
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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 75 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsBooksFiction | |||

In this two-year anniversary episode of Critical Magic Theory, Prof. takes a step back from individual character deep dives to ask a bigger question about pedagogy, power, and responsibility in the wizarding world—and beyond.
Drawing on listener sur... more
In this Prof Responds episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble revisits the Dumbledore family to examine how secrecy, sacrifice, and institutional failure shape Ariana Dumbledore’s life, and the lives of those around her.Drawing on l... more
In the first episode of Critical Magic Theory in 2026, Professor Julian Wamble steps away from the six-part Albus Dumbledore arc for a rant/rave on Ariana and Aberforth Dumbledore—two characters whose stories expose the wizarding world’s obsession wi... more
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL (WHO CELEBRATE)!! AND TO ALL.... AN INVISIBILITY CLOAK!!
USE IT WELL!
In this episode of Critical Magic Theory, Prof. looks at the various Christmas moments throughout the series and analyzes them.
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Professor Julian has me locked in for every episode! It’s been years since I’ve reread the Harry Potter books but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying every single episode. I’m so excited when I get the notification that a new episode has been released. The thoughtful, in-depth analysis of the text invites listeners to dive into their own biases and re-examine our old opinions.
This is probably the only podcast I find myself screaming “PREACH” to in the car. I arrived here at about the 3rd episode and haven’t stopped listening since. There is a short period in the middle of the season that got a bit repetitive and I just zoned out but for the most part the takes are hot and spicy and delicious. Some quotes have literally changed my life and hacked my therapy.
But the ads that this podcast chooses to run (or the service they use) are AWFUL. They are at 200% of the podc... more
Very Good Podcast 👍👍🐦⬛💙
The content is fantastic and I deeply appreciate this podcast for allowing me to think about Harry Potter again after I’d been avoiding it. It feels like MuggleCast goes to college. That said I’m disappointed in the audio quality especially the most recent episode was almost unlistenable because the levels were so off. I could barely hear the host with my volume cranked full blast then the ads would come through bursting my ear drums. I hope this gets adjusted soon as other episodes didn’t h... more
If you grew up with the books (I did) then this podcast feels like what we all need to reconcile where we are in our understanding of interpersonal relationships and our love of the magical world. Really appreciate grappling with the hard topics here!
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Engaging listeners in a critical exploration of the Harry Potter universe, the content navigates complex character analysis, moral ambiguity, and the implications of narrative choices throughout the series. Professor Julian Wamble leads discussions that challenge traditional perspectives, encouraging audiences to question their understandings of beloved characters and plot lines while considering the real-world implications of these narratives. Noteworthy themes include character flaws, parental figures, systems of privilege, and the nuances of redemption and morality. This thoughtful approach sets it apart, as it blends nostalgia with rigorous examination, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:
1. You're Wrong About
2. Sounds Like A Cult
3. MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast
4. If Books Could Kill
5. You Are Good
this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 75 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on this podcast include:
1. Professor Charlie Hunt
2. Charlie Hunt
3. Eve Medina
4. Dani Alexander
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