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 | 226 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsRelationshipsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
“For me, if a poem doesn't swing, it's really not much of a poem,” says Adrian Matejka, author of the collection Be Easy: New and Selected Poems. His work hums with music, from its references to David Bowie, Miles Davis, and others to its infectious ... more
After listening to this exuberant interview, you’ll retire the phrase “lost in translation” from your vocabulary. Instead, writer and scholar Karen Leeder believes poetry can expand when translated, reaching new audiences and gaining new layers of m... more
“Poetry means paying attention in a different way to the world and seeing what wisdom you're given back in return for that attention,” says Richard Scott in this conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama, recorded during the 2025 Collective Trauma Summit. Ri... more
“It had to involve more than just a slim volume of verse,” says Kimberly Campanello about MOTHERBABYHOME, her ongoing visual poetry project which centers the 796 infants and children who died at the St. Mary's Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, in the wes... more
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- Perfect antidote for these times
Keep up the good work.
Apple Podcasts5kfionnm
Ireland2 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 States2 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
Australia2 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
Canada3 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
Mexico6 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #18 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #54 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #25 | Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #39 |  United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #79 | Canada/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #100 | United Kingdom/Arts |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Poetry Unbound
What is Poetry Unbound about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A quiet, thoughtful exploration of short-form poetry that emphasizes close reading, personal reflection, and the interplay between poetry and lived experience. Episodes center on a single poem, with the host guiding listeners through the text, offering interpretations, and then inviting readers to hear the work anew through recitation and reflection. Notable threads include how language, memory, and image shape understanding, the role of poetry in community and spirituality, and a steady, meditative pacing that makes complex ideas feel accessible. The show often pairs literary analysis with themes like ecology, time, identity, and moral reflection, making it appealing to listeners who value contemplative reading, calm storytelling, and a st... more
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How many listeners does Poetry Unbound get?
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Which podcasts are similar to Poetry Unbound?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Poetry Unbound:
1. The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
2. The New Yorker: Poetry
3. Poetry Off the Shelf
4. Emergence Magazine Podcast
5. Tricycle Talks
How many episodes of Poetry Unbound are there?
Poetry Unbound launched 7 years ago and published 226 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. Karen Leeder
2. Richard Scott
3. Kimberly Campanello
4. Rachel Mann
5. Yomi Šode
6. Don McKay
7. Ruth Irupé Sanabria
8. Sanah Ahsan
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.