- International football star David Beckham joins actor David Tennant to read the Quidditch chapter of Book One. And now viewing this requires a login?
- The MuggleCast 15th Anniversary T-Shirt is here! Just one week left to become a Patron at the Dumbledore’s Army level or higher to get yours!
- MuggleMail topics include exams in other countries, the secrecy surrounding the prophecy, and whether Hagrid had a battle assist from Dumbledore (sorry McGonagall!)
- Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 32: Out of the Fire
- 7-Word Summary: Umbridge catches heroes using losers for hire
- Hermione’s point about Sirius and Voldemort is a good one – why doesn’t Harry listen?
- Why doesn’t the trio think of Snape before they’re caught?
- The pitfall of Hermione bringing up Harry’s “Saving People Thing”
- Here *lies* Kreacher, Mwahahahahaha
- Harry speaks in code as a last resort. Does Snape understand?
- DEBATE: as Umbridge prepares use an Unforgivable on Harry, the hosts ask. Who is a worse villain? Voldemort or Umbridge?
- How realistic is Hermione’s plan? What makes Umbridge buy it? And why does she decide to go alone?
- (Spoilers!) Our Umbridge Suck Count passes 100! (Were you really surprised?)
- Quizzitch: What spell does Neville use to escape his captors?
- This week’s episode is sponsored by MeUndies (Underwear that’s so good, Dobby would never take it off his head! Get 15% off your first order and free shipping by going to MeUndies.com/MuggleCast), Truth Vs Hollywood podcast, and Quip dental care (Visit GetQuip.com/muggle to get your first refill free!)
- Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast!
Category: Episodes
Listen to every episode of MuggleCast since 2005. Click here for our Chapter by Chapter Archive.
Episode #469: Why J.K. Rowling Is Wrong About Trans People
On this special edition of MuggleCast, the hosts are joined by Dr. Sarah Steelman (Marriage & Family Therapist, Ph.D., LMFT) to discuss J.K. Rowling’s recent tweets and open letter regarding trans people. We review her statements and why so many of them are wrong, share responses from around the Harry Potter community, and analyze our own feelings.
MuggleCast has donated $700 to Trans Lifeline to support transgender people during this difficult time. In addition, MuggleCast will be making the following changes to how we cover J.K. Rowling:
- We will no longer speak about, promote, or review JKR’s projects outside of the Wizarding World.
- We will no longer talk about what JKR is saying on Twitter, unless she’s hurting fans (again).
- We will cover Wizarding World-related announcements and continue to review various elements, but we will avoid discussing JKR’s involvement, if any.
- We will strive to highlight more fan projects to focus on the fandom who’s made this place what it is.
Given the sensitive nature of this conversation, please be aware that this episode carries a trigger warning. Below is a list of resources referenced in our show, for both those individuals looking to better educate themselves as allies and for those who are personally affected by recent events.
If you’re a LGBTQ person who needs to speak to someone:
- The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
Other resources:
- Follow Dr. Sarah Steelman on Twitter, and read her Medium blog post
- Andrew James Carter’s point-by-point breakdown of the various issues with J.K. Rowling’s blog post.
- For Scottish listeners who want to support the Gender Recognition Act, you can head to lgbtyouth.org.uk to find an email template and a list of your Members of Scottish Parliament to contact in support of the Act.
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OR, now read the Episode 469 Transcript!
Episode #468: Rubeus Hagrid’s Punch Out! (OOTP 31, O.W.L.S.)
- MuggleCast opens with a listener email addressing current events in America. Also, please note we recorded this episode before JKR’s latest hurtful tweets.
- Some suggested recommendations and resources that can help us all learn:
- Understand racism doesn’t “go away” – it mutates. Learn from organizations like The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, The Vera Institute of Justice, The National Civil Rights Museum, The Innocence Project, and The MBK Alliance.
- Everyone has biases , many of them unconscious – find ways to confront your implicit biases
- Amplify the voices of people of color, but recognize when to be quiet and listen
- VOTE for candidates and legislation that will hold authorities accountable
- Visit Ethel’s Club, which provides free grieving and healing sessions to African Americans around the world, led by licensed black therapists.
- Support black businesses in your area: Official Black Wall Street, EatOkra (iOS and Android).
- Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler and Whoopi Goldberg read the latest chapters from Sorcerer’s Stone!
