Podcast Summary: The Slowdown Live (Episode 1326)
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Host: Major Jackson
Produced by: APM Studios in partnership with The Poetry Foundation

Introduction and Live Recording
Timestamp: [00:49]
In this special live episode of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, hosted by Major Jackson, listeners are treated to an evening of dynamic conversation, poetry, and engaging activities. Recorded live at the Crawford in Los Angeles in partnership with LAist, the episode features renowned poets Jason Schneiderman, Samia Bashir, and Padraic Otuama. Micah Kilbon, the lead producer, sets an enthusiastic tone, welcoming the audience and emphasizing the blend of fun and poetic reflection that defines the evening.

Opening Poem: Ode to Everything
Timestamp: [09:00]
Major Jackson opens the night with an original poem titled "Ode to Everything." Reflecting on everyday objects and unnoticed moments, Jackson poetically expresses gratitude for the mundane yet profound elements of life. He shares:

"Somehow I have never thought to thank the ice cream cone for building a paradise in my mouth."

This heartfelt ode establishes the episode's theme of finding depth and meaning in the ordinary.

Guest Introductions and Discussions
Timestamp: [01:30]
Micah Kilbon introduces the evening's guests:

• Jason Schneiderman: Author of six poetry collections, including Self Portrait of Icarus and As a Country on Fire. He also teaches English at CUNY's Borough of Manhattan and in the MFA program at Warren Wilson College.

• Samia Bashir: Poet and librettist known for her work at the intersection of sound, movement, memory, and black imagination. Her latest collection, released by Nightboat Books, explores black, queer, and diasporic futures.

• Padraic Otuama: Poet focused on themes of language, violence, power, and religion. Host of On Being's Poetry Unbound and author of Kitchen Hymns and the anthology 44 Poems on Being with Each Other.

Personal Reflections on Slowing Down
Timestamp: [12:29]
The poets share their personal strategies for slowing down amidst busy lives:

• Jason Schneiderman: “The last couple of weeks I've been on an island off the west coast of Scotland, and that's been pretty nice to slow down.”
  [12:29]

• Padraic Otuama: Emphasizes driving as a meditative practice, finding poems in the landscape and turning off distractions.
  [12:53]

• Major Jackson: Finds solace in lifting weights, allowing his body to be present and disconnecting mentally.
  [12:51]

The Role of Poetry in Changing Times
Timestamp: [13:31]
Micah Kilbon reflects on the evolution of The Slowdown since 2018, noting the shifting social fabric and political landscape. The poets discuss how poetry serves as both an anchor and a harbinger, providing language and space to process contemporary issues:

• Padraic Otuama: “We're all experiencing these things, but how do we talk about it? How do we think about it? We need language to think even.”
  [14:27]

• Major Jackson: Highlights poetry’s dual role in engaging with the present and connecting with timeless works like those of Gerard Manley Hopkins.
  [14:50]

• Jason Schneiderman: Views poems as self-witnesses, capable of bearing witness to themselves and aiding in the act of noticing and understanding.
  [16:08]

Interactive Games and Audience Engagement
Timestamp: [26:00]
The live episode features interactive games led by producer Samia Bashir to infuse humor and camaraderie:

1. Trivia: Onomatopoeia Edition
   Participants use their favorite onomatopoeic sounds as buzzers to answer poetry-related trivia questions. Notable moments include:

   • Major Jackson answers correctly with "Whisk" for T.S. Eliot's inspiration for "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats."
     [27:36]

2. Deluded Illusions
   A team-based guessing game where one member is blindfolded and must identify poets based on descriptive clues. Highlights include:

   • Team Two correctly guessing "Basho" based on clues about haikus and the poet's name.
     [39:43]

3. Misquote or Improvement
   Participants creatively rephrase a classic poetic line, with Samia Bashir declaring Samia Bashir the winner for her inventive take.
   [42:17]

Notable Quotes from Games:

• Major Jackson: “Poetry and whoopee time.”
  [45:21]

• Samia Bashir: “Poems and poetry is already a win for me. I find poems to be just winning.”
  [49:35]

Discussion on Humor and Vulnerability in Poetry
Timestamp: [50:49]
The conversation shifts to the integration of humor and joy in poetry, exploring how these elements can enhance vulnerability and connection:

• Padraic Otuama: Encourages finding joy and humor as a means to navigate vulnerability, stating, “The poets that we read... It all finds a way and has a space.”
  [50:24]

• Major Jackson: Connects humor to psychoanalysis, suggesting that laughter can signify breakthroughs and discoveries within the poetic process.
  [51:24]

• Jason Schneiderman: Advocates for poets to experiment with forms like limericks to balance humor and seriousness.
  [52:31]

Poetic Readings
Timestamp: [63:43]
Each poet shares original works that resonate with the evening's themes:

• Padraic Otuama: “Wabenzi Walks” – A poem responding to a Taylor Swift song, blending African terminology with personal reflection.

• Jason Schneiderman: “The Long Table” – A litany of thanks to deceased friends, highlighting personal loss and remembrance.

Audience Q&A
Timestamp: [66:38]
Audience members engage with the poets, posing questions about vulnerability, imagination, and the balance between personal and outward-focused poetry. Key insights include:

• Jason Schneiderman: Shares an anecdote about the vulnerability inherent in artistic expression and the resilience required to continue creating amid criticism.
  [67:37]

• Major Jackson: Discusses the delicate balance of exposing oneself through poetry and the inherent risks involved.
  [70:28]

• Padraic Otuama: Emphasizes the interconnectedness of self and others, advocating for a holistic approach to poetic expression.
  [82:34]

• Samia Bashir: Opens up about her struggle with hoarding poems she deems "terrible," reflecting on the personal value of all creative output.
  [84:35]

Closing Remarks and Reflections
Timestamp: [85:22]
As the episode concludes, the poets reflect on the importance of maintaining joy and vulnerability in their work. They share personal strategies for overcoming creative blocks and emphasize the therapeutic power of poetry in navigating life's complexities.

Conclusion
The Slowdown Live (Episode 1326) offers a vibrant blend of poetry, personal anecdotes, interactive games, and meaningful discussions. Hosted by Major Jackson and featuring esteemed poets Jason Schneiderman, Samia Bashir, and Padraic Otuama, the episode underscores poetry's enduring role in fostering reflection, connection, and resilience. Whether through heartfelt odes, playful trivia, or intimate Q&A sessions, listeners are invited to pause, engage, and find solace in the shared journey of poetic exploration.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Jason Schneiderman ([16:08]): “I think I'm always interested in how a poem can bear witness to itself... something that can help to notice.”
• Padraic Otuama ([14:27]): “We need language to think even.”
• Major Jackson ([51:24]): “Humor is often that which touches the unconscious... the laugh is a discovery.”
• Micah Kilbon ([54:46]): “Poetry allows us to laugh, but also to capture these moments... poetry as savior, poetry as healing, poetry as hope.”
• Samia Bashir ([84:35]): “Am I the only one who has a weird poem hoarding problem? For things that you truly believe are bad, that you have written.”

Listen to the full episode here

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