#282 – Journey from Freelance Writing to Teaching: Insights from Amanda Lucas
Release Date: 04/01/2025
Bonus: Writing Lessons from Gotham’s Underworld (Companion to Ep. 278)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
In this special bonus episode, we return to the shadowy corners of Gotham to unpack The Penguin — the gritty, character-driven follow-up to The Batman. Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobblepot is a study in power, loyalty, and moral decay — and in this breakdown, I explore five key writing lessons from the series: · How ambition reshapes identity · How setting becomes a mirror of conscience · The art of sharp, subtext-heavy dialogue · The...
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#293 – Writing Lessons from Off-Broadway: The Other Americans, NYC Mayoral General Election Pick and GOATs Doing GOAT $hit
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to episode 293 of the Spun Today Podcast, hosted by Tony Ortiz—the show where writing is the anchor, but the content knows no bounds. In this episode, Tony dives into the creative heart of John Leguizamo’s latest Off-Broadway ensemble play, "The Other Americans," unpacking the storytelling, set design, and family dynamics that make the work both culturally specific and emotionally universal. Through the lens of writing, he explores how ambition and repressed trauma can become the real antagonists in a story, and shares actionable takeaways for fellow writers inspired to infuse...
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#292 – Motivation for Writers: Tracking Progress and Learning from Noir Fiction
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to Episode 292 of the Spun Today Podcast! In this episode, host Tony Ortiz dives deep into the writing life, inviting listeners into another motivating free writing session. Tony shares his latest writing stats and candidly discusses the ups and downs of creative consistency, including the struggles of writer’s block and the magic of finding inspiration after unexpected detours. He also offers practical writing tips sourced from Sandra Chwialkowska and Jordan Peele, reminding us why showing up to the page matters and why fun should always be at the heart of our creative process. Tony...
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#291 – Crafting Horror and Humanity: Behind the Scenes with The Night Visitor’s Blu Topalli and Peter Stass
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
On today’s episode of Spun Today, host Tony Ortiz sits down with the powerhouse creative duo Blarime ‘Blu’ Topalli and Peter Stass—veteran writers, filmmakers, and the minds behind the atmospheric new horror podcast, The Night Visitor. Together, they dive deep into the art of collaboration, exploring how blending backgrounds in gothic fiction, comedy, screenwriting, and visual effects leads to stories that both thrill and provoke thought. Blu brings her experience from working on iconic projects like Titanic and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, along with her love of gothic literature and...
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Bonus: Daredevil’s Writing Lessons (Companion to Ep. 288)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Daredevil isn’t just a great superhero story — it’s also packed with lessons for writers. In this bonus episode, I pull together key takeaways from our Episode 288 breakdown and frame them as quick, standalone insights you can apply to your own creative work. And don’t miss the free companion guide that goes along with this episode! The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope. Give it a whirl. Download the FREE guide here: Twitter: Instagram: YouTube: ...
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#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...
info_outlineWelcome 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 co-host of the Che podcast, she shares her insights on how educators navigate the intricacies of teaching, while still finding room to nurture young minds creatively. Tune in to explore Amanda's unique experiences and discover more about her impactful journey in shaping and inspiring future generations.
The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing & Random Rants, but unlimited in scope. Give it a whirl.
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Links referenced in this episode:
I Need An Idea! (A Leli and Emmi Book) https://amzn.to/4hSvjYs
Check out Amanda’s Podcast: Ch! Wherever you listen to podcasts.
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ch/id1443818572
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3HLRAzQJiplVcsv68Ce0W0?si=YgEBWrKZSfeGK8nnA11dBw
Follow the Podcast on IG: @chcast
Follow Amanda on IG: @itzmeamandalee
Gotham Writers: https://www.writingclasses.com/
Parents Magazine: https://www.parents.com/parents-magazine/
Meredith Corporation: https://www.meredith.com/national-media/brands
Check out Leli’s Magical Stitches: https://vimeo.com/80441330
Articles by Amanda:
https://www.smilesforall.com/first-grade-first-love/
https://www.parents.com/baby/gear/sling/how-to-buy-a-backpack-carrier1/
https://www.parents.com/baby/gear/sling/14-baby-carriers/
Check out Elizabeth Acevedo’s website: http://www.acevedowrites.com/
Some of the books referenced in this episode:
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Your-Perfect-Mexican-Daughter/dp/1524700517/ref=sr_1_1?crid=7SGY6YEGY648&dchild=1&keywords=i%27m+not+your+perfect+mexican+daughter&qid=1592881345&sprefix=i%27m+not+your+per%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-1
How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay (The Tia Lola Stories): https://www.amazon.com/Lola-Came-Visit-Stay-Stories/dp/0440418704/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=tia+lola&qid=1592881392&sr=8-1
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Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way
Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories
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