The Verb

BBC Radio 4

Ian McMillan hosts Radio 4's cabaret of the word, featuring the best poetry, new writing and performance.

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21 episodes
weekly
Avg 42 min
English

Episodes 21

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September 20 · 41 min
Poems to help us brave the elements
Ian McMillan with elemental haiku, poetry that moves mountains, and the best new writing.
July 29 · 41 min
Poetry to keep you afloat
Poetry to help navigate storms, rivers and seas with body and mind.
June 21 · 42 min
The Verb - a house of multipoet occupancy
Daniel Mendelsohn, Lydia Unsworth, Joe Shute and Khadijah Ibrahiim join Ian McMillan.
June 14 · 41 min
Myths to nourish your life: poetry with Ian McMillan and Angie Hobbs, Rishi Dastidar, Bradley Taylor, Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch
Ian McMillan with Angie Hobbs, Rishi Dastidar, Bradley Taylor, Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch.
June 7 · 42 min
Poetry - a bullet-proof vest for the soul
Ian McMillan talks poetry with Lindsey Hilsum, Richard Skinner, Kym Deyn and Cara Thompson
May 31 · 42 min
The Verb at the Hay Festival
Ian McMillan brings The Verb to the Hay Festival.
May 24 · 41 min
Dark nights of the Soul, Brian Bilston, JH Prynne, Daljit Nagra, William Blake and Martha Sprackland
Ian McMillan, Brian Bilston, Daljit Nagra, William Blake, JH Prynne and Martha Sprackland.
March 8 · 42 min
Michael Laskey, Michael Schmidt, Michelle Penn, Rachel Douglas-Jones
Michael Laskey, Michael Schmidt, Michelle Penn and Rachel Douglas-Jones join Ian McMillan.
March 1 · 41 min
Sibling relationships with Blake Morrison, Natalie Shapero, Tara Bergin, and the word 'literally'
Ian McMillan's guests are Blake Morrison, Natalie Shapero and Tara Bergin.
February 22 · 42 min
George Szirtes, Iryna Starovoyt, Zain Rishi, Katie Clarke
Ian McMillan is joined by George Szirtes, Iryna Starovoyt, Zain Rishi and Katie Clarke.
February 15 · 41 min
Richard Dawson, Jacob Polley, Sarah Howe, Frank Cottrell Boyce on John Carey
Ian's guests are Richard Dawson, Jacob Polley, Sarah Howe and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
February 8 · 42 min
The Love Verb
Love poems with Deborah Alma, Rob Macaisa Colgate, Mark Connors and Kim Moore.
February 1 · 41 min
Rilke's life-changing poems and Paul Farley, Kate Fox, Griot Gabriel
Ian McMillan with Paul Farley, Griot Gabriel, Kate Fox and Ulrich Baer
January 25 · 40 min
T.S. Eliot Prize Poets
Ian McMillan presents a poetry highlight of the year - the T.S. Eliot Prize readings.
Dec 19, 2025 · 56 min
The Christmas Adverb
Testament's festive guests are Jackie Kay, Brian Bilston, John Hegley and Sam Lee.
Nov 16, 2025 · 41 min
Simon Armitage, Alistair McGowan, Joelle Taylor
Ian McMillan's guests include Simon Armitage, Alistair McGowan and Joelle Taylor.
Nov 9, 2025 · 42 min
Train Poetry with Don Paterson, Bella Hardy, Carmen Marcus, Patrick McGuinness
Ian McMillan with Don Paterson, Carmen Marcus, Patrick McGuinness & Bella Hardy on trains
Oct 26, 2025 · 42 min
Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Ian McMillan hosts Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards & Jennifer Jones.
Oct 19, 2025 · 41 min
Poetry by Tony Harrison, US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, and Daniel Sluman
Ian McMillan's guests are Sinéad Morrissey, David Morley, Arthur Sze and Daniel Sluman.
Oct 12, 2025 · 41 min
Maria Popova, Aditya Narayan, Kimberly Campanello, DM Black
Ian McMillan with Maria Popova, Aditya Narayan, Kimberly Campanello, and DM Black.

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