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.
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 Jackson Bird are talking about the Marauders and some of their favorite moments from the friends throughout the series! — It’s two…
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Not Sorry has launched its first new podcast since 2020! Let’sAskTaylorSwiftis co-hosted by Vanessa and podcaster, writer and cultural critic: Daniel Schroeder. In each episode Daniel and Vanessa will focus on one song fromTaylor’s discography,askingthemselves, each other, and you— the audience— what it is aboutTaylor’s music that resonates so much with fans.In our first season,…
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This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Failure in Chapter 22 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Harry’s lucky day, Ron’s apparition test, and Ernie’s potion! Throughout the episode we consider the question: when are success and failure out of our control? Thank you to Christine for this week’s…
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Patience: The Unknowable Room (Book 6, Chapter 21) This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Patience in Chapter 21 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Harry’s stakeout, Hermione’s new approach to Ron and Lavender, and the upcoming promise of Apparition! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does…
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This week, Vanessa and special guest Mauricio Bruce explore the theme of Possibility in Chapter 20 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Dumbledore’s memory of Voldemort, Harry’s quest, and Hermione and Ron’s reconciliation! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we hold space for a multitude of possibilities? Thank…
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This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Rebellion in Chapter 19 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Snape and Dumbledore’s agreement, Dobby and Kreacher’s quarrel, and McLaggen’s big game! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we rebel in both big and small ways? Thank you to…
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This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Discovery in Chapter 18 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Slughorn’s poisoned mead, Harry’s life saving bezoar, and Romilda Vane’s love potion! Throughout the episode we consider the question: are we always on some journey of discovery? Thank you to Auryn for…
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This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Knowledge in Chapter 17 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Harry’s lesson with Dumbledore, early Slug Clubs, and Slughorn’s titular memory! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do raw facts turn into knowledge? Thank you to Simonefor this week’s voicemail!…
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This week, Vanessa and special guest Julia Argy explore the theme of Worthiness in Chapter 16 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss the value of peeling sprouts by hand, Percy’s Christmas, and Ron’s new necklace! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what are we weighing when we decide the worthiness…
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This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Symbiosis in Chapter 15 of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! They discuss Slughorn’s exclusive holiday party, the ripple effect of Hermione and Ron’s tiff, and Draco’s plan! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we create symbiotic relationships that aren’t just transactional?…
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