I think a lot when I watch this channel about the end of Hell's Angels by Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson was trying to do, through his brand of drug-addled, autobiographical journalism, similar to what Soft White Underbelly is doing: Capture a picture of the world we don't see, in the hopes of changing how we understand the world that's normally shown to us. Thompson gives a deeply personal, chapters-long narrative about the men he met from that biker gang, about their history, about their interactions with them, about their perspective on violence and straight society, about everything. Then, at the very end, he writes an afterward, about how his time with the gang ended abruptly when one of them, for not much reason, beat him up, with some help but also with some pulling-away by the man's gang brothers. Thompson writes about this very sparsely compared to how he writes the rest of the book--not seeking to put us in that room, in that moment, with him. He simply says, angrily, that they turned on him and that now he's done with them. Sonny Barger, one of the most important of the Angels from that era, was there, and says that by his club's rules, Thompson had the beating coming to him. This channel, more than anything, is a story about hustlers of all kinds. People who step outside normal boundaries of society, out of need or trauma or boredom. People who break laws, who live rough, who sell themselves, who hurt others, all to survive. Outlaws--people who live, or who have lived, outside the law. Survival systematically trumps, if not decency, respectability, for most of them--as it would for most of us in similar circumstances. There are other stories told here, too--SWU's interview style, patient, non-judgmental, listening with empathy, that style can be used to draw out all kinds of stories from all kinds of people. But mostly, it's stories of people who are hustling to survive, who are in that struggle for some kind of reason, and who might still someday be utterly defeated by whatever that reason is. Thompson was telling a story about violent outlaws, who ultimately turned that violence on him. SWU is telling a story about hustler outlaws, who have repeatedly sought--at times successfully, at times not--to hustle him. But there's a deep overlap between the desperation of outlaw violence and the desperation of outlaw hustling. Getting hustled is far from the worst that could happen to someone doing this work. So, I don't just watch. I watch, and I worry. But then, after worrying for a while, I think about how outlaw risk threatens us all, whether we seek it out or not. The school children in Sandy Hook, in Uvalde, hadn't invited outlaw danger the way Thompson did, the way Mark does. It simply came for them one day. I wonder if maybe projects like this one are the only hope we have of ever really understanding why.
He is the opposite of Thompson in both method and being, please don’t positively compare this corporate dude bro who points a camera at people to a genuine Gonzo genius.
@@HOMETELEVISION-fy6ib I respect your opinion. HST was one of the most important writers of his generation. It comes across in your comments that you admire HST. It comes across that you don't admire Mark, but calling him corporate isn't really giving insight into why you wouldn't, because I don't really have any idea of what you mean by it. So, I understand that I am making a comparison between someone you like and someone you don't, and that you don't like the comparison. But, if you really think it's an invalid comparison, you're not saying why. I said that part of HST's aim with the Hell's Angels book was to give his readers a greater insight into an outlaw culture, and that this aim was a common theme across many of his works. I'm not saying that's all he aimed for, I'm saying it was an important element. If you disagree with this, you haven't said why. I also don't understand why you disagree with me that this aim, to communicate about outlaw experiences with an audience that might be ignorant to those, is also central to the Soft White Underbelly project. You haven't said what you think, just that you consider the man who makes it to be "corporate." Thus, I don't understand why you find the need to disagree with me, in a tone of anger, when I say that these two creators, working in different media and in different decades, share a common theme in their work--and have both been put at physical risk in the course of doing that work. Hunter really did get stomped by an angry biker. Mark really could have something like that happen to him, pursuing this work. If you don't think that's true, you're not saying why. Whatever your grievance is with SWU and its creator, I'm sure it's important to you, and there's nothing wrong with that. We're allowed to disagree about this. You don't owe me clarification of why you disagree if you don't want to give it. But without that clarification, our conversation has probably run its course. Maybe all this is obvious and doesn't need to be said. I'm saying it anyway because I think it's good for me to try to understand other perspectives, and to speak respectfully to people who seem angry or annoyed with me. Thanks for reading and talking with me.
I'm thinking I should be helping people with drug problems since I got help for myself in 2015 & now that I don't do drugs I feel like I should help people who do, any advice for someone who wants to help from someone who's been a social worker?
@brianjansen3103 Brian I am exact same boat as you, but with a later date. I found it extremely difficult to be and maintain my sobriety as I was working as a social worker. I was great at my job, got promoted at every SW job I held, but ultimately in the end- being so immersed in that world will take something from you. There is no way around that. You'll learn self-care and 1000 different techniques in school to curb this. But in the end, it happens to everyone. That's why there is SO MUCH burnout in this field. You are doing extremely difficult work for about 25$ an hour, high end. It's rough.
Was anyone else terrified that Mark was going to say he needed a break or was no longer going to make videos? Huge relief!! We are ready to support you!
Yessssss!!!! Mark holds a special place in this currently fvcked up world... that seemingly becomes all the more special when we contemplate him leaving it. We are grateful, Mark. And we are your tribe... always.
I know that Betty Whitaker broke your heart but always remember they learned to trust humanity through you . I think it is Ray (the one who doesn't talk) whose face lights up when he sees you. Your the one who after so much time of abuse and torment you taught him to trust and he is worthy of interest, compassion and respect. That is golden and you did that
Anyone who watches Mark, even randomly, can tell that he is a stand-up, great individual. Good intentions. Straight forward. Generous. Honest. all round good guy.
I am a university professor and I am surrounded be educated and privileged people. This channel has introduced me to a world that I would never have a chance to know. The strength and resilience that I have seen from so many of the people is very admirable.
Social media actually has its perks, doesn’t it? Coming from someone who has NEVER created a Facebook account, because I predicted all the chaos way before it ever took place. Lol... I’m a fan of UA-cam though. People have to show who they really are on UA-cam, and there’s a lot of value in that.
Maybe try going outside and talking to people?? I suggest the closest diner to you. I travel all over the US and I think just going outside and yourself out in the general public really does the same. Conversations can simply be started by saying “HELLO”.
@@RickyMooney360You are such a genius! Who would had ever thought of doing that?! However, by doing those things , one would NEVER discover what can be seen here, unless one were to make a career out of going out and starting conversations. Furthermore, there is no place like skid row, anywhere, much less where the majority of people live. And I’m okay with that. But I think you get the point.
@@prittyugly86you can't even spell check your comment. I don't encourage you to spread more hate and vitriol, or show your true hatred so plainly. it is embarrassing.
What is any good from his hundreds if not thousands of dollars of exploiting people at the worst point of their lives. Immortalized for $50 in the internet and books. Listen to this corny add of plugging his products and his now 4th shitty book As if it’s some rare book
i was a cop for 15 years Mark. You are a kind soul. You want to help. So do I. Be careful you don't accidentally let the darkness consume you. Remember you deserve a life too. We like to make as much of a positive impact as possible but you of all people should understand how complex and difficult that can be. I slipped a little too far into the darkness and my mental health suffered. Just don't want to see that happen to you. The world needs more folks like you. Take care of yourself as well.
