memory, live from Washington D.C., through the theme of Attention.Don’t forget to check out Terry’s new book, Erosion: Essays of Undoing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to our Don’t Be a Dursley campaign! We have hit our goal of $25,000 a full month earlier than expected. But please, don’t stop donating! We’ll still be running our campaign through December 25th and hope to raise another $10k by then. *Harry and the Potters *have so kindly donated this song, Don’t Be a Dursley, as a congratulations for hitting our goal! Please enjoy and if you want to purchase this song all proceeds will go to RAICES. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of sacrifice in chapter fifteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Snape’s love of Draco, Luna’s calming presence, and Hermione’s date with McLaggen. Throughout the episode we consider the question: can someone force you to sacrifice? Or does it have to be a choice?Thanks to Niya Kelly for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter sixteen, A Very Frosty Christmas, through the theme of Erosion, with very special guest Terry Tempest Williams.Please consider supporting our Don’t Be A Dursley campaign. We’re trying to raise $25K by Christmas for RAICES - an organization that helps immigrants and refugees struggling for rights in our country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of resistance in chapter fourteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss LARPing, Vanessa’s experience in Business School, and how the patriarchy acts on Ron. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do our fears keep us from learning?Thanks to Grace Carroll for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter fifteen, The Unbreakable Vow, through the theme of Sacrifice.Please consider supporting our Don’t Be A Dursley campaign. We’re trying to raise $25K by Christmas for RAICES - an organization that helps immigrants and refugees struggling for rights in our country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper and special guest, Mike Schubert from the Potterless Podcast, explore the theme of superstition in chapter thirteen (spooky!) of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. They discuss Tom Riddle’s need for control, Dumbledore’s self-awareness, and the power of hindsight. Throughout the episode they consider the question: how do we acknowledge our own lack of control in a healthy way?Next week we're reading chapter fourteen, Felix Felicis, through the theme of resistance. Our voicemail this week is thanks to Kimberley Moran.Please consider supporting our Don’t Be A Dursley campaign. We’re trying to raise $25K by Christmas for RAICES - an organization that helps immigrants and refugees struggling for rights in our country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of resilience in chapter twelve of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Harry’s obsession with Draco, why Filch is still at Hogwarts, and Katie’s amazing friend Leanne. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do we know when to keep going and when to quit?Thanks to Annie for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter thirteen, The Secret Riddle, through the theme of Superstition, and we’ll be joined by special guest Mike Shubert from the Potterless Podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.