#284 - Sinners: Creativity, Symbolism, and Storytelling Insights from Ryan Coogler’s Latest Film
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome back to another episode of Spun Today. In this episode, I dive into a creative review and breakdown of the film Sinners, written and directed by Ryan Coogler. I pull out writing insights, character craft, and the power of blending personal history with big genre themes—sharing lessons any writer or creative can use to fuel their own work. But that’s just the beginning. I also recount the unforgettable experience of seeing comedian, writer, and director Mo Amer live in New York City, and what it meant to meet a creative whose storytelling is as universal as it is personal....
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#283 – Cycles of Life, Loss, and Stories: Honoring Friendship and Remembering Pablo Mosquera Jr.
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to Episode 283 of the Spun Today podcast—the only podcast anchored in writing, but unlimited in scope. I’m your host, Tony Ortiz, and in this deeply personal and heartfelt episode, I invite you to join me as I honor the memory of my dear friend and Spun Today alumni, Pablo Mosquera Jr., who tragically passed away earlier this year. This episode is a special re-release of one of my favorite beachside conversations with Pablo, originally recorded on a traditional day off in Coney Island—a ritual we created to escape the grind, share stories, and reflect on life while soaking...
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#282 – Journey from Freelance Writing to Teaching: Insights from Amanda Lucas
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to another episode of the Spun Today podcast! In this captivating session, host Tony Ortiz sits down with Amanda Lucas, a middle school ELA teacher with a rich tapestry of experiences in both education and writing. Amanda shares her journey from being an aspiring writer and journalist to embracing her role as an educator. As an insightful storyteller, she dives deep into the nuances of teaching different grade levels, from dealing with classroom management to confronting bullying. Amanda also opens up about the challenges of adjusting to digital teaching in a post-Covid world. As a...
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#281 - Crafting Suspense: From Writing Exercise to Short Story
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome back to the Spun Today Podcast with your host, Tony Ortiz. In this special throwback episode, we dive into Episode 281, where Tony revisits one of his earlier works, a riveting short story titled "Ball and Chain." Originally recorded as an audiobook and first shared in Episode 14, this tale explores the unique perspective of a female serial killer, a creative twist inspired by a writing exercise from Stephen King's "On Writing." In this re-released version, Tony adds new context and reflections on the story's evolution, inviting listeners to compare it to the polished version found in...
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#280 – From Kendrick Lamar’s layered messaging at the Super Bowl to Beast Games: A Creative Journey
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to another exciting episode of the Spun Today podcast, where creativity knows no bounds. I'm your host, Tony Ortiz, and in today's episode, we're diving into the artistic brilliance of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime performance. We'll explore how Kendrick stayed true to his unique storytelling approach, weaving a narrative of America, oppression, and redemption during one of the biggest stages in the world. We'll also delve into the layered symbolism and thought-provoking artistry that has sparked intense conversation and admiration. But that's not all! I’ll be...
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#279 - Charlie Munger's Wisdom and Writing Tips for Aspiring Creatives (Free Writing Session)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to another episode of the Spun Today Podcast, where writing is our anchor, but our explorations are limitless. I'm your host, Tony Ortiz, and I’m thrilled to have you here for our 279th episode, a free writing session that's as much about personal discovery as it is about crafting prose. This week, we dive deep into the art of free writing, a technique I champion for its cathartic and exploratory benefits. I’ll also share some personal writing updates and a compelling writing tip from the iconic minds of Tim Ferriss and Ryan Holiday, offering insights into the freeing practice of...
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#278 – Unveiling Themes and Characters in The Penguin Series and Perfect Days as well as a GOATs doing GOAT $hit Addition
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to Episode 278 of the Spun Today podcast! I'm your host, Tony Ortiz, and if you're into writing, creativity, and uncovering layers of storytelling, then you're in for a real treat. In today's episode, we dive deep into three captivating segments that will both entertain and enlighten you. First off, we're breaking down the fascinating HBO series "The Penguin," exploring the character arcs, narrative devices, and key writing takeaways that make this gritty crime drama a standout. Then we turn our attention to "Perfect Days," a beautiful slice-of-life film that examines the...
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#277 – 2024 Spun Today Wrap-Up Show
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to Episode 277 of Spun Today, your creative sanctuary where writing meets inspiration! I’m your host, Tony Ortiz, and today’s episode is a special year-in-review recap of 2024, packed with reflections, achievements, and lessons learned. We'll revisit some of the most monumental deals in the creative world, like Issa Rae turning down a multi-million dollar offer to ultimately secure a better deal for her successful career, Kobe Bryant's incredible investment in Body Armor that paid off big time, and the $15+ million Stitcher deal landed by the "Your Mom’s House" podcast network....
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#276 – Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tom Papa’s Comedy & GOATs doing GOAT $hit
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome back, Spun Today listeners! I’m your host, Tony Ortiz, and you’re tuning into episode 276—our final episode of 2024. Today we’ve got a jam-packed show celebrating creativity, ethical influence, and a look back on some standout moments from the past year. First up, we'll also journey into the supernatural with a deep dive into Beetlejuice 2, the Tim Burton-esque sequel we've all been waiting for. From its returning stars to new additions like Jenna Ortega, this film has stirred up quite a buzz. We’ll unpack plot points, character arcs, and those signature Burton...
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#275: Unleashing Creativity: Tips, Tricks, and Motivations from Fellow Writers
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to Episode 275 of the Spun Today Podcast! I’m your host, Tony Ortiz, and today, we're diving back into the archives for a throwback to Episode 175, packed with creative tips and insights to fuel your writing journey. This episode is designed to motivate and inspire writers dealing with challenges like writer's block. We'll explore responses to the creative questionnaire from fellow writers and creatives, featuring contributors like Amy Marcello, Joshua Robertson, Elaine Almonte and more. We'll uncover the origins of their writing passion, sources of inspiration, and strategies...
info_outlineWelcome to Episode 277 of Spun Today, your creative sanctuary where writing meets inspiration! I’m your host, Tony Ortiz, and today’s episode is a special year-in-review recap of 2024, packed with reflections, achievements, and lessons learned. We'll revisit some of the most monumental deals in the creative world, like Issa Rae turning down a multi-million dollar offer to ultimately secure a better deal for her successful career, Kobe Bryant's incredible investment in Body Armor that paid off big time, and the $15+ million Stitcher deal landed by the "Your Mom’s House" podcast network.
We'll break down the top five episodes from Spun Today in 2024, including writing sessions, book reviews, and popular discussions about shows like "Black Mirror" and "Jack Ryan." I’ll share personal milestones, like the challenging journey through my wife’s breast cancer battle. Plus, we’ll dive into the highlights and lowlights of tracking listener engagement, social media expansion efforts, and my aspirations for 2025.
Join me as we celebrate the wins, analyze the setbacks, and set the course for a more consistent and productive year ahead. Whether you’re a writer, a creative professional, or simply looking for a dose of inspiration, this episode is crafted just for you. Let’s jump in and wrap up 2024 with insights and motivation to fuel your creative journey into 2025!
The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope. Give it a whirl.
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