Verbō: A Podcast on Poetry, Philosophy and Becoming.

This episode explores the nature of change, plasticity, and the difference between understanding and action. It emphasizes that real transformation requires physical practice and movement, not just insight or knowledge, and discusses how environment and repetition shape behavior.

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the profound nature of dreams, emphasizing their role as a technology of the mind rather than mere reflections of our subconscious. He discusses how dreams engage with our memories and emotions, serving as a guide for personal growth and transformation. By shifting the focus from interpreting dreams to listening to them, Gonzalez highlights the importa...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the profound implications of AI on human identity and creativity. He discusses the existential fears that arise when humans confront the capabilities of AI, questioning what it means to be human in a world where machines can imitate our thoughts and creativity. Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between AI-generated out...

Rediscovering a God Who Holds Our Complexity In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the complexities of understanding God and spirituality, emphasizing the importance of embracing the shadow aspects of faith. He challenges traditional views of a sanitized God and encourages listeners to confront the contradictions within their beliefs, ultimately leading to a more authentic and expansive re...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the misconceptions surrounding manifestation and the importance of inner work in personal transformation. He discusses how the allure of effortless spirituality can lead to disillusionment and emphasizes the necessity of aligning one's identity with their aspirations. The dialogue delves into the collapse of old identities, the discipline required for...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the concept of light as a metaphor for understanding our lives and the myths that shape our existence. He discusses how humanity has historically sought to gather fragmented pieces of light, often choosing those that represent power and control, leading to the formation of organized religion. Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with the...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the themes of faith, belief, and the divine, challenging traditional notions of religion as a means of understanding God. He emphasizes the importance of encountering the divine directly, rather than through the lens of rigid beliefs and rituals. Gonzalez advocates for embracing doubt as a pathway to deeper awareness and understanding, suggesting that...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the pervasive cycle of digital consumption and its impact on our sense of self and connection. He discusses how the act of refreshing social media feeds has become a ritual that distracts us from authentic experiences and meaningful interactions. Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of reclaiming presence and creativity in our lives, urging listeners to...

In this episode, Brian Gonzalez shares his personal journey with addiction, focusing on the importance of awareness and control over one's habits. He discusses how addiction can manifest in various forms and emphasizes the need to confront discomfort rather than escape it. Through his experience of quitting vaping, he highlights the significance of rewiring the mind to regain control over the body...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the theme of personal collapse and the journey towards rediscovery and meaning. He discusses how individuals often build their lives around routines and identities that can crumble unexpectedly, leading to a profound sense of loss. However, he emphasizes that such collapses can serve as invitations to reflect inwardly, find true meaning, and rebuild fr...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the metaphor of climbing a mountain as a representation of personal growth and self-discovery. He delves into the concept of self-sabotage, emphasizing that the true obstacles we face are often internal rather than external. The discussion highlights the importance of embracing the journey, understanding that every step taken is a part of the ascent to...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the pervasive myth of independence in modern culture, emphasizing that true strength lies in our dependence on one another. He discusses how societal norms glorify rugged individualism, leading to a loneliness epidemic where people feel isolated despite being surrounded by others. Gonzalez encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability and connection, h...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the complex nature of desire, particularly in the context of AI and the illusions it creates. He discusses how our desires can often be borrowed from societal expectations and how this can lead to a hollow existence. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing and reclaiming one's true desires to live authentically and fully. Gonzalez war...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the profound distinction between living from the spirit versus the self. He emphasizes the importance of presence and mindfulness, advocating for a deeper connection with the spirit that inhabits our everyday lives. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, he illustrates how the spirit is not an abstract concept but a tangible presence that animates...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the profound implications of silence versus speaking one's truth. He delves into the personal and societal costs of remaining silent, emphasizing the courage required to voice uncomfortable truths. Through personal anecdotes and reflections on broader societal issues, he challenges listeners to confront their own truths and the impact of their silence...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the concept of delay and its impact on our lives. He emphasizes that the notion of 'later' is a deceptive comfort that leads to regret and missed opportunities. By postponing our dreams and decisions, we rob ourselves of time and experiences. Gonzalez advocates for the importance of presence and taking action in the moment, rather than waiting for the...

In this conversation, Brian Gonzalez explores the concept of mirrors as reflections of our inner selves. He discusses how our interactions, emotions, and experiences serve as mirrors that reveal our truths, fears, and desires. By facing these reflections, we can achieve personal growth and transformation. The urgency of self-reflection is emphasized, as ignoring these mirrors can lead to distortio...

In this episode of Verbō, Brian Gonzalez explores the emotional turmoil of rejection and the transformative power of redirection. He shares personal experiences of disappointment, emphasizing that a 'no' can serve as a compass guiding us toward new opportunities. The conversation encourages listeners to confront their disappointments, reframe their narratives, and embrace the journey of self-disco...

Did Jesus ever say he was God? In this episode of Verbō, we step beyond arguments and into embodiment. We will explore the weight of the " I am " statements, the subversive use of titles like Messiah and Son of Man, the power of his silences and the revelation carried in his actions. Instead of searching for one definite sentence, we will ask a deeper question: what happens when identity is lived...

Why do we reach for sacred language when we talk about artificial intelligence? In this episode of Verbō, Brian Gonzalez explores how humanity has always created gods in its own image. From stone and scripture to silicon and code. Through history, psychology, and spirituality, this conversation asks what it means when we treat AI not just as a tool, but as something divine. Is AI a revelation, or...

We crave silence, yet most of us run the moment it arrives. In this episode, Brian González explores our uneasy relationship with quiet, from his childhood in Puerto Rico to his experience with silence as a danger in the Army to our modern-day itch for constant noise. Blending science and storytelling, he explains why silence feels uncomfortable, how the brain's default mode network makes us wrest...

Have you ever scrolled through your feed late at night and come across a post that felt as if it were pulled straight from your own mind? That eerie sense of déjà vu is no coincidence—it's a glimpse of what Carl Jung called the collective unconscious. In this episode, Brian González delves into how social media acts as a cracked mirror of the human psyche, why ideas often emerge in multiple minds...

In the first episode of Verbō, Brian José González Martínez shares his story, from his upbringing in Puerto Rico to his service as a U.S. Army sergeant to his rediscovery of his inner poet. He introduces One Way, the vision behind Verbō, which is a space for creators, seekers, and soul-rebuilders to explore poetic self-inquiry, mythic rewriting, and creative resurrection. Verbō is more than a podc...