Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of "disillusionment" in chapter thirty-six of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This week we discuss Snape's bravery in revealing his dark mark, Molly's clarity of purpose in taking care of Harry, and the way government leaders tend to let us down. Our question this week: how much are we allowed to change the 'facts' of our own story?Next week we're reading the very last chapter of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, chapter thirty-seven, The Beginning, through the theme of "love." We'll be coming to you live from our London show. Thanks this week to Kelly Webb for our voicemail.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of "betrayal" in chapter thirty-five of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This week we discuss Neville and Harry’s friendship, poor Winky and her grief in this chapter, and why villains are prone to monologuing. We return to the question this week: how do we hold people accountable for their bad actions without isolating or radicalizing them? Next week we're reading chapter thirty-six, The Parting of the Ways, through the theme of "disillusionment." Thanks this week to Amanda Holly for our voicemail.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of "grief" in chapter thirty-four of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This week, Vanessa and Casper are joined by Professor Matt Potts, a beloved mentor from Harvard Divinity School. In the episode, we discuss Cedric's last request, Wormtail's hand, and whether we believe in the idea of 'sin.' Our question this week: is grief an emotion or something more permanent and essential? Next week we're reading chapter thirty-five, Veritaserum, through the theme of "betrayal." Thanks this week to Jessica Hyde for our voicemail.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of "necessity" in chapter thirty-three of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This week we get into Voldemort's psychology, take pity on Wormtail, and discuss the human instinct towards survival. Our question this week is: how do we decide what's heroic?Next week we're reading chapter thirty-four, Priori Incantatem, through the theme of Grief. Thanks this week to Rachel Diebner for our voicemail.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of "waste" in chapter thirty-two of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This week we discuss the most chilling scene, in perhaps the whole series - that of Cedric's death. Our question this week is: how do we keep in mind our own mortality without letting our fear of death control us?Next week we're reading chapter thirty-three, The Death Eaters, through the theme of Necessity. Thanks this week to Allison Boldt for our voicemail.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of "kindness" in chapter thirty-one of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This week we discuss Bill's generous questions, Molly's coldness to Hermione, and the need for self-care. Our question this week is: how much do we have to take responsibility for our creations?Next week we're reading Chapter 32, Flesh, Blood, and Bone, through the theme of waste. Thanks this week to Connie Carringer for our voicemail.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa is still recovering from her surgery, so Casper is taking over our owl post episode this week. We hear from listeners Lóre Stevens, Kate McManus, Talya Sarna and Eva Resnick-Day. Lóre and Kate respond to Casper's question about the importance of libraries, Talya shares some Jewish thoughts on around pregnancy, and Kate recounts how she got her 15 minutes of national fame. Casper also has the opportunity to chat with our old friend, the brilliant Rabbi Scott Perlo, about the 'canon' of sacred texts and how ideas of canon play out in the Jewish tradition.Next week, we'll be reading Chapter 31, The Third Task, through the theme of kindness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of "comfort" in chapter thirty of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This week we discuss Bellatrix's fanaticism, how the pensieve is a model for virtual reality, and why Dumbledore reveals certain information to Harry. Our question this week is: Is it ever okay to be truly comfortable?Next week we're doing and Owl Post episode with special guest, Rabbi Scott Perlo. Thanks this week to Thea Raymond-Sidel for our voicemail.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of "chance" in chapter twenty-nine of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This week, Vanessa and Casper are joined by Melissa Anelli, host of Pottercast and author of Harry, A History. In the episode, we discuss Fred and George's blackmailing plan, Harry's leadership ability, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Our question this week is: how much agency can we exert in our lives, given our belief in the arbitrariness of the universe? Next week we're reading chapter thirty, The Pensieve, through the theme of "comfort." Thanks this week to Ji Kweon for our voicemail.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa and Casper and special guest, John Green, explore the theme of "inspiration" in chapter twenty-eight of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. They discuss fainting in public, Dobby's humanity, and some of the sadness of parenthood. Throughout the episode they consider the question: How do we commit ourself to doing work after the inspiration happens?Next week we're reading chapter twenty-nine, The Dream, through the theme of "chance" with special guest Melissa Anelli. Our voicemail this week is thanks to Bronwyn Toth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.