Poetry Unbound
On Being StudiosShort and unhurried, Poetry Unbound is an immersive exploration of a single poem, hosted by Pádraig Ó Tuama. Pádraig Ó Tuama greets you at the doorways of brilliant poems and walks you through — each one has wisdom to offer and questions to ask you. Already a listener? There’s also a book (Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World), a Substack newsletter with a vibrant conversation in the commen... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 218 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | RelationshipsBooksArtsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Host Pádraig Ó Tuama shares “The Listeners” by Walter de la Mare, a favorite childhood poem of his, and offers an audio postscript to Season 10 of Poetry Unbound. Later in 2026, he will bring us more Poetry Unbound to look forward to — find out what ... more
Have you ever watched, in awe, as a skilled gymnast or skater lifts off and completes a dizzying number of revolutions in less than a second before landing safely back down? That’s how you may feel upon reading the great Leonard Cohen’s urgent, dream... more
Will you leave this episode feeling uplifted, envious, curious, or something else entirely? Yes. Billy-Ray Belcourt’s poem “Subarctica” transports you to a vividly specific time — “the coldest December / on record, I haven’t left my mother’s / house ... more
Ruth Irupé Sanabria’s delicious and dexterous “Carne” begins with these lines: “I've eaten pork from / pernil to chuletas to chitterlings.” And just in case you were wondering — and even if you’re not — the speaker goes on to list much more of the se... more
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Reviews
- Gorgeous
I used to say I did not like podcasts, but this changed my mind. Padrig’s voice is almost as smooth as the interpretations he offers and through the format of poem-interpretation-poem, I learned a way to read poems I am happy to now carry with me. Highly recommended.
Apple Podcasts5PaquitasMom
Mexico16 days ago - Just
Exquisite
Apple Podcasts5Frederika Francisca
United Kingdoma month ago - Making poetry accessible
I’m so grateful to the way this series helps me unpack and understand poetry. I also appreciate the unwavering commitment to raise up and respect diverse and marginalized voices.
Apple Podcasts5Rayellen
United States2 months ago - Inspirational
Listening to poetry read, interpreted and read again is a beautiful way to experience this art form. Thank you
Apple Podcasts5JMBgratitudeUnited States4 months ago - Soul Soothing
This is my second review. Recently my adult son and I were discussing the various podcasts we listen to. I noted that Poetry Unbound is my favorite. Why, he asked. Because it soothes my soul was my immediate reply. It connects me to people from different times, cultures and places. It connects me to humanity. My deepest thanks to all who make this podcast possible.
Apple Podcasts5NV SGUnited States5 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #11 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #33 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #6 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #14 | Canada/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #15 | United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #42 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
| Listeners per Episode | Gender Skew | Location | |||
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| Interests | Professions | Age Range | |||
| Household Income | Social Media Reach | ||||
Frequently Asked Questions About Poetry Unbound
What is Poetry Unbound about and what kind of topics does it cover?
The show offers short, unhurried deep dives into a single poem, combining a calm reading with thoughtful interpretation and reflection. Episodes emphasize empathy, identity, love, memory, and social themes, often linking poetry to personal growth, community, and mindfulness. A standout aspect is the soothing host voice and a meditative pacing that makes poetry accessible while inviting diverse perspectives and conversations around difficult topics. The format tends to blend intimate recitation, personal reflection, and accessible analysis, which can appeal to listeners seeking quiet, thoughtful, and uplifting literary content from a non-mainstream poetry program.
Noteworthy is the consistent focus on human connection—bridging poetry across... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Poetry Unbound?
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How many listeners does Poetry Unbound get?
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What are the audience demographics for Poetry Unbound?
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How many subscribers and views does Poetry Unbound have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Poetry Unbound 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.
Which podcasts are similar to Poetry Unbound?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Poetry Unbound:
1. On Being with Krista Tippett
2. The New Yorker: Poetry
3. The New Yorker: Fiction
4. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
5. Fresh Air
How many episodes of Poetry Unbound are there?
Poetry Unbound launched 6 years ago and published 218 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 Poetry Unbound?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Poetry Unbound?
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What guests have appeared on Poetry Unbound?
Recent guests on Poetry Unbound include:
1. Ruth Irupé Sanabria
2. Sanah Ahsan
3. Marie Howe
4. Fady Joudah
5. Eugenia Leigh
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.