Episode 28: (Bill) Bryson Royale

PROMPTS: Maroon, Accent, 215

This week on Curated by Chance, Neal and Lauren explore language, survival, and everything in between, bringing two wildly different yet equally fascinating topics to the table.

Lauren dives into Bill Bryson’s The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way, a witty and informative exploration of the quirks, history, and evolution of the English language. From the origin of everyday words to unexpected trivia like why an apron was once “a napron,” Lauren explains why Bryson’s book is a must-read for language lovers. Plus, she shares her favorite passages and nerds out over the magic of etymology and regional accents.

Neal takes a darker turn with Battle Royale (2000), the Japanese cult classic that inspired The Hunger Games and countless “last-person-standing” stories. Neal breaks down the film’s dystopian setting, its influence on pop culture, and the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped this gripping, violent tale. He also connects it to Japanese history, cinema, and how Quentin Tarantino couldn’t get enough of it—literally casting one of its stars in Kill Bill: Vol 1.

Leave Neal a review on his Rom-Com book HERE!

Lauren's Topic:

The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way by Bill Bryson

Neal's Topic:

Battle Royale (2000)

Directed by Kinji Fukasaku

Full Theatrical Version (Not Extended Version) on YouTube for Free

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Episode 27: Meta Cheese

PROMPTS: Sky-Blue, 101, Flowers

This week on Curated by Chance, Neal and Lauren explore two vastly different works.

Neal revisits The Truman Show (1998), diving deep into its eerie parallels with modern-day surveillance culture, reality TV, and social media. From Jim Carrey’s career-defining performance to the film’s psychological impact (including the real-life Truman Show Delusion), Neal unpacks why this dystopian comedy-drama is more relevant than ever. He also explores the iconic "sky blue" moment—the moment Truman discovers the literal limits of his world.

Lauren, on the other hand, takes a journey through art history with Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera (1482). With its mythological themes, lush depiction of over 500 plant species, and Botticelli’s signature style, this Renaissance masterpiece serves as Lauren’s personal gateway to art history. She breaks down its symbolism, its ties to both mythology and Christianity, and why its ethereal beauty continues to captivate viewers centuries later.

Leave Neal a review on his Rom-Com book HERE!

Neal's Topic:

The Truman Show (1998)

Stream the movie here

Lauren's Topic:

Sandro Botticelli

Primavera

1482

High-Res Scan Here

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EPISODE 26: Neal Found A Dead Body

PROMPTS: 1958, Ship, Mustard Yellow

This week on Curated by Chance, Neal and Lauren dive into two fascinating works that capture grandeur, tragedy, and larger-than-life imagery.

Lauren takes listeners back to the 16th century with Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus, an artwork that redefines mythological storytelling. She explores how Bruegel subverts the dramatic morality tale of Icarus by making his downfall barely noticeable in the scene, instead focusing on the ordinary world continuing as tragedy strikes. From the hidden symbolism to the rich history of Bruegel’s artistic style, Lauren unpacks why this painting is a masterclass in subtle storytelling.

Meanwhile, Neal explores Attack of the 50-Foot Woman (1958) through the lens of its legendary movie poster. Instead of focusing on the film itself, Neal highlights the work of Reynold Brown, the artist behind over 300 classic Hollywood posters. From atomic-age paranoia to the feminist undertones of a vengeful, towering woman, Neal explains how this iconic artwork became more famous than the film it advertised. Plus, he shares a hilarious story about how Brown secretly inserted something into one of his posters to get back at people.

Lauren’s Topic:

Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Landscape with the Fall of Icarus

1560

High Res Scan Here

Neal’s Topic:

Illustrator Reynold Brown

Mini-Documentary

(look out for an art historian that should be played by Kate McKinnon)

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EPISODE 25: It's The LT Guarantee!

PROMPTS: 1434, Charcoal, Lens

In this episode of Curated by Chance, Neal and Lauren explore two masterpieces inspired by this week’s prompts, taking listeners on a journey through art, cinema, and history.

Neal delves into Alfred Hitchcock’s classic Rear Window (1954), unraveling its themes of voyeurism, morality, and isolation. From the groundbreaking set design to Hitchcock’s visual storytelling, Neal breaks down why this suspenseful masterpiece still resonates in the digital age. He also shares fascinating trivia, including its connection to real-life crimes and Hollywood’s favorite costume designer, Edith Head.

Lauren takes us further back in time to 1434 with Jan van Eyck’s iconic Arnolfini Portrait. She unpacks the rich symbolism hidden in this Flemish masterpiece, from the mysterious convex mirror to the lavish fabrics and even the enigmatic dog at the couple’s feet. Lauren also explores the painting’s role in art history and why it continues to fascinate viewers centuries after it was completed.

