Hey guys! Love the show. I had a question about the Emily Dickinson episode on “I felt a funeral in my brain.” Do you think there’s any possibility Ambrose Bierce read the poem and incorporated its insights into dying into “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”?

I was excited to discover this podcast so I was let down when I listened to the Die Hard episode and learned what the hosts think of Californians (41:07 - 43:30). The conversation purports to be about negative stereotypes of California but is really an argument for negative stereotypes of California. “What is it about California that is so objectionable to the New Yorker?” the hosts ask, and proceed to answer. Californians are weird, flaky, impractical, lacking in values, lacking in grit. New York, by contrast, is where “real life” takes place and where “real people” live. Why is there this sharp difference? It’s simple: weather. New Yorkers cope with brutal, yet infinitely edifying, winters while Californians presumably bask under a perma-sun, unaware of what a real life looks like. I didn’t know there was THAT much virtue in shoveling snow. I’m imagining what my fellow Californians’ reactions would be if I announced they don’t “contend” with anything, or that they don’t “contend” with enough, anyway, to pass muster. Taking a characteristic of your own area, such as cold weather, and applying it as a litmus test on the rest of the world is parochial. Ruling out the sunny spots of the globe as head-scratchingly unreal shrinks it down to an absurd extent. If the hosts insist on using their podcast to call out a state for what they view as its deficiencies, perhaps they could make more sense when they do so.

They do their homework and are thoughtful and I enjoy hearing the way they interpret things.

The hosts are well-read, articulate, don’t always immediately agree, and can each bring various modes and postures to bear on rich texts in long-form conversations. Sometimes they do slow reads with create commentary and analysis, sometimes they do multiparty series with helpful context added. They sometimes bring other works into conversation with the texts they focus on but are pretty darn intellectually honest and clear whenever they’re adopt some particular or historically contingent frame from moment to moment. Great partners taking about great books—great show.

The subject matter, content, insights and banter of the hosts is fabulous. Wish I discovered this podcast from inception. Thank you!!!!

Enjoyed the 40+ episodes I heard and have confidence the next 40 will not disappoint.

the topic choices are interesting, but the conversations are dull and the hosts sound like NPR parody voices

Such an outstanding and insightful podcast. If I could hear conversations this thoughtful and eloquent at the local pub, I would make my way there as often as possible, instead of staying home and drinking alone.

This is the most thoughtful, engaging, and funny literature podcast I know of. If they’re discussing a work I love and know thoroughly, I unfailingly walk away with new considerations, full of wonder; if they’re discussing a work I do not know, I likewise leave the episode buzzing with ideas. Either way, Subtext is always a thought-provoking and fun listen. Cannot recommend enough.

They’re both great-very thoughtful and interesting.

Great podcast. Love these folks.

Subtext is a delightful podcast hosted by Wes Alwan and Erin O’Luanaigh. Mr. Alwan’s other podcast—The Partially Examined Life—was the first podcast I listened to over 13 years ago, so you can consider me a longtime fan. I find both hosts to be erudite, and I find their discourse to be very spirited, regardless of the subject, even though I already love most of the things they talk about. Cheers from Bitola, MKD.

You won’t regret it. They are both smart, intelligent, charismatic, and full of knowledge.

Instead of a view, here’s a topic suggestion: Chimes at Midnight

Really insightful from people delightful.

Love this show. Great literary criticism between enjoyable personalities. 👍

Literary criticism that’s very interesting and entertaining.

Brings different perspectives to various works of literature

I love it, thank you!

Normally love and look forward to the podcast but the Network episode was unlistenable. Discussion was rambling and without the analysis and deep insight that I’ve come to expect, especially given media history and the current cultural moment. A big miss for me.

These 2 know their stuff. It is such a privilege to listen in on their polite and enlightened conversations. The MacBeth episode totally blew me away and I have not quite yet recovered. Recommend very highly.

Very insightful and intelligent analyses, although the tenor of the conversation can feel extremely stiff and wooden at times. Not everyone needs to be bubbly and bouncing off the walls, but this is some powerful sleepy-time energy. Also, I find that Wes’s takes/tastes are a bit too stuffy and formal. In this way, he comes off as a Siskel to Erin’s role as Ebert.

Great dynamic between Erin and Wes. Their different perspectives always seem subtle and productive, and both are great readers. This is the only podcast that has ever convinced me to re-read entire books.

Insightful / interesting / Intelligent. / /Pleasant. The Hosts work well together & are lovely to listen to. Really well done . 5 stars!

This was just what I needed! The 2 hosts do all the work for us and we get to kick back and listen to them examine and break down the different texts & movies. They are a great match and the discussion flows very naturally. They have great insights and background info on the works/authors which help contextualize everything. I really enjoy listening to this every week.

I love this podcast great insights on the literature and films that mean something discussions are fabulous and bring an intelligent perspective on complex works

I’m a big fan of partially examined life and always enjoyed the literature episodes of PEL, like on the idiot and no country for old men. I tend to look at literature with a philosophical lens so to me this podcast is just what I’m looking for. I’d love to hear them discuss Borges because I really struggle with him. By the way, both Erin and Wes have great radio voices.

Very interesting and easy to listen to episode. I was interested from the beginning of the podcast and rarely lost interest through the episode. Both Wes and Erin clearly demonstrate that they know what the book is about and both share great points on the book. Podcast was so interesting I felt as if i was in the conversation myself and adding on to the main points. Very good podcast and production, going to go listen to another episode!!! 😁

This podcast honestly intrigued me so much, and the hour felt like it was 10 minutes. I listened to pride and prejudice and it was fantastic! I highly recommend others listen to it also. It is my favorite by far. Easy 5 stars!

