The primary focus of this podcast episode centers on the exploration of the film "10 Things I Hate About You," a cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." Our esteemed guest, Flor Ana Mirelis, a multifaceted poet and writer, shares her deeply personal connection to the film, elucidating its themes of love, authenticity, and familial relationships. The conversation delves into the intricate dynamics of sibling bonds and the societal pressures faced by young women, paralleling the film's narrative with Flor's own experiences. As we engage in a creative exercise, we each compose poetry inspired by the film, underscoring the profound impact that art and storytelling have on our emotional landscapes. This episode serves not only as an analysis of a beloved classic but also as a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to resonate across generations.

Reel Poets go 1st and 10 things touching down on all that is Flor Ana, singer, writer, editor and their co-publisher extraordinaire of Indie Earth Publishing. Author of seven poetry collection, Flor vocalizes with Leather and Lace and intuitively typewrites her way round Miami. She can be found @littleearthflower and @indieearthbooks.

The two gents and the spring Flor free Styles in their poetic Ledger to discuss how love, language and teen rebellion collide with Shakespearean Wit waxing their way through 10 Things I Hate About You.

You got a favorite Shakespearean Film Adaptation? What should we tackle next? Who's the most Shakespearean modern Playwright/Filmmaker/TV Writer of today?

Form or formless? Does Iambic Pentameter stress you out or ease anxieties?

Engage with the conversation, stick around for the poems, support Flor in one or more of her incredible endeavors and please oh please, Keep It Reel! e

Renzo kicks us off with an amuse bouche before the Jarmusch as it's Patterson not Paddington in Peru for your perusal then we keep it Reel as per usual -but I hope its as nice for you as it was for us to meet a Reel Chris the Poet in this introspective ep that kept us revving and reeling from start to spinach. Prepare for popped eyes and ears aflame in this dynamite episode that moves fast and furiously past shuffle-boarders and surfers to recast Paul and Jimmy Walkers to reel in Adam Driver.

Shout out William Carlos Williams and poet Ron Padgett plus some Ginsberg, Dante, Frank Ohara and Shunryu Suzuki, but don't sleep on Chris Pineiro AKA Chris the Poet, a high school English teacher who grew into an MFA creative writing student at FIU, armed with a typewriter and voracious appetite for literature and living, savor his words for the first or last dance and take him to the prompt. He's @christhepoet on insta but a man about town throughout Miami.

If you have anything you want to add to the conversation for this or an upcoming episode email us at ReelPoets@gmail.com with your own poem inspired by the film.

Keep it Reel.

What does it mean in today's society to DO the RIGHT thing? What is the "right thing" anyway? And how does one do it? The Reel Poets do the write thing as per usual by responding in verse following a brilliant conversation with a most impressive guest.

After a brief poem from Scottt (who was away celebrating his 3rd anniversary at the time of recording) 1/2 of the dynamic duo interviews poetic powerhouse, Em Simms, a poet, educator, and public servant whose work lives at the intersection of craft, culture, and conscience to serve, bump and volley on SPIKE's, Do The Right Thing.

An Afro-Latina writer with Dominican roots, her voice carries lineage, responsibility, and lived experience into every line.

A Florida State University alum with a bachelor’s degree in writing and a Full Sail University MFA earned magna cum laude, EM brings both rigor and lyricism to the page. She has taught literature at Florida Atlantic University, guiding students through language, history, and the power of story.

Beyond the classroom, she has served the public for over two decades in federal service and is the mother of two young daughters. Her poetry reflects the layered realities of identity, belonging, and inheritance, weaving personal truth with collective memory.

A poet of legacy. A teacher of attention. A voice shaped by history and care. Most Em-pressive indeed.

So please get engulfed and enveloped by @em_simms_writer_and_creator as she joins

@renzodelcastillo.author (with @scotttraven away) for our Do the Right Thing episode, a special Black History Month conversation on race, power, community, and moral urgency.

When done put your pedals to the metal...detectors to grab some funds and support Em's book, Where The Petals Land HERE to

Keep It Reel.

Scottt's Opening Poem; Do The Write Thing

Em's Poem; Same Old Shit

Renzo's Poem; Boombox

*Bonus Poem After Credits, Where's Brookyln At from 2016

It's a Counter Culture Club Random minus the Maher as we Monkey around with not Boy George of the Jungle but founder of the Light in the Dark Fest, a glorious gathering of peace, environmentalism and creative expression, Becca Joseph who admits to Micky Dolenz having been her imaginary friend at age 4.

Opening poem from the Spoken Word Play New Street Poets, co-written by Scott Raven Tarazevits from the on the road warrior poet, Spott whose dad drove a 7up truck.

