Jan. 15, 2024

Quintessential Listening Poetry Online Radio - 2023 Year in Review

Hello everyone,

I am sincerely grateful to everyone who made 2023 an exceptional year for Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio (QLPOR). A different kind of poetry podcast, QLPOR is a leading name in the poetry podcast world, QLPOR captures the hearts of poetry enthusiasts through its strong social media presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Each week, we reach over 150,000 individuals, providing captivating episodes and fostering a growing community of poetry lovers.

QLPOR has received remarkable recognition throughout the year. We secured the third position on Feedspot's end list of the 90 most popular poetry podcasts worldwide in 2023 (https://podcasts.feedspot.com/poetry_podcasts/) and ranked highly on Ivy.fm, Pocatr.com, and Player.fm's year-end compilations of the best poetry podcasts in various categories. These rankings exceeded our expectations and reaffirmed the impact and value of Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio.

In December 2023, Goodpods.com, a global community for podcast enthusiasts, recognized our podcast by placing us second on their list of the top poetry podcasts and fourth on their list of the top motivational podcasts. It was an incredible honor to receive this recognition.

In essence, QLPOR aims to serve as a hub for engaging discussions and dialogues across a wide range of topics, with poetry beautifully interwoven into each episode. Our podcast welcomes everyone and values the power of poetry to inspire, heal, and connect.

I also had the privilege of being interviewed by the esteemed poet Kat Busch for Heart of Hollywood magazine in May 2023 (https://www.heartofhollywoodmagazine.com/post/exclusive-interview-with-the-host-and-producer-of-quintessential-listening).

Throughout 2023, we produced and broadcasted 88 podcast episodes on Blogtalkradio.com, covering a diverse range of topics. Our top five most listened to and downloaded episodes were (links included):

1. Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio Presents Christy Sawyer, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12187884.

2. QLPOR Presents From Whence We Came: Women in Poetry, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12205536.

3. QLPOR Presents Genevieve Ray (Genevievefirepoet), Saturday, January 14, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12181908.

4. Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio - International Women's Day 2023, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12204201.

5. QLPOR Presents "Collective Voices" Now and Then - 25 Years Since London, March 4, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12201263.

In 2023, the following eight special interest episodes were broadcast:

1. QLPOR Proudly Presents EYEPUBLISHEWE 2023 Authors Showcase Tuesday, December 12, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12290667.

2. Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio Presents Poetry Global Network, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12266697.

3. QLPOR Presents The Day The World Caught Fire - Poetry Remembrance of 9/11, Monday. September 11, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12260076.

4. Paradise Lost/Paradise Regained: The Role of Poetry in Mental Health Awareness, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12233297.

5. QLPOR Presents from Whence We Came: Women in Poetry, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12205536.

6. Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio - International Women's Day 2023, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12204201.

7. QLPOR Presents "Collective Voices" Now and Then - 25 Years Since London, March 4, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12201263.

8. QLPOR Presents Brian Stark and Lindsey Gill - The COLLIDE Zine, Monday, January 9, 2023, http://tobtr.com/12181318.

In 2024, QLPOR confirms its commitment to excellence. We are ranked second on Podcast Tonight's list of the best poetry podcasts to listen to in 2024 (https://podcasttonight.com/the-best-poetry-podcasts-to...) and have moved up on Feedspot's of the 90 most popular poetry podcasts to listen to in 2024 (https://podcasts.feedspot.com/poetry_podcasts/).

In a new and exciting evolution, our podcast has transformed into Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio and YouTube (QLPORYT). This change aligns with YouTube's commitment to podcasts and allows us to showcase incredible poets through audio, live streaming, and video (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kDthUMifflc?si=gHNY9-1MVx2ExWui).

To learn more about QLPORYT, become a guest, or maximize your exposure on YouTube, please visit our website at https://www.qlporyt.com. You can also access all 385 past episodes on our archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/ql_p.

Join us as we continue to let poetry ring and create a vibrant community of poetry enthusiasts!

Warm regards,

Michael

Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram

Host and Producer

Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram is a retired associate professor of Counselor Education and Supervision, social change activist, acclaimed poet and spoken word artist. His poetry explores themes of power, identity, and oppression. He has traveled widely, giving lectures and workshops on cultural competence, mental health awareness, and the development of empathy through poetry.
In addition to his podcasting work, Dr. Ingram is the Founder and Executive Director of the DC Poetry Project, Inc.
Based in Washington, D.C., the DCPP seeks to promote awareness of societal, cultural, educational, and health issues through poetry and performance art. The organization is dedicated to fostering partnerships, strengthening communities, and encouraging volunteer support via poetic and artistic endeavors.

In May 2023, Dr. Ingram was featured in an interview with Heart of Hollywood magazine (https://www.heartofhollywoodmagazine.com/post/exclusive-interview-with-the-host-and-producer-of-quintessential-listening). He has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize in poetry. His eagerly awaited second poetry collection, Metaphorically Screaming" is expected to make a significant impact.

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