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Potterversity: A Potter Studies Podcast

Potterversity with MuggleNet.com

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In the hallowed halls of Potterversity, hosts Katy McDaniel (Marietta College) and Emily Strand (Mt. Carmel College and Signum University) explore the Harry Potter series and wider Wizarding World from a critical academic perspective with scholars from a variety of fields, finding new ways to read and opening new doors. Made in association with http://MuggleNet.com.
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Space: the final frontier. Our Prime Directive: to boldly examine what Harry Potter has in common with Star Trek. Hosts Katy and Emily and producer Laurie have found themselves making Star Trek references on past episodes and realized that while Harry Potter is often compared to Star Wars, the future United Federation of Planets is less commonly pu…
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Let's get down to business - in both the wizarding world and the fandom. Abigail Kohler, adjunct lecturer at Brown University's Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship, is relatively new to Harry Potter but was quickly introduced to scholarship on the series through the Harry Potter Academic Conference at Chestnut Hill College. In her own presentation a…
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Vengeance is sweet - sometimes. Explore revenge in Harry Potter and the ancient Greek Oresteia by Aeschylus. We welcome back to the show classicist Dr. Mitchell Parks (Knox College), who presented on "Dumbledore, Agamemnon, and the Imperfect Legacy" at the 2024 Harry Potter Academic Conference. He was struck by the epigraph from The Libation Bearer…
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Our listeners carry on the conversation about memory and more in Harry Potter in this special episode straight from the owlery. We were excited to hear from several listeners after our two-part episode on memory, so producer Laurie Beckoff joined hosts Katy and Emily to discuss what they had to say. We talk about when fan mail is also intellectual …
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On this episode, we examine the relationship between humor and resistance to authoritarianism. Harry Potter scholar and stand-up comedian Mark-Anthony Lewis joins Katy and Emily to talk about what makes something funny. Benign violation theory says that humor is found in something safe - for example, you can laugh at someone falling if they aren't …
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We're always holding space for Harry Potter, but no one does it quite like the Harry Potter Academic Conference. Our favorite event of the year was back in person at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia in October and full of interesting insights as usual. Katy and Emily talk with Potterversity producer and conference communications coordinator La…
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Don't judge a book by its cover - this episode is about how looks can be deceiving in Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. We're joined by Eizabeth Baird Hardy (Mayland Community College) to discuss her chapter in The Ivory Tower, Harry Potter, and Beyond, "Muggle Worthy: Deceptive Exteriors and Outsized Interiors in the Wizarding World." There is an…
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In the spirit of the spooky season, this episode is all about spirits and specters in the wizarding world. Emily and Katy, who recently published a new article titled "Harry Potter and Historical Witness: The Pensieve and the Time-Turner," are joined by Louise Freeman, fresh off our two-part episode on memory, and David Martin, member of the winnin…
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The journey to the past continues as we delve deeper into the magic of memory in Harry Potter. In the second part of our conversation with Louise Freeman, we continue discussing the ethics of Memory Charms and move on to the memories stored in wizarding portraits and Horcruxes. Magical portraits can carry some of the memories of their subjects, all…
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Explore how memory operates in magical ways in Harry Potter that might be quite unlike the Muggle understanding of memory. Regular contributor Louise Freeman is professor emerita of psychology at Mary Baldwin University and a licensed behavior analyst and service provider for special needs individuals. She considers the implications of being able t…
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What makes a monster, and how do we relate to them, especially when they produce works of art we love? There are plenty of monsters in the wizarding world, but the author has also been charged with being monstrous herself following her comments on transgender people. Katy and Emily talk to Lorrie Kim, author of Snape: The Definitive Analysis of Hog…
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Venture to the ancient past to explore Harry Potter and the Aeneid as foundational texts. Dr. Mitchell Parks (Knox College) joins us to discuss intertextuality and Harry Potter’s dialogue with classical works like Virgil’s Aeneid. In his chapter in The Ivory Tower, Harry Potter, and Beyond, he examines what it means for a text to be “foundational” …
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Ever drawn an ampersand and felt like it was a character straight out of a fantasy novel? That's how Angus and I kick off our latest podcast escapade, where the quirks of punctuation meet the whimsy of Harry Potter with a dash of Hogwarts house pride. As a dedicated Hufflepuff, I dive into the fun and the fervor of sorting quizzes while we exchange…
