>> Chasten Buttigieg: Hi, everybody. [Cheering] [Applause] >> Max Greenfield: I know you're supposed to start this, but I'm going to start it. >> Chasten Buttigieg: You should. >> Max Greenfield: Before we get into "Good Night Thoughts" and any of the other books that I've been so lucky to be able to write, I know we already mentioned this, but Chasten has his own first picture book. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Stop it. Mac. No, this is about you. >> Max Greenfield: I know. I don't want to stop it, and I will not. It's called "Papa's Coming Home." >> Chasten Buttigieg: Oh my gosh, Max. >> Max Greenfield: And it is excellent. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Thank you. [Applause] I feel like you're doing this because you don't want me to ask the embarrassing question. I'm ready for every embarrassing question. >> Such a good ally. >> I'm an embarrassing question. That's what my parents say. Sorry. >> Chasten Buttigieg: It's so good to see you. >> Max Greenfield: It's so good to see you. >> Chasten Buttigieg: As a dad, a dad of two three year olds, thank you, and the National Book Festival for having this at 12:45. I got the best night's sleep last night. How are you feeling? >> Max Greenfield: Well, I requested that specifically for you. I was like, I don't think Chass is ready. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Such an ally. [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: He's been in Chicago this whole time. He's got kids. 12:45 is the earliest. >> Chasten Buttigieg: You know how he can be? >> Max Greenfield: Yeah. That's right. >> Chasten Buttigieg: On a scale of Schmidt to very serious author, how are you feeling today? [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: I don't know that there's much of a difference. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: Have moderators or folks who interview you ever express concern that they will accidentally-- >> Max Greenfield: Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Period. That they would ever accidentally call you Schmidt? >> Max Greenfield: No, but it happens sometimes. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Just me. >> Max Greenfield: Yeah. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: It says Max Greenfield at the top. >> Good. >> Call him Schmidt. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Do people feel-- this is so selfish of me. But I'm clearly a fan of New Girl. [Applause] >> Max Greenfield: Thank you. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: Do people assume that you're like Schmidt in real life? >> Max Greenfield: Yes. And for probably good reason. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Is it like, do you feel like you have to live up to the hype? >> Max Greenfield: No, no, I think I just managed to do that on my own. And then every once in a while, somebody will yell, 29, at me and I'll just do it back. And then it seems to make everyone happy. >> Chasten Buttigieg: That's a great bit. Just to have in your pocket. >> Max Greenfield: Defuses any situation. >> Chasten Buttigieg: So you're a dad of two kids as well? >> Max Greenfield: I am. >> Chasten Buttigieg: And today's a very special day, right? >> Max Greenfield: Oh, gosh, I know. I was given permission by my son, Ozzy, it happens to be his birthday this weekend. And he said, I know. Well, it's luckily for him, it's his birthday every day with me as his dad. [Laughter] But he allowed me to come out here and to be with you and to be with all of you guys, so. Thanks, Ozzy. >> Chasten Buttigieg: I just thought maybe we could give Ozzy a birthday present. Because this is recorded and it will live on in infamy on YouTube. We could all just say happy birthday, Ozzy on the count of three. Is that okay? One. Two. Three. >> Happy birthday, Ozzy. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Here we go. >> Max Greenfield: He also is like one of those boys that's going to be like this, Don't do that. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Oh, God. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: You're a girl dad. >> Max Greenfield: Please don't. Please don't. Yes, yes. >> Chasten Buttigieg: I'm a girl dad. And you have Olivia Rodrigo bracelets on, is that right? >> Max Greenfield: Yeah. We went to the show last week, and it was excellent. >> Chasten Buttigieg: I used to teach eighth grade. >> Max Greenfield: I thought you were going to say. I used to teach-- >> Chasten Buttigieg: I used to teach Olivia Rodrigo. It's a little known fact. I don't brag about it often. I am terrified of having a teenager of my own. I felt like I could teach them, but what is it like being the dad of a teenager? >> Max Greenfield: I sort of now love it. >> Good. >> Yeah. >> Chasten Buttigieg: You can't say the opposite. >> Max Greenfield: No. Well, you could. I think it would be actually very easy to say the opposite, but I love it. You know, I think you as a parent have to adjust the relationship, and you have to sort of adjust as she's adjusting. And, you know, they reach a point where they're changing and they're figuring out who they are, and you sort of need to do the same. You can get stuck in how your relationship used to be, and that's just not how it is anymore. And you sort of want to hold on to what that relationship is. And you realize that by doing so, you find it more problematic as they are moving forward and you're trying to then catch up. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Oh that's beautiful. >> Max Greenfield: I'm going to go. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: Stop while we're ahead. >> Max Greenfield: Yeah. >> Chasten Buttigieg: So I watched some interviews. >> Max Greenfield: Oh, God. And in one interview, you talked about how, which I related to that, some of your friends reconsider coming over for dinner because they know that your kids will be there. >> Max Greenfield: That that happens, you know? Well, I mean, it's not our kids specifically, but you have friends. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Like, the kids will be like, we have friends who don't have kids. And it's like. >> Max Greenfield: Yeah, we're-- >> Chasten Buttigieg: Coming into a home with children is a vibe shift. >> Max Greenfield: Yeah, totally. Like, oh my God. You know what would be really easy for us if you guys just came over. And then all of a sudden those people have plans and all of a sudden, Friday isn't good. >> Chasten Buttigieg: It saves you a lot of money. Childcare costs. >> Max Greenfield: It's a whole thing. And like, our kids are really cool. Come over, you'll enjoy the experience. We enjoy them. And then, you know, it's just not for everyone. >> Chasten Buttigieg: I really appreciate doing that here in Washington because I feel like the vibes are different. When you have a senator sitting on your couch wanting to talk about something very important, and two toddlers running around with like, guitars and tambourines, constantly screaming, and you're like, well, we didn't have to get a sitter. [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: Guys, guys, we're talking about transportation. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: Yeah. Gus would be like, this is a bus. [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: No, not the not the bus. I'm so sorry. >> Chasten Buttigieg: No. Our son is very into light rail. [Laughter] Talk about being a dad. Like, how has a dad changed you? Or how has it being a dad, like, informed your worldview? >> Max Greenfield: Yeah, well, you just stop thinking about yourself. And that's that's us. >> Chasten Buttigieg: And you've always struggled with that. [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: Daily. Every morning. Oh, hi, Matt. I haven't seen you. Yeah, every day. But yeah, I mean, that's that is the immediate shift that happens. And it was one of the most-- it has been the most beautiful thing to embrace that and I think has since that attitude adjustment has led to more personal success than I could ever imagine. And then you just try to give it all away. >> Chasten Buttigieg: As a as an author, how has being a dad helped you in writing these books? >> Max Greenfield: Oh my God. Well, these books wouldn't exist without the kids. Yeah. I mean, the first book came about, I don't want to read this book during the pandemic-- There it is. thank you for holding that up. That made me feel really nice and special. Yeah. During the pandemic, everything shut down immediately and my daughter was sent home with a curriculum, and I was supposed to be the teacher. And we took a picture of it and we put it on Instagram. And the only motivation behind that was to try to connect with other people who might have been as scared as we were, because we both knew that this was worst case scenario. And the response was immediate and big. And, you had first responders who were reaching out. And really there was such a response from teachers saying, oh, I miss my kids. I miss being in the classroom. And we then felt like a tremendous responsibility to keep these videos going. And they became daunting after a while. I was like, we've got to make another video. We're saving lives. [Laughter] My wife would be like, you're not. Please don't. Please don't make this a stressful thing. But during that time, I had an agent who reached out to me who said, hey, you know, I've been seeing the videos that you and your daughter have been doing. I think maybe this is a book. I said, a real book? And he said, well, maybe not. And then and he goes, what about a picture book? And I said, well, you know, if I was ever going to do a picture book, it would be called I don't want to read this book, and it would be all the reasons why a child doesn't want to read a book. And by the end of that book, they will have read a book. And because that was my experience as a reader, and that was my experience trying to get my daughter to read. and the next day I thought, hey, that was a pretty good idea. It's a shame nothing will ever happen with that. And Albert came back the next, I don't know, two days later and said, Penguin has bought it. And we got into the book and we started writing it, and we realized how personal a story it was for me, and how specific that and how easy it was to write, because that experience was so true to my experience. The fears around reading and the fears around learning differently. Eventually the fears about reading aloud. And that's what those three books are really about. And being able to have a teacher or a librarian or a parent acknowledge some of those fears, read, articulate them to a child who might be struggling in that way, who isn't able to then articulate, do you know what I mean? and that's how those books came about and really has been the beauty of watching them sort of exist in this world, exist in the classroom, exist in libraries. It's been just an incredible experience. >> Chasten Buttigieg: It's so cute. I've watched videos of you on YouTube reading the book to a group of kids, and they love it. Because it's very engaging with some of the goofy words that you've chosen to include. But you've also, you know, you've broached a subject that some parents and teachers struggle with, which is getting kids motivated to read. And you sort of touched on that was an experience for you as well. >> Max Greenfield: Yeah, totally. You know, reading is something that has always been very challenging to me. Perhaps challenges that I wish had been identified and defined much earlier in my life. But I think, you know, that's sort of why we wrote these books and to see and again, just to see kids, you know, get a little indignant when they're reading the books and have a fun time and they're exploring the words. And we certainly the books are what-- I'm so proud of the books because they definitely in no way speak down to the reader. These are not written for like a child, you know, these are written for a-- >> Chasten Buttigieg: Smart kids. And these videos, the smart like these really, really smart, engaged kids love the book. >> Max Greenfield: Yeah. And what-- And it's an attempt to add to the conversation. And it's a tool, really, for teachers to be in the classroom to be like, the one thing I hear from so many teachers about these books, which is always my favorite thing to hear. They pick it up and they go, I know exactly what kid I'm going to give this book to. And because you know that child and and they have such difficulty, they're the one who never wants to read. And let me tell you something, those kids can coast. Those kids know how to get because they're not dumb. They know how to sort of sit in the back and get by. And it isn't until like third or fourth, sometimes fifth grade when a teacher goes like this, I think there might be an issue here. And then the parents are like, yes. We don't think that they can, you know, I mean, and then it becomes a whole thing. And so to identify those issues early is, to me, such a essential part of the conversation that we're trying to have. >> Chasten Buttigieg: And now you set yourself up to have to write more of them because this kid's going to be like, well, I'll read Max Greenfield's book. You know. >> Max Greenfield: I hope. No. Yeah. So. Well, the first one was, I don't want to read this book. And then the second one we did was this book is not a present. And that, I think, really is a really fun book for kids who are like this. It's a book. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Those are my kids. >> Max Greenfield: Those are my kids as well. And so we thought it would be funny in that way. But really, like, that book is so much about learning differently and, you know, being able to be like, well, the way I learn is with my hands or the way I learn, you know, like, I can pick up a guitar and I know, I just know how-- I can't read the music, but I know how it's supposed to sound. You know, it's that experience for kids who are like, I'm just, I need to be out on a skateboard or whatever it is, and they understand that. But something about the words on a page doesn't connect with them. >> Chasten Buttigieg: It's so cute. And it's very true. The other day, I picked up two books in an airport, and they went to like, Minnesota and Georgia and D.C. with me. You know, they went all around the country, and I came home and told them I was bringing a present home. And when they sat down on the couch and I gave them their books, they were like, trash. You know, they just immediately threw it on the ground and were very upset that I had brought it. >> Max Greenfield: There was a video I sent to Penguin at some point, and I asked my son. I was like, they loved it so much that I asked my son. I was like, can I put this on Instagram when the book comes out? And he goes, please don't. [Laughter] But it was me giving him, like I had wrapped a present for him and I gave it to him and he picked it up as a book and he went like this. Oh. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: My kid has a weird obsession with tearing up books. Uh, but he'll take this book and he will rip the page. Like he sleeps with books, which obviously makes his dads very happy. And then in the morning there will like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is just everywhere. [Laughter] And he's like sleeping amidst the torn up pages of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. And he'll be like, I broke it. [Laughter] You did. He hasn't torn up your books yet. >> Max Greenfield: I mean, if there's a better yet-- >> Chasten Buttigieg: It's very important for you to know because it's going to happen. Like the book I brought him home from the airport. It was a cool book about airplanes and airports, and he really likes flying. And then the next morning, they're just airplanes everywhere. And he's like, I broke it. Like, I feel like that means you love it. Maybe he wants to be closer to the action. >> Max Greenfield: I'm going to say he likes the books that he doesn't rip up a little bit better. But, you know, agree to disagree. >> Chasten Buttigieg: I'm going to send you a picture now. It's inevitable and it really drives me nuts. So tell us about the forthcoming book. You wrote, "Good Night Thoughts." >> Max Greenfield: Yeah. So, the first three books which we've discussed are all centered around the fear of reading, the fear of learning differently, the fear of reading aloud. And we were sort of in the midst of promoting, I think it was-- this book is not a present. And Jennifer Klonsky, who is the greatest publisher of all time at Penguin Books, you can cheer, she goes, well, what are we doing next? And I was like, oh, there's a next? And we knew we wanted to do something different. And we felt like there was enough that had been said in, in the learning area and the reading area. And the idea of doing a much more traditional bedtime story came about. And I guess before we get into it, can I, can I read it? >> Yes. You should. Can I read it? >> Chasten Buttigieg: I think we should hear it. [Applause] You get to do your Ted talk now. >> Max Greenfield: They gave me a clicker to do slides. I don't know how this is going to go. [Laughter] Don't give me toys nor technical things that I'm supposed to figure out. Anyway, thank you guys so much. I am so excited to read this book for you. I love it so, so much! Okay, this is "Good Night Thoughts," written by Max Greenfield and beautifully illustrated. Oh yeah, it works. Beautifully illustrated. The illustrations are so incredible in this book by James Serafino. Okay. We're on the first page. If that kid falls asleep during the reading, Everyone needs to buy a book. Okay. [Laughter] Okay. I'm never going to fall asleep. Oh, wait, I think I broke it. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: That's it. That was the book. >> That was the whole book. >> It's such a beautiful book. [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: Okay. Okay, we'll start over. They shouldn't have given this to me. All right. "I'm never going to fall asleep." Oh, yeah. "My brain is too noisy. My thoughts are too jumpy. And every time I close my eyes, I'm afraid of all the scary stuff I see. Sometimes I see myself being chased by giant robot sharks. Other times I can see my toilet bowl overflowing with tarantulas. One time I even saw a dentist. How am I supposed to relax if all I can think about are robot sharks or tarantula toilets or the dentist? This one time I tried to fall asleep and saw the whole world pop into a piece of Popcorn. Another time I thought about my very best friend sailing off to sea on a pirate ship made of toast. And just the other night, as soon as I closed my eyes, I fell off a cloud. But instead of falling down, I flew straight up towards the sun. It was the most scared I've ever been in my whole life because everything got so bright I couldn't see anything at all. How am I ever going to fall asleep knowing that the world might pop like popcorn? Or that my friend might sail away with pirates? Or that I might fall from a cloud straight up towards the sun? I wish these thoughts would stop bouncing around inside my head. Sometimes I try to have happy thoughts. I close my eyes really, really tight and try to imagine a baby panda opening its arms and giving me a hug. Other times I think about a choir of candy covered doughnuts, all singing my favorite songs. And if I really can't fall asleep, if it feels like my brain won't ever calm down, I try to think about all the people who love me, holding hands and wearing every piece of clothing that they own. [Laughter] I try and I try and I try to think of baby pandas and singing donuts and everyone who loves me. But no matter how hard I try I still can't fall asleep. But then I closed my eyes again. I remember that my brain can be noisy and that my thoughts are sometimes jumpy. And then I remember that all that noise and all those thoughts are just in my head. I'm not being eaten by a robot shark. My toilet isn't overflowing with tarantulas, and thank goodness there isn't a dentist in sight. As far as I can tell, the world hasn't popped into a piece of popcorn. My best friend is still here, and I'm not falling from a cloud. Right now everything is okay, and so am I. Good night thoughts. Good night." [Applause] Did the kid fall asleep? Thank you, guys. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Incredible, right. [Applause] So we've learned that you hate dentists. >> Max Greenfield: It's in two books. [Laughter] I don't like the dentist. People will be like, when's the last time you went to the dentist? I don't want to talk about it. >> Chasten Buttigieg: That was really beautiful. >> Max Greenfield: Thank you. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Tell me a little bit about this idea of conquering your fears and anxiety. Why did you want to write a book about that? >> Max Greenfield: I was trying to figure out what I wanted to say with the next book, a story I wanted to tell. Having written three books at that point, I sort of understood a little bit about the structure of a children's book and what story would best fit that structure. And it was right around the time when a dear friend of mine, if you guys remember Leslie Jordan, who actually took his book here not too long ago. He also was a big star during the pandemic on Instagram. And we were very close. And one thing we would we would do together is we would, we would make lists. We would talk about our fears and ultimately make a list of all our fears. And Leslie's list was always far more entertaining than mine. He would say a bumblebees pocket knives, straight man. [Laughter] And the idea behind it was, let's write these lists out, let's say them out loud, and then let's then ask ourselves which of these fears are in front of us in this moment. And if they weren't in front of us, which most of them were not, there was no bumblebees in front of him. Why were we then carrying these fears around with us? And for Leslie and I, this was more of a wake up book in the morning, because we would wake up with all of our fears and this would sort of calm them down throughout the day. But I thought, oh, how interesting it would be to, to, to utilize that, that, that exercise before bed. And so we started to write it and, and again, Jennifer Klonsky at Penguin, I was like this, this is a book. I know it's a book. And we went back and forth and we really sculpted it in that way. And it got to this place, which I just, I know I love so much. I know Les, the book is dedicated to Leslie. I know he would really love it. He's so upset that he's not up here right now with none of us [Laughter] talking only about the book himself. But, yeah, it really it's, when something like this that's as meaningful as it is and deals with the type of subject it does when it comes out the way that it has, I feel so proud of this book and I've yet to find the words to articulate how exciting it is that this is now going to be out in the world. >> Chasten Buttigieg: I think you should really be proud of yourself. [Applause] As a dad, you know what it's like to read five, ten books sometimes. I mean, you've read hundreds of books now to your kids, and some nights you read multiple books, or you read the same book over and over again, and you're also then familiar with the books that have nothing. They provide nothing. Right? And sorry, but, this book is so-- I really love this book because it invites you in and it's something real that a child might feel, and you're giving parents a way to talk about those things together. Was that one of the goals for the book is to provide the launch pad for a wider conversation? >> Max Greenfield: Yes. So we talked last night about the goal of any great children's book is not just, you know, children's books are not just meant to be read, they are really meant, I think the good ones as a bridge to a conversation. And, you know, with the first three books, if there's one kid who can raise their hand and say, I feel that way too, about reading, maybe that leads to a greater conversation about, well, what is it exactly that's blocking you from the words on this page? What happens when you read a book? What's your experience with that? And with this one, my vision for now, but it opens up a conversation about, well, what are you afraid of? You know, or maybe it prompts your child to say, I mean, I can remember when my son, at one point and again, you know, we discussed when we all sang or said happy birthday to him. He was the kind of kid who was like, can you not do that? I remember we were laying in bed once and he goes, dad, can I tell you something? There's something that I'm afraid of. And as a parent, you go, I didn't prep for this. Oh, my God, here it comes. I'm like, I have to put my uniform on. This is dad time. And you have, like, it's time for you to get ready. And this is like, all of a sudden, this is a huge moment for your child. But you're like, oh my God, please don't mess this up. I wasn't ready for this. I'm not, you know. And if that's the moment, if this book can lead you into that moment with some sort of preparation as a parent, you know, it's not just to men. It's not just meant to like, be a bedtime book and like, hopefully the child is asleep afterwards and oh, good, I can go watch whatever Netflix show I want to. You know, it's maybe your child can then discuss some of the things that they are afraid of. And if they open up that door, it allows you to have a discussion as a parent and maybe what the book tries to do is put those thoughts to bed, at least for now, because what that fear does and those thoughts that spin us around, it blocks us from being present in the moment, and it blocks a child from doing what they should be doing in that moment, which is go to sleep. And if they're really holding on to those fears, if they're clinging on to them on a daily basis, it's blocking them from being a child. And then before you know it, that child is a teenager and they probably haven't let go of it then. And then they're adult and they're still probably holding on to it. And so the idea is to openly share these things. I mean, that's been my experience with life and with my own feelings and emotions. It's like, you know, I hold on to these things. I'm scared and I'm scared if I let them out that they'll that they'll keep pouring out and I'll fall apart and it'll all be. And what I would do with Leslie and, you know, the people closest to me is like, you share these fears and you make them right sized, and you're able to take them and build a different relationship with them that allows you to then be present in whatever you're doing in the moment. And hopefully with this it's to get a good night's sleep. >> Chasten Buttigieg: I like it. And you know, for those of us who didn't get to process our fears as a child, then you can grow up and write a memoir. >> Max Greenfield: Yeah. That's exactly right. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: You've given us such an important tool as parents, right? As an opportunity-- [Laughing] [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: I just-- >> Chasten Buttigieg: You're going to be fine either way. >> Max Greenfield: I'll never write a memoir. I'll get every book, every one of these children's books is the first chapter of the memoir. >> Chasten Buttigieg: But this is a really important tool because it asks or it gives us an opportunity to be vulnerable. And if your kid is comfortable enough to be vulnerable with you to say, dad, I'm afraid of something, then you've done something right. And for parents who might not know how to get there, you've given them a really good tool. Uh, you know, if they're still awake after the book, right? Or the next day to have that conversation is really, really important. And I like to think, I think many of us do, books are like windows and mirrors, right? The opportunity to either see yourself or to look into somebody else's world. Is there a mirror here for you? You've talked about Leslie. But as a as a child, do you feel like you were, you know, your inner child, do you feel like you were able to let go of something by putting this book out into the world? >> Max Greenfield: Oh my gosh, do I feel like I was able to let go of something? >> Chasten Buttigieg: It doesn't have to be dark, but, like, it's kind of cool to put a book out into the world, right? And you've done something and you've given people a gift, but therefore, you've been able to share something that you might have been holding on to. >> Max Greenfield: Yeah. No. Well, I think definitely these are books that I wish I had when I was a kid. These are conversations that I wish I was able to engage in when I was younger. You know, my relationship with my kids and I think a lot of parents relationships with their kids is, is different and interesting and as close as you are to your kids, sometimes you're the person that they're least comfortable with talking about what actually is going on and what they're feeling. And so these books and books in general, and this is the wonderful-- We were talking about this last night and being at this festival, these books, specifically children's books, can act as that bridge to that conversation. You know, it's sort of like, let this book be my voice while we're laying in bed, and I'm reading this to you to then help you open up to me and to me, I mean, that's the gift of these books. And to then have those conversations is really sort of the what I'm, I guess, letting go of in that in that moment. >> Chasten Buttigieg: And speaking of vulnerability, did you ask your kids for feedback? >> Max Greenfield: Yes, I read "Good Night Thoughts" to my son to the point where he was-- he's been privy to many drafts and at some point he was like, is this the same one again? [Laughter] I go, do you think there should be a comma here? He's like, I don't know what a comma is. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: They really humble you, don't they? >> Max Greenfield: That's an understatement. That's a generous way of saying it. >> Chasten Buttigieg: You have some really cool language in the book. Like I'm afraid of my best friend riding away on a pirate ship made of toast. Like, where does that come from? And are you, like, in the grocery store and you have to, like, quickly write it down? Are you, like, constantly noodling over what the fear is? >> Max Greenfield: Well, so we really wanted to make sure that the fears in this book were a broad spectrum so that different kids could access different fears. And I was really excited having done, you know, the first three books are all, uh, it's just all words. And this I knew there was going to be actual illustrations, like real drawings. And so we wanted to make it a very fun visual experience. And so we were like, you know, well, you know, all that fear was, well, what if my friend moves away? You know what if I lose my best friend? And then we thought, well, if visually it would be fun if they were on a pirate ship. And then what if that pirate ship was made out of toast? [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: Were you pitching ideas to your kids? Like, what if your friend was leaving a car made of donuts and they're like-- >> Max Greenfield: They're sort of-- Dumb. [Laughter] They're they're sort of-- um, gosh, I want to say they're a little bit more mature than I am. So I trust my own voice in this, and I will do it like, I will sort of do it in a Schmidt voice while I'm going, like, it's like a pirate ship made of toast. [Laughter] And like, ever in my life, I was like, yeah, it works. >> Chasten Buttigieg: We're running out of time. But I would like a reread of the book as Schmidt. Maybe you can put that on YouTube. >> Max Greenfield: It wouldn't be much different. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Okay. We're running out of time. I have a couple more questions for you. It would just be more indignant. So sometimes-- >> Max Greenfield: My friend sailing away on a pirate ship made of toast. [Laughter] Well, what kind of toast is it? >> Chasten Buttigieg: They're eating it up. Keep going. >> Max Greenfield: I know. It's very easy. >> Chasten Buttigieg: So sometimes when I do book talks, I feel like, you know, moderators have no idea who you are. They've never read your book. And then there are moderators who did way too much research. I do want to ask you about something. >> Max Greenfield: That whole book is filled. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Just while we have a few minutes. This is totally unrelated to the book. >> Max Greenfield: Please. >> Chasten Buttigieg: According to Wikipedia-- [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: They're always right. >> Chasten Buttigieg: In 2015, you were the spokesman for the McDonald's sirloin third pound burger. [Laughter] If you could be the spokesman for another fast food item, what would it be? >> Max Greenfield: Well, the mixed sirloin, half pound burger. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Just to make it bigger. >> Max Greenfield: Just bigger. We live in America, guys. Bigger, better. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Frankly, it wasn't big enough. >> Max Greenfield: No. If any-- I don't know what. What would yours be? >> Chasten Buttigieg: No, you don't get to flip the table. I'm the moderator now. >> Max Greenfield: I feel pretty satisfied. >> Chasten Buttigieg: You have a guilty pleasure of fast food. Guilty pleasure? >> Max Greenfield: I don't have a fast food guilty pleasure. I mean, if-- >> Chasten Buttigieg: You're in L.A.-- >> Max Greenfield: I wish I had a funny answer to this, but-- I really like those new sodas. The lollipops. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Okay. [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: I don't know, >> Chasten Buttigieg: I'm over here thinking, like I would do Baja Blast or something, and you're like a health soda. Thanks, Max. [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: I'm old. I got to take care of my ecosystem. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Your ecosystem? [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: People are like this. I think he's actually Schmidt. [Laughter] >> Chasten Buttigieg: I have to take care of my eco-- Oh, we just got the five minute. You know, when I put these questions together, I did not put them in the order I should have, because that was a fun one. How have the arts impacted your life? [Laughter] >> Max Greenfield: Well, I will say, you know, getting to work on material like the McDonald's campaign. [Laughter] Being around other artists. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Other burgers? >> Max Greenfield: Yes. Other burgers. The Hamburglar, Ronald McDonald. I mean, he obviously wasn't at the shoot. He doesn't do that kind of thing anymore. But yeah, I mean, to be able to take that experience and put it out into life, I mean, the artists that they, they filter into every part of my life. >> Chasten Buttigieg: And were you upset you didn't win an Emmy? >> Max Greenfield: Great time to talk about this. >> Chasten Buttigieg: For Mcdonald's sirloin third pound burger ad. Because the performance itself, I mean-- >> It's hard work. >> Riveting. Yeah. >> Max Greenfield: People think you just show up and you just-- No, months of prep. >> Chasten Buttigieg: I actually, can you pass me the clicker? Because I teed up the McDonald's. I'm just kidding. I'm kidding. [Laughter] So is there another book in the-- I know this one's just about to come out and everybody has pre-ordered it, right? It's that fun part where you get to shame the audience for not pre-ordering your book. It's really beautiful. And I hope folks share it. If you don't have kids yourself, I hope you'll share it with other families, because the best part of a children's book, just as a dad, is the moment when they're encaptured and you're sharing a moment together. You're not just pointing at things and you're calling out pictures and you're going through this process. You know, it's bath time. Brush your teeth, put your pajamas on, read a book, and then go to bed. And this is a real opportunity with your kid. And I think you've done something really great here. And I know it's just about to come out, but are you already noodling on the next one? >> Max Greenfield: Always, always. >> Chasten Buttigieg: What do you want to tackle? Reading, anxiety, I mean-- >> Max Greenfield: I mean, it's all the same. Yeah, I don't know. I think there's an idea that we are working on right now that is about expectations. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Oh, cool. >> Max Greenfield: And perspective, I think. I'm just thinking about it now. It's very early days, early days, but I do. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Just thought of it like three seconds. >> Max Greenfield: Yeah, I just thought of it now. It's called Papa's Coming Home. [Laughter] It's a really great idea. I don't think it exists yet. But yeah, I think perspective is something really interesting, and I think it's sort of, it's at the foundation, I think of what we're thinking about doing next. And I think it's one of those things that-- I think perspective is something that is very, very hard to relay to a child. I'm always just like, well, how come they don't get it? >> Chasten Buttigieg: Yeah. >> Max Greenfield: That's it. But I think that's-- try to put some of that into a book. >> Chasten Buttigieg: I'm really glad that you've gone in this direction of choosing to write stories that will either help kids or help parents have that conversation. I think that's really cool. Did you ever imagine in this career that you would be, you know, the children's book guy? Did you ever imagine that somebody would say, oh, I have all the Max Greenfield books? >> Max Greenfield: I can tell you this. I know we have 20 seconds left. I haven't ever imagined any of it. Truly. Every day is a discovery and a gift. And what an incredible ride that it's been. And so to be here with all of you, I can only describe as completely implausible for my own life. And I thank you all for being here. I thank you so much for doing this. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Thanks for sharing your gifts with us. [Applause] >> Max Greenfield: Thank you. >> Chasten Buttigieg: Thanks, everybody. [Applause] [Music]