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Artwork for Selected Shorts

Selected Shorts

Symphony Space
Short Stories
Selected Shorts
Ray Bradbury
Neil Gaiman
Daniel Lavery
Supernatural
Fatherhood
Covid-19 Pandemic
Parenting
Satire
Changeling
Community Gatherings
Government Bureaucracy
Family Reunions
Dance Movies
Queer Identity
New York City
Fantasy Literature
Writing
Identity

Our greatest actors transport us through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time. Sometimes funny. Always moving. Selected Shorts connects you to the world with a rich diversity of voices from literature, film, theater, and comedy. New episodes every Thursday, from Symphony Space.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes35Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksFictionArts

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Artwork for Selected Shorts

Latest Episodes

Host Meg Wolitzer presents two provocative stories that address the idea of communing with something “other”.  In Etgar Keret’s “Polar Bear” an AI program, and a lonely widow, commune.  The reader is Michael Imperioli. And Mom is close by—and full of... more

Host Meg Wolitzer presents the Explain Like I'm 5 podcast, a show that takes the questions you always wanted to ask and talks about them in a way that is easy to understand. Some times we want simple answers to complex questions! We here at Selected ... more

Symphony Space was thrilled to host an evening with Israeli writer Etgar Keret, whose stories we’ve featured many times on Selected Shorts. He was interviewed by his longtime friend, and host of This American Life, Ira Glass. In this condensed versio... more

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about people inserting themselves into the lives of others—in their own best interests. In Simon Rich’s “Relapse,” friends rally ’round when one of their numbers heeds the call of the muse. It’s read by Ophira... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sara Bareilles
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and librettist known for shows such as Waitress
Episode: Classics with a Twist
Michael Cunningham
Author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Hours and contributor with reworked classic fairy tales
Episode: Classics with a Twist
Geoffrey Arend
Actor known for his performances on series such as Madam Secretary.
Episode: Accidental Revelations
Michael Urie
Actor known for Broadway shows and series like Shrinking.
Episode: Accidental Revelations
Colton Dunn
A funny writer and actor who has appeared on series such as Superstore and The Recruit.
Episode: Fooling Yourself
Suzy Nakamura
A comic and actor whose TV credits include Dead to Me and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Episode: Fooling Yourself
Pam Houston
Novelist and short story writer, author of Cowboys Are My Weakness and Without Exception.
Episode: Too Hot For Radio: Pam Houston "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"
Bonnie Milligan
Actor known for her performances in Broadway productions and television series.
Episode: Too Hot For Radio: Pam Houston "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"
Kathryn Nicolai
Creator and host of the podcast Nothing Much Happens
Nothing Much Happens
Episode: Tell Me More: Kathryn Nicolai

Host

Meg Wolitzer
Host known for her engaging storytelling style and connection with literature, offering insightful commentary on the narratives presented in the episodes.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 3.4k ratings
  • Overacting is erasing the legacy of Isaiah Sheffer

    No one can replace him, of course, but my goodness how the readers have slid into actorly bad habits. It’s a shame. These are short stories, not monologues. Someone alert the director or the engineer or Meg W or someone that this is no longer special; it’s a slog.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    PureSaraSue
    United States4 months ago
  • Beyond disappointed but not at all surprised

    How do you platform Israeli writers, when Palestinians are being genocided by Israel, the colonizing, thieving, pseudo-nation that uses Western powers to bully every one of their neighbors and anyone who dares to speak out or resist? WHERE are the Palestinian, Yemeni, and Lebanese storytellers??? WHERE?!? Needless to say, I am blocking and demoting this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    StardustBabe
    United States4 months ago
  • Good but too much from the host

    These stories are mostly great and it’s fun to hear some talented actors read them (even if some tend to turn it up to eleven).

    And, I have to give credit to the host for curating this content. I just wish she’d leave it at that. I really don’t enjoy the gifted 8th grade level editorial content before AND after every story. It just pops my balloon every time.

    Pro tip. Open the transcript and scroll down to the beginning of the story.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    christodamor
    United States5 months ago
  • Where are the stories?

    I’ve really enjoyed the actual story content, but for months, there are nothing but interviews and conversations - NOT the reason I subscribe to a short story podcast. When are they going to get back to some real content?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    sprittles
    United States5 months ago
  • Wonderful but…

    So many great stories yet too many or narrated in a near-yell from the stage. This is overpowering for the bedtime audience.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Impoxtssibxo
    United Kingdom6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the exploration of complex themes and modern interpretations of classic texts.
There are mixed feelings regarding the change in hosting style after the previous host passed away, with some longing for a return to the format they loved.
Some express dissatisfaction with the host's commentary, feeling it detracts from the storytelling.
Listeners enjoy the diverse selection of stories and the talented actors who bring them to life.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#12
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#44
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#61
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#85
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#158
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#235
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Classics with a Twist
Q: And was there a particular connection to the Jack and the Beanstalk story?
I had some sense of which of the fairy tales had seemed to me as a child to end to abruptly. They're the ones I was most eager to explore further.
Classics with a Twist
Q: Have you always been drawn to those stories?
Yes, I've always been drawn to those stories. I think they were the first stories I knew when I was a little kid.
Too Hot For Radio: Pam Houston "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"
Q: Is there a moment in which we should have hope that our narrator will ever choose that risk of intimacy?
The story symbolizes the narrator's journey towards choosing intimacy over self-imprisonment, reflecting her future choices.
Too Hot For Radio: Pam Houston "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"
Q: Was there a special dog on which Jackson was modeled or informed by?
Yes, his name was Jackson; he was Pam's first dog and held a significant place in her life with many opinions.
Too Hot For Radio: Pam Houston "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"
Q: What strikes you most about your story "Jackson Is Only One of My Dogs"?
Pam Houston reflects on her argument with her editor regarding the use of second person narratives and discusses the essential connection with animals that her writing seeks to explore.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Selected Shorts

What is Selected Shorts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the art of storytelling, this audio platform invites listeners to experience a variety of short stories read by notable actors. Episodes feature a compelling array of narratives that range from humorous takes on life's absurdities to poignant reflections on human connections. With each episode, the enchantment of literature is brought to life through an engaging blend of performances and insightful commentary from the host. The format encompasses modern reimaginings of classic tales, explorations of unique themes like personal identity, time, and relationship dynamics, helping listeners to reflect on broader human experiences through the lens of fiction. This unique convergence of acclaimed performers and diverse narratives make... more

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How many listeners does Selected Shorts get?

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How many subscribers and views does Selected Shorts have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Selected Shorts has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Selected Shorts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Selected Shorts:

1. The New Yorker: Fiction
2. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
3. The Moth
4. Snap Judgment
5. This American Life

How many episodes of Selected Shorts are there?

Selected Shorts launched 19 years ago and published 35 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Selected Shorts?

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Selected Shorts from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Selected Shorts?

Recent guests on Selected Shorts include:

1. Sara Bareilles
2. Michael Cunningham
3. Geoffrey Arend
4. Michael Urie
5. Colton Dunn
6. Suzy Nakamura
7. Pam Houston
8. Bonnie Milligan

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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