MuggleCast celebrates the month of August with this LIVE recording from LeakyCon 2023 at McCormick Place in Chicago IL! Recorded on Saturday, August 5 our audience-participatory mega show includes fan-favorite game segments such as Dueling Club, Make the Connection, and a new segment titled, "Is MuggleCast Older Than...?" Join Eric, Micah, Chloé with a special guest appearance by LeakyCon's founder, Melissa Anelli, as they play games and reflect on the fandom space across 18 years of Harry Potter podcasting! Welcome to LeakyCon 2023! We're old but we brought a cake... for Micah. How did we each get started with MuggleCast? The hosts reflect. Game: Is MuggleCast Older Than...? Rounds include "Taylor Swift's debut album" and "The iPhone." What have been some of our favorite moments in MuggleCast history? Game: The Dueling Club. Nonhumans edition, DADA professors, and Weasley family members! What moments in fandom were the most surprising and unbelievable when they happened in the moment? Game: Make the Connection returns! This one you have to hear to believe. (Chloé crushes it.) Thanks to all who came out to see us in Chicago! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

KISSY KISSY! This week, be sure to put on your chapstick because the Dementors are ready to pucker up! Join our hosts as they exit the Whomping Willow and attempt to tackle what awaits them on the Hogwarts grounds. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 20: The Dementor's Kiss 7-Word Summary: Chaos ensues on Hogwarts grounds under moonlight WHAT IF... Peter hadn’t escaped and Sirius’ innocence had been proven? Would Dumbledore have been forced to explain Harry’s blood protection sooner? Would the Ministry have allowed Harry to live with Sirius? Do we think Sirius is mature enough or in the right state of mind to care for Harry? Does it cross Lupin's mind at all that if the moon comes out, they’re screwed?  Why is Pettigrew not completely immobilized?  We rate Lupin's transformation: did the book vs. the movie do it better? Lupin can be controlled by his Animagus friends, but Sirius doesn’t have much luck - is he out of practice?  Soooo, Harry and Hermione are totally cool leaving Ron and Snape helpless with a werewolf running around while they go tend to Sirius? Why doesn't Harry's thought of living with Sirius work on the Dementors? Connecting The Threads: Harry attempts to save Sirius in both Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix Quizzitch: How old was Sirius Black when he played the trick on Snape with Lupin? Next week: We're off, but we'll be releasing our live show from LeakyCon in Chicago! Don't forget! Year 2 of the MuggleCast Collectors Club is here!  Each year between now and 2026, we’re sending 4-5 exclusive, new stickers that celebrate the show’s past and present. We’re also giving you the Collector’s Club Card, on which you can place the stickers. It’s a beautiful backing card showing our MuggleCast listeners heading to Hogwarts. Pledge at the $5 or $10 level by September 22 to receive this year’s stickers and the Club Card at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rat is revealed! We finally understand the events of this school year at Hogwarts as well as how Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban prison. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they discuss Chapter 19 of Book 3, including asking whether Crookshanks should be punished for stealing the password sheet and whether Sirius was selfish for not being the Potter's Secret-Keeper. The MuggleCast Collectors Club stickers for 2023 have now been revealed! Pledge on Patreon at the $5 or $10 level by September 22 to receive this year’s stickers and the Club Card! Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 19: The Servant of Lord Voldemort 7-Word Summary: Pettigrew begs Harry for forgiveness for murder Snape enters in full Prosecute Mode! Why can he not be swayed to consider alternate views? Do the Marauders know more than they indicate about Snape's feelings toward Lily? Would Snape have used an Unforgivable Curse in this moment? Would it have worked? What If? the Trio did not knock out Snape? How would events have unfolded differently? Micah has a theory on what Pettigrew's missing toe might signify. Should Crookshanks see punishment for stealing the Gryffindor password sheet for Sirius? Was Sirius selfish to push the Secret Keeping on to Peter? The hosts discuss. The real reason Pettigrew was in hiding is revealed and there's an unexpected connection to Book 6 Are the others Marauders to blame for Peter's poor choices? Harry comes into his own, and sparing Peter will have repercussions in Book 7... Quizzitch:  Who leads the group first out of the Shrieking Shack? This week's MuggleCast is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now), BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast today to get 10% off your first month) and MeUndies (get 25% off your first order, plus free standard shipping at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast discusses the truth about the Shrieking Shack and the Marauders, including Lupin's tragic backstory. They question Sirius' intentions, Scabbers' flight risk, and the normalization of werewolves. The greatest hoax in Hogsmeade Village is explored, along with the rising Dumbledore lie count. The hosts recap LeakyCon highlights and share magical trivia.

MuggleCast was born on Sunday, August 7, 2005, and this week we're releasing a special episode of Bonus MuggleCast from our Patreon to celebrate our 18th birthday! Your Harry Potter friends look back at what was going on in the Muggle world in 2005, reflect on 18 years of podcasting, and attempt to say who our favorite host on the show is. We also share our favorite episodes and look at how the podcast has helped us in our daily lives. Later, we play voicemails from our listeners, who shared really touching thoughts on the show's impact on their lives. Here's to the next 18 years! Thank you everyone for sticking with us - the reason we continue to do this show is YOU! For two exclusive Bonus MuggleCast episodes every month, join our Patreon! You'll receive a slew of other sweet benefits too. Free trials and annual pledges are available as well. This week's episode is brought to you by BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast today to get 10% off your first month), Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now), and Factor (visit FactorMeals.com/MuggleCast50 and use code mugglecast50 to get 50% off your first box.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics include Hogwarts class schedules, sports equality in Quidditch, Divination's portrayal in the books, wand ethics in self-harm scenarios, Harry's battle with the Bogart, and Snape's role in breaking the DADA curse.

