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.