- 1 hour 3 minutesEP395 | Corporate America Is Squeezing Us, What Happened to Control Over Our Lives (w/ Mike Pecci)
On this episode of In Love with the Process, Mike checks in.
No guests. No fluff. Just a real conversation about what it feels like to exist right now.
Times are tough. People are getting laid off. The cost of housing keeps climbing. Food prices are up. And it’s getting harder and harder not to feel like we’re all being squeezed.
This week, on a random Tuesday afternoon, a simple software issue spiraled into something much bigger. What should have been a quick fix turned into Mike having to dip into his savings just to keep the podcast alive, literally the day before release.
That moment sparked a bigger question.
How did we get here?
In a subscription-based world, where companies can change pricing overnight, it starts to feel like survival itself comes with a monthly fee. Like the system is designed to tighten its grip every quarter.
Mike opens up about the pressure of keeping a creative project alive, the unpredictability of expenses, and the growing feeling that control over our own lives is slipping away.
Is the American Dream still real?
Or are we just trying to keep up?
This is an honest, unfiltered check-in for anyone feeling the weight right now.
Music: Betamaxx
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28 April 2026, 10:00 am - 2 hours 4 minutesEP394 | From Steel to Blade, How Chef’s Knives Are Made ( w/ Justin Miller)
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.
Music: Betamaxx & Code Elektro
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21 April 2026, 8:02 pm - 1 hour 45 minutesEP393 | This Is the Closest I’ve Ever Been to Making a Hollywood Film (w Mike Pecci)
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.
Music: Mitch Murder & Code Elektro
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14 April 2026, 7:34 pm - 1 hour 36 minutesEP392 | Inside the Twisted World of Mu Pan (w/ Mu Pan)
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.
Music: Betamaxx & Code Elektro
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7 April 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 31 minutesEP391 | How ROMES Built 1.5M Streams Independently (Without a Label)
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
Music: Romes & Code Elektro
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31 March 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 18 minutesEP390 | Owning Movie History, Inside the World of Propstore Auctions (w/ Chuck Costas)
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.
Music: Mitch Murder
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23 March 2026, 4:16 pm - 48 minutes 18 secondsILWP Thurday Catch-up | The Sunday Roast Episode
In this Thursday catchup episode of In Love with the Process, filmmaker Mike Pecci continues unpacking his recent trip to London and the unexpected things that ended up inspiring him along the way.
First up, Mike gets completely nerdy about one of Britain’s greatest culinary traditions, the Sunday Roast. What started as a casual meal quickly turned into a full blown obsession. Mike breaks down what makes a proper roast work, the importance of the Yorkshire pudding, why the potatoes might be the real star of the plate, and why this simple tradition says a lot about culture, community, and slowing down for a meal.
Then the conversation takes a strange but fascinating turn into something Mike deals with daily, what it is actually like to live with a deathly food allergy. Not the casual “I avoid gluten” kind. The real kind where one wrong bite can send you to the hospital. Mike talks about how it affects travel, restaurants, and social situations, and why most people truly have no idea what that level of caution feels like.
Along the way he shares more stories from London, wandering the city, creative inspiration, and why stepping outside your routine always shakes loose new ideas.
This is one of those classic hangout episodes where Mike just talks life, food, travel, filmmaking, and the strange things that make us who we are.
Welcome back to the Genuine Human Experience.
Music: Mitch Murder
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19 March 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 23 minutesEP389 | London, Samurai Armor, and a Damn Good Suit (w/ Mike Pecci)
In this solo episode of In Love with the Process, filmmaker Mike Pecci records straight from London while traveling with photographer Gina Gizella Manning on a shoot photographing Carey Mulligan. What starts as a work trip quickly turns into one of those rare creative days that reminds you why you fell in love with storytelling in the first place.
Mike talks about stepping inside one of the most legendary museums in the world and getting face to face with authentic Samurai armor while researching his upcoming film. Seeing the craftsmanship, the brutal practicality, and the artistry up close sparks a conversation about how real objects and real history influence the way we design worlds on screen.
But the trip is not all film nerding out.
