Curated by Chance

Episode 98: #ManCrushMonday Prompts: Lamp, 60, Dark Gray This week's episode is coming in hot! Lauren is trying to figure out how to get rid of a bunch of her stuff and Neal talks about getting injections in his neck. For the record, it was not injected with Portillo's beef juice! Then Neal talks a bit about Spielberg and surprisingly knows how old he is and when his birthday is off the dome. Lauren reiterates that for a Patreon bonus she's going to really do a "Bernini or Bust Bonus" to continue the discussion about Bernini so make sure to look out for that if you're a Patron! Lauren kicks things off by introducing listeners to a deep dive into artist Isamu Noguchi! Lauren talks about some of his famous mentors. Hint: one of them did a bunch of famous faces! Lauren covers how Noguchi made portrait busts to support himself, shifted toward abstraction after seeing inspirational work in Paris, his many collaborations across various forms of art, and how his Akari lamp and other mass-produced pieces have made him basically a household name. Lauren officially crowns Noguchi #ManCrushMonday and invites listeners to come learn more at The MAG. Then Neal takes us to 1960 and talks about one of the most famous Best Picture winners ever: The Apartment by Billy Wilder. Starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacClaine, Neal talks about Wilder's writing/directing style, why this was such an important film, and how it even inspired a musical adaptation that became meaningful to both him and his wife Colleen. Help our show in our 50/50/50 campaign! 50 reviews on Apple, 50 reviews on Spotify, and 50 patrons at patreon.com/curatedbychance If you'd like to support Neal on his new book ⁠Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide⁠⁠ ⁠please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book! Pre-order here: ⁠https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/⁠ Next Week's Prompts: Raspberry, Criterion, 549 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 97: The Legend of Big Boy Prompts: Nun, Rim, Olive, 411 We have some BREAKING NEWS... Lauren bought a house! Congratulations to Lauren, Steve, and Isaac on their new home. We'll be sure to give you updates on the move and all the other hijinks! This week's pod starts with the news of the house, Neal (kind of) sees Big Boy for the first time and is surprised everyone knows it's called Big Boy. If you don't know what we're talking about, you will when you listen. To start things off, Neal goes back to his childhood and first, tells a crazy story of a coach that he had in basketball and then talks about 1994's Above the Rim starring Duane Martin, Leon, Tupac Shakur, Marlon Wayans, and Bernie Mac. He talks about the origin of the movie and how its soundtrack practically eclipsed the movie itself. Then Lauren talks about the progression of the David sculpture from Rodin to Michelangelo and ultimately lands on the works of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. From his version of the David sculpture, to his controversial depiction of a nun in ecstasy (it was the power of God!) Lauren breaks down all things Bernini with so much left on the floor that perhaps a bonus is in our future! Help our show in our 50/50/50 campaign! 50 reviews on Apple, 50 reviews on Spotify, and 50 patrons! To join Patreon just go to: ⁠www.patreon.com/curatedbychance If you'd like to support Neal on his new book Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book! Pre-order here: https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/ Next Week's Prompts: Lamp, 60, Dark Gray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 96: The Soft Hands of an Influencer Prompts: Golden Rod, Nordi, 537 This week's discussion begins with a small update on house hunting and Neal reveals information about why so many people must be driving the Mercedes G Wagons, especially celebrities and realtors apparently. Lauren kicks things off by exploring the fascinating world of Nordic and Scandinavian art. She talks about artists like Anders Zorn, Hammershoy, and Hannah Hirsch Pauly. After breaking down these artists and their great work, Lauren calls for more appreciation for our Scandinavian friends! Neal also goes Nordic by talking about one of the best Norwegian thrillers that not many people have heard about. It's called Headhunters and it stars Game of Thrones standout Nikolaj Coster-Waldau before he got notoriety on the show and is directed by Morten Tyldum. Neal chose the movie, though, because of its connection to the world of fine art to get Lauren interested! Help our show in our 50/50/50 campaign! 50 reviews on Apple, 50 reviews on Spotify, and 50 patrons! To join Patreon just go to: ⁠www.patreon.com/curatedbychance If you'd like to support Neal on his new book Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book! Pre-order here: https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/ Next Week's Prompts: Nun, Rim, Olive, 411 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 95: If Your Eyes Don't Weep, Your Organs Do Prompts: 4891, Frog, Pumpkin This week's episode talks about Lauren (and her snazzy hat) washing and cleaning the bronze artwork in front of the museum. This conversation turns into the absolute need for an art calendar and slow motion commercial of museum workers toothbrushing bronze crack and wiping sculpted muscles in slow-motion. Neal starts this week's episode by not talking about one movie... but a single year: 1984. He talks about the influences that have permeated pop culture since that fateful year and highlights several films like Beverly Hills Cop, Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, Gremlins, and more! This year proves why it's an underrated king. Lauren, not the most ardent supporter of adult cartoons, was completely transfixed (after a few viewings and the insistence of Isaac) to watch Over the Garden Wall starring Elijiah Wood, Melanie Lynskey, Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, and... Chris Isaak? Lauren talks about the development, the tone, and that while it took a few viewings, it has the perfect vibe to welcome you back into the fall spirit. Help our show in our 50/50/50 campaign! 50 reviews on Apple, 50 reviews on Spotify, and 50 patrons! To join Patreon just go to: www.patreon.com/curatedbychance If you'd like to support Neal on his new book Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book! Pre-order here: https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/ Next Week's Prompts: Golden Rod, Nordic, 537 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 94: Curly-Wurly Mustache Prompts: Tin, Mark, Cream, 487 This week's episode begins with Neal talking about his much-need day off and if it was really a day off or something else entirely. Both the hosts thank YOU the listeners for engaging with the show and repeat the call to help get 50 reviews on Apple and Spotify and 50 patrons! Lauren starts this week's episode by talking all about the Pop Art movement. The history, the major players, the misconceptions, and the post-war ideologies at play in both the United States and England. She then chooses to focus on perhaps the most famous pop artist of all time, or at least most recognizable, Andy Warhol. Neal takes over and decides to KISS (keep it simple stupid) and uses tin to get him to Tin Cup the 1995 romantic sports movie all about golf starring Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, and Don Johnson. He discusses the origins, the film's writer-director, declares Kevin Costner the king of sports movies, and reveals the "inspiration" behind the film's character which prompt Neal and Lauren to have a bit of fun when they see who it actually is. If you'd like to support Neal on his new book Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book! Pre-order here: https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/ Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Next Week's Prompts: 4891, Frog, Pumpkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices