Material Girls

Image source: Deviant ArtAre you prepared for a rambling, margarita-fuelled discussion of pamphlets, propaganda, British fascism, lightning bolts, and how to browbeat your beloved hosts into getting your very own episode? No? Then you should probably skip this one. But if you actually love all those things, plus gratuitous lightning sound effects*, then this minisode is for you!http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/WitchPlease-20160801-E165BritishTechnocraticWetDreams.mp3Download this Ministry-Approved minisodePlease note: as lightning doesn’t actually make a sound, we used thunder instead. But it’s, like, symbolic, you know? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Image source: TumblrWelcome to our brand new podcast, The Harry Potter Hour, Starring Feminism! It’s a lot like our old podcast Witch, Please except, uh, Newer and Different!This truly is the last episode of classic Witch, Please, though. After this it’s all paratexts, minisodes, and shenanigans! No more rules, no more social decorum, no more consistency. If the episode seems a little early, that’s because the Internet screwed up and we didn’t know how to fix it we wanted to give you a special present before leaving you NOT FOREVER PLEASE DON’T FREAK OUT. Look to your podcatchers on August 1 for the next minisode. Until then, you can settle in comfortably with your reliably clever and hilarious hosts as we’re joined by the über popular Guy With A Film Degree Neale Barnholden to talk about the last official Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/WitchPlease-20160711-E16-WitchPleaseNewAndImproved.mp3Download this New and Improved episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

photo credit: slgckgc on flickrBut we’re not dead yet! cry your coven mistresses as we claw our way back into your podcast apps. That’s right, witches! We still have two more official (and, like, scores more unofficial) episodes for you!Tonight we’re joined by real life guy with a film degree, Neale Barnholden, for the ultimate—no, no then penultimate—wait no! the antepenultimate—WHATEVER, FOR ANOTHER EPISODE! Turn on all your lights and settle in with a companion species for a spooky episode from the podcast boneyard about the second-last (or is it?!) of the Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Witch-Please-20160627-E14-GhostOfPodcastPast.mp3Download this episode from beyond the grave Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Marcelle a million miles* away, we’re presenting to you a live event organized by Edmonton Potterwatch. “Project Firenze: Minority Representation in Fantasy Literature” was the organization’s first-ever live panel on that topic, focusing this time on the Magic in North America stories and the representation/appropriation of Indigenous cultures. We were joined by Lucinda Rasmussen and Roxanne Harde from the University of Alberta, and moderators Emily Hoven and Nina Legesse, to talk about YA, North American history, and the empowerment of owls in Rowling’s work.(Please pardon the sound quality: it was a live venue and we had one mic to share amongst six speakers of wildly varying volumes!)http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/WitchPlease-20160613-EXiProjectFirenze.mp3Download this soft-spoken episode Further Reading:Killer of Enemies, by Joseph BruchacLightfinder, by Aaron PaquetteSummerland, by Michael ChabonThe Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman AlexieThe Birchbark House, by Louise ErdrichSettler: Identity and Colonialism in 21st Century Canada, by Emma Battell Lowman and Adam J. Barker“My Year of Watching Only Women on Netflix” *11, 134 km Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, this is it, witches. Buckle in for an extra long episode, because this is the LAST (third) part of our discussion of the LAST (seventh) book (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) and we have a lot of ground to cover and old friends to mourn.But don’t you worry. Even though we make about a hundred jokes about it, we’ll be back with more moviesodes and minisodes before the summer is through!{TW for sexual assault, rape culture}http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/WitchPlease-20160530-E13CHallowsandGoodbyes.mp3Download this false finale episode  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Image Credit: Eric/Kimber on FlickrHowdy witches!Marcelle edited tonight’s episode in a flurry of packing so please forgive the dearth of whimsical sound effects! We hope that even without an obscene number of honks and hoots you’ll enjoy this second instalment of our discussion of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. But, to be honest, we’re so internet famous now that we might just start making weird avant-garde artsy episodes to fuck with you. Probably not. But we could!{TW: episode contains use of the song “Taps” and references to death}http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Witch-Please-Episode-13B_DeathlyFamous.mp3Download this infamous episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Howdy, witches!While Hannah was off feministing her heart out in Ontario, Marcelle and Trevor and Neale recorded a live episode at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo! A word of warning: the sound quality is lousy but there are some cute hippogriff baby coos AND the attendees were RADIANT! Also there’s a slide show to accompany our panel below if you like visuals.Download this wild slideshowhttp://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/WitchPlease-20160502-EN_PoliticallyJoyfulCalgary.mp3Download this wild episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Photo credit: Peter Trimming, FlickrTonight, witches, we bid farewell to a friend and confidante. As the Harry Potter series draws to an end Hannah and Marcelle get selectively weepy because compassion fatigue is real and, like, everybody dies in this book. So pour yourself a stiff drink and, while you’re at it, pour one out for Hedwig that she may soar again in our dreams.{TW: episode contains use of the song “Taps” and references to death}http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WitchPlease-20160418-E13A_HedwigsLastFlight.mp3Download this reminder that life is fleeting—er, this episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pull out your scissors and glue sticks, witches, because today we're bringing you a very special montage-filled minisode. As part of our public lecture, “Witch, Please: Feminist Fandom, Public Pedagogy, and Podcasting,” delivered at the University of Calgary, Marcelle prepared two audio montages of our book and movie episodes. They're pretty charming, and you should probably listen to them and share them with everyone you know.If you'd like to see a little more of our public lecture, you can check out the live tweet stream and some gratuitous gifs on our Storify.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WitchPlease-20160402-E125MontagesThroughTheAges.mp3Download this fragmented minisode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Settle down students because class is about to begin! Cheer for your U of A Champions Hannah and Marcelle as they swoop into the University of Calgary’s English Department on their shiny new Red Arrow broomsticks. It’s kind of like the Triwizard Tournament, except it’s like really safe for all involved.Graciously invited by Dr. Derritt Mason and his Children’s Literature class, Marcelle and Hannah have a topical back-and-forth before opening up the floor to questions that will challenge their wits and long term memories. Will our covenheads reign supreme? (Spoiler alert: everybody wins in this scholarly romp!)PS: Special thanks to photographer extraordinaire @sarahraemurray for this perfect image of Academic Joy.Update: If you’d like to read along with us, here are the relevant articles!Maria Tatar: No More Adventures in Wonderland Native Appropriations: “Magic in North America”: The Harry Potter franchise veers too close to homeNative Appropriations: Magic in North America Part 1: Ugh. Righting Red: Magic & Marginalization: Et tu, JK? 🙁http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Witch-Please-20160317-EpisodeN-LiveAndScholarlyAtUofC1.mp3Download this schoolgirl romance/episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get your adult colouring books ready, witches! In tonight’s minisode Hannah and Marcelle descend the rabbit hole of adult colouring books, producing a relatively unedited stream-of-consciousness discussion about books, libraries, censorship, Nazism(?!), racism in general, and how good Snape would look in jewel tones.Aaaaaaand! if you live in the Calgary area we hope you’ll come to our public talk at the University of Calgary on Thursday March 17th. Details about the event can be found here! We look forward to seeing you there!http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/WitchPlease-20160307-EpisodeM-TheTechnicolorDreamSnape.mp3Download this meditative minisode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Image Source: Martin Fisch on FlickrGet ready for a sexy romp with our favourite witches and wizards in this week’s critical analysis of the sexy film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince. If you haven’t seen the sexy trailer, check it out here as it features sexily in our sexy critique.And if that isn’t sexy enough, break out your Malcoy flirting fans because beloved guy-with-a-sexy-film-degree Neale Barnholden returns to explain all the sexy technical terms necessary to understand this sexy teen comedy.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/WitchPlease-20160222-E12_TeenSexRomparoo.mp3Download this sexy episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Image from tiffany terry on flickrThis outrageously tardy episode marks our FIRST birthday as a podcast, which means it’s also our first anniversary with YOU! We’ve come a long way these last twelve months and our coven has reached farther than we ever dreamed. We even got a fancy-pants makeover to celebrate! Above all, YOU are all the very best, and, to show our appreciation, we bring you our silliest and smartest episode yet!Get your chips ready as we continue our analysis of Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Witch-Please-Episode-11B_The-Half-Coy-Stint.mp3Download this wicked episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Hey witches!Our discussion of Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince is on hold for a fortnight as we bring you our adventures at Nerd Nite Edmonton! We drank a bunch of wine and got up on a stage to talk about literary criticism, feminist criticism, and fan theories. It was the best.Enjoy!UPDATE: If you’d like to follow along with the slides, here they are!http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/WitchPlease-20160125-EΛ_LiveAndSurprised.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey Witches!It’s late and there’s a hippogriff baby in need of attention, so let’s get right to it: here for your listening pleasure is the first half of our discussion of Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince (see what I did there?).Enjoy!http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Witch-Please-Episode-11A_The-Full-blood-Patriarchy.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ho Ho Ho, Witches! We’re back in the expanded universe of the podcast with Episode Kappa in which we cackle at fraternity, get a lil’ tipsy on vegan egg nog, and VERY bravely sing some songs. We wrote the songs just for you, dear listeners, so scroll down to find the lyrics and sing along!Word of caution: if this is your first time tuning in to Witch, Please, this episode is probably not the best introduction to the podcast itself (though it is most definitely the best intro to your podcast hosts and regular guest stars). Listen at your own risk of confusion!We’ll be back to our regularly schedule fortnightly shenanigans in January, so blow the dust off your copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince so you’ll be ready to follow along.Sending you hugs, kisses, and shitty jingly bell sound effects, Marcelle, Hannah, Neale, & Trevor.