There are certain things you can’t do without becoming best friends, and podcasting about Harry Potter together is one of them! Chapter-by-Chapter returns with analysis of Sorcerer’s Stone’s “The Midnight Duel” and “Halloween”! Our trio of heroes get goaded by Malfoy into a trap, and then accidentally lock a troll in a bathroom. Harry also finds the one thing that he is naturally good at.

• News: Jim Kay has announced he will be stepping down from making the illustrated edition Potter books. We thank him for his work.
• Main Discussion #1: Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapter 9: The Midnight Duel
• 7-Word Summary: Draco challenges Harry to a Midnight Fakeout
• After Neville’s injury, the students leap to his defense. Have the hosts had similar moments at school, or were we all too scared to speak up?
• In what is clearly another security nightmare, Madame Hooch abandons her class of 11-year-olds who 5 minutes ago were handed a very fast and dangerous broomstick for each of them. No wonder something bad happens next!
• Laura asks what (specifically) makes Harry a natural at flying? Maybe abuse from Dudley made his reflexes better?
• How blatant is what McGonagall does ‘favoritism’ toward Gryffindor House, and why does the First Years rule exist to begin with?
• After narrowly avoiding trouble during the day, Harry and Ron immediately go wandering the castle at night. Shouldn’t they be more careful?
• Should Harry have known that Malfoy was planning a trap? How does Malfoy have an inside line to Filch?
• Did NOBODY walk Neville home from the hospital wing to make sure he could get in the Common Room?
• Fluffy’s origins and comments on the movie adaptation are covered in ‘Odds and Ends’
• Main Discussion #2: Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapter 10: Halloween
• 7-Word Summary: Dinner is interrupted by a massive disturbance
• Major things almost always happen to Harry on Halloween. Micah recounts some of the big ones.
• Are Ron’s choice of words against Hermione a bit too much?
• It is Hermione’s pronunciation advice which helps Ron successfully tackle the troll!
• Have any of the hosts befriended people they were not expecting to like?
• Examining Hermione’s motivations to lie, the act which solidifies her friendship with Harry and Ron.
• HOW is it that Quirrell is not caught or at least hugely suspected for letting in the troll? Should Voldemort have used someone else instead?
• The students of Hogwarts do not seem to dress up for Halloween, but if they DID, Andrew has ideas as to what they would be.
• Harry and the Golden Snitch meet for the first time. Our hearts are all aflutter
• If McGonagall had not discovered Harry’s talent during the first flying lesson, when would there be another chance?
• Next Week: Chapter-By-Chapter for Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapters 11 and 12!
• Quizzitch: In Chapter 9 of Book 1, Which secret passage out of Hogwarts do the Weasley Twins suspect Lee Jordan has found?
• This week’s episode is brought to by the Audible Original The Sandman: Act III, Masterclass (go to Masterclass.com/mugglecast for 15% off an annual subscription), and BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast)

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On this week’s episode, we’re busting open our MuggleMail bag as listeners send in owls about the first several chapters of Sorcerer’s Stone! We entertain a few What Ifs about Petunia and Dudley and get some enlightening perspectives on Narcissa and Lupin!

• Hey, Apple Podcast users! You can now subscribe to the show right within the Apple Podcasts app. For $2.99/month, you’ll receive early episode releases and ad-free MuggleCast! Thanks in advance for your support.
• We’re opening up our Chapter-by-Chapter MuggleMail bag!
• Why was Hagrid sent for Harry?
• How big is the student body at Hogwarts?
• What happened to both sets of Harry’s grandparents?
• How did Dudley’s pigtail finally get removed?
• Did Harry’s Horcrux impact the Dursley’s treatment of him?
• What if… Petunia had magical ability and had been accepted at Hogwarts?
• What if… Dudley was a wizard? Would Vernon have disowned him?
• Could House-Elves be responsible for sending the Hogwarts letters?
• Other MuggleMail covers Leta Lestrange, The Elder Wand, Narcissa Malfoy and Remus Lupin
• Should Dumbledore have been sorted into Slytherin?
• Why wasn’t Dobby asked to be in The Order?
• Quizzitch: In one of their very first History of Magic classes, which two famous wizards do the students in Harry’s class get mixed up?
• On next week’s episode: Chapters 9 & 10 of Sorcerer’s Stone: The Midnight Duel and Halloween
• In this week’s Bonus MuggleCast available exclusively to Patrons, we discuss excerpts from Alan Rickman’s recently released diary, Truly Madly!
• This week’s episode is brought to you by The Happiness Lab Podcast, BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast) and HelloFresh (use code muggle65 for 65% off plus free shipping at HelloFresh.com/Muggle65)!

