Lisa Mouhibian
Author, Poet & Songwriter

Sandeep, Singer/Songwriter (00:25)

Today's guest is Lisa Mohibian, an award-winning poet, spoken word artist, songwriter, and author whose work explores connection, hope, and our shared humanity through the power of storytelling.

Suraaj Parab (00:42)

Welcome, Lisa, to The Artist Conversation.

Lisa Mouhibian (00:45)

Thank you. It's so nice to be here.

Sandeep, Singer/Songwriter (00:49)

Absolutely thrilled to have you. It's great to talk. We're going to dive right into the origin of your work and finding words. While going through your work, poetry seems to sit at the heart of everything you create. When did you first realize that words could become more than expression—that they could become a way of connecting with other people?

Lisa Mouhibian (01:19)

I started as a poet at a very young age. At five years old, I was writing poetry. It was always something that came through me and was the place I went for comfort. If something went wrong, I'd write a poem. It was almost like communing with God—my way of connecting to the spirit or whatever source of inspiration you recognize.

As I got older and started writing songs, which was a little unexpected, poetry weaved its way through all of it. I never gave it much thought; it just naturally integrated into everything I do. My intention was never solely to intentionally create a connection for everyone; my intention was to channel the highest level of spirit I could with my writing and be an open vessel. My gauge was how I felt after writing. Was I uplifted? Did I feel like I gained something from it?

Just having the privilege of sharing it—even if only five people read it or are affected by it—makes me feel like I've done what I was supposed to do on this planet. We all do what we can in our small ways. You don't always realize what is weaving through your work during the journey. Then you look back and realize you wrote a novel or a script, and poetry made its way into all of it as the throughline. It has always been something coming through me to share. Sometimes it's not about you; you're just the vehicle or the channel the station is coming through.

Sandeep, Singer/Songwriter (04:24)

Did I hear you right? You said you started writing at five?

Lisa Mouhibian (04:32)

I wrote my first poem at five, though it was just four lines.

Sandeep, Singer/Songwriter (04:36)

Still, to have that kind of start, it's almost like you were destined to do this.

Lisa Mouhibian (04:49)

It never quite felt that way. Poetry was something I did for my own peace of mind. To have it weave through my work, especially in a time when poetry is having a renaissance after years of people saying no one wants to read it, makes me feel very lucky. It's like my soul.

Suraaj Parab (05:26)

Your journey moved from poet to spoken word artist, songwriter, and author. How has poetry continued to weave through each of those forms, even as the medium changes?

Lisa Mouhibian (05:44)

Becoming a spoken word artist happened by accident, like everything else. Singing my songs happened out of necessity. My first spoken word piece came about because I was recovering from COVID, my voice wasn't great, and we needed a rough track for a video my partner had prepared the music for. We ended up using that recording, and I enjoyed it. Now I'm doing more voice projects. Poetry weaves through everything because it's simply a part of who I am.

Sandeep, Singer/Songwriter (06:48)

As the mediums changed—from poetry to spoken word, songwriting, and authorship—you've evolved through those mediums.

Lisa Mouhibian (07:24)

Life is funny. You have a vision and a plan for your career, but sometimes the things deepest inside you aren't recognized as a career path—just part of you. Growing up, I wrote constantly, but I originally planned to be a neurologist because I loved psychology.

While studying psychology, I got scouted to model by a top agency, and my life took a rapid detour. Model life didn't suit my temperament, so I quit to focus on serious writing. Then songs started flooding my head. Later, I met a songwriter named Bobby, listened to his story, and wrote a book from a songwriter's perspective because I had experienced that world. I wrote another novel inspired by a friend's experience with cancer, drawing on my background to write from the main character's perspective.

Poetry naturally weaved through all of it, creating a unique body of work. It blends elements in a way that isn't easily imitated by AI. Now, having finished those novels, I get to be on podcasts like this, interact from home studios, and look forward to what's next.

Through everything I do, the thread is to lift up humanity. We are all human beings on this planet. Divisions are often manufactured to keep us controlled. Each person who refuses to participate in that helps lift up others and the planet, which is where we find our freedom.

Sandeep, Singer/Songwriter (11:20)

That is a great segue into shared humanity and unity. In a world that emphasizes differences, what helps us return to the things we share, and where does unity begin?

