Like many of you, I grew up hearing statements like these after every typical family argument: “Family is family,” “She’s still your sister,” “He’s still your father,” or “Of course they love you.” But that’s not always true. Family dynamics shouldn’t be taken for granted, nor should love be assumed without recognition.
And you shouldn’t overlook someone’s mistakes without offering genuine forgiveness— understanding, processing, and accepting, not pretending nothing happened. Mike reminds us of a fundamental truth:
families aren’t perfect, and disagreements are a natural part of life. But love isn’t something you say— it’s something you do, like re-establishing connection with a warm hug after an argument.
In facing the daily challenges, the world throws at us, we shouldn’t be greedy nor should we believe we can change everything on our own. It’s not about grand gestures, but about starting small in our own homes with our loved ones. Before rushing to criticize others, ask yourself: Did I wish my mother a happy birthday? When was the last time I took my spouse to dinner? Am I spending enough time with my kids, or are they missing me? As Jordan Peterson says, “Clean up your room first, then try to change the world.” It’s a hard question to ask, and the answer might be uncomfortable. But if we focused on sorting out our own lives, we wouldn’t have the time to meddle in others’ affairs, judge, or get upset over trivial things.
Hearing stories from the early days of great artists is always inspiring. That evening, back in the early ’80s, Mike Mills and Peter Buck were walking down Broad Street in Lower Manhattan, having just signed their record deal with I.R.S. Records. After years of dreaming, they looked at each other and finally said out loud, “Maybe we can actually make a living from this.”
The arrival of The Lemon Twigs in the interview is the cherry on top. Two brothers— partners in crime in Long Island’s pop-rock scene—sitting in their mother’s car parked in Downtown Brooklyn with their Beatles vibe. Their smiles and stories light up the atmosphere, making it fun, cool, and electric.
