First Years

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTER of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! We chat about the power of thought, how thoughts play into magic, ghosts, and more! We're officially done with Order of the Phoenix! How do we feel?! Get ready for Half Blood Prince coming up! We will be doing an episode on OOTP the movie since the strike is over, so that's coming up. In the meantime, we'll be taking a quick break to prep for all things Half Blood Prince. I hope you guys are as excited as I am! Follow us: @firstyearspod (IG) @veritasarahm (IG & TikTok) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com SOURCES: “Explaining How the Mind Works: A New Theory.” Research Outreach, 8 Nov. 2023, researchoutreach.org/articles/explaining-mind-works-new-theory/. Accessed 06 Feb. 2024.  “Exploring the Power of The Mind: How Psychology Works in Real Life.” Medium, 27 Sept. 2023, onlinepsychologist.medium.com/exploring-the-power-of-the-mind-how-psychology-works-in-real-life-3b697de47760. Accessed 06 Feb. 2024.  “Ghost.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1 Jan. 2024, www.britannica.com/topic/ghost-spirit. Accessed 06 Feb. 2024.  “History of Ghost Stories - Early Sightings, Famous Ghosts & Haunted Places.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/topics/halloween/historical-ghost-stories. Accessed 06 Feb. 2024.  Lewis, Ralph. “What Actually Is a Thought? And How Is Information Physical?” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-purpose/201902/what-actually-is-a-thought-and-how-is-information-physical#:~:text=Fundamentally%2C%20our%20thoughts%20are%20maps,these%20are%20electrochemically%20mediated%20processes. Accessed 06 Feb. 2024.  Silver, Nicole Serena. “Accessing the Power of Your Mind: Placebo Effect and Mindset.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 12 Sept. 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/nicolesilver/2022/02/17/accessing-the-power-of-your-mind-placebo-effect-and-law-of-attraction/?sh=5f6f23a15bf7. Accessed 06 Feb. 2024. 

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTER 37 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! We chat about the aftermath of the ministry visit and Dumbledore's audacity! Thank you to everyone who came to my Leaky panels or tuned in via live stream! You guys are the best! For next episode, finish OOTP and get ready to jump into Half Blood Prince! Follow us: @firstyearspod  Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTER 36 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! We chat about Harry's heartbreak, what happens when spells go wrong, and dive a little deeper into the veil. Catch me at Leaky Con: Honoring the Unsung Heroes of Your Favorite Series Death as a Symbol in Harry Potter Can You Hear Me Now? The Chosen One's Chosen Girl Follow us: @firstyearspod Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com

Okay, but seriously...who works security and the front desk at the Ministry of Magic?! We're joined by Dani and Paula from Creating Magic today to cover chapters 34 and 35 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! Connect with us! @firstyearspod Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow Creating Magic: @creatingmagicpodcast SOURCES: Bryant, Megan. “Numerology 9 Meaning: Growth and Attainment.” The Coolist, 11 Jan. 2023, www.thecoolist.com/mystic/numerology/9-meaning/.  Bryant, Megan. “Numerology 7 Meaning: Insight and Intellect.” The Coolist, 11 Jan. 2023, www.thecoolist.com/mystic/numerology/7-meaning/.  Ward, Kerry. “Here's What the Number 9 Means in Numerology.” Cosmopolitan, 20 Apr. 2022, www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a39751280/numerology-9-meaning/#:~:text=The%20number%209%20is%20powerful,life%27s%20ongoing%20ebb%20and%20flow. 

For today's episode, you need to have read CHAPTERS 32 & 33 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We're going to chat about McGonagall's absence, Snape's motives, Umbridge's "methods", and we'll deep dive into torture and why it doesn't work and into the mythology of centaurs. Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow us: @firstyearspod (IG & Twitter) SOURCES: Chaliakopoulos, Antonis. “9 Facts about the Centaurs of Greek Mythology.” TheCollector, 3 Apr. 2021, www.thecollector.com/centaurs-greek-mythology-facts/.  The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Centaur.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 21 Apr. 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/Centaur-Greek-mythology.  Eisen, Lauren-Brooke. “Review: 'Why Torture Doesn't Work: The Neuroscience of Interrogation'.” Brennan Center for Justice, 4 Apr. 2016, www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/review-why-torture-doesnt-work-neuroscience-interrogation.  “Kentauroi.” CENTAURS (Kentauroi) - Half-Horse Men of Greek Mythology, www.theoi.com/Georgikos/KentauroiThessalioi.html.  O'Mara, Shane. “Why Torture Doesn't Work.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-interrogated-brain/201603/why-torture-doesnt-work.  Shermer, Michael. “We've Known for 400 Years That Torture Doesn't Work.” Scientific American, Scientific American, 1 May 2017, www.scientificamerican.com/article/we-rsquo-ve-known-for-400-years-that-torture-doesn-rsquo-t-work/. 

For today's episode, you need to have read CHAPTER 31 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! We'll chat about promises, Ron's newfound confidence, O.W.L.s, Umbridge's effect on an entire generation of students, and more! For next episode, you need to read chapters 32 and 33! :) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow us: @firstyearspod (IG & Twitter) @veritasarahm (IG and TikTok - not spoiler free!)

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 29 & 30 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We'll chat about James Potter, Fred & George, higher education in the wizarding world, Grawp, and invasive species. For next episode you need to read chapter 30! Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta and Twitter) @veritasarahm (Insta & TikTok - not spoiler free!) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 27 & 28 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We'll talk about Umbridge's role as headmistress, the ministry interfering at Hogwarts, and Snape's worst memory. Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter) @veritasarahm (Insta & TikTok -- not spoiler free!) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com For next episode, 29 & 30

For today's episode, you need to have read CHAPTER 26 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We'll talk about the reaction to Harry's interview, deep dive into doors/doorways, Snape's past, and Trelawney. Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter) @veritasarahm (TikTok - NOT spoiler free!) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com For next episode, you need to read chapters 27 & 28! Sources: Curator, FaB. “Fringe Arts Bath - the Symbolism of Doorways.” Fringe Arts Bath (FaB), Fringe Arts Bath (FaB), 25 Jan. 2018, www.fringeartsbath.co.uk/2018-blog/2018/1/24/the-symbolism-of-doorways. “Door Symbolism & Meaning (Choice, Transition and...).” Symbolism & Metaphor, 9 June 2022, symbolismandmetaphor.com/door-symbolism/. Sburiek. “The Symbolism and Importance of Doors: According to Cinema.” Medium, Medium, 30 Sept. 2019, medium.com/@sburiek/the-symbolism-and-importance-of-doors-according-movies-53f7c53f12ed. “The Symbolism of Doors.” The Psychology Centre & Ta Moko Services, www.psychologycentre.co.nz/the-symbolism-of-doors.html. “Symbolism of the Door.” Symbolreader, 31 Mar. 2020, symbolreader.net/2020/03/31/symbolism-of-the-door/.

Hey guys! First off: we are not going anywhere! We are just taking a break for the summer. Recently I've been having trouble keeping up with things and I have several trips planned over the next two months. So instead of rushing through and giving you episodes I haven't taken the time to really dive into just to keep on schedule, I've decided we'll take a break for this summer. We will be back in September with our regularly scheduled programming :) In the meantime, you can still earn house points on our Instagram (@firstyearspod) and if you want some non-related book content, you can find me on TikTok at @veritasarahm. See you back on the Hogwarts Express!

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 24 & 25 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We chat about occlumency, deep dive into telepathy, and why people are starting to turn to Harry for answers. Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter) @veritasarahm (TikTok - NOT spoiler free!) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com For next episode, you need to read chapter 26! SOURCES: “Extra-Sensory Perception.” New World Encyclopedia, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Extra-sensory_perception. Stone-Blackburn, Susan. “Consciousness Evolution and Early Telepathic Taless.” Science Fiction Studies, vol. 20, no. 2, July 1993, pp. 241–250., doi:https://www.jstor.org/stable/4240251. “Telepathy.” New World Encyclopedia , www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Telepathy. “Who Was the First Telepath?” Science Fiction & Fantasy Stack Exchange, 1 Dec. 1963, scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/126687/who-was-the-first-telepath.

For today's episode, you need to have read CHAPTERS 22 & 23 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We talk about visions, prophetic dreams, Harry's frustration with Dumbledore, St. Mungo's, and more. Current house points: Hufflepuff: 880 Slytherin: 450. Gryffindor: 315 Ravenclaw: 295 Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter) @veritasarahm (TikTok - NOT spoiler free) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com For next episode, you need to read chapters 24 & 25. SOURCES: “Oneiromancy.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Apr. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oneiromancy. “Two Headed Snake Symbol.” Dream Dictionary, 13 Dec. 2021, www.dreamdictionary.org/symbolism/two-headed-snake-symbol/. “What Do Prophetic Dreams Mean?: Sleep Matters Club.” The Sleep Matters Club, 18 May 2022, www.dreams.co.uk/sleep-matters-club/what-do-prophetic-dreams-mean. Wigington, Patti. “Prophetic Dreams: Are You Dreaming the Future?” Learn Religions, Learn Religions, 11 July 2019, www.learnreligions.com/prophetic-dreams-4691746.

