
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
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.
Latest episodes

Feb 11, 2021 • 42min
Reunion: The Forest Again (Book 7, Chapter 34)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of reunion in chapter thirty-four of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss why Harry doesn't say goodbye to Ginny, why Harry is the natural inheritor of the Invisibility Cloak and why Hogwarts is an insufficient home for Harry. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Can we summon our lost loved ones without a resurrection stone?Thanks to Erik for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 35, King's Cross, through the theme of trust.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars 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.

Feb 4, 2021 • 45min
Accompaniment: The Prince's Tale (Book 7, Chapter 33)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of accompaniment in chapter thirty-three of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss Dumbledore's solitude, Snape's courage, and an inspiring scene for Sex and the City. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Does accompaniment have to be passive? Thanks to Ingrid for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 34, The Forest Again, through the theme of reunion.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars 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.

Jan 28, 2021 • 45min
Contentment: The Elder Wand (Book 7, Chapter 32)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of contentment in chapter thirty-two of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss the impact of Fred’s death on the trio, Hermione’s quick thinking under pressure, and how amazing it is that Trelawney starts throwing crystal balls. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Is contentment possible after trauma?Thanks to Sam for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 33, The Prince’s Tale, through the theme of accompaniment.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars 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.

Jan 21, 2021 • 45min
Survival: The Battle of Hogwarts (Book 7, Chapter 31) - Part 2
Vanessa and Casper continue exploring the theme of survival in part two of chapter thirty-one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss Ron and Hermione's big kiss, Draco Malfoy's failure of choice, and some plot holes that Vanessa found in the text. Throughout the episode we consider the question: What happens to us when part of our identity doesn't survive?Thanks to Julia for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 32, The Elder Wand, through the theme of contentment.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars 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.

Jan 14, 2021 • 51min
Survival: The Battle of Hogwarts (Book 7, Chapter 31) - Part 1
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Survival in the first half of chapter thirty-one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Yes, that's right, we've split a chapter in half for the first time in our whole show history!This week we are joined by Dr. Allie Bayne from HERstory on the Rocks, who shares an opening story about sexual abuse and how she sees herself in Helena Ravenclaw. Casper and Vanessa discuss the existential experience of ghosts, the behavior of Pansy Parkinson, and whether Albus Dumbledore would have taken hostages. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what actions are justifiable in order to survive?Thanks to Isabella for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Part 2 of Chapter 31, The Battle of Hogwarts, continuing through the theme of survival.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars 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.

Jan 13, 2021 • 12min
Reflections on the attack on the Capitol
Casper, Matt and Vanessa don't have any brilliant insights about what happened last week. So in this conversation they turn to Harry Potter and each other to try to sit in the fear and discomfort of what is happening right now as a result of Trump's facism in the US. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 7, 2021 • 47min
Owl Post Edition: New Year's Traditions with Matt Potts
This week, Vanessa and Matt discuss their own New Year's traditions and the language we use around this time of year.Thanks to Charity, Luna, TeaKay, Matías, and Zack for their beautiful voicemail contributions. Next week we’ll be reading part one of Chapter 31, The Battle of Hogwarts, through the theme of Survival. --It’s only two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two 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.

Dec 25, 2020 • 3min
A Christmas Poem: Ring Out, Wild Bells by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Every Christmas, Casper likes to read us a poem. This year it's 'Ring Out, Wild Bells' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. We'll be back with our regularly scheduled episodes on January 7th. Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 17, 2020 • 43min
Chaos: The Sacking of Severus Snape (Book 7, Chapter 30)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Chaos in chapter thirty of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (we're getting so close to the end!). This week we discuss Harry and McGonagall's use of unforgivable curses, generational differences in the fight for good, and Percy's return. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Is chaos clarifying?Thanks to Amanda for this week’s voicemail! We're taking two weeks off for the holidays, but you'll hear from us again on January 7th with an Owl Post episode.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars 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.

Dec 10, 2020 • 51min
Justice: The Lost Diadem (Book 7, Chapter 29)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Justice in chapter twenty-nine of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we are joined by Vanessa's dear friend Amanda, who shares an opening story about a rediscovered document from her childhood. Casper and Vanessa discuss Neville's glow up, Ginny's jealousy, and the transformation of Hogwarts under the Carrow regime. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Is punishment a necessary part of justice?Thanks to Destinee for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 30, The Sacking of Severus Snape, through the theme of Chaos.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars 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.
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