Gregory Meander

15:45

What Happened Live in September?

Gregory Meander ·

2026/10/01

It was a bit of a slow start to the fall due to mostly me limiting the number of tickets I allowed myself to purchase. Budgets are a good thing. Though, I found a way to fill my month with clowning. As I continue to hone my comedy and writing, I find myself going to performance mostly for research and exposure for me to see full-on clown. I know you might have been worried, but clown is alive and well, as many articles the last few months have covered the rise of clowning. What else might we do in

en

9:38

The Ghosts in Peter Hujar’s “Contact Sheets”

Gregory Meander ·

2026/09/11

On the afternoon I saw Peter Hujar: Contact at the Morgan Library (through October 25, 2026) , a man I’d known decades ago in San Francisco dismissed me in the hallway. It was a brief interaction. Embarrassingly small, considering how much it hurt me. We hadn’t seen each other in nearly a decade. He couldn’t have cared less. But, when I thought of it, he had always treated me that way. And maybe he treats everyone that way. I carried that cold feeling into the gallery with me. For some reason, I

en

12:38

Caravaggio | A Pilgrimage

Gregory Meander ·

2026/08/16

Throughout my life, I have found myself being called by objects. Art has said hello to me since I was four. Other times, it is nature. Have you ever heard a piece of art speak to you? The first painting to speak to me through a book was Caravaggio’s Incredulity of St Thomas. To be honest, for years I did not understand what incredulity means. The title changes depending on what language is translating. It means disbelief. The painting depicts Jesus post Resurrection, the time he comes back from the

en

20:44

What happened live in June and July ?

Gregory Meander ·

2026/08/01

Lately, I am reminded of one of my favorite Steinbeck quotes, “New York is an ugly city, a dirty city. Its climate is a scandal, its politics are used to frighten children, its traffic is madness, its competition is murderous. But there is one thing about it - once you have lived in New York and it has become your home, no place else is good enough.” Summer has bursted onto the scene and New York’s energy is booming with the Knick’s win, World Cup, and Pride. Everything, all at once. And sometimes

en

23:21

What happened live in May?

Gregory Meander ·

2026/06/05

May still felt like a failure to launch in terms of the weather. I will start with the weather because that means that we have started at the very bottom of a conversation : How is the weather today? It is not my favorite topic to discuss. If we have gotten to the weather in conversation, I might go mute. I seem to write about it a lot. (The joke is on me). But, I have found myself murmuring “Let’s go Knicks!” with New York abuzz after Win 1 this week. How might we recreate the consistent state of

en

16:33

What happened live in April?

Gregory Meander ·

2026/05/04

I’ve often felt tension between my love of humor, art history, and philosophy and the pressure to “be one thing.” But curiosity is a muscle. And I’m more interested in going deeper than narrowing. Curiosity is a muscle and it must be exercised. What happens if I go deeper there? It seems to be a risk most are not willing to take. I am learning a lot the more I “go up” on stage. Audiences often remark that my comedy “makes them think” or that I am the “most comfortable comic” compared to others they

en

11:40

Endurance is the undercurrent.

Gregory Meander ·

2026/04/08

“Endurance is the undercurrent,” Malcolm Peacock said of his work in the Whitney Biennial. It was the only piece in the entire exhibition that drew me in. Threads of hair forming a great redwood stump. Quietness amid the loud media galleries. It was beautiful. It seemed Alive.It is, in many ways, how I have felt this winter. Cut down, yet surprising myself, still capable of new growth.Spring has struggled to start this year. New Yorkers seem to agree. This was a hard winter. I lost my funniest

en

9:06

What happened live in January?

Gregory Meander ·

2026/01/30

What a cold and wintery January. I have walked through the old growth forest most days now in my new neighborhood at the tip of Manhattan. This past Sunday, New York City was encased in 11 inches of snow. The forest acts as some sort of portal that transports me back to when Manhattan was inhabited few humans. I wander through the forest along the icy Hudson and wonder at the bluffs. The forest is a magical gift to have it everyday now. I have both my city - and my nature at the same time. It has

en

12:54

In Review :: 2025.

Gregory Meander ·

2025/12/31

This past year was defined by working hard to hold onto New York. A tighter budget meant learning to hunt for rush tickets, lotteries, and discounts—and choosing to see fewer things, but better ones.But this year was different: I started performing. (Gaga gets it). In January, I took a class at Westside Comedy Club and got onstage for the first time in February. Since then, I’ve done seven sets, performed in front of more than 150 people (which many of you read this - thank you!), rewriting jokes,

en

14:45

What happened live in November and December?

Gregory Meander ·

2025/12/27

This year is barreling down towards the end so quickly. Why do some years move faster than others? The light is dimmer, the air is a bit heavier, and the theater is still vibrant in New York. This month were my sixth and seventh sets at West Side Comedy Club — Danielle, Eliza, Marlene, Debra, Katie, Claire, Susan, and Meredith in the audience, cheering me on this strange, exciting pursuit of mine. Thank you to each of you for showing up and supporting. Comedy keeps me honest; it demands rhythm,

en

7:34

What happened live in October?

