Flagship poetry podcast, The Slowdown launches new season with bestselling writer of poetry and prose Maggie Smith to host

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Public Media and the Poetry Foundation today announce the launch of season 7 of the celebrated poetry podcast, The Slowdown with award-winning poet and writer Maggie Smith hosting. Starting November 2, 2026, Smith will be back to share a selected poem and thoughtful reflection every weekday, offering listeners a daily opportunity to find connection and calm through poetry. Earlier seasons of the podcast were hosted by award-winning poet Major Jackson and former United States Poets Laureate Ada Limón and Tracy K. Smith. 

Maggie Smith is the award-winning, bestselling author of nine books of poetry and prose, including Good Bones and Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life. Her latest book, A Suit or a Suitcase, a new collection of poems on the sometimes-blurry distinction between mind and body, and how the self shifts and moves through time and space was published by Washington Square Press/Atria in March 2026. Smith's second picture book for children, is forthcoming from Simon & Schuster in 2028.

"I'm so excited to be back hosting another season of The Slowdown. I began as a listener and a fan of the show, grateful to start my workday mornings with a poem, grateful for the gift of a meaningful pause. And now it's my pleasure, as host, to create those moments. So much of the writing life is solitary, and so much of our daily life moves at a relentless pace. The Slowdown offers a sense of connection: together, we take a moment out of our days to listen, discover, and reflect. I hope you'll join us and listen wherever you get your podcasts." Smith said.

Smith has received a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Pushcart Prize, and numerous grants and awards from the Academy of American Poets, the Sustainable Arts Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Her poems and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The Nation, The Atlantic and The Best American Poetry.

New episodes of The Slowdown are available every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other podcast platforms. Listeners can subscribe to the show's newsletter, and follow along for updates at SlowdownShow.org and at @SlowdownShow on Facebook and Instagram. 

Maggie Smith writes about craft in her bestselling Substack newsletter, For Dear Life. You can find her on social media @MaggieSmithPoet. 

The Slowdown is produced by American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation.

About American Public Media

American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches over 15 million listeners weekly across 1,000 public radio stations. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. American Public Media also offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall '24 + Spring '25.

SOURCE American Public Media