Curated by Chance

Episode 20: Ceci N’est Pas Une Podcast In this episode of Curated by Chance, Neal and Lauren embrace the surreal as they explore two influential creative giants: the enigmatic René Magritte and the groundbreaking screenwriter William Goldman. Lauren kicks things off with a deep dive into the surreal world of René Magritte, the Belgian artist known for his clever, dreamlike paintings that challenge perception and representation. From the haunting story of his childhood to his evolution as a key figure in surrealism, Lauren unpacks the layers of Magritte’s work, including iconic pieces like The Treachery of Images and The Lovers. Plus, discover how Magritte's influence extends to pop culture, from MoMA exhibits to Beyoncé music videos. Neal follows up with a spotlight on William Goldman, the legendary screenwriter behind Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Princess Bride. Neal explores Goldman's creative genius, his knack for blending humor and poignancy, and his lasting impact on Hollywood storytelling. With fascinating anecdotes about his screenwriting techniques and his bold defiance of conventional rules, this segment is a must-listen for movie buffs and aspiring writers alike. Stay tuned for this week’s prompts—“Navy,” “1970s,” and “Train”—and join Neal and Lauren as they craft the next episode's inspirations. PROMPTS: Navy, 1970s, Train Lauren's Topic: René Magritte Learn More About The Work Neal's Topic Screenwriter William Goldman Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Support Our Show: Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month! 👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Follow the show and its creators on Instagram: The Show - @curatedbychance Lauren - @paisleylo Neal - @nealefischer E-mail us: [email protected] Hear Neal each week on Triviality Podcast. Subscribe now! Listen to Lauren on Miss Information Podcast! Subscribe now! Buy Neal’s next two books! Christmas Ultimate Trivia Book (out now!) Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book (out now!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 19: Saffron Crocs & Eyeball Burns In this episode of Curated by Chance, Neal and Lauren start with a spirited discussion about wardrobe mishaps, a whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C., and the energy of exploring monuments on scooters in freezing weather. Neal takes us back to 1975 with a cinematic masterpiece that’s part art history, part technical marvel: Barry Lyndon. Highlighting Stanley Kubrick’s obsession with natural light, NASA lenses, and meticulous historical detail, Neal reveals why this film is like walking into an 18th-century painting. Along the way, we hear about the film’s production challenges, its groundbreaking cinematography, and why it’s a must-watch for anyone who loves movies and museums. Lauren shines a spotlight on the trailblazing artist Alma Thomas, who defied the odds to create vibrant, abstract works in her later years. From her time as a teacher to her rise as a celebrated painter, Lauren explores Thomas’s colorful legacy, including her role in the March on Washington and her history-making exhibition at the Whitney. Her story is a testament to how life is long, full of possibilities, and brimming with second (or third!) acts. Stay tuned for updates from their Patreon and a special sneak peek at an upcoming exhibition Lauren is helping to host in 2025. You’ll walk away inspired to create, explore, and appreciate the beauty of art and film. PROMPTS: Flower, Saffron, 1970s Neal's Topic: Barry Lyndon (1975) Watch the film here Cinematography Deep Dive Lauren's Topic: Alma Thomas Learn More About The Work Support Our Show: Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month! 👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Follow the show and its creators on Instagram: The Show - @curatedbychance Lauren - @paisleylo Neal - @nealefischer E-mail us: [email protected] Hear Neal each week on Triviality Podcast. Subscribe now! Listen to Lauren on Miss Information Podcast! Subscribe now! Buy Neal’s next two books! Christmas Ultimate Trivia Book (out now!) Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book (out now!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 18: Locked in a Museum Neal and Lauren kick off this episode of Curated by Chance with a fun hypothetical: which museum would you be okay being locked in for a week? Neal leans into nostalgia for The Met’s labyrinthine halls and ancient relics, while Lauren takes us through her imaginative week at The Met, complete with time-traveling from an 18th-century room to a Frank Lloyd Wright interior. In their prompts section, Lauren dives into the life and art of Rosa Bonheur, the trailblazing 19th-century painter known for her massive and hyper-realistic animal portraits. Lauren paints a vivid picture (pun intended) of Bonheur’s defiance of gender norms, including her audacious decision to wear men’s clothing to sketch animals at the Paris horse markets. Neal follows up with an ode to Small Soldiers (1998), a chaotic blend of satire, toys, and 90s CGI nostalgia. From its stacked cast (Tommy Lee Jones, Kirsten Dunst) to its wild marketing fiascoes, Neal dissects why this movie holds a peculiar place in cinematic history. The pair wrap up with updates from their Patreon and tease upcoming topics, leaving listeners with plenty to ponder and a dose of pop culture inspiration. PROMPTS: Rose, Toy, 358 Lauren's Topic: Rosa Bonheur The Horse Fair 1855 Learn More About The Work Neal's Topic: Small Soldiers (1998) Watch the film here Fun Behind-the-Scenes Featurette Support Our Show: Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month! 👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Follow the show and its creators on Instagram: The Show - @curatedbychance Lauren - @paisleylo Neal - @nealefischer E-mail us: [email protected] Hear Neal each week on Triviality Podcast. Subscribe now! Listen to Lauren on Miss Information Podcast! Subscribe now! Buy Neal’s next two books! Christmas Ultimate Trivia Book (out now!) Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book (out now!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 17: Mocks and Docs Neal dives into the delightful chaos of Waiting for Guffman, the cult classic mockumentary by Christopher Guest. He unpacks the absurdly earnest world of small-town community theater, introducing the eccentric Corky St. Clair, Blaine, Missouri’s quirkiest director. With heartfelt anecdotes and laugh-out-loud observations, Neal celebrates the improvised genius of the cast, from Parker Posey’s Dairy Queen dreamer to Fred Willard and Catherine O’Hara’s hilariously misguided stage couple. Neal shares personal memories tied to the film, why it resonates with theater lovers and skeptics alike, and how it brilliantly captures the lovable earnestness of amateur theater. Lauren shifts the spotlight to Paris Is Burning, the groundbreaking documentary chronicling New York’s 1980s drag ball culture. With a blend of reverence and critical analysis, she explores the origins of voguing, the fierce competition of ball culture, and the resilience of LGBTQ+ communities in the face of societal rejection. From the larger-than-life house mothers to the heartbreaking reality of marginalized lives, Lauren celebrates the film’s enduring impact on queer representation, while highlighting its controversies. Together, Neal and Lauren weave personal stories and cultural insights into a vibrant discussion of two cinematic treasures. Episode Prompts: 5014, Jet, Documentary Special Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book Giveaway! Purchase the book and go here: https://www.quarto.com/campaign/Rom-Com-Trivia-Preorder Neal's Topic: Waiting for Guffman (1996) Watch the film here Alternate Epilogue Neal Spoke About Lauren's Topic: Paris is Burning (1990) Watch the film here Criterion Collection Remaster Support Our Show: Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month! 👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Follow the show and its creators on Instagram: The Show - @curatedbychance Lauren - @paisleylo Neal - @nealefischer E-mail us: [email protected] Hear Neal each week on Triviality Podcast. Subscribe now! Listen to Lauren on Miss Information Podcast! Subscribe now! Pre-order Neal’s next two books! Christmas Ultimate Trivia Book (out now!) Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book (releasing Dec 3) Pre-Order Now and Enter the Giveaway! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 16: Podsplain It To Me Lauren takes listeners deep into the complex world of museum ethics and cultural restitution, unraveling the fascinating saga of the Benin Bronzes. She recounts how these treasured artifacts were looted from Nigeria during a violent raid in 1897 and scattered across global museums, sparking heated debates about repatriation and cultural preservation. With wit and insight, Lauren sheds light on the ongoing tug-of-war between returning artifacts to their origins and preserving them for a global audience, challenging listeners to consider: who truly owns history? Neal shifts gears with a celebration of Zatoichi, the iconic blind swordsman from Japanese cinema. He reveals the layered history of this legendary character, who first appeared in a 1962 film and evolved through 26 movies and a TV series. Neal connects Zatoichi’s influence to modern storytelling, from samurai classics to The Mandalorian. He also touches on The Warriors—the cult-classic film reimagined as a star-studded concept album by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Neal dives into the film's video-game-like structure, its iconic lines, and its cultural legacy, painting a vivid picture of why these stories endure. Plus the pair consider changing their podcast title. What do you think? Episode Prompts: Mauve, 962, Steal/Steel Special Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book Giveaway! Purchase the book and go here: https://www.quarto.com/campaign/Rom-Com-Trivia-Preorder Your trivia question: What one-named brand dress was Audrey Hepburn wearing in the opening of Breakfast at Tiffany's? Lauren's Topic: The Benin Bronzes Learn More About Them Neal's Topic: Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Criterion Set The Warriors (1979) Watch the film here Warriors Concept Album Listen to the album here Support Our Show: Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month! 👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Follow the show and its creators on Instagram: The Show - @curatedbychance Lauren - @paisleylo Neal - @nealefischer E-mail us: [email protected] Hear Neal each week on Triviality Podcast. Subscribe now! Listen to Lauren on Miss Information Podcast! Subscribe now! Pre-order Neal’s next two books! Christmas Ultimate Trivia Book (out now!) Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book (releasing Dec 3) Pre-Order Now and Enter the Giveaway! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices