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Poetry Off the Shelf

Poetry Foundation·99 episodes

ArtsBooksEducation

Producer Helena de Groot talks to poets about language, dreams, love and loss, identity, connection, anger, discomfort, the creative process, the state of the world and the world of the soul. Hard conversations are welcomed—laughter is, too.

Episodes

46 min
Jun 2, 2026Episode 578
Don't Make Any Noise

J Brooke on testosterone, incinerators, and the mobster at home. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

40 min
May 19, 2026Episode 578
The Act of Touching

Chris Crowder on muscles, privacy, and being Captain Safety. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

55 min
Apr 28, 2026Episode 576
Hereafter Parties

Arielle Hebert on Florida, driving with the windows down, and tallying up the dead. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

49 min
Apr 14, 2026Episode 575
A Handful of Dust

Iain McGilchrist on Rip Van Winkle, the poet's brain, and the real word for sunshine. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

57 min
Mar 31, 2026Episode 574
The Wrong Details

D.S. Waldman on the left hand, losing his brother, and introducing the most wounded part. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

53 min
Mar 17, 2026Episode 576
The Character in the Corner

Sony Ton-Aimé on radical joy, pig blood, and the ancestors we forgot. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

58 min
Mar 3, 2026Episode 576
Those Bodies We Borrowed

Monica Ferrell on robot apples, Playboy bunnies, and botox vs. crow's feet. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

56 min
Feb 17, 2026Episode 576
What It Takes to Be a Man

James Ciano on sports, masculinity, and the desperation to belong. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

48 min
Feb 3, 2026Episode 570
How to Survive on an Island

Stephanie Niu on being lost at sea, crab bridges, and finding the heart of the world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

43 min
Jan 20, 2026Episode 571
The Multiverse of Me

Diamond Forde on poison, fan fiction, and writing the Great American Vampire Novel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

36 min
Dec 30, 2025Episode 571
Poets We Lost in 2025

Remembering Ellen Bryant Voigt, plus a few words on mortality by Andrea Gibson. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

56 min
Dec 16, 2025Episode 571
An Old Face

Amanda Quaid on cancer, being bad in New York, and erotic hands.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

45 min
Dec 2, 2025Episode 571
An Impossible Wish

Tracy K. Smith on her Hello Kitty notebook, automatic writing, and the afterlife.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

56 min
Nov 18, 2025Episode 571
Body of Water

Chet'la Sebree on fertility, the ocean, and sonnets about menstruation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

46 min
Nov 4, 2025Episode 572
What Heaven Looks Like

brittny ray crowell on grief, the scent of burning leaves, and finding her way back. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

48 min
Oct 21, 2025Episode 565
We Dream of Each Other

Kay Gabriel on embarrassment, labor organizing, and the discipline of hope. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

50 min
Sep 30, 2025Episode 565
Glow in the Dark

Martha Silano in memoriam: on blushing knees, fairy houses, and preparing your kids for loss. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 hr 4 min
Sep 16, 2025Episode 565
Mentor for Life

Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize winner Rigoberto González on immigration raids, rhythm, and his father’s last words. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

53 min
Sep 2, 2025Episode 565
Let the World Whisper

Ahmad Almallah on Gaza, the moon, and the companionship of Paul Celan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

48 min
Aug 19, 2025Episode 564
A New Leaf

KB Brookins on change, gym bros, and the stories that haven't been told. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

47 min
Aug 5, 2025Episode 564
Sleep and Surrender

Drew Ackerman on insomnia, late-night radio, and soothing his inner cynic. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

45 min
Jul 22, 2025Episode 560
Museum of Stories

Shin Yu Pai on professional breakup, desert art, and love in the archive. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

53 min
Jul 8, 2025Episode 560
The Last Touch

Alina Stefanescu on ruins, fear of flying, and life in the Romanian Republic of Alabama. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

54 min
Jun 24, 2025Episode 560
Touch the Moon

Philip Hoare on William Blake, revolution, and swimming in the dark. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

45 min
Jun 10, 2025Episode 556
Growing Sideways

Stephanie Burt on queer time, glass dildos, and making it up as you go.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

52 min
May 27, 2025Episode 556
Forty Years in Nappies

Lauren K. Watel on blooming late, showing off, and the question of what's for dinner. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

51 min
May 19, 2025Episode 555
Long Song

Catherine-Esther Cowie on Saint Lucia, breathing life into history, and the violence in our heart.