I have listened to many literature podcasts throughout the last few years but this one seems to stand far above the rest. Wes is able to bring important facts about the novels, while Erin brings brilliant insight about the themes and layers of the text. The Pride and Prejudice episode especially shows their vast knowledge of book and movie. I look forward to more podcasts in the future!

I just listened to the podcast about Pride and Prejudice. I highly recommended it and I can’t wait to listen to more!

Just listened to my first episode. Will definitely check out more. Their (sub)text on “To Autumn” gifted me a deeper understanding of one of my favorite poems that I hadn’t before realized.

Erin and Wes have managed to keep my attention at its fullest, without any dull points. The mic quality on the podcast is extremely crisp, which makes for a great listen! Both Erin and Wes show a deep understanding of every topic from each ends of the spectrum. They cycle many different books/short stories, which at least for me has aloud me to escape the boredom of quarantine many times! I wish there was something better than 5 stars, because if so I would do so in a heart beat!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great Podcast! Just listened to the one about “To Autumn” and it was awesome. I will definitely consider listening to more!

This review covers film episodes only... In just a handful of episodes you’ve already reviewed my three favorite directors... Woody Allen, Alfred Hitchcock, and Billy Wilder. What a deal! You could go through each of their top 20 films and I’d be hooked for every episode. But basically I love the programming choices so far. (I’d love to see you add a silent movie occasionally but I know that’s a unique taste.) I have seen Annie Hall at least five times but you’ve given me a new way to view several scenes. Thank you. :-)

Wes and Erin have an excellent awareness of the fact that great works of fiction are about the problems that everyone has and anyone can come to understand. Hearing them discuss these great works that they obviously put so much study into has certainly contributed to my own understanding, and helped me to ask and continue to find answers to those important, essential questions of life. Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a wonderful podcast - Wes and Erin are two erudite but equally humble, personable hosts. I have learned so much from them, both about the pieces of art they explore and also about the act of exploring itself. They continue to teach me how to approach art, to get beneath the surface, to situate a discrete movie or poem or novel within its historical and cultural framework. Honestly, one of the BEST podcasts out there for anyone interested in creativity, philosophy, beauty and truth.

This is one of the great podcasts of my experience. Wes Alwan, a philosopher, and Erin O'Luanaigh, a teacher and poet, are the two amiable, intelligent, and deeply thoughtful hosts who guide the listener on a discussion of some of the great works of literature and film. The hosts discuss the selected work of the show from several angles — the psychological, the philosophical, and the aesthetics — as well as providing historical and background context. This description makes the show seem dry when it is quite the opposite; it is lively, funny, and deeply thoughtful, insightful, and intelligent. I am always learning new things even about works with which I am very familiar. The two hosts have carefully researched and prepared for the show, and there is really no wasted time. I cannot recommend this podcast highly enough — knowledgeable, astute, and entertaining. I hope you get a chance to check it out.

This podcast is just what the doctor ordered during these strange times. Erin and Wes hold an eclectic variety of works of literature and film up to the light and explore their every facet for meaning. It’s neither too academic nor too breezy—two smart and relatable friends share their passion for great storytelling and contextualize them thoroughly against the world now. It’s hopeful and uplifting but never trite or sentimental. It helps if you’ve read the books and seen the films—so do it! Just a terrific podcast.

Crank that psychoanalytic engine! Wes has met a fine counterpart in poet Erin. Rock on.

Nice job!

This is by far one of the best podcasts out there. The hosts are awesome and the topics are fascinating. As they point out on their website, (sub)Text is about "the human condition, and what we can learn about it from the greatest inventions of the human imagination". We only have a limited amount of hours in each day and a limited amount of years to live so we should be very careful with how we spend that time. This podcast is DEFINITELY worth your time!

Yeats’ poetry has haunted since school days, part of that the booming voice of a particular professor. This poem inhabits a dark corner of the mind. I just finished listening to the first half of the conversation, and it stirred the old ghosts. Thanks.

I listen to many podcasts. This one is the best one.

I’m a retired high school English teacher and I have missed talking literature so much! This scratches that itch... and goes a wee bit deeper than the kids. Really gratifying!

I’ve been searching for a podcast like this one: conversations about high-quality films and literature that are both insightful and inviting. Erin wins you over each episode with her wit and humor, and Wes uses his philosophy background to expand the discussion beyond the page/screen. It’s clear that both hosts really know their stuff. All in all, a fantastic listen!

I love it!

I never finished college and though I’ve found a sometimes rewarding career, I know I missed something in regards to contextualizing the world of art. These discussions of poems and movies are so spiritually enriching to me. The discussion of Wilder’s The Apartment was delightful. I was already a fan but I learned some trivia about trick shots and the discussion over how to view this film through modern eyes was rewarding. And the exegesis of Keats odes was amazing. What a tragically short life of such a talent! Anyway, thanks guys. You are a bright spot in my podcast library.

These episodes feel like a more entertaining, less expensive English college course with Philosophy added in. Erin and Wes balance each other so well and bring to light aspects of these works that went completely over my head at times. The way they talk about the works makes them accessible enough for me to appreciate, though, and I want to approach other things I read and watch in new ways now. Thank you for this!

Cultivating worldview is important to me, yet many podcasts attempting to do this consist of vapid and/or meandering conversation. This is the opposite of that. Wes and Erin are insightful and bring a great deal of expertise and passion to the topics at hand, and it’s often funny, too...like the best salon-style conversations with really smart friends. I hope this gets more popular.** **But Kiera Knightley is quite winsome and y’all were being meanies.