I am incredibly distracted by the need of poets to be focused primarily on the blackness or the queerness of their “work”. They focus on their uniqueness which is not universal, but is often mediocre art.

Beautiful interview with Jericho Brown.

Just re-listened to Kwame Dawes episode re the Walcott poem- such a lovely interlude- Kevin Young draws out the sublime and humane from the poets and it’s just a reward to listen to gorgeous poems and smart and sometimes joyful commentary

Bravissimo!!!!

Yikes. It’s Radio. Sounds like talking in a tin can! Fix the Sound Quality

Love Kevin but a podcast host he is not. Ars poetica, the beloved, embodying—that’s the three things he repeats ad nauseam. Be better

Please bring it back! There are lots of Poetry podcasts but you did it best.

Kevin Young is very good as a replacement for Paul Muldoon. The quality of the program continues to be excellent. However, the program’s subject matter and discussions are too frequently focused on race…. and only one race. At least the Poetry Foundation’s podcast commonly showcased the experiences of many races. In the end, the focus of the New Yorker podcast is too narrow for my interest. I understand that there is a large audience for this, but 3-stars for me. Poetry encompasses far more concepts in the human experience.

Quite a marked shift from the original poet to the present. Just as the New Yorker has shifted greatly so does the podcast. Both are knowledgeable and insightful but I hope the New Yorker stays true to art and poetry and not modern political divisions, pseudo activism and identity politics. Poetry tends to the soul not the ego.

I love Kevin Young. Please keep the podcast alive. You have awakened me to the magic of poetry.

Please continue this podcast. I know you are now closer to me at NMAAHC and that’s great, but I miss the podcast.

I miss you.

I started listening when Paul Muldoon was host. His voice, oh his voice. I was a big fan and then Kevin Young took over and the podcast got even better! Kevin has a wonderful talent, in both his poems and on the podcast, for teasing out what’s REALLY going on with something. He situates the guests’ poems, and those they pick from the archive, within larger structures and contexts. Plus he just picks great guests. 10/10 would recommend this podcast!

I’ve listened to every episode. Beautiful conversations, especially since Kevin Young’s start. Also— if you’re new to it definitely go back and listen to the conversation between Kevin and Paul M. (Kevin being the guest poet, rather than the host-beautiful.) I really appreciate the way Kevin talks to poets about their process and also teaches about different types and aspects of poetry form and rhyme. I’ve learned so much, thank you.

Each episode is a hoard of treasures worth (repeated) listening. It’s like being on the moon looking down-up at the world, its uncanny, nuclear connections laid bare and unclabbered, illuminated with the roughnesses of language.

Speakers full of themselves. Better an audiobook.

Intelligent discussion. Beautiful

Very deep discussion with the host and poet Balakian about Roethke. One really feels the majesty of poetry. A special kind of confection for the heart.

I enjoyed this podcast when Paul Muldoon was the host, but I love it even more with Kevin Young. I found it a little tiresome that Muldoon spent so much time discussing the influences on a poem, so I find it delightful and refreshing that Young hardly does that at all -- he seems to engage more directly with the poem as he finds it. The conversations are very personal and engaging. (I'm a poetry novice; the discussion of influences might be of more value to the educated listener, but I found them distancing.)

Great interview and readings!

Poetry podcasts can be as hit or miss as poetry itself. Former host Paul Muldoon has a great voice and often times the discussion about the poems are better than the poems themselves. Jury is still out on new host Kevin Young. I do like how often John Ashbery poems appear on the show. I suspect a lot of poets don’t like what poems are published in the New Yorker, but could always fall back on him as their choice.

Surprisingly great each time out. A simple concept, beautifully executed each time. Muldoon rules!!!

Wow, what a mind bender this podcast is. Is so nice to hear from the poets what they like and hear them deconstruct, the poems is amazing and great to listen to.

I love these. Smart, entertaining. The perfect length and ideal format with the two poems.

Worth your time

As someone else suggested I wish these were more frequent as in every other week. Thank you Mr.Mouldon and NYER.

A major poet as host and two poems read and discussed One is by the poet guest Wonderful

Can you do this 2x a month - so stimulating & inspiring...thank you for this to NYer & Paul Muldoon.

Only complaint is that there aren't more episodes. Thank you so much for this service, it makes me very happy.

Very insightful and relaxing.

Muldoon is a legend; this podcast is in good hands. Insightful, and worth a listen for published poets and poetry novices alike. Listen and learn.

The podcast is off to a wonderful, stirring start. Two powerful poems well read. I'm wondering if a "short form" poetry podcast might be possible which is essentially just one poem without other commentary. It might be in the range of two to right minutes. Perhaps when this podcast becomes a clear success, then the shorter reading could be a "spin-off" created from the same recording.