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 monthly | Episodes | 230 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsRelationshipsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
This episode isn’t about poetry but about another kind of art: the art of conflict resolution. In a deeply practical conversation, Pádraig Ó Tuama sits down with Columbia University’s Peter Coleman, author of The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polari... more
“Politics by themselves are necessary but not sufficient … [and] poetry by itself is necessary but not sufficient. We must find a way to bring them together,” says Martín Espada, a poet and professor. With crystalline language, an all-seeing gaze, an... more
After actor, dialect coach, and teacher Amanda Quaid was diagnosed with a serious illness in 2021, she responded by trying something new — she wrote poetry. She says, “I was looking for an art form that allowed me to be with uncertainty in a beautifu... more
Poet, translator, and musician Haleh Liza Gafori describes the revered 13th-century Persian poet Rumi as “a good pal to humanity”. As she puts it, “He's rooting for our liberation.” In this exuberant conversation recorded for the 2025 Greenbelt Festi... more
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- Perfect antidote for these times
Keep up the good work.
Apple Podcasts5kfionnm
Ireland4 months ago - Best 15 minutes of my day
In as little as 5 minutes I am swiftly taken to landscapes that only poetry can travel me. Pad further guides the tour with confident unpretentious encouragement. Best part of my day is this podcast!
Apple Podcasts5TheWatertree
United States4 months ago - Love unbound
Padraig so lovingly honours each poem through full hearted reading and sumptuous discussion that brings the poems so much more to life than I’d ever imagined. Thank you Padraig x
Apple Podcasts5Alicia Flynn
Australia4 months ago - Feeling uplifted, yet grounded
Such a gift to pause and savour the poems and insightful interpretation Padraig offers in each episode. I love this audio exploration. Please keep diving into the pool of poetry for those of us longing and needing to swim too.
Apple Podcasts5tarrylong
Canada5 months ago - 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
Mexico8 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #24 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #62 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #41 |  United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #50 | Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #102 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #123 | Canada/Arts |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Poetry Unbound
What is Poetry Unbound about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show offers short, unhurried dives into a single poem per episode, guided by a host who reads aloud, reflects, and invites listeners to see multiple meanings. Guests range from poets and translators to writers who bring history, translation, or social resonance to dialogue with the poems. Across conversations, themes often include memory, identity, language, trauma, and healing, with a strong emphasis on craft, ethical reflection, and the ways poetry can illuminate personal and collective experience. A standout quality is the intimate, meditative format: a poem first, then commentary, followed by a rereading that deepens understanding. Listeners frequently praise the host's calm, precise voice and the show's ability to make poetry acce... 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?
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Which podcasts are similar to Poetry Unbound?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Poetry Unbound:
1. The New Yorker: Poetry
2. Poetry Off the Shelf
3. The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
4. Emergence Magazine Podcast
5. Audio Poem of the Day
How many episodes of Poetry Unbound are there?
Poetry Unbound launched 7 years ago and published 230 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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What guests have appeared on Poetry Unbound?
Recent guests on Poetry Unbound include:
1. Peter Coleman
2. Martín Espada
3. Amanda Quaid
4. Haleh Liza Gafori
5. Adrian Matejka
6. Karen Leeder
7. Richard Scott
8. Kimberly Campanello
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.