The hosts discuss Sirius attacking Ron, Animagus strength, and secrets behind the title. They dissect Sirius' desperation, Harry's Horcrux influence, and Lupin's revelations. They explore Dumbledore's flaws, Lupin's role, and plot twists. The discussion covers character significance, a quiz question, and upcoming Leakey Con 2023 appearance.

Featured guest Professor Julian Wamble, a Harry Potter expert, discussed Trelawney's prediction and Dumbledore's influence. Examining divination, manipulation, and Harry's unsettling feelings post-Hagrid's hut. Includes a trivia quiz, class dynamics, and upcoming event details.

Our crystal ball told us that we can expect a lot of emotions this week as Chapter by Chapter continues with Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 15, "The Quidditch Final"! Plus, there's a new Gryffindor-themed playlist to listen to, new social media apps where you can find MuggleCast, and more technical fouls than you can shake a stick at! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah for this guaranteed good time episode. Our 2023 Patreon Physical Gift is here! We're so excited to debut our MuggleCast Beanie, perfect for those outdoor winter and indoor air conditioned months! Let's face it, it'll look great on you anytime of the year! This knitted, high quality beanie features colors inspired by our current album art (which, conveniently, are also the four hosts' Hogwarts Houses) and a MuggleCast patch on the front with the MicBolt built in! Learn more about how you can get yours by clicking here! TikTok star Chanel Williams has graced us with her talents by the record machine. Her new collab with MuggleCast is the Gryffindor Glory playlist! Sure to meet all of your Gryffindor representation needs. There will be a live MuggleCast meet up in downtown Chicago next month! Please RSVP to let us know if you can make it! The event is during LeakyCon but open to the public regardless of your ticket status. Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 15: The Quidditch Final 7-Word Summary: Fatigue sets in for Hermione intensely whoa From sleeping in the Common Room, slapping Malfoy and quitting Divination, just what is going on with Hermione?! The hosts examine the consequences of Hermione's overpacked class schedule. Is Professor Trelawney a bully? A listener e-mail responds to common criticisms of Divination and defends the real-world practices, and we discuss our favorite types to use in real life. We contrast the Quidditch play style of Cho Chang versus this game's Slytherin players. The age-old house rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin heats up once again. Entire groups must walk with Harry to keep their Seeker safe. Is this overkiil? Lee Jordan is at his peak best, while the whole school apart from Slytherins is cheering for the red team. We contrast the Quidditch play style of Cho Chang versus this game's Slytherin players. Odds and Ends include Harry's dreams, Crookshank's friend and Draco's name origin. Quizzitch: What is the first line of Professor Trelawney's PETTIGREW prophecy? Next Week: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 16: Professor Trelawney's Prediction This week's MuggleCast is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now), BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast today to get 10% off your first month) and MeUndies (get 25% off your first order, plus free standard shipping at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're hosting a Wizarding Wold BBQ! See who is invited and what they would bring to the party! Then, your Harry Potter friends attempt to be better friends to each other than Harry is to Hagrid, Lupin and Hermione as we discuss the latest chapter in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban!  Our 2023 Patreon Physical Gift is here! We're so excited to debut our MuggleCast Beanie, perfect for those outdoor winter and indoor air conditioned months! Let's face it, it'll look great on you anytime of the year! This knitted, high quality beanie features colors inspired by our current album art (which, conveniently, are also the four hosts' Hogwarts Houses) and a MuggleCast patch on the front with the MicBolt built in! Learn more about how you can get yours by clicking here! Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 14: Snape's Grudge 4-Word Summary: Mud finds its recipient  Security is ramping up at Hogwarts! Why weren’t these measures taken after the Fat Lady was attacked? And, as we’ve asked many times before in this book, WHERE is the Ministry? Neville takes the fall for Hogwarts being a security nightmare! Is his punishment fair or just downright humiliating? DAD-GRID: Hagrid gives his best lesson of the year, but it’s not in Care of Magical Creatures, it’s in FRIENDSHIP! Does he get through to both Harry and Ron? Do we agree with Hermione's threat to turn in the Marauder's Map? Snape has DADDY -- and bullying -- issues! Is it a crime for Harry and Neville to be walking around the castle while the other students are in Hogsmeade?  Why doesn’t Harry wait in the passageway until the area is free of Snape?  Does Snape use Legilimency on Harry or does he just sense a student being up to no good? Connecting The Threads: Snape’s Worst Memory (Order of the Phoenix) is an extension of Snape’s Grudge (Prisoner of Azkaban) We reveal never-before-heard audio from the 30-year-old conversation between Snape and Harry! Should a teacher really talk to a student the way Snape talks to Harry? How much does Snape truly know about the Marauders Map and its manufacturers? Much like in the beginning of the chapter, Harry feels as if he’s let someone else he cares about down! In this case, it's Lupin! Odds & Ends cover Sirius Black's knife, Ron's popularity, Snape's ego, the Shrieking Shack and more! Quizzitch: Which class with the Gryffindors does Hermione forget to attend? Next Week: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 15: The Quidditch Final Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices