S1 E1 - "Grand Opening"

Welcome to the very first episode of Poetiv8tion — a podcast where poetry meets purpose, words become instruments of motivation, and creativity trains your life. I'm Brian Bragg (Also Known As N-A-M-E-S), founder of the Poetiv8tion movement. I'm an alternative poet with roots in alternative rap. I like to call it Rhythmically Arranged Poetry , or you can also refer to it as Rhyme‑Anchored Poetry…and I'm honored that you're joining this inaugural conversation.

Poetiv8tion is built on a simple belief: disciplined creativity changes lives. For the first season we'll foreground my work — selections from the projects Poetiv8tion and Poetiv8tion² and pieces from a 30‑year career (this year coming up, it'll be 30 years) as an indie poet — so you can hear the throughlines that shaped this work. You'll also hear how writing has inspired me, transformed my life, and developed my proficiency across creative fields: creative writing, graphic design, audio and video editing, abstract photography, branding, and more.

This podcast launches from my practice. Poetiv8tion and Poetiv8tion² map phases of craft, ritual, and revision that kept me showing up. My background in rhythmically arranged, rhyme‑anchored poetry — informed by alternative rap — taught me cadence, breath, and narrative compression. I've learned to balance a wide spectrum of topics and styles rather than confine myself to a narrow lane. That balance is intentional: the world of rap and poetry today often narrows into trends, and I want to push back by including diverse voices and subjects so the fields remain expansive and vital.

Here's what to expect: Each episode will follow a steady rhythm:

- A featured poem or set — often from Poetiv8tion, Poetiv8tion², or my broader catalog — performed and unpacked.

- A candid conversation about craft, discipline, and the turning points that moved work from draft to finished form.

- Prompts, rituals, or micro‑habits you can apply to sharpen your practice.

- Cross‑discipline spotlights: designers, photographers, filmmakers, producers, entrepreneurs, and performers who think like artists.

While the launch centers my voice to provide context, the aim is communal: we'll expand to guests across artistic and applied fields, and include rappers whose lyricism deserves the same literary dissection and study as established poets.

Poetry trained my attention. Rhythm taught my editing; revision taught patience; performance taught staging and audio craft. These practices carried into design choices, branding decisions, visual framing in photography and video, and collaborative production. I'll share moments where a poem altered a career path, a creative partnership, or a personal habit — and the lessons you can adapt in your life.

This show isn't just about appreciation — it's about activation. Poetry teaches discipline, courage, and clarity. My hope for you is simple: be inspired to show up, to practice daily, and to become the best version of yourself. Whether you write one line a day or reimagine how you approach work, these conversations are built to motivate action, growth, and balance.

Apply to Be a Guest

If you're a poet, rapper, artist, designer, filmmaker, or someone who brings an artistic lens to business or community work — we want your voice.

We're looking for guests who can perform, reflect on craft, and share practical insights.

You can apply now at [email protected]

Include a short bio, links to two recordings or portfolios, and a brief note about how discipline shapes your work. We review every submission and will reach out if there's a fit.

If you represent a brand, publisher, arts organization, or service that supports creative practice and community — let's partner. Sponsoring Poetiv8tion helps amplify artists and sustain original content that bridges poetry, rap, and multidisciplinary art. For sponsorship inquiries you can also email [email protected]

That's P-O-E-T-I-V-8-T-I-O-N… P-O-E-T-I-V- The number 8-T-I-O-N… @gmail.com

Thank you for listening to episode one of Poetiv8tion. Next time I'll perform selections from Poetiv8tion² and trace the revision process that turned raw lines into a cohesive set. If this episode moved you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs creative fuel.

And as always… stay motivated…stay consistent…keep going.