Poet Ellen Bass reads and discusses a poem by Frank X Gaspar, touching on taboo topics, the transformative power of metaphor, and the deep connection between life experiences and literary expression. She also shares a moving poem on childbirth, exploring love and vulnerability. The podcast explores the challenges and rewards of crafting a poem, the natural childbirth practices in California in the 70s, and the deep connections between love and grief.

Kate Baer and Ellen Bass discuss the emotional complexity of everyday life in Bass' poem 'The Morning After' and explore themes of enduring love and everyday relationships. They also delve into gender dynamics, erasure poetry evolution, and recommend exploring more poetry on The New Yorker platform.

Ellen Bass, a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets and a celebrated poet, brings her keen insights to the forefront. She explores the humor and complexity behind pet names, revealing how societal norms can limit our language of love. The conversation highlights the challenges of expressing deep emotions through everyday words, emphasizing the importance of affectionate language in nurturing relationships. Ellen’s reflections encourage listeners to rethink how they communicate affection and connect on a deeper level.

Nicole Sealey and Kevin Young discuss Ellen Bass's poem 'Indigo' and Sealey's 'A Violence.' They explore themes of envy, existence, mortality, and primal desire. The podcast delves into the complexities of poetry, self-awareness, violence, humor, and societal expectations. They also highlight the impact of organizations like Kave Conum in supporting black poets and promote Sealey and Bass's poetry on New Yorker.com.

Renowned poets Ellen Bass and Adam Zagajewski discuss themes of mutability, beauty in a shattered world, loss, and lustrousness in their selected poems. The discussion includes tarot decks, herbal remedies, oysters in poetry, and upcoming episodes on new Iliad translation and Adam Driver's performance.