Beyond the Veil

Someday we will all face loss in our lives, and the Potter series has countless lessons on death, grief, and love that can help us move through those difficult times. On this episode, we talk to McKay Strong about how the Potter series helped keep her grounded in the face of grief.

TRIGGER WARNING: Death, loss of loved ones

On Episode 22, we discuss…

→ Feeling like you never get a break when it comes to loss, just like Harry

→ How loss can affect anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues

→ Unconsciously turning to the Potter books when you need them

→ Why do universal lessons about loss have more impact from the Potter series?

→ Using the Potter books as an anchor in day to day life to relive positive memories

→ It's okay to love the Potter books… a lot!

If you have a Potter story you want to share, we'd love for you to join us as a guest on the podcast!

Between inspirational quotes, a huge wizarding world, and a thriving fandom, the Potter series always has something new for us to discover. On this episode, we talk to Johanna Lucas about the many different ways the Potter series can help us work through loneliness, depression, and other difficult feelings.

On Episode 22, we discuss…

→ How the Potter books and fandom help us cope with loneliness

→ A Harry Potter shirt in a moment of need

→ Finding light in the darkness of the NICU

→ Always having a new piece of Potter information to keep you excited

→ Coping with difficult times in different ways

→ Potter quotes to live by

If you have a Potter story you want to share, we'd love for you to join us as a guest on the podcast!

Share your thoughts on this episode with us below in the comments! Be sure to check out Beyond the Veil on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, Potter and mental health discussions, and more!

Listen to us on iTunes, Spotify, Pocketcast, and Google!

Most Potter fans will find new concepts easier to understand if you can use a Harry Potter metaphor to explain them. In this interview, Jennifer Morris shares how she applies mental health and psychological concepts to the Potter series.

On Episode 21, we discuss…

→ The comfort of visiting an office decked out in Potter decor

→ Taking Professor Sprout's advice: how to defeat the Devil's Snare of panic attacks

→ Hermione and perfectionism

→ The benefits of EMDR for Harry

→ Horcruxes and negative core beliefs: our darkest thoughts about the self and others

→ The three most useful magical items for a therapist

→ Embracing your inner Slytherin

If you have a Potter story you want to share, we'd love for you to join us as a guest on the podcast!

Share your thoughts on this episode with us below in the comments! Be sure to check out Beyond the Veil on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, Potter and mental health discussions, and more!

Listen to us on iTunes, Spotify, Pocketcast, and Google!

Online communities grow up around books, movies, and podcasts, and they provide a great deal of emotional support for fans and creators both. In this interview, Adriana Wilson of Accio Politics shared her mental health journey and the Accio Politics podcast became a part of it.

TW: Suicide mention 11:03-11:23 and 52:37-53:08

On Episode 20, we discuss…

→ The things we learn about mental health by observing loved ones

→ White-knuckling through life

→ The effect of current events and politics on mental health

→ Gaining a sense of community in the Potter fandom

→ Stigmas against medication

→ The importance of being vulnerable

If you have a Potter story you want to share, we'd love for you to join us as a guest on the podcast!

Share your thoughts on this episode with us below in the comments! Be sure to check out Beyond the Veil on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, Potter and mental health discussions, and more!

Listen to us on iTunes, Spotify, Pocketcast, and Google!

It only takes a few words to make a huge impact on someone's life. This week, we spoke with Peter Ampudia about bipolar disorder and how a passage from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows helped him learn the power of focus.

On Episode 19, we discuss…

→ What is bipolar mood disorder, and how do you experience it?

→ How to navigate the world with mental illness

→ When doing all the right things isn't enough

→ An inspiring passage from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

→ The magic of a friend's words, chicken nuggets, and focus

If you have a Potter story you want to share, we'd love for you to join us as a guest on the podcast!

Share your thoughts on this episode with us below in the comments! Be sure to check out Beyond the Veil on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, Potter and mental health discussions, and more!

