Episodes

  • Dark Magic Who Shall Not Be Named (HBP Chapter 23, 'Horcruxes')

    Dark Magic Who Shall Not Be Named (HBP Chapter 23, 'Horcruxes')
    Apr 29 2026
    On this week's episode, get ready for the worst scavenger hunt ever! Join Eric, Micah, Laura and special guest Rachel as they take a trip down Horcrux memory lane and learn what near-impossible task lies ahead for Harry and company! Welcome Slug Club member and host of The Menuscript, Rachel! This week we're discussing Half-Blood Prince Chapter 23, "Horcruxes" The Slughorn Files: UNREDACTED What do we make of Slughorn's interest in Tom becoming Minister of Magic? Did Tom learn some of his less-than-wholesome skills from observing Slughorn? What was the inciting event that made Dumbledore so “fierce” about a no-Horcrux curriculum? And should Horcruxes be a banned topic at Hogwarts? Why was Voldemort willing to risk part of his soul to reopen the Chamber of Secrets? Hallows Happy Dumbledore: with both the Elder Wand and Resurrection Stone in his possession, why didn't Albus ask Harry for his Invisibility Cloak and just dip? When Dumbledore suggests the possibility of a living Horcrux in Nagini, should this not have been MAJOR confirmation that Harry was a Horcrux as well? Why does Harry’s capacity for love give him power the Dark Lord knows not? Lynx Line: If Horcruxes were a subscription service, what would their tagline be? Quizzitch: On July 7th, 2007, the “New 7 Wonders of the Modern World” were unveiled by the New 7 Wonders Committee in Switzerland, with input from around the world. Of the NEW 7 Wonders of the Modern world, which one is the MOST modern? In Bonus MuggleCast, we're keeping with the Horcrux theme… and giving the Harry Potter TV show license to change one major character death. Find out what the hosts came up with at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • The Psychology of Slughorn (HBP Chapter 22, ‘After the Burial’)

    The Psychology of Slughorn (HBP Chapter 22, ‘After the Burial’)
    Apr 22 2026
    On this week's episode, it's time for Slughorn Unfiltered. We're going into the true memory that Dumbledore and Harry have been after, opening a significant path forward in the quest to defeat Voldemort! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 22: After the Burial Is Hagrid being a bad friend by asking the trio to break curfew? This isn't the first time Hagrid has put Harry in danger re: Aragog; we recall moments in Chamber of Secrets which connect. Hermione and Ron's reactions to Harry taking liquid luck still make us giggle. How did Hagrid actually fend off all of Aragog's family to get him to his hut? Is Harry being a bad friend to Hagrid by inviting Slughorn to the funeral, knowing Slughorn wants to turn a profit? Could Harry have gotten Horace's memory without using Felix Felicis? We go through why Harry is successful and what steps are taken which ensure his victory with the memory. Does Horace Slughorn appear again in this book? Does he avoid Harry after this? Odds and Ends discuss the first Potions lesson of the year, which was an important one for both Harry and Draco. Lynx Line: When did you successfully persuade someone to do something they didn’t want to do, and how did you do it? Quizzitch: 1 On which Earth continent would you find the world’s biggest spider, Theraposa blondi aka “The Goliath Birdeater”? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • Moaning With Dr. Myrtle (HBP Chapter 21, 'The Unknowable Room')

    Moaning With Dr. Myrtle (HBP Chapter 21, 'The Unknowable Room')
    Apr 15 2026
    On this week's episode, we hope you know the difference between a ghost and an Inferius, lest you want to incur the sass of Severus Snape. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as we suffer through Defense Against The Dark Arts while trying very hard to break into the Room of Requirement. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 21: The Unknowable Room Main Discussion #1: Distracted by Draco Fudge Flashback: We reflect on the Minister's comments in the very first chapter of this book: "The other side can do magic too." As Hermione consistently reminds Harry throughout the chapter, he is taking his eyes off the prize. Why is Harry not more focused given how testy Dumbledore was with him during their last lesson? We debate whether or not Dumbledore should have offered Harry more guidance Snitch Report: Given how Dobby behaves after tailing Draco, should Harry have been more mindful of what he was asking the former Malfoy house-elf to do? Why did it take Harry (and Hermione) 452 pages to realize Draco was using the Room of Requirement? Main Discussion #2: EMO Slytherins Snape is in rare form. Do we attribute his more-than-sassy nature to Draco? Dumbledore? Or did he just not have his coffee? Draco is in over his head. Do we have any sympathy for him? Lynx Line: What would you say to make the Room of Requirement open for you to reveal what Draco is up to? [Wrong answers only] Quizzitch: In Chapter 21, Harry is searching for a phrase that’ll get him into the Room of Requirement… kind of like a password. WHO was the host of the United States television game show called “Password,” from 1961 to 1975? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • New 'Philosopher's Stone' TV Show Documentary Blows Us Away

