Ena Rajić
Episode · #573
PSIHOLOGIJA USPJEHA Ena Rajić
Guest Ena RajićHosted by Tanja PuretaMay 3, 2026
Ena Rajić
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Ena Rajić doesn't need to explain what spoken word poetry is to her audience; they usually just ask, 'What is that?' That directness, she says, is a welcome change. As a spoken word poet, satirist, and entrepreneur, Rajić has built a career around an art form many don't immediately grasp, taking it from intimate stages to the United Nations. Her work, which often tackles difficult social and psychological themes, prioritizes raw emotional impact over traditional accolades. This conversation explores how a background in psychology informs her creative expression, and why the most profound impact often comes from verbalizing what people have long suppressed. You will walk away thinking about the power of direct emotional connection, and how to build a career in a category that doesn't yet have a name.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
When Ena Rajić tells people she's a spoken word poet, most openly admit they don't know what that is. Instead of a challenge, she sees it as an opportunity for direct engagement. Don't assume your audience understands your new category; embrace their direct questions as a chance to define it.
02
Spoken word poetry is 'written to be performed for an audience,' with its main goal being live performance and evoking emotion. The medium dictates the message, and for spoken word, the live connection and emotional impact are the true measures, not academic definitions or competitive wins.
03
Her first significant performance was at the United Nations in 2019, invited by a Swiss association director who had followed her on social media. Validation for a niche art form often comes from unexpected, high-profile platforms. Don't limit your initial outreach to obvious channels; sometimes, the most distant connections see potential where local ones might not.
04
Performing two poems, one in Croatian and one in English, Ena observed a stronger audience reaction to the Croatian piece, even with translations, attributing it to her use of slang and linguistic play. The raw emotion and specific linguistic texture of an original language can resonate more deeply, even when translated, than a version tailored for universal accessibility. Authenticity in expression often transcends language barriers.
05
She gauges audience impact by 'sniffling, laughter, and strong hugs afterwards,' recalling a colleague who said, 'You evoked in me precisely the feeling I want to experience after every performance.' The most valuable feedback for a creative isn't critical acclaim or commercial success, but the direct, visceral emotional response. If you can consistently evoke strong, specific feelings, you've found your true market.
06
Ena describes her work as attempting 'in a non-invasive way to verbalize something they might not know, or rather, have suppressed within themselves, so it comes as a form of catharsis.' Art's power to effect change is often indirect. Its impact lies in offering a cathartic space for people to confront suppressed emotions, providing verbal clarity for unspoken feelings.
07
Her interest in psychology began in high school, subtly encouraged by her mother who would place books about 'inner, spiritual, intimate, psychological' topics in front of her. A significant career path often begins not with a grand decision, but with a subtle, long-term cultivation of curiosity, guided by early influences. The most impactful work often stems from interests nurtured implicitly, not explicitly chosen.
08
Ena described her high school self as an 'overachiever' who got all A's, but later called it a 'curse' because 'life isn't as structured and neatly laid out as I thought it was during education.' Academic perfection, while valued in formal settings, can become a liability if it sets an unrealistic expectation for the unstructured, unpredictable nature of real-world challenges. Success outside of school requires adapting to ambiguity, not just mastering known systems.