Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

Panoply

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 Casper ter Kuile 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 chapter by chapter as they 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.

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 Casper ter Kuile 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 chapter by chapter as they 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.

More Information

Location:

United States

Genres:

Books & Literature

Media & Entertainment Podcasts

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Panoply Podcast Network

Networks:

Panoply

Description:

Language:

English

Episodes

Dread: The Sorting Hat's New Song (Book 5, Chapter 11)

11/8/2018

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Dread in chapter eleven of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". This week, we discuss Hermione's insight into Umbridge, Harry and Seamus' big fight, and the content of The Sorting Hat's New Song (surprise!). Our question this week is: Is dread about the certainly of what's coming? Or the uncertainly of what could come? Next week we're reading Chapter 12, Professor Umbridge, through the theme of Pride. Don't forget to buy tickets for our...

Duration:00:39:23

Halloween Edition: On Witches and Brett Kavanaugh

11/1/2018

Casper is out sick, so Vanessa is taking over our owl post episode this week. We talk Brett Kavanaugh and answer voicemails about his hearing, Voldemort's name, Advent and marginalia. Vanessa also has the opportunity to chat with Dr. Lynne Gerber, a friend of the podcast from Harvard Divinity School. They discuss Lynne's experience with neo-paganism and how to create feminist spaces for religious practice. Next week, we'll be reading Chapter 11 of Order of the Phoenix, The Sorting Hat's...

Duration:00:45:15

Humility: Luna Lovegood (Book 5, Chapter 10)

10/25/2018

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Humility in chapter ten of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". This week, we talk about Luna's truth-telling, Neville's nerdiness and Ron and Hermione's different approaches to being prefects. Our question this week is: why don't we live more radical lives? Next week we're doing an Owl Post episode with special guest Lynne Gerber talking to us about paganism. Don't forget to buy tickets for our upcoming live shows in Austin, Cambridge, and...

Duration:00:39:42

Will Power: The Woes of Mrs Weasley (Book 5, Chapter 9)

10/18/2018

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Will Power in chapter nine of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". This week, we continue to obsess about Percy Weasley, congratulate Ron on his grace around being Head Boy, and very much want to punch Lucius Malfoy. Our question this week is: does will power have to happen in the moment, or is something you can plan for? Next week we're reading chapter ten, Luna Lovegood, through the theme of Humility. Don't forget to buy tickets for our...

Duration:00:41:09

Partnership: The Hearing (Book 5, Chapter 8)

10/11/2018

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Partnership in chapter eight of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". This week, Vanessa and Casper are joined by Lauren Taylor, co-author of The American Healthcare Paradox and fellow Harvard Divinity School alum. We discuss Fudge and Dumbledore's polarizing effect, Percy's place in the ministry, and give our first impressions of Dolores Umbridge. Our question this week is: how close can we actually get to the kind of 'divine' partnership...

Duration:00:46:21

Progress: The Ministry of Magic (Book 5, Chapter 7)

10/4/2018

Vanessa and Casper examine the theme of "Progress" in chapter seven of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This week we discuss whether owls are an obsolete technology, The Fountain of Magical Brethren, and the power of Mamma Mia. Our question this week is: is progress inevitable? Next week we're reading chapter eight, The Hearing, through the theme of Partnership. Thanks this week to Aya Ahmed for our voicemail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:38:36

Memory: The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black (Book 5, Chapter 6)

9/27/2018

Vanessa and Casper examine the theme of "memory" in chapter six of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." This week we discuss Kreacher's institutional memory, Sirius's family tapestry, and whether or not you should cut an ex out of a photo. Our question this week is: what’s the difference between a memory and a record? Next week we're reading chapter seven, The Ministry of Magic, through the theme of Progress. Thanks this week to Rae Muhlstock for our voicemail. Learn more about...

Duration:00:39:13

Gratitude: The Order of the Phoenix (Book 5, Chapter 5)

9/20/2018

Vanessa and Casper examine the theme of "gratitude" in chapter five of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." This week we discuss Mundugus Fletcher's apology, Molly Weasley's protectiveness, and the memory of James Potter. Our question this week is: what should the timeline of gratitude look like? Next week we're reading chapter six, The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, through the theme of Memory. Thanks this week to Miriam Wilks for our voicemail. Learn more about your ad...

