In this first episode of "You Could Make This Beautiful," actor Henry Winkler tells hosts Maggie Smith and Faith Salie about the poetry he's found in everything from fly fishing, to the music of Lin-Manuel Miranda, to the acting performances of the late Robin Williams.

Poet and teacher Saeed Jones declares that "Nobody loves us the way poetry loves us," he reads us one of his poems, and he talks about the chemical reaction that poems set off in our brains and bodies.

And Maggie and Faith offer a "poetry prescription" to a fan of theirs in Ohio who's seeking steadiness in her life.

Show Notes (in chronological order):

"I'm Nobody! Who are you?" by Emily Dickinson
"Good Bones" by Maggie Smith
"Parent Effectiveness Training" by Dr. Thomas Gordon
Henry Winkler's "Launce and the dog" monologue from William Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona"
"My Shot" from the musical Hamilton
Henry Winkler's novels with Lin Oliver
"Alive at the End of the World" by Saeed Jones
"Snow for Wallace Stevens" by Terence Hayes
"Black in Blues" by Imani Perry
"Scorched Earth" by Tiana Clark
"Tell Me" by Kim Addonizio
"Blood Dazzler" by Patricia Smith

Poetry Prescriptions

Maggie's prescriptions: "Thanks" by W.S. Merwin and "Sorrow is Not My Name" by Ross Gay

Faith's prescription: This excerpt of "The Moon is a Kite" by Andrea Gibson

If you want a hand-picked, heart-plucked "poetry prescription" to help you with something you're going through, send a brief voice memo to PoetryPrescriptions@gmail.com.

All three episodes of You Could Make This Beautiful are out now and can be heard HERE. This show is an experiment, so if you love what you've heard and want more episodes, let us know! Leave us a glowing review in your podcast app, share the series with friends, and write to us: PoetryPrescriptions@gmail.com.

You Could Make This Beautiful: Henry Winkler & Saeed Jones

Dear Sugars

You Could Make This Beautiful: Henry Winkler & Saeed Jones