This week we're joined by THE Casper ter Kuile as we explore the theme of meanness in chapter nine of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This week we discuss whether Harry acts too aggressively with Malfoy, whether McGonagall is treating Harry like a piece of meat, and whether Draco ever meant to go to the midnight duel. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do you be anti-violence and still intervene in wrong-doing? Thanks to Brittany for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’r...
Jul 01, 2021•44 min
Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of belonging in chapter eight Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This week we examine Hagrid’s hut as a welcoming space, discuss how Snape’s cruelty confirms Harry as special, and have our first conversation about pedagogy at Hogwarts. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do we belong to another person without trying to possess them? Thanks to Katta for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 9, The Midnight Duel, through the ...
Jun 24, 2021•45 min
Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of revenge in chapter seven of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This week we discuss Dumbledore's whimsy as a tool of hospitality, whether Peeves should be punished, and the context of Nearly Headless Nick’s beheading.Throughout the episode we consider the question: is living well the best revenge? Thanks to Ashley for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 8, The Potions Master, through the theme of belonging. -- It’s two sickles to join ...
Jun 17, 2021•40 min
Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of fear in chapter six Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This week we discuss how the Dursleys change (and don't change) towards Harry, Ron's role in his family, and how truly wonderful Molly is to Harry and her kids. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what makes someone a bully? Thanks to Amethyst for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 7, The Sorting Hat through the theme of revenge. -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., ...
Jun 10, 2021•40 min
Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of awe in chapter five Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This week we discuss Harry’s fame, Draco’s relationship with his wand, and the joys and overwhelm of travel. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Can you be in awe of things that aren't 'good'? Thanks to Rachell for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 6, The Journey to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters through the theme of fear. -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and ...
Jun 03, 2021•36 min
This week, Vanessa and Matt are joined by Naomi Westwater to discuss how we see Wizard Supremacy operating in the text and how it helps us understand supremacy in our lives. Thanks to for their beautiful voicemail contributions. Next week we’ll be reading Book 1, Chapter 5, Diagon Alley, through the theme of awe. If you're interested in joining Naomi's class, you can sign up here ! -- It’s only two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollar to join our Patreon for extra bloopers e...
May 27, 2021•44 min
Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of celebration in chapter four Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This week we discuss Harry’s birthday feast, the relentlessness of the Hogwarts letters, and the way that Hagrid intimidates the Dursleys. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Does celebration need to be joyful? Or is the ritual of it the important thing? Thanks to Didi for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re doing an Owl Post episode with Naomi Westwater on Wizard Supremacy. -...
May 20, 2021•40 min
This week we're lucky to be joined by Jolie Doggett as we explore the theme of obedience in chapter three Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This week we discuss Vernon's toxic masculinity, Dumbledore's manipulation, and whether Petunia fell in love with Vernon because he's so dominant. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do you choose what to be obedient (or disobedient) to? Thanks to Zoe for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 4, The Keeper of the Keys, ...
May 13, 2021•44 min
Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of hope in chapter two Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This week we discuss Harry's scar, descriptions of Dudley's body, and the 'foreignness' of the escaped boa constrictor. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Are small sources of hope helpful or cruel? Thanks to Olivia for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 3, The Letter's from No One, through the theme of Obedience. -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two do...
May 06, 2021•53 min
Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of frustration in the very first chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This week we discuss how the Dursley's are raising Dudley, why Vernon is so offended by seeing men in robes, and whether it's okay to just leave a baby on a doorstep (Spoiler: it's not). Throughout the episode we consider the question: How do we react to frustration productively? Thanks to Dallas for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 2, The Vanishing Glass, t...
Apr 29, 2021•50 min
We made it all the way back to Book 1 and there are some changes happening around Harry Potter and the Sacred Text ! Namely, we have a brand new co-host: The brilliant and wise Matt Potts. This week, Vanessa and Matt get together to talk about what they’re excited for in the first book, share their thoughts about sacred reading, and introduce a new critical lens to our reading practice. Next week, we’re reading Chapter 1 of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , The Boy Who Lived, through...
Apr 22, 2021•31 min
We have one more week off between seasons of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text ! While we're off, we thought we'd share a recent episode from our sister show, the brilliant feminist Harry Potter podcast Witch, Please. -- We have an episode for you that, in our professional opinion, is very gay . And by gay we mean inviting expansively, radically, resistantly queer readings of a text that is trying very very hard to perform heterosexuality and binary gender! We breeze by the obvious details—like L...
Apr 15, 2021•58 min
We're taking a two week break between seasons of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text ! While we're off, we thought we'd share a recent episode of The Real Question. Casper wants to feel closer to his paternal grandparents. But there’s a problem: they’ve been dead for a few years now. Is there a way, as he grows older, for him to keep his grandparents an active part of his life? Drawing upon The Suitcase by Frances Stoner Saunders and Children and Art from the musical Sunday in the Park with George ...
Apr 08, 2021•41 min
This week, Vanessa and Casper finish their time together by reading Book 1, Chapter 1 through the theme of Transitions. We recorded this episode live in front of a streaming audience in partnership with 6th and I in Washington, D.C. It's Casper's last episode and we love him so much! Thanks to everyone who made it to the live stream! We’ll be taking the next week off. Book one, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, starts April 22th with our new co-host, Matt Potts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
Apr 01, 2021•52 min
Vanessa and Casper look back at the past five years of making Harry Potter and the Sacred Text and their experience reading all seven Harry Potter books. What surprised them along the way? What do they wish they had done differently? And will they ever write that book about the failed pedagogy of Hogwarts? Next week, our final episode of the series! We'll be reading Book 1, Chapter 1 through the theme of transitions. -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon ...
Mar 25, 2021•43 min
This week, Vanessa and Casper are joined by mentor Stephanie Paulsell to discuss why we re-read sacred texts and what we should keep in mind for starting again at Book 1. Thanks to Ali, Julianne, Scott, Melissa and anonymous for their beautiful voicemail contributions. Next week we’ll be doing a whole series wrap-up episode covering all seven books. -- It’s only two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollar to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helpin...
Mar 18, 2021•45 min
Vanessa and Casper look back at all of Season 7 and pull out a few key insights from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. They explore the path of the Malfoys throughout this book, the blooming relationship between Ron and Hermione, and what they think the fate of Slytherin House should be. Throughout the episode they explore the question: What would change if this book was called Harry Potter and the Ministry of Magic? Next week, we're doing final Owl Post episode and a conversation with...
Mar 11, 2021•43 min
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of love in the final chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss Casper's criticisms of boarding school, Arthur Weasley's anti-pure-blood agenda, and why everyone should be giving Neville Longbottom their love. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How is love (and trauma) passed between generations? Thanks to Ania for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re doing a wrap-up episode of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. -...
Mar 04, 2021•48 min
We're reaching the end of Casper's tenure here on Harry Potter and the Sacred Text, but never fear! You can still get your Casper and Vanessa fix over on our new show, The Real Question. Our first episode is out today, and Casper and Vanessa discuss all things Tooth Fairy. After playing the Tooth Fairy for her two step-daughters, Vanessa is having doubts about the appropriateness of this supposedly silly childhood ritual. Drawing up a recent article about the Marquis de Sade and the song Su...
Mar 01, 2021•44 min
Vanessa and Casper are joined by John Green to explore the theme of hope in the penultimate chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss what to do with the Malfoys, what to do with Slytherin house, and how Neville finds the courage to be such hero. Throughout the episode we consider the question: is it worth it to have hope on a grand scale? Thanks to Phoebe for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading the Epilogue, Nineteen Years Later, through the theme of love....
Feb 25, 2021•59 min
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of trust in chapter thirty-five of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss the landscape of this 'afterlife' for Harry, why Dumbledore is untrustworthy, and whether Voldemort's soul is redeemable. Throughout the episode we consider the question: is anything that happens in this chapter real? Thanks to Christine for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 36, The Flaw in the Plan, through the theme of hope with special guest J...
Feb 18, 2021•43 min
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of reunion in chapter thirty-four of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss why Harry doesn't say goodbye to Ginny, why Harry is the natural inheritor of the Invisibility Cloak and why Hogwarts is an insufficient home for Harry. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Can we summon our lost loved ones without a resurrection stone? Thanks to Erik for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 35, King's Cross, through t...
Feb 11, 2021•42 min
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of accompaniment in chapter thirty-three of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss Dumbledore's solitude, Snape's courage, and an inspiring scene for Sex and the City. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Does accompaniment have to be passive? Thanks to Ingrid for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 34, The Forest Again, through the theme of reunion. -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars ...
Feb 04, 2021•45 min
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of contentment in chapter thirty-two of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss the impact of Fred’s death on the trio, Hermione’s quick thinking under pressure, and how amazing it is that Trelawney starts throwing crystal balls. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Is contentment possible after trauma? Thanks to Sam for this week’s voicemail! Next week we’re reading Chapter 33, The Prince’s Tale, through the theme of accom...
Jan 28, 2021•45 min
Vanessa and Casper continue exploring the theme of survival in part two of chapter thirty-one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This week we discuss Ron and Hermione's big kiss, Draco Malfoy's failure of choice, and some plot holes that Vanessa found in the text. Throughout the episode we consider the question: What happens to us when part of our identity doesn't survive? Thanks to Julia for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 32, The Elder Wand, through the theme of co...
Jan 21, 2021•45 min
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Survival in the first half of chapter thirty-one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Yes, that's right, we've split a chapter in half for the first time in our whole show history! This week we are joined by Dr. Allie Bayne from HERstory on the Rocks , who shares an opening story about sexual abuse and how she sees herself in Helena Ravenclaw. Casper and Vanessa discuss the existential experience of ghosts, the behavior of Pansy Parkinson, and whether ...
Jan 14, 2021•51 min
Casper, Matt and Vanessa don't have any brilliant insights about what happened last week. So in this conversation they turn to Harry Potter and each other to try to sit in the fear and discomfort of what is happening right now as a result of Trump's facism in the US. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 13, 2021•12 min
This week, Vanessa and Matt discuss their own New Year's traditions and the language we use around this time of year. Thanks to Charity, Luna, TeaKay, Matías, and Zack for their beautiful voicemail contributions. Next week we’ll be reading part one of Chapter 31, The Battle of Hogwarts, through the theme of Survival. -- It’s only two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollar to join our Patreon for extra bloopers every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so ...
Jan 07, 2021•47 min
Every Christmas, Casper likes to read us a poem. This year it's 'Ring Out, Wild Bells' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. We'll be back with our regularly scheduled episodes on January 7th. Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 25, 2020•3 min
Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Chaos in chapter thirty of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (we're getting so close to the end!). This week we discuss Harry and McGonagall's use of unforgivable curses, generational differences in the fight for good, and Percy's return. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Is chaos clarifying? Thanks to Amanda for this week’s voicemail! We're taking two weeks off for the holidays, but you'll hear from us again on January 7th with an Owl Po...
Dec 17, 2020•43 min
