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Artwork for The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

American Public Media
Poetry
Love
Mirror, Mirror
Sophie Cabot Black
American Public Media
Nature
Roger Robinson
Emotional Expression
National Endowment For the Arts
Casual Labor
California Seaside
Poetry Foundation
Writers' Conference
Body Image
Intimacy
Vermont
Tom Healy
Teaching
Relationships
Sandy Solomon

Host Maggie Smith is your daily poetry companion. Poetry is one of the greatest tools we have to wield our own attention — to consider our own lives and the lives of others, to help us live creatively and compassionately, to use that attention to lean into wonder, and joy, and truth, and to find hope — to keep hoping. The Slowdown community knows that reflecting on a poem, every weekday, can conne... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes420Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArts

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Artwork for The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

Latest Episodes

Today’s poem is The Quiet World by Jeffrey McDaniel.

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Poets are known for making big moves in small spaces. We value brevity and compression, which go hand in hand. In a brie... more

Today’s poem is Out of These Wounds, the Moon Will Rise by Jay Hopler. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem is about wishing, and in that way, I think it’s about hope. Even when a wish is farfetched ... more

Today’s poem is Epistemic Distance by Emma Bolden.

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I’m a poet, so I’m all for nuance. I embrace ambiguity, and I’m flexible in my thinking. But I refuse to believe that we’r... more

Today’s poem is Solar Eclipse by Aimee Nezhukumatathil.

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “The last total solar eclipse, my kids and I put on cardboard eclipse glasses and spread a big quilt in our backyard, ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Seth Brady Tucker
Poet whose work includes The Road to Baghdad
Poet
Episode: 1472: The Road to Baghdad by Seth Brady Tucker
Donika Kelly
Poet, known for her work exploring themes of identity and belonging
Episode: 1460: Poem to Remind Myself of the Natural Order of Things by Donika Kelly
Raena Shirali
Poet and author of 'On Projection'
Episode: 1458: on projection by Raena Shirali
Samiya Bashir
Poet and guest host
Episode: 1456: Rubicon by Carl Phillips
Tommye Blount
Poet focusing on historical sites and identity
Episode: 1455: Historical Site by Tommye Blount
Cornelius Eady
A Black American poet known for his vivid and personal storytelling through poetry.
Episode: 1447: Gratitude by Cornelius Eady
Camille Guthrie
Poet known for her contemporary works
Episode: 1443: Come Back! by Camille Guthrie
Randall Mann
Poet and contributor to The People's Project anthology
Episode: 1423: Puzzle by Randall Mann
Cass Donish
Poet known for exploring themes of loss and memory
Episode: 1413: On Proliferation by Cass Donish

Host

Maggie Smith
Host of the daily poetry companion, with affiliations to the presenting network and literary partners.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Still daydreaming

    Thank you for choosing so carefully works that inspire awe.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AMH957
    United States4 months ago
  • I look forward to this daily!

    And today, Maggie your choice brought me to grateful tears. Waiting on the porch of the Old Faithful Inn soaking in the poker straight pines and geysers in a distance decided to flip on the slowdown. And to listen to a poem about the beauty of our Earth and stopping life to notice it- a little more magic added to an already otherworldly magical day. You are the best!! The Slowdown is a gift

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Climgirl
    United States6 months ago
  • My everyday treat

    Joy *is* an act of resistance. (Toi Derricotte) Thank you for creating a daily place to cultivate that joy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andrea Montana
    United States6 months ago
  • Great show!

    I love this show. I find that I need it more than ever in these current troubled times. I look forward to the new host.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PR 3672
    United States8 months ago
  • Timeless

    Grateful for these thoughtfully chosen archived episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katfrantz
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners often describe the show as a calming, restorative part of their day; many use it in classrooms or as morning solace.
The host's storytelling and poem selections are frequently praised for accessibility and emotional resonance, though a subset notes preference for different hosts or more concise intros.
Ads and sponsorship integrations receive mixed feedback, with some listeners feeling the ads interrupt the flow while others view them as authentic storytelling components.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#20
United States/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts
#108
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#31
United Kingdom/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts
#38
Canada/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts
#204
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#243
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

1332: Slow Take: An Evening of Poetry and Reflection with The Slowdown and The Porch
Q: What would be essential to share with students if you were teaching a course?
I would emphasize that poetry captures real, visceral experiences with an economy of words.
1332: Slow Take: An Evening of Poetry and Reflection with The Slowdown and The Porch
Q: How do you decide what to keep in and what to leave out in a poem?
I don't think anything was made up in there; we have the liberty to add details, but the story was crazy enough without them.

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 The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

What is The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This feed centers daily poetic readings paired with brief host reflections, offering a calm, devotional start to the weekday. Episodes typically feature a contemporary or classic poem read aloud, followed by the host's commentary that connects the piece to everyday life, mindfulness, and broader human themes. Sponsor messages and occasional guest host appearances are woven into the flow, creating a short, reflective listening experience designed for mornings, classroom uses, or a quick mental reset. A hallmark is accessibility and warmth—the show aims to make poetry approachable and meaningful for a broad audience, often positioning poetry as a tool for attention, wonder, and resilience. A notable aspect is the ongoing collaboration with li... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily:

1. Poetry Unbound
2. The New Yorker: Poetry
3. On Being with Krista Tippett
4. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
5. The Interview

How many episodes of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily are there?

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily launched 7 years ago and published 420 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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What guests have appeared on The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily?

Recent guests on The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily include:

1. Seth Brady Tucker
2. Donika Kelly
3. Raena Shirali
4. Samiya Bashir
5. Tommye Blount
6. Cornelius Eady
7. Camille Guthrie
8. Randall Mann

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