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).

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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).

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It’s time to unblock your fireplace and let our hosts into your living room! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as things heat up inside No. 4 Privet Drive! And make sure to mind the flying ornaments and Ton-Tongue Toffee!

• Quizzitch Live is returning! October 28th at 11 AM ET will see the latest Halloween edition of our trivia game where listeners can participate live and win prizes! Study up on your O.W.L. level Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Defense Against The Dark Arts and more!
• Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 4: Back to the Burrow
• 7-Word Summary: Arthur attempts to help with Dudley’s tongue
• We all know that the Weasleys cause some good old-fashioned havoc on Privet Drive, but was it all quite necessary?
• Offenses include: Sending multiple delegates – did Ron, Fred and George need to be there? Why didn’t Molly accompany Arthur? Being insensitive to Dudley’s trauma – who, if anybody is aware of the pig tail situation? And baiting Dudley – we debate the actions of Fred and George toward Harry’s cousin. Were they intentionally feeding his addiction to sweets?
• With all the magic going on at Privet Drive, why doesn’t the Ministry show up?
• Despite all of the chaos, Arthur still calls the Dursleys manners into question!
• What Muggle items do we think Arthur would have enjoyed most at the Dursely home?
• WHAT IF… only Arthur and Molly came to pick up Harry? Would it have improved relations between Harry’s surrogate parents and his guardians?
• Odds & Ends cover the relentless fat shaming of both Dudley and Vernon
• Quizzitch: How many times did Harry physically visit The Burrow during the 7-book series?
• 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 (get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/MuggleCast) and BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/mugglecast today to get 10% off your first month)!
• 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 October, including a Halloween costume special and another edition of Favorite Headcannons!

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The recaps are back! We thought we had escaped getting summaries for Harry’s friends, his lifestyle, his family, and his situation but we were vastly mistaken. Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they delve into Chapters 2 and 3 of Goblet of Fire, covering chapters “The Scar” and “The Invitation”! We discuss the Dursleys motives and if everything would have been better had Harry contacted Dumbledore about his ‘dream.’

• A MuggleCast Girls’ Takeover is coming! Patrons have two chances to catch Laura, Chloe, and friends of the show Pam and Meg hanging out and talking all things girly. Celebrations begin October 19! For more info, check our social channels.
• Transcripts are now available for our most recent episodes of MuggleCast, with more coming each week!
• Quizzitch Live is returning! October 28th will see our latest Halloween edition of the live trivia game where listeners can participate live!
• Main Discussion 1: Chapter 2 of Goblet of Fire, “The Scar.”
• 7-Word Summary for Chapter 2: Dumbledore sometimes is on the beach relaxing
• We review the stresses that went in to crafting such a large book in less time for its author.
• Whose POV was Harry’s dream actually from, and how does it work? Did the rules surrounding H*rcr*xes change?
• How would things be different if Harry had chosen to write Dumbledore? Would he care?
• We review Dudley’s choice in video games.
• Main Discussion 2: Chapter 3 of Goblet of Fire, “The Invitation.”
• 7-Word Summary for Chapter 3: Molly tries to save Harry’s summer funnily
• Is Vernon’s behavior and his intolerance for magic similar to that of folks who are anti-LGBT?
• We review how Harry always miraculously escapes Privet Drive with a bang.
• Finally, we ask the most important question: how is Harry preserving all that birthday cake under his floorboards?
• Quizzitch: what does Arthur Weasley ask Dudley Dursley?
• This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast), and Better Help (Visit BetterHelp.com/mugglecast today to get 10% off your first month) and MeUndies (get 25% off your first order, plus free standard shipping at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast).

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It’s been 13 years, but the hosts are finally ready to revisit Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts! Join us as we sneak into The Riddle House to see prophecies fulfilled and Dark Lords taking (snake) milk shots. Plus, we share our favorite Dumbledore moments in honor of the late, great Michael Gambon!

