Episode 58: Harry Podcast and Owl Post Again
In this final episode of season three of the show, David and Madeline discuss Pettigrew’s legacy, the loss of Harry’s father figures, and where Prisoner of Azkaban fits into the Harry Potter series as a whole.
Episode 57: Harry Podcast and Hermione's Secret
In this hour-long episode, the hosts, along with special returning guest Corey Thibodeau (https://www.ritualsweatsociety.com/ ) discuss one of their very favorite chapters in the series, covering everything from the complex nature of time-travel and paradoxes, to Dumbledore’s seeming omniscience, to how Harry found the inner strength to conjure a true Patronus.
Episode 56: Harry Podcast and The Dementor's Kiss
Madeline & David discuss the way the author plays with emotions to give the conflict in this chapter even more weight, as well as the metaphorical significance of the dementors trying to kill Harry.
Episode 55: Harry Podcast and The Servant of Lord Voldemort
In this episode, covering one of the best chapters in the series, your hosts discuss the theme of Revenge in the book overall and in this chapter specifically. What kind of revenge does each character want, and what is the author trying to say about revenge in general? Harry’s change of heart in particular is a pivotal moment in the series.
Episode 54: Harry Podcast and Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs
In this episode, David and Madeline closely examine Lupin’s tale, how Harry, Ron, and Hermione each react to the revelation that Scabbers is not a rat but a man in animal form, and Snape’s pivotal, dramatic entrance at the end of the chapter.
Episode 53: Harry Podcast and Cat, Rat, and Dog
Your hosts discuss the confrontation between Harry and Sirius Black, between Hermione and Lupin, and between “the Grim” and Harry throughout the book so far.
Episode 52: Harry Podcast and Professor Trelawney's Prediction
In which we go on many long digressions about prophecy, Fudge, and how Ron and Hermione are changing.
Episode 51: Harry Podcast and The Quidditch Final
In which we finally reunite with Hermione, whose character undergoes a dramatic shift. What does Rowling’s portrayal of the Quidditch match say about Gryffindor and Slytherin as Houses?
Episode 50: Harry Podcast and Snape's Grudge
We’re back in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic to celebrate our 50th episode, and discuss Snape’s and Lupin’s respective roles in the larger narrative at play in this book as well as in the series overall. Who is Snape’s grudge against, really?
Episode 49: Harry Podcast and Gryffindor Versus Ravenclaw
Wherein we talk about how the Firebolt is like Quidditch steroids and what Crookshanks is up to.
Episode 48: Harry Podcast and The Patronus
Thanks for your patience, everyone! We’ve had some difficulties over the last few weeks that made it tough to record an episode. We hope you like this one, in which we talk about Lupin as a teacher, how intention affects magic, and whether destroying an individual’s soul is an immoral form of capital punishment.
Episode 47: Harry Podcast and The Firebolt
In today’s episode, Madeline and David examine Harry’s emotional state, the laziness and corruption of the Ministry of Magic, and why Hermione feels she has to betray the trust of Harry and Ron.
Episode 46: Harry Podcast and The Marauder's Map
In today’s episode, Madeline & David examine one of the most fun and powerful magic items in the series, as well as a very revelatory conversation Harry overhears at The Three Broomsticks.
Episode 45: Harry Podcast and Grim Defeat
As we reach the low point of the book, the hosts discuss Snape’s motivations and actions surrounding Lupin and Sirius, as well as how everything goes wrong for Harry specifically and the people of Hogwarts in general.
Episode 44: Harry Podcast and Flight of the Fat Lady
In today's episode, the hosts examine Harry's conversation with Lupin and the implications of Sirius Black's attack on our favorite portrait-guardian.
Episode 43: Harry Podcast and The Boggart in the Wardrobe
In this episode, the hosts discuss the very thought-provoking concept of boggarts. What does it mean that a boggart needs a target in order to take form? How is fear combated? How would our own, less concrete fears manifest?
Episode 42: Harry Podcast and Talons and Tea Leaves
On today’s episode, we talk mostly about the subject of Divination in the series—how it is portrayed by characters within the novels, how it relates to real-world figures and practices, and how it paradoxically is seen as ludicrous self-aggrandizement while simultaneously appearing to in fact be 100% accurate.
Episode 41: Harry Podcast and The Dementor
Apologies for being a week late! In this episode, Madeline and David dive deep into how Dementors are first presented to us, what they may represent in the series, and a couple ideas around social commentaries on our own society that Rowling may have been thinking of when she created them.
Episode 40: Harry Podcast and The Leaky Cauldron
Your hosts walk through the various instances of foreshadowing in this chapter, as well as debate Molly’s and Arthur’s positions on whether or not to tell Harry what’s going on with Sirius Black.