MuggleCast: the Harry Potter podcast

We'll be back to normal episodes next week! In the mean time, enjoy this Bonus MuggleCast installment from our Patreon! In this installment, we discuss all that happened in 2023 (it's more than we remembered!) and what we have to look forward to in 2024 and beyond for Harry Potter fans! We are thrilled always to make it through another year with our listeners and look forward to what exciting developments are in store for the future. Thank you for an EXCELLENT 2023! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would an upgraded, Wizard version of Santa Claus look like? Would he have any need for reindeer, or could he Apparate? This and other holiday-related questions are the focus of our last bonus MuggleCast segment for 2023! We also discuss non-Christmas holiday representation, and how many times "Santa" appeared in canon. For two brand new Bonus MuggleCast installments every month, become a Patron or sign up for our paid Apple Podcasts subscription! We couldn't do this show without your support, so thank you in advance! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we're wrapping up 2023 at the Quidditch World Cup! Grab your best pair of running shoes and dont forget your wand (*cough* Harry *cough*), as we try to avoid Death Eaters, Veela and annoying Ministry officials! *Please note that we discuss some heavy topics in this episode and while we certainly pride ourselves on being a family-friendly podcast, the content may not be suitable for all ages.* Happy Holidays and New Year to all of our listeners! It’s our final episode of 2023, but don't fret because we'll be releasing a couple of bonus segments over the break! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 9: The Dark Mark 7-Word Summary: Winky struggles to explain herself to Crouch Main Discussion #1: Death Eaters & The Dark Mark Death Eaters & Terrorism: Voldemort's followers use the Quidditch World Cup celebration to cause mass hysteria The Death Eaters are dressed in hooded cloaks with masks, and are marching in a clan-like formation. We discuss similarities to the KKK here in the United States. We react to the torture of the Roberts family and exactly what Draco suggested be done to Hermione The Dark Mark & the Swastika: Both marks inspire fear and convey hatred. As an adult that lived through Voldemort’s reign, what must it have been like to see the Dark Mark return? Hermione is the only one of the trio who understands the gravity of the Dark Mark. What does this say about the wizarding world’s ability to insulate their children from the terror that Voldemort inflicted on the wizarding world? Was the Dark Mark cast to inspire fear in those at the Quidditch World Cup or in the Death Eaters themselves? Main Discussion #2: The Conviction of Winky & The Treatment of House-Elves Winky is found at the scene of the crime and is unjustly accused (and convicted). Similar to other situations we’ve experienced with Ministry justice, much of the real evidence is ignored! Our eyes are opened even further to the treatment of House-Elves by the larger wizarding world How has Hermione growing up in the Muggle world informed her views on House-Elves? Do we attribute Ron’s views to immaturity or his own upbringing? Hermione begins her outspoken criticism of the Ministry! Evanesco That returns as Andrew lays waste to all of the he-said-she-said-elf-said back-and-forth, blah, blah, blah in this chapter! Odds & Ends cover Fred & George's winnings, Beauxbatons, Madam Maxime, Stan Shunpike, Priori Incantato and more! Quizzitch: What did Rita Skeeter once call Bill Weasley in an interview with Gringotts curse-breakers? And don’t forget you can join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! We have two brand-new ones for you in December, including our recap of the biggest events in fandom of 2023 and a look ahead to 2024! And, we celebrate with some of our favorite holiday Headcannons! This week’s episode is brought to you by MasterClass! This holiday season, give the gift of one annual membership and get one free at MasterClass.com/MuggleCast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Quidditch World Cup is a security nightmare! (Are you really surprised?) This week, the MuggleCasters dive in (from no less a height than the Top Box) to discussion about rogue mascots and classism as we discuss Chapter 8 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, "The Quidditch World Cup." Thanks to all who listen to our podcast on Spotify! You made our Wrapped something special. Reminder to check out The MuggleCast Overstock Store for any last-minute holiday gifts you may be seeking! Give the gift of MuggleCast merch to you and yours! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 8: The Quidditch World Cup 7-Word Summary: Athletes compete vigorously against their formidable opponents Main Discussion #1: House-Elves return! Harry thinks he sees Dobby. But how exactly does Winky know Dobby? Are Dobby's ideas of being paid for his work too radical, or is Winky too conservative or downtrodden? And why is it a bad thing that Dobby remains free? We also get a reunion of sorts between Lucius and Arthur. What is this chapter trying to tell us about class differences in the Wizarding World? Main Discussion #2: The Veela are DANGEROUS! Right after first seeing them, Harry almost jumps out of the Top Box! How are they allowed? The Veela are of Slavic origin and may have roots in Greek myths; we explore. Are the Veela more like modern cheerleaders in their purpose, or are they emblematic of something else? Both team's mascots should be banned in the future, we consider. Quizzitch: From which book does Hermione learn about Beauxbatons Academy of Magic? Coming up in Bonus MuggleCast, we review the biggest events in fandom of 2023 and look ahead to 2024! This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast) and MeUndies (get 25% off your first order, plus free standard shipping at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grab your plainest clothing, because we’re journeying to the Quidditch World Cup under cover and meeting Ludo the Gamblin' Man and Grouchy Crouchy! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura and our friends Lexi and Nicole from Fantasy Fangirls for a camping trip you won't soon forget! Welcome, the hosts of Fantasy Fangirls, Nicole and Lexi! Fantasy Fangirls is currently covering Fourth Wing / Iron Flame, which has been one of the most popular book series this year! Follow them for hours of entertainment on Instagram and TikTok! Lexi leaves everyone in awe as she rattles off every Goblet of Fire chapter from memory! And yes, she can do the entire series from Sorcerer's Stone to Deathly Hallows - a fantastic holiday party trick! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 7: Bagman and Crouch 7-Word Summary: Arriving at the campsite makes much happen Main Discussion #1: Hiding the Quidditch World Cup from Muggles How does Arthur Weasley not know how Muggle money works? What is the lasting impact of wiping Mr. Roberts' memory 10 times per day? Prohibiting witches and wizards from doing magic at the Quidditch World Cup is ABSURD! Why hasn't a better plan been devised after all these years? Just Hhw many witches and wizards are there in the world? Why should Harry and Hermione have to put the tent together? Could it be foreshadowing to Deathly Hallows? Brother and sister? Former lovers? Could there be a secret connection between Perkins and Mrs. Figg? Main Discussion #2: Bagman and Crouch (our initial impressions) We examine the ethics of Ludo Bagman placing and collecting bets on the Quidditch World Cup What sticky situation did Arthur get Ludo out of that awarded him 10 VIP tickets? What does it say about Barty Crouch Sr. that he completely botches Percy's name? Odds & Ends cover Ron fangirling over Krum, other wizarding schools, Bode The Unspeakable, magic carpets, water taps, Seamus Finnegan's mom and more! Quizzitch: What broomstick does Harry see advertised as being, "for All the Family" at the Quidditch World Cup? The MuggleCast Overstock Store is STILL OPEN! Ever wanted one of our cool physical gifts that we send to Patrons, but didn’t want to subscribe to our Patreon? WELL, for the first time ever, we are selling leftover physical gifts from years past! Only while supplies last! This week’s episode is brought to you by Uncommon Goods (get 15% off your first order at UncommonGoods.com/MUGGLECAST) & Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday we are not releasing a new episode this week. Instead, we're opening up the Patreon vault and sharing one of our favorite Bonus MuggleCast installments: Favorite Headcannons! In this installment Laura shares some crazy headcannons from fandom over the years, and we decide if we agree or disagree with them. A second installment of Favorite Headcannons is available on our Patreon. Pledge today to receive access to two new Bonus MuggleCast installments every month! These will also be available to paid Apple Podcasts subscribers beginning in 2024. Chapter by Chapter of Goblet of Fire will resume next week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wake up! It's time to go stand on a hill until our boot is ready! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah for the latest episode of MuggleCast in which we have a fun Chapter-by-Chapter discussion discussing the pitfalls of magical means of transportation in the Wizarding World. Would we rather use Portkeys or learn to Apparate? Find out during our discussion on Episode 636 of MuggleCast. We would like to wish a happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating this week. We are honored to be part of your Harry Potter family. The MuggleCast Overstock Store is NOW OPEN! Ever wanted one of our cool physical gifts that we send to Patrons, but didn’t want to subscribe to our Patreon? WELL, for the first time ever, we are selling leftover physical gifts from years past! Only while supplies last! Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 6: The Portkey 7-Word Summary: The Quidditch World is excited regarding Voldemort Main Discussion 1: Magical modes of transport for Wizards Does it make sense for folks with cheaper tickets to have to arrive sooner? Isn't it more likely that the rich could afford staying on site for longer? Which governments are involved here protecting the Statute of Secrecy and are they all working in tandem for the game? Is a Portkey really the best / safest form of transportation? Why not Apparate? Percy is made fun of by the Weasley Twins for Apparating downstairs, but each MuggleCaster comes to his defense separately. We ask: would you rather Apparate or use a Portkey? The hosts make their decisions. Would taking Muggle transport really be so bad in 2023? Main Discussion 2: Amos "Cringe Dad" Diggory We reflect on Amos' love for his boy and how sad it is reading this chapter knowing how the book ends, but also how awkward this conversation with Amos must be for Harry in the moment. Could Arthur have not gotten better tickets through his Ministry connections? Quizzitch: According to Percy, about how many languages does Mr Crouch speak? Transcripts are now available for our most recent episodes of MuggleCast, with more