Unfortunately if you REAL:LY wanted to help, and not just have lots of power/Be above others (virtue signal)... You wouldn't have become a cop. You would have done something that ACTUALLY helps society like a nurse, a doctor, a social worker. A job where you dont get paid to put drug addicts in jail. where you don't turn people who just need a better healthcare system into criminals. Or turn someone who's stealing just to help[ his family because the two jobs hes working isnt enough. We need to stop idolizing cops. Everything about that institution is inherently discriminatory. Cops don't help, they just feed the machine.
@@ctrandlmr1996 thank you for your comment but you don't have to dignify ignorant comments. There will always be people who are prejudiced against all cops because of the actions of a few bad cops.
I discovered SWU during COVID, when I was laid off work. My job evolved into work-from-home, which I still do to this day. A Good Day at work for me is starting my morning with coffee and SWU. I live a very conventional middle-class life and SWU has definitely exposed me to people I would normally never meet, and helps me to understand lifestyles that are completely alien to me. No matter how different we are, we all experience emotions, highs and lows, happiness and tragedy in our lives. My biggest take-away from SWU is that we are all human and linked together in ways we may never understand and even be aware of. I feel like SWU should be required viewing for High School students.
@@brandonluther80 There is a UA-cam Creators channel, and a Creator Insider channel. They only sometime respond, but _claim_ they read every comment there. Also, I don't have Twitter, but I've heard that they actually interact with people on their Twitter account. I'm not sure if it's their main UA-cam Twitter account or some Creator Insider account, but many people suggested I talk to them on Twitter when I hade a major problem a while back. The censorship and bias on UA-cam has gotten way out of hand. It's beyond inexcusable at this point.
Not censorship. No one is interested in these stories. They aren't watching. UA-cam wants to make money, they don't want to censor. The Whittakers are the only story people are interested in.
Mark After 20 yrs of helping the wittackers, i am glad you have decided to move on now. I think they got a little to comfortable and took advantage of your kindness. You had become an endless bank for them instead of a friend. It was time. Kudos to you for trying the past 20 yrs to help this family ❤
Yes their cognitive disabilities probably hindered that plus they needed some sort of accountability management or some thing they shouldn’t have been on their own with at all. Also how do we know that they were not scammed?
Mark I'm a mother of a recovered herion addict. I think doing a few interviews of parents of addicts and the affects it has on them and what they went through and how they supported their addicted loved one the journey they took to help them get well would be great. I'd love to do it.
Definitely a GREAT idea! Many do not get to see or hear from those whom the addict has adversely affected. Having a loved one who is an addict is an extremely painful thing. It's like watching the death of someone you love yet they still live and what is hurting them you alone can not stop. It is traumatic. The hardest part is detaching from the vicious cycle of insanity, having the understanding that if we do not, we too will go down with them instead of help them. Sending hugs your way. 🫂
I would like to give a quick thank you. When I found your channel, I was in my addiction. Some of your videos were a huge wake up call for me. Like a gut punch. You are one of the many reasons I got sober 195 days ago! What you do matters and thank you. 💜
Ive Been with U since day 1...and Im Sober since 4/20/2018....!!!!!!!!!! Ur VIDEOS SCARED ME!!!!!!! Seeing these People who were Just Like ME!!!!!! The BooK is AMAZING!!!!!! THANK YOU FROM A "STILL RECOVERING ADDICT".....!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the work you do. I am a stay-at-home dad, and your channel has immensely helped me with raising my children. The stories that have been told by many of your interviewees, show me the importance of childhood events. So I am constantly reminding myself to foster positive experiences with my kids. I wish I could subscribe to your website, but I just can not justify the money as I do not have any extra funds to spare. Please continue to post videos on youtube. I still very much enjoy them.
I'm from New Zealand. Society should be judged on how well u treat the poor, sick, young, old & vulnerable people. Thank you Mark so much for bringing to light the hidden people, the forgotten people. This is the real world. Much love & peaceout.
While you are using , you could be doing a lot better things and learn why are we here (on this planet). Many people won’t take a moment to speak to you because they would think you are waste of time, but I have been using heroin and I can tell you that I stoped and I learned some vital stuff about life ,which would allow me to prepare for what is “afterlife “ or to be precise life after death. If you don’t know that you are most likely to fall into the trap of the devil and this is how you loose your soul (for eternity or end up in hell as they say). It’s up to you to believe that , but if you don’t can you at least contact Mark and point him to my story ,so that he can help me get on the show please ? Thank you 🙏🏻 #iamroccoritchiesdnafather
I've been a social worker in the rural Appalachian region of PA.. please keep up the good fight! Your videos are powerful and raw, and give dignity to thousands ❤
Mark - you have looked into the eyes of the worst of humanity, you’ve told horrific stories. You’ve documented HARD THINGS. Somehow you’ve managed to keep such a loving good heart through it all. I think that’s truly a gift from God. He wanted you to tell these stories and bring light to what’s broken and breaks HIS heart! ❤️ thank you 🙏🏼
Damn, life is not easy for some people. That’s why we need Community. We don’t do community well in the United States. We need to do better. Mark helps us and reminds us.
Also thank you Mark for all you do. This channel is a huge part of me getting sober. I am 11 days clean today. I've been watching this channel since it started. All these years. And I will still watch. I am interested in getting you to come to my town and talk to some people from our homeless camp at Kennedy Park. You do so much for so many people. So thank you and I will continue to support on any way I can.
@@imnotarob0t1984 Imagine giving all the cash to Rebeca in a one time lump sum, lol. You would probably be crying when the person dies of an overdose and then blame mark because he gave them too much money. He trickle feeds them money for a reason.
You know it’s funny how you would still think this man is stealing from them it must be hard to live in Your world. Mark showed the proof of what happened to the money. So that being said do your due diligence before you make assumptions that you don’t know. This is why it’s hard to get help for those that need it when simple minded individuals like yourself don’t know what you are talking about. So put you soapbox away and the adults talk.
With the Whitaker family, I can say I seen it coming. Seemed like in the beginning you were able to really just help them. After a while of watching you with them, it seemed more and more people/family were coming around when you were there almost as if they were notified. Sometimes the leeches ruin a good thing! At least you tried your best and did better than anyone else has done for them. I hope they TRULY appreciate you one day and realize all the good you tried to bring to them! Thanks for all your work in all these videos. It’s truly something that needs to be scared.
@daisy9181 how do you know it was drugs and alcohol with the Whittaker family? I honestly think that they were getting taken advantage of or coerced into calling Mark for money from other extended family members. They obviously are dealing with mental health issues and were an easy target. Mark was put in a difficult position. How do you tell grown adults that they can't have funds donated to them? I'm sure Mark let them know it was coming out of the house funds and they still asked for it.
@@daisy9181the iq of this family can’t control themselves. Should go in trust and a social worker deals. This man should t have to deal. People developmentally delayed for lack of better description are hard to manage because they learn survival and manipulation. To get what they want because they don’t know another way. Soft white underbelly cannot keep the money away from them and probably don’t have training to deal with all their needs. Maybe should have been a go fund me and not told them and had a house built. Unfortunately it makes it hard to help people.
I love this channel! I’m a nurse and I work with homeless and underserved communities. What we do makes people uncomfortable. It’s easier to go on with life and pretend we don’t have veterans living on the streets. I will always support Marks work to raise awareness.
My grandmother was a photographer. She took the last photo of stevie ray vaughn before he died. She gave it to his wife instead of selling it like most people would have done. She took black and white photos of homeless kids in new orleans in the 90's in her gutterpunk series. She passed in 2008 but i still have the photo book and would love to share them with Mark and Noelle. His work reminds me so much of my grandmothers photography. Love this channel and Marks work. Much love again from Louisiana ❤❤❤
Mark, YOU are a great man. Humble, talented, caring, empathetic and an excellent interviewer who treats ALL interviewees with the utmost, genuine respect. Thank you for furthering my personal education about people and the societies in which we exist. Thank you for doing what you do!
The corrupt cop interview was one of my favorite! He told his experiences so well that I could literally envision everything that he described. Love your channel, glad you're staying with us.
I think it’s good to get rid of the go fund me. It’s a nightmare to manage and you have to deal with shitheads who accuse you of mishandling funds. I’m so sorry you had to go through that! That is such a slap in the face of your giving. You are such an amazing human Mark! Thank you for bringing reality to everyone. Thank you for loving and giving to people. You are such an empath and example of love.
You'd need an independent accountant to oversee the money, and complete records of income and expenditure because there's always someone ready to cast doubt
I think that it is terrible how Mark was taken advantage of by the people who he sent out to help the most. It's always the ones we love the most that betray us. I understand, I have been there. Keep on making your art, keep on smiling through the pain. Pain has a purpose, though you may not understand why or how...there is great purpose. If nothing else it definitely shows you that there are still excellent humans on the earth..thank you godspeed mark.
Let me put it like this. I was born and raised in rural Texas during the 1980s and 90s. My family was dirt poor and I have basically self-educated myself from the ground up and I find SWB and Mark very inspiring, informative, and educational. I ended up becoming a journalist, a photographer, communications consultant, and English language coach. Mark, simply put you are the Gold Standard! Absolutely brilliant work. I am truly glad to have watched this video and again--amazing and a lot to learn here and unpack.
I found your channel a few years ago when I was battling cancer. It has inspired me to value life and live it to the fullest!! Thank you for all you do!!!
Mark I’ve been a public school teacher for over 25 years primarily in disadvantaged areas your work is key & I thank u for your unrelentless dedication - kids come to us in school ready or not and u show us mercy and love ❤️
Mark, your channel has really changed me and shaped me. Since finding your channel it’s made me become a better mother. You’ve changed how I look at people. In today’s world when people are so caught up in their own lives and evil is so prevalent- you r channel and message is a shining light. Thanks Mark xx
Your collaboration with Peter Santenello on his Channel was another view of Skid Row and what it is truly like. It was a bonus to have you both working together with presenting the environment.
You are so awesome Mark! Me and my husband watch your channel everyday all day long. We drive alot so we always have SWU blaring on our aux chord, simply amazing! Thank you for all the hard work you put in to making these videos
By that logic, only the Rembrandts and Picassos of the world are artists and everyone else is something less than .. so, I disagree. If you build something from nothing, you can call yourself a creator
I have learned so much about 'real life' since subscribing to this channel - the courage, trauma, depth of personality of the interviewees is incredible... thank you Mark ...
I think this the first time posting, but I love to watch whenever I can, as much as I can. Love this channel, and your reporting style. You have so much respect for your interviewees as well as their stories. Thank you.
Compassion Matters! Some people may never understand, but do not let that stop the flow. Mark is a FINE example of treating people with kindness even if they take advantage. It is not a reflection on Mark that there are many, many takers and very few that have the depth of character to want to help those in such situations. Angel wings are not always obvious!
Intelligent people know the meaning, the importance, and the magnitude of your work. You are a compassionate person and your work is groundbreaking. Keep on keeping on!
I’ve been battling cancer since November of 2023 n your channel was a huge escape for me n really hope this is not the end of the great content you’ve blessed us with. I’ve been clean n sober 10 years on September 4th 2024 n my kids live in a neighboring state n still not really in my life n I’ve had some really tough times n watching your stuff took me away if only an hour at a time. Thanks for everything n hope there’s more coming.
Mark you are such a good person. Being on your channel this last December CHANGED MY LIFE. Meeting you was truly the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me. Thank you thank you thank you. Keep it up
Oh Mark I was afraid you were gonna say you were done with the channel. Thank you for keeping this going. ❤ I think your work is amazing and very helpful to so many people. Love u ❤
You are so amazing with your projects. Glad for all of your support. I did buy your book, I feel honored somehow to have received it. Thank you for all of your work, thoughtsd and efforts. Best and safe travels to you all. Dena/ CT USA
Thank you for involving us and for keeping us updated with the channel. I felt like I had been let in to a very important staff meeting, that i enjoyed thoroughly !
Those who have followed you for a long time Mark know the real you. We love you for being so caring and generous to those that are thrown away by society and forgotten. You have opened my eyes and made me a more empathetic human being. Thank you for all you do❤
Mark, I love your channel and recommend it all the time. I am in school to get my master's in social work, and your content helps inform my worldview in ways I could not accomplish on my own. Your work opens my eyes and my heart even more. You have to be a very empathetic and compassionate person to be in the field of social work. It is difficult work and rewarding when you can positively impact people. I believe you are in the field, doing unpaid social work, documenting it beautifully, and using it to inform/teach others. You may not see this as a helping channel, but just how you listen and give people a safe space to be seen and heard widely is helping. Your non-judgemental attitude, the validation you give, and your time and energy are valuable interventions in their lives. Thank you for all you do. God bless and keep you. I will become a subscriber when I no longer live on unsubsidized student loans.
Mark, you are the very best. You have done so much for so many people especially the family in W Virginia. You have been so good to them. Gods bless you.
I have always been pulled toward broken people. And this channel amazes me because literally everyone has a story to tell! We’re all just trying to get through our lives. Also nice to see Mark in front of the camera instead of behind it!
While you are using , you could be doing a lot better things and learn why are we here (on this planet). Many people won’t take a moment to speak to you because they would think you are waste of time, but I have been using heroin and I can tell you that I stoped and I learned some vital stuff about life ,which would allow me to prepare for what is “afterlife “ or to be precise life after death. If you don’t know that you are most likely to fall into the trap of the devil and this is how you loose your soul (for eternity or end up in hell as they say). It’s up to you to believe that , but if you don’t can you at least contact Mark and point him to my story ,so that he can help me get on the show please ? Thank you 🙏🏻 #iamroccoritchiesdnafather
Mark, I greatly appreciate your work. I live about an hour from the Whittakers and heard about them before I watched your documentaries. You do wonderful work and brought their story to life with compassion and concern for their needs. Thank you for making their lives better!
Mark, I love what you do and the respectful, loving way you do it. My daughter and her family live in LA and I just keep hoping I’ll run into you on one of my visits (I also want to bump into Brian Tyler Cohen) so I can look in your eyes and tell you how much you’ve improved society with your work. 😇
yes I’ve watched the whole video and I’ve been watching his videos regularly. I have even contacted Mark on his email, but when he found out that I am calling him from abroad , he discontinued our communication (which I think it’s wrong ) and just because someone is not in the US ,should not prevent them from coming on the show ? Especially when I know that my story is 100 percent real and I am clean and sober ? Not only that , but my story will make his Chanel SWU more famous because I’ve never told my story anywhere else ! I am the DNA father of Madonna’s children Rocco Ritchie and Lourdes Leon! #iamroccoritchiesdnafather
I’m a second generation adoptee who has been in foster care, a locked down girls facility , and died in 2009. I have a lot of stories in between all that too as I feel my life has never stoped throwing things at me- I stay hopeful and keep pushing forward. I’m going to collage now to become a counselor. I think it’s important for people to see this channel because it can give people hope who may otherwise feel like they are the only one going through something. Thanks for all you do!
