What 150 Episodes and 2 Years Has Taught Me About Harry Potter!

The Potter Discussion: Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and the Wizarding World Fandom

In this episode, we discuss what I've learned from 150 episode and 2 years of Harry Potter podcasting. Enjoy!

Topics and Links:
· When I started this podcast in 2020, I found a video that told what a podcast was and how to start one, so I began to listen to podcasts. Eventually, I wanted to start my own podcast. I tried topics on books, like a book club, but I settled on Harry Potter. I still have the very first recordings of episodes saved that will never see the light of day (for now…).

· After many theories I switched to longer form episodes, which I am very glad of. My story telling mode only kicks in when the theory was finishing up, not when it was at the peak. Now I have the freedom to tell a rambling long story.

· Thinking about the story and characters can only get you so far, but talking out loud about it is how my understanding was deepened, which is another area the length of episodes came in handy.

· I’m big into the Harry Potter audio books. It is an immersive experience that allows for a full spectrum of the story.

· There are also some questions in the story that can’t or shouldn’t be answered. You may say: “Well, every question should be answered!” But that might not be true. Questions are very valuable to the fandom and the story, and opinion questions are what keep the fandom going, and the ones that can’t be answered, because there’s more than one answer.

· The ones that shouldn’t be answered are the ones that are more valuable unanswered that answered. Why is Dumbledore haunted my Ariana? Why do Dumbledore and Aberforth have some level of resentment towards each other? These questions keep the story going and should be kept in the vault.

· You also don’t have to approve of everything Harry does. He is certainly a hero, but all of his actions aren’t perfect. Harry shouldn’t feel the need to lash out every second of every day. He may not live in a very peaceful place, but his stubbornness with a small amount of arrogance makes for an uncomfortable environment for Harry.

· Another lesson I have learned it not every couple is meant to be. Remus and Tonks look good on the surface, but Remus is worried about his son becoming a werewolf and Tonks isn’t, so they fight. Pansy Parkinson and Draco is another good example. Pansy showers Draco in compliments and pampers him, which Draco loves. A good match right? Not really. Draco is enjoys compliments because he is insecure. Here are some episodes that explore this: BreakDown: Draco Malfoy Pt. 1 | BreakDown: Draco Malfoy Pt. 2 | Draco Malfoy and his Big Secret

· The best part of Harry Potter is making connections in the real world. Seeing sets, places in London, and studio tours. Its inspiring to see where the cameras really were and seeing the real Hogwarts Express and model of Hogwarts. Sitting where Draco was, walking where Harry was. Those things are what make Harry Potter so magical.
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