Lisa Mouhibian (11:59)

We are in a time of great change, shifts, and chaos. I choose not to focus on the chaos, though many people are going through difficult times. I believe divisions and conflicts are often manufactured to keep us busy fighting each other so we don't have time to create, feel love, or connect. We get stuck in survival mode.

When we realize we are being manipulated, we recognize the power we hold simply by loving each other and refusing to accept division. By choosing not to engage in thoughts of separation, we reclaim our power.

Every time someone writes about lifting the veils of perception—like in your book, Suraaj—it brings a little more freedom. Separation is a veil. The foolish thing we can do is fight one another, whereas lifting each other up is how we find true strength.

Suraaj Parab (15:39)

I totally agree. I remember watching an interview with composer Yanni where he mentioned learning to dial down the chaos and noise. Checking news constantly eats your attention span and halts your mind. Once you learn to tune it out, things settle.

Lisa Mouhibian (16:06)

Right. Constant negative news puts you in a state of fight-or-flight survival. You can choose to stay centered and send love instead.

Suraaj Parab (17:00)

I read Rolf Dobelli's book Stop Reading the News in 2018 and stopped following daily news. If something is truly important, you hear about it naturally through conversations.

Lisa, your work carries a sense of hope without ignoring real-world struggles. How do you create something uplifting without making it feel disconnected from pain and struggle?

Lisa Mouhibian (18:07)

When I create, I allow the work to come through naturally. The pieces I release remain sensitive to struggle. Hope and unity must acknowledge loss and hardship, honoring those experiences while bringing beauty into the expression.

Whether through writing, music, poetry, or sculpture, beauty carries a deep impact. It's more effective than forcing an idea on someone. I believe humanity is evolving toward a more aligned state over time, and I want my work to contribute to that upward shift.

Sandeep, Singer/Songwriter (20:19)

You mentioned the illusions we place upon ourselves and those society places on us. What are some of the most powerful illusions people live in today?

Lisa Mouhibian (20:54)

The most powerful illusions stem from our upbringing and societal conditioning—what we accept about our identity, our personal power, or following dogmas blindly. It's difficult to let go of what we've been taught.

There's also the pack mentality and the illusion that we must follow the crowd, which social media amplifies. Sensitive individuals often condition themselves to shrink or people-please to fit expectations.

Another major illusion is societal definition of success—equating it to wealth or external validation. Real success is being comfortable within yourself regardless of external circumstances. Safety doesn't come from external things or other people; it comes from within and your connection to your source.

Growing up, my family experienced financial instability, which taught me non-attachment. What matters is whether you are content with yourself and your choices. When you let go of external striving and find stability within, life flows more easily.

In fact, Suraaj, your book inspired me to revisit a project I've worked on for fifteen years called Story of the Boy on a Hill, about a boy on a journey to find himself. Seeing your work encouraged me to bring that story out next.

Suraaj Parab (27:33)

What do you hope people take away from encountering your work across poetry, music, books, and storytelling?

Lisa Mouhibian (28:04)

I hope people gain the perspective that adversity offers an opportunity to learn and grow. When you're in the middle of a hardship, it's tough to look for lessons, but with time, reflecting on those experiences allows you to evolve. Hardships don't have to be purely negative; they can break down barriers and make us vulnerable enough to change.

I also hope people recognize that the lenses through which we view the world can be transformed. Negative experiences don't have to define us, and humanity has a hopeful, positive future ahead.

Sandeep, Singer/Songwriter (32:16)

Hard times teach us a lot and keep us humble as we progress through life.

Lisa Mouhibian (32:53)

That's the great thing about this "earth school." We face challenges, overcome them, and lift up those around us in the process.

Sandeep, Singer/Songwriter (33:15)

"Earth School" would make a great song title! Thank you so much, Lisa, for spending this time with us and for the thoughtfulness and purpose you bring to your storytelling.

Lisa Mouhibian (34:13)

Thank you so much. It has been an absolute honor and a pleasure to be here.

Suraaj Parab (34:26)

The pleasure is all ours. Thank you to everyone listening. Please check out Lisa Mohibian's work on Storytel and Audible, follow her on Instagram, and stay tuned for her upcoming projects. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend. We'll see you in the next episode of The Artist Conversation.