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The Free Press Investigates

The Free Press Investigates

By: The Free Press
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The Free Press Investigates brings you gripping, deeply reported stories you can't find anywhere else—and the investigations others won’t dare to cover. Our new series, Spiral: Murder in Detroit drops soon. Until then, listen to Season 1: The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Season 1: Trailer

    Season 1: Trailer
    Feb 14 2023
    The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling premieres Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Learn more Read an essay by host Megan Phelps-Roper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 mins
  • The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 1. Plotted In Darkness

    The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 1. Plotted In Darkness
    Feb 21 2023
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 2. Burn The Witch

    The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 2. Burn The Witch
    Feb 21 2023
    As "Harry Potter" becomes an international phenomenon, it coincides with the culture wars of the 1990s. In the backlash from Christians across America, author J.K. Rowling is accused of mainstreaming witchcraft and poisoning children’s minds. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
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Amazing, enthralling, heartfelt are some of the words that come to my mind when stating my opinion about this podcast, I'm a HP fan I fell in love with the books and I can say that so far I've been able to find all of the elements that JK Rowlings describes about them and as an adult I've come to understand the beauty of grey that is human nature. I can't wait to listen more about these conversations. I can't tell you with words how important it is for our society (in the light of the polarization of the speech that currently permeates our society) to be able to listen to a person who was always an ally and now is being vilified for stating controversial and sometimes hurtful opinions silenced without any chance of explaining herself, I can see her humanity and I understand where her heart its on those issues, I myself share some of her worries, I considered myself a trans ally, I believe in their rights and the acknowledgement of their human experience and I'm a feminist too, so I believe that a deep conversation is due, I believe that we as adults should be capable of having difficult conversations, ghosting each other and silencing dissident voices can only get us so far, I believe everything can be done with respect, love and understanding, and those 2 eps are full of that.

Excellent to start an honest and open conversation

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I really enjoyed this podcast. It presented the information in a clear and balanced way. It allowed each side to express their views and to respond to criticism. I believe what J.K Rowling said was taken out of context and she offered a very clear explanation of the very specific issues she sees a problem with. This was a very intelligent conversation between intelligent people and presented in a wonderful podcast. Thank you to all involved!

A great podcast, very balanced presentation

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I’ve been waiting to see Rowling’s side and she didn’t disappoint. Really well done and thoughtful.

I’ve been waiting for this

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I really enjoyed the podcast. It pretty much said what I thought it would. JK Rowling made statements that are easy to see as bigoted, however, I doubt she has any real issues with the trans community. Rowling 's main issue seems to stem from her past traumas. She seems more concerned with the possibility of unscrupulous men pretending to be trans in order to harm women. Unfortunately all of the hate she has received from the trans community and some of their allies are confirming some of her misconceptions. Because if we're honest, how can you sling highly sexually violent slurs at women and consider yourself a woman? Using slurs rooted in misogyny and patriarchy run counter to gaining allies and support....
You can't simultaneously stand on the shoulders of feminism while kicking feminists in the head. People don't like discussion because they are uncomfortable with actual discourse. A few clicks from the safety of your keyboard and everyone thinks they're a warrior.

Misplaced anger and selective outrage

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Megan Phelps-Roper is uniquely qualified to host this conversation. She takes the responsibility seriously, and treats all with respect & fairness. So good I’ve listened three times!

Thoughtful & thought provoking, unfailingly fair

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