The Harry Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Harry Podcast
This is a show where your hosts, David and Madeline, analyze and discuss each chapter of the Harry Potter series from a literary perspective. We look at writing style, character development, plot, and connections between moments. We give you our own ideas, perspective, and questions about the text, and urge you to ask questions and come up with your own analysis as well.
The hosts discuss an incredibly accurate description of severe anxiety in the chapter, as well as Moody’s and Bagman’s machinations, and Harry and Ron’s reconciliation.
David and Madeline discuss how Hagrid is manipulated into cheating on Harry’s behalf, and Moody’s behind-the-scenes role.
In which Ollivander returns for the first time in years, and David goes way too deep on wandlore.
We’re back! Sorry to have been gone for so long. In this episode, your hosts discuss the different ways each character reacts to Harry’s name coming out of the Goblet of Fire, and what their reactions say about them.
Your hosts discuss various character moments surrounding the Goblet and what goes through Dumbledore's head when he reads Harry's name out.
David and Madeline discuss the two new wizarding schools, and the further broadening of both the world of the books, as well as the character base for this story in particular.
David and Madeline discuss Crouch Jr.’s possibly noble motivations in teaching the students about the horrors of Dark Magic that they will be facing over the rest of the series.
In which your hosts return from a hiatus to discuss the pivotal character of this book and his first few scenes. What is really him, and what is an actor playing a role?
In which your hosts discuss how Barty Crouch Jr.’s portrayal of Mad-Eye Moody is very overdramatic, and why it might be politically advantageous for Dumbledore to host the Tournament at this time.
In this episode, we examine how Moody is initially portrayed, and how Draco is so easily able to bait Ron’s anger.
Your hosts discuss the first mentions of Rita Skeeter and how she is characterized by the Weasleys’ descriptions of her. Harry doesn’t seem to be able to talk to Ron about the latter’s frustrations around being poor. Why is that?
Where once the idea of racists proudly marching around announcing their racism once seemed like it could only be a reference to the Nazis, it now feels like a commentary on modern politics.
In this episode, David and Madeline discuss the use of humor and sexuality in the chapter, and Madeline has a very hot take about Veela.
Your hosts discuss international wizarding culture as seen through Harry’s eyes, especially as personified in the two title characters.
Your hosts discuss the different types of magical teleportation and how the author intentionally repeats descriptive language to great effect.
Your hosts discuss the wonderful Weasley family, and how each member is characterized in this chapter, with a particular focus on Molly and Percy.
Madeline and David discuss the cruel prank that Fred and George play on Dudley, as well as how class plays a leading role in the culture clash between Weasleys and Dursleys.
Your hosts discuss Harry’s coping strategies for living with the Dursleys this year, and how the power dynamics between him and Uncle Vernon have shifted.
David and Madeline discuss how this chapter serves as a bridge between narratives and the series as a whole, as well as the symbolism of Harry’s scar and why it’s important in this moment.
Welcome to Season Four! In this episode, your hosts explore the wonderfully creepy setting of this chapter and how it acts as a primer for the events of this book in a very clever way, as well as serving as commentary on Voldemort’s relationship with Wormtail, and society’s relationship with veterans and PTSD.
Madeline and David briefly discuss JK Rowling's recent online posts where she outed herself as a transphobe and a bigot. Having wrestled with this for some time, we have come to the conclusion that we can condemn her personally while still upholding the Harry Potter series as an example of everything she is speaking out against--inclusivity, opposition to bigotry and hatred, and solidarity with the downtrodden. We understand if you believe it is wrong to support a bigot by buying HP books, or films. We believe it is okay to continue discussing them on their literary merits, and we hope you'll stay awhile and listen. If not, best of luck to you. We're glad you stopped by.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In which we go on many long digressions about prophecy, Fudge, and how Ron and Hermione are changing.
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?
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?
Wherein we talk about how the Firebolt is like Quidditch steroids and what Crookshanks is up to.
The exercise of practicing summoning a very happy memory is great therapy if you’re feeling depressed. Which I guess is like the whole point Rowling was making…maybe. Who knows.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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, and a couple ideas about social commentary that Rowling may have been thinking of when she created them.
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.
Apologies for the delayed post! In today’s episode, your hosts discuss the magic of the titular purple wizard transporter and how the character of Stan Shunpike becomes important to an understanding of how exactly the Everyman suffers during Voldemort’s eventual regime.
This episode, your hosts discuss the concept of wandless magic and how it relates to the themes of positive and negative emotion in the series, as well as the shifting power dynamics in the Dursley household and Harry’s development into a more emotional pubescent character.
Your hosts return with the first episode of Season Three of the show! We introduce Prisoner of Azkaban and talk a bit about its place within the overall Harry Potter canon, as well as continuing our ongoing discussion of Rowling’s book-by-book improvement in her first chapters and the way she writes exposition.
The hosts give a thorough breakdown of what Dumbledore realizes from Harry's encounter with the Diary, as well as contrasting the drastically different tone of this chapter from the last one, and wrapping up the second season of the show.
In this extra-long episode featuring special guest Conor Crockford of The Barn: a podcast about The Shield, the hosts discuss the monster-character of Memory-Riddle, horcruxes, agency, and with a special focus on how Rowling uses horror archetypes to capture the excitement of this climactic chapter.
