Major Jackson of The Slowdown
Poets & Writers Magazine|May - June 2023
In January, Major Jackson became host of The Slowdown, a popular podcast that each weekday presents a poem and reflection in a five- to ten-minute segment.
JULIA MALLORY
Major Jackson of The Slowdown

Jackson succeeds U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, who followed U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith as host of the podcast, which is produced by American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. Jackson’s new role makes him something of a poetry evangelist, expounding on the possibilities that exist when we understand ourselves as united in verse. The author of six poetry collections, including Razzle Dazzle: New & Selected Poems, forthcoming from W. W. Norton later this year, Jackson recently spoke about leading The Slowdown, the spiritual qualities of verse, and how poetry helps us to understand ourselves and the world around us.

Why did you want to host The Slowdown?

This story is from the May - June 2023 edition of Poets & Writers Magazine.

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This story is from the May - June 2023 edition of Poets & Writers Magazine.

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