For today's episode, you need to have read CHAPTERS 20 & 21 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We go over Hagrid's story, deep dive into giant mythology and thestrals, chat about Harry and Cho, and more! Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta and Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com For spoiler-full HP content: @veritasarahm (TikTok) For next episode, you need to read chapters 22 & 23! SOURCES: “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Apr. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Horsemen_of_the_Apocalypse#Black_Horse. “Giant.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/topic/giant-mythology. “Giants.” Giants | Theoi Greek Mythology, www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/giants.html. “Giants.” Norse Mythology for Smart People, 30 June 2018, norse-mythology.org/gods-and-creatures/giants/. “Giants: The Anti-Gods of Norse Mythology.” Sons of Vikings, 1 Oct. 2020, sonsofvikings.com/blogs/history/giants-the-anti-gods-of-viking-norse-mythology. “Gigantes.” GIGANTES - Giants of the Gigantomachia of Greek Mythology, www.theoi.com/Gigante/Gigantes.html. “Pegasus.” Visit the Main Page, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/pegasus. “Thestral.” Harry Potter Wiki, harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Thestral.

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 18 & 19 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We chat about the DA, the Room of Requirement, Quidditch, Umbridge, and more! Follow us: @firstyearspod (Instagram and Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow my TikTok (not spoiler free!): @veritasarahm For next episode, you need to read chapters 20 & 21. I also wanted to apologize for the recent audio quality not being as good as you guys are used to. I have new upstairs neighbors that have made it very difficult to record without using the highest level of background noise cancellation. I'm currently in the process of moving to a new space that will be much more podcast friendly :) I appreciate your patience during this time!

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 16 & 17 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We'll be chatting about the meeting in the Hog's Head, romantic interests, whether Trelawney was singled-out or any divination teacher would have suffered the same, Hedwig's interception, and more! Go check out Belated Binge! Shoutout to Zac for leaving a review and winning points to Ravenclaw! https://anchor.fm/belated-binge Follow us: @firstyearspod (Instagram & Twitter) TikTok: @veritasarahm (NOT SPOILER FREE!) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com For next episode, you need to read chapters 18 & 19.

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 14 & 15 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We have a lot to discuss in this episode, including: Harry and Cho, Sturgis Podmore, Ron's first quidditch practice, the High Inquisitor, Percy's letter, Parents' involvement in education, and more! Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com For next episode, you need to read chapters 16 & 17.

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 12 & 13 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We're talking about Umbridge, Harry's "temper", OWLs, Secrecy, and Dumbledore. Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta and Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com For next episode, read chapters 14 and 15!

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 10 & 11 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I am joined by Zac from Belated Binge. We discuss Harry's arrival at school, the Quibbler and the Daily Prophet, the Sorting Hat's song, and more! Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta and Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow Zac: https://anchor.fm/belated-binge https://m.facebook.com/belatedbinge https://twitter.com/belatedbinge https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCN_6uoVM6pJQK9c26tx45A

For today's episode you have to have read CHAPTERS 8 & 9 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I'm joined by Dani and Steven from Creating Magic to celebrate episode 50 and chat about Harry's hearing. We discuss Azkaban, Fudge, Mrs. Figg, the influence of Lucius Malfoy, the odd behavior of Dumbledore, and more! Follow: @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow Creating Magic: @creatingmagicpodcast (Instagram) For next episode, you need to read Chapters 10 & 11!

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 6 AND 7 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We'll discuss Sirius Black's family, Secret-Keepers, Doxies, Dumbledore's behavior, and the first look we get at the Ministry of Magic. For next episode, you need to read chapters 8 and 9! Follow us: @firstyearspod (Instagram & Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTER FIVE of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We chat about goblin folklore, Sirius and Harry's summers, Voldemort's plans, and whether or not there's a "first amendment" within the wizarding world. This is the blog with the art history timeline and photos: artistchristinacarmel.com/blog/a-very-brief-history-of-portrait-painting Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta and Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com I also just wanted to expand on my first amendment point that obviously there are exceptions to the rule. Hate speech, incitements of violence, things like that can be prohibited – none of which Dumbledore is doing. Some speech is also restricted based on national security, despite what the first amendment says. One of the sources I looked at states, “generally, a person cannot be held liable, either criminally or civilly for anything written or spoken about a person or topic, so long as it is truthful or based on an honest opinion and such statements.” (Cornell Law School source) We know the Dumbledore is being truthful. So there's really no reason for Dumbledore to be thrown in Azkaban. However, even though the above talks about truthful or honest opinions, given the amount of misinformation that has been able to slide in recent years here, I still doubt that Dumbledore would get thrown into jail even if Voldemort being back was BS. SOURCES: Berner, Adam Ethan. “Making a Family: The History and Theory behind Family Photos.” Musée Magazine, Musée Magazine, 26 Oct. 2020, museemagazine.com/features/2018/11/20/making-a-family-the-history-and-theory-behind-family-photos. Carmel, Christina. “A Very Brief History of Portrait Painting.” Artist Christina Carmel, artistchristinacarmel.com/blog/a-very-brief-history-of-portrait-painting. Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Goblin.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/art/goblin. “First Amendment.” Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, www.law.cornell.edu/wex/first_amendment. Geller, Prof. “Goblin - Monstrous Creature from European Folklore.” Mythology.net, 21 Oct. 2016, mythology.net/mythical-creatures/goblin/. “Goblin.” Goblin - New World Encyclopedia, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Goblin. “Portrait – Art Term.” Tate, www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/portrait. Shapiro, Stephen J. (1989) Comparing Free Speech: United States v. United Kingdom. University of Baltimore Law Forum: Vol. 19: No. 2, Article 5., https://scholarworks.law.ubalt.edu/lf/vol19/iss2/5 The Week Staff. “Hate Speech vs. Free Speech: The UK Laws.” The Week UK, The Week, 12 Feb. 2020, www.theweek.co.uk/97552/hate-speech-vs-free-speech-the-uk-laws.

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTER FOUR of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We chat about where we see division and hidden things/secrecy in this chapter. Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com For next episode, you need to read chapter five! :)

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 2 & 3 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We'll be going over abandonment, the threat of the ministry, Dumbledore's power, animaguses/metamorphmaguses, and whether or not your magical talent is genetic. Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter) Email us your best theories: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com For next episode, you need to read chapter 4! :)

**Trigger Warning for this episode -- we dive into the links between PTSD, depression, and anger in this episode. So please be aware that we'll be mentioning some criteria for these and mentioning self-destructive behavior.** For this episode you need to have read CHAPTER ONE of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! So happy to be diving back in with you guys! We'll be discussing this action-packed, emotional chapter, as well as FOMO, Harry's anger, and the link between anger, PTSD, and depression. House Cup Cocktails Night! Friday, Dec 3rd on Instagram Live at @firstyearspod Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter)

For today's episode you need to have finished Goblet of Fire and watched the movie! Jesse Boone joins me again to discuss how this movie matches up against Prisoner of Azkaban, how it lands as an adaptation, as well as things we noticed as far as tone, color, foreshadow, and more. Give Jesse a follow! @iamjesseboone on Instagram We have limited time to earn more house points before the House Cup is decided! Keep on the lookout for our House Cup Cocktails Night for a last chance to earn points. Also mark October 30th on your calendars! We'll be doing a Mischief (Managed) Happy Hour to discuss Potter stuff! Email or DM us things you'd like to talk about: @firstyearspod (Instagram/Twitter) or firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Please note -- I'll be taking a few weeks off to prep everything for Order of the Phoenix. We'll be back with regular episodes again in November!

For today's episode you need to have read THE LAST THREE CHAPTERS of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We discuss the events of these chapters, dive into common immediate and delayed trauma responses as well as ASD and PTSD, and speculate about what we might see in book 5. Trigger warning: this episode does talk about common responses to trauma. Things like self-destructive behaviors and substance abuse are mentioned, although they are not gone into detail about. Just wanted to give you a heads up just in case. HOUSE POINT TOTALS: Hufflepuff: 2270 Slytherin: 1040 Ravenclaw: 560 Gryffindor: 505 Earn points by participating in Mindful Magic Mondays, trivia, and rating and reviewing the podcast! Share your thoughts! firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com or @firstyearspod (Twitter and Insta) SOURCES: “21 Common Reactions to Trauma.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-be/201609/21-common-reactions-trauma. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US). “Exhibit 1.3-1, Immediate and Delayed Reactions to Trauma - Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services - NCBI Bookshelf.” Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1970, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/table/part1_ch3.t1/. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US). “Understanding the Impact of Trauma.” Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1970, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/. “Va.gov: Veterans Affairs.” Common Reactions After Trauma, 18 Sept. 2018, www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/isitptsd/common_reactions.asp.

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 32-34 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Grab two butterbeers for this one, we dive into death, resurrection, phoenixes, yew trees, pureblood dynamics, ancient magic, trauma, and more. Email in your thoughts! firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow us! @firstyearspod (Twitter and Instagram) Follow Emily's and my new podcast: @rewined_podcast (Instagram) & @rewinedpodcast (TikTok) -- premiering September 15, 2021. SOURCES: “#31 Yew Tree – SYMBOLISM & Meaning.” TreeSymbolism.com

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 30 & 31 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We discuss the memories within the pensieve, what justifies certain actions, the symbolism of the third task, and deep dive into the history of sphinxes! For next episode, read chapters 32-34! Share your thoughts with me! @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter), firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com SOURCES: Cartwright, Mark. “Sphinx.” World History Encyclopedia, World History Encyclopedia, 14 Aug. 2021, www.worldhistory.org/sphinx/. “Chivalrous.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chivalrous. History.com Editors. “The Sphinx.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 4 Jan. 2018, www.history.com/topics/ancient-egypt/the-sphinx. “Sphinx.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/topic/sphinx.

