Best Poem Analysis Podcasts (2025)

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EP 19 When You Draft Me For WW3, Make Sure To Overcharge Me For The Diabetes Cure 1:05:58

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2d ago1:05:58

1:05:58

Send us a text Well hellloooooo, fancy meeting youuuu here! Well, I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is we might have cured diabetes. The bad news is we might start ww3, in which case, we REALLY cured diabetes. For everyone. And all other diseases too. Except radiation poisoning, I suppose. But if that doesn't pan out, we stil…

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EP 18 Is The Assault On Gaza Class Struggle? 31:51

17d ago31:51

31:51

Send us a text More properly, is the conflict, resistance and all, class struggle? Plus, the latest fuckery out of RFK's pro disease clown cavalcade. Please consider donating to help my friend Fatima in Gaza https://tinyurl.com/fatimafund Catch up with us at ComradeUnclePod.com Audio versions available on all major directories, or on our website. V…

1
Ancestral Rituals & Encroaching Modernity: Mamang Dai's 'Small Towns and the River' 34:51

1M ago34:51

34:51

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Maiya and Joe explore 'Small Towns and the River' by Mamang Dai, a deeply resonant poem that blends cosmology, animism, and the intimate experiences of life and death in India’s northeastern hill communities. Together, they unpack how Dai—drawing on her…

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Writing the Real World: Tennyson's 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' 36:13

2M ago36:13

36:13

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya examine Alfred Lord Tennyson's iconic war poem 'The Charge of the Light Brigade.' Written just weeks after the disastrous cavalry charge during the Crimean War in October 1854, this poem dramatically reshaped the Victorian cultural convers…

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The Makings of a Movement: The Metaphysical Poets 53:13

2M ago53:13

53:13

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya delve into the strange brilliance of the Metaphysical Poets. From the explosive intimacy of Donne’s 'The Flea,' to the restless rebellion in Herbert’s 'The Collar,' and the dizzying contradictions of Marvell’s 'To His Coy Mistress,' this …

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Beauty on the Wing: Keats' Ode to a Nightingale 44:43

2M ago44:43

44:43

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya look into John Keats’s haunting meditation on mortality and art, 'Ode to a Nightingale.' Written during the poet’s final years, this celebrated ode encapsulates the fleeting nature of life and the immortal legacy of beauty. Joe and Maiya …

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EP 17 Latest News + is the MMR vaccine safe and effective? 47:36

2M ago47:36

47:36

Send us a text What's new in the world? Wtf is RFK Jr. talking about? No, vitamin E doesn't cure measles but the vaccine prevents it. "In this conversation, Odysseas and AJ Layon discuss various pressing global and domestic issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza, international legal actions regarding human rights, the resilience of resistan…

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Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night: Writing against Mortality with Dylan Thomas 46:50

2M ago46:50

46:50

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya unpack Dylan Thomas’s iconic villanelle, 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.' Written in 1947 and published in 1951, this powerful plea to resist mortality remains one of the most famous poems of the 20th century. Joe and Maiya explor…

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A Modernist Manifesto: Exploring T. S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land' 48:03

3M ago48:03

48:03

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maya delve into T. S. Eliot’s groundbreaking 1922 poem, 'The Waste Land.' Widely hailed as one of the most significant works of modernist poetry, 'The Waste Land' reshaped literary history with its fragmented structure, interwoven voices, and p…

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EP 16: Why Does Trump Hate Free Speech? Mahmoud Khalil, DOGE, Gaza, and Measles 1:23:43

3M ago1:23:43

1:23:43

Send us a text What a shitshow! Not this show. This show is pure gold. But the big show that we all have to watch? That, my friend, is pure shit. Please, enjoy these AI generated show notes that we get whether we want them or not. Accurate? Not? You tell us. Send a message. They probably took a few liters of fresh water so we might as well use em. …

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Resurrecting the Dead: Poetic Exorcisms in Sylvia Plath's 'Daddy' & 'Lady Lazarus' 48:06

4M ago48:06

48:06

TW: Discussions of suicide In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya dive into Sylvia Plath’s posthumous collection "Ariel," focusing on 'Daddy,' 'Lady Lazarus,' and other landmark poems from the collection. The episode begins with an exploration of Plath’s life, from her e…

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Reflecting on the War Years with Siegfried Sassoon (WWI Mini-Series) 48:30

4M ago48:30

48:30

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya conclude their mini-series on the poets of the First World War with an in-depth exploration of Siegfried Sassoon. They discuss his privileged early life, his pre-war poetry as a Georgian Romantic, and his transformation into one of the mos…

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EP 15: Healthcare Under Trump + What Is Red Note? 1:40:55

