Magnus Pålsson is a composer best known for their soundtrack for the video game VVVVVV under the artist name Souleye. He opens up about ego death, creativity, and building a gamified platform for personal growth. A raw, inspiring conversation about transformation, vulnerability, and what it means to live truthfully in a digital age.

MAGNUS LINKS:

Website: https://www.magnuspalsson.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2wguicPfR7ne0MDX7mYPRq?si=z153KlHtQPGc0SzT4I1KSw

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/magnus-p%C3%A5lsson/806918599

Bandcamp: https://souleyedigitalmusic.bandcamp.com/album/pppppp-the-vvvvvv-soundtrack

X: https://x.com/MagnusRender

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00 ) - Technical Issues and Settling In  

(00:02:00 ) - Moving to Portugal for Economic Reasons  

(00:04:00 ) - From Music to Investments and Personal Growth  

(00:08:00 ) - Gamifying Personal Development  

(00:12:00 ) - Transparency, Public Growth, and Personal Accountability  

(00:16:00 ) - Magnus’s Ego Death Experience  

(00:24:00 ) - Living Without an Ego and Resetting Perceptions  

(00:28:00 ) - Integrating the Shadow and Emotional Maturity  

(00:34:00 ) - Impact on Creativity and Expressing a Wider Emotional Range  

(00:40:00 ) - Music, Hopefulness, and Emotional Complexity  

(00:46:00 ) - The Return of the Inner Voice  

(00:53:00 ) - Managing the Ego's Influence in Daily Life  

(00:57:00 ) - Relational Meditation and Circling Practice Explained  

(01:03:00 ) - Building a Gamified Growth Platform  

(01:09:00 ) - Truth, Trolling, and Documenting Transformation  

(01:17:00 ) - Philosophy, AI, and the Search for Truth  

(01:19:00 ) - Facing AI and Redefining Human Connection  

(01:23:00 ) - Human Imperfections and the Future of Authenticity  

(01:27:00 ) - AI Adapting to Mimic Humanity  

(01:31:00 ) - The Futility and Beauty of Seeking Truth  

(01:35:00 ) - Finding Joy in Simplicity and Process  

(01:39:00 ) - Early Music Career and Unexpected Opportunities  

(01:44:00 ) - The Strange Story Behind Magnus’s First Game Soundtrack  

(01:49:00 ) - Creative Integrity Versus External Expectations  

(01:55:00 ) - Sustaining Creativity Amidst Day Jobs and Long Commutes  

(02:00:00 ) - Using Old-School Trackers to Compose Legendary Music  

(02:04:00 ) - Evolving Creativity and Embracing New Horizons  

(02:10:00 ) - Gaming, Childhood Inspirations, and Musical Beginnings  

(02:15:00 ) - The Role of Play and Joy in Developing Skills  

(02:20:00 ) - Building a New Life Focused on Passion Projects  

(02:30:00 ) - Creating a Gamified Platform for Growth and Connection  

(02:38:00 ) - Life Philosophy: Living Authentically and Courageously  

(02:45:00 ) - Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts