If you’ve ever wondered how a Harry Potter course can be a masterclass in teaching white supremacy, systemic oppression, and feminist critique—you’re gonna love this episode. We’re joined by Professor Julian Womble, who uses the Wizarding World to help his students explore the messy intersections of identity, power, and representation. We dig into fanfiction as reclamation, Hermione’s white savior complex, Lavender Brown’s erasure, and how to love problematic art without ignoring its dangers. Come for the Draco redemption arc, stay for the discussion on teaching critical consciousness through pop culture.

Prof. Julian Wamble (Womble), he/him, is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University, where he teaches a popular class called Harry Potter & the Politics of Social Identity. He’s also the host of Critical Magic Theory podcast.

Tiktok: @profw | Instagram: @prof.jw

Discussed in this episode:

• Teaching white supremacy using Harry Potter
• Hermione’s white saviorism and gendered politics
• Fanfiction as a tool for social change
• The erasure and racism around Lavender Brown
• The problem with redemption arcs only for male characters
• Draco Malfoy as a projection for reform
• Why separating art from artist is dangerous
• Creating guides for conscientious readers
• How fanfiction rewrites justice and inclusivity

Fanfic etiquette:

• Fanfic is free; never buy or sell to protect the space and observe copyright and IP laws
• Observe the authors rules regarding sharing and personal binding
• We don’t rate or review fanfic; it’s a gift. If you don’t like a particular one simply DNF (do not finish) and move on
• Always, always leave a kudos or comment to show appreciation for the authors effort
• Don’t be an asshole.

Resources mentioned:

• “James” by Percival Everett
• Let the Dark In by SenLinYu
• The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy by speechwriter
• Manacled by SenLinYu is no longer available
• Bloody, Slutty, and Pathetic by WhatMurdah
• Save Me Again by wolfstarlover20 (all queer fic Taina read during Pride month)

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You ever feel like the world is on fire and you're holding the matches and a bucket of water? Yeah, us too. In this raw and candid convo, Becky and Taina unpack their experiences around the No Kings protest, the complicated dynamics of white allyship, what it means to show up (and what it doesn’t), and the impossible standards placed on parents, especially moms. From the emotional labor of unlearning white supremacy to the tension between safety and activism, this episode dives deep into the mess of trying to do liberation right—and how there’s no one right way. This one’s for anyone caught between burnout, rage, and hope.

📝 Discussed in this episode

• Why Becky took her son to his first protest (and why he was terrified)
• The emotional toll of being "the good citizen" in a broken system
• Why showing up looks different for white folks vs. people of color
• The white guilt and self-righteousness loop we all have to confront
• The truth about public schools and their real purpose
• Taina’s take on “anti-mothering” and emotional labor
• Generational shifts in parenting and emotional intelligence
• Why curiosity can be an antidote to judgment
• The bullshit of performative allyship (and why praise-kinks are real)
• There’s no gold star for liberation—but we want one anyway

🔗 Resources mentioned

• Deepa Iyer’s Social Change Ecosystem Map
• Trash Tuesday Podcast

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SPECIAL RELEASE: Becky & Taina on Becky's other podcast, Assigned Reading (if you like this conversation, check out this new podcast here)

Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive deep into Sylvia Rivera’s 2001 speech, "Bitch on Wheels." They unpack Rivera’s righteous rage, explore the erasure of trans voices in LGBTQ history, and reflect on the importance of solidarity and intersectionality in the fight for liberation. This raw speech from a legendary activist is just as urgent today.

✍️ “Bitch on Wheels” by Sylvia Rivera

Discussed in this episode

- Sylvia Rivera’s legacy and speech context
- Stonewall riots from a trans perspective
- Marsha P. Johnson and Rivera’s activism
- Respectability politics and performative feminism
- White saviorism, allyship, and call-in vs. call-out
- Suicide and mental health in the trans community
- The role of anger in activism
- Collective care and intersectionality

Resources mentioned
- The Trevor Project
- Lee Brewster history
- Messy Liberation podcast

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