The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling Podcast By The Free Press cover art

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling

By: The Free Press
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About this listen

 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. Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Trailer

    Trailer
    Feb 14 2023
    The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling premieres Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Learn more Read an essay by host Megan Phelps-Roper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 mins
  • Chapter 1: Plotted In Darkness

    Chapter 1: Plotted In Darkness
    Feb 21 2023
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • Chapter 2: Burn The Witch

    Chapter 2: Burn The Witch
    Feb 21 2023
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
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Amazing, enthralling, heartfelt are some of the words that come to my mind when stating my opinion about this podcast, I'm a HP fan I fell in love with the books and I can say that so far I've been able to find all of the elements that JK Rowlings describes about them and as an adult I've come to understand the beauty of grey that is human nature. I can't wait to listen more about these conversations. I can't tell you with words how important it is for our society (in the light of the polarization of the speech that currently permeates our society) to be able to listen to a person who was always an ally and now is being vilified for stating controversial and sometimes hurtful opinions silenced without any chance of explaining herself, I can see her humanity and I understand where her heart its on those issues, I myself share some of her worries, I considered myself a trans ally, I believe in their rights and the acknowledgement of their human experience and I'm a feminist too, so I believe that a deep conversation is due, I believe that we as adults should be capable of having difficult conversations, ghosting each other and silencing dissident voices can only get us so far, I believe everything can be done with respect, love and understanding, and those 2 eps are full of that.

Excellent to start an honest and open conversation

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I really enjoyed this podcast. It presented the information in a clear and balanced way. It allowed each side to express their views and to respond to criticism. I believe what J.K Rowling said was taken out of context and she offered a very clear explanation of the very specific issues she sees a problem with. This was a very intelligent conversation between intelligent people and presented in a wonderful podcast. Thank you to all involved!

A great podcast, very balanced presentation

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I’ve been waiting to see Rowling’s side and she didn’t disappoint. Really well done and thoughtful.

I’ve been waiting for this

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Great point of view from both sides of opinion on the books and the Author. I haven't read the books but 2 episodes in I'm enjoying learning about Joanne Rowlings and her thoughts on the characters. Very well done.

loved it

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I started yesterday and could not stop listening. Very well done, I look forward to more.

Fasanating and enthralling

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Thoughtful approach to one of the biggest issues of the decade. Even if you think you know where it’s going- you don’t.

Refreshing

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When forming an opinion on something, it's good and helpful to have the entire story. Too often we listen to our chosen sources and make our story based solely on, perhaps, biased information. I loved the rounded roundedness this podcast took. We need to continuously counter ourselves and look for why the "other side" of an issue hold validity for those individuals. We are all living life based off our own experiences, and while experiences can't be denied, we have to be aware that they shape us all into the people we are today. Good and evil does not exist in the majority of issues we argue. There are fundamentals where the majority of people are going to agree, and for the items where we see differences, it would help us progress to continuously ask "why". Why does this person think this way? Rather that then believing them to simply be evil. That's too easy and ultimately dehumanizing and disconnecting. we should look for ways to connect instead of focusing on that which disconnects us.
Excellent podcast. In my opinion, it was clearly thought out and executed very well. Everyone with questions about this issue, as well as those who seek to see more value in asking questions, should listen to this.

Perspective

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I really enjoyed the podcast. It pretty much said what I thought it would. JK Rowling made statements that are easy to see as bigoted, however, I doubt she has any real issues with the trans community. Rowling 's main issue seems to stem from her past traumas. She seems more concerned with the possibility of unscrupulous men pretending to be trans in order to harm women. Unfortunately all of the hate she has received from the trans community and some of their allies are confirming some of her misconceptions. Because if we're honest, how can you sling highly sexually violent slurs at women and consider yourself a woman? Using slurs rooted in misogyny and patriarchy run counter to gaining allies and support....
You can't simultaneously stand on the shoulders of feminism while kicking feminists in the head. People don't like discussion because they are uncomfortable with actual discourse. A few clicks from the safety of your keyboard and everyone thinks they're a warrior.

Misplaced anger and selective outrage

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Megan Phelps-Roper is uniquely qualified to host this conversation. She takes the responsibility seriously, and treats all with respect & fairness. So good I’ve listened three times!

Thoughtful & thought provoking, unfailingly fair

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I understand where Joe is coming from. Trans women are not biologically female. no amount of drugs, surgery, or wishful thinking will make it so. Trans woman chose an alternative lifestyle, which is their right. for thousands of years women have been subjugated and abused just for being born our gender. We have had to fight hard to be treated as human beings. We didn't chose this life. So don't give us shit for wanting to protect our legacy. Go on living your beautiful life and leave us to do the same.

TERF

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