
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

Feb 15, 2024 • 39min
Release: Occlumency (Book 5, Chapter 24)
This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Release in Chapter 24 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Sirius’s imprisonment, Harry’s first Occlumency lesson, and Hermione’s assistance. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what does it mean to release something?Thank you to Ian for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 25, The Beetle at Bay, through the theme of Attention with Hope Rehak.--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.

Feb 8, 2024 • 42min
Vulnerability: Christmas on the Closed Ward (Book 5, Chapter 23)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Vulnerability in Chapter 23 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss our reintroduction to Gilderoy Lockhart, Neville’s parents, and Mr. Weasley’s experiments in muggle medicine. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does vulnerability affect our decision-making capabilities?Thank you to Jamie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 24, Occlumency, through the theme of Release with Casper.--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.

Feb 1, 2024 • 37min
Individuality: St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies (Book 5, Chapter 22)
This week, Vanessa and Mauricio Bruce explore the theme of Individuality in Chapter 22 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Harry’s dream, the Weasley clan, and Dumbledore’s wall of support. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we focus in and out of our own individuality?Thank you to Jessie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 23, Christmas on the Closed Ward, through the theme of Vulnerability with Matt.--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.

Jan 25, 2024 • 43min
Special Edition: Reading as Sacred!
Every once in a while we like to take a step back from our current chapter, and appreciate some overarching themes from the series and our approach to the podcast! This week, Matt and Vanessa are talking about treating books as sacred, some of their favorite authors, and the role reading currently plays in their lives.--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.

Jan 18, 2024 • 46min
Care: The Eye of the Snake (Book 5, Chapter 21)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Care in Chapter 21 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Hagrid’s return to teaching, Hermione’s attempts to aid Hagrid’s return to teaching, and ~young love~. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what are the many ways we show care to one another?Thank you to Jamie for this week’s voicemail. If you or someone you know needs crisis intervention, please reach out to the Crisis Text Line.Next week we're reading Chapter 22, St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, through the theme of Individuality with Mauricio.--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.

Jan 11, 2024 • 40min
Heartbreak: Hagrid’s Tale (Book 5, Chapter 20)
In this podcast, the hosts discuss heartbreak and how to carry on afterwards. They explore Hagrid's mother, the new Gurg, and the healing power of dragon meat. They also touch on complex grief, building trust with giants, and the disappointment of ineffective efforts. The podcast explores healing, transformation, and structural barriers to education, and pays tribute to community members. They reflect on Hagrid's mother and give a preview of the next chapter.

Jan 4, 2024 • 46min
Grace: The Lion and the Serpent (Book 5, Chapter 19)
This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Grace in Chapter 19 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Harry’s game-saving capture of the snitch, Ron’s first big match, and Hermione’s magical talent. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what are the conditions which allow us to be graceful?

Dec 25, 2023 • 2min
A Christmas Poem from Matt: The Magi, by William Butler Yeats
Every Christmas, we like to share a favorite poem. This year it's 'The Magi' by William Butler Yeats.We'll be back with our regularly scheduled episodes on January 5th. Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 14, 2023 • 38min
Intellectual Humility: Throughout the Series
This week we're concluding our collaboration with The Greater Good Science Center, examining the theme of Intellectual Humility as Vanessa and Matt look back at key moments in the entire Harry Potter Series! They discuss the lack of overlap between Wizard and Muggle worlds, the unraveling of the Ministry, and Neville's blossoming self confidence. We're taking a quick break for the holidays, but will be back in two weeks with Book 5 Chapter 19, The Lion and the Serpent, through the theme of Grace!--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.

Dec 7, 2023 • 51min
Possibility: Dumbledore's Army (Book 5, Chapter 18)
This week, Vanessa and Jackson Bird explore the theme of Possibility in Chapter Eighteen of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss the Room of Requirement, Dobby's newly free life, and Umbridge's stifling oversight. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we discern what kinds of change are possible in our current stage of life?Thank you to Serena for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're looking at the entire series through the theme of Intellectual Humility.--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.