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 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.


All Episodes

Wrap-Up: The Order of the Phoenix

Vanessa and Matt wrap up their discussion of The Order of the Phoenix with a look back on the entire book! They discuss Dumbledore’s choices in this book, Harry’s...

Love: The Second War Begins (Book 5, Chapter 38)

This week, Vanessa and special guest Nathalie Folkerts explore the theme of Love in Chapter 38 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Hagrid’s caretaking,...

Control: The Lost Prophecy (Book 5, Chapter 37)

This week, Vanessa and special guest Micaela Blei explore the theme of Control in Chapter 37 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Dumbledore’s disclosures,...

Mercy: The Only One He Ever Feared (Book 5, Chapter 36)

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Mercy in Chapter 36 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Dumbledore’s grand return, Lupin’s gentle...

Desire: Beyond the Veil (Book 5, Chapter 35)

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Desire in Chapter 35 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss the Deatheaters’ true desires, the...

Success: The Department of Mysteries (Book 5, Chapter 34)

This week, Vanessa and Jolie explore the theme of Success in Chapter 34 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Harry’s plan, the Deatheaters’ success,...

Anger: Fight and Flight (Book 5, Chapter 33)

This week, Vanessa and Matt are joined by special guest Neil J. Young as they explore the theme of Anger in Chapter 33 of Harry Potter and the Order...

Isolation: Out of the Fire (Book 5, Chapter 32)

This week, Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Isolation in Chapter 32 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Umbridge’s leadership, Hermione’s master plan,...

Naivete: O.W.L.s (Book 5, Chapter 31)

This week, Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Naivete in Chapter 31 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! They discuss Hagrid’s arrest, Harry’s big plan,...

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