Rephonic
Artwork for VS
Poetry
Boycott Of the Poetry Foundation
Genocide In Palestine
Chronic Illness
Black Girlhood
Language
Concentrate
Jamaica
Ours
Black Feminist Thought
Identity
Music
Prom
Community Building
Matrilineage
Latasha Harlins
Poetry Foundation
Rastafarian Culture
Memoir Writing
Ceasefire

The VS podcast is a bi-weekly series where poets confront the ideas that move them. Hosted by poets Ajanaé Dawkins and Brittany Rogers, produced by Cin Pim/Ombie Productions, and presented by the Poetry Foundation.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes154Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsPerforming Arts

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Artwork for VS

Latest Episodes

On today’s episode of VS, Brittany and Ajanae have the opportunity to talk with Cornelius Eady and Major Jackson live in Chicago! Join in as they discuss the capacity to feel, the legacy of themselves and others, the importance of community, the way ... more

On today’s episode of VS, Brittany and Ajanae interviewed Jada Renée Allen. Listen in as they discuss their rabbit holes of research, “Drill” the manuscript and the music, the relationship between Black women and water, and the influences on our poet... more

Today Brittany and Ajanae have the pleasure of talking with Saúl Hernández. Listen in as they discuss writing about tense familial relationships with tenderness, the act of being made invisible, grief as transformation, childhood as a lens, and how t... more

On today’s episode of VS, Ajanae and Brittany interview Barbara Fant. Join them as they discuss the relationship between family and authenticity, the importance of intergenerational connections among poets, writing as a tool for wellness, and joy as ... more

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Recent Guests

Jada Renée Allen
Writer, educator, and culture worker from South Side of Chicago
Francis Thompson Arts Foundation
Episode: Jada Renée Allen vs. Drill
Saúl Hernández
Queer writer raised by undocumented parents, National Endowment for the Arts fellow, and author of 'How to Kill a Goat and Other Monsters'.
Episode: Saúl Hernández vs. Monsters
Barbara Fant
A poet with nearly 20 years of experience, author of three poetry collections, and a program director at Homeboy Industries.
Homeboy Industries
Episode: Barbara Fant vs. Joy
W.J. Lofton
A Black, queer, Southern poet and multimodal artist.
Author of A Garden for Black Boys Between the Stages of Soil and Stardust and Boy Maybe
Episode: W.J. Lofton vs. Grief
Hanif Abdurraqib
Award-winning poet, essayist, and cultural critic
Independent Author
Episode: Hanif Abdurraqib vs. Obsession
Tiana Clark
Author of the poetry collections 'Scorched Earth' and 'I Can't Talk About the Trees Without the Blood'.
Episode: Tiana Clark vs. Burnout
Deesha Philyaw
Author known for her debut short story collection 'The Secret Lives of Church Ladies'
HarperCollins
Episode: Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon vs. Genre
Kiese Laymon
Black Southern writer and professor known for 'Heavy' and 'Long Division'
Rice University
Episode: Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon vs. Genre
Luther Hughes
Author of A Shiver in the Leaves and founder of Shade Literary Arts
Shade Literary Arts
Episode: VS Live! at AWP E. Hughes and Luther Hughes vs. Nostalgia

Hosts

Ajanaé Dawkins
Host and co-host with a focus on emotional narratives in poetry. Known for her ability to create open dialogues around difficult themes.
Brittany Rogers
Co-host noted for insightful explorations of community and personal experiences in literature. Brings a unique perspective to discussions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 533 ratings
  • Disappointing drop in quality

    I used to absolutely adore this podcast when Franny and Danez were the hosts (I never missed an episode), but the hosts who replaced them are not nearly as articulate, thoughtful, or sincere— which has drastically reduced the quality of the conversations. When I do occasionally listen to Vs now (which is not often), I’m immediately turned off by the current hosts’ interview style and often can’t even finish the episode, which, again, is disappointing as this was once my go-to podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Circle45
    United States9 months ago
  • New hosts, less depth

    I am hopeful our new hosts will challenge themselves to go deeper and find the words to interrogate poems and poets, rather than settling for breathlessness and outpouring of affection as they often do. That's great and all, but don't stop there. It doesn't offer much for the listener.

