The Verb

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

Radio 4,280 episodes

Episodes

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Poetry to keep you afloat
Poetry to help navigate storms, rivers and seas with body and mind.
28 Jun 2026,42 mins
The Verb - a house of multipoet occupancy
Daniel Mendelsohn, Lydia Unsworth, Joe Shute and Khadijah Ibrahiim join Ian McMillan.
21 Jun 2026,42 mins
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.
14 Jun 2026,42 mins
Poetry - a bullet-proof vest for the soul
Ian McMillan talks poetry with Lindsey Hilsum, Richard Skinner, Kym Deyn and Cara Thompson
07 Jun 2026,42 mins
The Verb at the Hay Festival
Ian McMillan brings The Verb to the Hay Festival.
31 May 2026,42 mins
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.
24 May 2026,41 mins
Michael Laskey, Michael Schmidt, Michelle Penn, Rachel Douglas-Jones
Michael Laskey, Michael Schmidt, Michelle Penn and Rachel Douglas-Jones join Ian McMillan.
08 Mar 2026,42 mins
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.
01 Mar 2026,41 mins
George Szirtes, Iryna Starovoyt, Zain Rishi, Katie Clarke
Ian McMillan is joined by George Szirtes, Iryna Starovoyt, Zain Rishi and Katie Clarke.
22 Feb 2026,42 mins
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.
15 Feb 2026,41 mins
The Love Verb
Love poems with Deborah Alma, Rob Macaisa Colgate, Mark Connors and Kim Moore.
08 Feb 2026,42 mins
Rilke's life-changing poems and Paul Farley, Kate Fox, Griot Gabriel
Ian McMillan with Paul Farley, Griot Gabriel, Kate Fox and Ulrich Baer
01 Feb 2026,41 mins
T.S. Eliot Prize Poets
Ian McMillan presents a poetry highlight of the year - the T.S. Eliot Prize readings.
25 Jan 2026,40 mins
The Christmas Adverb
Testament's festive guests are Jackie Kay, Brian Bilston, John Hegley and Sam Lee.
19 Dec 2025,56 mins
Simon Armitage, Alistair McGowan, Joelle Taylor
Ian McMillan's guests include Simon Armitage, Alistair McGowan and Joelle Taylor.
16 Nov 2025,42 mins
Train Poetry with Don Paterson, Bella Hardy, Carmen Marcus, Patrick McGuinness
Ian McMillan with Don Paterson, Carmen Marcus, Patrick McGuinness & Bella Hardy on trains
09 Nov 2025,42 mins
Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards and Jennifer Jones
Ian McMillan hosts Shaun Usher, Katrina Naomi, Amani Saeed, Fran Edwards & Jennifer Jones.
26 Oct 2025,42 mins
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.
19 Oct 2025,41 mins
Maria Popova, Aditya Narayan, Kimberly Campanello, DM Black
Ian McMillan with Maria Popova, Aditya Narayan, Kimberly Campanello, and DM Black.
12 Oct 2025,41 mins
The Verb from Contains Strong Language in Bradford
Ian McMillan presents The Verb from Contains Strong Language in Bradford.
05 Oct 2025,41 mins
The Adverb
Testament presents poetry from Daljit Nagra, Kate Fox, Andrew McMillan and Kirsty Taylor
19 Sep 2025,56 mins
The Adverb from the Ledbury Poetry Festival
Ian McMillan, Jackie Kay, Hollie McNish & Michael Pedersen at the Ledbury Poetry Festival
12 Sep 2025,56 mins
Forrest Gander, Laurie Bolger, SJ Fowler, Rachel Segal Hamilton
Forrest Gander, Laurie Bolger, SJ Fowler and Rachel Segal Hamilton.
29 Jun 2025,41 mins
Harriet Walter, Jason Singh, Gillian Allnutt, Glacier Poetry
Ian McMillan is joined by Harriet Walter, Jason Singh and Gillian Allnutt.
22 Jun 2025,41 mins
Boo Hewerdine, Fiona Benson, Alison Binney, Yvonne Lyon, Eartoon
Ian McMillan's guests are Boo Hewerdine, Fiona Benson, Alison Binney, and Yvonne Lyon.
15 Jun 2025,42 mins
Poetry and performance with Ian McMillan
Barnsley Bard Ian McMillan is joined by guests for poetry performance and discussion.
08 Jun 2025,42 mins
Hedges and poetry
Ian McMillan's guests are Testament, Michael Symmons Roberts, Sam Lee, Alison Brackenbury.
01 Jun 2025,41 mins
Peter Mackay, Tishani Doshi, Scanner, Lorna Goodison
Ian McMillan's guests include Scottish Makar Peter Mackay & Jamaican poet Lorna Goodison
25 May 2025,42 mins
Rebecca Watts, Brian Bilston, Cristina Rivera Garza, Deryn Rees-Jones
Rebecca Watts, Brian Bilston, Cristina Rivera Garza and Deryn Rees-Jones join Ian McMillan
23 Feb 2025,41 mins
Reeta Chakrabarti, Fred D'Aguiar, Ella Frears, Edward Wilson-Lee
Reeta Chakrabarti, Fred D'Aguiar, Edward Wilson-Lee and Ella Frears.
02 Feb 2025,41 mins