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After two years, two seasons and 443 episodes, Major Jackson is stepping down from the host chair. 


A Farewell to Major Jackson

To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.


Supported in Part by National Endowment for the Arts

Raising poetry to a more visible and influential position in American culture.


Produced in Partnership With the Poetry Foundation

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1589: R.K. Russell: They/Them by Danez Smith

Today’s poem is They/Them by Danez Smith, with special guest R.K. Russell. 


Today’s poem is They/Them by Danez Smith, with special guest R.K. Russell. 

R.K. Russell is an NFL legend, writer, and social justice advocate who made history by becoming the first out active NFL player to identify as bisexual.

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, R.K. shares… “When you start to want to live authentically as yourself, there are also sacrifices that must be made. A lot of those sacrifices are rooted in your relationships. How people view you, how people want you to give to them and love them and care for them.” 

This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate


20261008 Slowdown Danez Smith RK Russell 

R.K. Russell: They/Them by Danez Smith

The Slowdown

1337: [encore] New York Address by Linda Gregg

Today’s poem is New York Address by Linda Gregg.


Today’s poem is New York Address by Linda Gregg. 

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem captures that feeling when you’ve just had it—you’ve absolutely hit your limit. But at the same time, you realize that you’re the only person who can pick yourself back up. You have to keep yourself going.” 

This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate


1335: [encore] Bonfire Opera by Danusha Lameris

Today’s poem is Bonfire Opera by Danusha Laméris.


Today’s poem is Bonfire Opera by Danusha Lameris. 

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Yes, I have new lines around my eyes and new glints of silver in my hair, but my body continues to surprise me in wonderful ways, too. It brings me a lot of pleasure—maybe even more pleasure than it did when I was in my teens, twenties, and even thirties. Because I appreciate it. And because I am less self-conscious. That is one of the gifts of aging: Becoming more yourself, and caring less about what others think about you or expect from you.” 

This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate

The Slowdown

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Recent Episodes

R.K. Russell: They/Them by Danez Smith

1337: [encore] New York Address by Linda Gregg

1335: [encore] Bonfire Opera by Danusha Laméris

Announcements

A Farewell to Major Jackson

Supported in Part by National Endowment for the Arts

Produced in Partnership With the Poetry Foundation

Other APM Podcasts

Truth Be Told

Ripple

The Splendid Table

The Slowdown

Latest Episode

Recent Episodes

R.K. Russell: They/Them by Danez Smith

1337: [encore] New York Address by Linda Gregg

1335: [encore] Bonfire Opera by Danusha Laméris

Get a poem handpicked by Maggie Smith every weekday. The email includes an abridged version of Maggie’s introduction.

Announcements

A Farewell to Major Jackson

Supported in Part by National Endowment for the Arts

Produced in Partnership With the Poetry Foundation

Other APM Podcasts

Truth Be Told

Ripple

The Splendid Table