    New 'Philosopher's Stone' TV Show Documentary Blows Us Away
    Apr 6 2026
    As if last week's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone TV Show trailer wasn't enough, HBO Max has released a new documentary giving us a behind the scenes look at the making of the upcoming book to TV adaptation! We react to this new documentary called Finding Harry and how it leaves us feeling about the new Harry Potter TV show. The thought and detail that is going into this series is nothing short of incredible, and we explain why we're feeling reassured about rebooting this story. From the numerous animatronics to an earthy Hogwarts to making illogical magic logical, we go moment by moment through this documentary. Your Harry Potter friends at MuggleCast are continuing to cover the TV show now through the December 2026 premiere and beyond. Be sure to follow us in your favorite podcast app and tell a fellow Muggle about our TV show analysis! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • The 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' TV TRAILER IS OUT!

    The 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' TV TRAILER IS OUT!
    Mar 27 2026
    EMERGENCY EARLY POD RELEASE! Our first BIG look at the Harry Potter TV show is here, and it's way earlier AND bigger than expected! The first season of the upcoming TV show is now titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and Holy Dumbledore do we have thoughts. Heads up! For one week only: Celebrate the TV show coming out THIS YEAR by using code '2026' from now through April 1 to receive 26% off your first month of our Patreon! Visit Patreon.com/mugglecast and pledge now! Your support helps us cover the TV show. Before we can even analyze the trailer, we have to talk about that title (RIP "Sorcerer"), and the equally surprising release date: Christmas 2026! How many episodes will they release at the launch, and do we expect more episodes on New Years? I guess we won't be taking a break over the holidays... After discussing those developments, we go scene-by-scene through the trailer. One of our big takeaways is that this TV adaptation is being more loyal than the movies ever were! From Petunia cutting Harry's hair to Hagrid knocking three times on the entry doors to Hogwarts, no detail seems to be overlooked. We also discuss the slew of character reveals (Laura thirsts over the new Snape, Eric celebrates the confirmation of Peeves), discuss the familiar-yet-different changes to the look and feel of the Wizarding World, and point out the little things you may have missed. For example, WTH are Ron and Harry doing running on tables!? Heads up! For one week only: Celebrate the TV show coming out THIS YEAR by using code '2026' from now through April 1 to receive 26% off your first month of our Patreon! Visit Patreon.com/mugglecast and pledge now! Your support helps us cover the TV show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Hokey Pokey (HBP Chapter 20, 'Lord Voldemort's Request')

    Hokey Pokey (HBP Chapter 20, 'Lord Voldemort's Request')
    Mar 24 2026
    On this week's episode, we take another trip down memory lane. Be sure to hide your valuable family heirlooms because there is a thieving Dark Lord lurking. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they do the Hokey Pokey and they turn themselves around... because that's what it's all about! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 20: Lord Voldemort's Request Memory #1: Hepzibah, Hokey & Helga Hufflepuff We debate whether or not Tom Riddle should have been given a post at Hogwarts vs. allowing him to dabble in dark artifacts at Borgin and Burkes Hokey The Scapegoat: we compare how Tom Riddle used her much like he used Morfin and Hagrid! Hepzibah Smith displays some of Hufflepuff's less-than-flattering character traits. Do we agree she is Slughorn "lite" in her behavior? What do we make of the “young, attractive man charming the older, wealthy woman” trope? Memory #2: Awkward Job Interview Given how his appearance has begun to change, does Dumbledore already suspect Horcruxes during Voldemort's trip to Hogwarts? Do we agree with Dumbledore that Voldemort didn’t actually come to Hogwarts to get the Defense Against The Dark Arts (DADA) post? Doesn’t the Ministry, school governors, and other faculty notice the turnover rate for the DADA position? Why isn’t anything done to break the curse? Lynx Line: In an alternate universe where Dumbledore decided to give Tom a second chance, what Hogwarts position should he have offered Tom instead of DADA Professor [wrong answers only]? Quizzitch: In Chapter 20, we learn why Hogwarts cannot have a DADA teacher for more than year. In United States history, which two American Presidents served less than one year in office? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Peeves' Fight Club (Half-Blood Prince Chapter 19, 'Elf Tails')

