Bonus: Five Essential Writing Lessons from HBO's Succession (Companion to Ep. 243)
Release Date: 02/19/2026
#306 – Writing Lessons from Daredevil Born Again Season 2: Complexity, Conflict, and Creative Takeaways PLUS a new addition to our GOATs doing GOAT Sh*t list!
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to another episode of Spun Today, the podcast dedicated to exploring creativity and storytelling through the lens of writing. In this episode, the conversation focused on the second season of Daredevil: Born Again, diving deep into its morally complex characters, political intrigue, and the ways fiction can feel uncomfortably close to reality. A key theme that emerged was how great writing leverages gray areas—challenging black-and-white morality by making both sides question their own actions. The discussion explored writing techniques like escalating conflict, crafting characters...
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#305 – A Night Out – AUDIO BOOK (Re-Release)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to another episode of Spun Today, where we explore the creative process and the world of storytelling through the eyes of a writer. In this episode, we dive into "A Night Out," the latest short story to come from the Spun Today vault—a thriller born from a vivid dream shared by my brother, David Ortiz. It’s been a while since the last short story release, and I reflect on the challenges of carving out time for writing amidst life’s whirlwind of big changes—reminding all writers to defend their creative time as they would any other responsibility. We pull back the curtain on how...
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#304 – Staying Present as a Writer: Learning by Living and Wisdom from Anne Lamott (Free-Writing Session)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to episode 304 of the Spun Today podcast, where we dive deep into the creative life—its challenges, joys, and moments of breakthrough. In this free writing session, Tony Ortiz shares his latest writing stats, practical tips for writers, and an honest look into the ways presence and mindful living can fuel the creative process. This episode explores inspiration from Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, actionable advice on tackling writer’s block, and the value of noticing the world like a child. Tony Ortiz also introduces a bite-sized writing tool for overcoming stuck points, breaks down...
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#303 – Living with MS: Personal Stories and Insights for World MS Day
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to Episode 303 of the Spun Today Podcast—your home for honest conversations about writing, creativity, and the journeys that shape us. I’m your host, Tony Ortiz, and today we’re releasing a truly special episode to honor World MS Day. In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with my wife, Zoila Ortiz, to share her powerful story of living with multiple sclerosis. We dive deep into her first symptoms, the uncertainty of diagnosis, and the emotional and physical challenges that come with MS. Zoila walks us through her search for information, the importance—and dangers—of...
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#302 – Turning Misunderstanding into Creative Fuel: Story Construction from Black Mirror’s Eulogy and Mark Normand’s Standup
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to another episode of Spun Today, where writing and creativity fuel our exploration of stories across media. I’m Tony Ortiz, your host, inviting you to view each topic through the lens of a writer’s craft. In this episode, we dive deep into the writing lessons hidden within Black Mirror’s “Eulogy,” examining how memory shapes narrative and the power of withheld information. Then, we break down Mark Normand’s razor-sharp Netflix special, “None Too Pleased,” pulling out tools for punchy, impactful writing—whether you’re crafting jokes or stories. And in our recurring...
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Bonus: Five Actionable Writing Lessons from Shrinking Season Two (Companion to Ep. 300)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome back to Spun Today! In this bonus episode, Tony Ortiz explores what writers can learn from Season 2 of "Shrinking." Through a breakdown of five actionable takeaways, you'll discover how to craft flawed, believable characters, turn emotional growth into concrete action, and write conflicts where both sides feel justified. Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or just getting started, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips to fuel your creative process—reminding you that the best writing comes from digging deep into the real, messy parts of being human. Grab the...
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#301 – Highlight the Possibilities: Writing Motivation from Jay Z, Creative Marketing, and Trust by Hernan Diaz (Free-Writing Session)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Welcome to another episode of Spun Today, where writing is both our anchor and our gateway to a universe of creativity. I’m Tony Ortiz, and in this episode, I take you deep into my own writing journey — breaking down my day-to-day habits, the victories and setbacks in sticking to a writing schedule, and the lessons learned along the way. I’ll share actionable tips, including a powerful insight from Jay Z’s creative process and how even a single well-chosen word can completely shift the meaning of a story. We’ll dissect the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "Trust" by Hernan Diaz, looking...
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#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,...
info_outlineIn 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 story’s moral costs through outsider perspectives, or
· Mastering subtext-rich dialogue
This episode is packed with actionable insights to boost your creativity. Plus, there’s a free companion guide at Spuntoday.com to help you visualize and apply these lessons. If you’re ready to learn from one of TV’s best dramas and fuel your own creative process, this episode is for you.
🎧 Plus, download the free companion guide to follow along — complete with reflective writing prompts and scene-based analysis.
Download the FREE guide here: https://www.spuntoday.com/podcast/243bonus
The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope. Give it a whirl.
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