After years of saying he would do it, Mike finally pulls the trigger and buys a proper British suit in London. Not just a suit, but a piece of clothing that feels like stepping into a new version of yourself. He talks about the strange psychology of wardrobe, confidence, and why filmmakers often underestimate how much identity and presentation matter in this industry.
Along the way Mike also shares stories from wandering London, and how stepping outside your routine can reignite inspiration.
This episode is about creative fuel.
Travel. Craft. History. Style.
And why sometimes the best thing you can do for your art is simply go experience the world.
Welcome back to the Genuine Human Experience.
Music: Mitch Murder
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17 March 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 44 secondsEP387 | How the Oscars Really Work (w/ Mike Pecci)
On this special Oscars episode of In Love with the Process, host Mike Pecci breaks down the awards walking through his favorite picks in the major categories, not just who he thinks will win, but who actually moved him as a filmmaker and storyteller. Along the way, he highlights films and performances that were completely ignored by the Academy and absolutely should not have been.
He also pulls back the curtain on how the Oscars actually work, who votes, how campaigning really happens, and why the awards often feel disconnected from what audiences and artists are responding to. This episode is part celebration, part frustration, and part film school, all rolled into one.
If you’ve ever yelled at your TV during the nominations, wondered how certain films got snubbed, or just want thoughtful recommendations for movies that flew under the radar this year, this episode is for you.
No red carpets. No politics. Just movies, craft, and context.
Music: Mitch Murder
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10 March 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 49 minutesEmily Fleming Made Her Own Luck | Ep 008 | Right Place Right Time
On this episode of Right Place Right Time, Mike Pecci sits down with actress comedian and jewelry maker Emily Fleming (Good Mythical Morning, Free with AD's Podcast) for a conversation that feels like hanging out with two old friends.
Emily talks about how being in the right place at the right time led to her landing a role on Good Mythical Morning and how her start in stand up comedy quietly positioned her for bigger opportunities in acting. What looked like luck from the outside was really preparation meeting timing.
The conversation moves from career pivots to dating stories in Los Angeles, and Emily opens up about what it is like being single in a city built on image. She shares how she is focused on building confidence and happiness within herself first and why being alone does not mean being lonely.
They dive into horror movies, Power Rangers nostalgia, sweater puppies, and Emily’s deep love of synth wave music.
If you are chasing creative work, navigating relationships, or trying to find your footing in Los Angeles, this episode hits home.
Find yourself in the Right Place and Right Time.
At 5PM PST watch the full episode on YouTube at @inlovewiththeprocess and visit inlovewiththeprocess.com for more episodes and stories.
👉 More podcasts at inlovewiththeprocess.com
Mike Pecci
https://www.mikepecci.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mikepecci/
Lance A. Williams
https://www.instagram.com/golancego
Theme song by: https://www.instagram.com/big_black_delta/
Show produced directed by Mike Pecci & ILWP Podcasts
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5 March 2026, 11:00 pm - 1 hour 43 minutesEP388 | DO MOVIES HIT HARDER ON FILM? (w/ Michael Ralla)
In this special episode of In Love with the Process, filmmaker Mike Pecci is joined by Academy Award–nominated VFX Supervisor Michael Ralla, whose work on Sinners helped shape one of the most visually and emotionally striking films in recent memory.
The two go deep into how Sinners was actually made, breaking down the collaboration between the VFX department and director Ryan Coogler, and how Coogler’s clarity, trust, and creative leadership inspired the entire team. Michael demystifies what a VFX supervisor really does, how visual effects serve story rather than spectacle, and how restraint can often be more powerful than excess.
As always on this show, music finds its way into the conversation. Michael’s background as a drummer plays a surprising role in how he approaches rhythm, pacing, and visual flow in his work. And yes, there’s an incredible moment you won’t believe, involving who played drums on the film’s score and their unexpected connection to Metallica.
But the most fascinating part of the episode is a bold new theory that could change how we think about cinema entirely. Mike and Michael explore the idea that films projected on actual film may hold an audience’s attention longer and more deeply than digital projection, digging into the psychology, texture, and subconscious impact of the medium itself.
Is it true? And if it is, could it reshape how movies are shown in theaters going forward?
This episode is a must-listen for filmmakers, cinematographers, VFX artists, musicians, and anyone obsessed with how movies really work.
Music: Big Black Delta, Code Elektro
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