    Also, I found it a bit odd that the statement on Palestine - which I support - rightfully included a host of other conflicts but left out Ukraine (and if we're talking about it, Myanmar). It felt more like virtue... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    C.D.R. Poet
    United Statesa year ago
  • bless this pod

    I have deeply missed this podcast in a way that this episode felt like coming home. The tenderness, the talks on vulnerability, ugh. Thank you for your statements at the beginning of this episode and thank you for the starting once over again with us listeners. Much much love 🩶

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    soliolis
    United Statesa year ago
  • Appalled

    Brittany and Ajanaé announced that Jewish people do not deserve the safety of their own country today and that their land should be given to Arab (though Arabs are from Arabia). What that has to do with poetry is beyond me. All I have discover in this show is how appalling the levels of ignorance are in today’s liberal elites.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Matt Sandshoes
    Australia2 years ago
  • 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 your solidarity with Palestine

    Thank you for your statement in solidarity with Palestine. Have always been a big fan of this podcast, and especially appreciate you for this clear and principled stance. Palestine will be free 🇵🇸♥️🇵🇸♥️🇵🇸

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Meg S-M
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners express concerns about recent host changes affecting the depth and quality of conversations, suggesting a longing for prior hosts' styles.
Feedback highlights the warmth and welcoming atmosphere provided by the hosts, making poetry accessible and engaging.
Listeners appreciate the deep, emotional discussions and honest dialogues that invite poets to share their personal experiences.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#35
Russia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#43
Indonesia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#85
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#87
Russia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#116
Belgium/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#247
Singapore/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

VS Live! at Poetry Foundation: Cornelius Eady and Major Jackson vs. Legacy
Q: What is moving you all these days?
Major reflects on the power of art to transcend boundaries and connect humanity, while Eady emphasizes the importance of community and mutual care.
VS Live! at Poetry Foundation: Cornelius Eady and Major Jackson vs. Legacy
Q: Major, could you open us up by reading a poem, please?
Major reads his poem 'Poem Beginning with an Epigraph by Frank O'Hara', exploring deep and contemplative themes through rich language and imagery.
Jada Renée Allen vs. Drill
Q: Can you talk more about Drill, your manuscript in progress, and the various threads that are involved in this work?
Jada discusses her poem 'Shirek' and its connection to the realities of colonialism and the dynamics present within drill music, linking sociopolitical themes and personal narratives.
Jada Renée Allen vs. Drill
Q: Jada, what is moving you these days?
Jada reflects on language, body and the connections that lead her to her art, mentioning now moving to Provincetown, Massachusetts for her fellowship.
VS Live at Furious Flower ft. Mahogany L. Browne and Yona Harvey vs. Sisterhood
Q: Can you talk about what you've learned from each other's living and work about sisterhood and sistering?
We've found language for what it means to be Black women writers, highlighting both the struggles and the affirmation that comes from each other's work.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About VS

What is VS about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations center around poignant themes in poetry, identity, grief, community, and creative processes. Often featuring renowned poets, episodes encourage deep reflections on the emotional landscapes inherent in the art of poetry. Noteworthy is the exploration of personal and societal issues, including family dynamics, queerness, and the pressures of creativity, all fostered through authentic dialogue and shared experiences. The hosts create a welcoming atmosphere that allows both poets and listeners to engage meaningfully with the narratives and themes presented, which speak to broader human experiences and connections.

Where can I find podcast stats for VS?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for VS. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to VS and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does VS get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for VS, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for VS?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for VS, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does VS have?

To see how many followers or subscribers VS has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of VS are there?

VS launched 8 years ago and published 154 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact VS?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for VS?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for VS from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for VS?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of VS. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on VS?

Recent guests on VS include:

1. Jada Renée Allen
2. Saúl Hernández
3. Barbara Fant
4. W.J. Lofton
5. Hanif Abdurraqib
6. Tiana Clark
7. Deesha Philyaw
8. Kiese Laymon

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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