During difficult times, we all need a refuge from the stresses of the outside world. In today’s episode, Ally shares the many ways the Potter series has been a sanctuary for her and the absolute magic of the fandom community. On Episode 38, we discuss... → Being an only child and pretending to be Harry in the cupboard under the stairs, waiting for the magic to arrive → Our attachments to our physical, original copies of the Potter books → Having Harry around to keep us from losing the magic → The importance of the Deathly Hallows symbol for some folks with anxiety → I open at the close, gradua ..read more

Host Madison is taking a break from podcast duties this time to make some extra time for self-care - please take care of yourselves and stay safe ..read more

Sometimes when life gets hard, we learn something that helps us move forward for a long time afterward. In today’s episode, Jeff shares his mental health journey and shows us how the Potter series weaves so beautifully into all he’s learned. TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide, death On Episode 37, we discuss... → The mental health consequences of pressure to perform exceptionally in school → Feeling isolated during hospitalization → The difficult process of managing your emotions → Letting go of others’ goals for you → If you’re not a part of the solution, you’re part of the problem: Harry and willingne ..read more

During uncertain times, holding close to the stories that give us great comfort is more important than ever. In this episode, Deanna shares how the Potter series has helped her get through uncertain times and career changes throughout her life.   On Episode 36, we discuss... → Neverending change in the career world → Harry Potter as a constant in times of uncertainty → Self-care beyond the world of Potter → How Potter can inform your interests and choices → Reflecting on the Potter books as each change comes → Learning to sort out our priorities → What's coming will come, and we'll meet it whe ..read more

On this episode, the tables have turned on host Madison! The show’s first guest, Emily Garrison, plays host and interviews Madison about how the Harry Potter series has impacted her life and mental health. TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual assault, substance abuse On Episode 35, we discuss... → The struggles of OCD and how the Potter series helped: turning noise into music → When the role of Potter becomes complicated → Grieving for someone who’s still alive → Bad coping mechanisms, new relationships, and a lost sense of self → Rekindling a love for Potter by getting involved in the fandom → The power o ..read more

On this episode, the tables have turned on host Madison! The show’s first guest, Emily Garrison, plays host and interviews Madison about how the Harry Potter series has impacted her life and mental health. TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual assault, substance abuse On Episode 35, we discuss... → The struggles of OCD and how the Potter series helped: turning noise into music → When the role of Potter becomes complicated → Grieving for someone who’s still alive → Bad coping mechanisms, new relationships, and a lost sense of self → Rekindling a love for Potter by getting involved in the fandom → The power o ..read more

As of today, we’ve had one year of wonderful conversations with Harry Potter fans from all around the world about the impact of the series on their lives and mental health journeys. To celebrate this anniversary, enjoy this follow-up interview with Julianna Coughlin of Accio Politics and SpeakBeasty, who shares the ways diving deeper into the Potter fandom has improved her mental health. On Episode 34, we discuss... → Life updates: running, relationships, and health → Joining a Potter community → Becoming a Potter podcaster → A more “grown up” Potter experience → The positive power of fandom ..read more

Sometimes labeling ourselves can feel limiting or constrictive, but other times it can be a source of new possibilities. In this episode, Sara shares her stories about the power of fandom and identifying as a Hufflepuff. On Episode 33, we discuss... → Coping with loneliness after a friend moves away → The key to new friendships? Harry Potter, of course → Losing an identity, but finding a new one in Hufflepuff → The amazing power of online fandom, even when you’re a lurker → The enormous emotional power of IRL Potter events → Love is the best weapon we have → Surrounding yourself with what you ..read more

Throughout the Potter series, Harry loses his parents, Cedric, Sirius, Dumbledore, and many more loved ones. Grief is hard enough, but it’s made even more difficult when we lose more loved ones before we’ve truly been able to process other prior losses. In this episode, Erica shares the story of how grief affected her mental health and how Harry Potter was able to help her cope. Trigger Warning: Death of a loved one, suicide On Episode 32, we discuss... → Death, depression, and turning off your emotions → The difficulty of losing multiple people close to one another → Being able to see thestra ..read more

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things we experience in life, and the Potter series is one of the many resources here to help us better understand our feelings after the fact. In this episode, Jean shares the story of someone she lost and how the Potter series has helped her move with her grief. TRIGGER WARNING - Death of a loved one, grief On Episode 31, we discuss... → Finding a new relationship in the absence of a father figure → The strangeness of a person entering our lives exactly when we need them → The harrowing loss of someone who’s larger than life → Unreality in the ..read more