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 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.

Location:

United States

Genres:

Books & Literature

Media & Entertainment Podcasts

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Panoply Podcast Network

Networks:

Panoply

Description:

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.

Language:

English

Episodes

Ritual: The Muggle-Born Registration Commission (Book 7, Chapter 13)

6/26/2025

This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Ritual in Chapter 13 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Umbridge’s list, the trio’s new identities, and the rituals of court! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is the difference between habit and ritual? Thank you to Ingrid for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 14, The Thief, through the theme of Authenticity. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:39:55

Trust: Magic Is Might (Book 7, Chapter 12)

6/19/2025

This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Trust in Chapter 12 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Hermione’s planning, Harry’s gut, and Kreacher’s new attitude! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can trust help us better navigate life’s uncertainties? Thank you to Connie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 13, The Muggle-Born Registration Commission, through the theme of Ritual. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:44:16

Intimacy: The Bribe (Book 7, Chapter 11)

6/12/2025

This week, Matt and Vanessa explore the theme of Intimacy in Chapter 11 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss wizarding supremacy’s paradoxical enemy, Harry and Lupin’s relationship, and fighting with the people you love most! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is the push and pull dynamic within intimacy? Thank you to our anonymous listener for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 12, Magic is Might, through the theme of Trust. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:42:27

Resilience: Kreacher’s Tale (Book 7, Chapter 10)

6/5/2025

This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Resilience in Chapter 10 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Kreacher's titular tale, Mundungus's thievery, and Wormtail's appearance in the chapter! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does resilience differ from survival? Thank you to Kelsey for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 11, The Bribe, through the theme of Intimacy with Matt Potts. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:44:25

Special Edition: Dragons! with Hannah McGregor

5/29/2025

Every once in a while we like to take a step back from our current chapter, and appreciate some overarching themes and important characters from the series. This week, Vanessa and special guest Hannah McGregor are talking about dragons throughout the series! Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:29:41

Uncertainty: A Place to Hide (Book 7, Chapter 9)

5/22/2025

This week, Casper and special guest Courtney Brown explore the theme of Uncertainty in Chapter 9 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Hermione’s big bag, Harry’s lingering Trace, and the group dynamic in this time of chaos! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we prepare for periods of uncertainty? Thank you to our anonymous listener for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 10, Kreacher’s Tale, through the theme of Resilience. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:44:10

Storytelling: The Wedding (Book 7, Chapter 8)

5/15/2025

This week, Vanessa and special guest Micaela Blei explore the theme of Storytelling in Chapter 8 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Dumbledore’s legacy, Krum’s wedding experience, and Bill and Fleur’s wedding! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do the stories we tell shape the way we view the world? Thank you to Stacie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 9, A Place to Hide, with special guest Courtney Brown through the theme of Uncertainty. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Learn more about What Matters -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:51:22

Our Favorite Guest Episodes! Hope: The Flaw in the Plan - with John Green

5/8/2025

As we wrap up our final season of HPST, we're taking a look back at some of our favorite moments! This week we're revisiting our 2021 episode with John Green, talking about hope in the penultimate chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:01:00:25

Progress: The Will of Albus Dumbledore (Book 7, Chapter 7)

5/1/2025

This week, Vanessa and Casper are joined by special guest Hana Thomas Uose as they explore the theme of Progress in Chapter 7 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Harry’s 17th birthday, Hagrid’s unicorns, and Scrimgeour’s visit! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what are all the different ways we can measure progress? Thank you to Emily for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 8, The Wedding, with special guest Micaela Blei through the theme of Storytelling. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:47:45

Commitment: The Ghoul in Pyjamas (Book 7, Chapter 6)

4/24/2025

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Commitment in Chapter 6 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss the trio’s commitments to each other, Molly’s parenting, and Voldemort’s tunnel vision! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we make sure our commitments are serving us? Thank you to Sarah for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 7, The Will of Albus Dumbledore, through the theme of Progress. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:46:14

Memory: Fallen Warrior (Book 7, Chapter 5)