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 28 & 29 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We chat about Winky's trauma, Hermione's hate mail and the consequences of fake news, Harry's privilege, the incident in the forest with Crouch, question what the third task is testing, discuss the breakdown of international relations, and wonder WHY the Minister of Magic seems unfazed about everything going on. At 22:22 I accidentally say "Crouch" when I meant to say "Fudge", apologies for the confusion! SHARE YOUR THEORIES WITH ME: @firstyearspod (Twitter and Instagram), or EMAIL ME: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Read chapters 30 & 31 for next episode!

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 26 & 27 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We chat about the second task of the Triwizard Tournament, do a historical deep dive on mermaids, and chat about Barty Crouch and Severus Snape! Share your thoughts!: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow us: @firstyearspod (Instagram & Twitter) SOURCES: “Ancient Greek Mermaids.” Mermaids, home.sandiego.edu/~imhoffc/. Harris, Karen. “The Origins Of Mermaids: Greek Mythology, Ghosts, And Christopher Columbus.” History Daily, 9 Jan. 2020, historydaily.org/origins-mermaids-greek-mythology-ghosts-christopher-columbus. Radford, Benjamin. “Mermaids & Mermen: Facts & Legends.” LiveScience, Purch, 26 May 2017, www.livescience.com/39882-mermaid.html. Spencer, Erin, et al. “How Do Gills Work?” Ocean Conservancy, 10 Sept. 2020, oceanconservancy.org/blog/2020/01/17/gills/. “What Is a Mermaid?” What Is a Mermaid? | Royal Museums Greenwich, www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/what-mermaid.

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 24 & 25 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Today we chat about Ron and Hermione's interactions post-Yule Ball, Rita Skeeter's article, Dumbledore accepting Lupin's resignation but not Hagrid's, and what it means for Dumbledore to give people second chances. Read chapters 26 and 27 for next episode! SHARE YOUR THEORIES: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow us!: @firstyearspod (Twitter & Instagram) SOURCES: “Unicorn Symbolism & Meaning: Unicorn Spirit, Totem, & Power Animal.” What Is My Spirit Animal | Spirit, Totem, & Power Animals, 5 July 2021, whatismyspiritanimal.com/fantasy-mythical-creatures/unicorn-symbolism-meaning/. “Unicorn Symbolism: Unicorn Meaning & Mythology.” Universe of Symbolism, www.universeofsymbolism.com/unicorn-symbolism.html.

For this episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 21-23 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I am joined by the lovely Jessica Glick for this episode. We swap prom stories and chat about house elves, crushes, societal implications of these kinds of dances, and more! Follow us! @firstyearspod (Insta and Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 19 & 20 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We're joined by Dani & Steven of Creating Magic Podcast! We discuss dragon symbolism, what we know about the champions, what the tournament says about the wizarding world as a whole, and more! Follow Creating Magic!: @creatingmagicpodcast Follow us: @firstyearspod Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com HOUSE POINTS: Hufflepuff: 1610 Slytherin: 695 Ravenclaw: 395 Gryffindor: 385 SOURCES: Clifford, Garth C. “Dragon Symbolism & Meaning (+Totem, Spirit & Omens).” World Birds, 12 May 2021, www.worldbirds.org/dragon-symbolism/. “Dragon Symbolism.” Ancient Symbols, www.ancient-symbols.com/dragon-symbolism.html. Dragon, umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/D/dragon.html.

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 16-18 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We chat about the rules of the Triwizard Tournament and how binding they are, unity within Hogwarts between the houses, and we dive into some wand lore again! Shoutout to Simone for earning Ravenclaw 50 points! Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta & Twitter) Earn house points with our Mindful Magic Mondays and Trivia on Instagram, or by rating & reviewing and leaving your name and Hogwarts house! SOURCES: “Rosewood -Symbol of Inner Beauty –.” Dalbergia Retusa (Fabaceae-Papilionoideae) Rosewood -Symbol of Inner Beauty – on the Way to Kindness-, www.forestgeneration.com/rosewood.html. “Rosewood – Vulnerable.” Tree Spirit Wisdom, 7 Oct. 2020, treespiritwisdom.com/tree-spirit-wisdom/rosewood-tree-symbolism/.

