Potterless
| Potterless | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Mike Schubert |
| Genre | Comedy, Literature |
| Created by | Mike Schubert |
| Language | English |
| Updates | Randomly posting |
| Production | |
| Production | Mike Schubert |
| Theme music composed by | Bettina Campomanes |
| No. of episodes | 189 (plus bonus episodes) (as of Jan 10, 2023) |
| Publication | |
| Original release | October 17, 2016 |
| Provider | Multitude |
| Related | |
| Website | potterlesspodcast.com |
Potterless is an audio podcast created by Mike Schubert. The podcast follows Schubert as he reads the Harry Potter series for the first time. Each episode covers a section of the book series and later the movies and fan material as Schubert and one or more guests analyze the story, writing, and characters.
History
[edit]Schubert wanted to start a podcast believed that an adult reading the series for the first time would be an interesting topic.[1] He invited fans of the series on as guests as counterpoint to his experience.[2] The podcast was conceptualized as one that would "pick apart the story and dethrone it from its lofty perch" but turns into one that "celebrates as the story gets richer."[3]
The first episode of the podcast launched in October of 2016.[4] Episodes were initially released bi-weekly, but the release schedule was switched to weekly in 2019. The last book material was covered in episode 89,[5] after which Schubert began covering the Harry Potter films and spin-off materials such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.[4] The last regular episode of Potterless was released on August 30, 2021.
Schubert then moved onto the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan for his next podcast with a similar concept; this podcast's first full episode was released on September 6, 2021, and is named The Newest Olympian.[6] Schubert still releases content for Potterless from events such as live shows.
Besides The Newest Olympian, Schubert hosts or co-hosts three other podcasts: Horse, Meddling Adults, and Modern Muckraker.
On October 4, 2022, it was announced by Multitude, the podcast network which hosted Potterless, that Schubert and his shows had left the production company.[7][8]
Format
[edit]Each episode of the first 89 is dedicated to a chapter or chapters of the book series in chronological reading order. After Schubert finished the books, the episodes moved to discussing the movies. Later, he discussed other Harry Potter-related media, such as the spin-off books and movies, A Very Potter Musical, and Puffs.[1] Episodes are approximately 60 minutes in length, and consist primarily of Schubert and his guest(s) summarizing the plot and providing commentary.[9]
Recurring segments include British Quandaries, in which British citizen Dottie James answers questions from Schubert and his American guests regarding "British-isms".[2]
Schubert donates a portion of his Patreon revenues to charity.[9]
Reception
[edit]Potterless has been featured by Buzzfeed in lists of recommended podcasts.[10][11]
The Post called Potterless "the perfect podcast for anyone who has wanted to reread the series but doesn't have the time… [it] provides listeners with opportunity to recall the first time they read the books and follow along on the beautiful journey of listening to someone else do the same."[12] Brighton Journal wrote that Schubert's "genuine enthusiasm for the books is charming."[2]
The Maine Campus called Schubert "cynical" and "too critical."[13] The Student said Schubert's "complete lack of understanding of everyday British words and phrases threatens to irritate rather than amuse."[14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "20 Under 30". Rice Magazine. 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ a b c Hayword, Marie (22 October 2019). "Revisit Harry Potter with the Potterless Podcast". Brighton Journal. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ Ramakrishnan, Pooja (12 July 2018). "Potterless, where less is more". TU Delta (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-08-11.
- ^ a b Savage, Katherine (April 26, 2019). "Podcast brings 'riddikulus' humor to Harry Potter world". The Columbia Chronicle. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
- ^ "Potterless Podcast: Episode 89". Potterless. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ "Ep. 0". The Newest Olympian. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "Multitude on Instagram: "An announcement from the Multitude Team."". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
- ^ Multitude [@MultitudeShows] (4 October 2022). "An announcement from the Multitude Team: https://t.co/h4z7CSvMkr" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Spana, Celia (26 May 2018). "Why Potterless is Your Next Podcast". ClicheMag. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018.
- ^ Armson, Ben (11 January 2020). "21 Podcasts that Come Highly Recommended". Buzzfeed. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ Suknanan, Jasmin (5 April 2020). "22 Non-News Podcasts that, Try as You Might, You Probably Won't be Able to Stop Listening To". Buzzfeed. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ Davis, Georgia. "Mischief Managed: Three 'Harry Potter' Podcasts You Have to Listen To". ThePost. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ Theriault, Liz (1 October 2018). ""Potterless" allows listeners to reimagine a classic". The Maine Campus. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
- ^ Lewis, Sam (21 January 2018). "Potterless". The Student. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018.
