The Glittering Bell Jar: A Harry Potter Podcast
Welcome to the Glittering Bell Jar, a Harry Potter Podcast, where we explore the Harry Potter series by reading it backwards. As you might recall, Harry and his friends discover the power of the glittering bell jar in the Department of Mysteries as it causes objects to move backward and forwards through time. We’re Brie & Valerie, two writers and Harry Potter fans who want to take you through the Harry Potter series in a way in which no one has done. Come along with us as we dissect each character and try to understand all the magic and common threads we may have missed!
Episodes

Wednesday Dec 22, 2021

Wednesday Jan 05, 2022
All Is Well {Epilogue, Chapter 36, Chapter 35}
Wednesday Jan 05, 2022
Wednesday Jan 05, 2022
Welcome to the first episode of the Glittering Bell Jar! In this episode, we dive into the world of Harry Potter starting all the way at the last few chapters of the Deathly Hallows. We begin with “19 Years Later” dive into “The Flaw in the Plan” and “Kings Cross”. Join us as we look at Harry Potter through a new lens!

Thursday Jan 06, 2022
Always {Chapter 34, Chapter 33, Chapter 32}
Thursday Jan 06, 2022
Thursday Jan 06, 2022
In this week’s episode of the Glittering Bell Jar, we’re stepping backwards in the Deathly Hallows to look at three chapters: “The Forest Again” (ch. 34), “The Prince’s Tale” (ch. 33), and “The Elder Wand” (ch. 32). Join us as we discuss the emotional heart of the Harry Potter saga, and why we’ll “always” love this series.

Friday Jan 07, 2022
The Battle Begins {Chapter 31, Chapter 30}
Friday Jan 07, 2022
Friday Jan 07, 2022
This week, we’re transforming back into an egg – or at least we wish we could hide in an egg as we cover two intense chapters of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: “The Battle of Hogwarts” (ch. 31) and “The Sacking of Severus Snape” (ch. 30). These two meaty chapters give us lots to discuss, from the awesome powers of Herbology to Professor Trelawney’s tennis serve.

Wednesday Jan 12, 2022
Return of the Neville {Chapter 29, Chapter 28, Chapter 27}
Wednesday Jan 12, 2022
Wednesday Jan 12, 2022
In this week’s episode, join us as we slide back toward the beginning of the Deathly Hallows’ third act. We’re covering “The Lost Diadem” (ch. 29), “The Missing Mirror” (ch. 28), and “The Final Hiding Place” (ch. 27) – a lot in a short span of time. We also discuss the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 20th Anniversary Reunion that happened at the beginning of January 2022 and ship on Tom-Emma vs. Helena-Dan.

Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Lore & Data {Episode 26, Episode 25}
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
In this week’s episode of the Glittering Bell Jar, we’re traveling to Gringotts (ch. 26) and Shell Cottage (ch. 25) on our backwards journey through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In it we’ll cover wands and wand lore, goblins and goblin lore, and why Luna is the most consistent character in the entire series.

Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Voldemort’s Grave Mistake(s) {Chapter 24, Chapter 23}
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
In this week’s episode of the Glittering Bell Jar, we’re traveling to rewinding back to visit two family homes: The Wandmaker (ch. 24) and Malfoy Manor (ch. 23). Obviously very different places, we discuss family ties, love, and the bloodstained history of the Elder Wand on our ongoing backwards journey through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
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Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
The Tale of the Three Hallows {Chapter 22, Chapter 21, Chapter 20}
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
At long last in our winding exploration of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – we actually learn about the Deathly Hallows! In this week's episode of the Glittering Bell Jar, we're reading backwards through The Deathly Hallows (ch. 22), The Tale of the Three Brothers (ch. 21), and Xenophilius Lovegood (ch. 20). We discuss the Deathly Hallows in the great detail they were always due, and with the attention and passion which Hermione and Ron just wouldn't give them in Chapter 22.
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Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Life, Lies & Loss in the Forest of Dean {Chapter 19, Chapter 18}
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
In the heart of winter, Harry and Hermione find themselves alone, together, in the Forest of Dean. It's here that we join them this week on our backwards journey through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In this episode we cover The Silver Doe (ch. 19) and The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore (ch. 18) – two chapters which at first glance seem to share little in common but give us a deep insight into each of The Big Three's true character, strengths, and weaknesses.
Please don't forget to support our podcast by leaving a five-star rating and review!
Subscribe to The Accio Box and save 20% on a magical subscription box delivered right to your door – it's almost like Owl Post! Get your discount by visiting: followthebutterflies.com/acciobox
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Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
In Godric’s Hollow {Chapter 17, Chapter 16}
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
At long last – no matter which way you're reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Harry and Hermione visit Godric's Hollow: birthplace of both Godric Gryffindor and Harry Potter, hometown of Albus Dumbledore, and place where the Golden Snitch was first forged. No matter how you slice it, ol' Goddy's place is pretty darn important to the magical world – and perhaps even more so for Harry himself.
In this episode, we discuss two chapters, Bathilda's Secret (ch. 17) and Godric's Hollow (ch. 16), continuing our examination of loss, love, death, and magic for Harry, Hermione, and Ron (despite his absence from these chapters - spoiler alert!).

Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
#TentLife {Chapter 15, Chapter 14}
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
Nomad life is so in right now, until it's because you accidentally revealed the secret location of your home, exposed your only-recently-loyal house elf to Death Eaters, and ended up living from an un-heated tent with no food supplies... But we're getting ahead of ourselves!
In this week's episode of The Glittering Bell Jar, we're exploring The Goblin's Revenge (ch. 15) and The Thief (ch. 14) during our backward exploration of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. So while we don't officially know why Harry, Ron, and Hermione are on the run with a giant, nasty horcrux, we do know they've got some tough times ahead (in past episodes) and give us plenty to discuss no matter which way you're reading the series. (Getting confused yet???)
Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode – or join the conversation @BellJarPod.
Don't forget to support our podcast by subscribing and leaving us a five-star rating and review if you're using the Apple Podcasts app.
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Learn more about this podcast: https://followthebutterflies.com/podcast/

Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Spoilers: It Begins and Ends with Umbridge {Chapter 13, Chapter 12}
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Do villains think they're really villains?
Could Sirius have reconciled with Kreacher?
Did Harry live in No. 12 Grimmauld Place after Hogwarts?
Such are the questions we ponder in this week's episode of the Glittering Bell Jar. As we read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows backward, we've discovered new details and pondered the arcs and themes of characters at length; now as we approach the end – er, the beginning – of the book, things are moving quite quickly – but it's not too late to join in if you're new to the show!
Don't forget to support our podcast by subscribing and liking this video.
Subscribe to The Accio Box and save 20% on a magical subscription box delivered right to your door – it's almost like Owl Post! Get your discount by visiting: followthebutterflies.com/acciobox
Learn more about this podcast: https://followthebutterflies.com/podcast/

Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Once Upon a Time at Grimmauld Place {Chapter 11, Chapter 10, Chapter 9}
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
While it might not be the most pleasant place, in this episode of the Glittering Bell Jar, we discuss how Grimmauld Place becomes a safe haven for Harry Potter, Ron, and Hermione after they flee a surprise attack by the Death Eaters.
In our backward exploration of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, we cover The Bribe (ch. 11), Kreacher's Tale (ch. 10), and A Place to Hide (ch. 9), and discuss such things as the magic of house elves, the Taboo and Fidelius Charms, and Sirius Black's teenage dating habits.
Don't forget to support our podcast by leaving a five-star rating and review; it helps this new podcast be discovered by other listeners too!
Subscribe to The Accio Box and save 20% on a magical subscription box delivered right to your door – it's almost like Owl Post! Get your discount by visiting: followthebutterflies.com/acciobox
Learn more about this podcast: https://followthebutterflies.com/podcast/

Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
A Wedding, A Will & Merlin’s Saggy Left... {Chapter 8, 7, 6 & 5}
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Sure it's a 700-page book, but how about we cover 100+ pages of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this week's episode of the Glittering Bell Jar!
To be fair, all four of the chapters covered in this week's episode – The Wedding (ch. 8), The Will of Albus Dumbledore (ch. 7), The Ghoul in Pyjamas (ch. 6), and Fallen Warrior (ch. 5) – take place at Ron's childhood home, the Burrow, in the last moments of peace, normalcy, and joy before the dark events to come. Join us as we go through each of these chapters, examining each character, tracking different threads of the book and the entire Harry Potter series, and making our way to the final episode of this backward reading of Deathly Hallows – aka the beginning of the book.
Don't forget to support our podcast by subscribing and liking this video.
Subscribe to The Accio Box and save 20% on a magical subscription box delivered right to your door – it's almost like Owl Post! Get your discount by visiting: followthebutterflies.com/acciobox
Learn more about this podcast: https://followthebutterflies.com/podcast/

Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
The Beginning of The End {Chapter 4, 3, 2 & 1}
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Here we are, at the beginning of the end – or is it the end of the beginning for our little Harry Potter podcast?
In this week's episode of The Glittering Bell Jar, we discuss the first four chapters of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: The Seven Potters (ch. 4), The Dursleys Departing (ch. 3), In Memorium (ch. 2), and The Dark Lord Ascending (ch. 1). There's a lot to unpack, from the cultishness of Death Eaters to Dudley's unique way of showing his cousinly love for Harry.
We also chat about important Deep Magic (to borrow a phrase from CS Lewis, which we think JK Rowling would approve of) like the charm that protects Harry at Privet Drive and the opposing magics of Occlumency and Legilimency.
This episode wraps up our backward reading of Deathly Hallows, and we'll be back next week with a special guest and discussion of the two Deathly Hallows films.
Don't forget to support our podcast by subscribing, leaving us a rating, and giving us a five-star review.
Subscribe to The Accio Box and save 20% on a magical subscription box delivered right to your door – it's almost like Owl Post! Get your discount by visiting: followthebutterflies.com/acciobox
Learn more about this podcast: https://followthebutterflies.com/podcast/ or follow us on social media @belljarpod

Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Deathly Hallows Film Discussion {Part 1 & 2}
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Here we are at last... It's the grand finale of our first season of The Glittering Bell Jar: A Harry Potter Podcast.
In this episode, we're joined by listener – and uber Harry Potter nerd (aka our favorite kind of people) – Samantha. We discuss the two Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films as a way of wrapping up our backward reading of the book.
Join us for a fun conversation with new insights into both the Harry Potter films and Harry Potter book series, as well as some mic-drop moments as we connect the dots in the amazing universe of the Wizarding world.
Don't forget to support our podcast by subscribing, leaving us a rating, and giving us a five-star review.
Subscribe to The Accio Box and save 20% on a magical subscription box delivered right to your door – it's almost like Owl Post! Get your discount by visiting: followthebutterflies.com/acciobox
Learn more about this podcast: https://followthebutterflies.com/podcast/ or follow us on social media @belljarpod

Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
The White Tomb (Chapter 30)
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
In this episode of The Glittering Bell Jar: A Harry Potter Podcast, Valerie and Brie are back, with new energy, a new book, a new season, and a brand new podcast format! Join them for one chapter per episode, dropping all month long.
To kick off Season 2, we're reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince backward! This episode is all about Chapter 30, "The White Tomb," and we discuss Dumbledore's funeral, the characters we love and will be keeping an eye on this season, and the power of "nitwit, oddment, blubber, and tweak."
Don't forget to support our podcast by subscribing, leaving us a rating, and giving us a five-star review.
Subscribe to The Accio Box and save on a magical subscription box delivered right to your door – it's almost like Owl Post! Get your discount by visiting: followthebutterflies.com/acciobox
Learn more about this podcast: https://followthebutterflies.com/podcast/ or follow us on social media @belljarpod

Thursday Jun 02, 2022
Phoenix Lament (Chapter 29)
Thursday Jun 02, 2022
Thursday Jun 02, 2022
In this episode of The Glittering Bell Jar: A Harry Potter Podcast, Valerie and Brie are back, with new energy, a new book, a new season, and a brand new podcast format! Join them for one chapter per episode, dropping all month long.
To kick off Season 2, we're reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince backward!
In episode 2 we find ourselves in the last moments of Albus Dumbledore's life. We cover the prejudices that even our favorite HP characters have and how Dumbledore spent his entire life fighting those prejudices through trust and love.
Don't forget to support our podcast by subscribing, leaving us a rating, and giving us a five-star review.
Subscribe to The Accio Box and save on a magical subscription box delivered right to your door – it's almost like Owl Post! Get your discount by visiting: followthebutterflies.com/acciobox
Learn more about this podcast: https://followthebutterflies.com/podcast/ or follow us on social media @belljarpod

Friday Jun 03, 2022
Flight of the Prince (Chapter 28)
Friday Jun 03, 2022
Friday Jun 03, 2022
In this aptly named chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Severus Snape is on the move – and it's no surprise that almost all of our discussion in this episode is about everyone's least favorite Hogwarts teacher. As we move backward through Half-Blood Prince, we're discovering there's more to this misunderstood man, revealing new aspects of his character in a way that only the Glittering Bell Jar can.
Don't forget to support our podcast by subscribing, leaving us a rating, and giving us a five-star review.
Subscribe to The Accio Box and save on a magical subscription box delivered right to your door – it's almost like Owl Post! Get your discount by visiting: followthebutterflies.com/acciobox
Learn more about this podcast: https://followthebutterflies.com/podcast/ or follow us on social media @belljarpod

Saturday Jun 04, 2022
The Lightning Struck Tower (Chapter 27)
Saturday Jun 04, 2022
Saturday Jun 04, 2022
This is the big one: the chapter that leads to the death of Albus Dumbledore. For this episode of The Glittering Bell Jar: A Harry Potter Podcast, we're discussing our anti-heroes, Malfoy and Snape. How has Malfoy gotten to this point, the point of killing our beloved headmaster, and how does Snape end up being the one to administer the killing blow?
Join us for a discussion of a heart-breaking episode and all the heart-breaking backstory we think led to it.
Don't forget to support our podcast by subscribing, leaving us a rating, and giving us a five-star review.
Subscribe to The Accio Box and save on a magical subscription box delivered right to your door – it's almost like Owl Post! Get your discount by visiting: followthebutterflies.com/acciobox
Learn more about this podcast: https://followthebutterflies.com/podcast/ or follow us on social media @belljarpod