Classical Poets Live

Andrew Benson Brown

5.0 (3)
BOOKS

Join author Andrew Benson Brown as he discusses the contemporary classical poetry scene with top practitioners of the craft, and discover what it takes to be a great poet. abensonbrown.substack.com

04/13/2025

Ep 10, pt 1 – Classical Poets in a Modern World: Pursuing Poetry as a Vocation

▶Classical Poets in a Modern World: Pursuing Poetry as a Vocation – Ep 10 (Part 1) 📜✨ 👉 In this episode of Classical Poets Live, we explore what it means to pursue poetry as a vocation in today’s tech-driven world. 🌍 Should you choose the path of a classical poet in an age of science and instant celebrity? We discuss the pursuit of posthumous glory, the role of intellectual networks, and the modern pathways available to build a literary career. 📚 Tune in for insights on balancing tradition with the demands of the digital era. ⚖️ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

41 min
04/05/2025

Ep 9, pt 2 - Mastering Dramatic Monologues with Brian Yapko

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Brian Yapko, a leading master of dramatic verse monologues and the 2023 International Poetry Competition winner. In this episode, Brian shares his journey into the world of poetry, the influential figures who shaped his work, and essential principles for writing impactful traditional verse. Discover the techniques and insights from one of the foremost experts in dramatic monologues as he discusses his approach to crafting powerful and evocative poetry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

32 min
09/01/2024

Ep 9, pt 1 - Are Epic Heroes Toxic?

A comparison of Emily Wilson's translation of the Odyssey with others past and present, including George Chapman's classic 1616 version, as well as a new dactylic pentameter translation by Mike Solot. In addition, the host provides a 'woke' retelling of the Odyssey, then explores the landscape of mediocre contemporary novels that reimagine ancient myths with a feminist spin. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

25 min
11/10/2023

Ep 8 - Torquato Tasso, "King of Poets"

In this first installment in a series about forgotten epic poems, the host examines why Tasso's "Gerusalemme liberata," one of the most influential works of post-medieval literature, has suffered a radical reversal of status in the last century. The poet's colorful life and legacy is explored, interspersed with passages from his great epic. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

32 min
10/21/2023

Ep 7 - Tending the Garden of Poetry

Arts grants are being given to woke organizations in sums that are, at times, outrageously lavish. Given that a requirement of grant applications now is demonstrating a commitment to “equity,” is it possible to salvage the National Endowment for the Arts from Neo-Marxist maniacs? Or should it just be defunded entirely? Also, poet C.B. Anderson joins to share his thoughts on being the long-time gardener for the PBS series ‘The Victory Garden,’ publishing 1000 poems, and the gradual disappearance of formalist poetry journals. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

38 min
08/22/2023

Ep 6 - Why is Trendy Poetry So Unpopular?

The host responds to criticisms made about the Society of Classical Poets, fact-checks the supposed popularity of competing journals, examines why trendy poets are all eccentric weirdos, and offers an alternative model to inspire contemporary poets by looking to the medieval Welsh literary tradition. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

59 min
06/28/2023

Ep 5 - Building a Renaissance (with Adam Sedia)

Poet Adam Sedia comes on to discuss the need for an artistic secession from our decaying cultural institutions, and what it takes to kickstart a renaissance that can refresh traditional forms. Plus, why Amanda Gorman is not a poet. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

47 min
06/10/2023

Ep 4 - Poetry in the Age of AI

Can ChatGPT write good poetry? What about coding programs like Python? Plus, poet James Tweedie talks about being a world traveler, why whimsicality is important in verse, and how classical music is saving lives. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

1h 2m
05/26/2023

Ep 3 - Epic Poetry in a Modern Age

Author and motivational expert James Sale discusses poet laureates, Dante, and continuing the epic tradition in modern times. Plus, the sins of the Poetry Foundation and why arts organizations need to reject equity agendas. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

1h 18m
05/11/2023

Ep 2 - Fake Poets and Hollow Prestige

Susan Jarvis Bryant joins to discuss verbal pyrotechnics, the role of poetry in fighting gender transitioning among children, and why poets should be fearless. Plus, why the Pulitzer Prize has become a sham, and Sally Cook describes how she once stopped Allen Ginsberg from writing poetry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

44 min
04/28/2023

Ep 1 - Why Classical Poetry?

Host Andrew Benson Brown talks with Evan Mantyk, President of the Society of Classical Poets, about how his organization shines a light in the world of poetry today, and discusses the Friends of the Falun Gong poetry competition. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abensonbrown.substack.com

31 min

11 Episodes

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Relish the Renaissance

04/28/2023

Katarina@coi

There are seemingly a billion podcasts nowadays but amidst the cacophony of head-slamming slam poetry and endless true crime binging this one stands alone, ushering in little classical-tinged clarity.

Join author Andrew Benson Brown as he discusses the contemporary classical poetry scene with top practitioners of the craft, and discover what it takes to be a great poet. abensonbrown.substack.com

Creator

Andrew Benson Brown
Years Active

2023 - 2025
Episodes

11
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Andrew Benson Brown
Show Website

Classical Poets Live