Behind the Ink: The Story of DIEN

I wasn’t always the most expressive person—at least not out loud. Early on I preferred to watch, to sit in silence and observe the world around me. I’d think things through, then overthink, then overthink the overthinking. I was always in my head, but rarely on the page.

That changed in my teenage years, when I picked up a pen and finally gave those thoughts somewhere to live. That’s where poetry found me—or maybe where I found poetry. What started as a quiet outlet turned into a lifelong obsession with language, emotion, and the unspoken truths between the lines.

My name is Alex Murdock—Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Storyteller, and Host of the MadPo3t Podcast.

The name MadPo3t was born from both admiration and rebellion. Inspired by the raw, unapologetic voice of the legendary poet Mutabaruka, I found resonance in how he challenged systems and called out uncomfortable truths—often being labeled a madman because of it. That label stuck with me. It made sense.

Truth tellers are often dismissed as mad—not because they’re wrong, but because they disrupt illusion. People cling to comfort; they fear the mirror. So, I took the name MadPo3t as a badge of honor—a reminder that honesty, no matter how chaotic or confrontational, is a form of liberation.

To date, I’ve independently published three poetry collections and three short story volumes that explore everything from internal chaos to personal growth, spiritual depth, and the raw edges of modern life.

My writing career officially began in 2019 with the release of my debut poetry collection, Po3tryJournal: Dream Imagine Express—a personal archive of my early creative and emotional evolution. Since then, my catalogue has expanded to include:

Publications:

  • Into the Abyss Vol. 1 – Short Story (August 29, 2020 | Audiobook: December 30, 2020)

  • Into the Abyss Vol. 2 – Short Story (March 14, 2021)

  • Po3tryJournal: Growing Pains – Poetry (October 7, 2021)

  • Into the Abyss Vol. 3 – Short Story (June 30, 2022)

  • Po3tryVent: Ramblings of a Madman – Poetry (July 27, 2024)

  • Po3tryVent: Chaotic Ramblings – Poetry (July 1, 2025)

In 2022, I stepped onto the stage and brought my words to life through live spoken word performances. That leap opened up a new channel for connection and vulnerability—allowing the stories, rhythms, and rawness of my work to land in real time.

Shortly after, I launched the MadPo3t Podcast, a platform where I not only share my own insights and writing, but also highlight the work of other independent artists, authors, and visionaries walking their own creative paths.

At the core of everything I do is a commitment to truth, craft, and growth—personal and artistic. Whether it's on the page, the mic, or in a room full of strangers, I write to reflect, to reach, and to reveal what often goes unsaid.