Duration:00:36:56

Anger: Number Twelve Grimmauld Place (Book 5, Chapter 4)

9/13/2018

Vanessa and Casper examine the theme of "Anger" in chapter four of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." This week we discuss Percy's betrayal, Ginny's coolness, and how badly Harry is treating his friends. Our question this week is: Is anger ever a productive emotion? Next week we're reading chapter five, The Order of the Phoenix, through the theme of Gratitude. Thanks this week to Beth Strickland for our voicemail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:41:33

Brief Note: News about the future of HPST

9/12/2018

Hi friends, we heard from our podcast network, Panoply, today that they will be dissolving their network. This means they'll no longer be selling ads on our show. It's scary news for us, because ad sales is the largest way that we make our business sustainable. We want to keep you posted as we move forward and hopefully find a new way to keep making this show that means so much to us. We love you and we're going to make this work together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Duration:00:00:59

Compassion: The Advance Guard (Book 5, Chapter 3)

9/6/2018

Vanessa and Casper return to the theme of "compassion" in chapter three of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." This week we discuss Tonk's hair, Moody's eyeball, and how Harry really needs a meditation practice. Our question this week is: How do we be compassionate to someone who doesn't want to receive it? Next week we're reading chapter four, Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, through the theme of Anger. Thanks this week to Nikki Spencer for our voicemail. Learn more about your ad...

Duration:00:44:32

Frustration: A Peck of Owls (Book 5, Chapter 2)

8/30/2018

Vanessa and Casper return to the theme of "frustration" in chapter two of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." This week we discuss the psychology of Mundungus Fletcher, the heroism of Mrs. Figg, and Dudley's crumbling sense of his own supremacy. Our question this week is: When does frustration enable learning? Next week we're reading chapter three, The Advance Guard, through the theme of compassion. Thanks this week to Rabbi Max Chaiken for our voicemail. Learn more about your...

Duration:00:35:23

Belief: Dudley Demented (Book 5, Chapter 1)

8/23/2018

Vanessa and Casper dive into Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with the theme of belief. They discuss the breakdown of trust between Harry and the Dursleys, between Harry and his friends, and Harry and himself. Throughout the episode they consider the question: what makes us believe things, beyond just 'the facts'? This week, we're trying out a new spiritual practice: Marginalia. This week's voicemail is thanks to Emily Anderson. Be sure to check out our website...

Duration:00:39:26

Special Edition: What We’re Excited for in Order of the Phoenix

8/9/2018

Season 5, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, launches on August 23rd. Vanessa and Casper get together to talk what they're looking forward to in Order of the Phoenix and share our season 5 trailer about Dolores Umbridge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:23:49

Special Edition: Owl Post with Professor Stephanie Paulsell

7/26/2018

In our last episode of season four, we catch up on some owl post with Stephanie Paulsell. We hear from Angela Hronek, Michelle Solomon, Jaxn Hill, Margaret Cooney and an anonymous caller. Inspired by our callers, Stephanie and Vanessa discuss embodiment, communion, and the limits of radical love. NB: We’re taking a week off, but we'll back with season five and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on August 9th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:37:59

Wrap-Up: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

7/19/2018

In the final episode of season four, Vanessa and Casper pull out a few key insights from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. They take some time to talk about Harry Potter himself, reflect on Cedric's death, and dissect the role of the Goblet of Fire itself. Throughout the episode they take a critical eye to the stories we tell ourselves and whether those are a force of good or complacency. Next week, we're rounding out the season with a final Owl Post and a conversation with our house...

Duration:00:32:55

Love: The Beginning (Book 4, Chapter 37) — Live from London

7/12/2018

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of "love" in the final chapter of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This week we come to you live from our London show. We discuss the grief and generosity of Cedric's parents, the false promise of the Triwizard Tournament, and whether love can be political. We were so very lucky to have our dear friend and mentor, Stephanie Paulsell, with us to tell a story from her experience. Next week we're doing a wrap-up of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire....

Duration:01:01:56

Disillusionment: The Parting of the Ways (Book 4, Chapter 36)

7/5/2018

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...

Duration:00:39:49

Betrayal: Veritaserum (Book 4, Chapter 35)

6/28/2018

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."...

Duration:00:36:06

Grief: Priori Incantatem (Book 4, Chapter 34)

6/21/2018

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...

Duration:00:39:00