4M ago1:40:55

1:40:55

Send us a text The glorious march to world socialism continues with episode 15, wherein Comrade Uncle Doctor Abraham Joseph Layon and Comrade Nephew Odysseas discuss a variety of topics, including but not limited to Doctor Layon's interview with Newsbreak. We also cover topics like Red Note, Mao, and Che Guevara. Update: As of 2/15/25 the CDC page …

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Wilfred Owen and Changing Attitudes Towards the War (WWI Mini-Series) 45:35

4M ago45:35

45:35

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya continue their exploration of First World War poets by diving into the life and works of Wilfred Owen. They discuss his experiences as a soldier, his time recovering from shell shock at Craiglockhart War Hospital, and his mentorship under …

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Rupert Brooke & The Romance of War (WWI Mini-Series) 47:33

5M ago47:33

47:33

In the opening episode of Season 2 of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya launch into a three-part mini-series on First World War poets. The episode dives into the patriotic and idealistic poetry of Rupert Brooke, highlighting his early contributions before and at the onset of the war in 1914;…

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Song of Myself: Section 21- The Transcendentalist Manifesto 13:19

6M ago13:19

13:19

Reach out to us! Sections mentioned: Shared Atoms Brahma Hundreds of affections Ecological Spirituality by D.P. St John (article)

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Come as you are: Analysis paralysis and Perfectionism 1:21

6M ago1:21

1:21

Reach out to us! Hello lovely listener. Happy New Year; I’ve been meaning to get back to you but I must get something off my chest. I really enjoy making these episodes and I am especially encouraged by your interactions with them, but I‘ve been finding myself in something of a prolonged freeze response; especially in the past months where I strugg…

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Taylor Swift & Contemporary Poetry: Talking 'Invisible Strings' with Kristie Frederick-Daugherty 1:03:08

7M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

In this special bonus episode of Beyond the Verse, hosts Joe and Maiya take on Taylor Swift's incredible legacy, delving into an insightful conversation with Kristie Frederick-Daugherty - editor of the poetry anthology 'Invisible Strings: 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift' - to discuss poetry, music, and the 'invisible strings' that co…

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Chinua Achebe's 'Love Cycle': Exploring Tensions and Harmonies in Post-Colonial Poetry 36:00

7M ago36:00

36:00

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya delve into Chinua Achebe’s 'Love Cycle,' an evocative exploration of Igbo tradition, cosmology, and the dynamics of relationships. The episode opens with a deep dive into Achebe’s life, tracing his journey from a colonized Nigeria t…

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EP 14: Who is laughing now Kamala? 53:57

7M ago53:57

53:57

Send us a text What just happened and why? Catch up with us at ComradeUnclePod.com Audio versions available on all major directories, or on our website. Video available on YouTubeBy Comrade Uncle

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'Because I Could Not Stop For Death': Emily Dickinson's Mediation on Mortality 42:58

7M ago42:58

42:58

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya delve into the hauntingly serene world of Emily Dickinson with a close reading and analysis of her iconic poem, ‘Because I Could Not Stop for Death.’ They analyze Dickinson’s portrayal of death as a kind companion, exploring themes …

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'Ozymandias' and the Ruins of Power: Shelley's Vision of Empire 47:32

8M ago47:32

47:32

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya delve into the world of Percy Bysshe Shelley with a close reading and analysis of his 1818 sonnet, 'Ozymandias.' They explore the poem’s profound reflections on power, legacy, and the inevitable passage of time as Shelley critiques …

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From Innocence to Experience: William Blake's 'The Tyger' 37:18

8M ago37:18

37:18

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maya explore William Blake’s 1794 poem, 'The Tyger,' from his collection 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience.' They dive deep into the complex symbolism of the tiger, discussing its contrast with 'The Lamb,' another of Blake’s celebrated work…

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Reflections of the Romantics: Wordsworth's 'I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud' 41:16

8M ago41:16

41:16

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe takes us on a journey through the world of William Wordsworth’s beloved poem, 'I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,' also known as 'Daffodils.' Exploring the poem’s portrayal of nature’s serenity, Joe and Maiya delve into Wordsworth’s life, his connection…

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'How Do I Love Thee?': Love Letters from Elizabeth Barrett Browning 40:00

8M ago40:00

40:00

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya delve into Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s timeless Sonnet 43, ‘How Do I Love Thee?,’ exploring its profound portrayal of love’s transcendence and the poet’s relationship with Robert Browning. They discuss the sonnet’s enduring appeal, from …

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Wole Soyinka's 'Telephone Conversation': Decoding Racial Satire 48:45

8M ago48:45

48:45

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maya explore Wole Soyinka’s powerful poem 'Telephone Conversation,' delving into themes of white subjectivity, racial politics, and the power dynamics embedded in language. The duo discusses the significance of Soyinka’s lyric ‘I,’ addressing t…

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Haunting the Canon: Poe's 'The Raven' and the Gothic Tradition 38:40

