Michael Estrin: Raw, Unedited, Uncut

How to be a good storyteller, great dad, and serious reporter in the porn industry - the full interview

Welcome to the unedited, subscriber only version of my interview with Michael Estrin. This is unedited and awesome and I really hope you enjoy. If you wanna see the edited version, click here.

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I first came across Michael reading his garage door story on his hilarious newsletter Situation Normal. It made me nervous bc he seemed to be doing the same sorta vibe I was doing but much better and funnier than me.

And then came the LA writer’s meetup thing. I looked at the RSVP list to prepare talking points, questions, and a subtly different laugh for each person (this, my friends, is networking) when lo and also behold, I saw Michael on the list. This mf lives in LA too? Damn it. I already saw how it’d all go down: I’d walk into the bar and Michael would be holding court, everyone around him laughing at his latest effortless yet layered quip. He’d be sitting in a raised leather chair too, like a king but without the pomp.

Believe it or not, this did not happen. Instead I got there before Michael and started spreading nasty rumors about him.

No, actually I got there and he got there and though we were both awkward little turtles, we got along really well because he was super nice and funny and generous with his ideas and praise and attention and I realized for the thousandth time just how grubby¹ of a place my brain can be.

Afterwards I asked him if I could interview him, he said yes, and here we are. I think you’re gonna really love this one.

Oh one more thing: Michael loves GIFs, so as a tribute to him, this post will feature only GIFs from 1990s Geocities sites.

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