Neal’s Topic:

Rear Window (1954)

Dir: Alfred Hitchcock

Stream the movie here

Buy the movie here

Lauren’s Topic:

The Arnolfini Portrait

Jan van Eyck

1434

More about the painting

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Episode 24: We Read Books

Prompts: Tomato Red, Globe-trotting, 5

In this week’s episode of Curated by Chance, Neal and Lauren find themselves in perfect sync as they both dive into Richard Osman’s latest book, We Solve Murders. What are the odds? (Apparently, 1-in-24 episodes.)

Lauren kicks things off with her enthusiastic review of We Solve Murders, Richard Osman’s action-packed, character-rich follow-up to The Thursday Murder Club. She explores how Osman’s knack for quirky characters and heartfelt moments makes this new book a winner. From charming detectives to globe-trotting escapades, Lauren shares why Osman’s latest is a must-read. Neal follows suit, sharing his thoughts on the book’s cinematic pacing, its cliffhanger-packed chapters, and why it’s the perfect blend of humor and mystery. Together, Neal and Lauren discuss their favorite characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and the emotional depth that sets Osman apart.

Check out We Solve Murders

Amazon

Bookshop.org

Also check out The Thursday Murder Club!

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Episode 23: Philip K. Dickolas

Prompts: Blue, Machine, and Two

In this futuristic and literary episode of Curated by Chance, Neal and Lauren dive into two distinct works of art inspired by this week’s prompts.

Neal explores the 2002 sci-fi noir masterpiece Minority Report. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise, the film delves into the murky ethics of pre-crime technology, stunning practical effects, and a dark vision of the future. From incredible stunts to Spielberg’s signature long takes, Neal breaks down why this film remains a cultural and technological touchstone decades later.

Lauren takes a different approach with the novella This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. Through an epistolary love story between two characters—Red and Blue—caught on opposite sides of a time-traveling war, Lauren highlights the poetic beauty and emotional depth of this Nebula, Hugo, and Locus Award-winning work.

Neal’s Topic:

Minority Report (2002)

Watch the movie

Lauren’s Topic:

This Is How You Lose the Time War (2019)

Get the book

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EPISODE 22: Sisterhood of the Traveling Goldfinch

PROMPTS: Fowl, 27, Coral

In this wild New Year and milestone birthday episode of Curated by Chance, Neal and Lauren ring in 2025 with a blend of art, absurdity, and a little fowl play.

Lauren dives into the storied history of Carl Fabritius’ The Goldfinch, a Dutch Golden Age masterpiece that’s survived explosions, shrapnel, and centuries of mystery. From its delicate depiction of a chained goldfinch to its surprising symbolic significance, Lauren takes listeners through its fascinating journey from obscurity to the center of Donna Tartt’s Pulitzer-winning novel and even Hollywood. A bird that survived the Delft Thunderclap? Now that’s art with a bang.

Neal follows with a hilarious detour into one of cinema’s most infamous cult classics: Howard the Duck (1986). With duck nudity, awkward animatronics, and a star-studded cast (Lea Thompson and Tim Robbins, anyone?), Neal explores why this Marvel misfire is as bizarre as it is beloved.

Lauren's Topic:

The Goldfinch

Carel Fabritius

1654

Learn More About The Work

Neal's Topic

Howard The Duck (1986)

Stream the movie

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In this festive episode of Curated by Chance, Neal and Lauren dive into an unexpectedly hilarious and insightful conversation inspired by the spirit of the season, nostalgic college rituals, and... unconventional business ideas.

Lauren opens with reflections on Christmas traditions, from her family's cozy Christmas Eve rituals to her current waffle-filled mornings with her in-laws. Neal shares his childhood Christmas celebrations and recounts his role as the family "jungle gym" for his nieces, complete with a Tecmo Super Bowl tournament twist.

Then, things take a detour into hilarity with a playful discussion about graphic design genius (hint: the Hooters logo), entrepreneurial equality with "Bulges" (a hypothetical counterpart to Hooters), and the quintessential debate of deep-fried chicken tenders.

Neal transitions into the main topic: a spotlight on the 1993 thriller The Fugitive. From its gripping storyline to behind-the-scenes tidbits, Neal explains why Harrison Ford’s portrayal of the wrongfully accused Dr. Richard Kimball is a cinematic masterpiece. Highlights include Ford’s on-set injury, Tommy Lee Jones’ iconic improv line (“I don’t care”), and the audaciously real train crash scene. Fans of movie trivia and Chicago locales will love this segment!

Lauren wraps up with a beautifully immersive dive into Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi, a labyrinthine tale of loss, memory, and imagination. She highlights the book’s unique narrative structure, Clarke’s creative genius, and the intriguing stop-motion adaptation in the works by Leica Studios. If you’re a fan of magical realism or fantasy, this is a must-listen!

PROMPTS: 16, Water, Loss

Neal's Topic

The Fugitive (1993)

Stream the movie

Oral History of the film

Lauren's Topic:

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Learn More About The Work

Support Our Show:

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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

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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!

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Neal - @nealefischer

E-mail us: [email protected]

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