The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
American Public MediaHost 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
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 420 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsPerforming Arts | |||
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Latest Episodes
Today’s poem is Cheap Magic by Arielle Hebert.
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When we wear a costume, or even an uncharacteristic outfit, it’s possible to let go of the expectations other people set for us... more
Today’s poem is At the End of a Good Week, the Van Broke Down by Mary Ardery.
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Poetry, instead of asking questions like How did I get here? or What should I do? often deals m... more
Today’s poem is Prayer for My Unborn Niece or Nephew by Ross Gay.
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Hope — earnest hope — is something we all need more to combat the cruelty and cynicism of these times we’re... more
Today’s poem is Isobutyl Nitrite by Kieron Walquist.
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “In today’s poem, the speaker feels something awaken in him while watching the film “Remember the Titans.” The poem weaves... more
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Reviews
- The Slowwww Down
The host speaks excruciatingly slowly. It is patronizing to the listener of moderate cognitive capacity (such as myself) to expect them to speed up the podcast. Very disappointing.
Apple Podcasts2Stourleyk
United States3 months ago - Still daydreaming
Thank you for choosing so carefully works that inspire awe.
Apple Podcasts5AMH957United States7 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 Podcasts5ClimgirlUnited States8 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 Podcasts5Andrea MontanaUnited States9 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 Podcasts5PR 3672United Statesa year ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #16 | United States/Arts/Performing Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #123 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #16 |  Canada/Arts/Performing Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #72 |  United Kingdom/Arts/Performing Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #104 | Canada/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #24 |  Australia/Arts/Performing Arts |
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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?
The show operates as a five-minute daily poetry companion, pairing short readings with thoughtful host commentary to spark reflection, calm, and a sense of possibility at the start of listeners' days. Most episodes center on a single poem or literary excerpt, weaving personal memory, social themes, and everyday observations into accessible meditations on resilience, aging, loss, belonging, and hope. A distinctive quality is the consistent blend of intimate reading, gentle analysis, and an emphasis on community through public-media partnerships and ongoing engagement with readers and poets. The format and tone make it appealing for busy professionals seeking a mindful, creativity-forward start to their day, as well as educators seeking acces... 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. Poetry Off the Shelf
3. The New Yorker: Poetry
4. On Being with Krista Tippett
5. Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry
How many episodes of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily are there?
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily launched 8 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. Namwali Serpell
2. Tracy K. Smith
3. Jan-Henry Gray
4. Moisés Kaufman
5. Seth Brady Tucker
6. Donika Kelly
7. Raena Shirali
8. Tommye Blount
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