MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

It's been 13 years, but the hosts are finally ready to revisit Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts! Join us as we sneak into The Riddle House to see prophecies fulfilled and Dark Lords taking (snake) milk shots. Plus, we share our favorite Dumbledore moments in honor of the late, great Michael Gambon! Welcome Slug Club member, Summer! We pay tribute to Michael Gambon, who played Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films For the first time since 2010, we're diving into Chapter-by-Chapter for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with Chapter 1: The Riddle House! We reflect on the fourth book's midnight release and the last time we actually read it! 7-Word Summary: Voldemort decides to plan an amazing murder The history of the Riddle House... is it cursed? Is Voldemort secretly bankrolling his family's home? Comparisons are drawn between The Riddles and The Dursleys Why is Tom Riddle Sr. depicted as worse than his parents? Is Merope to blame? The Significance of The Hanged Man The Scapegoating of Frank Bryce: do the townsfolk in Little Hangleton effectively "cancel" him? Can we draw comparisons to Harry later on in this book and in Order of the Phoenix? Wormtail The Snake Milker - yes, it's a real profession! Peter shows a resistance to using Harry in Voldemort's plan. Is it based solely on the effort required? Or does he have feelings of guilt?  Right hands and faithful servants: Voldemort hints about the ritual to come at the end of the book! Pure Evil: How is Voldemort strong enough to use a wand and cast Avada Kedavra if he’s in need of a body and constant nurturing from Nagini? Horcuxes! Horcruxes! Horcruxes! Quizzitch: In opposition of his new diet, what did Dudley throw out the window? Next week: Chapter 2 of Goblet of Fire: The Scar Plus, Quizzitch Live returns in time for Halloween on October 28 - mark your calendars now! This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast), and Better Help (Visit BetterHelp.com/mugglecast today to get 10% off your first month)! Transcripts are BACK! Thank you, Meg! And don't forget you can join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! Following our Goblet of Fire movie commentary, we discussed many of the things from the book we would have liked to see adapted in the fourth film! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we prepare to launch our Goblet of Fire Chapter-by-Chapter series, we're excited to finally do a movie commentary track for the fourth Harry Potter movie! Join the MuggleCasters as they watch and discuss Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. You will need to bring your own copy of the movie's standard edition in order to get the full experience. Before the movie begins, we help you sync up with us so we're all watching together (The sync point is as soon as you get through the 'WB' logo and see a skull). And have a celebratory drink prepared - like an orange juice if you're under 21 or a screwdriver if you're above 21 - for an iconic moment. Note: This episode was recorded before the passing of legendary actor Michael Gambon, who played Albus Dumbledore in this and many more Harry Potter movies. We will look back at his legacy on the next episode of MuggleCast. The MuggleCast 2023 Listener Survey is HERE and is open to all listeners through October 6th! We want to know what you love about the show, what you think could improve it, and what other content you’d be interested in us making. 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

It's time to reflect on our recent re-read of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, and Laura as they open the MuggleMail bag once more to tackle an array of voicemails, e-mails and chicken soup submissions following our recent excursion into Book 3's Chapter-By-Chapter. The MuggleCast 2023 Listener Survey is HERE and is open to all listeners through October 6th! We want to know what you love about the show, what you think could improve it, and what other content you’d be interested in us making. Check out Parts 1 and 2 of Belated Binge Podcast's "Harry Potter: A History" and "Harry Potter: A Fandom" series with Eric! We begin our Book 3 wrap-up by revisiting our 7 Word Summaries and voting on which one should get a re-do! 7-Word Summary of Book 3: Sirius prevails over Ministry officials and Snape Voicemails include: Is there a connection between the Deathly Hallows and the gifts Harry receives from the Dursleys? Does the prophecy's existence explain why Snape picks on Neville? Is there another reason why Voldemort doesn't have hair? Lupin's werewolf depiction may be referenced elsewhere, and the phases of the moon are more gradual than you may think! A listener writes in about Micah's criticism of Time-Turning. Why are Lupin's lesson plans so creature-centric? Is there a reason behind the many strained paternal relationships in HP? Would Veritaserum help crack a Fidelius Charm? And, is being someone's Godfather a special magical bond? Listeners also point out: McGonagall's anti-Divination stance goes back to Book One. And, how does Professor Binns grade papers? One 13-year-old listener made her parents detour around Mount Greylock (we 100% support this). Quizzitch: Who found the Riddle family dead? Next week: Goblet of Fire movie commentary! This week’s episode is brought to you by Better Help (Visit BetterHelp.com/mugglecast today to get 10% off your first month.)! And don't forget you can join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! This week, we discuss moments that were cut from Book 4 for the movie! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're closing the book on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura and Melissa as they avoid Snape's wrath, have real talk with Lupin and Dumbledore and finally get permission to go to Hogsmeade. Oh, and be sure to check with your cat that your new pet isn't secretly a mass murderer! Welcome Slug Club member, Melissa! LAST CHANCE! Time is running out to subscribe to this year's MuggleCast Collectors Club over on Patreon. Be sure to opt-in to this special benefit by September 22nd! The MuggleCast 2023 Listener Survey is HERE and is open to all listeners through October 6th! We want to know what you love about the show, what you think could improve it, and what other content you’d be interested in us making. Chapter-by-Chapter for Prisoner of Azkaban concludes with Chapter 22: Owl Post Again 7-Word Summary: Justice is served by Hermione and Harry Snape claims he knows how Sirius escaped! Does he really KNOW it was Harry & Hermione? How secret is Hermione's Time-Turner? The hosts (and Fudge) react to Snape's unhinged behavior Dumbledore The Drama Queen is stoking the flames! Lupin regifts Harry the Marauder's Map forever connecting him with his father How did Dumbledore manage to convince Fudge that Lupin didn't aid Sirius? Harry is upset that Pettigrew got away, but Dumbledore tells him his choices made all of the difference. Does this moment feel authentically Dumbledore? Does it make more sense that they gave these lines to Lupin in the movie? By gifting Pigwidgeon to Ron, is Sirius trying to further endear himself to Harry? We analyze the book coming full circle and the balance of power shifting at Privet Drive Prophecies & Animagi - there ARE some things Dumbledore doesn't know! Could Trelawney be deep-linked to Harry and Voldemort?  How did the Marauder's keep their situation secret from Dumbledore? Odds & Ends cover The Quidditch World Cup, the Grindylow tank, Percy's Ministry ambitions, Harry sititng by the lake and more! Quizzitch: Who gives Pigwidgeon his name? Next week: We start Goblet of Fire with a special movie commentary track! This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast), and Better Help (Visit BetterHelp.com/mugglecast today to get 10% off your first month.)! And don't forget you can join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! This week, we discuss several news stories surrounding the Fantastic Beasts film franchise and Harry Potter television reboot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three turns ought to do it, MuggleCast! This week we plumb the depths of time with Harry and Hermione as Chapter-by-Chapter covers Chapter 21 of Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione's Secret! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they ask the tough questions such as, how is Snape  Time is running out to subscribe to this year's MuggleCast Collectors Club over on Patreon. Be sure to opt-in to this special benefit by September 22nd. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 21: Hermione's Secret 7-Word Summary: Hermione saves Buckbeak with a time turner Somebody Call the WAMBULANCE for Snape! We unleash our new "Severus Lie Count" right in the nick of time! Is Snape pointing out the uneven leniency given to Harry helpful or harmful to his cause? He sure knows how to play Fudge. Could Snape actually secretly believe Harry and Hermione's side of events? Once Hermione busts out the Time-Turner to save the day we must ask: is traveling in time morally correct? What alternatives must there have been to giving Hermione a Time-Turner at age 13? What gives Dumbledore the authority to play God in this situation? What If: The Time-turning sequence all went wrong? We review why Time Turners may have been more hassle for the author than a help, and ask if it was worth it. Quizzitch: At the end of term, who arrives to see Lupin after Harry does? Next week: Chapter 22: Owl Post Again, the FINAL CHAPTER of POA! And two weeks from now, we'll record a Goblet of Fire movie commentary track! This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast), and Better Help (Visit BetterHelp.com/mugglecast today to get 10% off your first month.)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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