Vroom Vroom Veer with Jeff Smith

Vroom Vroom Veer with Jeff Smith


Viral Gor aka Virus the Poet – Reading Between the Lines

August 19, 2024

VIRAL GOR, widely known as VIRUS THE POET, is an award-winning Canadian poet and author of Poetry is Motion: Mind, Body & Soul who travels globally to perform on large stages throughout Toronto, Paris, London, San Francisco, Miami, NYC, and more. He received a national award for his poem “Home,” which was later published by the Poetry Institute of Canada. His poetry touches on universal themes of love, loss, and the human experience.

Viral Gor Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary

In this episode of "Vroom Vroom Veer," hosted by Jeff Smith, guest Viral Gor, also known as Virus the Poet, joins the conversation. The episode kicks off with Jeff initiating the recording, followed by introductions by host introducer, Tim Paige, and guest intro misstep and re-introduction by Risa August.

Jeff Smith then formally welcomes Viral Gor to the show, leading into a dialogue about Viral's recent projects, including his book "Poetry is Motion" and a corresponding album on Spotify. Viral discusses the therapeutic and reflective nature of his writing and how his poetry aims at provoking thought and offering relatability and motivation. He emphasizes the intention behind his poetry to invoke deeper reflection on personal experiences and emotions.

The conversation then transitions into Viral's background, including his upbringing in Toronto, which he credits for exposing him to diverse perspectives that enriched his character and creative output. He shares his unexpected journey into poetry, initially spurred by a classroom assignment and later cultivated during his college commutes, where he found solace and creative expression through writing on his Blackberry.

Viral reflects on his transition from casual writing to professional poetry, driven by the realization that his work resonated with others and had a meaningful impact. As the chat progresses, he discusses the nuances of poetry as an art form, focusing on the importance of message subtlety and the interpretative nature of poetry that invites readers to find personal meaning and provoke thought.

Further in the episode, Jeff explores Viral's process and personal connection to his topics. Viral elucidates on the creation of his seminal poem "Home" and the deeper exploration of family dynamics it involves. This leads to discussing the realities of familial relationships and the personal growth that comes from such introspections.

The episode shifts slightly to discuss Viral's experiences with public readings and his first reservations about performing on stage. He recounts his first public poetry reading and how later performances have contributed to his confidence and refinement in sharing his work publicly.

Jeff and Viral dive deeper into the artistic elements of poetry, its therapeutic potential, and its impact on both the writer and the audience. Viral stresses the significance of authenticity and emotional truth in writing, which enhances connection and relatability.

As the episode wraps up, Viral talks about his aspirations for future projects, including a second book and more performance opportunities, underscoring his commitment to spreading his poetic influence and engaging with broader audiences.

The episode concludes with Jeff thanking Viral for his insights and contribution to the show, and Tim Paige rounds off with final remarks and directs listeners to the show notes for more information.

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