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Crouton and thr33som3s plus occasional guests
Weekly recap of the shenanigans in the Grotto. https://youtu.be/_N6lhkml53U https://linktr.ee/thr33som3s
Week 138 - Candidates Announced, Let Loose the Ad Storm
12 Candidates made their intentions official this week, and thr33s and Crouton are giddy with anticipation. Walk through the diversity of candidates and get some explanation and strategy about Participation in Ad Campaigns and Voting in this week's episode.
01:09:0623/11/2024
Week 137 - It's Th3 3l3ction, not The Election
Now that the window to announce Candidates is open, thr33s and Crouton thought an episode that explains the Form and the thinking behind it would be best. This is such a unique chance to have a hand in the creation of a narrative piece and a brand new series, everyone should have an opportunity to particpate.
49:2015/11/2024
Weeks 134-136 -- Ninety-Nine Portraits and a Bitch Ain't One
thr33s was so busy on the road working through 99 portraits for the Voters series, he didn't have time to check in with Crouton. But, he's back in Brooklyn, 99 finished paintings under his belt. Crouton asks about a few of his favorites and thr33s has plenty of insight from the trip. But, the real star of this episode is thr33s' announcement of Th3 3l3ction, a new Grotto 3v3nt that may outdo all previous 3v3nts. A fun listen... it's good to be back.
01:53:4110/11/2024
Weeks 132 - 133 The Road to November. The Voters.
Sometimes the road calls your name. thr33s finds himself on a great American roadtrip, and, this time, he's brought the tiny paintbrushes. Full details on the most ambitious project the Project has seen follow as Crouton and thr33s break down The Voters.
01:06:0110/10/2024
Week 131 - Rock the Vot3
As US election season heats up, thr33s and Crouton spend some time talking through Voting inserts. Reds and Blues and Purples... it's fitting that through mechanics the same colors that divide so much of the world can unite the Grotto. While voting in the Grotto isn't without its nuance, it's proven to be one of the more prophetic mechanical element of the project. Will this November prove any differently? Brush up on your Voting Inserts and get ready.
39:4928/09/2024
Week 130 - In Remembrance of Tex
All of us are reeling from the unexpected loss this week of our dear friend @texanjuventino. The Grotto was but one of many social orbits for the celestial being we knew simply as Tex, but his presence in the project, and in so many of our lives, was substantial and unmatched. A collector from (truly) the first minute of the project, he was the first Grotto member to arrive at an IRL 3v3nt and was the most recent visitor to the Studio. In between, he set the standard for what was possible in this thing that is so much more than collecting paintings of baseball players. --- Crouton and thr33s sit down to tell the story of Tex and the Grotto. In many ways, it's the story of the Grotto. It's also a look at the sort of connections that can be made in a project like thr33som3s. You are already missed, Tex.
01:33:1120/09/2024
Week 129 - Do You Know How Hard This Is to Pull Off?
Okay, the title is a bit much. But, seriously. We're well into our fourth year of thr33som3s, and we're on the cusp of a new season and all that has been made possible to get us here. Crouton and thr33s... ok, mainly thr33s (yep, he's in LFG monologue form on this one)... speak directly to Migration and Season 11 being just around the corner. Are you ready? What do you need to do get there?
01:17:0314/09/2024
Week 128 - 90min of Hard Hitting, Bare Knuckles, No Holds Barred Orange Silhouette Breakdown
You may not realize it today. A month from now, it still might seem like a good idea. Hell, 6 months from now, you might be living your life in a haze of misinformation and partisan rhetoric, thinking you know all there is to know about Orange Silhouettes. But, THERE WILL COME A TIME, oh, buddy, there will come a time when you come running back to relisten to this episode... 2, maybe 3 times. And, you can thank Crouton and thr33s at that moment. And, we won't even say we told you so.
01:24:1507/09/2024
Week 127 - What to Expect for Season 11 Drops
9 months worth of 2024 3v3nts are behind us, and it's all been to put you in a position to play Season 11. What you should you be thinking about ahead of the season to get yourself in a good mindset to play? Well, thr33s and Crouton have you covered. Consider this episode a recap of all the elements of the Season drops from 2 to 10. A cheat sheet. Grab a blank spreadsheet and a diet Dr Pepper, and get yourself in season shape!
