• Micah’s back and FINALLY received a Wizarding World Gold pin!
• Muggle Mail covers Founder wands, House points, SPEW and Harry Potter tattoos
• Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 14: Percy and Padfoot
• 7-Word Summary: Saturday begins with letter sending from Harry
• Harry does a really good job of hiding the truth when writing to Sirius. Do we think this a quality that Harry possesses or just JKR’s clever writing?
• The hosts take a shot at cryptically describing each other
• Thestrals Alert! If we were Harry, would we be concerned we’re seeing ominous creatures randomly around Hogwarts? We compare it to the grim in Book 3 and the basilisk in Book 2!
• The hosts discuss what it means for Cho to believe in Harry
• The Daily Prophet: Padfoot and Podmore
• Why was Slytherin allowed to watch Gryffindor’s Quidditch practice? Shouldn’t it be closed, especially to opposing teams?
• Percy’s letter: what does it reveal about the Ministry? About his true character? We read several of Percy’s passages in our best Dr. Evil voices!
• Does Percy truly believe Dolores Umbridge is a nice person? Do we think he is really concerned about Ron? Or is this an attempt by Fudge and Umbridge to sow discord between Ron and Harry?
• Which Fireplace Sirius was better: Goblet of Fire or Order of the Phoenix?
• The world isn’t split into good people and Death Eaters
• The Ministry believes Dumbledore is forming an Army!
• Reckless and bitter Sirius: do his comments about James hurt Harry?
• Umbridge Suck Count, Connecting The Threads, MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter
• Quizzitch: Professor McGonagall has been teaching at Hogwarts for how many years (at the time of Order of the Phoenix)?
• This week’s episode is sponsored by OpenFit, a fantastic way to workout at home at great prices! Text ‘mugglecast’ to 505050 to get a free two-week trial.

Download now (60.5 MB, 1:24:03)

• Reminder: MuggleCast is moving to Tuesdays! Each week we’ll have a new episode available bright and early.
• A ‘flagship’ Harry Potter store has been announced, where we’ll be able to grab coffee, Butterbeer, and… ‘House Wands’?!
• Chapter by Chapter: Order of the Phoenix Chapter 13, Detention with Dolores
• This chapter is very unlucky for Harry. Are all Chapter 13’s in the Harry Potter series the same way?
• Theory: Every chapter ever is unlucky for Harry.
• Fred and George are getting away with their testing — until Hermione steps in. Why this moment was truly ‘below the belt’ for the twins.
• What’s going on with Hermione and her crusade to free the elves? We don’t see her doing any work that the elves do.
• We learn that Bowtruckles can actually be quite evil. How could Newt keep one so close to his eye balls? It’s Security Nightmare: Pickett Edition!
• Then again, they have leafy hands. How peaceful! What an enigma.
• Malfoy drops some information that’s of interest to Harry, while Luna sticks up for The Chosen One in a big way.
• Detention with Dolores: It’s in this scene where Umbridge goes from being an annoying teacher to a truly evil one.
• Did Dumbledore or McGonagall know that this type of thing was going on? Should Harry have ratted Umbridge out? And did this ever happen again?
• Quizzitch: What does Cho refer to Ron as? Answer on Twitter by tweeting @MuggleCast!
• This week’s episode is sponsored by Care/Of! Get 50% off your first order of personalized vitamins by visiting TakeCareOf.com and using promo code ‘mugglecast50’ at checkout. Support MuggleCast by supporting our sponsors!

Download now (49 MB, 1:08:02)

• Andy from Harry Potter Fan Zone joins the show and shares the history of his website and how he received the prestigious J.K. Rowling Fan Site Award
• The hosts share the Harry Potter gifts they received during the holidays
• Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 12: Professor Umbridge
• Seven Word Summary: Classes begin for the term despite attitudes
• Harry’s troubles continue: Seamus bolts early in the morning, Dean is at a loss for words and Lavender isn’t buying Harry’s story either.
• Hermione once again raises the importance of House unity. But is Hogwarts set up well for such a thing?
• Does Dumbledore, in fact, not want to draw attention to Hagrid’s absence?
• Fred & George are in search of test subjects! Why couldn’t the Gryffindor Head Boy or Head Girl handle them?
• Why doesn’t Harry own up to giving the Weasley twins their money for the joke shop?
• Kissy Kissy! Cho is back. Enter Ron – Master Wandblocker! 
• Is J.K. Rowling trying to tell the reader something about jumping on bandwagons?
• Harry has his worst day of classes: History of Magic, Potions, Divination, DADA
• What classes when we were kids could we just not get through?
• With Hagrid gone and Umbridge teaching DADA, Harry really has no classes he enjoys! 
• Does Snape ride Harry hard because he sees potential in him or because he’s an ass?
• Umbridge raises the point that Defense Against The Dark Arts at Hogwarts has been rather disrupted and fragmented. She’s not wrong, is she?
• So, we’re going back to basics? We could see doing this for one or two lessons, but the entire year?
• What does Umbridge having a short wand mean?
• Do we believe this new DADA class was really carefully devised by experts at the Ministry?
• Is Umbridge wrong about Lupin?
• Parvati raises a great point about the practical nature of their O.W.L.s. So, the students should just show up and perform a spell? Isn’t Umbridge setting the students up for failure? Wouldn’t it be a poor reflection on her if all of her students fail their O.W.L.s?
• Have a biscuit, Potter!
• Umbridge Suck Count, Connecting The Threads, MVP of the Week, Rename The Chapter return
• Quizzitch: What has Hermione been making over the summer?

