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 4, 2025 • 42min
Humility: The Elder Wand (Book 7, Chapter 32)
This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Humility in Chapter 32 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Snape’s final words, Hermione’s plea, and Luna’s words of encouragement! Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is humility a hindrance and when is it necessary?Thank you to Robyn for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 33, The Prince’s Tale, through the theme of Imagination.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.
Nov 27, 2025 • 41min
Freedom: The Battle of Hogwarts (Book 7, Chapter 31)
This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Freedom in Chapter 31 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Fred’s death, Malfoy’s pals, and the very big fire! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can freedom feel like a burden?Thank you to our anonymous listener for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 32, The Elder Wand, through the theme of Humility.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.
Nov 20, 2025 • 33min
Our Favorite Episodes! Friendship: Halloween (Book 1, Chapter 10)
As we wrap up our final season of HPST, we're taking a look back at some of our favorite moments! This week we're revisiting our 2016 episode on Friendship - one of the first times we really connected with Sacred Imagination, reading the scene with Hermione vs. The Troll.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.
Nov 13, 2025 • 39min
Mercy: The Sacking of Severus Snape (Book 7, Chapter 30)
This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Mercy in Chapter 30 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Harry’s unforgivable curse, Percy’s return, and Slughorn’s options! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is the cost of mercy?Thank you to Thulasi for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 31, The Battle of Hogwarts, through the theme of Freedom.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.
Nov 6, 2025 • 41min
Growth: The Lost Diadem (Book 7, Chapter 29)
Jolie Doggett, a writer and podcaster focused on journaling and mental wellness, joins the discussion on growth in Chapter 29 of Deathly Hallows. They explore Neville's transformation from a timid student to a courageous leader. The conversation dives into the difference between growth and change, highlighting the importance of community resistance in dark times. Jolie shares personal insights on how intentional discomfort can fuel growth, while the duo reflects on the dynamics of belonging and solidarity within the DA.
Oct 30, 2025 • 29min
Special Edition: Halloween! with Jackson Bird
Every once in a while we like to take a step back from our current chapter, and appreciate some overarching themes and important characters from the series. This week, Vanessa and special guest Jackson Bird are talking about Halloween and their favorite spooky moments throughout the series!Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.
Oct 23, 2025 • 49min
Closure: The Missing Mirror (Book 7, Chapter 28)
This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Closure in Chapter 28 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Aberforth’s advice, the real story of the Dumbledore family, and the portrait! Throughout the episode we consider the question: when do we gain a sense of closure?Thank you to Elizabeth for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 29, The Lost Diadem, through the theme of Growth with Jolie Doggett.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.
Oct 16, 2025 • 38min
Advocacy: The Final Hiding Place (Book 7, Chapter 27)
This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Advocacy in Chapter 27 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss empathy for the dragon, Voldemort’s big realization, and next steps for the trio! Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is it possible and necessary to advocate for yourself?Thank you to M for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 28, The Missing Mirror, through the theme of Closure.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.
Oct 15, 2025 • 27min
Introducing: When We All Get to Heaven
Co-founder of Not Sorry, Ariana Nedelman, has a new podcast project out today! When We All Get to Heaven is a 10-episode series that tells the story of one of the first gay-positive churches, the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco, and how it faced the personal, social, and political trials of the AIDS epidemic, including the deaths of hundreds of its members.The series is releasing over on Slate's Outward podcast and the second episode is already out. Subscribe to Outward to hear the whole series! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 9, 2025 • 40min
Transitions: Gringotts (Book 7, Chapter 26)
This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Transitions in Chapter 26 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Hermione’s transformation into Bellatrix, changes at Diagon Alley, and the descent into Gringotts! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we deal with unexpected transitions?Thank you to Kayla for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 27, The Final Hiding Place, through the theme of Advocacy.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.
