The Poetic Turn

The Poetic Turn is a podcast hosted by Darren Stephens and Evan Carlson that explores poems and poetry through conversation—thoughtful, curious, and welcoming. Each episode invites listeners into close encounters with poems: how they work, why they matter, and what they can offer us. The show is for anyone who wants more poetry in their world. Whether you’re brand new to poetry, returning after a long absence, or already comfortable reading and discussing poems, The Poetic Turn meets you where you are—without gatekeeping, jargon for its own sake, or academic posturing. The goal is simple: to make poetry more approachable, more meaningful, and more present in everyday life.

The Poetic Turn is a arts podcast hosted by Darren Stephens and Evan Carlson, with 26 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Darren Stephens and Evan Carlson hosts The Poetic Turn, a arts show with 26 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  The Poetic Turn

  John Keats

  Sep 16, 202659 min

  John Keats, a name that resonates through the corridors of poetry, is the focal point of this episode of The Poetic Turn . Co-hosts Darren Stephens and Evan Carlson welcome Keats scholars, Brian Rejack and Mike Theune, to explore the life and work of this remarkable poet. Brian Repack at Illinois State University: https://romantic-circles.org/person/brian-rejack Mike Theune at Illinois Wesleyan University: https://www.iwu.edu/english/faculty/theune.html The website on which they collaborate, The Keats Letters Project: https://keatslettersproject.com/description/ Also mentioned in this episode of the podcast: The Keats poem “ La Belle Dame sans Merci: A Ballad ” Diane Seuss's book Modern Poetry The book Keats Odes, A Lover’s Discourse The 2009 biographical romantic film, written and directed by Jane Campion, Bright Star The book about interlinked lives of the young English Romantic poets: Young Romantics: The Shelleys, Byron, and Other Tangled Lives The Paris Review article The Vale of Soul-Making keywords: John Keats, Romanticism, Negative Capability, Poetry, Literary History, Shakespeare, Homer, Translation, Poets, Poetry Education Evan's website: www.evancarlsonactor.com Darren's website: www.darrensvoice.com Our cover art is by Lara Johnson: @lara_johnson_art

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Poetic Turn

  Poet and Editor Virginia Bell

  Aug 28, 202655 min

  Virginia Bell, poet, teacher, and editor of Rhino Poetry, shares insights into poetry, its forms, and her creative process. Rhino, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, has evolved from grassroots workshops into a nationally recognized publication. https://rhinopoetry.org A link to Virginia Bell’s poem “Pop Song:” https://exterminatingangel.com/pop-song/ A link to Virginia Bell’s poem “Oh, Mother:” https://www.swwim.org/swwimeveryday/2024/5/24/oh-mother Virginia Bell’s website: https://virginia-bell.com/ Virginia Bell’s book “Lifting Child from the Ground, Turning Around:" can be found here . Evan's website: www.evancarlsonactor.com Darren's website: www.darrensvoice.com Our cover art is by Lara Johnson: @lara_johnson_art keywords: poetry, Virginia Bell, Rhino magazine, poetic forms, attention in poetry, poetic turn, motherhood poetry, ekphrastic poetry, defamiliarization, the poetic process

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Poetic Turn

  Daniel Smith: Land and Language

  Jul 26, 202638 min

  In this episode, Daniel Smith shares his poetic journey rooted in farming life, his influences like poet Gary Snyder, and the importance of capturing fleeting moments through poetry. We explore how his work preserves rural heritage and inspires future generations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Daniel Smith and his poetic roots 02:17 Why Daniel started writing poetry: influence of family and land 06:52 First poem: Gary Snyder's influence and farm life 15:05 Story behind 'Texas Nineteen Seventy Four' 27:13 Austin Smith's poetry and their father-son connection 33:47 Daniel's current writing and recent publications The poems on today's podcast can be found in Daniel Smith's book Ancestral . "Instructions on How to Put an Old Horse Down" can be found in Austin Smiths book Almanac . Poems from the Winter House by Daniel Smith Ancestral by Daniel Smith Gary Snyder - Official Website - https://www.garysnyder.org/ Daniel's son Austin Smith's website: https://austinsmithpoetry.com/ The episode on The Poetic Turn featuring Austin Smith: https://www.thepoeticturn.com/austin-smith-the-poetry-of-place/ Evan's website: www.evancarlsonactor.com Darren's website: www.darrensvoice.com Our cover art is by Lara Johnson: @lara_johnson_art

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Poetic Turn

  The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe

  Jul 2, 202642 min

  In this episode of the Poetic Turn, Darren and Evan dive into one of the most famous poems in the English language: The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. Along with a reading of the poem and a discussion of it, there is a musical version of the poem performed aaaaall the way back in the 80s, performed by The Four Guys Standing Around Singing, an acappella group in which Darren performed. Love it or hate it, if you listen to this podcast, you'll escape the poem... Nevermore! The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe . Evan's website: www.evancarlsonactor.com Darren's website: www.darrensvoice.com Our cover art is by Lara Johnson: @lara_johnson_art

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Poetic Turn

  Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, by Wallace Stevens

  Jun 18, 202634 min

  Wallace Stevens' "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" is a profound exploration of perception, reality, and the interplay between the observer and the observed. Through its innovative structure and rich imagery, the poem invites readers to engage with the complexities of existence in a meaningful way. As we reflect on Stevens' work, we are reminded of the importance of embracing multiple perspectives and the beauty that lies within the act of observation. Read the poem: Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird A link to Dan Smart's blog Rhythm is the Instrument: https://www.rhythmistheinstrument.com Dan's book The Flowers of Nonchalance can be found here . Evan's website: www.evancarlsonactor.com Darren's website: www.darrensvoice.com Our cover art is by Lara Johnson: @lara_johnson_art

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Poetic Turn. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.