
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

Oct 10, 2024 • 32min
Special Edition: Drama!
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 Margaret H. Willison are talking about the idea of Drama and some of their favorite dramatic moments throughout the series!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for conversations 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 3, 2024 • 49min
Innocence: Felix Felicis (Book 6, Chapter 14)
This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Innocence in Chapter 14 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, featuring a charming opening story from friend of the pod Rosy Hosking! They discuss Ron’s first kiss, Hermione’s army of little birds, and the big Quidditch match! Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is innocence a gift, and when does it feel a little bit embarrassing?Thank you to Hannah for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 15, The Unbreakable Vow, through the theme of Symbiosis 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.

Sep 26, 2024 • 46min
Procrastination: The Secret Riddle (Book 6, Chapter 13)
This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Procrastination in Chapter 13 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Tom’s solo trip to Diagon Alley, Dumbledore’s choices, and Mrs. Cole’s orphanage! Throughout the episode we consider the question: when are we procrastinating and when are we prioritizing other values?Thank you to Ariel for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 14, Felix Felicis, through the theme of Innocence with Casper and special friend of the pod Rosy!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for conversations 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.

Sep 24, 2024 • 9min
Special Patreon Bonus - Monthly Bloopers !
We hope you enjoy this sneak peak into our Patreon content, where each month patrons receive a curated selection of bloopers from the last 4 episodes! If you enjoy our work, please consider signing up on our Patreon so we can continue to make this show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 19, 2024 • 44min
Access: Silver and Opals (Book 6, Chapter 12)
This week, Matt and Jackson Bird explore the theme of Access in Chapter 12 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Slughorn’s exclusive club, Katie Bell’s curse, and Mundungus’s thievery! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we fight for access when we’ve been excluded?Thank you to Angela for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 13, The Secret Riddle, through the theme of Procrastination with Casper ter Kuile.--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.

Sep 18, 2024 • 4min
Special Patreon Bonus - Matt & Vanessa's Every Flavored Bean!
We hope you enjoy this sneak peak into our Patreon content, where each week patrons receive a bonus discussion inspired by the chapter! In this mini ep from Chapter 10, Matt and Vanessa discuss whose memory they'd like to take a peek into.If you enjoy our work, please consider signing up on our Patreon so we can continue to make this show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 12, 2024 • 38min
Despair: Hermione’s Helping Hand (Book 6, Chapter 11)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Normalcy in Chapter 11 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Hagrid’s grief, Ron’s tryout, and Slughorn’s continued pursuit of Harry! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does despair manifest?Thank you to Alison for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 12, Silver and Opals, through the theme of Access with Jackson Bird.--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.

Sep 5, 2024 • 44min
Ambition: The House of Gaunt (Book 6, Chapter 10)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Ambition in Chapter 10 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss the Half Blood Prince’s gender, Snape’s ambition, and Merope’s blossoming romance! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do our ambitions shift over time?Thank you to Natalie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 11, Hermione’s Helping Hand, through the theme of Despair 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.

Aug 29, 2024 • 46min
Empowerment: The Half Blood Prince (Book 6, Chapter 9)
This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Empowerment in Chapter 9 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss McGonnagall’s excellent leadership, Harry’s snappy come-backs, and how to be a good quidditch captain! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do you redistribute power in broken systems?Thank you to our anonymous listener for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 10, The House of Gaunt, through the theme of Ambition 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.

Aug 22, 2024 • 42min
Chance: Snape Victorious (Book 6, Chapter 8)
This week, Vanessa and special guest Micaela Blei explore the theme of Ambition in Chapter 8 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss the role of jokes during wartime, Tonks’ protection, and Snape’s escort! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do chance and effort interact in our lives?Thank you to Ned for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 9, The Half-Blood Prince, through the theme of Empowerment with Casper ter Kuile.--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.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.