Breaking Form: a Poetry and Culture Podcast
Episodes
Winter Poems
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens have a mind of winter in this showcase of iconically cold poems. Ice, ice, baby!Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts her...
James Does a Prompt
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Write with the Breaking Form queens before we play a game of poetry homonyms.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here.Buy our book...
True Crime Part 2
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens talk more True Crime poems in an episode so good, it'll feel like you're breaking the law!Support Breaking Form!Review the show o...
True Crime Part 1
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens play poetry detective in this episode devoted to true crime-inspired poems.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here.Buy...
Kiss Kiss
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens' Kissing Booth is now open! We talk poetic kisses and then read some recent poetry crushes.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Ap...
Cranberry Shade: A Thanksgiving Mess
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens get stuffed as they rehash Thanksgivings past. No poetry, but this episode does make hilarity rhyme with vulgarity. After all, a Breaking F...
Cher Revises Poetry
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Snap out of it! The queens use Cher to revise some poems and the result is ICONIC!Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here.Buy our...
The Janes
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens play "Just Jane!" featuring a jackpot of J. Kenyon and J. Mead poems. James just can't jank a jackdaw but refuses to be jade...
Doing Lines
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gorls chop up some gorgeous lines before playing Mean, Queen, or Blue Jean.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here.Buy our bo...
Astonishment
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens put the ass in astonishment & tease out favorite moments in poems.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here.Buy ou...
Portals: a Tribute to Maureen Seaton
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron and James are joined by special guests to pay tribute to Maureen Seaton.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here.Buy our boo...
Enjambment
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens leave you breathless in antici....pation with this crafty episode focused on enjambed lines.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple ...
Hoedown
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Get on your spurs & chaps and join our country queens down at the poetry gay bar!Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here.Buy ...
F*CKSTICK
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens hypothesize that erotic/love poems must always have one "f*ckstick." Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here...
Poppers
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Get vasodilated with the queens in this episode filled with heady poetry games.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here.Buy our bo...
True and Actual (with Lynn Emanuel / part. 2)
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens talk bad words and get Sharon Stoned with Lynn Emanuel in part 2 of the interview.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts h...
Pills, Portraits, Pessoa (with Lynn Emanuel / pt. 1)
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies pop a poetry pill with guest Lynn Emanuel in part one of the interview.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here. Buy ...
Horrible Men
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The divas are telling the truth and shaming some devils in this tea-spilling episode about horrible men with wide readerships.Support Breaking Form!Re...
Digging for Poems
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our intrepid pansies talk prompts--but first up it's a scandal of grave proportions.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts her...
The In-Between (with Diannely Antigua)
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens talk music, monsters, and masturbation with Diannely Antigua.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here. Buy our books:...
National Book Award Predictions
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gays gaze into their crystal balls and predict the National Book Awards.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here. Buy our bo...
Deep Image Poets
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our intrepid hosts talk Deep Image poetics and nearly break into rosebud....er blossom.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here. ...
A Little Bit Alexis
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies get a little bit Alexis in this episode that mixes poetry quotes with Alexis Rose quotes from Schitt's Creek.Support Breaking Form!Rev...
Keeping It 100
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens swear to tell the hole truth, and nothing butt the truth to commemorate the 100th episode of Breaking Form.Support Breaking Form!Review the...
In Real Time (with Terrance Hayes / pt. 2)
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Terrance Hayes talks about fatherhood, witnessing, and getting a D in high school English.Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here...
Tools vs. Weapons (with Terrance Hayes / pt. 1)
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens get between the covers with Terrance Hayes ahead of the release of new works of poetry and prose on July 18.Support Breaking Form!Review th...
Hereditary
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens bust out their microscopes and examine poetic DNA. Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here. Buy our books:Aaron&apos...
Shimmering Terror (with Guest Randall Mann)
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens are joined by Randall Mann to discuss discomfort, cage-dancing, and how to deal. Support Breaking Form, if the spirit so moves you:Review ...
Crimes Against Diction
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens talk diction, the political history of language, and naked octogenarians.Support Breaking Form, if the spirit so moves you:Review Breaking ...
