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Artwork for Selected Shorts

Selected Shorts

Symphony Space
Short Stories
Selected Shorts
Ray Bradbury
Neil Gaiman
Supernatural
Daniel Lavery
Covid-19 Pandemic
Fatherhood
Parenting
Satire
Community Gatherings
Government Bureaucracy
Changeling
Family Reunions
Dance Movies
Queer Identity
New York City
Fantasy Literature
Writing
Identity

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes35Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsFiction

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Artwork for Selected Shorts

Latest Episodes

Host Meg Wolitzer presents stories about characters coping with pre-existing difficulties, large and small—and then encountering someone or something ready to change everything. In “Shoulder-Top Secretary” by Shinichi Hoshi, performed by Thom Sesma, ... more

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three imaginative and funny reworkings of classic stories.  In Ginny Hogan’s “Phantoms and Prejudice,” Jane Austen’s Bennet sisters learn about ghosting.  The reader is Sara Bareilles.  Anthony Marra invents a plausible rea... more

Meg Wolitzer sits down with her friend, writer Michael Cunningham. Michael is an American novelist, screenwriter, and educator. He is best known for his novel The Hours, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award and was late... more

Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about the nature of time and how it shapes our lives. In Helen Phillips’ “The Knowers,” a woman chooses to learn a vital fact about her future, while her husband does not. Stockard Channing reads this thought-pr... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sara Bareilles
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and librettist known for shows such as Waitress
Episode: Classics with a Twist
Michael Cunningham
Author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Hours and contributor with reworked classic fairy tales
Episode: Classics with a Twist
Geoffrey Arend
Actor known for his performances on series such as Madam Secretary.
Episode: Accidental Revelations
Michael Urie
Actor known for Broadway shows and series like Shrinking.
Episode: Accidental Revelations
Colton Dunn
A funny writer and actor who has appeared on series such as Superstore and The Recruit.
Episode: Fooling Yourself
Suzy Nakamura
A comic and actor whose TV credits include Dead to Me and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Episode: Fooling Yourself
Pam Houston
Novelist and short story writer, author of Cowboys Are My Weakness and Without Exception.
Episode: Too Hot For Radio: Pam Houston "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"
Bonnie Milligan
Actor known for her performances in Broadway productions and television series.
Episode: Too Hot For Radio: Pam Houston "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"
Kathryn Nicolai
Creator and host of the podcast Nothing Much Happens
Nothing Much Happens
Episode: Tell Me More: Kathryn Nicolai

Host

Meg Wolitzer
Meg Wolitzer is a host and writer, known for her insightful commentary and love of storytelling. She has been involved with Selected Shorts for several years, bringing a writer's appreciation for the narratives and the authors behind them.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 3.4k ratings
  • Overacting is erasing the legacy of Isaiah Sheffer

    No one can replace him, of course, but my goodness how the readers have slid into actorly bad habits. It’s a shame. These are short stories, not monologues. Someone alert the director or the engineer or Meg W or someone that this is no longer special; it’s a slog.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    PureSaraSue
    United States3 months ago
  • Beyond disappointed but not at all surprised

    How do you platform Israeli writers, when Palestinians are being genocided by Israel, the colonizing, thieving, pseudo-nation that uses Western powers to bully every one of their neighbors and anyone who dares to speak out or resist? WHERE are the Palestinian, Yemeni, and Lebanese storytellers??? WHERE?!? Needless to say, I am blocking and demoting this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    StardustBabe
    United States3 months ago
  • Good but too much from the host

    These stories are mostly great and it’s fun to hear some talented actors read them (even if some tend to turn it up to eleven).

    And, I have to give credit to the host for curating this content. I just wish she’d leave it at that. I really don’t enjoy the gifted 8th grade level editorial content before AND after every story. It just pops my balloon every time.

    Pro tip. Open the transcript and scroll down to the beginning of the story.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    christodamor
    United States4 months ago
  • Where are the stories?

    I’ve really enjoyed the actual story content, but for months, there are nothing but interviews and conversations - NOT the reason I subscribe to a short story podcast. When are they going to get back to some real content?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    sprittles
    United States4 months ago
  • Wonderful but…

    So many great stories yet too many or narrated in a near-yell from the stage. This is overpowering for the bedtime audience.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Impoxtssibxo
    United Kingdom6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There's a common critique of the host's commentary, as some feel it interrupts the storytelling flow, suggesting a preference for less commentary and more focus on the stories themselves.
Listeners generally express joy in the selection of literary voices and the thematic relevance of the content, indicating that it fosters a sense of community and connection among peers.
Many listeners appreciate the rich variety of stories and performances, highlighting the emotional depth brought by talented narrators.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#8
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#28
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#16
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#54
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#83
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#212
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Classics with a Twist
Q: And was there a particular connection to the Jack and the Beanstalk story?
I had some sense of which of the fairy tales had seemed to me as a child to end to abruptly. They're the ones I was most eager to explore further.
Classics with a Twist
Q: Have you always been drawn to those stories?
Yes, I've always been drawn to those stories. I think they were the first stories I knew when I was a little kid.
Too Hot For Radio: Pam Houston "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"
Q: Is there a moment in which we should have hope that our narrator will ever choose that risk of intimacy?
The story symbolizes the narrator's journey towards choosing intimacy over self-imprisonment, reflecting her future choices.
Too Hot For Radio: Pam Houston "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"
Q: Was there a special dog on which Jackson was modeled or informed by?
Yes, his name was Jackson; he was Pam's first dog and held a significant place in her life with many opinions.
Too Hot For Radio: Pam Houston "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"
Q: What strikes you most about your story "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"?
Pam Houston reflects on her argument with her editor regarding the use of second person narratives and discusses the essential connection with animals that her writing seeks to explore.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Selected Shorts

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

Listeners are treated to a rich tapestry of storytelling in which acclaimed actors perform compelling short fiction, frequently highlighting the nuanced relationships and the human experience. Each episode typically features a mix of poignant and humorous narratives that explore themes such as love, identity, and the everyday complexities of life. Unique guest contributions from celebrated authors, playwrights, and other prominent figures lend variety and depth, while the host facilitates engaging discussions. The blend of performances, insightful commentary, and diversity of genres makes this podcast a noteworthy platform for literature lovers and those seeking an artistic experience that transcends typical storytelling formats.

Where can I find podcast stats for Selected Shorts?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Selected Shorts. 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 Selected Shorts and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Selected Shorts get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Selected Shorts, 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 Selected Shorts?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Selected Shorts, 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 Selected Shorts have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Selected Shorts 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 Selected Shorts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Selected Shorts:

1. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
2. The New Yorker: Fiction
3. The Moth
4. Fresh Air
5. Snap Judgment

How many episodes of Selected Shorts are there?

Selected Shorts launched 19 years ago and published 35 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 Selected Shorts?

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 Selected Shorts?

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

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Selected Shorts?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Selected Shorts. 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 Selected Shorts?

Recent guests on Selected Shorts include:

1. Sara Bareilles
2. Michael Cunningham
3. Geoffrey Arend
4. Michael Urie
5. Colton Dunn
6. Suzy Nakamura
7. Pam Houston
8. Bonnie Milligan

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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