I see clients daily as an energy healer and tell my clients to watch SWU as part of our session to help them connect to compassion and understanding. Your videos also help people to release judgment of others poor decisions. Thank you Mark for your love of our world - good, bad and not so great.
Dear Mark, I first saw you on Joe Rogan and I have been captivated by your videos ever since. I just want to say thank you for EVERYTHING that you have and continue to do to bring awareness and help to so many downtrodden and needful people in our society that are often forgotten. Please continue this remarkable work. And a thank you to all your crew as well. Peace, Love and Gummi Bears for all. Luv; Nozgoth
I'm a church worker and also work in the local school system (rough neighborhood of Cleveland OH) who goes to the people who are hurting to help. I sincerely enjoy your videos and support you 100%.
Mark, you’re a gem. Thanks for sharing all of this with us. We are so lucky to have you in this cruel world as a bright light. Much love and respect to you.
Please do not buy the Whittakers a house. It's what WE want for them, but they are happy with what they have. A pre-fab, addition, and repairs are a better option. They're not going to maintain a house, and they just need comfort for their later years. If they get a house, the outside family members might start moving in and taking over. And when the Whittakers are gone, the family will sell the house and profit. I've been suspicious of the extra family members all along. And who knows, maybe they have been taking from them for a long time. From now on, dont put money in their hands. They need food, send money to the grocery store. Need a utility paid, send it directly to the company. Less chance for them to be taken advantage of.
@@chris47374 There is truth in what you have stated. I wonder how people in need , like the Whittaker’s , find out about what they might be entitled to receive in government benefits. Do they have social workers who manage their cases and address their individual needs? Have they been lost in the system because there are no caseworkers to service people in Odd, West Virginia? What I have seen of the sibling , Betty , who directs the others, she is not altogether to be trusted with managing the finances.
Thank you for the update, Mark, and for all that you do. I received my SWU book and adore it….can't wait for more. I can't express how much difference I think you're making in the world…sending much loving energy to you dear kindred soul.
Mark, your work has helped me A LOT to understand trauma, addiction and so much. I needed to understand due to relationships I had and have. I'm southamerican and what you do is very relevant to us, too. Can't thank you enough. I totally support you.
Your channel is so important to give a voice to people who don't have one or feel like they don't - you can see the relief on some of your interviewees faces when they have someone to talk to. I can't imagine how heavy you must feel after some interviews and I'm so thankful for you and what you do. You are magic!!!!!! 🌅
Hi... being from WV...I grew up in Coal City and now live in Beckley...I know this story, I grew up going to the Whitakers being a trouble maker... it was like going to a haunted house.. but a real situation and real people behind it. I feel bad now that I was being a little shit back then... people would drive hundreds of miles just to look at the people who barked when you drove by...ANYWAY... knowing what I know now and I'm an adult, I see I was being cruel. I respect you for coming in and trying to give these people a life they never knew. I would love to find this Tyler, tbh and make him understand exactly what he has done. He ruined a wonderful thing. 💔 Thank you for the work you do. 😊
There are basically 2 types of people....those who run toward those, in ANY need. & those who run faster, away from them!!! As a retired EMT in a Trauma 1 center, I observed this phenomenon nightly.....coming from a 'fake' family, of 'love' mixed with physical and serial abuse, i turned INWARD, & spent many hours perched on a bathroom counter, looking into my eyes, & talking myself into a bearable-type of sanity & loving ❤ myself....I am 73yo, now....and an ENORMOUS EMPATH to people, animals, even the broken wing, of a butterfly.....mattered. I still talk, to that lil green-eyed 'friend' for Wisdom.....MY 'STORY' amazes even, 'her' TY FOR 'WHO YOU ARE', you are a rare one, needed in this world!!!❤ chibo
Love love your honesty .You have brought to light the reality of the homeless. I stand behind you and your channel. The Whitakers have a soft spot in my heart. You have brought them so much happiness and acceptance.
So great to see you on the other side of the camera being interviewed. I really enjoy your subjects; they do have such fascinating stories. Thanks for sharing!
Mark I truly adore you. I finally figured out what the title soft white under belly means for me and I believe for you as well. I believe it's a metaphor the first part is soft white underbelly is when a animal shows you there belly it's soft white there exposing themselves being vulnerable as well as total trust. Now you take these beautiful folks telling there life stories they are being vulnerable exposing all that is in them and they are totally putting there trust in us. SWUB it's so perfect. You coming up with that, are a genius I really love it. You remind me of one of Jesus's apostles. I love who you are. I'm not a paying subscriber because I'm out of work at the time however I would be if I had the money to give to help you continue this cause. Lastly I'd love any of your beautiful books. I would love to show the world my SWUB however I have way too many secrets I'm to scared to let go of. Be Blessed Mark Your also very handsome ❤
In my 50-something years on this planet, I learned more from your channel, Mark, then from any text book I've read. Every ounce of what you do matters! Thank you!!
I just came upon your channel Your interviews and videos are so real, moving, heartbreaking. Just saw the RIP video. Beautiful souls-may they now be at peace. I look forward to following your work and individuals’ stories
I come from New Zealand and I'm watching this video in a hotel room in Vietnam. I just want to say how much I love your content. You have changed the lives of many around the world who you won't ever meet. Please continue your work. These videos will still help people when we are all gone. What a crazy world we live in. Coming from New Zealand and traveling Vietnam has opened my eyes to how much we should all appreciate what we have. I love this world. I love people. Be nice to each other. You get what you give in this life. Love Hayden ❤
Loved learning more about you Mark. You're a really unique, open-hearted person & the voice you've given to so many others is just inspiring. I wish you all of the luck in the world for this channel & your personal happiness in general. Lots of love from AZ.
I found this channel awhile ago and felt so related to many interviewed with their mental health struggles. Thank you for this space. Keep up the good work. Greetings from the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴❤️🌷🦋☀️💎
I would like to see you interview the GIV his name is Mike he has a channel on here he covers LA but mostly Venice Beach. He probably has a great story .
@@Alritealritealrite•The Amish Lady knitting sticks in my mind ?She was knitting I think as a distraction from Trauma I have found most people like myself that have a mental health diagnosis (Majority not all )But certainly lots that I have been in EDU with it’s because of Trauma I said to my Dr rather than all these different diagnosis ever Dr I see and all these different meds and treatments can they not just put Trauma?He said would be far easier…
I wish my uncle had met you and had been interviewed. He was a long-time resident of the Tenderloin. A Navy veteran. A very interesting man who experienced much in this life. He chose to be out on the streets for whatever reason. He had just been approved for housing, but then he passed suddenly just two years ago.
I'd like to see videos of people like your Uncle. Those who have served and then, for whatever reason, chose to not live a "normal" life. These heroes are owed so much and yet the (current) politicians and radicals want to erase them.