• Welcome Slug Club member, Summer!
• We pay tribute to Michael Gambon, who played Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films
• For the first time since 2010, we’re diving into Chapter-by-Chapter for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with Chapter 1: The Riddle House!
• We reflect on the fourth book’s midnight release and the last time we actually read it!
• 7-Word Summary: Voldemort decides to plan an amazing murder
• The history of the Riddle House… is it cursed? Is Voldemort secretly bankrolling his family’s home?
• Comparisons are drawn between The Riddles and The Dursleys
• Why is Tom Riddle Sr. depicted as worse than his parents? Is Merope to blame?
• The Significance of The Hanged Man
• The Scapegoating of Frank Bryce: do the townsfolk in Little Hangleton effectively “cancel” him? Can we draw comparisons to Harry later on in this book and in Order of the Phoenix?
• Wormtail The Snake Milker – yes, it’s a real profession!
• Peter shows a resistance to using Harry in Voldemort’s plan. Is it based solely on the effort required? Or does he have feelings of guilt?
• Right hands and faithful servants: Voldemort hints about the ritual to come at the end of the book!
• Pure Evil: How is Voldemort strong enough to use a wand and cast Avada Kedavra if he’s in need of a body and constant nurturing from Nagini?
• Horcuxes! Horcruxes! Horcruxes!
• Quizzitch: In opposition of his new diet, what did Dudley throw out the window?
• Next week: Chapter 2 of Goblet of Fire: The Scar
• Plus, Quizzitch Live returns in time for Halloween on October 28 – mark your calendars now!
• This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast), and Better Help (Visit BetterHelp.com/mugglecast today to get 10% off your first month)!
• Transcripts are BACK! Thank you, Meg!
• And don’t forget you can join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! Following our Goblet of Fire movie commentary, we discussed many of the things from the book we would have liked to see adapted in the fourth film!

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As we prepare to launch our Goblet of Fire Chapter-by-Chapter series, we’re excited to finally do a movie commentary track for the fourth Harry Potter movie!

Join the MuggleCasters as they watch and discuss Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. You will need to bring your own copy of the movie’s standard edition in order to get the full experience. Before the movie begins, we help you sync up with us so we’re all watching together (The sync point is as soon as you get through the ‘WB’ logo and see a skull).

And have a celebratory drink prepared – like an orange juice if you’re under 21 or a screwdriver if you’re above 21 – for an iconic moment.

Note: This episode was recorded before the passing of legendary actor Michael Gambon, who played Albus Dumbledore in this and many more Harry Potter movies. We will look back at his legacy on the next episode of MuggleCast.

The MuggleCast 2023 Listener Survey is HERE and is open to all listeners through October 6th! We want to know what you love about the show, what you think could improve it, and what other content you’d be interested in us making.

This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed. Claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast.

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It’s time to reflect on our recent re-read of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, and Laura as they open the MuggleMail bag once more to tackle an array of voicemails, e-mails and chicken soup submissions following our recent excursion into Book 3’s Chapter-By-Chapter.

• The MuggleCast 2023 Listener Survey is HERE and is open to all listeners through October 6th! We want to know what you love about the show, what you think could improve it, and what other content you’d be interested in us making.
• Check out Parts 1 and 2 of Belated Binge Podcast‘s “Harry Potter: A History” and “Harry Potter: A Fandom” series with Eric!
• We begin our Book 3 wrap-up by revisiting our 7 Word Summaries and voting on which one should get a re-do!
• 7-Word Summary of Book 3: Sirius prevails over Ministry officials and Snape
• Voicemails include: Is there a connection between the Deathly Hallows and the gifts Harry receives from the Dursleys?
• Does the prophecy’s existence explain why Snape picks on Neville? Is there another reason why Voldemort doesn’t have hair?
• Lupin’s werewolf depiction may be referenced elsewhere, and the phases of the moon are more gradual than you may think!
• A listener writes in about Micah’s criticism of Time-Turning.
• Why are Lupin’s lesson plans so creature-centric?
• Is there a reason behind the many strained paternal relationships in HP?
• Would Veritaserum help crack a Fidelius Charm? And, is being someone’s Godfather a special magical bond?
• Listeners also point out: McGonagall’s anti-Divination stance goes back to Book One. And, how does Professor Binns grade papers?
• One 13-year-old listener made her parents detour around Mount Greylock (we 100% support this).
• Quizzitch: Who found the Riddle family dead?
• Next week: Goblet of Fire movie commentary!
• This week’s episode is brought to you by Better Help (Visit BetterHelp.com/mugglecast today to get 10% off your first month.)!
• And don’t forget you can join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! This week, we discuss moments that were cut from Book 4 for the movie!

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This week, we’re closing the book on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura and Melissa as they avoid Snape’s wrath, have real talk with Lupin and Dumbledore and finally get permission to go to Hogsmeade. Oh, and be sure to check with your cat that your new pet isn’t secretly a mass murderer!

