The magical academy is a place of wonder and enchantment. Nestled deep within the mystical forest, it is a haven for those with an affinity for the arcane arts. Students from all walks of life come to this esteemed institution to explore the vast world of magic and unlock their full potential. Inside the academy's grand halls, one can find an abundance of knowledge and wisdom. The ancient tomes lining the shelves hold secrets and spells passed down through generations. The faculty, made up of experienced and skilled wizards, sorcerers, and witches, impart their expertise to eager students.
Natalie and Kaitlin Prest, co-creators of the ‘beguiling’ Sisters.
The programme is in chronological order and follows Rowling s professional history her personal life is included to show how it shaped her work and how her work changed her life. Rowling s novel The Ink Black Heart, published in 2022 under the pen name Robert Galbraith, features a character named Edie Ledwell, portrayed as the victim of a masterfully plotted, politically fueled hate campaign by social justice warriors after her popular YouTube cartoon was criticized as being racist and ableist, as well as transphobic for a bit about a hermaphrodite worm.
The faculty, made up of experienced and skilled wizards, sorcerers, and witches, impart their expertise to eager students. The curriculum at the magical academy is diverse and comprehensive. Courses range from basic spellcasting and potion brewing to advanced subjects such as divination and elemental manipulation.
The week in audio: The Witch Trials of JK Rowling; Dear Daughter; Sisters – review
The Witch Trials of JK Rowling is a strange podcast. Rowling’s careful, crisp mind contrasts with host Megan Phelps-Roper’s mushy Christian desire to be as kind and evenhanded as possible. That’s not to say that the podcast isn’t interesting – it is – just that it’s uneven and reeeally streeetched out. It needs a far tougher editor.
A bit of background. Phelps-Roper is known for being brought up in, and then leaving, the virulently homophobic Westboro Baptist church, her fundamentalist views changed by Twitter (I know!). Landing Rowling as an interviewee is a huge coup for Phelps-Roper, as Rowling is private, and we understand why when, in episode one, she recounts how her ex-husband tried to break into her home. We should also note that The Witch Trials comes from a production company started by Bari Weiss, a journalist who fell out with the New York Times over her provocative “anti-woke” stance on cancel culture. Because of this, and given the title, we assume that the podcast exists because Rowling has been disowned by many – some of her fans and others – for her views on women’s and trans people’s rights and how they can conflict. Perhaps we will get to this subject; however, it appears, only once Phelps-Roper has gone through every single US cultural permutation of the past 20 years.
The programme is in chronological order and follows Rowling’s professional history (her personal life is included to show how it shaped her work and how her work changed her life). The longueurs occur because we are also given the context in which her work was published. By work, of course, we mean Harry Potter, or Hairy Podder, as every American insists on calling it. There are a lot on this show. The second episode spends what seems like days on 1990s US Christian evangelists and their mad belief that the Harry Potter books truly promote witchcraft to children, that kids might “drink unicorn blood”. It’s hard to maintain interest throughout this lunacy.
Safer still are the hands of the unacknowledged Gary Davies, there to smooth things over in between Ken Bruce and Vernon Kay
The third episode, out last week, about the rise of internet message boards and their overspill into the mainstream, was much better. The two examined are Tumblr (essentially sweet and lefty) and 4chan (like a racist, Columbine-loving Andrew Tate). Tumblr gave many young people the space to define their own gender queer identities. And 4chan allowed its members to rail against societal norms in a different manner, paving the way for self-promoting feminist-baiters such as Milo Yiannopoulos.
This is Jon Ronson-style stuff, though Phelps-Roper is less sharp, journalistically. Really what The Witch Trials highlights is what happens to both artist and fans when a creation balloons into something unmanageable. Harry Potter – and via Harry, Rowling – became so popular that everyone, even those who with no stake in the game, decided on an opinion and all subtleties were lost. Rowling, as she says, may have hoped that the books’ message that humans are flawed, complicated, a mixture of good and bad, is what would resonate. But – and she sees this – that’s not what’s happened. Harry and Rowling became too famous for that. Now they’re seen as entirely good or utterly bad. There are four episodes to go.
Namulanta Kombo presents the award-winning Dear Daughter. BBC
A far cosier female-centred listen is Dear Daughter, winner of podcast of the year at last year’s British Podcast awards. The first episode of the second series came out last week as a podcast on BBC Sounds and will be a World Service programme starting on 11 March. Hosted by the positive, optimistic Namulanta Kombo, mother to a young boy and girl, it’s a sweet show that believes the relationship between mothers and daughters is special. Although last week, we heard from Marian, a journalist from Estonia, who had a distant relationship with her father and is very grateful for her husband’s much closer bond with their daughter. Both Marian and Kombo’s girls are still young: you wonder, a little, about teenage issues, also how the programme would differ if they had more than one daughter. This week, she will be interviewing writer Isabel Allende, not a woman to pull punches.
Here’s a show about more than one daughter: Sisters, from Kaitlin Prest, who is revered among podcast-lovers, especially North American women. Her podcast The Heart, a collection of different series, is beautifully made, intense and personal; she negotiates and understands the world via her own body and life. So it’s interesting that she is co-creating this beguiling, intriguing podcast with her younger sister, Natalie. Using recordings that Prest has made of her family over several years, the first three episodes cover Kaitlin and Natalie’s childhood, how Kaitlin was dismissive of Natalie, how Natalie thought her big sister was amazing and how they became close as adults. Now they are working together, and despite Natalie’s efforts to be her own person, everything still feels dominated by Kaitlin. Is there space for Natalie here? God, families are complicated…
Natalie and Kaitlin Prest, co-creators of the ‘beguiling’ Sisters.
Can we say the words Vernon Kay without the Radio 2 “family” falling apart? Now Ken Bruce has left (his last stint was on Friday), the mid-morning show will pass to Kay in a few weeks. He is a safe pair of hands, though perhaps a little blokey (despite its long love affair with the straight white male presenter, since Chris Evans left in 2018, Radio 2 has been almost entirely un-blokey). Safer still are the hands of the unacknowledged Gary Davies, there to smooth things over in between Bruce and Kay, to ensure that the world still keeps turning and the family still functions.
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Every student is encouraged to find their own path within the magical arts and pursue their passions. The academy is not only a place of learning but also a community. Students form lifelong friendships with their fellow magic enthusiasts and engage in spirited discussions and friendly competitions. Dormitories are filled with laughter and late-night study sessions, and the academy's common areas buzz with the energy of shared experiences and discoveries. Outside the academy's walls lies a vast training ground where students can put their skills to the test. The sprawling grounds are filled with enchanted creatures, from mischievous pixies to powerful dragons, providing ample opportunities for students to practice and apply their magic. The magical academy also hosts a myriad of extracurricular activities and events. Students can participate in magical duels, potion-making contests, and even theatrical productions. These activities foster teamwork, creativity, and a healthy sense of competition among the students. Graduation from the magical academy is a cause for celebration and the beginning of a new chapter in a young magician's life. Armed with their newfound knowledge and skills, graduates embark on quests and adventures, seeking to make a difference in the world through their magic. The magical academy is not just a school but a place where dreams come true. It is a beacon of hope for those who believe in the power of magic and the endless possibilities it offers. For those fortunate enough to attend, the magical academy becomes a second home and a stepping stone to a remarkable and extraordinary future..
Reviews for "Bringing Magic to the Muggle World: The Magical Academy's Outreach Programs"
- John Smith - 2 out of 5 stars - I found "The Magical Academy" to be a disappointment. The storyline was predictable, and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped. The magical element of the story lacked depth and originality, making it hard to fully engage with the plot. Overall, I felt that the execution of the concept fell short, leaving me unsatisfied as a reader.
- Sarah Johnson - 1 out of 5 stars - I really struggled to finish "The Magical Academy". The writing style was choppy, and the pacing was off. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and their actions often lacked believability. The world-building was shallow, and the magic system felt poorly explained. It was a disappointing read that I wouldn't recommend to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy novel.
- Mark Thompson - 2 out of 5 stars - "The Magical Academy" failed to capture my interest. The plot was slow-moving and lacked originality. I found myself losing focus and wanting to put the book down multiple times. The lack of depth in the characters made it hard for me to care about their struggles or successes. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers who are seeking a more engaging and immersive fantasy read.
- Emily Davis - 3 out of 5 stars - While "The Magical Academy" had some entertaining moments, I felt that it fell short in terms of character development. The main protagonist lacked complexity, and the supporting cast felt one-dimensional. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The magic system, though promising, wasn't fully explored, leaving me disappointed. Overall, it was an average read that didn't leave a lasting impression.