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/WitchPlease-20151214-EKAVeryWitchPleaseHolidaySpecial.mp3Download AudioWitch This?T. Chow-Fraser; D. Elfman.What’s this? What’s this? There’s elvish everywhere What’s this? A dragon in its lair What’s this? I can’t believe my eyes I must be dreaming Me oh my this isn’t fair!What’s this?What’s this? What’s this? There’s something very wrong What’s this? That goblin’s singing songs What’s this? The hills are full with Elves and dwarves and hobbits Out for gold and secret treasure Through the mountains on adventure What is this?What’s this?There’s wizards singing folk songs Instead of blasting spells They seem to live forever Unlike Nicholas Flammel Can Gandalf really magic? He’s really good with swords Is history the real magic here? I simply can’t decide…Oh, look! What’s this? He’s forged an evil ring One ring! To give to every king. Inspired! One ring to rule them all and in the dark To him he’ll bind them, oh my gods What’s this?What’s this? It’s Sam, gaze deep in Frodo’s eyes. How queer Get up that mountainside Or die! If Sau-ron gets the ring of power Elves and humans all will cower And war will come to everyone So, now, correct me if I’m wrong This looks like fun? This looks like fun! Oh, could it be? I got my wish?What’s this?Oh my, what now? The dwarves are all kaput And look, a balrog underfoot Nazguls Orcs and trolls and orientals Oliphaunts and trees Don’t start making coney stew You’ll never get to eat… *sigh*What’s this?The ministry is missing And no death eaters in sight And in their place there seems to be A big red flaming eye Instead of He Who Can’t Be Named, hear ringwraiths on the wing If you want him come and claim him What’s with this damn ring?!The sights, the sounds they’re everywhere And all around I’ve never felt so good before This empty place inside of me is filling up I simply cannot get enough I want it, oh, I want it, oh, I want it for my own I’ve got to know I’ve got to know What is this place with so much mirth? What is this?!Middle Earth, hmm…Poor HacksH. McGregor; D. Elfman.What have we done? What have we done? How could we read so blind?List’ners lost, where were we? Spoiled all, spoiled all.Everything’s gone all Tolkien… What have we done? What... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahoy witches! Join us for another mat leave minisode as we travel back in time to learn about Quidditch IRL! This recording comes from the 2015 Edmonton Comics and Entertainment Expo and features the vocal talents of the Edmonton Aurors Quidditch team. We hope you enjoy!http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/WitchPlease-20151130-E1055QuidditchIRL.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, as Marcelle and our erstwhile tech support selfishly abandon us to care for a newborn, Hannah and genuine guy-with-a-film degree Neale Barnholden go on magical tour of cinematic and material history, featuring dragons! It’s a Q&A minisode, minus the mini. Buckle in, dear listeners, because things are going to get shouty.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/WitchPlease-20151117-E105GaddingWithGuys.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight is a magical night for citizens in the North Land called Canada. In addition to a Federal Election with a potentially record-breaking voter turnout, there’s also some kind of sports event starring some carnivorous birds that people are taking pretty seriously. Also, the latest episode of Witch, Please!In tonight’s episode Hannah and Marcelle tackle the fifth movie without any actual film expertise from our favourite Actual-Guy-with-a-Film-Degree, Neale. But fear not, covenmates, Neale will be back. And on the topic of absenteeism, this might be Marcelle’s last episode for a little while because she’s gonna have a baby or something. Possibly tonight! Who knows! The important thing is that you can rely on Hannah to keep things going and something or other about when things get dark look to the light.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/WitchPlease-20151019-E10OneMemberShortOfAOrder.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**Just a wee correction to keep this episode in line with our outrageously complicated numbering system! The real number 10 will be uploaded as scheduled on Monday!**Nothing gets your magical blood pumping quite like a room full of Harry Potter fans ready to talk about feminism! Witches, we are just over the moon on a Firebolt to bring you our first ever live episode, recorded at the Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo.Special thanks to all you listners who made it out that afternoon! You sure know how to make an angry feminist team feel special.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/WitchPlease-20151005-E10LiveAndUnruly.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know what, witches? Growing up is hard. In tonight’s episode your hosts Hannah and Marcelle relive their teenage years and cry a bunch.Get your hankies and enjoy!http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/WitchPlease-20150921-E9BTheTearsOfAge.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it getting hot in here or is it just that cleansing fire? Either way, we are thrilled to bring you the long-awaited first half of our discussion of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/WitchPlease-20150907-E9TheCleansingFire.mp3Download Episode  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gird your loins, witches, because it’s time for ANOTHER #witchpleasetellme minisode. Thrill to the sounds of Hannah bravely confronting Trevor, the erstwhile robot troll of our hearts. Will she defeat this perilous foe? Only time will tell! (Spoiler: no.)Don’t fret if your question wasn’t selected. Now that the episode is recorded, we’ll re-post your queries on Twitter so that everyone can see how brilliant our listeners are.