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Get a preview of the latest Harry Potter academic anthology, featuring a diverse array of essays on the series. We're joined by Dr. Lana Whited (Ferrum College), editor of The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter (University of Missouri Press, 2002), one of the first anthologies focused on the series, and now the second volume, The Ivory Tower, Harry Potte…
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Ever find yourself caught between nostalgia and the thrill of new beginnings? That's where we stand in this special studio session, traversing our seven-year odyssey from DIY days to the sheen of professional production. Join Duncan, Angus as we wax nostalgic, mulling over a possible hiatus while sharing our personal pursuits, from my quest for Pok…
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Get swept away by the cinematic sounds of the Wizarding World. We're joined by musicologist Dr. Daniel White (University of Huddersfield), who has a new book about the music of two major fantasy franchises, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. He talks about the musical foundation laid by John Williams in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and ho…
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In the last of our episodes featuring contributors to our book, Potterversity: Essays Exploring the World of Harry Potter, take a look at two very different teachers: Albus Dumbledore and Dolores Umbridge. Our guests are Dr. M'Balia Thomas (University of Kansas) and Dr. Brent Satterly (Widener University), whose chapters focus on Hogwarts professor…
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Hop on a tour of the UK this summer to see Harry Potter and more beloved works of fantasy come to life. On this episode, sponsored by History Bites Tours, Katy and Emily speak with History Bites founder Solomon Schmidt about the literary-inspired tour of England and Scotland he'll be leading in July. Solomon is the author of eight books in his Hist…
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We're in for a bit of fun as we look at games in the wizarding world and using games to bring the wizarding world to the classroom. Katy and Emily are joined by two more contributors to our book, Potterversity: Essays Exploring the World of Harry Potter. Laurie Beckoff, our producer, and Tison Pugh, Pegasus Professor of English at the University of…
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On this episode, two more contributors to our book talk about their chapters on equality, inclusion, and compassion. Travis Prinzi and Mark-Anthony Lewis join Katy and Emily to discuss how the wizarding world serves as a lens through which to understand the social ethics of our own world, particularly amid racial tensions and diversity. Travis's ch…
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Featuring more of our book contributors, this episode is about various members of Harry's found family. Katy, technical director Emma Nicholson, and Louise Freeman (Mary Baldwin University) discuss their chapters focused on character analysis: "Arthur Weasley and the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts," "Padfoot Revelio! The Life and Love of Sirius Black,"…
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The next topic from our book up for discussion is old magic steeped in myth and tradition. Katy talks with co-host and co-editor Emily Strand and contributor Lana Whited (Ferrum College) about their chapters "The Real Magic of Christmas in Harry Potter" and "Here Be Dragons and Phoenixes: A Thematic Direction for the Fantastic Beasts Series." Emily…
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We're starting off the companion episodes to our new book with the dark side of Harry Potter. Dr. Beatrice Groves (Oxford University and Bathilda's Notebook) and Dr. Amy Strugis (Lenoir-Rhyne University and Signum University) join us to discuss their chapters "Good Men and Monsters: The Influence of Bram Stoker's Dracula on Harry Potter" and "Dark …
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Venture to infinity and beyond for a look at astronomy in the wizarding world. We're joined by Jane Bright, a PhD candidate in astronomy and astrophysics at the University of Arizona. Astronomy is the one subject wizards and Muggles seem to have in common. Why is it important enough to be a required subject at Hogwarts, and how is it different from…
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Are you ready to embark on an epic journey through the world of fast food and gaming? We're going to start off our adventure relishing the return of the McRib, then challenge ourselves to a soft drink detox in the spirit of the new year. Stay tuned as we discuss what qualifies as a soft drink and the alternatives that make the cut for our challenge…
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On this episode, we dish about this year’s Harry Potter Academic Conference and preview our new book, Potterversity: Essays Exploring the World of Harry Potter (McFarland). Katy and Emily welcome Potterversity producer Laurie Beckoff and technical editor Emma Nicholson, as well as Louise Freeman, Mark-Anthony Lewis, and Lana Whited to talk about HP…
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Hold onto your seats, folks! We're about to embark on a rollercoaster ride of laughter, pop culture trivia, and chocolatey debates. We are your hosts, Duncan and Angus, and today we're taking you on a hilarious journey through an iconic How I Met Your Mother episode, exploring the mysterious pumpkin-flavored latte, and debating the irresistible all…
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Are you ready to grapple with the latest in wrestling news as we serve up an electrifying chat about Lewis Hamilton's record-shattering wins, Logan Paul's US Championship victory, and the age-defying prowess of Rey Mysterio? What will it take for Logan Paul to embrace his dark side and emerge a true heel? Here's your ringside seat to all the thrill…
