Episode 7: Anna and Ashley discuss Greek mythology allusions within the “New Colossus.” The theme of emigres leads them to discuss Lou Reed lyrics, their Irish and German ancestry, and the changing politics of American immigration. Ashley betrays her lack of world geography and confuses Emma Lazarus with Emma Goldman before they also discuss the early American west and family history; weird vibes in Denver; and a Laura Ingalls Wilder account of relations between settlers and Native Americans in their teens.

Episode 6: A psilocybin wedding! Anna misinterprets the poem “Queen Anne’s Lace” as being about spousal abuse, but Ashley guides them back on track. The meaning of the poem crystallizes as Ashley and Anna discuss the power of a wild carrot; sexy vs. unsexy foods; the bleakness of Cormac McCarthy; images of sexual climax in art and life; and James Joyce’s dirty letters to his wife. They end with a discussion of whether an author’s private writings should be published posthumously.

Episode 5: As they analyze a poem called “New England,” written about the vibe of the region where they met, Anna and Ashley discuss the film In the Bedroom; vigilante justice; dog-piling on New England; Puritanism; east vs. west coast class prerogatives; and Philippe Petit. Later, they talk about “the honk” and whether cat-calling women is ever appropriate—and when and why catcalling appeared to taper off.

Episode 3: Ashley and Anna discuss two types of sonnets and analyze several lines of the poem “America” closely. They discuss what it means to be American and the patriotism of a critical eye. Other topics include freedom of expression; “We strike for the strike;” Habeas Corpus; why Ashley chose not to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance; a question Americans should be asking themselves; and a note on another Harlem Renaissance writer, Zora Neale Hurston.

Episode 2: In conjunction with the poem “Tell all the truth but tell it slant,” Ashley and Anna discuss Nietzsche’s question of truth vs. untruth; why stupidity is stronger than intelligence; and various means of conveying information. Other topics include the four elements; the four humors; modern vs. ancient medicinal practices; and Ayurvedic medicine.

Episode 1: Anna and Ashley read a poem, not realizing the end of the poem is about the death of a dear friend. They are surprised, but they lean in hard, discussing brushes with death, appreciating the small things, the death of pets, and how animals prepare for end-of-life in the wild. Other topics include varying strategies for domesticating our pets; whether animals have emotions; and the question of liberty vs. safety. To bring some levity to the episode, Anna and Ashley choose to rewrite the end of the poem.