The Slowdown is a daily poetry podcast hosted by Maggie Smith, produced by American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. Each weekday episode pairs a poem with a short reflection. The show has 399 episodes, typical episodes run about 6 minutes, and estimated downloads per episode are 50,000 to 80,000. The host-read rate is roughly $900 to $2,000 per episode.
A daily poetry ritual with a loyal, highly rated audience of arts-minded listeners
- Apple Podcasts rating of 4.8 from 1,227 ratings, with 1,112 five-star reviews
- Weekday cadence across nearly 400 episodes gives frequent, predictable placements
- Short, focused episodes of about six minutes keep attention on the reflection and sponsor read
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- solo monologue, reading, interview
- Tone
- reflective, calm
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 5 to 7 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- American Public MediaPoetry FoundationNational Endowment for the Arts
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- No
No sponsor mentions found in the feed; the website credits National Endowment for the Arts support and Poetry Foundation partnership, which are institutional funders rather than advertisers.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Recent titles include poems by Danez Smith and Eileen Myles, but the content is literary and reflective with no explicit flags.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | www.slowdownshow.org/ |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1437839593 |
| RSS feed | feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/the-slowdown |
Benchmark score: 50 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Alynda Segarra: Holes by Eileen Myles (Extended Version) | 2026-10-16 | 13 min |
| Alynda Segarra: Holes by Eileen Myles | 2026-10-15 | 8 min |
| 1342: [encore] And Then It Was Less Bleak Because We Said So by Wendy | 2026-10-14 | 6 min |
| 1339: [encore] Wind-Related Ripple in the Wheatfield by Mikko Harvey | 2026-10-13 | 6 min |
| 1338: [encore] Are you bringing fruits, plants, seeds, by Karen Llagas | 2026-10-12 | 6 min |
| R.K. Russell: They/Them by Danez Smith (Extended Version) | 2026-10-09 | 17 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 3 days ago, a new one about every 1 days.
Host Maggie Smith is your daily poetry companion. Poetry is one of the greatest tools we have to wield our own attention — to consider our own lives and the lives of others, to help us live creatively and compassionately, to use that attention to lean into wonder, and joy, and truth, and to find hope — to keep hoping. The Slowdown community knows that reflecting on a poem, every weekday, can…
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About The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
The Slowdown is a daily poetry podcast hosted by Maggie Smith and produced by American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation, according to the show's feed and website. Each weekday episode features a poem read aloud alongside a short reflection, often with a guest. The show lists 399 episodes and typical runs of about six minutes.
On Apple Podcasts the show holds a 4.8 average rating from 1,227 ratings, with 1,112 five-star ratings. Listeners are likely to be adults who enjoy literary and reflective content, and these audience figures are estimates. Estimated downloads are 50,000 to 80,000 per episode.
The feed and website show no commercial sponsors, only institutional funders including the National Endowment for the Arts. Based on the estimated audience, a host-read placement would cost roughly $900 to $2,000 per episode, suited to book publishers, stationery brands and mindfulness products.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
How much does The Slowdown charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Estimated host-read rates are roughly $900 to $2,000 per episode, based on an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode at $18 to $25 per thousand. Final pricing depends on placement and the show's own policies.
What is The Slowdown about?
The Slowdown is a daily poetry podcast hosted by Maggie Smith. Each weekday it shares a poem and a short reflection, often with a guest reader, produced by American Public Media with the Poetry Foundation.
How do I contact The Slowdown about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked.
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