Gregory Meander ·

2025/11/05

October was a month of feeling the flow of fall, changing colors, crisper air, and a rush of new art. Autumn has never been quite my favorite, but I noticed it a different arrival this year, it arrived slowly, humid and hesitant, and yet everything seemed to move more smoothly. The theme running through the month: taking a risk as restorative. Nathan Lane’s line in conversation with Mike Birbiglia rang true — “The safest thing you can do is take a risk.”My risk this month was starting a 5-week solo

en

6:48

What happened live in September?

Gregory Meander ·

2025/10/06

What Happened Live in September?This unseasonably warm September has me back running in Central Park as I train for a few up-coming half-marathons. Fall art season is back in full swing and I would have to say Man Ray at The Met is the stunner of the month and my only five star review is Biscayne Bay National Park. I am still painting everyday as a meditation. Some are silly paintings, but the act of painting is a deeply satisfying way to record my daily perspective. Rockwell Kent’s line came to me

en

8:28

What happened live in August? [San Francisco Edition]

Gregory Meander ·

2025/09/07

I jumped off the Black and Gold ferry on Labor Day at 9:03 AM PST into the mouth of the San Francisco Bay. With the Pacific to my back while bobbing up and down in the crisp cold waters that I used to call home, I thought about the concept of August. Taylor Swift sang about not too long ago, poets have written about the late summer month frequently, and august means respected and impressive. I think I had an impressive month in San Francisco. I have spent the last four weeks taking care of my

en

13:04

What happened live in July?

Gregory Meander ·

2025/08/02

It is the height of summer and some of my favorite things in the city are not necessarily arts related. I have seen most of the summer blockbuster art exhibits, so I have dug down to find some other more off the beaten path. I have been drawn to my desire to be outdoors as much as possible, my runs and yoga have taken be through Central Park, up the Hudson, the beaches of Fire Island and the forest of Purchase College. My favorite piece of art this month (on-going through September) was Morgan

en

7:14

What happened live in June?

Gregory Meander ·

2025/07/02

It was PRIDE month all month (they really do it big in New York), but I think it really comes down to that final weekend that commemorates when young people got fed up with the policing at Stonewall Inn and they finally fought back. Pride has and always will be a protest for freedom. And as our country tries our best in corners everywhere to have deeper conversations keeping democracy alive. I stand with you, the quiet ones, who don’t feel represented or have the words, or can even articulate what

en

7:33

What happened live in May?

Gregory Meander ·

2025/06/04

I am a few days late after May (June is now bustin’ out all over), but it was a nice balanced month of the final operas of the season and rounding out Tony nominated shows. I was able to take in some of the summer blockbuster exhibitions for the first time and I am expecting a few repeat visits. I was pleasantly surprised with Superfine, the new fashion show at The Met. The curatorial thesis is one of the strongest I have experienced in quite a long time. And it is always a joy to view any work of

en

10:50

What happened live in April?

Gregory Meander ·

2025/05/02

Like many of us, I find myself wrestling with confusion, stress, and the weight of a destabilized world. Yet in the midst of it, I’ve discovered that discipline—especially in my meditation practice and daily watercolors—can be healing. Showing up for live performance, great art, and music feels like a radical act. It’s not just about entertainment, but about engaging more deeply with the creative process. That matters—for all of us. We are creative animals, and I’m endlessly drawn to these questions

en

9:24

What happened live in March?

Gregory Meander ·

2025/03/30

March has been a whirlwind month of incredible performances, art, and laughs! Even with limited funds, I am able to optimize my museum memberships and I keep winning the lottery for Broadway and The Met Opera. Gotta play to win! AT THE OPERA Fidelio ⭐⭐⭐⭐Beethoven’s only opera and man was it is a stunner. I painted the cellar door cellar in the prisoner’s jail cell that kept his wife and him apart for a duet that brought the house down. Timely story of government oppression, great pace, and

en

5:44

Seeing is Believing?

Gregory Meander ·

2025/01/10

Rome is calling me. Hello Pope Francis! The Pope has thrown open the cathedral doors, welcoming in the Jubilee—a special holy year in Rome, Vatican City, and across Italy. This Catholic celebration, which began just weeks ago at Christmas, will culminate with the Epiphany in 2026. A Jubilee year is a time for spiritual renewal, drawing millions of pilgrims to Rome in search of deeper faith and connection. With over 35 million visitors expected to flood the Eternal City, Rome is bracing for a chaotic

en

5:39

New York City <> The Lightning Field

Gregory Meander ·

2025/01/03

Here is a short reflection of my journey this past September to Walter de Maria’s “The Lightning Field (1977).” It is my favorite piece of American art. (The audio includes more text and voice-over than the captions). Some facts on The Lightning Field here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gregorythomasstock.substack.com

en

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

Soundcheck

WNYC Studios

NBC – The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Adam Graham

Podcast Patapoe

0d0a

Comixity : Podcast & Reviews Comics – Comixity.fr

Steve, Sam, Jonat, Bunny, Laure.

How Very Hannah

Bear Lane Productions