Kyle MacLachlan daydreams about the future

Summary

Wild Card with Rachel Martin: Kyle MacLachlan Daydreams About the Future

Episode Overview In this compelling episode of Wild Card with Rachel Martin, host Rachel Martin engages in a deep and introspective conversation with acclaimed actor Kyle MacLachlan. Breaking away from traditional interview formats, the episode leverages a unique deck of conversation-controlling cards, prompting Kyle to explore uncharted personal territories. Released on June 19, 2025, this episode delves into Kyle’s personal experiences, fears, parenting philosophies, and his contemplations about the future and the universe.

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1. Managing Envy

Timestamp: [00:16 - 16:03]

The conversation kicks off with Rachel posing a challenging question: "How do you manage envy?" [00:16] Kyle candidly admits that envy is a tough emotion for him, though he claims to rarely feel it. At [00:28], he shares a personal anecdote about his early days in the acting industry. Reflecting on his time working on Dune, Kyle reveals, "I remember I've been cast in Dune as a lead role in a huge movie. And I meet Sting. I wanted that guy's life." [00:28]

Rachel anticipates his response, showcasing the chemistry and understanding between the host and guest. As the conversation unfolds, Kyle elaborates on his feelings of envy, particularly towards Sting’s lifestyle, highlighting the human desire for success and the allure of different life paths.

Notable Quote:

"I wanted that guy's life... He was going on tour. He got to travel the world in a band and, like, play music and just be cool." – Kyle MacLachlan [00:28]

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2. Childhood Memories and Sense of Freedom

Timestamp: [02:13 - 06:40]

Rachel navigates into Kyle’s childhood experiences, asking about activities that provided him with a sense of freedom. Kyle reminisces about his cherished gold Stingray bike with a banana seat, a symbol of his early independence. [02:38] He describes the serene nights in Eastern Washington, the rhythmic sounds of rainbird sprinklers, and the simple joy of riding his bike under the dusky night sky. This vivid portrayal underscores the universal love for childhood adventures and the profound sense of freedom they bring.

Notable Quote:

"Just riding in that air, you know, the sound of a rain bird sprinkler at night... That would be my real sense of freedom." – Kyle MacLachlan [03:14]

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3. Appreciation for Hometown: Yakima

Timestamp: [04:04 - 08:09]

Transitioning to his roots, Rachel prompts Kyle to reflect on what he has come to appreciate about his hometown, Yakima, over time. Kyle paints a nostalgic picture of Yakima as a safe and beautiful place to grow up, rich with orchards and nature. [05:00] He fondly recalls his father’s dedication to gardening and the memories of exploring the outdoors with friends. Despite changes in Yakima, Kyle emphasizes the enduring impact of his upbringing on his sense of self and values.

Notable Quote:

"Growing up in nature, like, you could kind of drift out a little further than maybe you were supposed to, but you always knew you could come back home." – Kyle MacLachlan [05:00]

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4. Daydreaming About the Future

Timestamp: [06:44 - 09:43]

One of the most intriguing segments explores Kyle’s tendency to daydream about the future rather than the past. [07:00] He expresses a forward-looking mindset, influenced by his role as a parent. Reflecting on his son Callum, Kyle discusses how watching his child grow has deepened his contemplation of the future and the legacy he wishes to leave behind.

Notable Quote:

"I daydream of the future. What's coming, what I'm gonna do next, what's gonna happen?" – Kyle MacLachlan [07:00]

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5. Parenting Insights

Timestamp: [11:12 - 13:24]

Rachel delves into Kyle’s parenting philosophy, specifically the challenges of modeling resilience and assurance for his children. Kyle shares his anxiety about ensuring his son will be okay, balancing his own fears with the need to let his child navigate life’s challenges independently. He highlights the importance of partnership in parenting, praising his wife’s ability to provide perspective and support. [12:00]

Notable Quote:

"There's a wisdom that I... I don't like. My wife is really good at this. She can say something and kind of put it in perspective." – Kyle MacLachlan [12:00]

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6. Addressing Fear in Life

Timestamp: [16:12 - 18:44]

Rachel introduces a round focused on fear, challenging Kyle to discuss its role in his life. Initially hesitant, Kyle eventually opens up about his childhood fears of vulnerability and bullying, which he overcame through finding confidence on stage. [17:03] As an adult, his fears have evolved, centering around the well-being of his loved ones and the concept of death. This candid exchange highlights the universal nature of fear and the personal growth that accompanies overcoming it.