01:07:0831/08/2024
Week 126 - Excitement Builds for Orange Silhouettes
Can't talk about this episode without mentioning how excited thr33s is about the coming weeks. Hot on the tails of an amazing Grottolympics and major participation in Metals for M3dals, Crouton and thr33s turn their attention to Orange Silhouettes and all the planning that goes into their distribution. A must listen.
01:27:5723/08/2024
Week 125 - Strategies for Orange Silhouettes and Metal M3dals
With the Official Grottolympics Results announced, it's time for thr33s and crouton to focus on an in-depth exploration of approaches to Orange Silhouettes and how best to assign your new Oranges. Plus, Crouton had a week to think thorough the new Metal M3dals... let's see what he has to say about them.
01:50:1717/08/2024
Week 125 - Strategies for Metal M3dals and Silhouettes as Grottolympics Are Finalized
thr33s and Crouton go as in depth as they can on approaches to delegation of Oranges onto Silhouettes and all the possibilities for Metal M3dals.
01:50:1717/08/2024
Week 124 - Grottolympics Closing Ceremonies and Wrapup... with Metal M3dals.
Sixteen days at 329 M3dal 3v3nts deserve a celebration. So, thr33s and Crouton sit down to highlight and relive some of the highlights. But, all of that is little more than fifth business to the major star of this episode.... a new mechanic is revealed, and those who have played in the Grottolympics have already done all they'll need to do to qualify for the new pieces. Introducing Metal M3dals in Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Listen in to lean all about them!
52:4312/08/2024
Week 123 - Grottolympics in Full Swing. A Look at Developing Strategies
With 166 of the 329 Grottolympics M3dal 3v3nts in the books, thr33s and Crouton get together to make sense of the international sport Madn3ss simultaneously unfolding in the Grotto and Paris. Hear Crouton walk through some of his strategy. And, thr33s comes through with the 3v3nt's twist: yes, there is future utility in M3dals... of course there is.
01:02:3205/08/2024
Week 122 - Grottolympics Opening Ceremonies
Nearly 10 hours of spins, 120 hours of painting, 10 hours of form building... and, that just gets us to the first day of M3dal 3v3nts. Join thr33s and Crouton for a wrap-up show for a wild Grotto week. 206 Countries and 329 3v3nts and thousands and thousands of Oranges all for one kickass 3v3nt.
01:11:0301/08/2024
Week 121 - A Final Grottolympics Primer
One last episode before the pageantry of the Grottolympics takes center stage for all the world to see. thr33s and Crouton walk you through the actual gameplay involved in the Grottolympics 3v3nt, and thr33s drops some major alpha ahead of next week's reveal.
43:3620/07/2024
Week 120 - You Can Never Have Enough Country Tokens (a twist on bulk inserts)
thr33s and Crouton are back --- with a small Deano cameo --- to breakdown the importance of the Grottolympics drop. Not only is this your first chance in 2.5 years to get bulk Oranges, it's your only chance for the next 4 years to pick up Oranges en masse. They discuss the similarities with the 2022 W3rld Cup and the original Orange drop from 2021. A fun listen as we get ready for the marquis 3v3nt of 2024.
01:35:0313/07/2024
Week 119 - Announcing the 2024 Grottolympics
This one is a lot of thr33s... it's one of those big announcement episodes, a whole new mechanic, a whole new drop. Crouton lends some credence to the proceedings. But, this is one of those episodes where thr33s just thr33s. It's one helluva way to announce the new Orange Insert Bulk Drop and the whole fantastic spectacle of sport and chaos that lays ahead. Dust off those Qatar LE Flags and get ready for the Grottolympics.
01:17:0105/07/2024
Week 118 - What's It Like When thr33s Discusses the Project with an Outsider? With Special Guest Vittoria Benzine
This is a fun episode where we play a full 80min interview thr33s did ahead of Season 10 and ahead of thr33zi3s Gen3 and ahead of Vellum... interesting to hear how he speaks about the project with a total outsider. Crouton and thr33s are joined by arts writer Vittoria Benzine to live listen to the interview and interject delightful tidbits throughout. What makes this episode even more exciting, the release date is the one year anniversary of thr33s and Vittoria starting to date. A really great listen!