We go over CHAPTERS 14 & 15 in this episode! We chat about Snape and Moody's teaching methods, the Unforgivable Curses, Hermione's new SPEW endeavor, how owls can find people to deliver mail, and discuss what we can learn about Beauxbatons and Durmstrang through their travel methods. Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta and Twitter) Earn house points through Mindful Magic Mondays & Trivia on Instagram, or by rating & reviewing and leaving your name and Hogwarts house in your review. SOURCES: “A Carriage Ride Through History.” Horse Journals, 29 Jan. 2021, www.horsejournals.com/life-horses/carriage-ride-through-history. “Carriage.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/technology/carriage-vehicle. Groeneveld, Emma. “Viking Ships.” World History Encyclopedia, World History Encyclopedia, 07 Feb. 2018, www.worldhistory.org/Viking_Ships/. “History of Ships.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/technology/ship/History-of-ships. Karan C. “The History of Ships: Ancient Maritime World.” Marine Insight, 10 Sept. 2020, www.marineinsight.com/maritime-history/the-history-of-ships-ancient-maritime-world/. Kaufman, Kenn. “Here's Why So Many More Birds Migrate Through the Eastern United States.” Audubon, 22 Jan. 2021, www.audubon.org/news/heres-why-so-many-more-birds-migrate-through-eastern-united-states. Powell, Hugh. “The Basics of Bird Migration: How, Why, and Where.” All About Birds, 25 Oct. 2017, www.allaboutbirds.org/news/the-basics-how-why-and-where-of-bird-migration/. Snowy Owl. peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/owls/snowy-owl. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Environmental Education Materials: Bird Migration. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service , www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/education/educational-activities/BirdMigrationStudy-BombayHookNWR.pdf. Weiss, Giselle. “Development of the Horse-Drawn Coach.” Encyclopedia.com, Encyclopedia.com, 27AD, www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/development-horse-drawn-coach. “Why Migratory Birds?” Why Migratory Birds? | World Migratory Bird Day, www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/migratory.

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 12 AND 13 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I am joined by the lovely Harry Potter power couple, Jesse Boone and Casey Ellings! We chat about ghosts, giant squids, the sorting hat song, Mad-Eye Moody, the Triwizard Tournament, and more! Follow Jesse!: @iamjesseboone Follow Casey!: @caseyellings Follow us!: @firstyearspod (Instagram & Twitter) Email us!: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com

For this episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 10 & 11 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We discuss Voldemort's presence in the book so far, Draco's motivations, how Rita Skeeter causes trouble, if Percy is actually putting out fires or not, as well as his views on Mr. Crouch, and we ask why it's so important that Arthur Weasley help Mad Eye Moody. HOUSE CUP STANDINGS: Hufflepuff: 970. Slytherin: 445. Gryffindor: 355. Ravenclaw: 155 If you'd like to win house points, participate in Mindful Magic Mondays and our Trivia on Wednesdays in our Instagram stories! You can also rate and review this podcast and mention your name and Hogwarts house to win double points! Connect with us: @firstyearspod (Twitter and Insta) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com SOURCES: Why Do Kids Bully? www.stompoutbullying.org/why-kids-bully.

For this episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 8 & 9 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We discuss the mythology behind veelas and leprechauns, the rules of quidditch (and what would make it better!), vulnerability, privilege, and interpretations of the colors we see in these chapters. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @firstyearspod Email us your thoughts!: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com SOURCES: “A Brief History of Leprechauns, Ireland's Trickster Fairies.” Real Word, 12 June 2020, www.trafalgar.com/real-word/history-of-leprechauns-trickster-fairies/. Cartwright, Mark. “Leprechaun.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 13 Mar. 2021, www.ancient.eu/Leprechaun/. Vila (Fairy). 8 Mar. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vila_(fairy).

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 5-7 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We talk about the parenting of Molly and Arthur Weasley, Anti-Muggle Security and what it means for the relations between wizards and muggles, and the various modes of wizarding transportation. CURRENT HOUSE POINT STANDINGS: Hufflepuff: 770 Slytherin: 360 Gryffindor: 300 Ravenclaw: 130 Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @firstyearspod Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com

This episode is NOT SPOILER FREE. Please make sure you know all the events of the Harry Potter series before you listen! Today I'm joined by the wonderful Steven and Izzy who help me have a discussion about our political climate, the insurrection on January 6th, the events of the last four years and how they relate and overlap with what we see in regards to the ministry and Voldemort in the Harry Potter series. Join in on the conversation! Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow us: @firstyearspod Follow Izzy: @izzyetc/@voodoodling Follow Steven: @muggleinkhakis We'll be back with our regularly scheduled spoiler free programming next week.

Today's episode covers CHAPTERS 2-4 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We talk about dreams and what they mean, the importance of parenting, and Dudley's "diet". Follow us on social media: @firstyearspod (Insta and Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com SOURCES: "Can Dreams Reveal Potential or Predict the Future?" 17 Nov. 2011, www.huffpost.com/entry/can-dreams-reveal-potenti_b_642775?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJ3_mLnWq0B8XkIZfQEdxsNjlTMFLFgQao6e21ePrQHpT_eXdNWF6bTzWajX0B7AFJk6HcjUaMBce87dBlj6KBcDozqp1BV0ue_nccWHpUI8UWucEUqJ0UJkQqGSS63V3rORyskTwmDCY6oBk7lkBXiC9HjJUUcn5UeTq367g-Ni. "Dreams: Why We DREAM, Nightmares, and Lucid Dreams". 5 Nov. 2019, www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/dreaming-overview. Tanaaz. "How to Receive Psychic Messages in Your Dreams". 15 Sept. 2015, foreverconscious.com/how-to-receive-psychic-messages-in-your-dreams/.

We're starting Goblet of Fire!! For this episode you just need to have read CHAPTER ONE of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We talk about loyalty and mob mentality. Get ready to win house points!! We're starting our third House Cup Tournament. Will Hufflepuff win it for the third time in a row?! Or will another house take the title from them? Earn house points by writing reviews, interacting with us on Instagram, and participating in our Mindful Magic Mondays! Follow us! @firstyearspod on Instagram and Twitter. Email us! firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com SOURCES: Carey, Benedict. Making Sense of the 'Mob' Mentality. 12 Jan. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/science/crowds-mob-psychology.html. Carruthers, Tom. Using Venom to Heal? 19 Sept. 2019, www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/using-venom-heal. “Crowd Psychology.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Jan. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_psychology. Henderson, Rob. “The Science Behind Why People Follow the Crowd.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 24 May 2017, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/after-service/201705/the-science-behind-why-people-follow-the-crowd. “Herd Mentality.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Jan. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_mentality. Paterson, James. “How Snake Venom Kills... and Saves Lives.” Let's Talk Science, 23 July 2019, letstalkscience.ca/educational-resources/stem-in-context/how-snake-venom-kills-and-saves-lives. Ross, Pete. “Think You Wouldn't Do Evil? Think Again.” Observer, Observer, 8 June 2017, observer.com/2017/06/mob-mentality-digital-age-twitter/.

Today we're joined by my lovely friend Jesse Boone to go over the movie adaptation of Prisoner of Azkaban. We chat about what works, what doesn't, what we think of the changes made, and more! HOUSE CUP COCKTAIL NIGHT: NOV 30! First Years Podcast ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!! Thank you to everyone who has been listening and sharing the podcast. I'm so grateful to you. I'm so proud to be part of this community of incredible people. GIVEAWAY STARTS DEC 7! Follow Jesse!: @iamjesseboone (Instagram) Follow us: @FirstYearsPod Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com

We finish up the last two chapters of Prisoner of Azkaban in this episode! We chat about Snape, Trelawney, how time travel works, and think about what we might expect in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. WIN HOUSE POINTS: Participate in Mindful Magic Mondays, rate & review and leave your name and Hogwarts house, join us for House Cup Cocktail night, send in your theories about Goblet of Fire! Be on the lookout for our giveaway for our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Email us at: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Follow us: @FirstYearsPod (Insta and Twitter) SOURCES: Dockterman, Eliana. Breaking Down How Time Travel Works in Avengers: Endgame. 26 Apr. 2019, time.com/5576656/avengers-endgame-time-travel/. Elvy, Craig. The Umbrella Academy: Time Travel Rules Explained. 16 Aug. 2020, screenrant.com/umbrella-academy-time-travel-rules-paradox-explained/. Thoman, Lauren. The Three Types of Time Travel Stories. 17 Nov. 2017, www.quirkbooks.com/post/three-types-time-travel-stories.

In this episode, we finish up our discussion on chapters 17-20 of Prisoner of Azkaban. We chat about Sirius Black, discuss Werewolf Trials of the 16th century, and chat about what Wolfsbane is actually all about. Join me on Instagram Live on @FirstYearsPod on Friday, October 30th for our Mischief Night Cocktail Hour! Pour yourself a drink, bring some questions, and be ready to discuss Harry Potter. We go live at 8pm EST! Follow us: @firstyearspod (Insta and Twitter) Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Earn house points: participate in Mindful Magic Monday, our Insta stories, and/or rate & review and leave your Hogwarts house! SOURCES: Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Werewolf. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/werewolf. Flint, W. (2019, October 11). Werewolf Trials: Witch Trials With A Hairy Twist. History Daily. https://historydaily.org/werewolf-trials. Grandmont, J.-P. (2017, January 31). Wolfsbane: fictitous plant contains very real dangers. Plant Profiles in Chemical Ecology. https://sites.evergreen.edu/plantchemeco/wolfsbane-fictious-plant-contains-very-real-dangers/. History.com Editors. (2017, August 23). Werewolf Legends. https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/history-of-the-werewolf-legend. Wikimedia Foundation. (2020, October 17). Werewolf. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf.