Notable Quote:

"Fear is the mind killer." – Kyle MacLachlan [16:21]

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7. Beliefs About the Universe

Timestamp: [20:16 - 21:56]

In a thought-provoking segment, Rachel asks Kyle about his beliefs concerning the infinite universe. Kyle expresses awe and excitement rather than fear, captivated by the vastness and the incomprehensible nature of the cosmos. [20:43] He shares a recent experience viewing a night sky image from Mars, reinforcing his sense of wonder and connectedness to the universe. This perspective fosters a sense of humility and collective responsibility among humanity.

Notable Quote:

"We really are in this together. I mean, that's the thing, you know. There has to be a coming together of some kind. So I'm hopeful for that." – Kyle MacLachlan [21:30]

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8. Reflections on Death and the Afterlife

Timestamp: [22:01 - 26:07]

Rachel steers the conversation towards mortality, asking Kyle how often he thinks about death. Initially presenting it as a lighthearted prompt, Kyle delves into his introspections on mortality and the afterlife. He shares personal experiences of feeling his late mother’s presence through recurring number patterns and the comforting notion of an afterlife journey. [22:19] This segment underscores the human quest for meaning beyond death and the ways in which personal loss shapes our beliefs.

Notable Quote:

"I'm going to try to embrace that. I don't know if I'll get there with that idea. I know, but I sort of like the idea of the idea, if you know what I mean." – Kyle MacLachlan [22:39]

---

9. Memory Time Machine: Cherished Moments

Timestamp: [28:31 - 30:49]

Concluding the episode with the "Memory Time Machine" segment, Rachel invites Kyle to choose a moment from his past he wishes to linger in. Kyle selects the birth of his son, Callum, sharing a heartfelt memory of waking up to his son's morning serenade. He vividly describes the serene moments they spent together, highlighting the profound joy and love that parenthood has brought into his life. [28:50]

Notable Quote:

"He was just this new little thing, right? And I look at, he's six, four now. I mean, it's like... But I love the idea." – Kyle MacLachlan [28:50]

---

10. Closing Thoughts

Timestamp: [30:49 - End]

As the episode draws to a close, Rachel previews upcoming episodes, including a special bonus featuring Kyle reflecting on his friendship with the late David Lynch and an upcoming interview with former First Lady Michelle Obama. The episode wraps up with production credits and a heartfelt thank you from Rachel, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating future conversations.

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Conclusion This episode of Wild Card masterfully blends personal storytelling with profound introspection, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into Kyle MacLachlan's life and philosophies. Through a series of thoughtfully selected questions, Kyle navigates topics ranging from childhood freedom and hometown pride to fears, parenting, and existential musings. Rachel Martin’s adept hosting ensures a natural and engaging flow, making this episode a standout in the Top 10 New York Times podcasts of 2024.

Stay Connected: For more insights and episodes, subscribe to Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard.

Transcript

[Discover]

This message comes from Discover, accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. If you don't think so, maybe it's time to face facts. You're stuck in the past. Based on the February 2024 Nielsen report. [e-mail] credit card.

[Rachel Martin]

How do you manage envy?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

How do I manage envy? Oh, this is a tough one for me. I'm rarely envious.

[Rachel Martin]

Oh, I knew you were going to say that. There was something about you.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I could tell. But I. I remember I've been cast in Dune as a lead role in a huge movie. And I meet Sting. I wanted that guy's life.

[Rachel Martin]

I'm Rachel Martin, and this is Wild Card, the game where cards control the conversation. Each week, my guest answers questions about their life, questions pulled from a deck of cards. They're allowed to skip one question and to flip one question back on me. My guest this week is Kyle McLaughlin.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

And I fortunately found something that I was good at and that was being on stage.

[Rachel Martin]

There are some performers who transcend the cultural era that made them famous. It's like they exist out of time, always able to find a toehold into the current zeitgeist that is Kyle MacLachlan. His first big role came in 1984 in the original Dune film directed by David Lynch. Lynch then took Kyle under his wing and cast him in the cult classic Blue Velvet. Eventually, he cast him as Agent Dale Cooper in the show Twin Peaks. That would have been a good run for any actor. But then Kyle did a complete 180 and became Trey McDougal in Sex and the City. And he kept reinventing himself, popping up in Portlandia and Fallout and his most recent show, Overcompensating. Plus, he has a massive following on Instagram and TikTok. Kyle MacLachlan is everywhere, but I got to meet up with him in Seattle, Washington, for a live taping of our show put on by NPR member station kuow. Kyle is from Yakima, Washington. I went to college outside of Seattle, so there was much to say and a good time was had by all. All right, here we go. First three cards.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

First three cards. Okay, so I pick a card.

[Rachel Martin]

You pick one.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Any card.

[Rachel Martin]

One, two, or three.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Let's start with three.

[Rachel Martin]

Three.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Skip.

[Rachel Martin]

No.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I'm not worried.

[Rachel Martin]

I see how this is gonna go down.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

McLaughlin, I'm ready.

[Rachel Martin]

I see you. Okay. This is so easy. What activity gave you a sense of freedom as a child?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Hmm. Well, yeah. Well, yeah. I mean, I had one of the coolest bikes when I was a little kid.

[Rachel Martin]

Tell me about it.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah, it was.

[Rachel Martin]

It's here for bikes.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Gold. It was a gold stingray with a banana seat. Yeah. And it was like. Well, as a kid, that's your freedom right there.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

And especially like when you. When you were writing it, kind of dusky night something. Because it's beautiful in eastern Washington because at night it cools down. But just riding in that air, you know, the sound of a rain bird sprinkler at night, you know, it's just like, whoa, I'm right back there. And so that. That would be my.

[Rachel Martin]

That's a good one.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

A real sense of freedom. Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah. There's not to be like back in my day, but. Yeah. Not having a phone or a device.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

You're like, how old are you, for God's sake? 51. Okay, thank you. Okay, I still got you beat by a lot. Okay, I'm on a roll.

[Rachel Martin]

Okay, next three cards.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Oh, next three cards. Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

One, two or three?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

So these are not the original three new cards. Three new.

[Rachel Martin]

Three new cards. Anything could happen. I don't know. It's going to get crazy.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay, two, two. A little nervous.

[Rachel Martin]

What have you learned to appreciate about your hometown over time?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Oh, my God. My hometown of Yakima.

[Rachel Martin]

This gets to be your love letter to Yakima, Kyle.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Oh, boy. Here we go. How much time do we have?

[Rachel Martin]

I mean.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay. You know, it was a really. A beautiful place to grow up, which of course you're not aware of when you're growing up. But looking back, it was all those things people talk about, you know, it was safe. We would be out until nightfall. My dad would whistle from the front porch. He had a very distinct whistle, which is so annoying, but was what we had to respond to. We'd come home. It was, you know, it was growing up in nature, like, you could kind of drift out a little further than maybe you were supposed to, but you always knew you could come back home, you know, so there was a little bit of. It's not danger, but it was like kind of like exploration.

[Rachel Martin]

There were orchards there, right?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah, our. Where we lived was an orchard that they. They cut down the orchard, but. But they left a couple of trees which were in our backyard. And my dad, you know, he was like, he's already hard to take care of these trees. And then he planted more trees. He wanted more. So he was always, you know, he's gardening and growing. He really, really loved. He loved taking care of things.

[Rachel Martin]

Do you still go back there?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I go last time. You back there? I'll Drive by. Yeah, I'll drive past the old house.

[Rachel Martin]

If you. When you stop, I mean, I imagine you get, like, swarmed or whatever happens in yak. Probably not swarming.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

There's no bees in y. No swarming. No, no, no, no. I just go. Go through. Nobody knows. Nobody knows. And it hasn't. You know, it's changed. When I go back and I go through, it's changed. But I go back for the memories. You know what I mean? It's like I don't see the new stuff. I see the things that I remember. I don't know. There's a strange. You know, what happened. A strange thing. As you get older, you know, you go back and you start revisiting and you realize your life has, you know, gone through and had crazy amazing experiences and stuff. But you go, no, I'm still kind of that little kid that grew up in Yakima having fun with my friends. Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

Okay, last one in this round. One, two or three.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay, I'm gonna go to number one one.

[Rachel Martin]

Okay. What period of your life do you often daydream about?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

You know, I don't really. Daydream of the old. I. I think.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah. No, it doesn't have to.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah. I think of the future.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I daydream of the future.