Marc, the support outways the bullshit. Keep up the great work that you and your staff are doing. It's amazing to see how your work has graced the Whitakers, for one. "Surrender, surrender, but don't give yourself away"
I think a lot when I watch this channel about the end of Hell's Angels by Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson was trying to do, through his brand of drug-addled, autobiographical journalism, similar to what Soft White Underbelly is doing: Capture a picture of the world we don't see, in the hopes of changing how we understand the world that's normally shown to us. Thompson gives a deeply personal, chapters-long narrative about the men he met from that biker gang, about their history, about their interactions with them, about their perspective on violence and straight society, about everything. Then, at the very end, he writes an afterward, about how his time with the gang ended abruptly when one of them, for not much reason, beat him up, with some help but also with some pulling-away by the man's gang brothers. Thompson writes about this very sparsely compared to how he writes the rest of the book--not seeking to put us in that room, in that moment, with him. He simply says, angrily, that they turned on him and that now he's done with them. Sonny Barger, one of the most important of the Angels from that era, was there, and says that by his club's rules, Thompson had the beating coming to him.
This channel, more than anything, is a story about hustlers of all kinds. People who step outside normal boundaries of society, out of need or trauma or boredom. People who break laws, who live rough, who sell themselves, who hurt others, all to survive. Outlaws--people who live, or who have lived, outside the law. Survival systematically trumps, if not decency, respectability, for most of them--as it would for most of us in similar circumstances. There are other stories told here, too--SWU's interview style, patient, non-judgmental, listening with empathy, that style can be used to draw out all kinds of stories from all kinds of people. But mostly, it's stories of people who are hustling to survive, who are in that struggle for some kind of reason, and who might still someday be utterly defeated by whatever that reason is.
Thompson was telling a story about violent outlaws, who ultimately turned that violence on him. SWU is telling a story about hustler outlaws, who have repeatedly sought--at times successfully, at times not--to hustle him. But there's a deep overlap between the desperation of outlaw violence and the desperation of outlaw hustling. Getting hustled is far from the worst that could happen to someone doing this work.
So, I don't just watch. I watch, and I worry. But then, after worrying for a while, I think about how outlaw risk threatens us all, whether we seek it out or not. The school children in Sandy Hook, in Uvalde, hadn't invited outlaw danger the way Thompson did, the way Mark does. It simply came for them one day. I wonder if maybe projects like this one are the only hope we have of ever really understanding why.
He is the opposite of Thompson in both method and being, please don’t positively compare this corporate dude bro who points a camera at people to a genuine Gonzo genius.
@@HOMETELEVISION-fy6ib Dissimilar approaches. Common aim of mission, especially with respect to that particular book of Thompson's.
@@extrageneity bullshit, Hunter’s aims were leagues more profound than this corporate dude.
@@HOMETELEVISION-fy6ib I respect your opinion. HST was one of the most important writers of his generation.
It comes across in your comments that you admire HST. It comes across that you don't admire Mark, but calling him corporate isn't really giving insight into why you wouldn't, because I don't really have any idea of what you mean by it.
So, I understand that I am making a comparison between someone you like and someone you don't, and that you don't like the comparison.
But, if you really think it's an invalid comparison, you're not saying why.
I said that part of HST's aim with the Hell's Angels book was to give his readers a greater insight into an outlaw culture, and that this aim was a common theme across many of his works. I'm not saying that's all he aimed for, I'm saying it was an important element. If you disagree with this, you haven't said why.
I also don't understand why you disagree with me that this aim, to communicate about outlaw experiences with an audience that might be ignorant to those, is also central to the Soft White Underbelly project. You haven't said what you think, just that you consider the man who makes it to be "corporate."
Thus, I don't understand why you find the need to disagree with me, in a tone of anger, when I say that these two creators, working in different media and in different decades, share a common theme in their work--and have both been put at physical risk in the course of doing that work. Hunter really did get stomped by an angry biker. Mark really could have something like that happen to him, pursuing this work.
If you don't think that's true, you're not saying why. Whatever your grievance is with SWU and its creator, I'm sure it's important to you, and there's nothing wrong with that.
We're allowed to disagree about this. You don't owe me clarification of why you disagree if you don't want to give it. But without that clarification, our conversation has probably run its course.
Maybe all this is obvious and doesn't need to be said. I'm saying it anyway because I think it's good for me to try to understand other perspectives, and to speak respectfully to people who seem angry or annoyed with me. Thanks for reading and talking with me.
@@extrageneity yes the dude bro really embedded himself in the biker gang 😅
Mark, I use to be a social worker but I am now retired. The work you do to give a voice to the voiceless in our society is critical. Never change.
Same here, but I burned out about 3 years ago. Great work, God's work if you will, but not for me.
I'm thinking I should be helping people with drug problems since I got help for myself in 2015 & now that I don't do drugs I feel like I should help people who do, any advice for someone who wants to help from someone who's been a social worker?
@brianjansen3103 Brian I am exact same boat as you, but with a later date. I found it extremely difficult to be and maintain my sobriety as I was working as a social worker. I was great at my job, got promoted at every SW job I held, but ultimately in the end- being so immersed in that world will take something from you. There is no way around that. You'll learn self-care and 1000 different techniques in school to curb this. But in the end, it happens to everyone. That's why there is SO MUCH burnout in this field. You are doing extremely difficult work for about 25$ an hour, high end. It's rough.
God bless you all🙏🏾. Thank you for all you’ve done, and all the good ,you all will do!💕
This is what the haters can't understand.
Was anyone else terrified that Mark was going to say he needed a break or was no longer going to make videos? Huge relief!! We are ready to support you!
Yes! So relived that’s not the case. I would have missed him and his work terribly!
I didn't think that at all. But I'm glad that's not the case though😂
@@wesleyAlan9179right? No way Mark would throw his passion away over some young punk questioning his "honor"
Yessssss!!!! Mark holds a special place in this currently fvcked up world... that seemingly becomes all the more special when we contemplate him leaving it. We are grateful, Mark. And we are your tribe... always.
I was! Huge relief indeed.
I know that Betty Whitaker broke your heart but always remember they learned to trust humanity through you . I think it is Ray (the one who doesn't talk) whose face lights up when he sees you. Your the one who after so much time of abuse and torment you taught him to trust and he is worthy of interest, compassion and respect. That is golden and you did that
Ray …and Timmy, too!
Same with Lorraine, she was even speaking in the last video, where she never did at first.
Good luck with all you do Mark....❤
I was going to say Mark should cut his losses, but you are 💯 about Ray Timmy and Lorraine.
Wake up
Anyone who watches Mark, even randomly, can tell that he is a stand-up, great individual. Good intentions. Straight forward. Generous. Honest. all round good guy.
You kids today, laughable your perceptions are😂😂the "read" you have on people, the internet renders folks devoid of judgement
Dear, I am a 73 year old grandmother, but thank you, because it's been quite awhile since I've been called a kid.
@@bethewalt7385 I agree that Mark isn't the great guy who this 73 year old grandmother thinks she's got a good "read" on.
@@bethewalt7385evolve
I am a university professor and I am surrounded be educated and privileged people. This channel has introduced me to a world that I would never have a chance to know. The strength and resilience that I have seen from so many of the people is very admirable.
