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.

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.