[Rachel Martin]

You daydream about the future?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah. Yeah. What's coming, what I'm gonna do next, what's gonna happen?

[Rachel Martin]

Is that what preoccupies? You're wandering when you're letting your mind.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah, yeah. And also, I think because I have a son now, so part of that is also. So, yeah, I lie a little bit. So I do go back because of watching him grow, and I'm remembering what it was like when I was that age and what we went through and what it's like for him now, what his experiences are, what he's learning.

[Rachel Martin]

He's. He's about to leave the nest.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah. He's a junior, and these are. We have only one, and I'm very blessed to have one. And he's a great kid, and he's on a journey, and I see him. I see the. I see the struggle, and I see the kind of bravura, you know, of that. And at the same time, which kids do you know, because they don't want the parents to really, like, know that they're actually, you know, help. So I know that I'm like, okay, so we have, you know, conversations. But he's so. So much further than I was at that age. Oh, God.

[Rachel Martin]

What do you mean?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Well, he's just so much more mature and, and he's. What he's going through and his, his awareness of the world is greater. I was very. I came from a pretty sheltered environment and. Which is fine. It was great. That was, it was a nice way to grow up. But I see him. The awareness is there. And yet at the same time, I, you know, I see the. I see how he, you know, they need to like, turn the brain off sometimes and be kids again, you know, And I see him. He's still drawn to some of the stuff that he loved when he was younger, you know, as a way to just. It's a soothing, you know, in the midst of, you know, what's coming at him right now. Yeah, but I want to.

[Rachel Martin]

I'm going to.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I don't know where we got off on that. There we were. We found ourselves down the road.

[Rachel Martin]

You daydream about the future. Where does your mind land? What does that mean?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I mean, you know, you think about things you want to do. Really? Like, I'd like to live in Europe for. For a short period of time. You're just.

[Rachel Martin]

You're just a planner.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Well, I'm just dreaming about what that might be like. Maybe I am a planner. You might be right. Maybe I'm more of a planner. Yeah. Yeah. But I still think I can play volleyball on the beach. I can't.

[Rachel Martin]

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[N/A]

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[Rachel Martin]

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[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay, I'll start from the other side. Now I'm going to go to one.

[Rachel Martin]

Okay. One right here. What do you find most difficult to model for the children in your life?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Hmm. I think the idea that he's going to be okay. Things are going to be fine.

[Rachel Martin]

Right.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Because as a parent, you become very anxious. You can become very anxious because you know what's coming. And so there's a. You have to have patience. I'm pretty good with patience, but there's also a wisdom that I. Sometimes I just. I don't like. My wife is really good at this. She. She can say something and kind of put it in perspective, and he gets it. And it's like, oh, okay, thank you. And I'm kind of like, yeah, what she said. Perfect. So it's a little bit of that, which is good, because it's nice to have a partner in this because you obviously have. We have different strengths, but I thought.

[Rachel Martin]

I think what you said is really insight, because as parents, we do. We have the long view of the things that happen and the heartbreaks that happen.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

It's like, we have to. We've got our, like, parenting wisdom, but you can't, like, throw it all in their face.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Not all at once. Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

It has to be, like, deployed as. As appropriate when they get to that certain mountain.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

And I will. I have a hard time with that. I just want to. Let me just tell you all the bad things that are going to happen. Let's just prepare now.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

It's like hiding the medicine in some sugars. Like, you're gonna get. Lord, this is good. But at the same time, you're like, no, no, no. They have to. They have to figure it out. That's where I'm better than my wife is. She's like, she'll take that right away. I'll take that paint. I'm like, no, no, no, no, no. You gotta let them. They gotta go through stuff.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

You know, and then what? You can. Then you just sort of say, here, let me just give you, like, a little signpost.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah, a signpost.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

And just say, okay. You know, give them, like. You know, just like, get over here. You watch. Do they adjust? Okay? Yeah. Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

It's so funny.

[Rachel Martin]

I'd listen to your parenting podcast.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I'm thinking of doing a podcast.

[Rachel Martin]

You know, I think you'd be great.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I think we'd have fun.

[Rachel Martin]

You would have fun.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

We'd have treats. Sure. Gotta have treats. Why not coffee? Absolutely.

[Rachel Martin]

Three new cards.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

One, two or three?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I don't even know what number I'm at. Let's go two again.

