In Love with the Process Podcast

On this episode of In Love with the Process, Mike dives into one of his biggest obsessions outside of filmmaking, cooking.
We all hear it, “get a good chef’s knife.” But what does that actually mean? What goes into making one? And why does it completely change the way you cook?

Mike sits down with Justin Miller, a self-taught bladesmith and the owner of Running Man Forge, to break down the art and craft of knife making from the ground up.
They get into the process of forging steel, what separates a great knife from a bad one, and why your tools in the kitchen are just as important as your ingredients. Justin also shares how he built his business from scratch, how he found the money to start, and how social media helped him connect with customers… until the algorithm changed everything.

And because it’s In Love with the Process, the conversation takes some unexpected turns, mythology, UFO sightings, and the strange overlap between craft, obsession, and belief.

This episode is a perfect mix of practical knowledge and wild storytelling.
If you care about cooking, filmmaking, or the process behind anything made with intention, this one’s for you.

► Running Man IG
► Mike's IG
► ILWP's IG

Music: Betamaxx & Code Elektro

——SPONSORS——

► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10
► Puget Systems
► Blackmagic Design

Inlovewiththeprocess.com
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On this special catch-up episode of In Love with the Process, Mike pulls back the curtain on something deeply personal, the making of his upcoming film.
For the first time, Mike breaks down the real process he and his writing partner Will Simmons used to bring this story to life. From early conversations to building treatments, to the detailed director’s prep that turns ideas into something you can actually see and feel.
This isn’t theory. This is the work.

Mike dives into how he approaches storyboarding, how he visualizes a film before a camera ever rolls, and the skills he’s developed over decades to translate emotion into images.

But this episode goes deeper than process.
Mike takes a moment to reflect on the fact that he’s never been this close to making a film at this level. He looks back on the last 25 years, the people, the risks, the failures, and the lessons that all led to this moment.

It’s honest. It’s raw. It’s the kind of episode that reminds you why you started.
If you’re a filmmaker, or just someone chasing something big, this one hits.

► Mu Pan IG
► Mike's IG
► ILWP's IG

Music: Mitch Murder & Code Elektro

——SPONSORS——

► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10
► Puget Systems
► Blackmagic Design

Inlovewiththeprocess.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode of In Love with the Process, Mike dives into the surreal, violent, and wildly imaginative world of artist and illustrator Mu Pan.
Known for his massive, Boschian battle scenes filled with hybrid human and bestial figures, Mu Pan creates work that feels like a lost myth, somewhere between ancient history and a fever dream. His art pulls from Japanese manga, traditional Chinese scroll painting, American history, and Hong Kong cinema, blending them into something completely unique and deeply personal.

His work has been exhibited internationally, including a major retrospective at Espacio Solo in Madrid, and even appeared in the award-winning horror film Midsommar.
Mike first discovered Mu Pan through his book American Fried Rice, a collection that feels like a twisted children’s storybook, equal parts playful and disturbing, and it completely blew his mind.

In this episode, the two go deep into:
Why art school can sometimes kill creativity
How your true artistic voice is often formed in childhood
The long journey of losing that voice and fighting to get it back
The importance of constantly challenging yourself as an artist
The influence of manga, monster movies, and cultural storytelling on Mu Pan’s work
Why embracing the strange and uncomfortable leads to more honest art

Mu Pan also discusses his sculptural work, “OrigaMu,” and how building physical versions of his characters expands his creative world beyond the page.
This is a conversation about art in its purest form, messy, violent, playful, and deeply human.
If you’re a filmmaker, illustrator, or creative struggling to reconnect with your voice, this episode is for you.

► Mu Pan IG
► Mike's IG
► ILWP's IG

Music: Betamaxx & Code Elektro

——SPONSORS——

► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10
► Puget Systems
► Blackmagic Design

Inlovewiththeprocess.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode of In Love with the Process, Mike sits down with Canadian brother duo ROMES, a band that’s been quietly building something explosive… and now it’s breaking through.

Their debut album SONIC TRASH is out now, already surpassing 1.5 million streams completely independently. No label, no machine, just strategy, consistency, and a deep understanding of how to move in today’s music landscape.
But this didn’t happen overnight.

ROMES have stacked an impressive resume behind the scenes, landing sync placements across TV, gaming, and major sports campaigns, touring with bands like The Strokes, and even collaborating with Mark Foster (Foster the People), all while staying independent.

In this episode, Mike and the guys go deep into:
What it actually takes to build momentum as an independent artist
The real strategy behind successful social media campaigns
Why generative AI music is flooding platforms and devaluing streams
The difference between touring in the US vs Europe
How to create work that cuts through the noise in an oversaturated market

This is an episode for musicians, filmmakers, and anyone trying to build something real in a world chasing numbers.
If you care about craft, independence, and the long game, this one hits.

► ROMES
► Mike's IG
► ILWP's IG

Music: Romes & Code Elektro

——SPONSORS——

► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10
► Puget Systems
► Blackmagic Design

Inlovewiththeprocess.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of In Love with the Process, Mike sits down with Chuck Costas, VP of Business Development at Propstore, to dive deep into the wild world of film memorabilia, comic art collecting, and the emotional power of owning a piece of cinematic history.

Chuck has been collecting since the mid-1980s, curating major exhibits and hosting collector events across the country. Now he’s helping bring some of the most iconic pieces of art and film history to auction, including one of the biggest headliners:
A Frank Frazetta original painting, the “Captive Princess” cover art from The People That Time Forgot, estimated between $500,000 and $1,000,000.
Mike and Chuck break down what makes a piece like this so valuable, not just in dollars, but in legacy.

They also get into:
Why seeing real film props changes how you experience movies
The psychology behind collecting and bidding
What separates a casual fan from a serious collector
How collections are curated, preserved, and elevated into exhibits
Why physical artifacts still matter in a digital world

This is an episode for filmmakers, collectors, and anyone who’s ever wanted to hold a piece of movie history in their hands.

► Propstore
► Mike's IG
► ILWP's IG

Music: Mitch Murder

——SPONSORS——

► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10
► Puget Systems
► Blackmagic Design

Inlovewiththeprocess.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.