01:51:2229/06/2024
Week 117 - Generation 3 thr33zi3s Revealed
One of the highlights of the project, thr33zi3s, the world's first completely hand-painted generative art pieces, are revealed in their third iteration. Gen 3's were unveiled in a special Father's Day LFG, and, now that the metadata has refreshed and wallets are full of hundreds of new traits, thr33s and Crouton spend their time this week going over some favorites along with all the process that goes into making the crown jewels of the thr33som3s world.
01:29:0922/06/2024
Week 116 - Ma Vie en Rose Redux or, "Crouton and thr33s Bare All"
In the final installment of the sweeping bulk insert retrospective series, thr33s and Crouton break down the lessons learned by collectors big and small about life with inserts. This is that episode that really ties the room together. Even as a stand alone listen, this frank conversation about the project, where we are 10 Seasons deep and how we got here, makes for a really fascinating listen. You are not going to want to skip this one. Oh! and, add on some Fathers Day alpha.... this week is a BANGER!
01:34:5615/06/2024
Week 115 - Trash and Cubes/Judy. Mega Drop Mechanics Recap
For the 4th episode in the series Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Inserts, thr33s and Crouton let loose with some bit by bit breakdowns of two of the more complex Insert drops of the first three years. Speaking of three years, it's time to celebrate the THIRD ANNIVERSARY of DotPigeon #001's arrival in the Univ3rs3. A fun one!
01:28:2808/06/2024
Week 114 - My Life in Pink Part 1
An hour spent looking back at the first Val3ntin3s Pinks... Crouton and thr33s chop it up while explaining the Gen1 Pinks and all that went into the wildest 24hr period the Grotto ever saw.
01:00:4601/06/2024
Week 113 - Orange You Glad Raunomac Didn't Say Banana?
The evolution from Decorative Gourd Season to Oranges merits its own episode... so, Crouton and thr33s do just that. In depth and detailed, this is the second in a series of historical takes on bulk inserts.
01:17:1725/05/2024
Week 112 - Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Inserts. Pt 1
2024 is getting down to the nitty gritty as the Grotto preps for a busy summer and beyond. Continuing the historical tour of all the pieces that make up the thr33som3s Universe, Crouton and thr33s offer the first in a series of deep dives into Inserts and all that comes with them. This episode highlights the very first insert drops from Red and Blue Molotovs and Carbones up through the first Decorative Gourd Season and the birth of Orange Gourds. Bring a notebook and pen.
01:22:0818/05/2024
Week 111 - Season 8 and 9 Memory Lane - What a Wild First 6 Months!
Here's the bonkers breakdown of the Coders Season 8 Drop and the insane pace of those first 6 months. Toss in the mega changes to drop mechanics and timelines that we saw going into Season 9 and the Elephant Men, and you have one banger of a wrap on the seminal first 8 Seasons. And, Crouton and thr33s are giddy to talk about it. A fun one for the books.
54:1711/05/2024
Week 110 - A Look Back at Cat Moms and Cardinali and the Birth of 3v3nts.
The third episode in this historical memory lane series finds thr33s and Crouton exploring all the nuances of Cat Moms and Cardinali drops... but, more importantly, we get a sense of major mechanics (painting/Marlenes/Quads) and the introduction of 3v3nts... major evolutions of the project that seem commonplace today.
01:12:2606/05/2024
Week 109 - Why Series 4 Is Such a Turning Point. Another Look Back.
thr33s and crouton follow up the first in depth look back at the early series with this banger of an history lesson for Series 4 and 5, Exes and Subs. A great episode to learn those details that have escaped you about a time before most of you joined the project.
01:14:4927/04/2024
Week 108 - A Look Back at the First Weeks of the Project
In the first of a 4 part series, Crouton joins thr33s for a detailed explainer of the first two series, NFTs and Monsters and their accompanying insert drops. Each week, another pair of Series will be broken down as the Grotto prepares for Season 11.
