Major Jackson on poetry, podcasting and finding his voice

Major Jackson has published five books of poetry, and is also the host of the Slowdown podcast from American Public Media and the Poetry Foundation.

On top of that, the Vanderbilt University professor was recently named a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In this episode, Major Jackson talks about his work, his forthcoming book Razzle Dazzle: New & Selected Poems, and his Nashville roots.

But first, several new laws aimed at LGBTQ rights took effect in Tennessee this month. WPLN's Marianna Bacallao talks about their effects.

Guest:

• Major Jackson, poet and Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair in the Humanities

Poems:

• How to Listen

• Let Me Begin Again

• Now That You Are Here, I Can Think