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.
Read MoreTony 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 on writing. You’ll hear about his ongoing project of translating his book "Make Way for You" into Spanish with a little help from AI, and how tracking writing habits can be both humbling and motivating.
Read MoreWelcome 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 up the summer sun. It’s an episode filled with laughter, nostalgia, and the kind of meaningful storytelling that makes the Spun Today podcast what it is.
Read MoreWelcome 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.
Read MoreWelcome to the latest episode of the Spun Today podcast, where we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Steven, a driven and passionate restaurateur. Join host Tony as he delves into Steven's inspiring story of hard work, resilience, and dedication to pursuing his dreams in the restaurant industry. From discussing the challenges of starting new ventures to the importance of family and financial preparedness, this episode is a testament to the power of chasing your passions and embracing entrepreneurship. Get ready to be motivated and inspired by Steven's journey of overcoming obstacles and building a successful business from the ground up.
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