Best Sappho Podcasts (2026)

This episode is an epic one - we are talking about Claude Cahun, a queer Jewish Marxist surrealist photographer, artist and writer who ran a successful resistance against the Nazis in WW2 with Marcel Moore, their life-partner and step-sister. Join Harriet and Katherine as they explore Cahun's extraordinary life, their relationship with Moore and th…

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Siobhan Phillips on Marianne Moore ("Armor's Undermining Modesty") 1:47:12

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5M ago1:47:12

1:47:12

"What is more precise than precision? Illusion." I talked with my friend, the scholar Siobhan Phillips, about Marianne Moore's poem "Armor's Undermining Modesty." Siobhan Phillips is a professor of English at Dickinson College, where she teaches courses on American literature of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, food studies, and creative w…

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Megan Quigley on T. S. Eliot ("The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock") 2:06:59

5M ago2:06:59

2:06:59

"Do I dare / Disturb the universe?" I've been waiting to record this episode for a long time: Megan Quigley, my dear friend and colleague, joins the podcast to talk about T. S. Eliot and "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Megan Quigley is an associate professor of English at Villanova University, where she is also on the Irish Studies and Gende…

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Inari and Kitsune 43:21

6M ago43:21

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This episode we chat about Inari, the Japanese kami of rice, foxes, swordsmiths, brothels and prosperity, who presents as male, female, both and neither. We also explore the tradition of Kitsune who are mischievous shape-shifting fox spirits with an insatiable craving for rice and tofu. And, most importantly, we ruin our nerd credibility forever...…

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Daniel Katz on Jack Spicer ("Psychoanalysis: An Elegy") 1:27:03

6M ago1:27:03

1:27:03

How is a poem like a session of psychoanalysis? The scholar Daniel Katz joins the podcast to talk about a fascinating poem that poses that question, Jack Spicer's "Psychoanalysis: An Elegy." Daniel Katz is Professor of English and Comparative Literary Studies at the University of Warwick and is the author of several books and articles on modernism,…

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Eleanor Rykener 24:51

6M ago24:51

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Today we get a rare glimpse into queer life in 14th century England through the story of Eleanor Rykener - a trans woman who was an embroiderer, barmaid and sexworker, and did not hold back when sharing details about the men and women she slept with. We know about Eleanor's life through the written record of her questioning after she was arrested f…

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Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep 38:18

7M ago38:18

38:18

4,500 years ago, two ancient Egyptian men named Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep decided they wanted to spend eternity together. Were they just bros - or something more...? Content warnings: This episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of death, sex, and swearing. It also includes discussion of sexual violence and rape, presented within…

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Lindsay Turner on Alice Notley (Waltzing Matilda: "Dec. 12, 1980") 1:27:43

7M ago1:27:43

1:27:43

The third in our series of conversations about the late Alice Notley. Lindsay Turner returns to the podcast to discuss a selection from Waltzing Matilda, "Dec. 12, 1980." A poet, critic, and translator, Lindsay Turner is the author of the poetry collections The Upstate (University of Chicago Press, 2023) and Songs & Ballads (Prelude Books, 2018). H…

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Joyelle McSweeney on Alice Notley (The Descent of Alette) 1:40:47

7M ago1:40:47

1:40:47

The second in a series of conversations about the poet Alice Notley, who passed away on May 19, 2025. The poet and critic Joyelle McSweeney joins the podcast to talk about selections from Notley's epic The Descent of Alette. (A brief note on audio quality: we listen to three recordings of Notley reading from her book during this episode. The volume…

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Nick Sturm on Alice Notley ("At Night the States") 2:02:59

7M ago2:02:59

2:02:59

After a long break, the podcast returns with an episode on the late Alice Notley, who passed away on May 19, 2025. Nick Sturm joins us to discuss Notley's elegy for her husband Ted Berrigan, "At Night the States." Nick Sturm teaches at Georgia State University in Atlanta. His book on small press print culture, publishing communities, and the New Yo…

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Tove Jansson 42:52

7M ago42:52

42:52

We're back! And more powerful than ever. Today we're covering the queer life, love and legacy of Tove Jansson - the Finnish illustrator, writer and painter who created the iconic world of Moominvalley. Here's a link to Emma Klingenberg's incredible rendition of The Big Mymble Song: https://youtu.be/LDV4TA33IE0?si=WhW3IgomtOtvspS0 Content warnings: …

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Special Guest: Charlie Pearson on the Persian Wars, the Crusades, and the role of conflict in shaping cultural identity 35:51

9M ago35:51

35:51

Send us a text In this episode of the Bristol Grammar School Classics Podcast, Andy Keen and Dan Watkins are joined by historian and educator Charlie Pearson for a rich and thought-provoking discussion exploring the Persian Wars, the Crusades, and the role of conflict in shaping cultural identity. The episode opens with a question of directions—Eas…

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Alexander the Great 42:36

9M ago42:36

42:36

Today we're talking all things Alexander the G(ay)reat! One of the most successful military leaders in history and a figure who continues to fascinate thousands of years later - join us as we cut through the debates around his sexuality like a sword through the Gordian knot… This week's object is a mosaic from Pompeii, thought to date from around 1…

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Special Guest: Colin Wadey on the nature of religion in the ancient and modern world 44:48

9M ago44:48

44:48

Send us a text In this episode of the Bristol Grammar School Classics Podcast, Andy Keen and Dan Watkins are joined by Colin Wadey, teacher of Philosophy and Ethics, for a wide-ranging discussion on the nature of religion in the ancient and modern world. The conversation explores the differences—and similarities—between Greek and Roman polytheism a…

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Special Guest: Eva Yemenakis on Sappho, Ovid, meaning and context in literature 34:08

9M ago34:08

34:08

Send us a text In this episode of the Bristol Grammar School Classics Podcast, Dan Watkins and Andy Keen are joined by Eva Yemenakis, an English teacher, to explore Sappho and Ovid—two of the most intriguing and influential poets of the ancient world. The discussion delves into Sappho’s fragmentary poetry, the ways in which scholars have interprete…

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Gentleman Jack 58:57

10M ago58:57

58:57

Today we are chatting about an educated, adventurous, elitist lesbian landowner from the Georgian period - Anne Lister, aka Gentleman Jack - who left us an incredible, unparallelled record of her life and her loves. Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, religion, racism, alcoholism, mental illness …

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Special Guest: David Briggs on Homer's Odyssey and The Odyssey Complex 43:38

10M ago43:38

43:38

Send us a text In this episode of the BGS Classics Podcast, Mr. Watkins and Mr. Keen welcome poet and teacher David Briggs to discuss his latest collection, The Odyssey Complex and Other Poems. The conversation delves into Homer’s Odyssey, midlife reflections, and the role of poetry in shaping and reshaping identity. David shares insights into his …

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Mitra–Varuna 32:48

10M ago32:48

32:48

Mitra-Varuna are two Hindu deities who were so close that they are referred to as one, and their name is the root for the sanskrit word for “friend”. Just two bros being bros, riding crocodiles and ejaculating into clay pots together. Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, religion, colonialism, tra…

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Sappho 46:47

11M ago46:47

46:47

2,600 years ago, a Greek poet was so iconically gay that her very name now describes love between women, today we're talking Sappho! Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex and swearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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A Level Invention of the Barbarian 1.6 Reality of Persia 48:35

11M ago48:35

48:35

Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component. 1.6 Reality of PersiaBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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A Level Invention of the Barbarian 1.5 Historical Barbarians 36:07

11M ago36:07

36:07

Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component. 1.5 Historical BarbariansBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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Dr. James Barry 41:30

11M ago41:30

41:30

Dr. James Barry rose from poverty in the 19th century to become a doctor, travel the world and start beef with Florence Nightingale. He was also almost certainly a trans man, come explore his life with us! Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, violence, death, transphobia and swearing. Hosted on Ac…

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A Level Invention of the Barbarian 1.4 Mythical Barbarians 36:37

11M ago36:37

36:37

Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component. 1.4 Mythical BarbariansBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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A Level Invention of the Barbarian 1.3 Greeks and Barbarians 31:15

11M ago31:15

31:15

Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component. 1.3 Greeks and BarbariansBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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The Little Mermaid 42:36

12M ago42:36

42:36

Today, we're diving into the many layers of queer subtext in Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale The Little Mermaid - and chatting Disney to boot! Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, violence, death, suicide, mutilation and swearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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A Level Invention of the Barbarian 1.2 Persian Wars and Greek (Dis)Unity 35:02

