#285 – Turning Real Life into Art: Writing Takeaways from Standup, Storytelling, and Politics
Release Date: 06/22/2025
#300 – Writing Lessons from Shrinking Season 2: Character Growth, Accountability, and Full Circle Storytelling
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to the Spun Today Podcast, where creativity, storytelling, and personal growth are always at the forefront. In this milestone 300th episode, Tony Ortiz dives deep into the writing, character arcs, and creative lessons of Shrinking Season 2. Through the lens of writing, Tony explores how the show masterfully brings trauma and accountability front and center—not just for the characters, but for creators looking to fuel their own work. This episode is packed with insightful breakdowns on making emotional concepts concrete, the importance of maintaining a consistent voice, and how true...
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#299 – Finding Creative Gold: Writing Advice Inspired by Shrinking and Tires
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome back to the Spun Today Podcast! In this milestone 299th episode, host Tony Ortiz dives deep into the creative engines behind two unconventional, standout shows: "Shrinking" on Apple TV+ and "Tires" on Netflix. Through a writer’s lens, Tony unpacks what makes these series resonate—not just as entertainment, but as studies in authentic storytelling, sharp dialogue, and the beautiful messiness of life. You'll get a writer's breakdown of how "Shrinking" navigates grief, healing, and messy relationships with a perfect blend of humor and raw honesty. Tony highlights takeaways on building...
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#298 – Legendary Moves: When Greats Go Beyond - From Songwriting, Comedy Clubs, to Philanthropy - GOATs doing GOAT $hit Mashup #2
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to another episode of the Spun Today Podcast! In this inspiring mashup episode—number 298—Tony continues the beloved “GOATs Doing GOAT Shit” segment, spotlighting creative minds and industry giants who go above and beyond in their respective fields. From insightful stories about savvy business moves—like Kevin Hart’s multi-million dollar company deal and Jay-Z’s unwavering stand for his intellectual property—to heartfelt tales of generosity and mentorship, such as Joe Veras empowering a young songwriter and Timbaland refusing to take publishing rights he didn’t earn,...
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#297 – Fueling Your Creative Fire: Stats, Strategies, and Celebrating Writing Wins (Free-Writing Session)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to episode 297 of the Spun Today Podcast! I’m your host, Tony Ortiz, and in this free writing session, we’re diving into the intersection of motivation, creativity, and the craft of writing. In this episode, I’ll share my own writing journey, including detailed stats on how I've been keeping up with my writing goals—even amid holidays and life’s curveballs. I'll talk about the process of revamping and self-publishing my first book, "Make Way for You," and discuss the labor—and breakthroughs—of translating it into Spanish using cutting-edge AI tools. You’ll get a...
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Bonus: Five Essential Writing Lessons from HBO's Succession (Companion to Ep. 243)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
In this special bonus episode, we’re exploring the brilliant—and often brutal—writing lessons behind HBO’s Succession. Host Tony Ortiz digs deep into the series’ power struggles, betrayals, and psychological dysfunction, offering five key takeaways that can sharpen your storytelling craft. Whether it’s: · Creating flawed but understandable characters · Playing with unstable power dynamics · Fueling character arcs with internal conflict · Revealing your...
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#296 – Breaking Down Black Mirror’s Playthings and Creative Lessons for Writers and GOATs Doing GOAT $hit
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to the Spun Today Podcast! In this episode, host Tony Ortiz dives deep into the world of creativity, storytelling, and relentless artistic dedication. Through a writer’s lens, Tony breaks down the Black Mirror episode "Playthings," exploring how subtle worldbuilding, understated technology, and obsessive innovation can drive a narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. He shares actionable writing takeaways, like infusing big ideas through passion—not prophecy—and harnessing ambiguity to keep your audience engaged. The episode doesn’t stop at dissecting...
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#295 – When Survival Becomes a Subscription: Writing Lessons from Black Mirror’s Common People and GOATs Doing GOAT $hit
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to episode 295 of the Spun Today Podcast, In this episode, Tony Ortiz dives deep into the world of storytelling by breaking down the Black Mirror episode, "Common People." He explores how great speculative fiction doesn't invent new emotions—it amplifies the ones we already know all too well. Tony discusses how everyday anxieties like money, health, and love become the heartbeat of compelling narratives, especially when survival itself is transformed into a subscription service and love is put under extreme pressure. You'll also hear writing takeaways on grounding relatable...
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#294 – 2025 Spun Today Wrap-Up Show
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome back to the Spun Today Podcast—the show anchored in writing, but unlimited in scope. In this episode, host Tony Ortiz celebrates the start of a new year with a reflective journey through personal creative goals and the highlights of 2025. After the longest hiatus in the podcast’s history, Tony Ortiz dives into a wrap-up of the top five Spun Today episodes from the past year, sharing the stories, lessons, and memories that shaped the journey, including heartfelt tributes to friendships, deep-dive breakdowns of TV and movies through a writer’s lens, and insightful interviews with...
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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...
info_outlineWelcome 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 community—even in the face of industry setbacks. From learning how to mine personal struggles for resonant stories, to understanding the importance of owning your creative work, Tony distills profound inspiration from comedy, current events, and personal experience.
Plus, he shares his perspective on the upcoming New York City mayoral election, breaks down the legendary Warner Bros deal by Ryan Coogler in the latest "Goats Doing Goat Shit" segment, and, as always, serves up actionable insights for fellow writers, storytellers, and dream-chasers.
So, whether you're looking for writing motivation, creative strategies, or just a fresh take on culture through a storyteller’s lens, you’ve come to the right place. Let's get started!
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
The LIFE Tour Comedy Special: https://www.netflix.com/title/81741999
Check out he Flagrant Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialFlagrant
Check out the Brilliant Idiots Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@BrilliantIdiotsPod
Ryan Coogler on Democracy now speaking about his deal: https://youtube.com/shorts/lebChsax1aQ?si=ODBmHu9Tyqj039rW
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Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories
FRACTAL – A Time Travel Tale
Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way
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