    Peeves' Fight Club (Half-Blood Prince Chapter 19, 'Elf Tails')
    Mar 17 2026
    This week, the hosts discuss the ethics of commanding your House-Elf to tail your enemy. Why isn't Kreacher punishing himself for being so rude to Harry, when Dobby couldn't do the same about his masters? And, have any of us ever worried about being replaced like Ron does after missing out on the Quidditch match due to being poisoned? All these discussion points and more on the latest episode of our Chapter-by-Chapter analysis for Half-Blood Prince. Welcome to the show Slug Club member Stef! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 19: Elf Tails How is it that Kreacher can speak ill of his master, Harry? When Dobby struggled hard to do so? Has Kreacher been bending the rules due to technicality? Does Peeves operate an underground House-Elf fight club? How is he so tuned in to Dobby and Kreacher's fight?... And how does he follow them? Ethically, is Harry asking the elves to follow Draco sound? Should there be limits to what you can ask your House-Elf to do? What alternatives might Harry have used to track Draco - how about a magical AirTag? Is Draco's plan too convoluted to work? Where do we stand on the Dumbledore vs Snape argument that Hagrid overhears? This week's Lynx Line: Have we ever felt in danger of becoming replaced? How did we handle it? MVP of the week has us creating new Quidditch nicknames for Harry, inspired by Draco's. Our weekly Quizzitch segment returns (now with 800% more 14-year-olds.) Which 1950's BBC Radio programme first coined the term, meaning a nonfatal, unspecified illness such as a cold or flu, and called it "The Dreaded Lurgi"? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Prince It 'Til You Ace It (HBP Chapter 18, Birthday Surprises)

    Prince It 'Til You Ace It (HBP Chapter 18, Birthday Surprises)
    Mar 10 2026
    On this week's episode, unless you have a bezoar (and a bit of cheek) handy, we highly recommend you brush up on on all of Golpalott’s laws! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura for a show full of alchemy, apparition and plenty of teenage angst! News: Warner Bros. Discovery has a new home in Paramount; plus several dozen young actors have been cast as various Hogwarts students Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 18: Birthday Surprises We analyze Golpalott’s Third Law: could this Potions class teach Harry something about how to ultimately destroy Voldemort? Does the creation of a Horcrux have an alchemical element to it? How does alchemy present in other book series, such as The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel? Can we expect to learn more about Dumbledore and Flamel's partnership in the new Harry Potter TV Show? Apparition: Just put your mind to it! Does this class pass our sniff test? Bezoar! Hermione is upset (again) with Harry’s success in Potions. Does Harry's cheek make him a bit to overconfident when trying to acquire Slughorn’s unredacted memory? When Harry can't locate Malfoy on the Marauder's Map, why does overlook the Room of Requirement? MVP: Destination. Determination. Deliberation. Which is the of the Three D’s? Lynx Line: Name a time in school where you found yourself totally out of your depth subject-wise. Did you overcome your knowledge gap? If so, was it due to hard work and determination? A good teacher or tutor? Or did you merely squeak by in class and never take up the subject again? Quizzitch: In this chapter, a bezoar from the stomach of a goat is used as a cure for poison. In reality, bezoars can appear in humans as ailments. What popular soft drink brand is used to treat bezoars in humans? Answer next week's question via the Quizzitch Form! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins