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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

Confidence: The Dementor's Kiss (Book 3, Chapter 20)

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Virtue: The Servant of Lord Voldemort (Book 3, Chapter 19)

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Friendship: Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs (Book 3, Chapter 18)

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Owl Post Edition: An Interview with Imara Jones!

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Partnership: Cat, Rat, and Dog (Book 3, Chapter 17)

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Juneteenth Spotlight: The Final 5 Campaign

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rest: Professor Trelawney’s Prediction (Book 3, Chapter 16)

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Introducing: Live From Pemberley

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Triumph in Chapter Fifteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Gryffindor's big win, Hermione's out of character behavior, and Trelawney's dedication to feuding with children. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we think of triumph in a way that doesn't put down others?Thank you to Amber for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 16, Professor Trelawney’s Prediction, through the theme of Rest.--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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Triumph: The Quidditch Final (Book 3, Chapter 15)

Every week during our episode, we dedicate some time to remembering members of our community who have been loved and lost. This week we are also remembering the 19 children and 2 teachers killed in Uvalde, Texas last week. May their memories be a blessing to us all. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Memorial for Uvalde, Texas

Vanessa and Matt are joined by very special guest Casper ter Kuile to explore the theme of Wisdom in Chapter Fourteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss increased security measures at Hogwarts, a timely piece of sage advice from Hagrid, and the teeny tiny delivery owls. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can we combine our lived experiences and personal knowledge wisely?Thank you to Madi for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 15, The Quidditch Final, through the theme of Triumph. You can learn more about Casper's new project here! --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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wisdom: Snape's Grudge (Book 3, Chapter 14)

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Independence in Chapter Thirteen of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss sports(!!!), Neville's exile, and the pros and cons of Hermione's current lack of dependence on the boys. Throughout the episode we consider the question: to what extent does independence truly exist in our interconnected lives and relationships?Thank you to Stephanie for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 14, Snape's Grudge, through the theme of Wisdom - with our ever-so-special guest host Casper ter Kuile!!--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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Independence: Gryffindor Versus Ravenclaw (Book 3, Chapter 13)

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Inspiration in Chapter Twelve of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss the trio's ongoing friendship troubles, the proper inspiration behind a successful patronus, and the healing properties of Lupin's steady supply of chocolate. Throughout the episode we consider the question: what is inspiration and how can we persevere through the ebbs and flows of its presence?Thank you to Youval for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 13, Gryffindor Versus Ravenclaw, through the theme of Independence.--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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Inspiration: The Patronus (Book 3, Chapter 12)

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Pride in Chapter Eleven of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss Harry's pride in his broom, the etymology of pride vs. how it is understood in the modern day, and the intersection of pride and recklessness inherent in Harry's pursuit of Sirius Black. Throughout the episode we consider the question: when is pride a display of excess self regard, and when is it a display of appropriate and necessary self regard?Thank you to Christin for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 12, The Patronus, through the theme of Inspiration.--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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pride: The Firebolt (Book 3, Chapter 11)

Vanessa and Matt explore the theme of Confusion in Chapter Ten of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! This week they discuss the trio's stay at Hogwarts over the holidays, Harry's attachment to the shards of his broomstick, and the disruption that the dementors create on school grounds. Throughout the episode we consider the question: how can confusion contribute to isolation, and how do we overcome this barrier?Thank you to Erin for this week’s voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 11, The Firebolt, through the theme of Pride.--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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Confusion: The Marauder's Map (Book 3, Chapter 10)

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 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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

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