Apologies for the several-week delay on this episode; we’ll be back to our normal schedule now. Your hosts break down the concept of memory removal as it is used in the Harry Potter series, and what effect that magic has on society in general and the character study of Gilderoy Lockhart in particular.
Your hosts discuss Harry and Ron’s journey into a spider pit and how the whole chapter is written like a bad dream.
In this episode, your hosts look at the exit from the story of three major characters, and why this had to happen when it did.
Your hosts break down the central object of importance in this mystery novel, and also attempt to discredit the memory that T.M.Riddle shows Harry.
In which Dumbledore and Harry say nothing to each other, and Harry and Ron become body-snatchers.
Your hosts break down the fiasco of Lockhart hosting a dueling club meeting, as well as the next attack on a student and how the book is starting to take on the feeling of a horror novel, written for a young audience.
In this episode, our hosts discuss Lockhart’s continuing ineptitude, Dobby’s cleverness, and Dumbledore’s habit of withholding crucial information from everyone.
We return to our discussion of the next chapter, focusing on the new concept of Squibs as well as analyzing the “legend” of the Chamber of Secrets and offering a theoretical explanation for Slytherin’s position.
In this special episode, your hosts and esteemed guest Noah Masur of Wolf 359 (www.wolf359.fm) and Time Bombs (timebombs.show) discuss the new film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald. What exactly was the original fantasy of Harry Potter, and what are these new movies attempting to do? We’ll discuss that and like a thousand other things…it’s an hour long.
Spoilers abound, but if you’d like to hear our recommendations, you may skip to 52:23 at any time. Enjoy!
In this special Halloween episode, your hosts discuss power dynamics, ghost politics, and the many instances of foreshadowing in the chapter.
The dark spectre of Wizarding Racism rears its head. Can your hosts successfully discuss it without people making it political?
As life returns to normal at Hogwarts, your hosts delve into the bizarre character of Professor Lockhart and Gilderoy’s mask begins to slip. Why does he think he can make it as a professor, anyway?
We discuss the truly awful decision-making of nearly everyone involved in the chapter’s events, as well as some interesting foreshadowing elements.
Your hosts go in-depth on Floo travel, dark magical artifacts, the new Defense professor, and Lucius Malfoy's pivotal slight-of-hand.
David and Madeline discuss the characterization of the Weasley family, the subject of class in the wizarding world, and an early clue foreshadowing Gilderoy Lockhart's ineptitude.
Your hosts, along with guest co-host Corey Thibodeau, discuss the many ins and outs of the more exciting half of Harry's 12th birthday in this special July 31st episode.
In the Season Two opener, your hosts talk about the power dynamics of the Dursleys' new living arrangements.
In the Season 1 finale episode, we examine Harry's first encounter with Voldemort, Dumbledore's motivations, and the enormity of his influence on Harry's behavior. There is a happy ending for now, but what does it all mean?
We draw substantial comparisons between the events of this chapter and those of Greek myth, as well as the Romantic archetype in general. All three of our protagonists' skills and strengths are utilized to their fullest extent, and they begin to learn how to complement each other.
Your hosts discuss the skilled foreshadowing present in the chapter through vague predictions presented as humorous. Also, what kind of school sends children into the woods to fight an unidentified unicorn-killing monster??
David and Madeline discuss the entirely self-contained storyline of this chapter, and why it's important to the rest of the book.
The hosts discuss a certain 14th century French manuscript scribe, his posthumous legendary status as an alchemist, and why we're not (that) pretentious for referring to the book as "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." Darn you, Scholastic!
We discuss Harry's understandably damaged psyche, the power of a certain Mirror, and Dumbledore's strange influence on our protagonist's actions.
Your hosts discuss the rather strange first Quidditch match of the series, Rowling's particular issue around writing sports games, and some key information that the heroes receive.
David and Madeline talk through Hermione's character shift from the previous chapter to this one, and the first demonstration of fairly good teamwork by our trio.
We discuss the character development of Neville, Harry, and Malfoy, and how the latter's rivalry begins to escalate. We also go into Hermione's first serious interaction with the story, and how she is first presented.
Madeline and David discuss the divisive character of Severus Snape, and how he is first presented to the reader.
We settle on a new and improved format for the show, and discuss the feasibility and shortcomings of a House-based system such as exists at Hogwarts. We recommend that new listeners begin with this episode.
David and Madeline discuss Rowling's excellent characterization of the Weasley family and others we meet in this chapter.
Your hosts investigate the reader's first entry point into the wizarding world, and how it is described through Harry's eyes.
We discuss the first real revelatory moment of the series, as well as all of the characters' reactions to it. How they respond may say a lot about them.
Your hosts discuss the clever way the author writes a certain character unraveling emotionally, and how everyone else reacts to this.
We delve into chapter two of the book, discussing the shift in perspective and the many new characters we're introduced to.
The hosts take a look at the first chapter of Philosopher's Stone, examining plot elements, characters, and the way the author chooses to introduce the story and the world of Harry Potter.
In this very short pilot episode, we discuss the scope of the podcast, and give a disclaimer about our earliest episodes. New listeners will definitely want to start here.