- Harry Potter face coverings are now available from WizardingWorld.com
- MuggleMail covers yet another definition of the word punting!
- Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 31: O.W.L.S
- 7-Word Summary: Exams can cause severe headaches and visions
- Ron has a little bit of James in him!
- Malfoy Career Advice: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
- Comparing the O.W.L.S to standardized testing here in the United States
- Anxiety, all-nighters, drugs, cheating and more!
- Griselda Marchbanks: Dumbledore can “do things with a wand she’s never seen before!” Oh, reallllly?
- Patronus Extra Credit
- The Removal of Rubeus Hagrid
- Why does Umbridge choose to sack Hagrid in this manner? Is this even about his job? We discuss the connection to current events.
- A History of Magic exam gone Siriusly bad!
- Why wasn’t Harry provided more information about what Voldemort was after?
- The Umbridge Suck Count climbs to 94!
- Quizzitch: What curse is Umbridge prepared to use on Harry?
- Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast!
- This week’s episode is sponsored by BeachBody On Demand: Work out from the comfort of home and still get super effective workouts, making you feel better! Text ‘mugglecast’ to 30-30-30 to get a free trial.
Episode #467: Stranger Danger (OOTP 30, Grawp)
- There is a new children’s story from JKR, and she’s releasing fresh chapters every week day!
- All eight Harry Potter movies have been made available for streaming on HBO MAX. In Bonus MuggleCast, available now on Patreon, the hosts and listeners share their go-to HP films, and Micah tears apart Deathly Hallows, Part 2.
- The MuggleCast 15th Anniversary T-Shirt is here! Become a Patron by June 30 at the Dumbledore’s Army level or higher to get yours!
- MuggleMail topics include Sirius’ relationship with Harry, bullying at Hogwarts, and Snape’s maturation process.
- Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 30: Grawp
- 7-Word Summary: Hagrid reveals another giant secret mistake, Grawp
- Hogwarts professors and students are in open rebellion. Who put the Niffler in Umbridge’s office?
- Harry comes clean about the Triwizard Winnings
- Can Harry be expected to pick up Occlumency after what happened? The hosts share their meditation tips for Harry.
- Is Hagrid’s strategy for grabbing Hermione and Harry a good one?
- Laura reveals the Greek origin of centaurs and the hosts compare book events that line up
- What was Hagrid THINKING bringing Grawp into an inhabited forest?
- Ron’s Mirror of Erised moment happens!
- Quizzitch: Who is the head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority?
- This week’s episode is sponsored by MeUndies, underwear that’s so good, Dobby would never take it off his head! Get 15% off your first order and free shipping by going to MeUndies.com/MuggleCast
- Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast!
Episode #466: Weasleys Victorious (OOTP 29, Career Advice)
- Welcome Slug Club member Ryan!
- WizardingWorld.com’s reread continues with Eddie Redmayne and Stephen Fry
- The MuggleCast 15th Anniversary T-Shirt is here! Become a Patron by June 30 at the Dumbledore’s Army level or higher to get yours!
- Muggle Mail covers lots of feedback on Snape’s Worst Memory
- Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 29: Career Advice
- 7-Word Summary: Harry speaks to McGonagall about career opportunities
- Harry struggles with what he saw in Snape’s Worst Memory
- Why doesn’t Harry consult Hagrid or Professor McGonagall about his concerns?
- Harry wonders how James and Lily Potter could have fallen in love
- We discuss the importance of Ginny and the chocolate Easter Egg
- Harry isn’t half bad at Potions when Snape isn’t breathing down his neck!
- The Great Potter Debate: McGonagall vs. Umbridge!
- The hosts reenact the infamous Career Advice scene!
- BAD IDEA OF THE WEEK: Let’s break into Umbridge’s office!
- How flawed is Harry’s plan to contact Sirius?
- Why can’t Harry recall Sirius gave him something for this very situation?
- Was contacting Sirius worth the risk?
- Sirius and Remus provide some serious Marauder nostalgia
- The Great Weasley Escape
- The Umbridge Suck Count climbs to 84!
- The hosts give their MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter!
- Chicken Soup For The MuggleCast Soul returns!
- Quizzitch: Who is the first person to score a goal against Ron in Chapter 30?
- This week’s episode is sponsored by Quip, makers of an excellent electric toothbrush. Visit GetQuip.com/muggle to get your first refill FREE!
- Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast!
Episode #465: How I Met Your Mother (OOTP 28, Snape’s Worst Memory)
- WizardingWorld.com is hosting a video reread of Sorcerer’s Stone and Daniel Radcliffe kicks things off!
- Don’t miss Quizzitch Live: The Goblet of Popcorn next Sunday, May 17 (11 am ET)!
- The MuggleCast 15th Anniversary T-Shirt is here! Become a Patron by June 30 at the Dumbledore’s Army level or higher to get yours!
- Muggle Mail covers Ministry toilet access, Hermione’s advice to Harry and memory perspective!
- Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 28: Snape’s Worst Memory
- 7-Word Summary: Discoveries are difficult to watch in Pensieve
- Why didn’t Professor McGonagall take over as Headmistress?
- We reveal something in Hogwarts that ISN’T a security nightmare!
- The Inquisitorial Squad
- The Weasley Twins, their loyalty to Dumbledore and their ability to perform exceptional magic
- Connecting The Threads between Montague and the Vanishing Cabinet
- Is it fair that Filch is Caretaker of Hogwarts when he can’t perform magic?
- Drink up! Could Umbridge’s attempts be any more obvious?
- As far as apologies go, where does Cho’s rank?
- Inside Snape’s Worst Memory: should Harry have taken this magical leap?
- How does time work inside people’s memories?
- Why doesn’t Harry recognize his mother’s initials?
- Why does Harry see this memory from the third person? Why does he have such freedom of movement?
- We analyze the younger versions of James, Sirius, Lupin, Peter, Lily and Snape
- How are the Marauders any different than Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle?
- Is it Snape’s Worst Memory because he calls Lily a mudblood?
- We discuss the future implications this scene has for both James and Harry
- The Umbridge Suck Count climbs to 80!
- The hosts give their MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter!
- Quizzitch: What punishment does Umbridge instruct Filch to apply to the Weasley Twins for their Swamp?
- Workout at home and see great results with BeachBody On Demand! Text ‘mugglecast’ to 30-30-30 to receive a free trial!
- Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast!
Episode #464: Dumbledore Gone Wild (OOTP 27, The Centaur and The Sneak)
- JKR commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts (and responds to MuggleCast on Twitter!)
- The MuggleCast 15th Anniversary T-Shirt is here! Become a Patron by June 30 at the Dumbledore’s Army level or higher to get yours!
- Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 27: The Centaur and The Sneak
- 7-Word Summary: Hogwarts changes direction due to Dumbledore’s departure
- WHOA, HORSEY! What’s up with Hermione’s attitude toward Firenze?
- Divination with Firenze – the magical class setting we’ve been waiting for!
- We analyze Firenze’s teaching style and his perspective on humans teaching divination
- Why does Dobby still punish himself?
- Inside Dumbledore’s Office
- Fudge’s attitude toward Harry in Prisoner of Azkaban vs. Order of the Phoenix
- Marietta’s face! Did Hermione go too far?
- Debate: Modifying Marietta’s Memory
- Why doesn’t Fudge or Umbridge recognize what’s been done to Marietta?
- Is Dumbledore’s story truly believable?
- Does Fudge ever really regret his decision?
- The Great Escape… with style!
- The Umbridge Suck Count climbs to 69!
- The hosts give their MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter!
- Quizzitch: What are the three spells James casts on Severus besides Levicorpus?
- Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! This week, we discuss the process behind our brand-spanking-new MuggleCast 15th Anniversary t-shirts and whether or not J.K. Rowling should apologize for killing characters!
Episode #463: Umbridge’s Quibbles (OOTP 26, Seen and Unforeseen)
- Happy Birthday, Eric!
- Quizzitch Live: The Prisoner of Knowledge was a huge success! We hope you joined us and had fun!
- Muggle Mail covers COVID-19 at Hogwarts and more Hagrid/Harry comparisons!
- Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 26: Seen and Unforeseen
- 7-Word Summary: Dreams enter the mind through Snape’s lessons
- How much legitimacy does Rita Skeeter provide to Harry’s story?
- Umbridge’s latest Educational Decree: does it violate freedom of speech and freedom of the press?
- Should Hermione have given Harry advice about Cho BEFORE their date?
- Does Quidditch create bad blood amongst the Hogwarts Houses?
- Inside Harry’s Dreams: Neville, McGonagall, Voldemort, Rookwood and more!
- How is Voldemort not aware of proper prophecy protocol?
- The truth about Broderick Bode and Sturgis Podmore is revealed!
- Bad Hermione! Should Harry have told someone what he saw in his dream?
- Does Snape share what he is seeing inside Harry’s mind with Dumbledore?
- The door to the Department of Mysteries finally opens!
- Snape’s childhood was a rough one!
- Trelawney and Firenze
- The Umbridge Suck Count climbs to 62!
- The hosts give their MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter!
- Quizzitch: Who retrieves the list of Dumbledore’s Army members for Umbridge?
- This week’s episode is brought to you by MeUndies! Get 15% off your first order and free shipping by going to MeUndies.com/MuggleCast
- Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast!
Episode #462: Kreacher and the Keys (OOTP 25, The Beetle at Bay)
- News covers JKR’s childhood home and her recent thoughts on Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix. One of these was her easiest Potter book to write.
- Muggle Mail includes Voldemort’s possession of Ginny and The Knight Bus in Goblet of Fire
- Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 25: The Beetle at Bay
- 7-Word Summary: Valentine’s Day happens amidst many bad choices
- Mass Breakout from Azkaban!
- Why doesn’t Ron react at all to hearing Antonin Dolohov’s name?
- Is Fudge wrong to think Sirius Black could be behind the breakout?
- Neville’s shift in mentality: the hosts each submit his “glow up” track! Add yours to this Spotify list!
- Bye bye, Broderick Bode! We hardly knew ye!
- Hagrid and Trelawney: were their classes destined for scrutiny and failure since Prisoner of Azkaban?
- How is Umbridge able to attend every Care of Magical Creatures and Divination class? Doesn’t she have classes to teach herself?
- Educational Decree No. 26 – joke’s on you Dolores!
- Harry and Cho’s first date: Quidditch, dementors, Madam Pudifoot’s, Roger Davies, Cedric, Hermione and more!
- Is The Daily Prophet getting pressured by the Ministry?
- Hermione’s clever plan to have Rita Skeeter tell Harry’s story in The Quibbler
- The Umbridge Suck Count climbs to 56!
- The hosts give their MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter!
- Quizzitch: What topic does Xenophilius Lovegood tell Luna that Harry’s story is outselling?
- This week’s episode is brought to you by Literati (get 25% off your first two orders by visiting Literati.com/MuggleCast) and Quip (get your first refill kit free by visiting GetQuip.com/Muggle)
- Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast!
Episode #461: Snape’s Secrets (OOTP 24, Occlumency)
- Quizzitch Live: The Fandom of Secrets was a huge success! Keep an eye for our next hangout!
- Rupert Grint is going to be a DAD!
- Muggle Mail covers a random Lockhart encounter and when J.K. Rowling actually revealed Dumbledore’s sexuality (see J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life)
- Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 24: Occlumency
- 7-Word Summary: Harry’s journey back into his mind fails
- Snape vs. Sirius
- A grim goodbye! Should we have known then?
- What’s the deal with The Knight Bus? Can’t they “magic” a smoother ride?
- Cho and Harry: he picks up on what’s she putting down relatively quickly for a teenage boy! See you on Valentine’s Day!
- Nagini and The Department of Mysteries: Snape gives Harry the information Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix have refused to!
- What in the world is Dumbledore thinking letting Snape penetrate Harry’s mind?
- Why doesn’t Harry get the opportunity to remove memories he doesn’t want Snape to see?
- Would Harry fair better if he actually listened to Snape’s instructions?
- Could Occlumency be considered a form of rape?
- Snape reveals a big truth about himself when describing Legilimency, but it goes over Harry’s head!
- What does Voldemort know about Harry at this point in the story? Does he know he’s a Horcrux? If so, why the strong desire to kill him?
- Does Dumbledore not consider the vulnerable position mentally and physically these lessons put Harry in?
- Why does Snape not like the use of Voldemort’s name?
- The Umbridge Suck Count climbs to 52!
- The hosts give their MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter!
- Quizzitch: What does Hagrid instruct Harry to put on the salamanders?
- This week’s episode is brought to you by Wondery’s Imagined Life, and OpenFit (Start working out at home! Just text MuggleCast to 50-50-50 to get started)!
- Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! This week, we discuss the difference between Snape and Queenie and their ability to “read people’s minds”!