Download now (1:23:04, 59.8 MB)

 

In this special installment, Rori Porter, a transfemme member of the Harry Potter fandom, joins the MuggleCasters to discuss why J.K. Rowling’s December 19th tweet was transphobic and hurtful.

Rori explains the court battle the tweet is in reference to, what Rowling’s doing by saying this, and how it affects trans people. We also discuss the role inclusion and acceptance has played in the Harry Potter fandom, and where we go from here.

Check out TransStudent.org to learn more about the trans community, and click here to read Rori’s piece published to Medium.

Please note: This episode was recorded prior to J.K. Rowling’s controversial tweet, which was harmful to the transgender community and allies. As we stated on Twitter, trans rights are human rights. We see you, we love you. You are valid. We will always welcome you! We’ll share additional thoughts on the situation in Episode 448.

In our final episode of 2019, we take a look back at another Decade of Harry Potter by reliving the biggest moments and surprises of the past 10 years. What were we feeling then, how do we feel now, and what does it all mean for the decade ahead? Events discussed include: 

• June 18, 2010: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter officially opens in Orlando (and basically saves Universal theme parks)!
• November 19, 2010: Deathly Hallows: Part 1 hits theaters. It sets a trend for a single book to be split into two films, but this trend may’ve died this decade too.
• July 15, 2011: The final Harry Potter film, Deathly Hallows: Part 2, is released worldwide! The hosts share their feelings after the final movie, taking into consideration the number of years spent in the fandom.
• April 12, 2012: J.K. Rowling announces her first post-Potter novel, The Casual Vacancy. Only one person on the panel has finished it.
• April 14, 2012: Pottermore launches at a time when people truly craved more from J.K. Rowling.
• April 2013: In one of the most shocking moments of the decade, J.K. Rowling secretly publishes The Cuckoo’s Calling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. We discuss how word leaked.
• August 27, 2013: MuggleCast ends… and then… two weeks later… Warner Bros. announces the Fantastic Beasts film series.
• December 19, 2013: We hear rumblings that a Harry Potter play is in development, and it looks nothing like what it became.
• January 14, 2016: Wands raised! Alan Rickman, the actor who brilliantly portrayed Professor Severus Snape passes away at 69.
• November 18, 2016: Magic returns to the silver screen as Fantastic Beasts hits theaters
• November 19, 2018: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald opens in theaters
• Spring 2019: J.K. Rowling leaves Twitter. Will she ever get back to her usual daily tweeting?
• October 2, 2019: Pottermore officially shuts down.
• What do we expect in the decade ahead for Potter?
• Quizzitch: What characters from the original Harry Potter series have also been in both Cursed Child and the Fantastic Beasts series?
• Bonus MuggleCast: We discuss the things we think will definitely NOT happen in the next decade in Potter including an official Encyclopedia, Marauders content, and apologies!
• Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast!

Download now (1:21:00, 59 MB)

• Our first ‘new’ Chapter-by-Chapter for Order of the Phoenix since October 2011! Remember when we started this book then stopped for some reason? Good times. 
  
• Micah shares his convo with an inspiring 8-year-old Harry Potter fan!
• Potter booze cruise… Yes, please!
• Eric’s Book Corner: Law Made Fun Through Harry Potter & Pod Life: Podcaster Stories
• Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 11: The Sorting Hat’s New Song
• 7-Word Summary: Umbridge takes Dumbledore’s spotlight down during dinner
• Loyalty vs. judgment: We debate whether or not Hagrid is a “joke” of a teacher
• Welcome to Hogwarts, Professor Umbridge (not really)!
• What other times in history has the Sorting Hat given advice?
• We compare Slytherin and Gryffindor’s falling out to that of Grindelwald and Dumbledore
• How the importance of unity at Hogwarts is a microcosm for that of the larger Wizarding World
• House unifiers: Narcissa Malfoy and Horace Slughorn
• Does Umbridge interrupt Dumbledore as payback for the Ministry hearing?
• Happy little faces = #FakeNews
• Is the Ministry infiltrating Hogwarts or just filling a high turnover position?
• Is Hogwarts self-sustaining or does it receive government funding?
• Discord amongst Gryffindors! What’s up with Seamus?
• Would Harry telling Seamus what happened in the Graveyard have changed anything?
• True friendship: Ron and Neville’s defense of Harry
• Harry finally realizes Dumbledore and him are in this together!
• The Umbridge Sucks Count climbs all the way to 11!
• On next week’s episode we look back on the past decade in Potter!
• We Connect The Threads, give our MVPs of the Week and Rename The Chapter!
• Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast!

