#278 – Unveiling Themes and Characters in The Penguin Series and Perfect Days as well as a GOATs doing GOAT $hit Addition
Release Date: 01/17/2025
#290 – Building the Lucas Literacy Lab: One Writer’s Journey from Home Classroom to School Founder
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome back to the Spun Today podcast! In this inspiring episode, host Tony Ortiz sits down with returning guest Amanda Lucas—educator, writer, and now founder of her very own microschool, the Lucas Literacy Lab. Amanda shares her incredible journey of resilience, starting from homeschooling her daughters during the pandemic to navigating the bureaucratic maze of opening a school from scratch—all while balancing motherhood, creativity, and her passion for writing. Amanda dives deep into the challenges of entrepreneurship and education reform, highlighting the tenacity required to...
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#289 – Voices of 9/11: Recounting Stories from New Yorkers (Re-release)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to Episode 269 of Spun Today, where we dive deep into personal stories of resilience, reflection, and creativity in the face of one of the most transformative events in modern history—the 9/11 attacks. Today, we are honored to have a plethora of voices sharing their firsthand experiences, each providing a unique lens on that tragic day. From David Ortiz witnessing the chaos unfold from his law firm in downtown Manhattan, to Raul Azurdia learning about the attacks from a frantic woman on the street, to Steven Almonte receiving the news during his math class—their stories paint a...
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#288 - Daredevil’s Gray Morality and Emotional Hooks: Storytelling Insights for Writers
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to Episode 288 of the Spun Today Podcast with Tony Ortiz, where creativity takes the spotlight and storytelling is always at the heart of the conversation. In this episode, Tony dives deep into the writing brilliance of the Daredevil TV series, exploring seasons one through four and unearthing valuable insights every writer and creative can appreciate. From the artful mirroring of hero and villain to the series’ thoughtful examination of moral ambiguity, Tony unpacks the narrative craft that elevates Daredevil beyond the typical superhero genre. But that’s not all—Tony...
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#287 – Creative Accountability, AI Tools for Writers, Insights from Ta-Nehisi Coates and More! (Free Writing Session)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome back to the Spun Today podcast! In this episode, Tony Ortiz dives deep into the creative process, taking you behind the scenes of his own writing journey. This is a special “free writing session” episode, where Tony shares his candid writing stats—celebrating the progress, confronting the setbacks, and reflecting on what it really takes to pursue your creative goals. Tony opens up about the challenges of working on his second novel, the importance of letting go of perfectionism, and the power of the so-called “zero-th draft” approach, inspired by N.K. Jemisin’s masterclass...
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#286 - Finding Inspiration Through Loss, Pandemic Reflections and Honoring Pablo
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to Episode 286 of the Spun Today Podcast, the show anchored in writing but truly unlimited in its scope. I’m your host, Tony Ortiz, and today we’re diving into something both personal and nostalgic: a throwback tribute episode to my good friend and Spun Today alum, the late, great, Pablo Mosquera Jr. In this heartfelt installment, we revisit one of our annual beach day recordings—this one taking place on Coney Island during that odd window in the summer of 2020, right in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Pablo and I reflect on everything from the challenges and...
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#285 – Turning Real Life into Art: Writing Takeaways from Standup, Storytelling, and Politics
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to another episode of the Spun Today Podcast with your host, Tony Ortiz—the show anchored in writing and limitless in scope. In this episode, Tony dives deep into the creative process and storytelling power behind Andrew Schulz's latest Netflix comedy special, "Life." You'll hear how Schulz's masterful blend of vulnerability, humor, and innovative production offers rich lessons for writers and creatives alike. Tony also takes us behind the scenes at Ari Shaffir's final live storytelling show, celebrating artistic integrity, perseverance, and the unbreakable bond of creative...
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#285 – Turning Real Life into Art: Writing Takeaways from Standup, Storytelling, and Politics
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to another episode of the Spun Today Podcast with your host, Tony Ortiz—the show anchored in writing and limitless in scope. In this episode, Tony dives deep into the creative process and storytelling power behind Andrew Schulz's latest Netflix comedy special, "Life." You'll hear how Schulz's masterful blend of vulnerability, humor, and innovative production offers rich lessons for writers and creatives alike. Tony also takes us behind the scenes at Ari Shaffir's final live storytelling show, celebrating artistic integrity, perseverance, and the unbreakable bond of creative...
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#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...
info_outlineWelcome 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 routines and hidden depths of a seemingly simple life. Last but not least, we celebrate another inductee into our Spun Today "Goats Doing Goat Shit" list, spotlighting the remarkable achievements of businessman and philanthropist Charlie Munger.
Whether you're an aspiring writer or just love dissecting the craft of storytelling, we've got something for you. Stick around to learn, get inspired, and maybe even pick up a few tips to enhance your own creative journey. Thanks for tuning in, and let's get started!
The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope. Give it a whirl.
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Links referenced in this episode:
The Penguin: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15435876/
Perfect Days: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27503384/
Chris Stuckmann’s The Best Movies of 2024: https://youtu.be/oCZM6UoZdOQ?si=mYrpJPYKI03Hkseq
Charlie Munger: How to Make Your First $1 Million (5 Steps): https://youtu.be/Jj9DNvGc_lY?si=9foCWblZAzVie5iT
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