In this episode of pplpod, we explore the turbulent and transformative life of Paulo Coelho, the Brazilian lyricist and novelist best known for his international best-seller, The Alchemist. We dig into Coelho’s rebellious youth in Rio de Janeiro, during which his parents committed him to a mental institution from which he escaped three times. We also discuss his time living as a hippie and his career as a songwriter for Brazilian icons like Raul Seixas, a period where his association with the occult led to him being arrested and tortured by the ruling military government in 1974,.

Join us as we trace the pivotal moment in 1986 when Coelho walked the Road of Santiago de Compostela, a spiritual awakening that convinced him to leave a lucrative career to pursue his dream of writing. Finally, we examine his massive global influence, ha ...