Discovery: Birthday Surprises (Book 6, Chapter 18)

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Confidence in Chapter Twenty of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Sirius offering Harry a new home, Harry's emergency Patronus, and Peter's escape. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is confidence appropriate, and what are the limits of it?Thank you to Nicoletta for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 21, Hermione's Secret, through the theme of Anticipation.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers 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.

21 Juli 202252min

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Virtue in Chapter Nineteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Snape delivering wolfsbane to his nemesis, Peter's consistent alliance with power, and Harry summoning some of his father's virtue. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do we live virtuously in morally complicated situations?Thank you to Jessica for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 20, The Dementor’s Kiss, through the theme of Confidence.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers 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.

14 Juli 202249min

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Friendship in Chapter Eighteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Peter as a failed friend, Sirius & Lupin's renewed friendship, and some perspective from Aristotle. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what does it mean to be a good friend?Thank you to Bianca for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 19, The Servant of Lord Voldemort, through the theme of Virtue.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers 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.

7 Juli 202251min

This week, Vanessa and Matt are joined by fellow podcaster and award-winning journalist Imara Jones to discuss her work founding Translash Media, a cross-platform journalism, personal storytelling and narrative effort, which produces content to shift the current culture of hostility towards transgender people in the US.Thanks to Barbara, Adeetee, Dasha, and our anonymous listener for their beautiful voicemail contributions. Next week we're reading Chapter 18, Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, through the theme of Friendship.Listen to Imara on the Translash podcast here, and the Anti-Trans Hate Machine podcast here.A list of people, resources, and media Imara mentioned in the episode:Chase Strangio - Lawyer with the ACLUThe Trevor Project - Accurate information on gender identityLocal orgs in your state working to fight anti-trans bills - for example TENT in Texas Laverne Cox - actress Janet Mock - author and creator of PoseSarah McBride - Delaware state senator The historic Transgender District in San Francisco - the first legally recognized trans district in the worldThe Equality Federation - for tracking anti-trans bills being introduced across the country--It’s only two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollar to join our Patreon for extra bloopers 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.

30 Juni 202250min

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Partnership in Chapter Seventeen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss the difference between partnership and friendship, the trio's unwavering dedication to one another, and Crookshanks' role as intermediary. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is required for a strong partnership?Thank you to James for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 18, Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, through the theme of Friendship.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers 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.

23 Juni 202247min

This year in commemoration of Juneteenth, we’re spotlighting The Final 5 Campaign, a coalition working to close the final five youth prisons in Illinois. We’re joined in conversation by one of their leaders, Alicia Brown, who tells us about what it means to be a prison abolitionist and her work with the campaign. Please join us by making a donation, learning more about the failures of youth prisons, contacting your legislators about prisons in your state, and listening to their new podcast, Free The Youth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Juni 202220min

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Rest in Chapter Sixteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss end of year exams, Trelawney's mid-nap prediction, and the inefficient use of time-turners. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we embrace and account for rest as a necessity?Thank you to Tatiana for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 17, Cat, Rat, and Dog, through the theme of Partnership.--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers 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.

16 Juni 202243min

We're taking a quick break from our usual programming to introduce the newest season of Hot and Bothered, where we're currently reading through Pride & Prejudice! Each week, Vanessa and Lauren Sandler will deep dive into a chapter (or two or three) of the novel. We are talking to Jane Austen scholars, fans, and skeptics and we are going to constantly be asking ourselves: Why is this the bible of the Romance genre? What does this book believe about love, marriage, and money? And are those things we still want to be passing on? We'll be back next week, with Chapter 16 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban!--It’s two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only two dollars to join our Patreon for extra bloopers 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.

9 Juni 202254min