Social media actually has its perks, doesn’t it?
Coming from someone who has NEVER created a Facebook account, because I predicted all the chaos way before it ever took place. Lol... I’m a fan of UA-cam though. People have to show who they really are on UA-cam, and there’s a lot of value in that.
Maybe try going outside and talking to people?? I suggest the closest diner to you. I travel all over the US and I think just going outside and yourself out in the general public really does the same. Conversations can simply be started by saying “HELLO”.
@@RickyMooney360You are such a genius! Who would had ever thought of doing that?!
However, by doing those things , one would NEVER discover what can be seen here, unless one were to make a career out of going out and starting conversations. Furthermore, there is no place like skid row, anywhere, much less where the majority of people live. And I’m okay with that. But I think you get the point.
@@airadaimagery692 Mark does not show who he really is. He curates the content like his bank account depends on it.
To never have seen a crackhead in person is probably the most privileged life I have ever heard of... I'm jealous of you honestly.... wow
Your interviews TREMENDOUSLY changed my perspective on the homeless
Same... I used to think they were helpless to their situations. I now realize how chosen that lifestyle is.
@@BuddyRevell455then you’ve obviously learned nothing…
@@BuddyRevell455 yeah toddlers really shouldn't be showing their dipers unless they want someone to get into them right?
@@prittyugly86you can't even spell check your comment. I don't encourage you to spread more hate and vitriol, or show your true hatred so plainly. it is embarrassing.
100% agree, thank you Mark for opening my eyes.
you're 64 Mark??? sheesh you look GOOD! and THANK YOU for all of your humanity .. god bless
Agree! Looks great and sooo handsome!
I agree. I thought it was in his late 40s or early to mid 50s
64! 👀 your so young looking and handsome❤ Good on you Mark:)
Damn he my father’s age
Hes a hottie!
We stand with Mark! 💯!!!! Mark, You’re an incredible human being! Thank you for everything you do!!!!
💯%!!!!!
Yes! 👍👏👏👏❤️
One bad apple will not spoil all the good that you do Mark. We stand behind you 110%.🙏🥰
What is any good from his hundreds if not thousands of dollars of exploiting people at the worst point of their lives. Immortalized for $50 in the internet and books.
Listen to this corny add of plugging his products and his now 4th shitty book
As if it’s some rare book
👍👏👏👏❤️
i was a cop for 15 years Mark. You are a kind soul. You want to help. So do I. Be careful you don't accidentally let the darkness consume you. Remember you deserve a life too. We like to make as much of a positive impact as possible but you of all people should understand how complex and difficult that can be. I slipped a little too far into the darkness and my mental health suffered. Just don't want to see that happen to you. The world needs more folks like you. Take care of yourself as well.
❤
Unfortunately if you REAL:LY wanted to help, and not just have lots of power/Be above others (virtue signal)... You wouldn't have become a cop. You would have done something that ACTUALLY helps society like a nurse, a doctor, a social worker. A job where you dont get paid to put drug addicts in jail. where you don't turn people who just need a better healthcare system into criminals. Or turn someone who's stealing just to help[ his family because the two jobs hes working isnt enough.
We need to stop idolizing cops. Everything about that institution is inherently discriminatory. Cops don't help, they just feed the machine.
Marks soul is now letting the darkness in. He can't stop himself. It's only just begun...
@@damagecase13 cops do just as much to help as the others do.
@@ctrandlmr1996 thank you for your comment but you don't have to dignify ignorant comments. There will always be people who are prejudiced against all cops because of the actions of a few bad cops.
I discovered SWU during COVID, when I was laid off work. My job evolved into work-from-home, which I still do to this day. A Good Day at work for me is starting my morning with coffee and SWU. I live a very conventional middle-class life and SWU has definitely exposed me to people I would normally never meet, and helps me to understand lifestyles that are completely alien to me. No matter how different we are, we all experience emotions, highs and lows, happiness and tragedy in our lives. My biggest take-away from SWU is that we are all human and linked together in ways we may never understand and even be aware of. I feel like SWU should be required viewing for High School students.
What is SWU please????
Soft, White Underbelly @@ryanjofre
Soft White Underbelly
@@ArpiChatvideos lmfao. I’m so stressed & tired I thought it was a different acronym than this channel.
Thanks 🙏
Lucky you I really wish to have a job work from home
De-monetized by YT? WTF? That's disgusting censorship. Your interviews are incredible classics. Thank you so much, Mark.
How do we complain about that to you tube?
@@brandonluther80 There is a UA-cam Creators channel, and a Creator Insider channel. They only sometime respond, but _claim_ they read every comment there. Also, I don't have Twitter, but I've heard that they actually interact with people on their Twitter account. I'm not sure if it's their main UA-cam Twitter account or some Creator Insider account, but many people suggested I talk to them on Twitter when I hade a major problem a while back.
The censorship and bias on UA-cam has gotten way out of hand. It's beyond inexcusable at this point.
Rumble !!! UA-cam has became extreme on censorship
@@PrissyKrissy2 evidently youtube censored my reply here. I'm getting notifications, but I don't see any comments by me here.
Not censorship. No one is interested in these stories. They aren't watching. UA-cam wants to make money, they don't want to censor. The Whittakers are the only story people are interested in.
Mark
After 20 yrs of helping the wittackers, i am glad you have decided to move on now. I think they got a little to comfortable and took advantage of your kindness. You had become an endless bank for them instead of a friend. It was time. Kudos to you for trying the past 20 yrs to help this family ❤
Wow I didn’t realize he helped them that long
Seriously? 20 years? Source?
Yes their cognitive disabilities probably hindered that plus they needed some sort of accountability management or some thing they shouldn’t have been on their own with at all. Also how do we know that they were not scammed?
100% agree
Scammed by family members@@LeaMessenger
Mark I'm a mother of a recovered herion addict. I think doing a few interviews of parents of addicts and the affects it has on them and what they went through and how they supported their addicted loved one the journey they took to help them get well would be great. I'd love to do it.
Have you formally submitted your suggestion and bio?
Our stories are our own perception, and rarely 100 of the reality, despite our own honest intentions.
Yes! Also parents/ family of people who died of fentanyl like myself. My husband passed away of a cocaine/fentanyl overdose.
Definitely a GREAT idea! Many do not get to see or hear from those whom the addict has adversely affected. Having a loved one who is an addict is an extremely painful thing. It's like watching the death of someone you love yet they still live and what is hurting them you alone can not stop. It is traumatic. The hardest part is detaching from the vicious cycle of insanity, having the understanding that if we do not, we too will go down with them instead of help them.
Sending hugs your way. 🫂
Yes that would be super interesting!
I would like to give a quick thank you. When I found your channel, I was in my addiction. Some of your videos were a huge wake up call for me. Like a gut punch. You are one of the many reasons I got sober 195 days ago! What you do matters and thank you. 💜
@Latabrine you got yourself clean sweet heart ❤️
This is amazing!!!