• Welcome Slug Club member, Melissa!
• LAST CHANCE! Time is running out to subscribe to this year’s MuggleCast Collectors Club over on Patreon. Be sure to opt-in to this special benefit by September 22nd!
• The MuggleCast 2023 Listener Survey is HERE and is open to all listeners through October 6th! We want to know what you love about the show, what you think could improve it, and what other content you’d be interested in us making.
• Chapter-by-Chapter for Prisoner of Azkaban concludes with Chapter 22: Owl Post Again
• 7-Word Summary: Justice is served by Hermione and Harry
• Snape claims he knows how Sirius escaped! Does he really KNOW it was Harry & Hermione? How secret is Hermione’s Time-Turner?
• The hosts (and Fudge) react to Snape’s unhinged behavior
• Dumbledore The Drama Queen is stoking the flames!
• Lupin regifts Harry the Marauder’s Map forever connecting him with his father
• How did Dumbledore manage to convince Fudge that Lupin didn’t aid Sirius?
• Harry is upset that Pettigrew got away, but Dumbledore tells him his choices made all of the difference. Does this moment feel authentically Dumbledore? Does it make more sense that they gave these lines to Lupin in the movie?
• By gifting Pigwidgeon to Ron, is Sirius trying to further endear himself to Harry?
• We analyze the book coming full circle and the balance of power shifting at Privet Drive
• Prophecies & Animagi – there ARE some things Dumbledore doesn’t know!
• Could Trelawney be deep-linked to Harry and Voldemort?
• How did the Marauder’s keep their situation secret from Dumbledore?
• Odds & Ends cover The Quidditch World Cup, the Grindylow tank, Percy’s Ministry ambitions, Harry sititng by the lake and more!
• Quizzitch: Who gives Pigwidgeon his name?
• Next week: We start Goblet of Fire with a special movie commentary track!
• This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast), and Better Help (Visit BetterHelp.com/mugglecast today to get 10% off your first month.)!
• And don’t forget you can join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! This week, we discuss several news stories surrounding the Fantastic Beasts film franchise and Harry Potter television reboot!

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Three turns ought to do it, MuggleCast! This week we plumb the depths of time with Harry and Hermione as Chapter-by-Chapter covers Chapter 21 of Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione’s Secret! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they ask the tough questions such as, how is Snape

• Time is running out to subscribe to this year’s MuggleCast Collectors Club over on Patreon. Be sure to opt-in to this special benefit by September 22nd.
• Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 21: Hermione’s Secret
• 7-Word Summary: Hermione saves Buckbeak with a time turner
• Somebody Call the WAMBULANCE for Snape!
• We unleash our new “Severus Lie Count” right in the nick of time!
• Is Snape pointing out the uneven leniency given to Harry helpful or harmful to his cause? He sure knows how to play Fudge.
• Could Snape actually secretly believe Harry and Hermione’s side of events?
• Once Hermione busts out the Time-Turner to save the day we must ask: is traveling in time morally correct?
• What alternatives must there have been to giving Hermione a Time-Turner at age 13?
• What gives Dumbledore the authority to play God in this situation?
• What If: The Time-turning sequence all went wrong?
• We review why Time Turners may have been more hassle for the author than a help, and ask if it was worth it.
• Quizzitch: At the end of term, who arrives to see Lupin after Harry does?
• Next week: Chapter 22: Owl Post Again, the FINAL CHAPTER of POA! And two weeks from now, we’ll record a Goblet of Fire movie commentary track!
• This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (claim your $75 credit at Indeed.com/MuggleCast), and Better Help (Visit BetterHelp.com/mugglecast today to get 10% off your first month.)!

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MuggleCast celebrates the month of August with this LIVE recording from LeakyCon 2023 at McCormick Place in Chicago IL! Recorded on Saturday, August 5 our audience-participatory mega show includes fan-favorite game segments such as Dueling Club, Make the Connection, and a new segment titled, “Is MuggleCast Older Than…?” Join Eric, Micah, Chloé with a special guest appearance by LeakyCon’s founder, Melissa Anelli, as they play games and reflect on the fandom space across 18 years of Harry Potter podcasting!

• Welcome to LeakyCon 2023! We’re old but we brought a cake… for Micah.
• How did we each get started with MuggleCast? The hosts reflect.
• Game Segment: Is MuggleCast Older Than…? Rounds include “Taylor Swift’s debut album” and “The iPhone.”
• What have been some of our favorite moments in MuggleCast history?
• Game Segment: The Dueling Club. Nonhumans edition, DADA professors, and Weasley family members!
• What moments in fandom were the most surprising and unbelievable when they happened in the moment?
• Game Segment: Make the Connection returns! This one you have to hear to believe. (Chloé crushes it.)
• Thanks to all who came out to see us in Chicago!

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