In my last podcast, I talked about the first of two magic duels in chapter 36 of Order of the Phoenix, the one between Harry and Bellatrix. Now it’s time to move on to the main event, the massive duel between Albus Dumbledore and Voldemort. There is no other magical battle in the entire series to equal this one. The roller-coaster flow of spells and counterspells is wild and breathtaking. This is certainly one of the most exciting, most cinematic magical battles in the entire saga. This mighty duel is the centerpiece of the entire seven-book tale. We are most of the way through the middle book ..read more

Umbridge is one of those characters the reader is supposed to hate and despise, but she isn’t a Death Eater, she’s just a nasty person. Sirius sums this up well by saying “The world isn’t split into good people and Death Eaters”, and Umbridge is the perfect embodiment of this maxim, showing the nuance that Rowling can give to her characters. Not everything is black and white, and characters can be antagonists without being associated with Voldemort. However, not every Harry Potter character has this depth. In the third book we are introduced to Macnair, the Ministry of Magic executioner who’s ..read more

In this podcast we’re going to take a look at the incredible magical duels in chapter 36 of the Order of the Phoenix. Before we get to the main duel in the chapter, however, that between Voldemort and Dumbledore, we learn a bit about the Unforgivable Curses when Harry and Bellatrix have their own duel in the Atrium before Voldemort appears. After killing Sirius, Bellatrix runs away through the Department of Mysteries and into the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic headquarters. Harry chases after her, consumed by righteous anger. Once he catches up to her, he fires off the Cruciatus curse in her ..read more

Season Three is Here! Hello, everyone. Back in January, 2018, I created a new short-form podcast called The Harry Potter Lexicon Minute. I had planned on a shorter title — The Harry Potter Minute — but discovered that there was already a podcast with that name, so I added the Lexicon’s name. The podcast ran for over 160 episodes, through November of 2019. I added a few more episodes in the summer of 2020 during our 25th anniversary Canon Celebration.  And now I’d like to welcome you all to a new season of the Harry Potter Lexicon Minute podcast. This time around I’ll be finishing up my se ..read more

Summer is over and it is time to return to Hogwarts. Harry has lessons with Professor Dumbledore to look forward to. He becomes surprisingly talented in Potions class and works hard as the new Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. But what is his classmate Draco Malfoy actually up to? Ready or not, here we go! Podcasts: Fifty Years Ago by Steve VanderArk Pince and Prince by hpboy13 Episode 25: The Horcrux Conundrum by Steve VanderArk and Nick Moline Horcrux Deaths by Steve VanderArk Reader’s Guides: These guides were originally written in 2005 and 2006. Since that time, a few edits were m ..read more

Everything turns a bit darker in Book Five. Lord Voldemort has returned. Dementors show up in unexpected places. And Harry is unhappy, even when he has re-joined his friends before the end of the summer. Ready to find out why? Let’s go! Podcasts: Encore Presentation: OP 1: Drought by Steve VanderArk OP 2: Kneazles by Steve VanderArk OP 3: Why Not Side-Along Apparition? by Steve VanderArk OP 4: Discovering Grimmauld Place by Steve VanderArk OP 5: I Don’t Think I Like This Book by Steve VanderArk OP 6: Drawing Room Delights by Steve VanderArk OP 7: The Ministry of Magic by Steve VanderArk OP 8 ..read more

We now start Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, a book with several exciting events for Harry and his friends to experience. We go back to the Weasleys and attend an international event where a disaster takes place. What more can happen? If you’re ready to find out – on we go! Podcasts: Canon Thoughts: Goblet of Fire by Steve VanderArk Fifty Years Ago by Steve VanderArk The Weasleys and Ottery St Catchpole by Steve VanderArk GF 1: Mysteries and Surprises by Susan GF 2: Looking Cool by Susan GF 3: Writing by Hand by Susan GF 4: A Lot of Long Sentences by Susan GF 5: Looking Back and Forward b ..read more

In the early 2000s, Harry Potter fans debated the possible range of dates for the saga. Small clues like the reference to a PlayStation in book four were discussed in detail. — Since the PlayStation wasn’t available until December 1994 in Japan and September 1995 in Europe, some argued that the events of Goblet of Fire couldn’t have happened until after that time. Some toyed with the idea that Uncle Vernon might have gotten his hands on a Japanese version while on a business trip, but that would still make book four have to happen no earlier than 1995. Others argued that Rowling’s world doesn ..read more

Welcome to the third book in the series, The Prisoner of Azkaban! Many fans consider this to be their favorite Harry Potter novel. Harry is another year older, another face-off with Voldemort under his belt. What could be in store for him and his friends this year? Let’s crack the new adventure open and find out! Podcasts: Canon Thoughts: Book Three by Steve VanderArk Chocolate by Selena Gallagher Pets at Hogwarts by Ashmita Shanthakumar Reader’s Guides: These guides were originally written in March of 2002. Since that time, a few edits were made here and there but basically the text remained ..read more

Welcome to the fifth installment of our celebration series! We’ve been warned not to return to Hogwarts, met some new allies and foes, and accidentally broken one of the most fundamental rules of wizarding society. What a way to start the school year! Ready to have some fun exploring what’s next? Here we go! Podcasts: Chapter 6: Howlers, Mandrakes, and Muggleborns by Eileen Jones Chapter 7: Mudbloods and Murmurs by Eileen Jones Chapter 8: Ghosts by Eileen Jones Chapter 9: Filch by Eileen Jones Chapter 10: Harry, Draco and Quidditch by Eileen Jones Chapter 11: Loyalty by Eileen Jones ..read more