The Real J.K. Rowling: Solomon Schmidt on the Woman Behind Harry Potter

Bryce sits down with author Solomon Schmidt — who started publishing books at age 12 with his "History Bites" series and went on to write about figures like Alan Dershowitz before turning his attention to J.K. Rowling — to talk about his new book, "JK Changed the World." Solomon shares how researching a Tolkien-and-C.S.-Lewis-themed UK tour led him into the world of Harry Potter, and walks through the case he makes in the book: that Rowling wove deliberate Christian symbolism and allusions throughout the series, despite not publicly identifying as a born-again Christian. He and Bryce also dig into Rowling's public stand against gender ideology, the personal history Solomon says shaped her views, and the legal jeopardy she faced in Scotland for speaking out — plus how Solomon himself has faced review-bombing and cancellation attempts since the book's release. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Intro, welcome Solomon Schmidt 00:40 — Solomon's background: starting "History Bites" at age 12 05:00 — How the Alan Dershowitz book project led him toward J.K. Rowling 06:39 — Designing a Tolkien/C.S. Lewis tour that expanded into a Harry Potter tour 09:29 — Early skepticism: growing up hearing Harry Potter was "satanic" 11:22 — Christian critiques of the series and Rowling's own interest in the occult 12:36 — The deliberate Christian symbolism Solomon says Rowling built into the books 19:11 — Biblical parallels debate — Paul at the Areopagus and "meat offered to idols" 23:26 — Rowling's public stand against gender ideology and the backlash she faced 24:29 — The personal history — domestic abuse, sexual assault — Solomon says shaped her views 28:14 — The Scottish hate crime law controversy 32:16 — Where to get the book, release date (June 23) 34:00 — Where to follow Solomon and his History Bites tours LINKS 📘 "JK Changed the World" — available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, bookshop.org, and as an audiobook/e-book. Out June 23. 📱  Website: solomonschmidt.com | See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.