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The Verb

BBC Radio 4
Poetry
Hip Hop
Language
Poetic Endings
Music
International Women's Day
Last Lines
Literature
Sisterhood
Literary Techniques
Tessa Hadley
Contains Strong Language Festival
Writing
The Verb
Belfast
Time
Leeds
Jazz
Gender Identity
Creativity

Ian McMillan hosts Radio 4's cabaret of the word, featuring the best poetry, new writing and performance.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes266Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Latest Episodes

Ian McMillan's guests include the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage with poetry from his latest collection 'New Cemetery', impressionist and poet Alistair McGowan and Joelle Taylor with her new book 'Maryville'.

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage shares poems ... more

Ian McMillan enjoys the language of the iconic 'Night Mail' poem by W.H. Auden, invites us into signal boxes, imagines train station bars, and evokes the empty platforms that inspire songs - as he celebrates 200 years of railway inspired poetry with ... more

Shaun Usher's Letters of Note project became a cultural empire spanning multiple books, stage shows, and an online archive. He's now produced Diaries of Note - a collection of diary entries that span centuries from the great and the good . He discuss... more

Ian McMillan celebrates an iconic poem that inspired a generation of poets and readers - Tony Harrison's 'Them and Uz'. His guests include the new US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, the former Poet Laureate of Belfast Sinéad Morrissey who brings us an autu... more

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Recent Guests

Katrina Naomi
A poet who writes about the intersection of public and private through dance.
Episode: Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Amani Saeed
A poet involved in the Language is a Queer Thing project, connecting queer poets from the UK and India.
Episode: Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Fran Edwards
A poet who collaborates with her daughter on exploring their mother-daughter relationship.
Episode: Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones
A poet exploring her relationship with her mother through poetry.
Episode: Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Shaun Usher
Author and editor of the Letters of Note series, discussing personal writing.
Letters of Note
Episode: Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Arthur Sze
U.S. Poet Laureate, poet and translator
Library of Congress
Episode: Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
Sinéad Morrissey
Poet and former poet laureate of Belfast
Episode: Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
David Morley
Poet and zoologist, Professor of Creative Writing at Warwick University
Warwick University
Episode: Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
Daniel Sluman
Poet and advisor for a new anthology, focusing on disabled and neurodivergent poets
Episode: Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman

Host

Ian McMillan
Ian McMillan is a prominent host known for his vibrant energy and insightful leading of literary discussions. He has a strong background in poetry and performance, making him a natural fit for guiding conversations about language and artistic expression.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 174 ratings
  • Fascinating and thought provoking, done with good humour

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Mark
    3 years ago
  • My favourite podcast

    I listen to all sorts of stuff on podcasts; science, news, comedy, history, drama and stories, but these are the episodes I look forward to most.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The flower garden in Appley
    United Kingdom5 years ago
  • Everything a good podcast could be

    Each episode is interesting, entertaining, educational and varied. I love listening. Thanks for putting it on!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JC2late
    United States5 years ago
  • if you’re a poet and you *don’t* know it, listen to this podcast

    a wonderful series of entertaining & thought provoking conversations between poets and authors about their craft which is intellectually stimulating yet accessible at the same time. as someone who hasn’t really “gotten” poetry before, this show is giving me a newfound appreciation for language and the fascinating ways in which writers craft their work

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    thewilliamrayner
    United Kingdom6 years ago
  • Enjoyable listen

    I love this podcast. What helps it move so smoothly over different ideas funny, thoughtful, sad, etc is the host Ian. I have spread the word about The Verb to my friends and work colleagues, all have been impressed with the subjects covered.

    I also love the extras given on the podcasts. The Verb = great stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HoveGirl
    United Kingdom7 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the engaging and varied discussions, often praising the creativity and insight that guests bring to the topics.
Many find inspiration and a newfound appreciation for language through the thoughtful exploration of poets' works and personal stories.
The host, Ian McMillan, is frequently complimented for his skillful and entertaining guidance of conversations, enhancing the listening experience.
The podcast is described as an educational resource that deeply explores the art of poetry and its relevance in contemporary society.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Train Poetry with Don Paterson, Bella Hardy, Carmen Marcus, Patrick McGuinness
Q: How did you feel when we asked you to respond to Homeward Bound?
I was delighted; I grew up with that song and it was influential in my own songwriting.
Train Poetry with Don Paterson, Bella Hardy, Carmen Marcus, Patrick McGuinness
Q: How did it feel writing this dystopian poem about a platform?
It felt like a step into the unknown, as train stations can create a place where time and space are in reversible flux.
Train Poetry with Don Paterson, Bella Hardy, Carmen Marcus, Patrick McGuinness
Q: Did your father find railways and the language of railways poetic?
Yes, he loved the idea of finding connections and making different bits of a journey cohere.
Train Poetry with Don Paterson, Bella Hardy, Carmen Marcus, Patrick McGuinness
Q: What do you mean by that train is a language?
Every single train has its own collection of noises, and we can speak it automatically.
Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
Q: Arthur Sze, you're the Poet Laureate of the United States with all its voices and accents and all those possibilities. Would that poem resonate with your students?
Sze affirms that the poem's virtuosity and subversive elements make it resonate well with his students.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Verb

What is The Verb about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A vibrant exploration of the world of poetry, language, and personal expression unfolds through engaging discussions with diverse artists, scholars, and writers. The conversations center around the nuances of language, the significance of poetry in contemporary society, and the intersections between personal narratives and artistic creation. Notable topics include the exploration of identity, familial relationships, and the transformative power of words, often highlighted through the experiences of the guests. This podcast uniquely combines insightful interviews with live performances, creating an enriching auditory experience for listeners who appreciate both the craft of poetry and the artistry of spoken word.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Verb?

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How many listeners does The Verb get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Verb?

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How many subscribers and views does The Verb have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Verb 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 The Verb?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Verb:

1. The Book Club
2. Backlisted
3. Arts & Ideas
4. Front Row
5. This Cultural Life

How many episodes of The Verb are there?

The Verb launched 13 years ago and published 266 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 The Verb?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Verb?

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What guests have appeared on The Verb?

Recent guests on The Verb include:

1. Katrina Naomi
2. Amani Saeed
3. Fran Edwards
4. Jennifer Jones
5. Shaun Usher
6. Arthur Sze
7. Sinéad Morrissey
8. David Morley

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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