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PODCAST

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter Podcast

Prof. Julian Wamble

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 find true magic.

arts books

All Episodes

67:05

The Devil Wears Pink: The Violence, Villainy, and...

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/06/11

On this episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble dives into the soft-voiced, hard-hearted horror that is Dolores Jane Umbridge. She may wear kitten brooches and speak in syrupy tones, but beneath the pink cardigan lies one of the most insidious villains in the Wizarding World. We unpack the bureaucratic brutality behind her blood quill, the weaponization of femininity, and why her brand of evil—quiet, sanctioned, and system-approved-hits closer to home than Voldemort’s chaos ever

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46:17

Prof Responds- Gilderoy Lockhart: Ravenclaw or...

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/06/04

In this Prof Responds episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble dives into the dazzling disaster that is Gilderoy Lockhart—our favorite fame-chasing fraud.From his misuse of memory charms to his obsession with applause over competence, this episode unpacks your brilliant post-episode chat insights and tackles the deeper themes of image, power, and performance. Is Lockhart just a punchline, or is he something more sinister? What does his pretty privilege reveal about the Wizarding

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64:09

Fame Is a Fickle Fraud: Here Lies Gilderoy Lockhart

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/05/28

What would you do to be remembered?This week on Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble dives deep into the shimmering shallows of Gilderoy Lockhart—a man so desperate for legacy, he obliterated others’ lives just to make space for his own myth. From vanity and fraudulence to memory charms and moral delusion, we interrogate what happens when someone builds their identity entirely on lies—and worse, starts believing them.Is Lockhart a villain? A bad Ravenclaw? Just a glorified PR stunt with

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50:37

Prof Responds- Mom or Mess, Petty or Possessed:...

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/05/21

What do maternal tropes, mediocre men, and magical possession all have in common? In this "Prof Responses" episode, Professor Julian Wamble returns to unpack the post-episode chats on two very different figures: Minerva McGonagall and Quirinus Quirrell. Was McGonagall really written as a maternal figure—or have we reimagined her to reflect a world Rowling couldn’t envision? And what do we do with Quirrell, a Ravenclaw who might’ve been smart enough to find Voldemort but foolish enough to wear him

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66:38

Ambition and Audacity: The Two Faces of Quirinus...

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/05/14

What if the villain wasn’t overtaken—but offered himself up? In this episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble dives into the sweaty, stammering chaos of Professor Quirrell—and the dangerous audacity that lies beneath it. Often remembered as little more than a jittery man in a turban, Quirrell is actually one of the clearest cautionary tales in the Wizarding World: a man who gave Voldemort room on the back of his head in exchange for the illusion of power. From Ravenclaw ego to

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75:07

The Silent Suffering of Minerva McGonagall

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/04/30

“She was watching the Dursleys all day while everyone else celebrated—and somehow, we still expect more from her.” In this episode of Critical Magic Theory, we take a long-overdue deep dive into the one and only Minerva McGonagall. Often admired for her strength, fairness, and dry wit, McGonagall is seen by many as the model of a good teacher, a good Gryffindor, and a good person. But what happens when we start asking whether those expectations are fair—or even possible?We unpack how patriarchy and

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38:55

Prof Responds- Remus Lupin & the Struggle to Stay Human

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/04/23

Welcome to Critical Magic Theory, where we deconstruct the Wizarding World of Harry Potter—because loving something doesn’t mean we can’t be critical of it. This week’s Prof Response tackles one of our most emotional episodes to date: Remus Lupin. But before diving in, we confront a real-world reality—J.K. Rowling’s continued advocacy for trans-exclusionary laws and the heartbreak of deciding whether we can still use her text for good. Spoiler: we think we can. And we explain why. From there, we

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85:23

3.3%=100%: The Remus Lupin Story

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/04/16

Why didn’t Lupin ever write to Harry? Why did he run from Tonks? And how does someone who survives so much still feel like they deserve so little?In this soul-stirring episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble peels back the layers of Remus Lupin—the beloved professor, the loyal Marauder, and the walking embodiment of internalized shame. Drawing from 700+ listener survey responses, Prof. Wamble explores how Lupin’s trauma, marginalization, and deep-rooted self-doubt shape not just

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43:05

Prof Responds: Has anyone seen Peter Pettigrew?

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/04/09

What if the biggest betrayal in the Wizarding World wasn’t just about evil—it was about never being seen in the first place?In this episode chat of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble deep-dives into the fallout from “The Radacity of Peter Pettigrew” episode, reflecting on listener reactions and further complicating our understanding of one of Harry Potter’s most reviled characters. Was Peter a coward or a child soldier shaped by war? Did Sirius and James ever truly see him—or did their

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75:15

The "Ratdacity" of Peter Pettigrew

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/04/02

Thirteen years hiding in plain sight. A friendship shattered beyond repair. A betrayal so bold it rewrote the entire course of the wizarding war. The question isn’t whether Peter Pettigrew had audacity—it’s where he found the ratdacity.In this episode of Critical Magic Theory, we’re scurrying deep into the shadows of the Marauders’ messiest member. Was Peter just a coward—or was he a master strategist in rodent’s clothing? We’re talking betrayal, survival, fear-fueled loyalty, and what happens when

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39:56

Prof Responds- Death Eaters, Country Clubs, and the...