47 min
May 19, 2025Episode 555
After a Bad Dream

Darius Atefat-Peckham on crocheting, masculinity, and the aftermath of loss.

52 min
May 13, 2025Episode 556
Stones in the Shed

A.E. Stallings on shipwrecks, daylight robbery, and the air in 19th century Athens.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

7 min
May 9, 2025Episode 553
Martha Silano’s “Once”

A reading in memory of Martha Silano.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

47 min
May 2, 2025Episode 552
After a Bad Dream

Darius Atefat-Peckham on crocheting, masculinity, and the aftermath of loss.

47 min
Apr 29, 2025Episode 552
After a Bad Dream

Darius Atefat-Peckham on crocheting, masculinity, and the aftermath of loss.

47 min
Apr 29, 2025Episode 551
After a Bad Dream

Darius Atefat-Peckham on crocheting, masculinity, and the aftermath of loss.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

59 min
Apr 28, 2025Episode 550
What Love Can Be

Keetje Kuipers on becoming a single mother by choice, gardening topless, and leaping without looking.

59 min
Apr 16, 2025Episode 549
What Love Can Be

Keetje Kuipers on becoming a single mother by choice, gardening topless, and leaping without looking. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

51 min
Apr 15, 2025Episode 549
Long Song

Catherine-Esther Cowie on Saint Lucia, breathing life into history, and the violence in our heart.

51 min
Apr 15, 2025Episode 548
Long Song

Catherine-Esther Cowie on Saint Lucia, breathing life into history, and the violence in our heart. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

59 min
Apr 1, 2025Episode 547
What Love Can Be

Keetje Kuipers on becoming a single mother by choice, gardening topless, and leaping without looking. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

55 min
Mar 18, 2025Episode 548
Braver Than I Am

Tiana Clark on divorce, joy, and taking up space on the page. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

55 min
Mar 4, 2025Episode 548
To the Brink

Four poets on old stories, cultural memory, and minority languages. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 hr
Feb 18, 2025Episode 546
Hope Rustles in My Leaves

Rebecca Lindenberg on diabetes, a final phone call, and letting yourself fall in love. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 hr 6 min
Feb 4, 2025Episode 545
Our Life Force

Catherine Barnett on improv, misfit details, and the humor in elegy.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

33 min
Jan 22, 2025Episode 545
The Age of Fire

Mike Sonksen on the Los Angeles fires and what it means to love a city in danger. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 hr 8 min
Jan 7, 2025Episode 543
Poets We Lost in 2024

Helen Vendler and Marjorie Perloff in the words of people who loved them. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

54 min
Dec 17, 2024Episode 544
Merchant of Joy

Caleb Femi on parties, golden pavements, and the downside of self-awareness.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

53 min
Dec 3, 2024Episode 541
You Are Beautiful

Cass Donish on grief rituals, putting on makeup, and letting in joy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

47 min
Dec 3, 2024Episode 537
You Are Beautiful

Cass Donish on grief rituals, putting on makeup, and letting in joy.

33 min
Nov 25, 2024Episode 541
Our Marvelous Existence

Elisa Díaz Castelo on vertigo, breaking a chicken, and her grandmother's advice for a good life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

42 min
Nov 19, 2024Episode 541
Spirit Times

Violeta Orozco on the US presidential election, leaving Mexico, and her connection to deep time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

50 min
Oct 22, 2024Episode 541
Misclassified

Tyler Mills on the truth, how to love a cockroach, and her grandfather's silence about the bomb. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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