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The Verb

BBC Radio 4
Poetry
Hip Hop
Language
Poetic Endings
Music
International Women's Day
Last Lines
Literature
Sisterhood
Literary Techniques
Tessa Hadley
Contains Strong Language Festival
Writing
The Verb
Belfast
Time
Leeds
Jazz
Creativity
Gender Identity

Ian McMillan hosts Radio 4's cabaret of the word, featuring the best poetry, new writing and performance.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes264Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for The Verb

Latest Episodes

Shaun Usher's Letters of Note project became a cultural empire spanning multiple books, stage shows, and an online archive. He's now produced Diaries of Note - a collection of diary entries that span centuries from the great and the good . He discuss... more

Ian McMillan celebrates an iconic poem that inspired a generation of poets and readers - Tony Harrison's 'Them and Uz'. His guests include the new US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, the former Poet Laureate of Belfast Sinéad Morrissey who brings us an autu... more

Writer and poet Maria Popova on taking inspiration from 19th century ornithological studies for her new publication, An Almanac of Birds – 100 Divinations for Uncertain Days.

Slam poet Aditya Narayan has had an impressive winning streak this year – ... more

Ian McMillan presents The Verb from Contains Strong Language in Bradford - with poets Imtiaz Dharker, Kieron Higgins, Nabeela Ahmed, and Katrina Porteous (reading poems from her Laurel Prize winning collection Rhizodont).

Rock, stone and sediments a... more

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Recent Guests

Katrina Naomi
A poet who writes about the intersection of public and private through dance.
Episode: Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Amani Saeed
A poet involved in the Language is a Queer Thing project, connecting queer poets from the UK and India.
Episode: Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Fran Edwards
A poet who collaborates with her daughter on exploring their mother-daughter relationship.
Episode: Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones
A poet exploring her relationship with her mother through poetry.
Episode: Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Shaun Usher
Author and editor of the Letters of Note series, discussing personal writing.
Letters of Note
Episode: Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Arthur Sze
U.S. Poet Laureate, poet and translator
Library of Congress
Episode: Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
Sinéad Morrissey
Poet and former poet laureate of Belfast
Episode: Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
David Morley
Poet and zoologist, Professor of Creative Writing at Warwick University
Warwick University
Episode: Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
Daniel Sluman
Poet and advisor for a new anthology, focusing on disabled and neurodivergent poets
Episode: Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman

Host

Ian McMillan
Host of a vibrant exploration of poetry and literature, engaging with various artists and themes.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 174 ratings
  • Fascinating and thought provoking, done with good humour

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Mark
    3 years ago
  • My favourite podcast

    I listen to all sorts of stuff on podcasts; science, news, comedy, history, drama and stories, but these are the episodes I look forward to most.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The flower garden in Appley
    United Kingdom5 years ago
  • Everything a good podcast could be

    Each episode is interesting, entertaining, educational and varied. I love listening. Thanks for putting it on!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JC2late
    United States5 years ago
  • if you’re a poet and you *don’t* know it, listen to this podcast

    a wonderful series of entertaining & thought provoking conversations between poets and authors about their craft which is intellectually stimulating yet accessible at the same time. as someone who hasn’t really “gotten” poetry before, this show is giving me a newfound appreciation for language and the fascinating ways in which writers craft their work

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    thewilliamrayner
    United Kingdom6 years ago
  • Enjoyable listen

    I love this podcast. What helps it move so smoothly over different ideas funny, thoughtful, sad, etc is the host Ian. I have spread the word about The Verb to my friends and work colleagues, all have been impressed with the subjects covered.

    I also love the extras given on the podcasts. The Verb = great stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HoveGirl
    United Kingdom7 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the diverse themes and the accessibility of the content, with several noting how the episodes have deepened their understanding and appreciation for poetry.
Listeners commend the show for its engaging and thought-provoking conversations between poets and authors, often highlighting the host's ability to connect with guests and facilitate rich discussions.
The podcast is seen as a valuable resource for both seasoned poetry enthusiasts and newcomers, promoting a greater connection to language and creativity.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
Q: Arthur Sze, you're the Poet Laureate of the United States with all its voices and accents and all those possibilities. Would that poem resonate with your students?
Sze affirms that the poem's virtuosity and subversive elements make it resonate well with his students.
Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
Q: What do you particularly respond to in that poem and in his voice there?
Morrissey highlights the difference in experiencing the poem audibly versus reading it, emphasizing Harrison's skill in combining voices and languages.
Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
Q: David Morley, poet and zoologist, what does that poem mean to you?
The poem holds significance for Morley as a stammerer, connecting with its theme and his personal history with language.
Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Q: Amani, could you explain how your collaboration for Language is a Queer Thing has influenced your practice as a poet?
Amani reflects that the collaborative nature forced an ego death and altered her perception of poetry and queerness.
Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Q: Could poets' diary entries be recognized as such?
Shaun believes it's possible to identify a poet's diary entry due to the similar creative muscle used in both forms.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Verb

What is The Verb about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intersections of poetry, literature, and the arts, this podcast features lively discussions that engage with the creative process and contemporary societal issues. Episodes often include notable poets and authors who share insights into their craft, delve into personal narratives, and examine complex themes like identity, memory, and the climate crisis through the lens of poetic expression. The host's conversational style fosters an environment where guests can explore the significance of language and creativity, making it a rich auditory experience designed to inform, entertain, and inspire a diverse audience interested in the nuances of words and their meanings.

Unique for its blend of genres, the podcast connects poetry w... more

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How many listeners does The Verb get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Verb?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Verb:

1. Front Row
2. Word of Mouth
3. Arts & Ideas
4. Start the Week
5. Private Passions

How many episodes of The Verb are there?

The Verb launched 13 years ago and published 264 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 Verb?

Recent guests on The Verb include:

1. Katrina Naomi
2. Amani Saeed
3. Fran Edwards
4. Jennifer Jones
5. Shaun Usher
6. Arthur Sze
7. Sinéad Morrissey
8. David Morley

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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