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Dear Poetry

By: Luisa Beck
Narrated by: Luisa Beck, Cheryl Strayed, Camille Dungy, Chen Chen, John Paul Brammer, Luther Hughes, full cast
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Inspirational & Religious
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Episodes
  • Dear Poetry - Trailer

    Dear Poetry - Trailer
    Jun 23 2022

    When you’re struck with a difficult emotion, like loneliness, anxiety, or heartbreak, sometimes the best remedy isn’t a pill or herbal potion, but poetry. Poems can reveal something you hadn’t seen, expose a lingering feeling, or crystallize something you needed reminding of.

    In this audio series, listeners will send in their problems and well-known guest poets will prescribe their favorite lyrical remedy. Problems can be anything -- from wanting to escape to an island free of Coronavirus, roommates or squealing kids; to having to go to work (or not having work) and facing down the risks; or really just any sundry problem that we face as humans. In each episode, the guest will listen to the situation. In response, they'll read a poem that they (or someone they admire) has written, and talk about what it’s meant to them during turbulent times. Sometimes their lyrical remedy will offer advice, or comfort, or just a nudge for getting unstuck.

    Our host is Luisa Beck, a Washington Post reporter who observes the news all over the world, but who turns to poetry for answers to some of life's most difficult questions. They're questions we all ask, but that even the most unbiased facts and well-researched articles can't answer. In each episode, she presents the ailment of the listener who’s written to her and asks her guest poet questions about what they recommend. She also introduces the guest's work, and talks to them about how they came to love poetry, and what the poem they chose means to them personally.

    This project is presented solely for entertainment purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional.

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    2 mins
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  • Episode 1: Always Near Ends

    Episode 1: Always Near Ends
    Jul 6 2022
    A caller wants to reconnect with her father, who struggles with alcoholism and Alzheimer's disease. Poet Jane Flett responds with “Bottom of the Ocean” by Bob Hicok. The poem in this episode appears courtesy of University of Pittsburgh Press.
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    20 mins
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  • Episode 2: I Want To Be Loved

    Episode 2: I Want To Be Loved
    Jul 7 2022

    This episode contains content best suited for adults.

    A caller is looking for TRUE love, but can’t seem to find it. Poet Luther Hughes responds with ‘Judith Slaying Holofernes: Oil on Canvas, Artemisia Gentileschi, 1620’ by Paul Tran.

    The poem in this episode appears courtesy of Paul Tran.

    The song ‘Mercenary Heart’ appears courtesy of Soltero (aka Tim Howard).
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    30 mins
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Luisa Beck
Additional Credits

About the Creator and Performer

Luisa Beck is a writer, reporter, and producer based out of Berlin, Germany. By day, she makes audio stories and covers the news. By night, she dabbles in fiction, music, and roller skating on the runways of Berlin’s Tempelhof airport.
She’s a former reporter for The Washington Post, where she covered a wide range of topics – from Germany’s history of colonialism and racism to its climate science and peculiar language. Before joining The Post, Luisa produced stories for The Center for Investigative Reporting’s flagship radio show Reveal, as well as popular storytelling shows like Rough Translation ( NPR), Snap Judgment (PRX), and 99% Invisible (SiriusXM).
Luisa observes the news all over the world, but turns to poetry for answers to life's most difficult questions. They're questions we all ask, but even the most unbiased facts and well-researched articles can't answer.
The show was inspired by a book that was gifted to Luisa by her godfather – a former dissident in communist East Germany – which was a book of poems sorted by ailments. It’s called Erich Kästner’s Lyrical Apothecary and was written by the German satirist and poet Erich Kästner in the 1930s. In it, he prescribes ‘lyrical medicine’ for common ailments like ‘feeling broke’, ‘friend envy’, and more. At the height of Covid, when Beck was feeling burnt out by doom scrolling, she found poems that offered moments of laughter, crying, and bits of respite from the state of the world. She’s been hooked on the book ever since, and on poems as guides for life’s questions and dilemmas (big and small).

What listeners say about Dear Poetry

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You'll be glad you listened

I first heard about this podcast on NPR, and I'm glad I listened to the whole season! It is thoughtful in two ways: kind and full of thought. The dilemmas are so varied, and you're bound to find yourself in some of them. The poems are surprising as well. It's a great way to experience new poetry, whether you are a big reader or new to poetry. I like the host's opening monologues/anecdotes as well. I highly recommend this podcast, and I'm anxious for the next season! I could see this becoming part of my regular routine--listening each Monday morning on the way to to work for example. I wonder how the dilemmas will change over time. Some of these are pandemic-related. How will poetry offer support in whatever challenges tomorrow brings?

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Profile Image for Klaus Ebert

Life is like a box of poetry…

What a unique little show! It is so inspirational as you never know quite what you’re going to get as a poetic response to problems or concerns that listeners share. Grab a cup of tea, put on your comfy slippers, sit back and relax and let Luisa introduce you to some great poets who provide their thoughts and insights to our woes and worries.
Two ears up!!

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Profile Image for Julie Racioppo

Wonderful concept

Moving, touching, insightful, and clever, this charming podcast is a delight to listen to. Can't recommend highly enough.

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Profile Image for nursenelli

Wish there were more episodes.

Found everything about the concept and delivery to be compelling. I liked the poems and the insight of the poets.

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Profile Image for William J. Wright

Beautiful and lyrical

When I need a break from all the hyper rational, self-help books of the world... or the long form fictions that I'm supposed to read, I turn to poetry. This podcast is beautiful and hits the spot on topics that are so relevant to the challenges of today. Great listen.

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Profile Image for Janine

Engaging and heart warming

This is the podcast we all need in an ongoing Covid world. Both engaging and heartwarming. Luisa is captivating and makes the stories human.

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Profile Image for Erik C Strode

Brilliant

Found it extremely informative, unique and inspiring. Well done!!
Love the mixture of poetry and common sense advice.

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Profile Image for Steven Barr

Quality content all around

I have only heard episode one, but I am excited to hear more. The idea of a random stranger revealing such a personal vulnerable part of themselves is fascinating enough, but when a person-poet can speak to that vulnerability with a poem of their choice- the connection goes deep. So, I love the concept, and the professional production of every part of this delightful and meaningful show. Only slight improvement would be to slow down the pace a slight bit so I can better digest the words- there is so much to ponder here, Thanks for creating such a meaningful podcast.

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Brilliant. Move over Ann Landers!

I'm so happy this podcast exists. It's innovative, creative and delightful to listen to. As someone who appreciates poetry, but doesn't always "get it," this podcast not only makes poetry accessible, it makes it applicable to daily life! Each episode has left me feeling inspired and eager to hear more.

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Profile Image for 1000Oaks

Thank you, Dear Poetry!

Dear Poetry,

Thank you for bringing more poetry into my life in such tender ways. You pick me up when I'm feeling down and make me laugh when I need to. Looking forward to more episodes!

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