4/17/2025

This week, Vanessa and special guest Mauricio Bruce explore the theme of Memory in Chapter 5 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Hedwig and Moody’s deaths, and how the body keeps the score in this chapter! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does memory push us forward, and when can it hold us back? Learn more about What Matters here. Thank you to Natalie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 6, The Ghoul in Pyjamas, through the theme of Commitment. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:47:10

Outrage: The Seven Potters (Book 7, Chapter 4)

4/10/2025

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Outrage in Chapter 4 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss the 6 extra Potters, Hedwig’s death, and Mundungus’s forced service! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can a series of experiences lead us to a place of outrage? Thank you to Melody for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 5, Fallen Warrior, with special guest Mauricio Bruce through the theme of Memory. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:42:14

The Real Question: Should I Take an Art Class in 2025? (with Vanessa Zoltan)

4/8/2025

This week, we want to share with you an episode of another Not Sorry podcast, The Real Question. The Real Question is a show that holds space for life’s tough questions. Each episode, a guest brings a personal question they’re grappling with, and Chaplain Mauricio Bruce helps them find an answer. This season, our focus is on future-oriented questions – those that start with ‘Should I…’ In our first episode of the new season, Vanessa asks the question "should I take an art class in 2025?" We’re currently looking for more guests, so if you have a question from your own life, please submit to be on the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:28:13

Vulnerability: The Dursleys Departing (Book 7, Chapter 3)

4/3/2025

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Vulnerability in Chapter 3 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Dudley, Vernon, and Petunia’s respective vulnerabilities in this chapter! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can showing vulnerability invite others to be more vulnerable themselves? Today's episode is dedicated to Judith Giller Leinwahl, who helped shape this show and community. Thank you to Emily for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 4, The Seven Potters, through the theme of outrage. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:43:37

Boundaries: In Memoriam (Book 7, Chapter 2)

3/27/2025

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Boundaries in Chapter 2 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Dumbledore’s many secrets, Dudley’s misunderstood act of kindness, and Hedwig’s cage! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do our boundaries change over time? Thank you to Chelsea for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 3, The Dursleys Departing, through the theme of Vulnerability. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:45:51

Success: The Dark Lord Ascending (Book 7, Chapter 1)

3/20/2025

This week, Vanessa and Casper are joined by special guest Elizabeth Rowe as they explore the theme of Success in Chapter 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Snape’s evolving role as double agent, Voldemort’s measures of success, and the Deatheaters’ meeting! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does the way we measure success change over the course of our life? Thank you to Sara for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 2, In Memoriam, through the theme of Boundaries. Learn more about Elizabeth's class here! Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:50:11

HPST Re-Run – Suspicion: The Dark Lord Ascending (Book 7, Chapter 1)

3/13/2025

We're still off between seasons, but we though it would be fun to take a look back at our first read through of Book 7, Chapter 1 ahead of our 14th and final season starting back up next week! Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:40:19

Let's Ask Taylor Swift: Cardigan

3/6/2025

We just dropped one of our favorite episodes so far of Let's Ask Taylor Swift with Vanessa and recent HPST guest host Daniel Schroeder, and since we're off between seasons of HPST we wanted to share that in the feed with you here! Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:38:13

Wrap-Up: The Half-Blood Prince

2/27/2025

Vanessa and Casper wrap up their discussion of The Half-Blood Prince with a look back on the entire book! They discuss Dumbledore's strengths and weaknesses as a leader, Harry's final year at Hogwarts, and Hermione's unique role in this book. We're off for a few weeks between seasons, but we can't wait to get into Book 7 with you all! Stick around after the episode for a special conversation with Julia Argy about her upcoming writing retreat! Learn more and register on our website. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:59:21

Love: The White Tomb (Book 6, Chapter 30)

2/20/2025

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Love in Chapter 30 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Hagrid’s role as patron saint of transitions, Bill and Fleur, and Harry’s pity for Draco! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how are grief and love interconnected? Thank you to Ellen for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're wrapping up Book 6 with Casper. -- It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content 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.

Duration:00:49:39