
Our greatest actors transport us through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time. Sometimes funny. Always moving. Selected Shorts connects you to the world with a rich diversity of voices from literature, film, theater, and comedy. New episodes every Thursday, from Symphony Space.
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 36 | Founded | 19 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsFiction | |||

In the first of two programs created with the podcast Death, Sex, and Money and host Anna Sale, we explore issues of identity and connection. In “Sacrament of Confession,” by Ernie Wang, a man struggles with a messy past that is affecting the presen... more
Host Meg Wolitzer presents the Wayfinder podcast. It’s a podcast about travel journeys that transform us, told through immersive stories of places, people, and moments that stay with you even once you are back home. Give it a listen, and we hope you ... more
Host Meg Wolitzer presents four stories, recorded at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, in which characters shape their expectations and dreams to a manageable size. So if you’re “Medusa,” as in our first story, by Tania James, you try to figure out h... more
Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about social occasions for introverts and extroverts alike, curated with the Belletrist Book Club, founded by actor Emma Roberts and producer Karah Preiss, and recorded at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Humo... more
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When there are stories, I enjoy them a lot. But can you put these interviews on another feed? They’re not what I imagine most of us are here for
The selection of stories use to be monumentally better.
It's hard to come across a story that is not cringy overperformed by the reader.
Gone are the good old days of this podcast. Farewell, good friend.
I used to listen to this podcast faithfully every week and then I’d listen to them again but not anymore. There are people out here who have an attention span of more than 7 minutes. We actually listened to the entire podcast when it was an hour long! Not anymore. You gave up quality for quantity. You lost this faithful listener. How many more did you gain?
I went to hear Selected Shorts in the mid-1980s at the original Symphony Space before the theater was renovated and renamed. I loved hearing the stories in person, read by wonderful actors and introduced by Isaiah Sheffer. It was exciting but low key. I moved to California in 1987 and have not been able to make another trip to Symphony Space. Just wanted to say I loved it, loved being in the "delivery room" when Selected Shorts was born. I never heard a story I didn't love. I'm afraid it's... more
I was a huge fan of the original Selected Shorts and was thrilled to discover the new podcast. Sadly, this edition of SS is a huge disappointment. As many reviews have pointed out, the host talks too much and most of the readers/actors are over doing it. As someone else mentioned, these are short stories, not monologues or scripts.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #11 | |
Apple Podcasts | #36 | |
Apple Podcasts | #28 | |
Apple Podcasts | #62 | |
Apple Podcasts | #94 | |
Apple Podcasts | #181 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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A curated showcase of literary short fiction brought to life by a rotating cast of celebrated actors and authors. Episodes blend live readings, dramatic performances, and thoughtful commentary, often curated in collaboration with literary communities like Belletrist. Guests range from renowned novelists and editors to stage and screen actors who perform or read excerpts, creating an intimate, theatre-like experience that ties literature to performance and culture. Noteworthy is the recurring mix of classic and contemporary stories, high-profile reading talent, and behind-the-scenes context about the production and sponsor partnerships, which gives listeners a sense of both artistry and literary community-building.
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Selected Shorts launched 19 years ago and published 36 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Selected Shorts include:
1. Constance Zimmer
2. Randall Park
3. Laura Harrier
4. Will Harrison
5. Emma Roberts
6. Karah Preiss
7. Judy Greer
8. Erinn Hayes
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.