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.