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WitchPlease-20150824-E85EncountersWithTrolls.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here it is. The episode that’s too hot to upload through a mere, smear mobile phone.Game on, witches.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WitchPlease-20150810-E_GamersATheGate.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Howdy, witches!We recorded this episode in Marcelle’s rasberry-filled yard, all the while stuffing our faces with these spectacularly tart backyard berries. If only we realized at the time how entirely à propos our snack choice was! Can you find all the “raspberries” in tonight’s episode? Listen and find out.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/WitchPlease-20150727-E8WinnerOfTheRaspberryCup.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Hello, dear witches!Tonight we present to you… our second minisode! While Hannah rubs elbows in Montreal, Marcelle answers your questions with the help of our erstwhile tech support and the robot of our hearts: Trevor.Thanks to everyone who submitted #witchpleasetellme questions! We love interacting with our listeners even more than we love the Harry Potter series. And, now that she’s allowed to look at the twitter feed, Marcelle will re-post all of your excellent queries for everyone’s enjoyment!http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/WitchPlease-20150713-ADraughtOfVeritaserum.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back, witches! We are thrilled to bring you our second (too-long) episode of Witch, Please about Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In today’s episode, “The Goblet is Political,” guest host Andrea Hasenbank helps us wrap our heads around the issue of labour (domestic, craft, and pre-industrial) in the wizarding world.We’re dealing with a lot of big, serious topics, so you may notice a slight derth of whimsical sound effects. We’re pretty optimistic that the discussions themselves will compensate for this absence.xohttp://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/WitchPlease-20150629-E7B_The-Goblet_Is_Political.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here we are, witches, with the first of TWO too long episodes about Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire. Marcelle is back from her adventures in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (a mystical land whose residents think Witch, Please episodes appear on Tuesdays!) and joins Hannah for an 85-minute discussion about displacing racial violence onto “grievable subjects,” precarity, sexual violence, Game of Thrones, and more.Spoilers ABOUND in this episode, so proceed with caution.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/WitchPlease-20150615-E7AThe-Tri-and-fail-to-fit-everything-into-an-hour-Tournament.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our first ever, surprisingly long minisode. Sylvie and Rebecca join Hannah for some unusual segments and old-timey foley work.http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/WitchPlease-20150601-BecSylvieMinisode.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was a real adventure–not just the editing, but the recording process, too. An extra long wait for an extra long episode: it makes sense, if you think about it!We are excited to present to you Witch, Please Episode 6: Neale Barnholden and the Final Cut, which would make a pretty decent band name IMHO.Extra special thanks to CJSR fm, the Edmonton Public Library, and the wonderful viewers and organizers of Edmonton’s Accio Books.Enjoy!http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WitchPlease-20150518-E6NealeBarnholdenAndTheFinalCut.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oh hi there! You’re still waiting for the second half of Episode 5, huh? Well you’re in luck! Episode 5B is ready for your listening pleasure.xohttp://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WitchPlease-20150504-E5BEscapeFromTimeConstraints.mp3Download Episode   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part one of two!(no time for whimsy)http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/WitchPlease-20150420-E5PrisonerOfTimeRestraints.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book lovers, we're back from our week-long hiatus. It's been too long. Without further ado (but with so very Much Ado), we present to you Episode Four!Bisouxhttp://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/WitchPlease-20150406-E4ChamberOfWhiteness.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get ready to level up, Second Years!http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/WitchPlease-20150316-ChamberOfSpoilers.mp3Download EpisodeIt’s time we stop pretending there won’t be spoilers in this podcast. We’ll do our best to give you ample warning when a spoiler is coming, and we won’t discuss the spoilers at length, so hopefully our listeners reading along with us don’t have the magic ruined for them. But if you are reading along with us—and for the first time—we really want to encourage you to go on and read ahead. xo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are excited to bring you the second episode!http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/WitchPlease-20150302-E2SophomoresStone.mp3Download EpisodePS: It’s a Monday, and we’re going to keep releasing on Mondays. If you prefer to listen to Witch, Please on Fridays, you are responsible for securing your own time turner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feast your magic-loving ears on THIS:http://ohwitchplease.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/WitchPlease-20150213-E1SortingCeremony.mp3Download Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.