This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Corruption in Chapter 3 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Dumbledore’s errand, Kreacher’s fate, and new leadership at the Ministry! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can power corrupt?Thank you to Travis for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 4, Horace Slughorn, through the theme of Identity with Beth Silvers from Pantsuit Politics.--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.

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Honesty in Chapter 2 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Snape’s honesty, lack thereof, and Draco’s impossible task! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what constitutes a genuinely honest answer?Thank you to our anonymous listener for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 3, Will and Won’t, through the theme of Corruption with Matt Potts.--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.

Welcome back as we take a look at Book 6 of Harry Potter!! This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Honor in Chapter 1 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Scrimgeour as the new Minister of Magic, Fudge’s many mistakes, and the relationship between honor and shame! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what does it mean to act with honor?Thank you to Marni for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 2, Spinner’s End, through the theme of Honesty with Matt Potts.--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.

Today we're bringing you a never before heard live show Vanessa and Casper did in 2019! They explore the theme of truth in Book 3 Chapter 12, in front of a live audience in San Francisco.Next week we're back with current day Vanessa and Casper who will be reading Book 6 Chapter 1, The Other Minister, through the theme of Honor!--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.

Vanessa is joined for a small bonus conversation by Margaret H. Willison, faculty on our upcoming Taylor Swift Pilgrimage on Cape Cod. They explore why Taylor's music is such a rich text for sacred reflection and share the things they're most looking forward to on this trip! If you're interested in joining us in November, you can sign up on our website! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're still off for the next two weeks as we prepare for Book 6 (!!), so today we're bringing you an assortment of bloopers from Book 5. You can find the full versions of our bloopers for each episode over on our patreon. Hope you enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're off for a few weeks as we prepare for Book 6 (!!), so we're bringing you this throwback episode of HPST from the first time Vanessa and Casper read through Book 6, Chapter 1 through the theme of Helplessness. Hope you enjoy!--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.

Vanessa and Matt wrap up their discussion of The Order of the Phoenix with a look back on the entire book! They discuss Dumbledore's choices in this book, Harry's journey out of isolation, and some of the budding romances at Hogwarts. We're off for a few weeks between seasons, but look out for some fun things dropping in the feed in the interim!--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.

This week, Vanessa and special guest Nathalie Folkerts explore the theme of Love in Chapter 38 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Hagrid’s caretaking, systemic failures, and loving moments with the kids! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we create more loving systems?Thank you to Helena for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're wrapping up Book 5 with Matt Potts!--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.

This week, Vanessa and special guest Micaela Blei explore the theme of Control in Chapter 37 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Dumbledore’s disclosures, Harry’s anger, and Trelawney’s gift! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is actually within our control?Thank you to Marie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 38, The Second War Begins, through the theme of Love with Nathalie Folkerts!--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.