Banned Books
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies express what they've got whether you're ready or not in this episode about banned poetry.Support Breaking Form, if the spirit so ...
Summer Fun
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens get beachy, play f*ck marry kill with a Pulitzer winner, and fabricate some fab poets' drag names.Support Breaking Form, the spirit so...
The Impossible
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens try to say it clearly and make it beautiful, no matter what, in this episode revisiting Bruce Weigl's poem "The Impossible.&quo...
Favorite Least Favorite
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
All tea, no shade: the queens spill their favorite--and least favorite--books from beloved poets. As the great poet said, "If equal affection c...
Mercy Mercy: Cherapy
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens talk poetry through the lyrics of our diva & icon: Cher, who'll turn 77 on May 20.Review Breaking Form on Apple Podcasts here. P...
Hero Ratio
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
These queens need a hero, not a zero in this episode of heroic percentages.Review Breaking Form on Apple Podcasts here. Please support Breaking Form...
Hot Takes
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode's got Aaron sweating, then Miguel Murphy joins the queens for some flaming hot poetry takes.Review Breaking Form on Apple Podcasts h...
In Brief
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens get quick (and dirty), summarizing a poet's oeuvre in one sentence.If you'd like to support Breaking Form, please consider buying...
HaydenCarRuthStone
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens discuss how poetry uses us as they highlight the work of Ruth Stone and Hayden Carruth. Support Breaking Form and buy James's and Aaro...
Elegy
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron and James stop all the clocks with this episode exploring elegy.Support Breaking Form and buy James's and Aaron's new books:Aaron&apos...
Spin the Bottle
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready to spin the bottle! The queens cause some jeopardy in this trivia-filled episode.Support Breaking Form and buy James's and Aaron's...
John Cranberryman
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens return to the Poetry Gay Bar and talk mixers & pretty dicks.f you want to support Breaking Form, please consider buying James and Aaron...
The Consequences (with Guest Manuel Muñoz)
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens get fictional with Manuel Muñoz, who joins us to talk about boundaries: between poetry and fiction, between land and desire. If you want t...
Supporting Actress Smackdown with Guest Manuel Muñoz
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens get fictional, discussing the poetry equivalents of best supporting actresses with guest Manuel Muñoz.Kay Ryan won the Pulitzer Prize for ...
Romantic Comedy
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies talk about James's new book, ROMANTIC COMEDY, and James reads the title poem and talks about sex, survival, and Chicago brides.Find us...
Pop Poets
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pop off, queen! If poets could be covered by musicians (instead of musicians covering poems), you'd get...POP POETSBuy STOP LYING, Aaron Smith&ap...
The End of Triumph: Breakup Poems with Diane Seuss
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens talk break-up poetry in a special post-Valentine's Day extravaganza!You can see Poem 225 (“I’m ‘wife’ – I’ve finished that...
Worm Sh*t: A Valentine's Day Special with Guest Diane Seuss
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens talk love and sex and worm shit--with extra special guest, Diane Seuss!Buy Aaron's new book, STOP LYING.Buy James's new book, ROM...
Poetry Pyramid
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens play The Poetry Pyramid!Pyramid is the collective name of a series of American television game shows that has aired several versions domest...
Stop Lying
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
STOP LYING is Aaron's new book of poetry! We discuss its themes, then James gives Aaron the STOP pop quiz. Stop Lying is just out from the Pitt...
Endings
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens show why it matters how you wrap it up.Support Breaking Form! Buy Aaron's new book, Stop Lying. And pre-order James's new book, R...
Survival Is in the Stories (interview with Lynn Melnick pt. 2)
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The queens learn it takes courage to know what you know in this engrossing interview with the writer Lynn Melnick.Dolly Parton's version of “I ...
Defiant Acts of Joy (interview with Lynn Melnick pt. 1)
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We talk defiance, joy, and Dolly Parton's closet in Part 1 of our interview with poet and memoirist Lynn Melnick. Buy Lynn's books here! L...
The Great Unsayable Sex Workshop
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pour your New Year mimosas, cuz we're playing Roethke or Rothko before "Things You can Say in Workshop, and in Bed."Aaron's new bo...
Living in Clips
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Get your nightcap ready for this recap as the queens relive their favorite clips from a year of Breaking Form.Aaron's new book, STOP LYING, is av...
69 (Anniversary)
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Anniversary Episode has the queens recapping interviews and impact from a year of Breaking Form!Aaron's new book, STOP LYING, is available fo...
Before You Were a Story
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron and James talk about becoming storytellers -- and survivors.Marie Howe’s poem “Gretel, From a Sudden Clearing” was first published in Agni...
Statements and Questions
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The queens get stately in this episode devoted to poetic queries and statements.Please consider supporting the poets we mention by buying their books ...
World AIDS Day: Listening for My Name
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron and James read work by writers we've lost to AIDS in this bonus episode.According to the website for World AIDS Day, more than 38 million p...
Doomsday (with C. Russell Price)
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
C. Russell Price joins us for the Breaking Form Interview and talks doom, Designing Women, and why you should never read the comments on the internet....
Personal Anthology
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The queens discuss the ICONIC poems that are near and queer to their hearts.Please consider supporting the poets we mention in today's show! If y...
Pet Project
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hot goss about Victorian poet(s) Michael Field precedes a conversation about the deep loss of animals, and the intimacy, friendship, and love we share...
Frank Other Frank
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Frankly, our dears, all we want is boundless love for Frank O'Hara. We also discuss radical poetic embodiment, and ponder whether or not Dickinso...
Game Day w/ David Trinidad and Denise Duhamel
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Just the tip-off! You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, you’ll win $50 in breakcoin (more crypto than currency). Polish up your high-heel cleats and get ou...
Uh-Oh Plutonium!
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Uh-oh! The queens dish poetry playboys and punk rock goddesses! It's like an episode of Gossip Girl, but make it poetry....Please consider suppor...
The Invisible Embrace
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The queens discuss breaking open the closet doors through the work of Paul Monette.Please consider supporting the poets we mention in today's sho...
Poetry Karaoke
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Karaoke may be where the party goes to die, but Poetry Karaoke will give you life!Please consider supporting the poets we mention in today's show...
De-Collins-izing Emily Dickinson
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The shady ladies tackle a misogynistic poem about Emily Dickinson, then consult her tarot for responses. It's Tea, Shade, & Amherst Lemon...
Grief Motel (Pt. 2)
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all have to check in some time to the Grief Motel. The queens talk about grief and how poetry helps us cope.Please support indie bookshops, like Lo...
Grief Motel (Pt. 1)
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The queens discuss the craft of coping with grief.James misattributes to Coleridge the Preface to the Lyrical Ballads, which defines poetry as "...
The Flame (interview w/ Maureen Seaton pt. 2)
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Polish your crystal balls and buckle up, ladies! We get downright divinatory with Maureen Seaton leading the charge.As always, please consider support...
Just Keep Going (interview w/ Maureen Seaton pt. 1)
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The queens are joined by Empress Maureen Seaton to discuss pushing the envelope....Buy Maureen's books from Loyalty Bookstore, a DC-area Black-ow...
When Rita Doves Cry
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dig if you will a picture: Rita Dove, Prince, and an infidel poet.Prince released over 39 of his own albums and won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Glob...
I Love the Part
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our fearless queens select and dissect favorite poems--to say why and how poems endure.I Remember is a 1970 memoir written by author and artist Joe Br...
On Thin Ice (with Jacques J. Rancourt)
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The queens spin into a frosty finish with poet and figure-skating stan Jacques J. Rancourt! What a way to celebrate our 50th episode!Please support th...
Big Sonny
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The queens defy Big Sonny and play an associative game that leads to a lot of poetry love -- and some hot dish.Please support the poets we mention in ...
Schitt Poetry (Moira Rose Edition)
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Poetry & fruit wine, bebè! We recommend watching episode 6 of season 1, “Wine & Roses.” You’ll remember the experience! Troye Sivan M...
Aaron Awards the Pulitzer
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron and James correct history and re-award the Pulitzer Prize. Hindsight is 20/20 and we definitely are hind-oglers.Support the poets we mention b...
