Fridays just got a little more lyrical on WCOM. Our newest show, The Hearth Poetry Hour, invites listeners to slow down, tune in, and let poetry find its way into their day. Hosted by poet and artist Emily Shearer, The Hearth explores all the ways poetry can enrich everyday life — from a spark of inspiration over morning coffee to the quiet resonance of words carried through the airwaves.
Emily puts it best in her own haiku:
HEAR ART at “The Hearth”
Here’s where we get warm again.
Here, here! Listen in.
How the Show Found Its Flame
Emily’s journey to the WCOM mic started, fittingly, with a public poetry reading. After her performance at Carrboro Day, longtime WCOM host Chris Amsbary approached her with a simple question: would she be interested in bringing poetry to the radio? Turns out, that was a dream she’d always carried.
“I used to say I wanted to be Terry Gross when I grew up,” Emily says. “And the first time I heard Krista Tippett’s On Being, I fell in love with her too. I love the idea of words and ideas floating through the airwaves, carrying messages and sparks of inspiration.”
What Listeners Can Expect
Each Friday from 10–11 am EST, Emily curates an hour of poetry in all its forms. Sometimes it’s built around themes like gratitude or new beginnings. Other times, she dives into poetic structures themselves, teaching listeners the beauty and playfulness of form.
If she’s lucky, guest poets join her at the mic, and the conversation unfolds as naturally as verse itself. The vibe? A mixtape you didn’t know you needed: Andrea Gibson, Tupac, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Dylan Thomas — all dusted with the bright fizz of a Pink Gin cocktail.
Why Poetry, Why Now?
Emily knows poetry’s reputation can feel intimidating. “A lot of folks were turned off by Poetry as this nebulous entity they never ‘got’ in high school,” she explains. “I blame that on milquetoast English teachers who didn’t know how to make poetry come alive.”
Her mission is to flip that script. She wants listeners to have “aha!” moments — to hear a poem and recognize a familiar feeling, a striking rhythm, or maybe even the urge to write something themselves. If one listener picks up a pen after tuning in, she considers the show a success.
Community Roots
Emily is also deeply connected to the local poetry scene. She’s a member of the Carrboro Poets Council, which organizes the annual West End Poetry Festival, happening October 16–18 this year. You can learn more here: West End Poetry Festival.
Tune In
So whether you’re a parent sneaking a quiet moment after school drop-off, a songwriter fishing for lyrical inspiration, or a curious soul ready to rediscover poetry, The Hearth Poetry Hour is for you.
👉 Fridays, 10–11 am EST on 103.5 FM in Carrboro/Chapel Hill, or stream live at WCOMfm.org.
Pull up a chair, warm your hands by the fire, and let poetry keep you company.
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