Whether you love the movies or hate them, this episode will open your eyes to the challenges and artistry of the Harry Potter movies.

In this episode, Janet Batchler, screenwriter (Batman Forever, Pompeii) and professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, helps us understand the Harry Potter movies, what we love about them and why - as well as what bothers us about them and why. Professor Batchler and Katy, along with returning guests Kat Sas and Elizabeth Baird Hardy, talk about the value of critically examining the Harry Potter movies to understand the technical challenges of film adaptation.

You do not want to miss this compelling, poignant episode about the power of reading (and reading Harry Potter in particular) in our emotional lives. Harry Potter helps adoptive and foster families deal with trauma, questions of identity, and family relationships.

In this episode, Katy and her co-host Emily Strand investigate the use of Harry Potter as “bibliotherapy,” especially for adoptive and foster families. Margie Fink, co-founder of Transfiguring Adoption (transfiguringadoption.com), explains to us how she was inspired to create resources for adoptive and foster families - parents as well as children - from the Harry Potter books but also other young adult literature and media. Louise Freeman (Mary Baldwin University) and Lana Whited (Ferrum College) join us in discussing the value of literature for encouraging empathy, dealing with trauma and PTSD, and coping with issues of family and identity.

Who could have predicted this episode? Join us in Divination Class for this episode on tarot, astrology, and games in the Harry Potter series.

With the help of guests Eglantine Pillet (Sorbonne, University of Paris) and Beatrice Groves (Oxford University), Katy and John examine the symbols of prediction, destiny, and cosmic interconnection in J.K. Rowling’s universe.

This month join us at alchemist Nicolas Flamel’s house, where we’re searching for answers to the profound questions raised by the second film in the Fantastic Beasts series. Spoilers abound!

The Crimes of Grindelwald left a lot of fans and critics scratching their heads. With our guests Elizabeth Baird Hardy (Mayland Community College), Megan Kelly (SpeakBeasty), and Lana Whited (Ferrum College), Katy and John investigate the mythic, literary, and alchemical references in this movie to answer key questions and decipher where the series may be headed next.

Katy and her co-host Emily Strand discuss these fan favorites with guests Katherine Sas  (University of Pennsylvania) and Robb McDaniel (Middle Tennessee State University). We take a deep dive into the characterization and group dynamics of Harry’s father’s generation. Are they really “marauders”? Are they bullies? Why did things go so badly for their friendship in the past and what role does this play in the unfolding story in the present?

We pull apart the latest Cormoran Strike novel on this episode of Reading, Writing, Rowling.

Katy and John dissect J.K. Rowling’s most recent crime novel Lethal White with guests Beatrice Groves and Louise Freeman. In a lively, detailed, and wide-ranging conversation, we talk about predictions we got right (like Louise’s accurate guess about the London Olympics), how the relationships in the books are developing, literary allusions, mythic elements, and where the story might be going in future books.

Reading, Writing, Rowling: Imagination and Fiction in the Age of Harry Potter

Episode 17: Harry Potter Festivals Which Must Not Be Named

Host: Katy McDaniel

Guests: Emily Strand, Louise Freeman, Amy Sturgis, Lana Whited, Christen Church

Have you recently attended an unnamed magic festival filled with Harry Potter wonders? In this episode we come to you from Roanoke, Virginia's Generic Magic Festival to discuss Harry Potter in popular culture and the challenges that fan activities pose for copyright and trademark law.

Harry Potter Is The Perfect Mystery! Discover the detective-rings of Harry Potter on this month’s episode. Especially since J.K. Rowling has now transitioned to writing detective crime fiction, in hindsight we can find elements of that genre in the Harry Potter series. 

Join us for an all-out Quidditch-palooza!

Do you skip over the Quidditch scenes in the Harry Potter novels? Katy and Guest Expert Emily Strand talk with author and wizard activist Caitlin Elizabeth Harper about the meaning of Quidditch—the sport from Queerditch Marsh—for the Harry Potter series.

Catch up on the latest Cormoran Strike analysis before the release of the fourth novel in the series September 18!

With guests Dr. Karen Kebarle and Dr. Louise Freeman, Katy and John examine the connections between the Harry Potter series and the first three Cormoran Strike novels.