01:34:5219/04/2024
Week 107 - Madn3ss Wrap
We say goodbye to the third iteration of Madn3ss and fete Crouton as the 2024 champion. A recap of the tournament's exciting final week sets up talk of the Grotto future, and that means Migration.
49:1413/04/2024
Week 106 - Two Interesting Narratives Heading into the Final Days of Madn3ss
thr33s checks in from the Dallas Art Fair and Crouton anxiously waits for word from Zach Edey's mom about her appearance on the pod. But, the main focus of this episode is Rattro on the cusp of gr3atn3ss. All the makings of a dyantasy decision classic play out in the final three games of the 2024 Grotto Madn3ss 3v3nt. Crouton adds some strategic appproaches to holding or burning s33ds for Coll3g3 Y3ars, and thr33s feels himself with another banger 3v3nt drop.
47:5505/04/2024
Week 105 - LFC, Live from Crouton's. Sw33t Sixt33n Breakdown
Kicking off Season 3... thr33s joins Crouton at his Lair for an in-person breakdown of the Sw33t Sixt33n and 3lit3 3ight rounds. Strategy going forward and a look at what happened with Rounds 1 and 2 make for a fun one.
01:05:5730/03/2024
Week 105 - LFC Live from Crouton's - Sw33t Sixt33n Breakdown
Kicking off Season 3... thr33s joins Crouton live and in person from Crouton's Lair. In depth discussion of the first two rounds, Coll3g3 Y3ars, and some strategy talk as this weekend plays out with Sw33t Sixt33n and 3lit3 3ight wrapping up. A fun one.
01:05:5730/03/2024
Week 104 - Madn3ss Mints and Busted Brack3ts
Crouton and thr33s talk more basketball --- move over JJ Reddick and Bill Simmons -- as it's all about Madn3ss and the new Mints. Reveal of the original paintings everyone is playing for in the 3rd installment of the fan favorite 3v3nt. Plus, some real talk on strategy for this Madn3ss and the ones to come.
55:3623/03/2024
Week 103 - "Wow, This Episode Is a Good One!"
Madn3ss is thr33s' favorite time of the year. And, seems like Crouton is coming around, too. On the cusp of S3l3ction Sunday, it's one last 80 min crash course in how to pull of your best Madn3ss effort. Teasers on the art... excitement for the breadth of the mechanic. This episode has it all.
01:20:3615/03/2024
Week 102 - Introduction to Dynasty Tiers for Madn3ss
Listen to Crouton and thr33s deep dive into how dynasties are built over time with repeat trips to the big dance. With added explanation of NIL and it's import to the Madn3ss mechanics, it's time to learn how Tiers will come into play for the 2024 third edition of everyone's favorite Grotto 3v3nt. Appletinis for everyone!
59:5408/03/2024
Week 101 - Here comes the Madn3ss
Hot off the newly minted bulk insert mechanic, thr33s and crouton have the first of three conversations about the approaching Grotto Madn3ss 3v3nt. thr33s speaks directly to the whys and hows of 2022 and 2023 Madn3ss 3v3nts. A must listen for those about to play in their first Madn3ss and an insightful chat for those lacing them up for the third time, you won't want to miss this light and fun primer for all the excitement ahead.
01:34:2802/03/2024
Week 100 - Feeling Minty
Another week of absolute thrills as the long awaited thr33som3s Bulk contract has arrived. Crouton and thr33s can't contain themselves as two different drop mechanics, Pie and SIlhouettes make their debuts. And, oh those mints!!!!
01:12:0024/02/2024
Week 99 - How to Play Your Pinks
What a week!!! Crouton and thr33s could have (should have) done a 4 hour episode, given how much was on the table this week. Part recap, part breakdown, all excitement as Silhouettes are here.. .ON THE NEW DEANO CODED CONTRACT!!!!! Dig in.
01:28:5917/02/2024
Week 98 - Pinks and Pigskins
Is it already Val3ntin3s Day? The Grotto gets set for a 3rd generation of Pink bulk inserts. As always, it matches up with the Sup3r Sunday Sp3ctacular. Crouton and thr33s work through the new drop mechanics and tell tales of yesteryear to get you set for the single most important insert drop of the season.
