13 episodes

Modernist design: it is timeless, clean, functional, and often familiar. The more you learn, the more you recognize… it is all around us. Upon reflection, admiration grows. The Perspecta aims to expand your knowledge, through tastefully interviewing the most interesting, conversant, and influential members of our community. Come listen, subscribe, and start discovering your next mid-century modern obsession right now.

The Perspecta - Mid-century Modern Stories The Perspecta

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 10 Ratings

Modernist design: it is timeless, clean, functional, and often familiar. The more you learn, the more you recognize… it is all around us. Upon reflection, admiration grows. The Perspecta aims to expand your knowledge, through tastefully interviewing the most interesting, conversant, and influential members of our community. Come listen, subscribe, and start discovering your next mid-century modern obsession right now.

    Nick Ferrell with Modeline | Episode 12

    Nick Ferrell with Modeline | Episode 12

    Welcome back to The Perspecta & and into an illuminating conversation about the world of mid-century modern lighting, specifically its darling Modeline of California. Did you know there were 27+ different designers who crafted for Modeline? We switched on to discuss a few of them, the company’s founder, his relevance to the entertainment world, hot takes on pricing, and our guests' experiences diving deep into research - and coming up ready to craft a book about Modeline. Welcome to this finely sculpted, warm conversation with Nick Ferrell.

    • 45 min
    James Goldstein on John Lautner | Episode 11

    James Goldstein on John Lautner | Episode 11

    Our first in-person conversation, a sit down with James Goldstein - the detail & design oriented owner who spent much of his life perfecting the Sheats-Goldstein Residence, hand in hand with iconic architect John Lautner. You’ve seen his home in films and music videos (Big Lebowski, Snoop, Doja Cat), but never before has he shared so much information about process, influences and more. 
    You may recognize his presence from courtside NBA or recently being featured in Adam Sandler’s movie Hustle. He has 3 words on his business card, Fashion, Basketball, Architecture - and my goal in speaking to him was to really focus on the third, to continue driving awareness and education around Modernism. Take a seat next to The Dude & enjoy our conversation with Jimmy!

    • 34 min
    RJD2 of Mad Men | Episode 10

    RJD2 of Mad Men | Episode 10

    We love talking about creative process, and with RJD2 - we thoroughly explored his mindset and approach to creating & producing music. He is an accomplished musician, DJ & producer whose original tracks for a collaborative rap album somehow became the theme song for Mad Men! LIke many of us, he has great interest in other aspects of art & design from the MCM time period which we covered, most uniquely - Italian Carrozzerias! Despite using many samples & sounds to produce his music - he records many of them himself, with analog processes and equipment… which is how his tracks capture such an incredible warmth and atmosphere. Come feel that warmth in his conversation with Ramble Jon Krohn.

    This episode is dedicated to actor Robert Morse, who so elegantly portrayed Bertram Cooper in Mad Men.

    • 40 min
    Claudette Didul of Mad Men | Episode 9

    Claudette Didul of Mad Men | Episode 9

    And together, we break into the world of entertainment! Although the setting of a television show or movie may appear seamless to the audience, we have learned in this conversation - that is actually an extreme, coordinated effort - that even requires a bit of luck! So many moving pieces have to work in concert in order to present the atmosphere we all admire; especially in a mid-century period piece like Mad Men, or Catch Me if you Can. Settle in for a crash course in set decoration using modernist design with Claudette Didul.

    • 1 hr 13 min
    Herman Wakefield | Episode 8

    Herman Wakefield | Episode 8

    It was well worth all of the security precautions to have a wide-ranging, anonymous discussion @northwest_mcm_wholesale on Instagram. We talked about energy drinks, picking, refinishing, all of the secrets & gossip he is privy to as our community’s most famed memer… and we did actually learn a few genuine things about the person behind the account. Listen in for a potentially admin revealing conversation with Herman Wakefield.

    • 58 min
    Jickie Torres of Atomic Ranch | Episode 7

    Jickie Torres of Atomic Ranch | Episode 7

    Atomic Ranch is one of our mid-century modern community’s most important publications, and our guest Jickie Torres has been hard at work bringing it to life with her team for years. She wears many hats directing the content of your favorite Modernist escape; and has been busy writing a new Atomic Ranch book, representing AR at the Fall Modernism Week & building a project house for the magazine! We chat about her early MCM love, perspectives on renovation, and made some predictions about the next mid century! Come learn, grow, and commit to preserving our common design interest with the top mid-century maven, Jickie Torres!

    • 54 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
10 Ratings

10 Ratings

Frankencharlie ,

Fantastic for MCM lovers!

There really isn’t anything like this podcast available to the surprisingly large group of devout MCM lovers out there. Great stories, and I’ve learned a lot!

Seasidelife ,

So well executed! One of my new favs!

Can’t wait to see this grow!

Ashley Berdan ,

This is just what all us MCM enthusiasts needed!

Congratulations John! Just listened to the first episode and I already feel enlightened! I started listening to it on Apple Podcasts and quickly ran to your Facebook page to watch the video so I could see all the references! Looking forward to upcoming episode!

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