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On this week’s episode, we are joined by Potter film actor and director Rohan Gotobed! He joins Andrew, Eric, Laura, and Micah as they continue their Chapter-by-Chapter read-through of Sorcerer’s Stone, covering Chapters 7 and 8! Harry is sorted into Gryffindor House, and learns that Snape really hates him!

• Welcome to the show, film and theater actor Rohan Gotobed, who you might recognize from playing Young Sirius Black in DH2!
• Main Discussion #1: Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapter 7: The Sorting Hat
• 7-Word Summary: Students arrive into the Great Hall nervously
• Is the Sorting Ceremony too much pressure for First Years? Should there be something easier or a private ceremony?
• Why is the hat kept a secret from all students and possibly not even mentioned in Hogwarts, a History? We know Hermione checked…
• Americans struggle with British terms example 4,723, as McGonagall tells the students to ‘smarten themselves up.’
• New Segment Alert: The hosts play “MAX That!” bringing an element from the chapter to life as a new Harry Potter streaming series
• Harry has a dream that the hosts find to be VERY illuminating.
• Was it right for Seamus’ mom to keep her magical secret from his dad?
• Rohan pays tribute to all of Harry’s peers who made it to the Sorting Ceremony but were never seen again…
• Main Discussion #2: Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapter 8: The Potions Master
• 7-Word Summary: Eagerly Harry begins classes with angry teacher
• What were our first impressions of McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick and Snape?
• New Segment: Mini Origin, where we dive into the name Quirinus and Quirrell in an effort to understand him better.
• Snape speaks of potions very romantically, but is he overcompensating for the lost romance of Harry’s mom?
• The ability to spot exactly where a potion went wrong is impressive, but Snape should not be teaching students.
• Harry seeks refuge at Hagrid’s hut, and the hosts describe their in-school hideout locations.
• The hosts reveal their coveted ‘Most Valuable Character/Chapter of the Week’ award nominees.
• Next Week: it’s our first Muggle Mailbag episode since starting our Chapter-By-Chapter!
• Quizzitch: According to Book 1, if you’re in the Great Hall facing the staff table, from LEFT to RIGHT what is the order in which the houses are seated?
• This week’s episode is brought to by The Happiness Lab Project, Stamps.com (
  Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/MUGGLECAST. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!), and BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast)

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On this week’s episode, Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapters 4 – 6 of Sorcerer’s Stone! Join us as Harry learns he’s a wizard, ventures to Diagon Alley and boards the Hogwarts Express for the very first time! Plus, we meet Hagrid, Ron, Hermione, Draco and more!

• It’s been a big week in the UK. Andrew and Laura covered the good and bad that comes with The Queen and the new Prime Minister in their latest episode of #Millennial! Follow the show for free in your favorite podcast app for more fun like we have on MuggleCast!
• Main Discussion #1: Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapter 4: Keeper of the Keys
• 7-Word Summary: Suddenly, Hagrid bursts through the door… BAM!
• You’re a wizard, Harry!
• Does Petunia’s angry response hint at her own desire to have become a wizard?
• Do we find Hagrid to be convincing in his claims about Harry and his parents?
• Main Discussion #2: Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapter 5: Diagon Alley
• 7-Word Summary: Magic is being shown in the shops
• Harry enters the Wizarding World for the first time!
• Irresponsible Hagrid: is he the right person for this job?
• What is with all of the Hufflepuff hatred?
• Inside Ollivander’s: Does Harry’s wand foreshadow his Hogwarts House? This scene also explains Harry’s scarf colors on the U.K. cover!
• What do we make of Harry’s Impostor Syndrome towards the end of the chapter?
• Main Discussion #3: Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapter 6: The Journey From Platform 9 3/4
• 7-Word Summary: Aboard the train Harry meets the Weasleys
• Worst to First: From The Dursleys to The Weasleys
• Ron & Harry: Bros forever at first sight
• What are Harry’s first impressions of Hermione?
• The hosts give their Most Valuable Chapter or Wizard of the Week
• Next Week: Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapters 7-9
• Quizzitch: From which vault number does Hagrid retrieve the philosopher’s/sorcerer’s stone?
• This week’s episode is brought to you by Backbone (visit PlayBackbone.com/MuggleCast to order your Backbone, for a limited time, and get FREE access to over 350 console games and perks), Masterclass (get 15% off an annual membership at Masterclass.com/MuggleCast) and Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now).

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This week on MuggleCast we bring back the most heavily listener-requested segment, Chapter by Chapter! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they begin Sorcerer’s / Philosopher’s Stone with Chapters 1, 2 and 3! Our read-through of the Potter series contains segments both old AND new (complete with sound effects) and the hosts are all much older now than when they first started more than 16 years ago!

On this week’s episode:

• Chapter by Chapter is rebooted! We first started the segment March 19, 2006 on Episode 31 (transcript here).
• What to expect from CbyC includes: 7 Word Summaries, the same (but older) hosts, and brand new segments and games.
• Main Discussion Part 1: Sorcerer’s Stone Chapter One, “The Boy Who Lived.”
• 7 Word Summary: Vernon thinks that people are behaving oddly
• Eric asks, “What are the wizards and witches thinking?! The Statute of Secrecy is at stake here!”
• Laura makes an excellent point about what humans do after being cooped up and being afraid for long.
• Was it safe for Dumbledore to leave Harry unattended on a doorstep overnight?
• Despite the magical protection, we ask, WERE the Dursleys the best option for Dumbledore to choose? Why didn’t Albus raise Harry himself?
• Main Discussion Part 2: Chapter Two, “The Vanishing Glass.”
• 7 Word Summary: Dudley can’t understand why he sucks badly
• Having read the whole series, how do we account for the magic that Harry did when he was young?
• Where exactly did the “Vanished” glass go? In the book, it is not put back.
• Would the zoo be able to stay in business after such an incident?
• The hosts get depressed about the Dursleys’ abuse of Harry, which hits differently now!
• Main Discussion Part 3: Chapter Three, “The Letters From No One.”
• 7 Word Summary: Chaos awaits the Dursleys everywhere and above
• How is it exactly that the letters change addresses for Harry? Is Vernon right, and are the Dursleys being watched?
• Why don’t Petunia and Vernon just tell Harry who/what he is? Why are they SO resistant?
• The hosts play What If? regarding Harry opening his Hogwarts letter while in the foyer.
• Most Valuable Chapter/Character of the Week returns
• Next week’s Quizzitch question: Who are the four known members of Dudley’s Gang, from Chapter 3 of Book 1?
• On next week’s episode: Chapters 4-6 of Harry Potter Book One
• This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (Go to Indeed.com/mugglecast to start hiring now), BetterHelp (Go to BetterHelp.com/mugglecast and get 10% off your first month), and MeUndies (Go to MeUndies.com/mugglecast for 20% off your first order)

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To celebrate going Back to Hogwarts, each MuggleCaster brings their own Hogwarts Lesson to the table, and you better pay attention because House Points are up for grabs.  Class is now in session!

• Welcome Slug Club member, Robbie! Check out his wand collection on Instagram!
• Main Discussion: Build Your Own Hogwarts Lesson as a new year at the school kicks off.
• Professor Andrew teaches about the Hogwarts Express in History of Magic.
• Spend Muggle Studies with Professor Eric
• Professor Laura introduces us to Proper Spell Enunciation
• Explore International Wizarding Cultures with Professor Micah
• Professor Robbie drops some serious Wandlore knowledge on us all!
• Beware of pop quizzes, homework and security nightmares!
• Quizzitch:  From what neighborhood does Harry first (accidentally) hail the Knight Bus?
• On next week’s episode: Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Chapters 1-3 of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone!
• This week’s episode is brought to you by Upside (download the FREE Upside App and use promo code mugglecast to get $5 or more cash back on your first purchase of $10 or more) and BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast)

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On this week’s episode, the subject of many a late night with Laura and her boyfriend is made into a main discussion for MuggleCast as the hosts and Marc talk through the physics of Harry Potter! Surely magical objects don’t come from ‘nowhere,’ and there must be a magical cost for doing magic somehow? Those big questions and more are our target as Andrew, Eric, Laura, Micah and Marc put on their thinking caps and dive in!

• Welcome to this week’s special guest, Laura’s boyfriend Marc!
• Marc is a game designer with a passion for physics.
• A new trailer for Hogwarts Legacy has debuted, and we now know what all versions of the game will cost us. You might need to break into Gringotts to be able to afford the Collectors Edition!?
• Main Discussion: The physics of Harry Potter
• Just what is ‘physics’ and what answers does the study of physics seek to find?
• In the Wizarding World, is there a cost for doing magic? What kind of magic seems limitless, and what kind does not?
• Where does magical ability come from and how does it work?
• Are new magical spells created, or discovered?
• Next the MuggleCasters ask: where does the food come from, and where does your sh** go?
• What do our known laws (such as conservation of mass) have in common with Gamp’s known laws of Elemental Transfiguration? We go point by point.
• Does the Vanishing Charm break down an object’s atoms, or teleport it to a different dimension?
• In this week’s Bonus MuggleCast available exclusively to Patrons, the hosts examine the physics of some magical objects including Invisibility Cloaks, Time Turners and Dumbledore’s Deluminator.
• Quizzitch: In Year 4, What does Ron smush in anger after Draco taunts him about having inside-Ministry information regarding the TriWizard Tournament?
• Next week’s episode: The hosts are building their own Hogwarts lesson! Come prepared for lectures and a pop quiz!
• This week’s episode is brought to you by Backbone! Go to PlayBackbone.com/mugglecast NOW to order your Backbone. For a limited time, and get FREE access to over 350 console games and perks.

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OR, now read the Episode 576 Transcript!

On this week’s episode, we’ll be continuing our conversation that began in Episode 568, where we argued in defense of some of the most controversial, least favorite, most complicated characters in Harry Potter. There were plenty of characters we didn’t get to last time, so it’s time for Round 2!

• Welcome back, Pat!
• Happy Birthday, Micah! We share the very special video he received from Dan Fogler and react to it.
• Hogwarts Legacy has been pushed to February 2023! What do we make of the announcement and this very cool A Hot Summer Day ASMR Video?
• Main Discussion: Indefensible Characters in Harry Potter, Round 2
• What did Lucius Malfoy, Mundungus Fletcher, Horace Slughorn and Merope Gaunt do to put themselves in our cross-hairs?
• What characters do we love to hate? Professor Binns, Vernon Dursley and Cornelius Fudge make the cut!
• Can the hosts actually defend the indefensible? We try our best with Narcissa Malfoy and Barty Crouch Jr.
• New game alert: One Gotta Go
• Quizzitch: What did the Muggle, Mr. Roberts, say to the Weasley family as they left the Quidditch World Cup?
• Next week’s episode: The Physics of the Wizarding World
• This week’s episode is brought to you by: Audible’s Genesis, BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast) and Indeed (start hiring now with a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/MuggleCast)

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Inspired by a popular Reddit thread, this week’s episode asks the question: what was something that a ‘good’ character from the Harry Potter series did which rubbed us the wrong way? Are characters like Molly Weasley or Remus Lupin above reproach? You may find yourself nodding along with Andrew, Eric, Micah and special guest Chloé as they detail just what these supposed ‘heroes’ of the series did to get on our nerves!

• As we announced last week, Chapter By Chapter will be returning soon with Book One! Now that we are all grown-up. Look for it in September!
• Our hosts have recently appeared on each other’s other podcasts, including Eric appearing on #Millennial, and Micah appearing on Thank You for Spieling!
• This week’s main discussion was inspired by this great Reddit thread. Shout-out to Pamela G.’s brother for suggesting!
• Each host picks a supposedly ‘good’ Harry Potter character and lists their most heinous offenses.
• Molly Wealsey may be the motherly type, but her love is not evenly spread. What did Hermione or Fleur ever do to receive her ire?
• Albus Dumbledore may be the series’ biggest ‘good guy’ after Harry, but his reckless endangerment of students via his choices for DADA staffers are preposterous.
• Remus Lupin was our very favorite teacher, but when it comes to being a dad or a romantic partner, his skills are somewhat lacking.
• Hermione’s activism might win her some points, but she’s much colder to anything that is somebody else’s idea. Especially if she hasn’t read about it in a book!
• Consulting the Reddit thread, the MuggleCast hosts pick a few more of their favorite examples.
• Why did EVERY adult let Ron use his broken and unsafe wand? Did Dobby go too far when stopping Harry’s mail? Did the Weasley Twins go too far trying their products on students?
• August’s Bonus MuggleCast will cover personal secrets from the hosts’ early days podcasting and working on the Web. The latest Trelawney Tea Edition will be available exclusively via our Patreon.
• Quizzitch: in book canon, what color hair does Firenze have?
• This week’s episode is brought to you by MeUndies (Get 20% off your first order and 100% satisfaction guarantee at MeUndies.com/mugglecast), Shudder (Stream 30 days free by using code mugglecast), and Masterclass (Get 15% off an annual subscription at Masterclass.com/mugglecast)!

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Happy Birthday, MuggleCast! To celebrate our 17th year of podcasting, we host a very special edition of Quizzitch Live! Do you think you know everything about our hosts? What about our special guests? How good are you with episode titles and past segments? It’s time to put your MuggleCast knowledge to the test! Plus, we have a very big announcement about the future of the show!

• Watch the full episode of Quizzitch Live: MuggleCast, A History!
• It’s official! Chapter-by-Chapter returns this September!
• This week’s episode is brought to you by MeUndies (get 20% off your first order and free shipping at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast), MintMobile (get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks per month, and have the plan shipped to your door for FREE at MintMobile.com/MuggleCast) and BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast)!
• On next week’s episode we’re talking about things that “good” characters did that rubbed us the wrong way in the Harry Potter series!

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