Episode
Chapter 1: Plotted In Darkness
47:12
Published: Tue Feb 21 2023
Description
Host Megan Phelps-Roper writes a letter to J.K. Rowling—and receives a surprising invitation in reply: the opportunity for an intimate conversation in Rowling’s Scottish home. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org.
Chapters
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) shares a mission with the podcast to defend the culture of free speech and open dialogue, which is essential for democracy and society.
00:00 - 02:59 (02:59)
Summary
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) shares a mission with the podcast to defend the culture of free speech and open dialogue, which is essential for democracy and society. The episode discusses the current climate where free speech is often viewed with suspicion, and even listening to ideological opponents is considered morally wrong, leading to self-censorship.
EpisodeChapter 1: Plotted In Darkness
PodcastThe Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
The controversy over J.K. Rowling's tweets has led to calls for boycott, burning, and banning of her books.
02:59 - 10:24 (07:25)
Summary
The controversy over J.K. Rowling's tweets has led to calls for boycott, burning, and banning of her books. The language of witch hunts has been invoked on all sides, revealing the danger of social media mobs.
EpisodeChapter 1: Plotted In Darkness
PodcastThe Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling discusses why the idea of supernatural power is so appealing to both children and adults, and how our interpretations of stories can change over time and with new experiences.
10:38 - 18:50 (08:12)
Summary
J.K. Rowling discusses why the idea of supernatural power is so appealing to both children and adults, and how our interpretations of stories can change over time and with new experiences.
EpisodeChapter 1: Plotted In Darkness
PodcastThe Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
This podcast is about a person who was trying to escape from an abusive relationship and took their manuscript to their workplace in order to keep it safe from their abuser.
18:50 - 24:29 (05:38)
Summary
This podcast is about a person who was trying to escape from an abusive relationship and took their manuscript to their workplace in order to keep it safe from their abuser.
EpisodeChapter 1: Plotted In Darkness
PodcastThe Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
The speaker shares a personal story of living with her sister in difficult circumstances, and how her experience helped her understand individuals facing similar struggles in their lives.
24:29 - 30:45 (06:16)
Summary
The speaker shares a personal story of living with her sister in difficult circumstances, and how her experience helped her understand individuals facing similar struggles in their lives.
EpisodeChapter 1: Plotted In Darkness
PodcastThe Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
Despite being rejected by 12 different publishers, Harry Potter eventually became a massive success story with children telling their friends about the book and a major publisher later picking it up.
30:45 - 37:43 (06:57)
Summary
Despite being rejected by 12 different publishers, Harry Potter eventually became a massive success story with children telling their friends about the book and a major publisher later picking it up.
EpisodeChapter 1: Plotted In Darkness
PodcastThe Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
The speaker talks about the challenges of managing publicity for a sensitive situation while maintaining privacy.
37:44 - 41:38 (03:54)
Summary
The speaker talks about the challenges of managing publicity for a sensitive situation while maintaining privacy.
EpisodeChapter 1: Plotted In Darkness
PodcastThe Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
Despite bomb threats and controversies, The Harry Potter series broke records with every new book release as fans eagerly awaited the latest edition, even camping overnight outside bookstores in London.
41:38 - 46:32 (04:53)
Summary
Despite bomb threats and controversies, The Harry Potter series broke records with every new book release as fans eagerly awaited the latest edition, even camping overnight outside bookstores in London.