Today I am joined by the lovely Emily Cavender to discuss chapters 17-20 of Prisoner of Azkaban. We discuss Harry's motivations, Snape's motivations, why Lupin doesn't seem more concerned about not taking his potion, and wonder if he made the right choice in not telling Dumbledore that Sirius Black is an animagus. Emily introduces us to fan fiction, "fanon" versus "canon", shipping, and lays out her argument for WolfStar. This is part one of two. Part two will be posted next week! MISCHIEF (MANAGED) NIGHT COCKTAIL HOUR: October 30th at 8pm EST. Join us on @firstyearspod Instagram live to drink and chat about HP stuff. Follow us on social: @FirstYearsPod (Insta and Twitter) Earn house points: participate in Mindful Magic Monday, our Insta stories, and/or rate & review and leave your Hogwarts house. Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com SOURCES: Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Werewolf. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/werewolf. Flint, W. (2019, October 11). Werewolf Trials: Witch Trials With A Hairy Twist. History Daily. https://historydaily.org/werewolf-trials. Grandmont, J.-P. (2017, January 31). Wolfsbane: fictitous plant contains very real dangers. Plant Profiles in Chemical Ecology. https://sites.evergreen.edu/plantchemeco/wolfsbane-fictious-plant-contains-very-real-dangers/. History.com Editors. (2017, August 23). Werewolf Legends. https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/history-of-the-werewolf-legend. Wikimedia Foundation. (2020, October 17). Werewolf. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf.

Today we're going over chapters 15 and 16 of Prisoner of Azkaban. We're chatting about crystal scrying, the role of sports in our world and the wizarding world, and Professor Trelawney's prediction. Thank you to Steven who wrote a wonderful review and earned Hufflepuff 10 extra points. Go check out his new podcast, The Pin Pod! The house points totals are as follows: Hufflepuff: 80 Gryffindor: 20 Slytherin: 20 Ravenclaw: 10 FIRST YEARS MISCHIEF COCKTAIL HOUR: Oct 30th at 8pm! For next episode please be sure to read chapters 17-20. Follow us on Insta and Twitter: @FirstYearsPod Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com SOURCES: CRYSTAL SCRYING – HOW TO RECEIVE DIVINE MESSAGES WITH CRYSTALS. 1 Nov. 2018, www.earthcrystals.com.au/crystal-scrying-receive-divine-messages-crystals/. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Crystal Gazing. 10 Oct. 2007, www.britannica.com/topic/crystal-gazing.

Today we're going over chapters 13 and 14 of Prisoner of Azkaban. We go over: Hermione's loneliness, the Quidditch Match, Snape's reliability/unreliability, Hogwarts' (bad) security and more! Got a question or want to share an idea? Email us at firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com or DM us at @FirstYearsPod on instagram or twitter! To win house points: rate & review and leave your name and Hogwarts house, participate in Mindful Magic Mondays, or participate in our lives on Insta!

For today's episode you need to have read CHAPTERS 11 AND 12! We go over: the transition from the Nimbus 2000 to the Firebolt, Hermione's issues with boundaries, the morality of the Dementor's Kiss, why chocolate is used against the effects of Dementors, and the social statuses of the wizarding world. Thank you to the hosts of The Book List podcast for writing a review! You've earned 20 house points for Gryffindor! Check them out at @thebooklistpod on Instagram. Standings: Hufflepuff: 45 Gryffindor: 20 Slytherin: 15 Ravenclaw: 5 If you'd like to change those stats, you can earn house points by writing a review and leaving your name and Hogwarts house to earn a shoutout and house points, participating in our Mindful Magic Mondays posts, or by engaging with our instagram stories! Follow us! @FirstYearsPod on Instagram and Twitter. Email us: firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Next episode please read chapters 13 and 14!

THIS EPISODE IS NOT SPOILER FREE. Creating Magic podcast and I were invited to do a panel discussing Dementors, Patronuses, and mental health within Harry Potter as part of a livestream celebration of Harry's birthday by Scum and Villainy. This is the audio recording of that panel. We hope you enjoy! If you are a first time reader of the books, this episode is not for you -- we'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week! Follow us at @FirstYearsPod on Instagram and Twitter! Follow @CreatingMagicPodcast on Instagram & be sure to subscribe to them wherever you're listening to this right now :) Email us! firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com

For today's episode you need to have read through CHAPTERS 9 AND 10! I have the lovely hosts from Creating Magic podcast on today to discuss everything from what the symbolism is behind Harry's loss of the Nimbus 2000 to WHY does Dumbledore leave Percy in charge of the students while the teachers search the castle?! Go follow Creating Magic wherever you get your podcasts, follow them on Instagram: @creatingmagicpodcast, @mandrakesandmischief, and @muggleinkhakis ! Follow us at @FirstYearsPod on Instagram and Twitter! Email us at firstyearspodcast @ gmail . com Join in on our discussions on Mindful Magic Mondays or leave a review and your Hogwarts house to earn house points toward the House Cup! For next time you need to read chapters 11 and 12. SOURCES: “Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/faithful. Accessed 24 Aug. 2020. “Fidelity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fidelity. Accessed 24 Aug. 2020.