Reel Poets

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.