Podcast and Poetry Pairings for High School English Students

Feb 25
3 min read

Engaging high school students in English class can be a challenge. Poetry often feels distant or difficult, and students sometimes struggle to connect with the themes or language. Podcasts, on the other hand, offer a fresh and relatable way to explore ideas through storytelling, interviews, and discussions. Combining podcasts with poetry creates a dynamic learning experience that sparks curiosity and deepens understanding. This post explores creative podcast and poetry pairings from high school English students designed to inspire and enrich their appreciation of literature.

Eye-level view of a classroom desk with headphones, a notebook, and a printed poem. Podcast and poetry pairings in English — Podcast and poetry materials ready for a high school English lesson

Why Pair Podcasts with Poetry?

Poetry can be intimidating due to its condensed language and abstract imagery. Podcasts break down barriers by providing context, background, and personal connections to the themes in poems. They offer:

Accessibility: Students can listen anywhere, making poetry more approachable.
Multiple Perspectives: Podcasts often include interviews with poets, scholars, or people affected by the poem’s themes.
Engagement: Audio storytelling captures attention and encourages active listening.
Critical Thinking: Comparing spoken word and written text helps students analyze tone, mood, and style.

Using podcasts alongside poetry encourages students to explore emotions, history, and culture in a way that feels relevant and alive.

How to Choose the Right Pairings

When selecting podcasts and poems, consider these factors:

Theme Alignment: Match the podcast topic with the poem’s subject matter.
Student Interests: Pick podcasts that connect with issues teens care about, such as identity, social justice, or mental health.
Length and Complexity: Choose podcasts and poems that fit your class time and students’ reading/listening levels.
Variety: Use different podcast formats—interviews, storytelling, analysis—to keep lessons fresh.

Suggested Podcast and Poetry Pairings

1. Exploring Identity and Self-Discovery

Poem: “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou

Poem: "Enter Without So Much as Knocking" by Bruce Dawe (Enter Without Knocking Poetry Comprehension Task HERE)

Podcast: Code Switch episode “The Story Behind ‘Still I Rise’”

Maya Angelou’s powerful poem celebrates resilience and pride in the face of adversity. The Code Switch podcast episode explores the poem’s history and impact on civil rights and personal identity. Students hear voices reflecting on the poem’s meaning today, making it a perfect pairing to discuss empowerment and overcoming challenges.

2. Understanding Mental Health

Poem: “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe

Poem: "An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow" by Les Murray (An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow Poetry Comprehension Task HERE)

Podcast: The Hilarious World of Depression episode with a poet guest

Poe’s “The Raven” captures themes of grief and despair. The podcast episode features a poet discussing their experience with depression and how poetry helps express difficult emotions. This pairing opens a conversation about mental health, creative expression, and coping strategies.

3. Social Justice and Activism

Poem: “Let America Be America Again” by Langston Hughes

Podcast: 1619 episode “The Fight for Freedom”

Langston Hughes’s poem critiques the American Dream and highlights inequality. The 1619 podcast episode examines the history of slavery and ongoing struggles for justice. Together, they provide historical context and encourage students to think critically about fairness and activism.

4. Nature and Environment

Poem: “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry

Poem: "My Country" by Dorothea Mackellar (My Country Poetry Comprehension Task HERE)

Podcast: Outside/In episode “The Healing Power of Nature”

Berry’s poem offers comfort through connection with nature. The Outside/In podcast explores how spending time outdoors supports mental health and environmental awareness. This pairing invites students to reflect on their relationship with the natural world and the importance of conservation.

5. Love and Relationships

Poem: “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

Podcast: Modern Love episode “The Art of Loving”

Shakespeare’s classic sonnet praises the beauty and permanence of love. The Modern Love podcast shares real-life stories about love’s complexities. This combination helps students explore timeless themes and relate them to contemporary experiences.

Tips for Using These Pairings in the Classroom

Pre-Listening Activities: Introduce key vocabulary or background information to prepare students.
Active Listening Guides: Provide questions or prompts to focus attention during the podcast.
Discussion and Reflection: Encourage students to compare the poem and podcast, noting similarities and differences in tone, message, and style.
Creative Projects: Have students write their own poems or record podcast-style reflections inspired by the themes.
Group Work: Assign small groups to analyze different pairings and present their insights.