Listen to us on iTunes, Spotify, Pocketcast, and Google!

Whether you've read the books a hundred times or only seen the movies, if you love the Potter books, you're a part of this fandom. This week, we spoke with Sunny Thayer about how the Potter books helped her come to terms with a family member's passing, taking on a new social identity as a Potter expert, and why fandom gatekeeping needs to end.

TRIGGER WARNING: Death of a loved one

On Episode 17, we discuss…

→ The Potter series as a source of grounding during a difficult mental health period

→ Anticipation for the next Potter moment as a spark of light

→ Strengthening bonds with family during times of illness

→ Finding peace when a loved one passes away

→ Gaining a new identity: the Potter nerd

→ From Potter-cons to close friends: the magic of community

→ Why fandom gatekeeping needs to stop

If you have a Potter story you want to share, we'd love for you to join us as a guest on the podcast!

Share your thoughts on this episode with us below in the comments! Be sure to check out Beyond the Veil on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, Potter and mental health discussions, and more!

Listen to us on iTunes, Spotify, Pocketcast, and Google!

Something incredibly magical happens when our favorite fictional worlds bring us safety, comfort, and joy. This week, we spoke with Ashley Aselin about how the Harry Potter books helped her cope with bullying, PTSD, and how she was able to bring wisdom from her own mental health experiences into her career.

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual assault, disordered eating, and self-harm discussion throughout the episode

On Episode 17, we discuss…

→ Having a refuge from bullying at school in the Potter books, movies, and online forums

→ The mental health aftermath of sexual assault

→ The love and safety of the Harry Potter fandom

→ Making new mental health discoveries as an adult

→ Getting through the difficult time of the year with the help of Harry Potter

→ Bringing wisdom and understanding into a job in the foster care system

If you have a Potter story you want to share, we'd love for you to join us as a guest on the podcast!

Share your thoughts on this episode with us below in the comments! Be sure to check out Beyond the Veil on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, Potter and mental health discussions, and more!

Listen to us on iTunes, Spotify, Pocketcast, and Google!

Hermione is the smart one, Ginny is the only daughter, Harry is the Chosen One, but who are these characters without the labels put on them by others? This week, we spoke with Corrie Ferguson about how the Potter books helped her grow closer to her own identity.

TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide discussion in Whisper segment

On Episode 16, we discuss…

→ Being introduced to the books by a beloved brother

→ Finding yourself in Harry's ability to love and Hermione's fears of failure

→ How living with a chronic disability can affect mental health and your sense of identity

→ Feeling like your own version of "The Chosen One"

→ Struggles and successes with escaping the labels you've been put under

→ Who are you today?

→ This week's Whisper: J.K. Rowling, Luna Lovegood, and the magic of being alive

If you have a Potter story you want to share, we'd love for you to join us as a guest on the podcast!

Share your thoughts on this episode with us below in the comments! Be sure to check out Beyond the Veil on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, Potter and mental health discussions, and more!

Listen to us on iTunes, Spotify, Pocketcast, and Google!

No matter what age you discovered the Harry Potter series, it has the potential to create huge ripples of change in your life. This week, we spoke with Josh Cook about how the Potter books opened up his world and helped him rediscover himself.

On Episode 15, we discuss…

→ Growing up "normal", almost Dursley-ish

→ Not being allowed to read the Potter books growing up

→ Feeling dissatisfied with Dumbledore after watching the movies

→ The magic of audiobooks

→ Opening up your world with Remus Lupin, Kreacher, and more

→ Relating to Tonks, being a chameleon, and learning to be yourself

→ This week's Whisper: some thoughts on bravery

If you have a Potter story you want to share, we'd love for you to join us as a guest on the podcast!

Share your thoughts on this episode with us below in the comments! Be sure to check out Beyond the Veil on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, Potter and mental health discussions, and more!

Listen to us on iTunes, Pocketcast, Soundcloud, and Google!