01:18:5509/02/2024
Week 97 - Out of Hiatus
With January coming to a close, the Grotto Rumbl3 in the books, and Soup3r Sunday just over a week away, thr33s and Crouton are ready for 2024 to kick into gear. A recap of the Rumbl3 is up first. Then, as much intel as you'll get ahead of the Sup3r Sunday Sp3ctacular. Plus, you'll catch up on Crouton's new life as a foster dad. And, you can imagine the Grotto's all-time best double date match-up, as Crouton's and thr33s' mothers work their way into the conversation.
55:0203/02/2024
Week 96 - I Was Born a Rumblin' Man
It's time. The 3v3nt that kicks off the 2024 Season for the thr33som3s project, the Grotto Rumbl3 is upon us. Crouton and thr33s break down the structure, the requirements, and the stakes in this fun-packed episode. Good luck to LA Gear and Wilfred Brimley as they compete in this year's 3v3nt.
36:5827/01/2024
Week 95 - thr33s Out of January Seclusion
In what's become a yearly happening, thr33s just spent 3 weeks in seclusion, painting and formulating the 2024 Grotto experience. Crouton catches up on all that thr33s has been producing during seclusion, and we end up with one of the more detailed talks on process that we've had in a while. It's an exciting time ahead of Migration, and this episode captures much of the fun that is just around the corner.
59:4822/01/2024
Week 94 - A 2024 Schedule
The guys take a look at 3v3nts as thr33s announces a schedule for 2024. What makes an 3v3nt? How is it different from the regular season? Another tutorial episode for a newer player, but full of alpha heading into the project's 4th year.
47:1513/01/2024
Week 93 - Why Do You Want So Many Base Cards, Crouton?
The first episode of the new year is a banger. With the perfect follow up to the last couple of weeks of primers, thr33s and Crouton guide us through the details of Base card collecting. How do these key paintings evolve into new variations and correlated series? Why is it that you probably aren't going to be set with just one? This is a terrific conversation between the creator of the universe and the most strategic mind in the game. Everyone, newly arrived or here since day 1 will benefit from a listen this week.
02:14:1606/01/2024
Week 92 - 2023 Year in Review. Breaking Down 600+ Mints
thr33s and Crouton run through a year's worth of thr33som3s mints and how they came to be. This episode is a great follow-up to episode 89 as it dives into all that's possible if you just use your bulk inserts and holders Utility as you should. --- plus, a little thr33smas alpha near the end and the announcement of the Angl3r of the Week.
01:48:2630/12/2023
Week 91 - Time for a New Primer
Along with an update on The F3ast of the S3v3n Fish3s, Crouton and thr33s decide to go back to basics ahead of the holiday weekend. A full two hours spent with a deep dive into Base vs Inserts and holder Utility vs Insert Utility. This is required listening for new collectors.
02:12:1324/12/2023
Week 90 - A New Paradigm for Mechanics
Crouton and thr33s break down the Hard Numbers on the Silhouettes Packs wheels and their results. And, the second half of the episode is spent with a celebration of the newest in what's been a paradigm shifting rush of new mechanics... The F3ast of the S3v3n Fish3s. Get ready for more mechanics reveals. It's getting to be an every week occurrence.
36:5315/12/2023
Week 89 - Miami, Silhouettes and New Mints
Crouton finds thr33s a bit under the Miami weather. But, they both manage to be enthusiastic of the Silhouette drop and the two surpise mints on tezos. Crouton's strategy breakdown for his Silhouette plays and some banter about the Low Effort Hobo and Path to the Future mints round out a tight little episode.
42:5509/12/2023
Week 86, 87, 88 - Silhouettes Have Arrived
Crouton and thr33s are back with a banger after a holiday/travel break. Learn all there is to know about the new Silhouettes Bulk Insert mechanics and the drop that kicks off the new era. This episode would be served nicely with a listen to last year's Week 32 episode to understand why and how all things began with Pie.
01:25:3602/12/2023