We Can Shift the Canon
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron and James revisit Ai's poem "Twenty Year Marriage." The conversation opens up to ideas about education and the violence of white ...
(Taylor's Version)
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The queens get Swiftian!As always, please support the writers we mention by buying at indie bookstores. If you need a good one, we recommend Loyalty B...
More Moore and Moore
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our hysterical homosexuals pit quotes by Julianne and Marianne Moore, then play a game of fuck, marry, kill: the poetic form edition. You can read th...
Theoretically 30
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're 30, dirty, and thriving! The queens name 30 poets for each other, and then we associate a word or phrase with each one. No beeps! Please co...
Aperture (interview with Carl Phillips pt. 3)
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Game day with Carl Phillips, who is gracious enough to play a game called "Apertures." You can buy Carl Phillips's books -- particularl...
Unexpected Kindness (interview with Carl Phillips pt. 2)
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2 of our interview with Carl Phillips begins with his reading of "Invasive Species" from Then the War. Then we talk origin, luck, copin...
Next Step Forward (interview with Carl Phillips pt. 1)
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Carl Phillips stops by to talk poetry, survival, harnesses, and censorship.You can buy Carl Phillips's books -- particularly his newest, Then the...
RuPaul RuPoet
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies pay tribute to the Queen of Drag and to the makeup of language! Consider buying books by authors mentioned in today's episode (and,...
Tear All This Ugly Mess Down Now
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron and James revisit Chrystos, Audre Lorde, and Minnie Bruce Pratt--three queer poets who were censored and attacked by Jesse Helm after winning fe...
Simply Roger (interview with David Trinidad pt. 2)
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tantalize, Memory: Our kiki with David Trinidad continues! Buy David's new book, Digging to Wonderland, at your favorite indie bookstore -- or bu...
Finding Bobby (interview with David Trinidad pt. 1)
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We kiki with David Trinidad about memory, desire, and his poem "Finding Bobby." Order David's new book, Digging to Wonderland, here -- ...
The Real Flip Ditty
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Reading is FUNdamental! The queens skewer the filthy fundamentalism of Aaron's youth.As always, please consider buying books mentioned in the sho...
Odd Jobs
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Work, girl! And we give love to our power bottom brethren.Read Emily Dickinson's Poem 260. You can listen to it read by Yina Liang, courtesy o...
The Rainbow Came Back (interview with Diane Seuss pt. 3)
20 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's Breaking Form Game Day with Diane Seuss! Buy Di's books at your favorite independent bookstore. We recommend Loyalty Bookstores, a Blac...
Marginal (interview with Diane Seuss pt. 2)
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Margins: Bras, God, Legs, Poetry. Part 2 of our interview with Diane Seuss, 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner for her book of poems, frank: sonnets. You ca...
The Living World (interview with Diane Seuss pt. 1)
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Diane Seuss joins us for the Breaking Form Interview.Seuss won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for frank: sonnets. Frank also won the National Book ...
TIM THOM JESUS JORIE
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Poetry, promiscuity, philosophy: maybe you should ask your next question!Thom Gunn was born on August 29, 1929 and died on April 25, 2004. He was born...
Reading Shame
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron and James talk about giving poetry readings and processing shame.Please consider buying the books of writers we mention. We like Loyalty Booksto...
Celebration (interview w/ Denise Duhamel pt. 2)
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The queens explore poetic law and rebellion with Denise Duhamel. Part 2 of their Breaking Form Interview concludes.Please consider purchasing books by...
We Were the Ones (interview w/ Denise Duhamel pt. 1)
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The queens ask Denise Duhamel's superhero poet origin story in Part One of their interview.Buy Denise's books at Loyalty Bookstore, a DC-are...
Beginnings
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join the queens as they go spelunking in some of their favorite openings. You can buy books mentioned in the show at Loyalty Books, a Black-owned in...
F*CKFACE
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron challenges James to a game of "Elaine Equi or Elaine Benis"; then the boys see what happens when we add one small word to a line of po...
Crimes Against Poetry Readings
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our intrepid hosts investigate poetry reading cliches and surmise which poets of the past (and present) would have committed these heinous crimes --...