Rephonic
Artwork for Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter Podcast

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter Podcast

Prof. Julian Wamble
Harry Potter
Voldemort
Hogwarts
Severus Snape
Dumbledore
Albus Dumbledore
Order Of the Phoenix
Heroism
Death Eaters
Slytherin
Hermione Granger
Draco Malfoy
Fleur Delacour
Bellatrix Lestrange
Tom Riddle
Narcissa Malfoy
Luna Lovegood
Remus Lupin
Patriarchy
Rubeus Hagrid

Instead of seeing criticism as an indication of not liking something, Professor Julian Wamble invites listeners of Critical Magic Theory to explore the things about the characters, plot points, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter broadly that have always given them pause or made them smile without knowing why. It is in this navigation of the positive and the negative aspects of a world that we... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes98Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FictionArtsBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter Podcast

Latest Episodes

Harry Potter's heroism is contagious β€” in the best way and the most literal one. This episode tackles the back half of the Harry Potter survey, working through good half-blood, good Gryffindor, hero, and free will with listener data and a few new voi... more

This episode of Critical Magic Theory picks up where the last episode left off, this time handing the floor to the CMT community. Listeners push back, dig deeper, and refuse to agree β€” on whether Harry's flaws are his fault, on what standard we're ev... more

Is Harry Potter a good person? A good friend? A victim? Extraordinary?

We heard from over 600 listeners, and the results were more chaotic than you might expect. In this episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble digs into the survey ... more

What does it mean to call someone a hero, and how much of what we believe about heroism in the Harry Potter series was shaped for us before we ever thought to question it?

In this Prof Responds episode, Professor Julian Wamble sits with the communit... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

You're Wrong About
You're Wrong AboutSarah Marshall
Maintenance Phase
Maintenance PhaseAubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes
Vulgar History: Regency Era
Vulgar History: Regency EraVulgar History | Realm
You Are Good
You Are GoodAlex Steed

Recent Guests

Professor Charlie Hunt
A scholar and contributor to discussions about Harry Potter.
Episode: IT IS CHRISTMAS... AT HOGWARTS
Charlie Hunt
Political science professor and host of Scandalized, a podcast about political scandals.
Boise State University
Episode: The Duplicity of Barty Crouch Jr: Radicalized Victim or Perpetual Villain?
Eve Medina
Patreon chronic overthinker and guest on the podcast discussing Draco Malfoy.
Episode: Draco Malfoy: Misunderstood, Maligned, or Merely A Malfoy?
Dani Alexander
Avid supporter of Ron Weasley and participant in discussions about Harry Potter.
Episode: Ron Weasley- Almost Too Normal to Appreciate?

Host

Professor Julian Wamble
Host of Critical Magic Theory; focuses on analytical examinations of HP through critical theory and social analysis.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • T-Shirt Please!!

    Yes to the β€œIt’s My Turn!” T-shirt

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bettie Davis Eyes
    United States3 months ago
  • Highly recommend!

    Professor Wamble is so engaging and thoughtful in his episodes about my favourite book series. His insight and analysis makes me appreciate the books so much more, and his criticisms are really well founded, articulated and presented in a really measured manner. The character analysis episodes are fascinating and help me understand characters I hadn’t considered before.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Allgrapesnowrath
    Australia3 months ago
  • I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!πŸ’œπŸ–€πŸ’œπŸ–€πŸ’œπŸ–€

    Hi I am a kid and have read all of the HP books and love them soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch!I am currently listening to Tonks (I don’t know how to spell her first name). I first heard this podcast in the car while my mom was listening to Fred and Georges fits and giggles.And I was like, I need this podcast on my iPad! I love trying to think critically about HP and please get to Hermione Granger soon,Thanks! Hashtag,I love Harry Potter!!!!!!!!!! Love it,b... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    the one and only me!πŸ€ͺ😁
    United States4 months ago
  • I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!πŸ’œπŸ–€πŸ’œπŸ–€πŸ’œπŸ–€

    Hi I am a kid and have read all of the HP books and love them soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch!I am currently listening to Tonks (I don’t know how to spell her first name). I first heard this podcast in the car while my mom was listening to Fred and Georges fits and giggles.And I was like, I need this podcast on my iPad! I love trying to think critically about HP and please get to Hermione Granger soon,Thanks! Hashtag,I love Harry Potter!!!!!!!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    the one and only me!πŸ€ͺ😁
    United States4 months ago
  • Wildly Insightful

    It’s hard to come across genuinely thoughtful podcasts - this is one of them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Backroad Odyssey
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audio quality and ad balance are common feedback points, but the content quality remains strong.
Listener community is active and civil, with thoughtful post-episode chats on Patreon.
The host blends theory with accessible storytelling, making complex ideas feel approachable.
Engaging, rigorous analysis that respects audience input and fosters thoughtful discussion.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#156
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#118
Denmark/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#231
South Korea/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#232
Ukraine/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#235
Argentina/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#244
Colombia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The One Who Got Away: The Search for Nymphadora Tonks
Q: Is Tonks a hero?
80% called her a hero, highlighting her fight against evil and radicals, although some distinguished between her role as a soldier and heroism.
The One Who Got Away: The Search for Nymphadora Tonks
Q: Is Tonks a good Auror?
75% affirmed her abilities, emphasizing her competence and bravery in her role, despite criticisms of how she was utilized in the narrative.
The One Who Got Away: The Search for Nymphadora Tonks
Q: Is Tonks a good mother?
31% of respondents said yes, recognizing her willingness to risk her life for a better future for her child, while others expressed concern about her decision to leave her child behind during conflict.
The One Who Got Away: The Search for Nymphadora Tonks
Q: Is Tonks a good wife?
61% of respondents said yes, pointing to her loyalty and commitment to Lupin, while acknowledging the complexities of their relationship.
The Fears, Fallacies, and Folly of A.W.P.B. Dumbledore
Q: Is Albus Dumbledore a good mentor?
62% believe he is not a good mentor, primarily because his actions often prioritize outcomes over Harry's well-being.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deeply analytical show that applies critical theory to a beloved fantasy world, unpacking how race, gender, class, and power are embedded in characters, institutions, and narratives. Episodes consistently pair close textual readings with broader social questions, often drawing on audience input from Discord and Patreon to challenge traditional HP narratives and push for more nuanced representation. The host's approach blends literary analysis with sociopolitical critique, creating a thoughtful space for fans who want rigorous, ideas-forward discussions without shying away from difficult topics. A standout aspect is the commitment to accessible, classroom-like rigor while maintaining engaging, energetic delivery and a strong community arou... more

Where can I find podcast stats for this podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to this podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does this podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for this podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for this podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for this podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does this podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers this podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. You're Wrong About
2. Maintenance Phase
3. Vulgar History: Regency Era
4. MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast
5. You Are Good

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 98 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact this podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for this podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for this podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for this podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of this podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Professor Charlie Hunt
2. Charlie Hunt
3. Eve Medina
4. Dani Alexander

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days