Announcements

Major Jackson Profile Photo 2

A Farewell to Major Jackson

April 10, 2025
After two years, two seasons and 443 episodes, Major Jackson is stepping down from the host chair.
NEA logo jpg

Supported in Part by National Endowment for the Arts

January 29, 2024
To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
Poetry Foundation

Produced in Partnership With the Poetry Foundation

February 5, 2020
Raising poetry to a more visible and influential position in American culture.
20250212 Slowdown Major Jackson award

Major Jackson wins inaugural Patricia Cannon Willis Prize for American Poetry

February 12, 2025
The award recognizes an exceptional contribution to American poetry.
adrienne maree brown | Eric Whitacre | Tonya Mosley | Jacques Pépin

Special Guest Hosted Episodes

September 9, 2024
Hear four poems curated by a few very special friends of The Slowdown.
Slowdown 1000th episode tile

Marking 1,000 episodes of The Slowdown

November 16, 2023
Thank you for making this public media podcast a part of your life, every weekday.
Slowdown Signal Award

WINNER: Best Daily Podcast at the Signal Awards!

November 13, 2023

The Slowdown at the 2023 Twin Cities Book Festival!

November 3, 2023
The Slowdown team made an appearance at the Twin Cities Book Festival this year to connect with poetry lovers and fans of the show!
Major Jackson’s collection of new and selected poems is now on bookstore  shelves — and he’s hitting the road in support.

Celebrating RAZZLE DAZZLE!

September 5, 2023
Major Jackson’s collection of new and selected poems is now on bookstore  shelves — and he’s hitting the road in support.
Europa Clipper flies over the moon.

In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa (Full Version)

August 30, 2023
Today’s poem is In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa by Ada Limón. This is the full version of the interview, only on our website.
Poet Ada Limón

Meet the new U.S. Poet Laureate: Ada Limón

July 12, 2022
Librarian of Congress names Ada Limón the nation's 24th U.S. Poet Laureate
Tracy K. Smith

News from The Slowdown

October 19, 2020
A letter from Tracy K. Smith
The Slowdown with Tracy K. Smith Poetry Guide

Curious About Poetry? Start Here. 

July 28, 2020
Whether you're a lifelong poetry lover, a casual reader, an educator, a parent, or completely new to poetry (welcome!), we’ve compiled a list of helpful resources that can make poetry a bigger part of your life.  
The Slowdown with Tracy K. Smith

The Slowdown Black Lives Matter Playlist

June 9, 2020
This playlist highlights episodes and poems that shed light on social justice, racism, and oppression, while celebrating Black lives and poets.
The Slowdown with Tracy K. Smith

Poetry Playlist on Hope, Kindness and More

April 10, 2020
Take a breath with our most uplifting episodes.
The Slowdown with Tracy K. Smith

Poetry Playlist for Kids

April 9, 2020
Here are some of our favorite kid-friendly episodes.
An image of The Slowdown host Tracy K. Smith.

Tracy K. Smith’s Work Diary

May 14, 2019
Want to know more about our host? Read this New York Times piece on her nonstop work week.
Follow The Slowdown on Instagram.

Follow us on Instagram

May 14, 2019
See poet photos, get snippets of our featured poems to share, and more.
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