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/03/26

Can a villain be a good leader? Not if he’s noseless and narcissistic.Welcome back to Critical Magic Theory, where we deconstruct the Wizarding World of Harry Potter—because loving something doesn’t mean we can’t be critical of it. In today’s Prof Responds episode, I’m diving deep into your post-episode thoughts on none other than the noseless wonder himself: Voldemort. Or, as some of us have started calling him… Voldiva. We’re unpacking whether Voldemort was actually a good leader (spoiler: no),

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71:49

Lord Voldemort: More Diva than Dark Lord

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/03/19

Is this an episode of Real Housewives of the Wizarding World? No, just an episode about ole Voldy V- the ultimate diva. From his obsession with power to his need for an audience at every major moment, we unpack how his insecurities, delusions, and over-the-top theatrics make him one of the most absurd villains in fiction. We revisit the iconic graveyard scene, where Voldemort finally gets his body back—only to immediately fumble his own victory. We also break down whether he was actually a good

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49:58

Prof Responds: The Power, The Pettiness, and The Pretty

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/03/12

In this lively and deeply engaging episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble responds to the fiery post-episode discussion about Tom Riddle. From dissecting the many hilarious and shady nicknames the CMT community bestowed upon Voldemort to unpacking the complexities of his insecurities, Julian dives deep into what makes Tom Riddle tick. Topics range from the imposter syndrome and theatrics that defined Voldemort’s rise to power, to his surprising nostalgia for Hogwarts, and even the

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75:40

[Tom] Riddle Me this: The origin story of a pick me

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/03/06

In this episode of Critical Magic Theory, we begin our deep dive into the origins of Lord Voldemort by unpacking the complexities of Tom Riddle Jr. Professor Julian Wamble explores what made young Tom tick—his ambitions, insecurities, and relentless desire to prove himself in the Wizarding World. Was he a textbook Slytherin, or did his ego ultimately undermine his ambitions? Is he a victim of his upbringing, or was his villainy inevitable? From his desperate need for external validation to his

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29:43

PROF RESPONDS 2- PUREBLOOD SHOWDOWN

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/02/26

With chaos, controversy, and critical insight, Professor Julian Wamble dives into the passionate post-episode discussion following the Pure-Blood Showdown episode. With the fandom in an uproar over Narcissa Malfoy being crowned Best Parent, Julian unpacks the arguments from Patreon listeners, exploring the biases and dynamics at play in how fans judge “good” and “bad” parenting in the Wizarding World. The conversation extends to the contentious Worst Son designation for Barty Crouch Jr., with Julian

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78:49

It's a Pureblood Showdown: The Best, The Worst, and...

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/02/19

BUST OUT YOUR YEARBOOKS!! It's time for the best and worst of the Purebloods! In this episode of Critical Magic Theory, we wrap up our epic 14-month journey through the world of pure bloods. We explore what it truly means to be a pureblood in the Wizarding World—unpacking the social constructs, privileges, and pressures that shape their identities. From the tension between external validation and unapologetic individuality to the insidious nature of pure blood supremacy, we dive deep into how these

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40:11

Prof Responds: LAVENDER BROWN

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/02/12

In this special mini-episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble introduces a new segment: Prof Responds. This segment is designed to continue the discussion from the Patreon post-episode chat, allowing deeper engagement with listeners’ comments and insights. The focus of this episode is Lavender Brown, exploring how race and gender intersect in the portrayal of her character. Professor Wamble examines the controversy surrounding Lavender’s race change in the Harry Potter films and the

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79:46

Lavender Brown: Messy? Maligned? or Misunderstood?

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/02/05

Through a mix of critical analysis, and a healthy dose of chaos, Professor Wamble and Cassie (one of the Patreon “chronic overthinkers,”) reconsider Lavender Brown’s role in the series, her legacy, and what she can teach us about gendered expectations and internalized misogyny. They deep dive deep into the misunderstood and often maligned character of Lavender Brown asking- Why has the Harry Potter fandom been so hard on her? Is she truly as clingy and annoying as we’ve been conditioned to believe,

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78:49

Merope Gaunt and the space between victimhood & villainy

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/01/22

TW: DV and SA are discussed in this episode. Can a villain also be a victim? Embark on a journey through the layered narrative of Merope Gaunt, the enigmatic mother of Voldemort, as we mark one year of Critical Magic Theory. Merope's contentious life story, shaped by a web of abuse and desperation, invites a deeper examination of the societal and family dynamics that molded her path. In this episode, we scrutinize Merope's struggle for empowerment against the backdrop of a turbulent family li...

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55:14

Poverty, Power, and the Paradox of the Gaunts

Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter... ·

2025/01/08

Join us as we unpack the paradoxical realities of the Gaunt family in the Harry Potter universe. Discover how Marvolo and Morfin Gaunt's fierce dedication to their bloodline leads to a toxic supremacy that survives despite their poverty and lack of societal advantages. This episode promises to uncover the complex dynamics that set the stage for Merope Gaunt's tragic story, which we will explore in the next episode.In our exploration, we contrast the Gaunts with other notable families like the...

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