Download now (53.8 MB, 1:14:44)

• Vanessa from Harry Potter and The Sacred Text joins us!
• MuggleMail covers feedback from our recent holiday gift suggestion episode!
• Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 10: Luna Lovegood
• 7-Word Summary: Chaos reigns during the journey to Hogwarts
• James and Lily, Molly and Kreacher, Ron and Hermione: what’s up with Harry’s dreams?
• On your own head be it – did Sirius’ trip to King’s Cross cost him his life?
• Shouldn’t Mad-Eye Moody have been more concerned about Sturgis Podmore’s recent absences?
• Harry’s isolation continues aboard the Hogwarts Express
• Welcome to the Potter series, Luna Lovegood! Why do so many fans identify with Luna?
• Luna’s clearly an outcast, just like Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville, so why do they treat her differently?
• We tell the story of how Evanna Lynch found out about the role of Luna Lovegood
• Harry gets caught in a compromising situation by Cho. We’ve all been there with our crush, right?
• What do we make of the new prefects from Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff?
• Is there any truth to the stories in The Quibbler?
• We discuss how J.K. Rowling laid the foundation for Dumbledore’s Army in this chapter!
• “Dogging your steps!” Does Draco really know the truth about Sirius?
• Continued Isolation: Why is Harry the only one who can see Thestrals?
• Connecting The Threads, MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter return!
• Quizzitch: Who is the first Gryffindor selected at this year’s Sorting Ceremony?
• Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! In the latest bonus episode we discuss theories surrounding Draco’s promotion to Prefect.

Download now (60.1 MB, 1:23:25)

• This week’s episode of MuggleCast is sponsored by TodayTix! For your chance to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in San Francisco in some of the best seats at the best prices, visit TodayTix.com/MuggleCast
• Andrew checks in from the Wizarding World… completely decked out for the holidays!
• Laura reveals an early Christmas present that would excite any Potter fan!
• Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix – Chapter 9: The Woes of Mrs. Weasley
• 7-Word Summary: Harry feels envious because friends are winning
• What’s up with Umbridge “appraising” Harry?
• Uh oh, Lucius has Fudge’s ear! Is it worse that the Order thinks the Minister is NOT under the Imperius Curse?
• Why does Harry’s scar burn when thinking about Dumbledore? Is it the Voldemort connection, the Horcrux or just pure emotion?
• Do we agree with Hermione that Sirius is acting selfishly after learning Harry has been found not guilty?
• We do a deep dive on the Defense Against The Dark Arts position
• Ron is named Prefect… and EVERYONE is stunned! Can’t the kid just have his moment?
• Why DID Dumbledore select Ron and Hermione as Prefects?
• Moody tries to cheer up Harry by showing him an original Order of the Phoenix photo
• We discuss Gideon and Fabian Prewett (Were Fred and George’s names tributes to them?), Aberforth, Edgar Bones and more
• The Boggart shows the very real fear Mrs. Weasley has of losing her family
• Why did Molly choose to take care of the boggart herself?
• Perspective, Harry!
• The Umbridge (Toad) Suck Count rises!
• Connecting The Threads, MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter return!
• Quizzitch: What is Luna’s mother’s first name?
• Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including early access to the show via our live streams!

Download now (1:15:46, 46.1 MB)

• Finally… some Fantastic Beasts 3 news!
• What bigger role will Eulalie Hicks play in the upcoming film?
• Steve Kloves returns to his screenwriting role. What does it mean for Potter fans?
• We’re going to Rio! Will we see Castelobruxo?
• Why did Crimes of Grindelwald fall flat at the box office? Let’s not forget the controversies that preceded it!
• Fantastic Beasts 3 is taking the series back to its Hogwarts roots! Is this a good thing?
• Is there such a thing as too much Hogwarts? We spent seven films there, isn’t it time to explore the larger wizarding world?
• Was J.K. Rowling unfairly blamed for the writing in Crimes of Grindelwald?
• Yummy! Fantastic Beasts 3 will provide more breadcrumbs for Potter fans!
• Patrons share how they would like to see Hogwarts and Dumbledore be further incorporated (without it feeling like it was done just to please the fans)
• We give our early predictions for the title of Fantastic Beasts 3!
• We review Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Journey: Behind the Scenes of the Award-Winning Stage Production. It makes a great holiday gift!
• It was predestined! The story behind J.K. Rowling and John Tiffany!
• Why did parenting play such a big role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
• Why was Goblet of Fire such a big focus?
• The story behind Dobby, Sirius Black, McGonagall, Luna and Astoria Malfoy!
• Box office woes: why are Cursed Child tickets slumping in Year 2?
• We take voicemails on Dumbledore’s middle names and running Dementors
• Join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including early access to the show via our live streams!
• This week’s episode of MuggleCast is brought to you by AWAY Travel, a favorite company of Micah and Andrew’s. Get $20 off one of their amazing suitcases by visiting AWAYTravel.com/muggle and using code ‘muggle’ at checkout.

Download now

Running time: 1:18:47, 47.3 MB