8 episodes
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling The Free Press
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- Society & Culture
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4.7 • 11.4K Ratings
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The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling is an audio documentary that examines some of the most contentious conflicts of our time through the life and career of the world’s most successful author. In conversation with host Megan Phelps-Roper, J.K. Rowling speaks with unprecedented candor and depth about the controversies surrounding her—from book bans to debates on gender and sex. The series also examines the forces propelling this moment in history, through interviews with Rowling’s supporters and critics, journalists, historians, clinicians, and more.
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Chapter 1: Plotted In Darkness
Host Megan Phelps-Roper writes a letter to J.K. Rowling—and receives a surprising invitation in reply: the opportunity for an intimate conversation in Rowling’s Scottish home.
Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe.
This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. -
Chapter 2: Burn The Witch
As "Harry Potter" becomes an international phenomenon, it coincides with the culture wars of the 1990s. In the backlash from Christians across America, author J.K. Rowling is accused of mainstreaming witchcraft and poisoning children’s minds.
Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe.
This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. -
Chapter 3: A New Pyre
The early days of the internet collide with the feverish fandom of “Harry Potter,” and a sprawling, global community emerges. But the hopefulness of this new technology brings with it the darker impulses of human nature.
Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe.
This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. -
Chapter 4: TERF Wars
The movement for trans rights hits its stride in the early 2010s, but encounters fierce resistance from an unexpected source. J.K. Rowling watches the battle unfold with mounting unease.
Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe.
This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. -
Chapter 5: The Tweets
After years of observing the conflict between advocates for trans rights and women’s rights, J.K. Rowling weighs in.
Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe.
This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. -
Chapter 6: Natalie and Noah
Transgender fans of Harry Potter share their criticism of J.K. Rowling—and the experiences that inform their views.
Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, Megan Phelps-Roper, and Candace Mittel Kahn, with special thanks to Emily Yoffe.
This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org.
Customer Reviews
This should be required listening!
Regardless of whether or not Harry Potter and/or JK Rowling have been meaningful figures in your life, this thorough, thoughtful, and remarkably insightful discussion illuminates the challenges we have with modern discourse and disagreement. Megan Phelps-Roper is a master of conversation, weaving in relevant cultural flash points with snippets of her personal journey around judgment and discernment, to create a compelling narrative, and - if you’re willing to see it - a roadmap to approaching difficult discussions with kindness and self-reflection. If everyone would stop yelling at each other for a minute and listen to this series, we might actually begin to make progress.
Great Podcast!
As a trans teen, I have never understood the POV of transphobes. But this podcast helped me learn about the reasons for their transphobia to help me properly combat their hate. I loved the podcast, but I really would have appreciated talking more about transmasculine topics. Thank you for staying neutral and respectful to properly explain both sides.
To all the transphobes reading this, please try to learn more and change your views. There are so many trans people that commit suicide because of the hate they receive from people that hold transphobic view, and trans people that get murdered because they are trans. Although some transphobic people say they are depressed and suicidal because of HRT or transition, it is the opposite. It is because they can’t get those transitioning materials, and/or because they receive hate, that they are depressed.
To JK Rowling, your views that you think are correct, are not. Giving trans people rights, doesn’t do anything to cis people. (Cis is not a slur. It literally means the opposite of trans.) Compare the rape and sexual assault rate to cis people, and look at what you see. Look at the actual statistics, but look at the credible ones. We want to see your sources for these wild statistics you say.
We know biological sex is real. We’re not denying that. We’re saying that gender is not the same as sex. Flat-out lying about things like this is hurtful to a whole community.
Life changing
I started listening out of pure boredom and curiosity, but I couldn’t stop! The way Megan interviews and remains so neutral and empathetic towards all views is so inspirational. I’m rethinking so many of my previous mindsets. Can’t stop telling my friends and family to listen to this podcast. Keep up the amazing work!!!
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