coming each week! This week's episode is brought to you by MasterClass. Give one annual membership and get one FREE at MasterClass.com/MuggleCast) Coming up on Bonus MuggleCast on Patreon.com/MuggleCast, we discuss the alternate titles for Goblet of Fire and reflect on how the series and story may have been different with a different title! Subscribe now and receive all of our magical benefits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Burrow, but stay out of Molly’s kitchen because the sauce ain’t the only thing boiling over, tonight! Join Eric, Micah, Laura and Katie as we breakdown the Weasley family, explore wizarding careers, criticize Percy's dinner conversation and get ready for the Quidditch World Cup! Welcome Slug Club member, Katie! The MuggleCast Overstock Store is NOW OPEN! Ever wanted one of our cool physical gifts that we send to Patrons, but didn’t want to subscribe to our Patreon? WELL, for the first time ever, we are selling leftover physical gifts from years past! Only while supplies last! Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 5: Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes 7-Word Summary: Harry visits the burrow and EATS satisfactorily Main Discussion 1: Wizarding World Family Dynamics & Life After Hogwarts What can we expect from the members of the Weasley as the series moves forward? This chapter lays the groundwork! Bill & Charlie: Have we ever been in Harry’s situation when we meet someone for the first time and they totally defy our expectations? Whether because of their physical appearance or because of their personality? Given everything that happened to Arthur in Harry’s second year, shouldn’t Fred & George have been more aware of pranking Dudley? How fair is Molly's assessment of Fred & George at this point in their lives? She claims that the Twins have “no ambition” and they are “wasting their brains”. We beg to differ! The hosts analyze how Percy's behavior is very reflective of Western corporate culture Does Percy not want to come home because he loves his job or because he dislikes his family? Given what we witnessed in the first chapter, should we as readers expect that Voldemort has something planned for the Quidditch World Cup? Percy goes hard on Bertha! Could this be a larger commentary on how women are perceived in certain work environments? Odds & Ends cover Ginny, Pigwidgeon, Viktor Krum, the Quidditch World Cup and Harry neglecting tell Ron & Hermione about his scar Quizzitch: According to Amos Diggory, what family couldn't get tickets to Quidditch World Cup? Transcripts are now available for our most recent episodes of MuggleCast, with more coming each week! This week's episode is brought to you by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast) and MeUndies (get 25% off your first order, plus free standard shipping at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast). And don’t forget you can join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! We have two brand-new ones headed your way this November, including our discussion of what good characters did in the Harry Potter series that really rubbed us the wrong way! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is a very special one, and long overdue: For the first time in our podcast's history, we have a women-only panel assembled, and they're discussing the representation of women in Harry Potter! Laura helms this episode with our social media manager Chloé, and they're joined by #Millennial's Pamela Gocobachi and MuggleCast's latest team member (and Eric's other half) Meg Scott. They discuss the demonization of femininity in Harry Potter and the "I'm not like other girls" pandemic, how many of JKR's most unlikable characters are strongly associated with overtly feminine characteristics, the demonization of feminine interests, and JKR's issues with the color pink. Later, the girls talk about how women treat other women in the series (both the positive and negative relationships), and then talk about what chapter they'd like to see from a woman's perspective, which witch they think they're most like, who they'd want at a sleepover, and which Wizarding World cosmetic they wish was real. Support the show on Patreon to help keep us running, and to receive more great content like this, including two new Bonus MuggleCast installments every month! This week's episode is sponsored by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast) and Uncommon Goods (get 15% off your first order at UncommonGoods.com/MUGGLECAST). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for the latest installment of Quizzitch Live! There are some TRICKs in this edition, but we find it all to be quite a TREAT. Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as we visit some O.W.L. subjects such as Potions, Charms, Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts. On either end of the show we also have two Halloween-themed rounds: Candy of the Wizarding World, and a James and Lily Potter tribute round. Our at-home edition of Quizzitch Live will rely on the honor system! Write down the answer you think is correct, in the time it takes us to prepare the answer, and count up the total "correct" answers to measure yourself against the winners at the end! Most of all, have an un-BOO-lievable amount of fun! If you loved this Quizzitch Live and still want more, visit our YouTube Playlist of previous editions! This week's episode is sponsored by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast) and Uncommon Goods (get 15% off your first order at UncommonGoods.com/MUGGLECAST). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices