Spun Today with Tony Ortiz

In this episode I speak about reading The Alchemist again, two Stand-Up Comedy Specials: Joey "Coco" Diaz's ; Sociably Unacceptable & Richard Pryor's; Live in Concert. The Ultimate Fighter - A Tournament of Champions Finale, UFC 206, and I also read and reflect on some free-writing, which is located at: http://www.spuntoday.com/freewriting/ .   Links referenced in this episode: The Alchemist by Pa...

In this episode I speak about watching a bunch of stuff (no wonder I don't get as much writing as I want done): Bert Kreischer's stand-up comedy special – The Machine, which aired on Showtime. Michael Che's stand-up comedy special – Michael Che Matters, which aired on Netflix. Donald Glover's new TV show on FX; Atlanta, this season of TUF (The Ultimate Fighter), reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coel...

In this episode I speak about the upset (for some), unexpected (for most) victory of President Elect Donald John Trump, who handily defeated Hillary Clinton, the first Woman to be nominated to run by (any major Political Party) the Democratic Party. Here's my take on where we are, how we got here and where to go from here.       Links referenced in this episode: Secret World of US Election: Julian...

In this episode I speak about watching Pete Davidsons' first hour special; S.M.D., the final two Presidential debates, modified mosquitoes that are slated for release into the wild in early 2017, tailgating at this years Jets vs. Ravens game, the Sausage Party movie, the Amazon video app and finishing Josh Waitzkins' book; The Art of Learning.   Links referenced in this episode:   Genetically modi...

In this episode I speak about UFC 204, UFC 205, watching a childhood favorite movie of mine that I completely forgot existed; Toy Soldiers, starting to watch the USA show; Mr. Robot, a 'high-road' way out for Donald Trump and I also read and reflect on some free-writing, which is located at: http://www.spuntoday.com/freewriting/ .   Links referenced in this episode: Dan Henderson's Punch that beca...

As promised in Episode #057 of the Spun Today Podcast, I put together this little tutorial to show you exactly how to enter the Broadway ticket lottery. By doing so (and if you win) you can enjoy steeply discounted (80%-90% below regular price) Broadway Play tickets. There are no loopholes, no taxes, no fees, no bullsh*t. Best of all, it's 100% free to enter every day. Good Luck!  Link to site: ht...

In this episode I speak about season two of the Netflix series Narcos, the first Presidential debate, Central Intelligence; the Movie, getting to watch three Broadway Plays (yes 3: On Your Feet, The Lion King & An American in Paris) within two weeks, and a thought on the Black Lives Matter movement.   Links referenced in this episode: Pablo Escobar death photo, real life vs. Narcos: http://i.daily...

In this episode I speak about finding my Kindergarten Progress Report (Report Card), a previously unreleased George Carlin comedy special that just came out, reading the Back to the Future screenplay and I also read and reflect on some free-writing, which is located at: http://www.spuntoday.com/freewriting/ .   Links referenced in this episode:   GEORGE CARLIN'S SHOCKING PRESCIENCE ON THE NIGHTS B...

In this episode I speak about the finale of an HBO mini-series; The Night Of, getting to see The Prophets of Rage, the new TUF season and a message to the new UFC owners.   Links referenced in this episode:   Juliette Lewis Rock Doc: Hard Lovin' Woman - http://www.redbull.tv/film/AP-1MSJGDHQ51W11/hard-lovin-woman   Fill out my 5-question survey if you're passionate about your craft. I'll share you...

This is an Episode 054 SpunToday Podcast Extra   Something that resonated with me that I should have mentioned in that episode, is that wrongful convictions can happen to anyone. People from all walks of life. I think some of us may have a propensity to think that these wrongfully convicted folks must have done something 'wrong enough' to be mixed up with the possibility of being convicted, and th...

In this episode I speak about UFC 202, an HBO mini-series; The Night Of (yes again. It's that good!), the Netflix original series; Stranger Things, I finished reading Steven Pressfield's latest book; Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, joining my first writing community; Figment and I share a book review-getting tip that has been (slowly) working for me and lastly, a thought on gun control reform.   L...

In this episode I speak about the latest HBO mini-series; The Night Of and the Netflix show; Orange is the new Black. I share a quote from Steven Pressfields' new book; Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, and a clip from Malcolm Gladwells' new Podcast; Revisionist History. I also sneak in some Political talk (Hillary, Bernie, DNC, RNC, etc.). I read and reflect on some free-writing, which is located a...

In this episode I speak with my wife about our recent wedding. We discuss what it's like to get married at City Hall in New York, and how we threw a reception that we were very pleased with, on a reasonable budget. If you're thinking of walking-the-plank soon, listen in on this episode and see if you can take some gems from our experience to make yours that much better.   Links referenced in this...

In this episode I speak about UFC 200, The OJ Simpson documentary; OJ Made in America, getting to see The Book of Mormon on Broadway, a back to the Future Documentary that I saw on Netflix, and the new Steven Pressfield book that I'm reading; Nobody wants to read your Sh*t.   Links referenced in this episode: Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t by Steven Pressfield: http://shop.blackirishbooks.com/prod...

In this episode I read and reflect on some free-writing, which is located at: http://www.spuntoday.com/freewriting/ . I also speak about my first camping experience, bike riding, watching the Documentary: Meet the Patels on Netflix, and tips from the Book: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott , which I recently finished. Links referenced in this episode: Fill out my 5-question survey if you're passionate a...

In this episode I speak about UFC 199 (one of the unexpected-best cards I've ever seen), and a few documentaries & movies that I've recently seen: Citizen Four which is a Biographical Documentary about NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and when he first reached out to and met Journalist Glenn Greenwald. Where to Invade Next : a Documentary film by Michael Moore, where he 'invades' other countries t...

In this episode I speak about my recent east-coast road trip from New York to Philadelphia PA, Myrtle Beach SC, Orlando FL, Savannah GA, Virginia, and back to New York. I also speak about a few Stand-Up Comedy specials that I recently saw for the first time: Jim Gaffigan's 'Beyond the Pale' & 'Mr. Universe'. Also, Todd Barry's 'Crowd Work'. I share my thoughts on the whole male, female, transgende...

In this episode I speak about President Obama's final Correspondents Dinner. I also give you a sneak peak into my writing process by reading/going over a portion of the very first draft of a short story I'm writing that isn't even complete yet! No self-respecting writer ever lets anyone see their first draft notes … good thing I'm a whole different type of weirdo. Stay tuned for the finished short...

In this episode I speak about Jon "Bones" Jones' recent return to the Octagon in UFC 197 and his upcoming rematch with Daniel Cormier to unify the title. Conor McGregors' recent "power play" and negotiations with UFC executives and a few TV shows & movies that I've recently watched (House of Cards on Netflix, Better call Saul on AMC, Barbershop 3, Deadpool and Concussion). Links referenced in this...

This is an excerpt from the book: Make Way for You.  Feel free to check it out: http://www.spuntoday.com/books   Avoid a Purposeless Journey I SPENT a large part of my life motivated by the wrong type of motivation. The wrong type of 'what success meant'. Always falling short of unattainable goals (while in that mind set) because the litmus test to gauge that success was and is a bad indicator. We...

In this episode I read and reflect on some free-writing, which is located at: http://www.spuntoday.com/freewriting/ . I also get into Tesla’s new Model 3 (which is priced at 35K), Space X & Nasa’s historic and successful landing of a rocket at Sea, watching Cosmos with Neil deGrasse Tyson on Netflix, and getting to see Duncan Trussell  live at Gramercy Theatre in NYC. Links referenced in this epis...

In this episode I speak about a couple YouTube shows that I'm into; Dana White's Lookin' for a Fight via the UFC channel and Action Bronson's Fuck that's Delicious via the Vice channel. I speak about a new character development feature I'm messing with on Scrivener, some 2016 election info, Federal Reserve stress tests and the possibility of a deep recession between 2016-2019 per Economist and Inv...

This is an excerpt from the book: Make Way for You.  Feel free to check it out: http://www.spuntoday.com/books   TAKING THE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ROUTE T HINGS CAN always be worse, but they can always be better too. It’s up to you to decide which route to take when you reach that fork in your decision – making road. Of course things are going to happen that are out of your control or that set you o...

In this episode I read and reflect on some free-writing, which is located at:  http://www.spuntoday.com/freewriting/ . Full disclosure: If you’re a “anti micro-aggression” advocate then this episode is not for you (also, go fuck yourself). I also speak about episode 3 of the Vice show Weediquette by Krishna Andavolu , the Iron Solomon  vs.  Dizaster  battle on KOTD  and the current book I’m readin...

March is Multiple Sclerosis awareness month. MS is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering (Myelin Sheath) of the nerves throughout the Central Nervous System. Since the specific regions where the Myelin is damaged is random, symptoms experienced vary vastly. In this episode I speak with my fiancée Zoila, about her first hand experience of having MS. W...