[Rachel Martin]

How do you manage Envy?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

How do I manage Envy? Oh, this is a tough one for me. I'm rarely envious.

[Rachel Martin]

Oh, I knew you were gonna say that. There's something about you. I could tell. Really?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

But, yes. I just try to be a good person. I try to be generous. I try. I am. That's what I do. I just, you know, I said, good for you. It's sort of a gratitude sort of thing. I mean, I started.

[Rachel Martin]

Are you that perfect? No, no, no.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I don't say. I don't say it succeeds, but that's where I try to come from, you know? I remember I've been cast in Dune, right? I'm working. I'm in Mexico City. It's a lead role in a huge movie out of school. And I'm like. And I meet Sting, who's also in the movie. I wanted that guy's life, and I had a pretty darn good life going. And I was like, damn, he's going on tour. He was going on the Synchronicity Tour. He got to travel the world in a band and, like, play music and just be cool.

[Rachel Martin]

You were envious of Sting?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah, I was. Yeah. Then my wife told me she went to see the movie. Not because of me, because of Sting. I mean.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I still tease her to this day. She had no idea who I was. But Sting, I mean, it was Sting. I'll never be cool.

[Rachel Martin]

Sting, out of the goodness of your heart. You were pleased for Sting and his many successes?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I was sort of pleased for Sting, yeah. No, he's a. He's. He's a. He's a great guy. We. We had fun together. Yeah. He's. He's a good person. Good person.

[Rachel Martin]

I mean, he did do this one album. It was kind of like on a mandolin. I don't think it was that good.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Oh, okay. That makes me feel a lot more.

[Rachel Martin]

He's not perfect.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Thank you.

[Rachel Martin]

Take that stink.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay, that's my admittance.

[Rachel Martin]

One.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Deep, dark secret.

[Rachel Martin]

Three.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay, three.

[Rachel Martin]

How big of a role does fear have in your life?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Oh, it's pretty big, is it? Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

Are you being serious?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

Oh, my God. I totally thought you were going to be like, I'm not afraid.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I'm not afraid. Fear is the mind killer. Fear. What? I had to. She made me. You can't set me up like that and not know I'm gonna Spike it every time. That's from Dune.

[Rachel Martin]

I know.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay, okay, okay.

[Rachel Martin]

Sorry. Unless Sting said it. I don't know. I don't know.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I hate you. I hate you.

[Rachel Martin]

But now I'm plumbing deeper into here. But really, no, I was a fearful kid. Were you? Of what?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah, you know, just kind of everything. Honestly. Yeah, I was. I was very shy as a kid, and I was very. I felt very vulnerable. And there were kids in my neighborhood and kids at school, kind of bully kids, and I was like. I was really scared and I was just.

[Rachel Martin]

I mean, did anything actually happen or was it.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

No, no. I mean. I mean, no. Just. Just inside the potential. Yeah, I. In, like, in high school, you sort of transition through things. You do things to counter the things that you're like that you don't like. So that said. Okay, and you're now going to be the comedian and try to make people laugh and you're gonna. And I fortunately found something that I was good at and that was being on stage. But it allowed me to have something that gave me a little more confidence, a little more courage.

[Rachel Martin]

What are you fearful about now?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Death. It's all. I mean, not really. No. See, that's me trying to be fun.

[Rachel Martin]

That's the next round.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

No, it is. That's. That's the lightning round. You know, I think it's. It's harm coming to people that I care about. That's something that I. That I worry about or fearful about.

[N/A]

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[Rachel Martin]

Beliefs. Last round.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Beliefs.

[Rachel Martin]

Everyone's tapping.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

Okay. Cards are red.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

It's a warm red. I think it's inviting.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

It is. It's kind of an orangey red, actually.

[Rachel Martin]

One, two or three?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

We're going to go in the middle. We're going to go two. I'm going to go two.

[Rachel Martin]

Does the idea of an infinite universe excite or scare you?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Oh, I love it. You love it so much. I do. I do. It's. It's because it's just not. There's no way to comprehend it. There's no way to. To. It's just going. You know what I mean?

[Rachel Martin]

It's very unsettling for some people.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah. Yeah. I like it. You like it? I like it. I saw. What did I see recently? A picture from Mars. And it was a picture of the night sky and it was unbelievable. Like there are more stars than there were. Than there were darkness of night. And you realize, whoa, whoa, whoa. This is a big place. I love it.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah. It's cool, right?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah, I like it too. It makes me happy.

