Today’s episode isn’t about a chapter, but a character (and some other topics of interest). Actor/Director/Producer Chris Rankin, who embodied the character of Percy Weasley in the film adaptation of the Harry Potter series, graciously joined us 19 years after the filming of Sorcerer’s Stone. We get to the nitty-gritty of how Chris got into the Harry Potter series before being cast, Percy’s potential internal motivations, whether Chris ever read fanfics, how he’d like Percy’s life after the Battle of Hogwarts to look like, what Chris thinks Percy’s career ambitions were, and current politics (of course). Patrons get exclusive interview content with Chris, including whether he has a favorite non-canon ship, what it was like having his mom teach at his high school, and whether he is his own favorite Chris, in addition to an after-interview debrief between your hosts. Want that sweet exclusive content? Support this podcast at www.patreon.com/acciopolitics Get early bird tickets to watch Chris Rankin play the Fairy Godfather to Cinderella this December from the comfort of your home at https://pantolive.com/ Email us at info@acciopolitics.com or find us on social @acciopolitics (Twitter & Instagram).

Accio Politics! A Harry Potter Podcast

514.5: The One Where We Talk to Chris Rankin

In this episode, we talk about Percy's letter to Ron, the social pressures that the trio face (especially Harry), teenage crushes and the teenage mind, Percy's motivation and reasoning to embrace the Ministry's line of thinking rather than his own family's, and much more.  Support our podcast and get access to exclusive content for as little as $2/month by going to www.patreon.com/acciopolitics Our Patron-exclusive segment is another installment in the Girl Who Lived series: we talk about the implication and effect of a gender-flipped Draco Malfoy (both if just that character was gender-flipped, and if the entire cast of characters was gender-flipped).  Let us know your thoughts! You can e-mail us at info@acciopolitics.com or you can leave us a voice mail at our voice-mail only line at 915-996-1699. You can also DM us on social (@acciopolitics on twitter and instagram). 

514: Why does Percy think Umbridge is Cool? (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 14)

This week has been a very long year. We're exhausted. Anyhow, we talk about the 2020 presidential election (is it over yet? Are we there yet, mom and dad?) and talk about the horrifying chapter that is Detention with Dolores. Patrons get a bonus segment: The Elusive Latinx Vote. How do we talk about Latinx in the US and why can't the Democratic party reach some Latinx voters? Support our show: www.patreon.com/acciopolitics

513: This Chapter Feels Like a Personal Attack (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 13)

 It's the spookiest season of all: Presidential Election anxiety! As we all huddle under our covers binge-eating Oreos and try to collectively unclench our jaws, we talk about yet another anxiety-inducing topic: Chapter 12 of OotP. This is the one where the Trio start classes once again, the twins remain coy about their benefactor, we hear about Umbridge's pedagogical theory, and Potter has a biscuit.  Support the show by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/acciopolitics This episode's Patron-exclusive content: We discuss the BADASSERY THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN if the character of Neville had been a girl.    

512: Airhorns and Dolores (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 12)

During this episode, we talk about Jeffrey Toobin's (accidental?) sexual assault/harassment via Zoom work meeting (Adri finds it implausible that work could turn someone on so much) and Dr. Fauci's plea for this election season to usher in a new president (this didn't happen, but we're reading between the lines here). Speaking of reading between the lines, we delve deeper into the politics of this chapter, with Adri focusing on the politics of legacy and history, Helene on the politics of judgment, and K. Alex with the politics of radical change. Within this scope, Helene praises Ron for the first and only time in this book (probably last time, too), K. Alex talks about Dean's blackness and Adri questions what JK has against aunts. We also read some responses we got to last week's question, Do we judge others too quickly? Consensus: YES.  Support the show by becoming a Patron for as little as $2/month: www.patreon.com/acciopolitics 

511: Does Hogwarts Sort too Early? (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 11)

We're coming at you with hot takes about Ginny and Hermione's treatment of Luna, as well as questioning why Harry is so worried about Cho when he's got bigger fish to fry. We also talk about the difference between intent and outcome, and whether intent justifies certain outcomes.  Support our podcast and get bonus content: www.patreon.com/acciopolitics  

510: Noted Icon Luna Lovegood (Chapter 10, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

On this episode, Adri, Helene, and K. Alex talk about school rivalries, Lucius Malfoy's fantastic hairdresser, Harry's mental health and emotional growth, Ron's lack of qualifications for the Prefect role (even noted Ron apologist Adri agrees), and our media picks of the week. This week, our lovely patrons get more content in this version because Adri has thoughts about men interrupting women and COVID-19 infection rates in the White House.  Want more Accio Politics content? Support our show for as little as $2/month at www.patreon.com/acciopolitics

509: Harry Lacks Pettiness & We Aspire to That, Too (Chapter 9, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

 It is a truth universally acknowledged that all our hosts aspire to levels of petty displayed by one Albus Dumbledore in this chapter of OoTP. As Harry faces trial by the Wizengamot led by one very insecure Minister of Magic who just wants people to let him have power in peace even as the Wizarding World is shifting due to Voldy's return, Professor Dumbledore sweeps in and gives the Minister of Magic a master class on shade and how to manipulate the law to suit his needs.   Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/acciopolitics

508 - Dumbledore's Aspirational Pettiness (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 8)

 Adri and Helene scream into the void once again (for two and a half hours), thanks to JK Rowling's twitter and recent/current events shaping the dystopic YA novel no one asked for and that we're currently inhabiting (seriously, at least most of those had a juicy love triangle, can someone tell me that they've been embroiled in a juicy love triangle during this time? Because if so, please dm me. I love gossip. Find me on twitter @ananabanana). In this non-traditional episode of our little podcast, we talk about:   1. Judgemental Karen Rowling's Transphobia, why the arguments in her essay hold no merit, responses to her statement, the danger of her transphobic views, and we answer some questions we got on twitter.    2. Defund the Police - what that means, and spoiler alert, it's not what your Fox News aunts and uncles think it means. This also includes a discussion on the importance of Black Lives Matter and how social structures further discourage equity in our communities.   3. Media we've been consuming in this hellscape of a year.   Check out our website www.acciopolitics.com for a list of resources on Black Lives Matter.    

Screaming into the Void: 2020 Hellscape Edition

We're back and we get our first glimpse at the Ministry of Magic! What secrets does the Ministry hold and why is Arthur Weasley's office so small?

507: The Politics of Government (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 7)

Join Adri and Helene as they talk about the Politics of Legacy, what legacy means to each of them, and how it informs how we view characters in the series and how legacy shifts how they think about themselves and each other.  Here's the drawbridge exercise Adri alludes to when it comes to unmasking biases https://carterclasschs.weebly.com/drawbridge-exercise.html

506 - The Politics of Legacy (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 6)

This episode was a wild one to edit because Julianna's microphone decided to act as if it was in some sort of cave! If you've ever tried to edit audio, you would know that taking echo out of audio is a BEAST of a feat. I'm not quite sure I succeeded in this, but never fear, episode 506 will be out on Monday to make sure our schedule is back on track!

505: The Politics of Access to Knowledge (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 5)

Here's a snippet of our Patreon-exclusive episode of The Girl Who Lived! Want to hear the rest of the episode? Become a Patron for as little as $2/month at www.patreon.com/acciopolitics Send us your thoughts on how the Potter series has influenced the way you view and understand the world: info@acciopolitics.com or leave us a voice mail at 915-996-1699 Socialize with us! Instagram: @acciopolitics Twitter: @acciopolitics Facebook: @acciopolitics Our Website: www.acciopolitics.com

The Girl Who Lived: Hermione

Julianna and Adri talk about the politics of secrecy and how secrets can be manifestations of people's power over each other. Secrets can shut people out from obtaining power because knowledge is something that can be wielded against someone. Conversely, limited sharing of information can persuade someone to take actions against their own self-interest.

504: The Politics of Secrets (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 4)

Last week's guest Aureo joins Adri to talk about Harry Potter and politics in this off-chapter conversation. See you next week!

503.5: Let's Talk Harry Potter and Politics

One recovering English major and special guests talk about a politic in each chapter of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. This podcast is brought to you by MuggleNet.com.

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Accio Politics! A Harry Potter Podcast

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