9M ago38:40

38:40

In this episode of 'Beyond the Verse,' podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya present a detailed exploration of Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven.' They investigate the poem's intricate structure, analyzing its use of trochees, internal rhyme, and Gothic elements, touching on how 'The Raven,' published in 1845, contrasts with Poe's…

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Contrasting Femininities: 'An Introduction' by Kamala Das 52:21

9M ago52:21

52:21

In this episode of 'Beyond the Verse,' the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, podcast hosts Joe and Maiya delve into the poem 'An Introduction' by Kamala Das. They explore the poem's themes of female liberation, colonial oppression, and the importance of language, contextualizing Das's 1965 work as a pivotal moment in Indian literatu…

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Shakespeare's Sonnets: The Fair Youth and The Dark Lady 54:57

9M ago54:57

54:57

In this week’s episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Maiya and Joe delve into the depth and complexity of William Shakespeare's sonnets. Beginning with a reading of 'Sonnet 18', they explore the characterization of the Fair Youth and the Dark Lady, the sonnet form, and Shakespeare's lasting legacy. The…

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EP 13 Pandemic Panic! What's Up With RSV, Monkeypox, And COVID Right Now? 35:07

9M ago35:07

35:07

Send us a text summary In this conversation, Comrade Uncle Doctor AJ Layon and Comrade Nephew Odysseas discuss various diseases, including Mpox (aka Monkeypox), RSV, and COVID-19. They highlight the importance of vaccination and the need for global distribution of vaccines. They also discuss the transmission and prevention methods for each disease,…

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Tens Years of PoemAnalysis.com with Will, the Founder (and Poetry+ Questions) 1:06:40

9M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

In this milestone 10th episode of 'Beyond the Verse,' hosts Joe and Maiya welcome Will, the founder of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+ to share his journey, insights and learnings in the 10+ years he's been running the site. Will shares his journey of creating the website as a young entrepreneur, inspired by his GCSE revision notes, which has now grow…

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'The Second Coming': Yeats and the Apocalypse 47:43

10M ago47:43

47:43

In this week’s episode of "Beyond the Verse", brought to you by PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya take a deep dive into William Butler Yeats’ apocalyptic poem 'The Second Coming'. They explore Yeats’ use of biblical allusions, the recurring themes of societal collapse, and his cyclical view of history, which reflects the chaos and uncerta…

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Rudyard Kipling's 'If': Fatherhood, Masculinity and Legacy Through Time 41:25

10M ago41:25

41:25

In this week’s episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya delve into Rudyard Kipling’s renowned poem ‘If—,’ exploring its lasting legacy and the complex interplay between Victorian ideals, masculinity, and Kipling’s own life experiences. They discuss ‘If—' (1895), examining not only the poem’s…

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Searching for Sappho: 'The Anactoria Poem' 35:28

10M ago35:28

35:28

On today's episode of Beyond the Verse, a poetry podcast brought to you by PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Maiya and Joe dive into the ancient Greek poet Sappho's Fragment 16, commonly referred to as the Anactoria poem. To complete the podcast, get the PDF Resources for this poem, created by the team at PoemAnalysis.com: Full PDF Guide Poetry Snapsho…

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Poetry+ Question Time: Debunking Stereotypes, Poetic Movements, and More 37:32

11M ago37:32

37:32

This week's episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, sees Joe and Maiya answering questions from Poetry+ members about all things poetry. To send in questions to the Beyond the Verse podcast, you can sign up to Poetry+ and email [email protected]. From a behind the scenes discussion of how t…

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Inconsistent Miracles in Danez Smith's 'dear white america' 37:01

11M ago37:01

37:01

In this week’s episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya explore the poem ‘dear white america’ by Danez Smith, a powerful piece by one of the most influential contemporary poets. They discuss ‘dear white america’ (2017), examining not only the systemic injustices and racial trauma addressed i…

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The Spade, The Pen and The Gun: 'Digging' through the Past with Seamus Heaney 35:39

11M ago35:39

35:39

In this week's episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya explore the poem 'Digging' by Seamus Heaney, a poem from one of the most revered Irish poets of all time. They discuss 'Digging' (1966), exploring not only the cultural inheritances imbued in the poem, but the physical manifestations of…

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'The Road Not Taken': (Mis)Understanding Robert Frost 38:17

11M ago38:17

38:17

I shall be telling this with a sigh / Somewhere ages and ages hence: / Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference. In this week's episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya explore the poem 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost…

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Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise': Remaking, Recycling, and the Language of Erasure 47:56

12M ago47:56

47:56

'You may write me down in history / with your bitter, twisted lies. / You may trod me in the very dirt. / But still, like dust, I'll rise.' In this week's episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya explore the monumental career and work of Maya Angelou, commemorating 10 years since her passing…

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Journeying into Poetry: Answering Poetry+ User Questions 40:23

12M ago40:23

40:23

Welcome to the inaugural episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+. In this first episode, Joe and Maiya share their personal paths to poetry, revealing how influential teachers and early literary successes sparked their enduring love for the art form. They discuss their academic backgrounds in English lite…

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EP 12: Universities Hate This One Weird Trick To Protest Mass Murder 44:12

1y ago44:12

44:12

Send us a text Hail and well met comrade traveler, where are you headed? Oh no. Not the campus. That campus is haunted by ghouls who will shoot you with rubber bullets for peacefully protesting the wholesale extermination of a people. Well, since I can see that you must go that way, take this podcast and hold it close. It is a magical ward against …

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EP 11: Odysseas reads poems by AJ Layon and Refaat Alareer 5:19

1y ago5:19

5:19

Send us a text Greetings and salutations dearest comrades. This episode is just Comrade Nephew Odysseas reading a few poems. Two are by Comrade Uncle, Doctor AJ Layon. One is by Refaat Alareer. https://inthesetimes.com/article/refaat-alareer-israeli-occupation-palestine https://ajosephpoetry.wordpress.com/ Catch up with us at ComradeUnclePod.com Au…

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EP10: Election Catastrophe! Who will destroy America first? Biden? Trump? 1:22:15

1y ago1:22:15

1:22:15

Send us a text Greetings and salutations comrades! Comrade Nephew Odysseas and Comrade Uncle Doctor Abraham Joseph Layon break this nightmare US election down for you. Will they agree? You'll have to listen and find out. Spoiler alert: everything sucks. Fear not stalwart comrade, you are not alone. We march shoulder to shoulder with you and whateve…

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To the Virgins pt.1: Carpe diem & The meaning of Time 43:29

1y ago43:29

43:29

Reach out to us! Hello Lovely Listener! Links mentioned in the episode: Asclepiades poems The Mellarium 2centspnf is excited to partner up with Magic Mind! Coinciding with our thematic analysis of Carpe diem, I detail my formula for seizing the day and Magic Mind is a key player in giving me the boost I need. A two ounce shot features nootropic and…

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EP 9 Israel Is Deliberately Destroying Schools in Gaza 37:24

1+ y ago37:24

37:24

Send us a text Comrade Nephew Odysseas and Comrade Uncle Doctor AJ Layon break down the evidence for scholasticide in Gaza. *an earlier version of this episode had some missing audio. Many thanks to comrade Clotilde for letting me know so I could fix it. Relevant links: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)02713-7/full…

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Ep 8 New article! “The Trouble of Others”: Solidarity, Social Bonds, and Visibility 52:01

1+ y ago52:01

52:01

Send us a text Comrade Uncle Joe and Comrade Nephew Odysseas dive into a new article that Joe wrote with Professor Mary Layoun. Grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy your brand new Comrade Uncle! We missed you. Welcome back to us comrade. Read the article here: https://www.athensjournals.gr/philolo... Or on www.comradeunclepod.com which is also, i…

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To the Virgins: A Poetic Analysis of Walkabout (1971) prelude 3:57

1+ y ago3:57

3:57

Reach out to us! Thank you for listening in 2023! A Shropshire Lad, XL A. E. Housman Into my heart an air that kills From yon far country blows: What are those blue remembered hills, What spires, what farms are those? That is the land of lost content, I see it shining plain, The happy highways where I went And cannot come again. Walkabout OST…

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Episode 7: Should I get the latest booster? Also, Palestine. 33:56

1+ y ago33:56

33:56

Send us a text Comrade Nephew and Uncle discuss the latest booster and arm you with the knowledge to refute bs claims. Also, we have to say a few words about Palestine. We love you. Stay strong. From the river to the sea comrade. This episode was brought to you by the steely gaze of William Tecumseh Sherman, the grit of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, and th…

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Episode 6: How to end the opioid pandemic part 2/2 53:06

2y ago53:06

53:06

Send us a text The dramatic conclusion of our 2 part series on the opioid pandemic, in which we finally hash out who is in fact the comrade uncle. Will it be Joe? Will it be Odysseas? Or perhaps it's Ho Chi Minh. All will be revealed. The scales shall fall from thine eyes comrade. Catch up with us at ComradeUnclePod.com Audio versions available on …

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Poetry Around the World- Ghana: Ancient and Pre Colonial Periods & The Ashanti 2:03:50

2y ago2:03:50

2:03:50

Reach out to us! This episode took me a year to complete. Take your time with it ;) Timestamps: 00:00- Intro poem/ Green Africa- Horst Wolff 01:05- Briefing 02:43- Episode Theme 08:03- Kwesi Brew 09:50- Poem/ The Sea Eats Our Lands 10:26- Analysis 17:21- A Discussion on the Oral Tradition 19:59- Libation/Cobby D Poet 23:20- Article/ The People of G…