In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through literature.
John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks and two novellas. He has been a journalist, biographer, and editor, taught history and literature at colleges around Boston, managed national policy studies on education and civil justice, and directs a national language-education association. He serves as Co-Editor Across the Pond for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press. All of is work is available at johntessitore.com.
johntessitore.substack.com (https://johntessitore.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
John reads “Ozymandias,” a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. He also discusses the recent riots in Europe, the rise and fall of societies, how adults are failing children, and how power isn’t permanent.
In each episode of Be True: Life in Literature—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through literature.
John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks, two novellas, and a nonfiction book about the humanities. He has been a journalist, biographer, and editor, taught history and literature at colleges around Boston, managed national policy studies on education and civil justice, and directs a national language-education association. He serves as Co-Editor Across the Pond for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press.
www.johntessitore.comSubstack: @johntessitore YouTube: @BeTruePodInstagram: @jtessitorewriter1 TikTok: @jtessitorewriterFacebook: JohnTessitore, Writer Threads: @jtessitorewriterBlueSky: @jtessitore.bsky.social
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johntessitore.substack.com (https://johntessitore.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
18 Oct 2026
Marianne Moore’s Spirits in the Material World: Episode 152
John reads Marianne Moore’s poem, “Kay Nielsen’s Little Green Patch in the Midst of the Forest.” He also discusses the literary significance of ekphrasis and a poet’s yearning for a truth beyond fact.
In each episode of Be True: Life in Literature—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through literature.
John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks, two novellas, and a nonfiction book about the humanities. He has been a journalist, biographer, and editor, taught history and literature at colleges around Boston, managed national policy studies on education and civil justice, and directs a national language-education association. He serves as Co-Editor Across the Pond for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press.
www.johntessitore.com Substack: @johntessitore YouTube: @BeTruePodInstagram: @jtessitorewriter1 TikTok: @jtessitorewriterFacebook: JohnTessitore, Writer Threads: @jtessitorewriterBlueSky: @jtessitore.bsky.social
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johntessitore.substack.com (https://johntessitore.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
11 Oct 2026
Democracy and the “Strain of Civilization”: Episode 151
John reads an excerpt from Karl Popper’s book, The Open Society and its Enemies. He discusses the accumulation of power, our willingness to follow leaders, and the stakes of this historical moment.
In each episode of Be True: Life in Literature—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through literature.
John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks, two novellas, and a nonfiction book about the humanities. He has been a journalist, biographer, and editor, taught history and literature at colleges around Boston, managed national policy studies on education and civil justice, and directs a national language-education association. He serves as Co-Editor Across the Pond for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press.
www.johntessitore.comSubstack: @johntessitore YouTube: @BeTruePodInstagram: @jtessitorewriter1 TikTok: @jtessitorewriterFacebook: JohnTessitore, Writer Threads: @jtessitorewriterBlueSky: @jtessitore.bsky.social
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johntessitore.substack.com (https://johntessitore.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
13,399
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 70 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
83
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
71
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