[Rachel Martin]

It's like the thing that puts all the other stuff into perspective.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah. Yeah. And at the same time, it really makes you go, we better keep it together because we are one little teeny, tiny piece of that. We really are in this together. I mean, that's the thing, you know. There has to be a coming together of some kind. So I'm hopeful for that.

[Rachel Martin]

Three more. One, two or three?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Three.

[Rachel Martin]

Three.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yep.

[Rachel Martin]

Big number is just the mamba jamba. How often do you think about death? I told you, I am a good time at parties.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Not that often, but when I do, it can be kind of crushing because I don't really know what to make of it. I know it stops well, but I'm sort of hopeful that it sort of. There's other things that continue on. And then I'm like, well, who will never know?

[Rachel Martin]

We don't know.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I don't know.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

And some people talk about, which I. I'm trying to sort of absorb the idea that I'm about to embark on another journey. And I'm actually looking forward to what that experience is going to be because never had that experience. So I'm going to try to embrace that. I don't know if I'll get there with that idea. I know, but I sort of like the idea of the idea, if you know what I mean.

[Rachel Martin]

I know. So how have you, from a parenting point of view, but does your kid. Did you remember him asking you about what happens when you die?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

No, Callum is. You know, I'm we. And we're pretty honest. We would say we just, you know, we don't know.

[Rachel Martin]

Right. I know.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

And for me, no, no, there's no sugar coating or anything. She's like, this is what it is. We don't know. But we're, you know, we're going to find out and then I'll tell you. You know, the hell gonna come back and haunt you is what I'm gonna do. Think about that. Do you have a ghost stories or anything like that? Do you have a relationship? Do you have any kind of.

[Rachel Martin]

Oh, my God, are you kidding me? I'm so into ghosts.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Interesting. Ah.

[Rachel Martin]

I mean, I'm just. I want them to be here. I just like, I'm into the idea of them.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

But I think right after a person dies, I actually feel them around. I don't know if this has happened to any of you, but there's a period of time where it feels really like they're really around. And you get these little signs and they can be dismissed as coincidences, synchronicities. Sure. Or they're like around, I think.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I think so. And so this is a weird thing. So my mom passed January 11th in 86. And it's like, okay, okay. And not too long ago, I. Every. Every once in a while, I would see the numbers 1, 1, 1 that would come up, you know, like on a clock or somewhere, you know, And I was like, oh. And this occurred to me. And then like in the past couple years, it's like almost daily. It's so weird. And so I go, hey, mom. It's like this weird thing where I'm like. And I don't think it means like something imminent or anything like that. I'm just saying. Oh, no, I just. I'm remembering her and this. This is reminding me. And I don't know if there's any kind of a connection or whatever, but I just.

[Rachel Martin]

It's nice to decide that there is.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

And I get to think of her like, oh, nice, mom. That's nice. You know, I mean, it's a nice thing. Yeah. It's not a scary thing.

[Rachel Martin]

My mom was really into seagulls, which is weird. It's a weird bird to be into.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Weird beard. Yeah, it is a weird bird.

[Rachel Martin]

They kind of garbage eating birds.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

Eagles, osprey. There were so many other birds she could have Chosen but the seagull, these things. Cause she was from Idaho and she was landlocked, and every time she went to the ocean, she just thought that they were, like, so magical to her, you know?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yes.

[Rachel Martin]

But so now, yeah, when I see a seagull, especially a random seagull, like a city seagull, you're like, what are you even doing here? City seagull.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

It's rare.

[Rachel Martin]

But I'm just like, hi, Mom.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

That's nice. That's nice.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah, I agree. It's a nice thing.

[Rachel Martin]

It's a nice thing.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah. Okay, that's good.

[Rachel Martin]

Last one.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Oh, crazy one. It's the lonely. No, I'm just kidding.

[Rachel Martin]

We haven't even talked about your singing.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

No, we're not going to talk about my singing. Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

Well, I feel like you answered this a bunch of times.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Have you been shuffling the cards? And they're coming up again.

[Rachel Martin]

Okay. I'm just staying true. Staying true.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

When do you think about your smallness in the universe?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Right now? I do.

[Rachel Martin]

I actually think that is the best answer because I think it's a lovely default setting, actually.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Yeah, I. Is there something sort of think it's so funny because what I, you know, I work in front of a camera, you know, now, for the most part, sometimes on stage, rarely on stage, but in front of a camera. And in front of a camera, I think the strength is in the smallest details. And I had an amazing lesson in the Twin Peaks Return when I played the character of Dougie, which is a wonderful crazy. But I bring him up because it was really just an exercise in the courage of being present and small. And it was really hard because you want to do stuff. And I just said, nope, you're not doing anything. And there's something about that smallness, that quietness, that is almost like a meditation. I guess it just sort of puts you in a place and you can. Okay, I'm back to center. It centers you, I think.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah. Anyone who's listened to the show knows that we end it the same way every time. With cake and coffee. No, not with cake and coffee.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Not cake.

[Rachel Martin]

With a trip in our memory time machine.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Oh, my God. Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

Which is just me going like this.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

I like it.

[Rachel Martin]

But it's kind of cool. Okay, so here's the memory time machine.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

You choose one moment from your past.

[Kyle MacLachlan]

From my past.

[Rachel Martin]

It is not a moment you would change anything about. It is just a moment you would like to linger in a little longer. Which moment do you choose?

[Kyle MacLachlan]

Well, if I go way back there's, a few that are popping up like little mushrooms. Um, it's not. I mean, it's when his Callum was born, right? So he's a little kid, he's a baby. And when he would wake up in the morning, because we had one of those little baby monitors, he would say when the light was up, daytime, he would do a little sing song thing. Daytime, daytime. And there was no urgency to it, just like. But I knew he was awake, so I would get out of bed and I'm a super light sleeper and I would walk up to his room, just a few steps in the door. He'd be in his crib, standing there and I would pull him out of his crib and we would walk over to the door. He had like a door in his little room that was a Dutch door, right? Open the top. So I'd open the top and we would sit kind of. I'd sort of hold him like this and we kind of look out the door and it looked out onto this little bit of a. Not a very big, but a little hill full of. There were always flowers and stuff. And we would just sit there and we just, like, you see the red bugabilia. And he'd be looking at this and then it'd be like a bird would go by or we hear a car or something and we just would sit there. Not long, you know, maybe five minutes, six minutes. And he was just this new little thing, right? And I look at, he's six, four now. I mean, it's like. And. But I love the idea. I remember those things as parents, you know, and he's like, whatever, dad, he doesn't, you know, he doesn't care. But I'm like, that. That was a really. If I could sit with him like that, that'd be really nice.

[Rachel Martin]

Kyle McLaughlin. If you want more from Kyle MacLachlan, keep an eye on your feed. This weekend, we'll have a bonus episode where you'll hear Kyle reflect on his friendship with his longtime collaborator, David lynch, who died earlier this year. Next week on Wildcard, a big one, we talk with former first lady Michelle Obama, who tells me she finally feels like she is allowed to just be herself. I don't know if my ambition has ever fully been able to actualize itself because of the nature of what me and my husband have done. I mean, it was the team ambition. And I went along, arguably kicking and screaming. Right? This episode was produced by Romel Wood with help from Lee Hale. It was edited by Dave Blanchard and mastered by Patrick Murray. And Kwesi Lee. The audio engineer was Hans Twight. Wild Card's executive producer is Yolanda Sangweni and our theme music is by Ramtin Arablouei. Special thanks to Charlotte Duran and everyone at KUOW. You can reach out to [e-mail] and we're going to shuffle the deck and be back with more next week. Talk to you then.

[N/A]

This message comes from NOCD have you ever had an unwanted thought that gets stuck in your head? It could be ocd. OCD can cause distress in all areas of life, from relationships to how you view yourself, but it's also highly treatable. NOCD's licensed therapists are specially trained in identifying and treating OCD. If you think you're struggling with OCD, visit nocd.com to schedule a free 15 minute call. That's nocd.com this message comes from NOCD. Have you ever had an unwanted thought that gets stuck in your head? It could be ocd. OCD can cause distress in all areas of life, from relationships to how you view yourself, but it's also highly treatable. NOCD's licensed therapists are specially trained in identifying and treating OCD. If you think you're struggling with OCD, visit nocd.com to schedule a free 15 minute call. That's nocd.com.