Music, road trips and how easy is it to be an easy writer.

The Open Road and Open Mics.

Waffle House!

Other movies mentioned: Sisu, Will and Harper, Good Fortune, The Matrix and more.

Light in the Dark Festival's mission is to bring socially and environmentally conscious music and art events, including an annual festival to Southeast Florida. These events feature critically acclaimed national acts, rising and local artists ranging from the visual arts to the oratory arts with a focus on themes such as environmentalism and unity.

https://www.lightinthedarkfest.com/

Hey Hey!! Keep it Reel.

After a brief cover of A DOZEN VIRGINS, AKA Beowulf's Army by Scottt (adapted from the screenplay by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary) we hear our magnificent guest, Crystal Espinosa deliver her thrilling piece on the film in her signature style of revealing a poem's title only at the end of its delivery.

In addition to getting to know Crystal better, as a poet and a person, an educator turned administrator, we have a great talk about the film centered on heroism, legacy, and power concluding with an encore of her poem and one from each of our hosts.

Follow Crystal's incredible work in Miami curating @popupoetrymia with the next edition slated for February 21st at the CAMP GALLERY.

And please check out her leg spinning sentence swinging synthesis of words and movement in her wonderful book Paragraphs and Pirouettes.

Shout out to all teachers and admins - those principals of patience who deserve that break for summer vacation.

Keep It Reel.

Having been wowed by Cronos early on, we were bowling balled over and struck by Nightmare Alley, tried keeping it reel with Pinocchio and have been repeatedly chilled and charmed by this filmmaker's work.

On today's episode we take out our white coats and microscopes to dig in to the Pan's Lab from the inimitable and imaginative Guillermo Del Toro with our special guest Stella Amador. Raise a glass, toss your toast, its Pan-demonium on today's episode of Reel Poets.

Labyrinth is a fantasy horror film following a young girl named Ofelia escaping her brutal stepfather Captain Vidal through a series of fanciful quests inside an otherworldly experience of fauns and baby eaters. Vidal's the kind of guy who makes Cinderella's stepsisters seem like (step)Mother Teresa and its proving exceedingly more and more difficult for Princess Moana to get back to her castle in tact. What's been your experience with step parents? Let us know in the comments below along with some of your spookiest and absolute favorite fairy tales.

Also if you are up to the challenge send us a reel poem about a Nightmare you recently had.

Before we chop it up on the film, we talk with Stella Amador, an American poet with Nicaraguan roots, an entrepreneur, and a community builder whose work lives where intention meets imagination. As the founder of @bloombystella, she creates tools and spaces that help people grow with purpose and care.

With a background in psychology and two decades of experience across law, construction, and startups, Stella developed the PLANT Framework (Prioritize, Learn, Act, Nurture, Take Care), a philosophy grounded in reflection, sustainability, and real-world momentum.

Check out her PLANT Your Life Planner (Spring 2025) and @wildbloompoetry and catch her LIVE at the Huizenga Park Grand Reopening with our hosts...

Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 10 AM–2 PM

Enjoy the conversation and keep it reel!

Twice a month Reel Poets will present a reel poem shot like a reel film either inspired by one of the poetry films discussed or from the work of the hosts or guests with an eventual goal of creating a feature length poetry film.

In the meantime, enjoy this poetic trailer filmed after hours inside a movie theater by @JaviFilms shortly after watching the incredible SISU: Road to Revenge.

what's your favorite movie with a movie theater scene?

Youtube: @ReelPoets

Part 2 of the getting to know our hosts and their poetic influences. Renzo asks Scottt who would be in your Dead Poet's Society?

In 2000 Scottt was interviewed by the Rutgers Local Newspaper The Daily Targum about the open mic he was co-hosting called Verbal Mayhem. After graduating he formed The Mayhem Poets, touring internationally from prisons to playgrounds, park benches to palaces in schools, colleges and theaters around the world. This has gone on for 25 years (and counting) with many of the original members of Verbal Mayhem part of the squad. The article was entitled Live Poets Society and everyone who ever graced the mic or sat in the crowd is welcome to be a part of his Poet's Society for eternity.

Renzo then shares his list including Hemingway, Lewis Carrol and Szymborska. A list of his many influences and inspirations, incoming soon.

Some thoughts on Voice Notes vs. Pen and Paper, Seizing Days or Lazy Lays and the one word to best describe poetry's influence on one's life.

As you listen ask yourself, who would attend your Dead Poet Society and comment below. Also what's the one word you would use for how poetry impacts your life!?

Fishing or satellite dishing...Keep It Reel.