

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

Mar 19, 2020 • 38min
Love: The White Tomb (Book 6, Chapter 30)
Vanessa Casper explore the theme of Love in the last chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we praise Hagrid for his patient accompaniment throughout the series, defend Ginny and Harry's break-up, and examine the way that funerals fail us. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do we bring discipline into our love?We also announce some pretty big news this week! Casper has written a beautiful book, The Power of Ritual. In July we’ll be doing a twenty-one city live show tour to celebrate the book, but it’s available for pre-order right now! Stuck instead during this Coronavirus quarantine and looking for a way to give your days meaning? Do yourself a favor and go order a copy! Next week tickets will go on sale for our tour. We’d love to see you and celebrate with you in one of the cities we’ll be preforming in. Another thing you can do during quarantine is join us at our 8-week online class: Together in Quarantine. We'll be gathering to treat Harry Potter as a Sacred Text. The first class is this coming Tuesday, March 24th.Thanks to Emma Boyd for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re doing a wrap-up of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 16, 2020 • 4min
Coronavirus: Stay In and Reach Out
Friends, these are scary times and things have been feeling rather uncertain for us at Not Sorry Productions! So much of our revenue is based on travel for pilgrimages and live shows, and we’ve already had to postpone one pilgrimage and cancel two live events. If you want to support us, and have the means, we would be so grateful if you consider becoming a member of our Patreon. We’re doing a lot of number crunching right now, and any amount of support goes a long way towards protecting our staff. And if you sign up now or increase your membership, we’ll read your name at the end of an episode! We’ll keep you posted as we figure out what the future of our little podcast company is. We are brainstorming ways to better support you, our community, during this very anxiety producing time. In the meantime, please please take care of yourselves! So many people are feeling very alone in this time of social distancing. Remember to reach out to those you love, take deep breaths, and eat a lot of ice cream. We’ll be back on Thursday with the last chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 12, 2020 • 39min
Power: The Phoenix Lament (Book 6, Chapter 29)
Vanessa Casper explore the theme of Power in chapter twenty-nine (the penultimate chapter!) of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Ginny’s strength, McGonagall’s leadership style and Fawkes’ song. Throughout the episode we consider the question: What kind of leaders do we want to be?Thanks to Hanna for this week's voicemail! Next week and we’re reading the final chapter of Half-Blood Prince, The White Tomb, through the theme of Love.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Mar 5, 2020 • 35min
Perfection: Flight of the Prince (Book 6, Chapter 28)
Vanessa and friend of the podcast Matt Potts explore the theme of Perfection in chapter twenty-eight of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss how Harry gently shepherds Hagrid into grief, why Hagrid still has to use an umbrella as a wand, and how Snape manages to take care of Harry despite his own deep brokenness. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do we use imperfect tools to do good work?Thanks to Steve for this week's voicemail! Casper is back next week and we’re reading chapter twenty-nine, The Phoenix Lament, through the theme of Power.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Feb 27, 2020 • 35min
Earnestness: The Lightning-Struck Tower (Book 6, Chapter 27)
In this podcast, the hosts explore the theme of Earnestness in Chapter 27 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. They discuss Dumbledore's humanity, Draco's impossible situation, and the concept of earnestness versus naïveté. They analyze Dumbledore's authority and Harry's perspective, as well as the significance of earnestness in vulnerable moments. They also talk about framing moments, blessings, Draco's choices, and celebrate birthdays. They recommend podcasts, apps, and discuss a podcast platform for creators.

Feb 20, 2020 • 40min
Persistence: The Cave (Book 6, Chapter 26)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Persistence in chapter twenty-six of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Voldemort's fatal flaws, Harry's great strengths, and the imminent loss of Dumbledore will all its implications. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when do you know that you should persist on someone else's behalf?Thanks to Katherine for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-seven, The Lightning-Struck Tower, through the theme of Earnestness.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Feb 13, 2020 • 33min
Indignation: The Seer Overheard (Book 6, Chapter 25)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Indignation in chapter twenty-five of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Trelawney's defensiveness, Dumbledore's injured hand, and the sometimes cyclical nature of progress. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Can indignation be useful?Thanks to Christie for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-six, The Cave, through the theme of Persistence.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Feb 6, 2020 • 42min
Regret: Sectumsempra (Book 6, Chapter 24)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Regret in chapter twenty-four of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we are joined by writer, pastor, and theologian Nadia Bolz-Weber, who shares an opening story about the way that accidents weigh on us. Casper and Vanessa discuss how much they blame Harry for hurting Draco, Snape’s punishment, and Harry and Ginny’s first kiss. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what does it mean to live with no regrets?Thanks to Rachel Friedensen for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-five, The Seer Overheard, through the theme of Indignation. It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Jan 30, 2020 • 38min
Memory: Horcruxes (Book 6, Chapter 23)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Memory in chapter twenty-three of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss Harry’s resemblance to Tom Riddle, Dumbledore’s impending doom, and their different theories of the soul. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what’s our theory of the difference between a memory and a story we tell ourselves?Thanks to Clover for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-four, Sectumsempra, through the theme of Regret with special guest Nadia Bolz-Weber.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.

Jan 23, 2020 • 41min
Bitterness: After the Burial (Book 6, Chapter 22)
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Bitterness in chapter twenty-two of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week Casper and Vanessa discuss why Hermione doesn’t want to go to Aragog’s funeral, whether Slughorn does a good eulogy, and Miriam from the story of Exodus. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Does bitterness have something to do with sorrow?Thanks to Eve for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter twenty-three, Horcruxes, through the theme of Memory.It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only a 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.


