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Maggie Smith’s second season hosting The Slowdown, returns November 2, 2026.


Season 7 Returns with Host Maggie Smith

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


A Farewell to Major Jackson

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


Produced in Partnership With the Poetry Foundation

Announcements

1599: Heading Out to Sea by José A. Alcántara

Today’s poem is Heading Out to Sea by José A. Alcántara.


Today’s poem is Heading Out to Sea by José A. Alcántara.

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “The truth is, all bodies are imperfect. But today’s poem reminds me, importantly, that this body is the only one I have. There’s no “spare,” no back up, no alternative. When I think of it that way, it’s impossible not to be grateful.”

This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. slowdownshow.org/donate


The Slowdown

1598: Advice to a Monolith by Talley V. Kayser

Today’s poem is Advice to a Monolith by Talley V. Kayser.


Today’s poem is Advice to a Monolith by Talley V. Kayser.

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Landscape is psychological. It impacts how we feel, how we see ourselves, how we understand our experience. When you change the landscape, you change everything!”

This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. slowdownshow.org/donate


1597: On Children by Kahlil Gibran

Today’s poem is On Children by Kahlil Gibran.


Today’s poem is On Children by Kahlil Gibran. 

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I’ve always believed my son and daughter came through me, not to me, like I’m the door they used to enter the world. In this way, I feel like they’ve been loaned to me, and my job is to be a steward and a guide while they’re young. Today’s poem articulates that better than I can here, and I think that’s what we turn to poems for: to tell us the truth, and to tell it beautifully.” 

This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. slowdownshow.org/donate 

The Slowdown

Latest Episode

Recent Episodes

1599: Heading Out to Sea by José A. Alcántara

1598: Advice to a Monolith by Talley V. Kayser

1597: On Children by Kahlil Gibran

Announcements

Season 7 Returns with Host Maggie Smith

A Farewell to Major Jackson

Produced in Partnership With the Poetry Foundation

Other APM Podcasts

Truth Be Told

Ripple

The Splendid Table

The Slowdown

Latest Episode

Recent Episodes

1599: Heading Out to Sea by José A. Alcántara

1598: Advice to a Monolith by Talley V. Kayser

1597: On Children by Kahlil Gibran

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

Announcements

Season 7 Returns with Host Maggie Smith

A Farewell to Major Jackson

Produced in Partnership With the Poetry Foundation

Other APM Podcasts

Truth Be Told

Ripple

The Splendid Table