Discovery: Birthday Surprises (Book 6, Chapter 18)

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of joy in chapter four of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Horace’s supposed ‘cowardice’, Dumbledore’s good pedagogy, and the usefulness of inappropriate jokes. Throughout the episode we consider the question: is joy more likely in community?Thanks to Vivianna for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter five, An Excess of Phlem, through the theme of Yearning. We’ll be joined by friend of the podcast, author John Green, who will tell our opening story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Aug 201939min

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Skepticism in chapter three of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This week we discuss Harry’s magical thinking, Kreacher’s humiliation, and Dumbledore’s relationship to lemon drops. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when do we need to trust authority and when should we be skeptical?Thanks to Nici for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter four, Horace Slughorn, through the theme of Joy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Aug 201940min

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Prudence in chapter two of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. This week we discuss Peter Pettigrew’s relationship to his hand, Narcissa and Bellatrix’s love for one another, and when to quit a job. Throughout the episode we consider the question: Can you only know prudence in hindsight?Thanks to K Doraiswamy for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter three, Will and Won’t, through the theme of Skepticism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Aug 201944min

Vanessa and Casper explore the theme of Helplessness in the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. This week we discuss the election of Rufus Scrimgeour, all things related to the muggle Prime Minister, and whether Fudge is too polite for his own good. Throughout the episode we consider the question: How much information helps us during times of crisis and how much actually hurts us?Thanks to Marianna Hackney for this week's voicemail! Next week we’re reading chapter two, Spinner’s End, through the theme of Prudence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Aug 201946min

Welcome to Season 6! This week, Vanessa and Casper get together to talk what they're looking forward to in Half Blood Prince. They discuss the complications of Slytherin identity, Vanessa’s feelings about Ron, and Harry’s evolution from the last book.Next week, we’re reading Chapter 1, The Other Minister, through the theme of Helplessness.’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Jul 201927min

Our new podcast, Hot & Bothered, officially launched today. We’re so proud to share our first episode with you: Justice for Dragons. This is the only episode of Hot & Bothered we’ll drop in this feed, so please go subscribe wherever you find your podcasts!—Vanessa Zoltan thinks that happy endings are the best part of romance novels. Bryce Gilfillian is writing his first romance novel and refuses to write a happy ending.On our very first episode of Hot & Bothered, we explore the trope of “Updated Fairytale.” Bryce sets out to write the gay fairytale he never had growing up. Meanwhile, Vanessa wrestles with her own princes, witches, and dragons.Along the way we get a little help from Professor of Folklore and Mythology at Harvard University, Maria Tatar, and receive our first writing assignment from our own fairy godmother, #1 New York Times best-selling author, Julia Quinn.You can follow along on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Jul 201948min

What does the 4th of July mean and what should it mean? It’s Independence Day in the United States and so Casper sits down again with Professor Matt Potts to talk about tradition. They touch on marriage equality, Lectio Divina, and Matt’s favorite Christian Theologian - Julian of Norwich.This episode we also hear owl post from Rachel, Emily Ross, Ariel Weeks, Rachel Quint, and Mike Murphy.We’re taking two weeks off before we start Season 6: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. But do check back July 16th to listen to our first episode of Hot & Bothered! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Jul 201942min

In the final episode of season five, Vanessa and Casper pull out a few key insights from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. They give Luna Lovegood her due praise, analyze Harry’s relationship to gifts, and Vanessa comes around more to the importance of Quidditch. Throughout the episode they unpack the growing presence of death in Harry’s life and this series.Next week, we're rounding out the season with a final Owl Post and a conversation with our mentor, Matthew Potts. Don't forget to hop over to the Women of Harry Potter feed on July 1st, to hear our episode on Lily Potter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Jun 201934min