Episodes

  • Ep 239: Listener Crit #10

    Ep 239: Listener Crit #10
    Mar 21 2026
    SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. Make a one-time donation (not tax-deductible)For more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW!Leave the show a rating here!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comSome of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Order Brian’s book The Optimists! It’s so good!– Now give Brian’s book a 5-star review!– My chapbook The Soft Black Stars is out now!– A conversation Alice & I had for Poetry London!Frequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– George David Clark– Tristram Fane Saunders– Philip MetresOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Ep 238: AWP 2026

    Ep 238: AWP 2026
    Mar 13 2026
    SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it’s easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Order Brian’s book The Optimists! It’s so good!– Now give Brian’s book a 5-star review!– My chapbook The Soft Black Stars is out now!– I’m reading this Saturday, March 14, at 6:00 p.m. at the Mettlesome Theater in Durham, NC– Brian’s appearance on The Gist– The Mysterious Case of Gothic Verse Narratives by Brian Brodeur– Pre-order Sixteen Games of Hide and Seek by Stephen Bass and Steve Teare!– Sofia Kavlin Castaneda of Unsent Letterbox– Rosanna Oh– Sonnet 130– One Art by Elizabeth Bishop– Poetry by Joseph Harrison– Moira Egan– Joe Osterhaus– Robert Schreur– Sunil Iyengar– The Same City by Terrance Hayes– Maps by James Baker Hall– Michael Theune– Kim Noriega– Kim Addonizio– Poetry Says Ep 294. The American Ecstatic– Dan Kois– The Martin Chronicles– Lauren Wethers– Reclaiming Jane– Jordan Kisner– Thresholds– The Critic and Her Publics– Michele MosesFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– George David Clark– Tristram Fane Saunders– Philip MetresOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith
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    57 mins
  • Ep 237: If it doesn’t taste good, you can’t serve it

    Ep 237: If it doesn’t taste good, you can’t serve it
    Mar 3 2026
    SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it’s easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Order Brian’s book The Optimists! It’s so good!– My chapbook The Soft Black Stars is out now!– Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)Queen of Chess (2026)Poetry Says Ep 296. Gena Rowlands PoeticsAdam CurtisNight by Ellie WieselIkigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life by Francesc Miralles and Hector GarciaMarie KondoAfter Apple-Picking and Mending Wall by Robert FrostMalcolm GladwellTim FerrissJulie SteinerEgg and Dart by Matthew Buckley SmithDeceptacon by Le TigreThe touch move ruleThe Queen’s Gambit (2020)Judit’s TED talkMy Best Game Ever: Vishy Anand vs. Judit PolgarJudit Polgar tricks Magnus Carlsen in a game of blitz in the parkNigel Short vs. Judit PolgarTwo Catholic sonnets by Julie SteinerOn Noticing How Many Pro-Life Men Are Smokers by Julie SteinerJulie’s Sapphics thread on EratosphereSecret Show notesThe Sparrow by Mary Roia RussellDana GioiaWeldon KeesI Saw the TV Glow (2024)Supernatural Horror and Literature by H.P. LovecraftSecret show notesMeanjin lives!Tropical Skiing by John ForbesLimiting Poetry’s Feedback Loop by Steven SearcyEp 231: Insidious Tendencies, ft. Steven SearcyA Caveat-Filled Case for AtheismThe Via Negativa of R.S. Thomas on VersecraftNick Cave’s Red Hand Files Issue #265The Siberian unicornA Holy Dread by R. A. VillanuevaBill Hicks: Pro LifeFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Ep 236: Listener Crit #9

    Ep 236: Listener Crit #9
    Mar 3 2026
    SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it’s easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Order Brian’s book The Optimists! It’s so good!– Let me know if you’d like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– Vanderpump Rules Season 12The Great Pottery ThrowdownSelling SunsetJiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)Queen of Chess (2026)how i be revising by Brandon TaylorSashay awayComing down in Ohio by Dave SmithEp 234: Midlife Show-and-Tell, ft. Katie DozierContrapoints Tangent: Liminal SpacesStep wellsSecret show notesMeanjin lives!Tropical Skiing by John ForbesLimiting Poetry’s Feedback Loop by Steven SearcyEp 231: Insidious Tendencies, ft. Steven SearcyA Caveat-Filled Case for AtheismThe Via Negativa of R.S. Thomas on VersecraftNick Cave’s Red Hand Files Issue #265The Siberian unicornA Holy Dread by R. A. VillanuevaBill Hicks: Pro LifeFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Ep 235: Romanticon Now, ft. Paul Franz & Elijah Perseus Blumov, Pt. 1

    Ep 235: Romanticon Now, ft. Paul Franz & Elijah Perseus Blumov, Pt. 1
    Feb 21 2026
    SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it’s easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Pre-order Brian’s book The Optimists! It’s so good!– Let me know if you’d like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– Bad Lieutenant (1992)– Will Diana– Romanticon– Literary Imagination– Serpent Club– Rathlin Island by Paul FranzFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Ep 234: Midlife Show-and-Tell, ft. Katie Dozier

    Ep 234: Midlife Show-and-Tell, ft. Katie Dozier
    Feb 15 2026
    SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it’s easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Pre-order Brian’s book The Optimists! It’s so good!– Let me know if you’d like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– All That Glitter by Katie Dozier– The Poetry Space– Rattle– The Rattlecast– Good Bones by Maggie Smith– The Trouble with Poetry by Billy Colins– Limiting Poetry’s Feedback Loop by Steven Searcy– Ep 231: Insidious Tendencies, ft. Steven SearcyFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Ep 233: In Fair Verona

    Ep 233: In Fair Verona
    Feb 6 2026
    NB: Oops, I forgot about 2.5, which is the extremely brief wedding scene, which includes both R & J but which is also only barely a scene and which thus is very easy to forget.SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it’s easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Pre-order Brian’s book The Optimists! It’s so good!– Let me know if you’d like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– Romeo and Juliet– A Midsummer Night’s Dream– Macbeth– Hamlet– Twelfth Night– & Juliet– Romeo and Juliet (1996)– Romeo and Juliet (1968)– Ep 224: Broadway Omnibus– Grendel by John Gardner– Micah Mattix– Noises Off by Michael Frayn– Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett– Endgame by Samuel Beckett– Fargo (1996)– Barton Fink (1991)Frequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • Ep 232: Mr Bones, ft. Shane McCrae

    Ep 232: Mr Bones, ft. Shane McCrae
    Jan 31 2026
    SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it’s easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Pre-order Brian’s book The Optimists! It’s so good!– Let me know if you’d like a review copy of my forthcoming chapbook The Soft Black Stars: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com– Only Sing by John Berryman, ed. Shane McCrae– New and Collected Hell by Shane McCrae– Dream Song 26 by John Berryman– Dream Song 14 by John Berryman– Dream Song 29 by John Berryman– Dream Song: For Louis MacNeice by John Berryman– A Most Marvelous Piece of Luck by Greg Williamson– Cynara by Ernest Dowson– Shadow of the Colossus– Fallout– Fallout (TV series)– Robert Frost’s original inaugural poem, Dedication– Democracy and Poetry by Robert Penn Warren– Fall of the Star High School Running Back by The Mountain GoatsFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– Matt Wall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– Tristram Fane SaundersOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith
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    1 hr and 16 mins