What Do You Listen To?
Nine sources of audio inspiration
Photo by rakhmat suwandi on Unsplash
This week I took a much needed break from my desk, but I did not take a break from listening to audio poems or writers talk about making poems. When I’m not writing, I’m listening. And when I’m listening, I’m usually listening to these.
Here are my favorite poetry podcasts and a few specific episodes.
The Slowdown, hosted by Ada Limón, formerly hosted by Tracy K. Smith. There are too many great episodes to list here. Episodes are snackable, just a few minutes each.
Between the Covers (interviews with prose and poetry writers). These are long-form (and I do mean long, sometimes two hours), which allows for unusual depth. Favorite episodes: Ross Gay, Ada Limón, Jorie Graham, Douglas Kearney, Arthur Sze, Kaveh Akbar, Rae Armantrout.
Poetry for All. Hosted by two poets aiming to uncover what makes contemporary and classic poems tick. Approachable, delightful. Check out the episodes on Lucille Clifton and Matthew Zapruder.
Poetry Off the Shelf. Hosted by the insightful Helena de Groot, this podcast “explores the diverse world of contemporary poetry.” Check out episodes with Hoa Nguyen and Camille Dungy.
The New Yorker: Poetry with Kevin Young. A clever format, highlighting the work of two poets at once. Favorite recent episodes: Saeed Jones reads Deborah Digges and Eileen Myles reads Joy Harjo.
Poem of the Day. A daily audio poem from the Poetry Foundation.
The VS Podcast hosted by Danez Smith and Franny Choi, where “poets confront the ideas that move them.”
Poem Talk. A group of writer-academics in round-table discussion of a contemporary writer.
Essential American Poets, biography plus recordings of readings. I especially appreciate the lesser-known poets included here, like Lorine Niedecker.
What do you listen to? Share a recommendation in the comments.
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This is great! thank you so much for this.
This is a wonderful post. Thank you. Eileen Myles reading and discussing Joy Harjo is a real gift.