
Hosted by Neal E. Fischer and Lauren Tagliaferro · EN

EPISODE 22: Sisterhood of the Traveling GoldfinchPROMPTS: Fowl, 27, CoralIn 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 GoldfinchCarel Fabritius1654Learn More About The Work Neal's TopicHoward The Duck (1986)Stream the movieSupport Our Show:Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month!👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychanceFollow the show and its creators on Instagram:The Show - @curatedbychanceLauren - @paisleyloNeal - @nealefischerE-mail us: curatedbychance@gmail.comHear 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 21: Deep Fried Tenders at BulgesIn 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, LossNeal's TopicThe Fugitive (1993)Stream the movieOral History of the filmLauren's Topic:Piranesi by Susanna ClarkeLearn 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/curatedbychanceFollow the show and its creators on Instagram:The Show - @curatedbychanceLauren - @paisleyloNeal - @nealefischerE-mail us: curatedbychance@gmail.comHear 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