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Dear Sugars

Coming soon... 'You Could Make This Beautiful'

Jul 24, 2026 · 3 min · 2 segments

We have something really special for you: a sneak preview of a new series we've been working on here at WBUR that we think *you*, in particular, will love. It's called *You Could Make This Beautiful*…

We have something really special for you: a sneak preview of a new series we've been working on here at WBUR that we think *you*, in particular, will love. It's called *You Could Make This Beautiful*, and if that phrase sounds vaguely familiar, it's because it comes from the virally famous poem "Good Bones" by poet Maggie Smith. *You Could Make This Beautiful* is co-hosted by Maggie Smith and Faith Salie, whom you may know from NPR's *Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!* or CBS News Sunday Morning. The show is about making life more beautiful, but it's not about *telling* you how to do that; it's about *showing* you the way with poetry in all its forms — music, art, nature, you name it. The episodes feature poets, yes, but also actors like Henry Winkler, comedians like Mike Birbiglia, and teachers like Saeed Jones. We've made 3 episodes of *You Could Make This Beautiful* — so far, at least — and we'll be dropping all three of them right here in this feed, on August 7th. In the meantime, here's a little teaser, straight from Maggie and Faith. Enjoy, stay tuned, and you, too, could make this beautiful.

We have something really special for you: a sneak preview of a new series we've been working on here at WBUR that we think *you*, in particular, will love. It's called *You Could Make This Beautiful*…

Speakers: Maggie SmithHostFaith SalieHost

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Amazon Music Website

Top entities: Faith Salie×9 Maggie Smith×16 WBUR-FM×3 CBS News Sunday Morning×2 Earth×3

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈74k followers

Teaser: Poetry, Prescriptions, and Upcoming Show Highlights1:18 – 3:27

Faith SalieHost

1:18

[gentle music] Hey, Faith.

Faith SalieHost

1:20

Hey, Maggie.

Faith SalieHost

1:21

My word of the year is steady, and I'm feeling unsteady.

Maggie SmithHost

1:26

Life is a lot.

Faith SalieHost

1:29

And I know poetry can help me.

Maggie SmithHost

1:31

Poetry can help.

U

UnknownUnknown

1:34

It's not just a feeling.

U

UnknownUnknown

1:36

I believe it is a chemical reaction.

Maggie SmithHost

1:40

Because life is also beautiful.

U

UnknownUnknown

1:42

You could just see on her face like she'd never experienced something like velocity before.

Maggie SmithHost

1:48

You just have to pay attention.

U

UnknownUnknown

1:50

And I was like, "Oh my God, this is like the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Maggie SmithHost

1:55

I'm poet Maggie Smith.

Maggie SmithHost

1:57

I'm journalist Faith Salie, and we're the hosts of You Could Make This Beautiful, where we talk about poetry in all its forms.

Maggie SmithHost

2:05

Traditional.

U

UnknownUnknown

2:07

Love is like a rose that smells faintly of blood.

Maggie SmithHost

2:11

Whoa.

U

UnknownUnknown

2:12

Whoa.

U

UnknownUnknown

2:12

I know.

Maggie SmithHost

2:13

And not so traditional.

U

UnknownUnknown

2:16

It's just one of those poems where you're like, "If I read this to someone on a date- [laughs]"

Maggie SmithHost

2:20

It's on.

U

UnknownUnknown

2:20

"We're gonna get the check."

Maggie SmithHost

2:21

[laughs]

U

UnknownUnknown

2:21

You know what I mean? So I love that.

Faith SaliePersonAmerican journalist and writer
95%9 mentions
Maggie SmithPersonAmerican poet and freelance writer
85%16 mentions
WBUR-FMRadio StationRadio station
75%3 mentions
CBS News Sunday MorningTV SeriesAmerican television program
65%2 mentions
EarthPlacePlanet
55%3 mentions
National Public RadioCompanyRadio network
45%2 mentions
Henry WinklerPersonAmerican actor and director
25%1 mention
Mike BirbigliaPersonAmerican comedian and actor
25%1 mention
Saeed JonesPersonAmerican writer and poet
25%1 mention
BostonCityCity in Massachusetts
5%1 mention

MindfulnessPersonal Development > Self-Help
Society
LiteratureArts & Entertainment
Poetic FormsArts & Entertainment > Literature > Poetry
Self-HelpPersonal Development
Cognitive ResponsesPsychology > Emotions
Human ExperienceSociety
Cultural CommentaryMedia > Podcasts > Literary Discussions
Emotional AwarenessPersonal Development > Self-Help > Mindfulness
Literary DiscussionsMedia > Podcasts
EmotionsPsychology
Coping StrategiesPersonal Development > Self-Help > Mindfulness > Emotional Awareness
Personal Development
Psychology
PoetryArts & Entertainment > Literature
Media
PodcastsMedia
Arts & Entertainment
Emotional ImpactArts & Entertainment > Literature > Poetry > Poetic Forms
Artistic ExpressionMedia > Podcasts > Literary Discussions > Cultural Commentary
Beauty in LifeSociety > Human Experience
Emotional ResponsesSociety > Human Experience > Beauty in Life
Artistic InterpretationSociety > Human Experience > Beauty in Life > Emotional Responses
Art TherapyPsychology > Emotions > Cognitive Responses
Creative ExpressionPsychology > Emotions > Cognitive Responses > Art Therapy

Teaser: Poetry, Prescriptions, and Upcoming Show Highlights1:18 – 3:27

Faith SalieHost

1:18

[gentle music] Hey, Faith.

Faith SalieHost

1:20

Hey, Maggie.

Faith SalieHost

1:21

My word of the year is steady, and I'm feeling unsteady.

Maggie SmithHost

1:26

Life is a lot.

Faith SalieHost

1:29

And I know poetry can help me.

Maggie SmithHost

1:31

Poetry can help.

U

UnknownUnknown

1:34

It's not just a feeling.

U

UnknownUnknown

1:36

I believe it is a chemical reaction.

Maggie SmithHost

1:40

Because life is also beautiful.

U

UnknownUnknown

1:42

You could just see on her face like she'd never experienced something like velocity before.

Maggie SmithHost

1:48

You just have to pay attention.

U

UnknownUnknown

1:50

And I was like, "Oh my God, this is like the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Maggie SmithHost

1:55

I'm poet Maggie Smith.

Maggie SmithHost

1:57

I'm journalist Faith Salie, and we're the hosts of You Could Make This Beautiful, where we talk about poetry in all its forms.

Maggie SmithHost

2:05

Traditional.

U

UnknownUnknown

2:07

Love is like a rose that smells faintly of blood.

Maggie SmithHost

2:11

Whoa.

U

UnknownUnknown

2:12

Whoa.

U

UnknownUnknown

2:12

I know.

Maggie SmithHost

2:13

And not so traditional.

U

UnknownUnknown

2:16

It's just one of those poems where you're like, "If I read this to someone on a date- [laughs]"

Maggie SmithHost

2:20

It's on.

U

UnknownUnknown

2:20

"We're gonna get the check."

Maggie SmithHost

2:21

[laughs]

U

UnknownUnknown

2:21

You know what I mean? So I love that.

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