Posts tagged story structure

#309 – Micro Transformations and Big Lessons Writing Takeaways from Louis C.K.’s Ingram (Free-Writing Session)

Welcome to episode 309 of the Spun Today podcast. In this episode, Tony Ortiz dives deep into the craft of storytelling, sharing the inside baseball of his own creative process—complete with writing stats, recent experiments with AI-powered ads, and a practical tool recommendation for overcoming writer’s block. Through a detailed breakdown of Louis C.K.’s debut novel, Ingram, Tony Ortiz explores how character growth stems from small, meaningful lessons and how supporting characters, symbolic objects, and well-timed revelations fuel emotional storytelling. He also shares an inspiring writing tip from Steven Pressfield that invites creators to protect their work with the dedication of a parent. Plus, Tony Ortiz wraps up with a motivational free writing piece that challenges listeners to seize the present moment and move deliberately toward their creative goals. If you’re a writer or creative looking for motivation, craft insights, and that extra push to get your words on the page, this episode is for you.

#307 – Unpacking Shrinking Season 3 Creative Tools and Writing Lessons for Storytellers PLUS and addition to our GOATs List!

Welcome to another episode of Spun Today, the only podcast anchored in writing but unlimited in scope. I’m your host, Tony Ortiz, and in today’s episode, I’ll be breaking down Season 3 of the acclaimed series Shrinking through the unique lens of a writer. We’ll dig deep into the character arcs and narrative choices, extracting motivational and creativity-fueling takeaways to inspire your own storytelling journey. From psychological concepts like the "field" and the "shadow self," to lessons about character scars, growth, and the necessity of letting your creations remain human, there’s a wealth of creative insight to unpack. Plus, stick around for our favorite segment, "Goats Doing Goat Shit," where we shine a light on those making a positive difference in their communities. Whether you're a fellow wordsmith, a fan of Shrinking, or just on the hunt for inspiration, this episode is guaranteed to ignite your creative spark and encourage you to keep pursuing your dreams, one word at a time.

Tony OrtizSeptember 25, 2026Shrinking breakdown, character scars, psychological storytelling, writing advice, creative growth, overcoming obstacles, emotional writing, TV series analysis, plot development, show recap, learning from TV, character arc, motivation for writers, writer’s podcast, theme exploration, writer’s toolkit, creativity podcast, narrative techniques, story structure, podcast for creatives, writing takeaways, creativity, Shrinking TV show, character development, emotional growth, scars as growth, thematic storytelling, psychological concepts in writing, the field metaphor, shadow self, childhood wounds, coping mechanisms, creative insights, character obstacles, motivation, inspiration for writers, living with uncertainty, earning emotional payoffs, pressure reveals character, storytelling tools, writing motivation, creative process, drama symmetry, character goals, self-awareness, letting go, overcoming adversity, storytelling themes, resilience in writing, growth through struggleComment

#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!

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 with conflicting identities, and building dramatic irony, all while reflecting on why narrative momentum matters more than just narrative quantity. The episode also highlighted an inspiring "Goats Doing Goat Shit" inductee, in the segment where we celebrate those who go above and beyond in altruism. Stick around for a thoughtful blend of creative insight, pop culture analysis, and motivational energy—perfect for fueling your own creative journey.

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