Poet Laureate Podcast – Episode Four
Steven Ross Smith |  Writing Like Jazz 

In this fourth episode, Kyeren Regehr welcomes Steven Ross Smith — poet, mentor, arts leader, and former Poet Laureate of Banff. One of Canada’s great poetic experimenters, Steven speaks about improvisation and constraint, the sonic body of the poem, and his long-running Flutter Tongue series. With clarity and generosity, he reflects on risk, coherence, and the question of what poetry is — and might yet become.

The episode features three readings, including an untitled poem from Fluttertongue Book Three: Disarray, a lush invocation of oceanic memory and language, and “How Is,” a piece that balances wit, resistance, and political undercurrent.

This episode offers a reflective pace — Steven’s words are full of nuance and deep listening, and we’re grateful to share them.

This episode is generously supported by Sage Hill Writing, one of Canada’s leading providers of learning opportunities for professional and emerging creative writers. Based in Saskatchewan, Sage Hill offers retreats and programs that provide writers at all stages of development with tools, community, and mentorship to move their writing forward. At Sage Hill, your writing matters. Learn more at sagehillwriting.ca.

Books by Steven Ross Smith are available at fluttertongue.ca. The Green Rose (with Phil Hall) is available from  above/ground press and Lakeshore Press.

The Poet Laureate Podcast is recorded in studio at Haus of Owl: Creation Labs—supporting artists to create the best work of their careers. Original music by Chris Regehr. To learn more or reach out, visit www.thepoetlaureatepodcast.com or find us on Instagram @poetlaureatepodcast & [email protected].

We acknowledge with gratitude that this work was created on the unceded homelands of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.