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...
Recent Episodes
June 18, 2026
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, by Wallace Stevens
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...
June 17, 2026
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, by Wallace Stevens
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...
June 3, 2026
Walt Whitman - Three Poems
Walt Whitman, an iconic figure in American poetry, invites us to explore the essence of humanity through his works. In today’s post, we’ll delve into some of his most resonant poems, reflecting on themes of connection, love, ...
May 26, 2026
Robert Burns, with Thomas Keith
The conversation delves into the life and work of Robert Burns, exploring his poetry, the tradition of Burns suppers, the challenge of understanding Scots language in his poetry, and the significance of Scotland's bawdy song ...
May 17, 2026
Haiku, with Jenny Bienemann
This episode of The Poetic Turn delves into the world of haiku with poet and singer-songwriter Jenny Bienemann. Many singer-songwriters have taken inspiration from Jenny's haiku, and this large group of artists have created a...
May 7, 2026
The Poetic Turn in Sonnet 29
In this episode, Darren and Evan delve into Shakespeare's Sonnet 29, exploring its relevance, emotional depth, and especially the wonderful example it gives of a poetic turn. Evan's website: www.evancarlsonactor.com Darren's ...