A Wonder Is What It Is: Nick Offerman Reads 'A Warning to My Readers' by Wendell Berry - All Of It with Alison Stewart

Summary3 min read

Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart
Episode: A Wonder Is What It Is: Nick Offerman Reads 'A Warning to My Readers' by Wendell Berry
Date: April 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This special Poetry Month episode inaugurates "A Wonder Is What It Is," a series featuring actor, author, and woodworker Nick Offerman as he reads and reflects on poetry, particularly focusing on works that explore the human relationship with nature. In this first installment, Offerman reads Wendell Berry's "A Warning to My Readers" (1973) and shares his admiration for Berry’s writing and worldview.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Series (00:02 - 01:05)

Nick Offerman introduces himself, his non-poet credentials, and the spirit of the series.
- “I'm Nick Offerman, an actor and author and woodworker. But I'm not a poet myself, although I have published one haiku entitled A Bratwurst.”
Emphasizes a deliberate, reflective approach to poetry, reading “slowly, and then some, thinking aloud on those lines of poetry, also by me, Nick Offerman, also slowly.”
Expresses preference for poems that explore the “human relationship with Mother Nature.”

2. Why Wendell Berry? (01:06 - 01:30)

Offerman describes his long-standing admiration for Wendell Berry’s poetry and prose.
- “[Berry is] a writer of affectionate agrarianism and common sense. I'm convinced he understands something about the world to which more of us should pay heed...”
Positions Berry as a guide for deeper understanding of nature, humility, and humanity.

3. Reading: "A Warning to My Readers" by Wendell Berry (01:31 - 02:26)

Offerman performs Berry’s 1973 poem, delivering its message of self-disclosure and humility.
- Notable excerpt, read by Offerman:
  - “Do not think me gentle because I speak in praise of gentleness, / or elegant because I honor the grace that keeps this world. / I am a man crude as any gross of speech, / intolerant, stubborn, angry, full of fits and furies, / that I may have spoken well at times not natural. / A wonder is what it is.” (01:34)

4. Reflection on the Poem and Berry’s Style (02:27 - 03:18)

Offerman unpacks his appreciation for the poem’s candor and structure:
- “I just love this as an opening salvo for this series, a perfectly concise example of Wendell Berry's unvarnished expression of his humanity with such a touching juxtaposition between his undeniable eloquence and...the humble expression of his flaws.” (02:34)
Praises Berry’s “admirable economy” and “constant reverence for the mystery of the creation” in both poetry and prose.
Invites listeners to return for future episodes featuring more readings and reflections.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Nick Offerman, on his poetic credentials:
“...although I have published one haiku entitled A Bratwurst. It goes like: tight skin, flute of pork, juices fly, explode in mouth, a little mustard.” (00:19)
On the nature of Berry’s writing:
“His fiction reads like this as well, with such an admirable economy to every sentence and turn of phrase, with a constant reverence for the mystery of the creation.” (02:45)
On his hopes for the series:
“I do hope you'll come back to hear more slowly presented adulation in episode two. Thank you.” (03:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:02 – Nick Offerman’s introduction and series concept
01:06 – Offerman discusses his admiration for Wendell Berry
01:31 – Reading: "A Warning to My Readers"
02:27 – Offerman’s reflection on the poem and on Berry’s style
03:15 – Invitation to future episodes

Tone & Style

Offerman’s delivery is reflective, gently humorous, and deeply reverent toward both the poetry and its creator. He balances humility with sincere admiration, inviting listeners into a slow-paced, contemplative space.

Summary Takeaway

This opening episode establishes a calm, thoughtful atmosphere, blending poetry appreciation, literary analysis, and Offerman’s signature warmth. Central themes include the value of humility, the complexity of individuals, and a deep respect for nature and creation—inviting listeners to experience poetry as a living dialogue.

Loading summary

Transcript2 lines

[00:02]
A
Good morning or good afternoon and welcome to the first episode of A Wonder Is what It Is. I'm Nick Offerman, an actor and author and woodworker. But I'm not a poet myself, although I have published one haiku entitled A Bratwurst. It goes like tight skin, flute of pork juices fly explode in mouth a little mustard. A Wonder Is what It Is is a series of poems read aloud by me, one per episode, slowly, and then some, thinking aloud on those lines of poetry, also by me, Nick Offerman, also slowly. I prefer poems that make me think about our human relationship with Mother Nature, like flowers and woodchucks and such. I have long been a fan of the poet and author Wendell Berry, a writer of affectionate agrarianism and common sense. I'm convinced he understands something about the world to which more of us should pay heed, and I've always jumped at any opportunity to pay that heed forward. So once a week throughout April for Poetry Month, I will pop by all of it to share his poetry. This is the first installment. So without further slow talking, here is Today's offering from 1973, a warning to my readers. Do not think me gentle because I speak in praise of gentleness, or elegant because I honor the grace that keeps this world. I am a man crude as any gross of speech, intolerant, stubborn, angry, full of fits and furies, that I may have spoken well at times not natural. A wonder is what it is. I just love this as an opening salvo for this series, a perfectly concise example of Wendell Berry's unvarnished expression of his humanity with such a touching juxtaposition between his undeniable eloquence and and the humble expression of his flaws. His fiction reads like this as well, with such an admirable economy to every sentence and turn of phrase, with a constant reverence for the mystery of the creation. I do hope you'll come back to hear more slowly presented adulation in episode two. Thank you.
[03:38]
B
Every day WNYC Studios is working to get closer to New York and to New Yorkers. The underwriting we get from businesses helps power our independence. Learn how your organization can join in at sponsorship wnyc. Org.