12M ago35:02

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Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component. 1.2 Persian Wars and Greek (Dis)UnityBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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A Level Invention of the Barbarian 1.1 Greek Identity 11:56

12M ago11:56

11:56

Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component. 1.1 Greek IdentityBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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Gilgamesh and Enkidu 46:25

12M ago46:25

46:25

One of the oldest stories ever told has at its core two men, equal and opposite, sharing a profound love for one another. Today we're talking about The Epic of Gilgamesh! Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, violence, death, brief references to alcohol use and swearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.…

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William Shakespeare 37:37

1y ago37:37

37:37

Listen, I pray thee - to our tale of the bard himself, William Shakespeare - who is way gayer than the British school system ever led us to believe. Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of homophobia, transphobia, sex, violence, death and swearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati…

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The Publick Universal Friend 39:50

1y ago39:50

39:50

Sometimes we all need a friend, this episode we're talking about the Publick Universal Friend: a non-binary spirit of God who left their gender behind after a near-death experience during Hamilton time. Content warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, death, religion and swearing…

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Donatello’s David 40:08

1y ago40:08

40:08

We dive into 14th Century Florence to understand the gay gay history behind Donatello’s David, or as it’s known by Harriet specifically, “Donatello’s Bronze Twink”. Content warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, nudity, pederasty, pedophilia, unhealthy relationship dynamics, death, homophobia and swearing H…

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A Level Love and Relationships 1.5 Ovid 34:04

1y ago34:04

34:04

Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar School to help A level Class Civ pupils to revise for their Love and Relationship component. 1.5 OvidBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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A Level Love and Relationships 1.4 Sappho 58:27

1y ago58:27

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Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar School to help A level Class Civ pupils to revise for their Love and Relationship component. 1.4 SapphoBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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Kit Marlowe 39:25

1y ago39:25

39:25

Queer playwright, man of mystery and for legal reasons definitely not secretly Shakespeare, today we look at a portrait of Kit Marlowe. Content warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, murder, death, genitals, mutilation, homophobia and swearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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A level Love and Relationships 1.3 Seneca on Love and Desire 21:28

1y ago21:28

21:28

Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar School to help A level Class Civ pupils to revise for their Love and Relationship component. 1.3 Seneca on Love and DesireBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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A level Love and Relationships 1.2 Plato on Love and Desire 39:45

1y ago39:45

39:45

Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar School to help A level Class Civ pupils to revise for their Love and Relationship component. 1.2 Plato on Love and DesireBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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A level Love and Relationships 1.1 Men and Women 48:04

1y ago48:04

48:04

Send us a text A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar School to help A level Class Civ pupils to revise for their Love and Relationship component. 1.1 Men and WomenBy Mr Keen and Mr Watkins

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Bacchus 36:45

1y ago36:45

36:45

We’re chatting about Dionysus aka Bacchus - Ancient Greek god of theatre, wine, frenzy, debauchery and, perhaps most importantly, dildos… is there anything this guy can't do?! Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of genitals, sex, pregnancy, violence, death, dismemberment, immolation, animal death and swe…

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Julie d’Aubigny 51:58

1+ y ago51:58

51:58

Get ready to feel inadequate as we delve into the history of the opera-singing, sword-fighting, nunnery-burning bisexual icon Julie d’Aubigny, a.k.a. La Maupin. Content warnings: This episode contains adult themes and discussions of violence, death, pedophilia and underage relationships, homophobia and swearing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac…

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i'm going to the desert... 35:00

1+ y ago35:00

35:00

a studio update, review of my summer paintings and an upcoming retreat inspo.By Halie Torris

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ASMR | Reading you sapphic poetry from my book "sappho" 29:55

1+ y ago29:55

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enjoy :) video version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DO4bdmCIXo

2y ago1:27:15

1:27:15

This is the kind of conversation I dreamed about having when I began this podcast. Emily Wilson joins Close Readings to talk about Sappho's "Ode to Aphrodite," a poet and poem at the root of the lyric tradition in European poetry. You'll hear Emily read the poem in the Ancient Greek and then again in Anne Carson's English translation. We talk about…