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Ready for a trip down memory lane? Today's episode is an exhilarating journey through time, starting with the groundbreaking cinematic game-changer Jurassic Park. We dissect the beauty of its unmatched graphics and the magic of animatronics, even daring to compare it to the original Godzilla movie. The conversation gets more riveting as we rewind t…
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On your marks, film buffs and pop culture enthusiasts, our latest podcast episode is here to take you on a wild ride through the thrilling universe of movies. We take you behind the scenes, unearthing the fascinating stories that shaped some of the most iconic films by acclaimed director, James Cameron. Hear about his journey from Piranha 2: The Sp…
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Buckle up! Today we're on a thrilling ride through the world of sports and gaming. You may consider yourself an NFL buff, but did you know that the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs don't even crack the top five most valuable franchises? Bet you didn’t see that coming! We've got the New England Patriots outscoring them on fourth place with a he…
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In honor of Banned Books Week, this episode explores the causes and effects of book banning in the Muggle and wizarding worlds. Harry Potter is one of the most challenged works of the 21st century, frequently appearing on the American Library Association's list documenting book bans around the country. It has long been accused of inspiring interest…
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Who said Pikachu is the real MVP of the Pokemon franchise? We're turning the tables and ranking the top 10 most popular Pokemon as of June 2023, where Pikachu and Charizard are just the tip of the iceberg. You might think you know Pokemon, but this episode might have you rethinking your favorites. Ever wondered how Dwayne Johnson's 'Rocky' entrance…
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Harry Potter may not technically be considered a work of horror, but there are plenty of horrifying aspects to explore in this episode. Katy and Emily speak with Dr. Jeff Ambrose about the scariest parts of the series and the lasting effects horrific events have on characters (and readers and viewers). The series has its fair share of monsters, tor…
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Join us for a special episode recorded live from LeakyCon Chicago! Katy, Emily, and producer Laurie give LeakyCon attendees an overview of the current state of Potter studies, including areas of interest, such as social justice, responses to the author and how authorship does or does not affect our reading, and where we see the field going. We also…
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Return with us to the realm of refreshment in the wizarding world! Following up on Episode 29, Katy and Emily continue our conversation about the food foundations of Harry’s magical universe, joined by guests Louise Freeman and Emma Nicholson. Australian Emma shares her different interpretation of wizarding foods based on her cultural heritage, inc…
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Alright Boys n Girls... Lets make some magic!!! In this episode we Angus quizes Duncan on the 2005 NRL Grand Final, Angus ranks some things and we discuss the Japan Holiday Prep! Oh and don't forget the random banter. So sit back get comfy and enjoy the rambling nonsense. Stay in touch yo!! Instagram: @the_duncan_and_angus_show Duncan: @freakinchoc…
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Explore connections between the works of Jane Austen and Harry Potter. Katy and Emily compare Austen's novels to the Potter series with Dr. Beatrice Groves (Trinity College, Oxford University), author of Literary Allusion in Harry Potter and columnist at Bathilda's Notebook. Bea first noticed a connection when she realized that Filch's cat shared a…
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Alright Boys n Girls... Lets make some magic!!! In this episode we talk about the current state of the NRL and We discuss the Top 5 fast food places in Australia, the top 5 most followed F1 drivers, the Top 5 most hated foods, the Top 5 highest grossing animated movies! Oh and don't forget the random banter. So sit back get comfy and enjoy the ramb…
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Unpack mental health in the wizarding world and how Harry Potter can serve as bibliotherapy for readers. For insight into these topics, Katy and Emily talk to Nishi Ravi, a psychotherapist pursuing a PhD in Counseling Psychology at Marquette University. She recalls how reading Harry Potter as a preteen and teenager made her feel seen at a formative…
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Fresh off of May the 4th, Emily and Katy talk about their love of and academic interest in Harry Potter alongside another fandom they hold dear: Star Wars. Emily came to Star Wars relatively recently, after the birth of her son and a class at Signum University taught by Amy Sturgis, but Harry Potter was a gateway for her into speculative fiction an…
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Alright Boys n Girls... Lets make some magic!!! In this episode Duncan and Angus are back in the Drafting Room. They are Drafting the Best Smells, Foods that start with B, The Best Michaels, Green Things and Celebs with Great Hair Styles! Oh and don't forget the random banter. So sit back get comfy and enjoy the rambling nonsense. Stay in touch yo!…
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