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.

Part 1 of 2 for Reel Poets, The Refrain, where we revisit Dead Poets Society, but mostly talk shop and name drop a few poems and poets.

Comment below with your poetic and cinematic influences.

Here's a few more from Scottt: A list of some poetic influences, contemporaries and hopeful future guests without looking any up spelling, in no particular order

Masta Ace, Eminem, Aesop Rock, Gary Glazner, Shihan the Poet, Maya Del Valle, Rives, Watsky, Flowmentalz, Gemini, Mikumari Caiyhe, Big Mike, Broken English, Justin Woo, St. Patrick, DMD, Toney Jackson, Bob Holman, Taylor Mali, Faraji Salim, Jon Sands, Cristin Okeefe Aptowicz, Anis Mojgani, Shappy, Selena Glenn, Saul Williams, Kirk Nugent, JeaneAnne Verlee, George Mckibbens, Rachel Mckibbens, Steven Willis, Taylor Steele, Melissa Lozada Oliva, Joel Gold, Lisa Markuson, Shane Koyscan, Mighty Mike McGee, Barbara Adler, Ginsberg, Baraka, Ted and Anselm Berrigan, John Yau, William Shakespeare, Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, Weird Al, Lorrie Moore, Orson Scott Card, Christopher Moore, Chuck Palahniuk, Mark Z Danielewski, Jasper FForde, Tom Robbins, Kyle Rapps, Mason Granger, Kelsey Kosinski, Leigh Ross, Lindsay Halladay, Justin Woo, RA Villanueva, Omar Holman, Joseph Thomas, Silent Knight, Glenis Redmond, Darian Dauchan, Chad Anderson, Nicole Homer, Nia Calloway, Ariana Lee, PTA, Wes Anderson, Peter Greenaway, Bob Dylan, Steve Martin, Salvador Dali, Alejandro Jodorowsky.

After a heart, heart, heartfelt multi-voice rendition of O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman recited by Renzo, Scottt and our guest, we have a wide ranging discussion with mother, poet, educator, musician, and head inspirer of the Kb Poetry Share, Debbie Wanninkhof, whose work centers on presence, encouragement and a steadfast belief that poetry belongs to everyone.

Then we explore how the movie, Dead Poets Society frames poetry as both liberation and risk, how masculinity is shaped by expectation and silence and how creative permission can feel like oxygen in spaces built for obedience. We talk about the teacher as catalyst, the poet as inheritor and the fragile moment when finding your voice means choosing whether or not to use it.

We conclude with a poem by Debbie inspired by the film, 2 poems from Scottt (excerpt from O Capitol! My Capitol) and draft of (Undead Poets Society) ending with Renzo's thrilling Villanelle, Carpe Verbum, Seize the Wheels.

As Always, Keep it Reel.

REEL POETS are joined by teacher, poet, friend, and the host and co-founder of Pop Up Poetry Miami, KC PEN to breakdown the 90's romantic reel poetry film, LOVE JONES. You haven't seen it? Reely? Like Reely reely?! Get on it. Or if its been a while revisit it on Prime or Apple TV.

After an opening group piece by KC and Scottt we get to know Kenny as a writer and a person before delving into the lasting wonders of this classic coming of age jazzy jubilee.

KC PEN and Scottt Raven: Cupid 4 Hire (you don't wanna miss the full poem for it's one of kind wordplay and the surprise ending. Just like and subscribe or show us some love by sending us your own application to [email protected] for the rest.)

Renzo Outro. Intros. Film Talk. Poems.

KennyRhymes.com for more.

Episode 001 — Wings of Desire (feat. Dr. Daniel Medina)

Reel Poets — Where the Reel Meets the Rhyme.

Chapters: Opening Poem, Intro, About the Guest, About The Movie, Reel Poems.

For our very first episode, we’re diving into Wim Wenders’s Wings of Desire — a luminous meditation on longing, mortality, language, and the fragile beauty of being human. Joining us for this debut conversation is poet, scholar, and multidisciplinary creative Dr. Daniel Medina (@baxtermnkink), whose new book Moire was released on 10/25/25.

Together, we explore how Wings of Desire turns observation into poetry, how angels become metaphors for distance and desire, and how the film’s whispered monologues blur into something lyrical and otherworldly. From its black-and-white tenderness to its aching questions about love and embodiment, this episode asks: What does it mean to witness a life… and what does it mean to finally live one?

As always, we close by reading original poems inspired by the film, including a new piece by Dr. Medina that reflects the shifting textures and emotional frequencies of Moire.

If you love cinema, poetry, and the places where the two dissolve into each other, start here.

Listen now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Explore more at www.reelpoets.com

Follow Daniel Medina: @baxtermnkink

Read his new book: MOIRE (10/25/25)

Hosted and Curated by Poets Scottt Raven STAY AT POEM DAD and Renzo Del Castillo, Award Winning Author of STILL

And always: Keep it Reel.

Reel Poets is an audio- only podcast that can also be visually read...like Roses or when a director juxtaposes his or her most imposing reposes with characters settings and themes composed of thrilling soundscapes; high stakes and dreams.

Join our illustrious two, three-named hosts Renzo Del Castillo and Scottt Raven Tarazevits every two weeks as they break down the poetics and ethics of real poetry films, occasionally joined by a special guest artist or another real poet with their own Reel Take.

First Episode drops Thursday, November 20th with Dr. Daniel Medina.