Topics covered include: the world of childhood, collaborators as playmates, blasting Remain in Light on loop, Mike’s innate desire to give everyone a hug, being allergic to bullshit, the Wim Wenders Easter eggs in C’mon C’mon, black and white movies as their own species, bingeing Hitchcock movies during the pandemic, David being a little dictator on the set of Stop Making Sense, putting ‘fringe’ into a different context, the pretentiousness of thinking that being a graphic designer would be radical, and finding new ways to enchant yourself, again and again.

Filmmaker and writer/director Mike Mills discusses the transformative power of his movie 'Come on, Come on' and the importance of loving things. They also analyze a scene from a movie about poop with philosophical undertones. The chapter concludes with a request for advice on jump-starting creativity and overcoming apathy.

R.E.M. was formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, bassist Mike Mills, guitarist Peter Buck, and drummer Bill Berry. They’ve won three Grammys, and have sold over 85 million records. In 1992, the band released their eighth album, Automatic for the People. In honor of the 25th anniversary of its release, in this episode, Michael Stipe and Mike Mills take apart the song, “Try Not to Breathe.” songexploder.net/rem

Pablo Larraín, acclaimed director known for his works like Jackie and Spencer, dives into his new film Maria with fellow director Mike Mills, recognized for his distinct cinematic touch. They explore Larraín's meticulous attention to architectural details and how these elements enhance storytelling. The duo discusses the rigorous preparation for portraying the iconic soprano Maria Callas and the balance between spontaneity and structure in filmmaking. Their conversation reveals the joys and challenges of directing while emphasizing the magic of collaborative creativity.

Mike Mills and Spike Jonze discuss the making of C'mon C'mon, the importance of performance and creating a playful atmosphere on set, the music in 'I'm Easy to Find', the themes of parenting and relationships, reflections on friendship and stress management, and their love for prank calls and stress-relief exercises on set.