Congratulations ❤ 🎊 👏🏽
You are doing so good. I’m proud of you. ❤️
Congratulations on your sobriety!!! We’re all pulling for you!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Ive Been with U since day 1...and Im Sober since 4/20/2018....!!!!!!!!!! Ur VIDEOS SCARED ME!!!!!!! Seeing these People who were Just Like ME!!!!!! The BooK is AMAZING!!!!!! THANK YOU FROM A "STILL RECOVERING ADDICT".....!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well done 🙏♥️✨✨✨
Keep going! I’m proud of you! ❤️
Amazing! I'm glad you decided to get clean! ❤ GOD BLESS YOU! ❤
That’s my birthday! Keep going champion 🎉
You got this, brattracy2542! Very proud of you! 😁😁😁
Thank you for the work you do. I am a stay-at-home dad, and your channel has immensely helped me with raising my children.
The stories that have been told by many of your interviewees, show me the importance of childhood events. So I am constantly reminding myself to foster positive experiences with my kids.
I wish I could subscribe to your website, but I just can not justify the money as I do not have any extra funds to spare.
Please continue to post videos on youtube. I still very much enjoy them.
respect
Agree
Go get a job dude and foster their livelihoods. You can play with them on your days off.
@elizabethwalker7190 well bless your little heart. Just a wee ray of sunshine aren't you.
@@valeriegordon3000 that's me
I'm from New Zealand. Society should be judged on how well u treat the poor, sick, young, old & vulnerable people. Thank you Mark so much for bringing to light the hidden people, the forgotten people. This is the real world. Much love & peaceout.
Yes & Amen, Kiwi here too ❤
Another kiwi here I totally agree with you xo
And yet another Kiwi here too!! Lots of NZ supporters here 👍
Bless you Mark
Beautifully spoken. I was afraid you would quit on us 😅
Kiwi here as well. Bloody love this channel 🥝❤
Your heart is in the right place Mark. We will always stand with you.
While you are using , you could be doing a lot better things and learn why are we here (on this planet). Many people won’t take a moment to speak to you because they would think you are waste of time, but I have been using heroin and I can tell you that I stoped and I learned some vital stuff about life ,which would allow me to prepare for what is “afterlife “ or to be precise life after death. If you don’t know that you are most likely to fall into the trap of the devil and this is how you loose your soul (for eternity or end up in hell as they say). It’s up to you to believe that , but if you don’t can you at least contact Mark and point him to my story ,so that he can help me get on the show please ?
Thank you 🙏🏻 #iamroccoritchiesdnafather
I've been a social worker in the rural Appalachian region of PA.. please keep up the good fight! Your videos are powerful and raw, and give dignity to thousands ❤
Mark - you have looked into the eyes of the worst of humanity, you’ve told horrific stories. You’ve documented HARD THINGS. Somehow you’ve managed to keep such a loving good heart through it all. I think that’s truly a gift from God. He wanted you to tell these stories and bring light to what’s broken and breaks HIS heart! ❤️ thank you 🙏🏼
100%. ❤
Check out Diane Arbus, this has soooooo been done before, mark rides the coat tails of the greats
Damn, life is not easy for some people. That’s why we need Community. We don’t do community well in the United States. We need to do better. Mark helps us and reminds us.
Also thank you Mark for all you do. This channel is a huge part of me getting sober. I am 11 days clean today. I've been watching this channel since it started. All these years. And I will still watch. I am interested in getting you to come to my town and talk to some people from our homeless camp at Kennedy Park. You do so much for so many people. So thank you and I will continue to support on any way I can.
Stay strong, you got this. ❤
Good luck to you. I wish you the best!
You can do this! Please look up "Celebrate Recovery" in your area. It's amazing you'll love it and they'll love on you too
Congratulations! Sending you positivity. ❤
Proud of you, keep on punching. 🤙
No good deed goes unpunished. You’re helping those people who need it and that makes other people jealous.
I don't like that saying. Plenty of good deeds are well rewarded.
so the good deed is using your personal cashapp, venmo and paypal to collect money for someone and then pocketing most of it? Understood.
@@imnotarob0t1984 Imagine giving all the cash to Rebeca in a one time lump sum, lol. You would probably be crying when the person dies of an overdose and then blame mark because he gave them too much money. He trickle feeds them money for a reason.
@@ViperOptix👌
You know it’s funny how you would still think this man is stealing from them it must be hard to live in Your world. Mark showed the proof of what happened to the money. So that being said do your due diligence before you make assumptions that you don’t know. This is why it’s hard to get help for those that need it when simple minded individuals like yourself don’t know what you are talking about. So put you soapbox away and the adults talk.
My faith in you will never be shaken, just a true humanitarian. God bless you and keep you!
With the Whitaker family, I can say I seen it coming. Seemed like in the beginning you were able to really just help them. After a while of watching you with them, it seemed more and more people/family were coming around when you were there almost as if they were notified. Sometimes the leeches ruin a good thing! At least you tried your best and did better than anyone else has done for them. I hope they TRULY appreciate you one day and realize all the good you tried to bring to them! Thanks for all your work in all these videos. It’s truly something that needs to be scared.
Do you mean sacred, not scared?
I think they meant, “shared.”
It seems more to me like he enabled them and they were able to get more drugs and / or alcohol from the $ he gave them.
@daisy9181 how do you know it was drugs and alcohol with the Whittaker family? I honestly think that they were getting taken advantage of or coerced into calling Mark for money from other extended family members. They obviously are dealing with mental health issues and were an easy target. Mark was put in a difficult position. How do you tell grown adults that they can't have funds donated to them? I'm sure Mark let them know it was coming out of the house funds and they still asked for it.
@@daisy9181the iq of this family can’t control themselves. Should go in trust and a social worker deals. This man should t have to deal. People developmentally delayed for lack of better description are hard to manage because they learn survival and manipulation. To get what they want because they don’t know another way. Soft white underbelly cannot keep the money away from them and probably don’t have training to deal with all their needs. Maybe should have been a go fund me and not told them and had a house built. Unfortunately it makes it hard to help people.
I love this channel! I’m a nurse and I work with homeless and underserved communities. What we do makes people uncomfortable. It’s easier to go on with life and pretend we don’t have veterans living on the streets. I will always support Marks work to raise awareness.
Thanks for what you do, Christy. Many blessings!
Nobody questions why there are so many homeless vets or if they make up enough of the homeless population to be the only ones society will pity.
Homeless PEOPLE deserve help and respect, it doesn't matter if they are veterans.
I would really enjoy seeing more interviews from nurses!
@@user-mq6dy2ee5f nurses today shun the people of SWU. Id love to see some show their face as they spew their disgust they have for patients.
My grandmother was a photographer. She took the last photo of stevie ray vaughn before he died. She gave it to his wife instead of selling it like most people would have done. She took black and white photos of homeless kids in new orleans in the 90's in her gutterpunk series. She passed in 2008 but i still have the photo book and would love to share them with Mark and Noelle. His work reminds me so much of my grandmothers photography. Love this channel and Marks work. Much love again from Louisiana ❤❤❤
Katie wow! Your Grandmother must have been such a cool, fascinating woman! I bet she had some stories that would have been GREAT on SWU!
God bless your sweet grandma. That was so kind of her to give the photo to Stevie’s family.
Hi neighbor! ❤
Wow, yes please share.
I wish I could afford to subscribe monthly. Love your channel and so appreciate what you do! ❤
Mark, what you do is amazing. We stand with you. Please be sure you are taking care of yourself also.
Mark, YOU are a great man. Humble, talented, caring, empathetic and an excellent interviewer who treats ALL interviewees with the utmost, genuine respect. Thank you for furthering my personal education about people and the societies in which we exist. Thank you for doing what you do!
The corrupt cop interview was one of my favorite! He told his experiences so well that I could literally envision everything that he described. Love your channel, glad you're staying with us.
Mike dowd,? I worked with him at his precinct in 84-85. Not a bad guy just was young and human.
@@Jeff-sp7bg Yes, that's him! Loved his interview.
Watch the documentary The 7-5
@@Zombiisugar I'll check it out. Thank you!
@@truthfullyme7416 no problem! You'll love it it's about his life
I think it’s good to get rid of the go fund me. It’s a nightmare to manage and you have to deal with shitheads who accuse you of mishandling funds. I’m so sorry you had to go through that! That is such a slap in the face of your giving.
You are such an amazing human Mark! Thank you for bringing reality to everyone. Thank you for loving and giving to people. You are such an empath and example of love.
Beautiful message! I couldn't have said it better, Mark lives the Truth; Just Be Kind
How shall he pay his bills?
totally agree
You'd need an independent accountant to oversee the money, and complete records of income and expenditure because there's always someone ready to cast doubt
I think that it is terrible how Mark was taken advantage of by the people who he sent out to help the most. It's always the ones we love the most that betray us. I understand, I have been there. Keep on making your art, keep on smiling through the pain. Pain has a purpose, though you may not understand why or how...there is great purpose. If nothing else it definitely shows you that there are still excellent humans on the earth..thank you godspeed mark.
This man has opened up a whole new world to the insight of humanity. ❤❤❤
I'm a brand new clinician with a MA in Forensic Psychology. Your interviews are fantastic and incredibly informative.
Mark is a creep - and I know his type who are raised in the Chicago suburbs - they are defiantly not worldly
@@caribcarib4337 go crawl under a rock where you belong!
@caribcarib4337 who do you consider worldly?
Let me put it like this. I was born and raised in rural Texas during the 1980s and 90s. My family was dirt poor and I have basically self-educated myself from the ground up and I find SWB and Mark very inspiring, informative, and educational. I ended up becoming a journalist, a photographer, communications consultant, and English language coach. Mark, simply put you are the Gold Standard! Absolutely brilliant work. I am truly glad to have watched this video and again--amazing and a lot to learn here and unpack.
Your black and white images are what lured me to your channel. They are stunning!
Me too
Same here!! Then I stayed for more, the people and their stories.
I found your channel a few years ago when I was battling cancer. It has inspired me to value life and live it to the fullest!! Thank you for all you do!!!
Mark I’ve been a public school teacher for over 25 years primarily in disadvantaged areas your work is key & I thank u for your unrelentless dedication - kids come to us in school ready or not and u show us mercy and love ❤️
I’ve been a drunk for nearly 25 years yeah, so no need to brag love
50 years! Mark you look awesome! I wouldn't have thought you were 64. Thank you for sharing what you do.
Wtf...64??? 😮 Godduckmnit
I thought he was around my age!!!! LOL I am 48 😮
He’s 64???!! Holy crap
He looks 40
He looks his age.
Thank you for not closing up shop and walking away !! There are so many people out here to support you and that truly believe in you !
Thank you very much mark, May 17th 2017 I got sober and I thank you for just seeing these individuals, and just being a real human. Much love
Mark, your channel has really changed me and shaped me. Since finding your channel it’s made me become a better mother. You’ve changed how I look at people. In today’s world when people are so caught up in their own lives and evil is so prevalent- you r channel and message is a shining light. Thanks Mark xx
Thank you Mark and SWU.
I am a Licensed Family Therapist. I mentor new therapists and your channel is part of trauma informed care.
That's crazy
I hadn’t heard about any scandal but I wouldn’t have believed any of it anyway. Your videos show your heart. Keep doing you.
Hardly
That's wonderful 😊 Thank you ❤
Your collaboration with Peter Santenello on his Channel was another view of Skid Row and what it is truly like. It was a bonus to have you both working together with presenting the environment.
Oh I love watching them both. What a collab. 🙌🏼 ❤
2 of the VERY TOP FAVORITE CHANNELS FOR ME
You are so awesome Mark! Me and my husband watch your channel everyday all day long. We drive alot so we always have SWU blaring on our aux chord, simply amazing! Thank you for all the hard work you put in to making these videos
As creators, favorite videos are often the least popular and the one’s we don’t like as much go viral. That’s all of us, not just you. 😢
facts
Yes! I look at my analytics and I'm like ... i h a t e that video why is it so popular 🤣
create a "directors cut" + playlist
If you make a video that really matters and it’s about something , then you can call yourself a creator .
By that logic, only the Rembrandts and Picassos of the world are artists and everyone else is something less than .. so, I disagree. If you build something from nothing, you can call yourself a creator
Mark it is abundantly clear from your videos that you deeply care for these people. I love your interview style, please keep up the great work!
I have learned so much about 'real life' since subscribing to this channel - the courage, trauma, depth of personality of the interviewees is incredible... thank you Mark ...
I think this the first time posting, but I love to watch whenever I can, as much as I can.
Love this channel, and your reporting style. You have so much respect for your interviewees as well as their stories. Thank you.
Compassion Matters! Some people may never understand, but do not let that stop the flow. Mark is a FINE example of treating people with kindness even if they take advantage. It is not a reflection on Mark that there are many, many takers and very few that have the depth of character to want to help those in such situations. Angel wings are not always obvious!
Intelligent people know the meaning, the importance, and the magnitude of your work. You are a compassionate person and your work is groundbreaking. Keep on keeping on!
YES
Well said.
Never doubted you Mark. Thank you for what you do. Love and respect.
I’ve been battling cancer since November of 2023 n your channel was a huge escape for me n really hope this is not the end of the great content you’ve blessed us with.
I’ve been clean n sober 10 years on September 4th 2024 n my kids live in a neighboring state n still not really in my life n I’ve had some really tough times n watching your stuff took me away if only an hour at a time.
Thanks for everything n hope there’s more coming.
Mark you are such a good person. Being on your channel this last December CHANGED MY LIFE. Meeting you was truly the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me. Thank you thank you thank you. Keep it up
Thanks Gabrielle!
People such as yourself have helped people with your courage, Gabrielle. Thank you, too.
It touches me how many people who Mark has interviewed are commenting and giving testimony to his kindness.
He condones child trafficking and celebrates degeneracy and mental illness
@@janehilt1376
You support fascism
Oh Mark I was afraid you were gonna say you were done with the channel. Thank you for keeping this going. ❤ I think your work is amazing and very helpful to so many people. Love u ❤
This is a good channel. The world needs more of this.
You are so amazing with your projects. Glad for all of your support. I did buy your book, I feel honored somehow to have received it. Thank you for all of your work, thoughtsd and efforts.
Best and safe travels to you all. Dena/ CT USA
It was an honor being on your channel it has changed my life you changed my life mark! Your one of the best men I've met besides my dad Freddie!
Great to read this!
Fantastic!
Thank you for sharing. Which video is yours?
@@DorisTheChicken3013 recovering crystal meth addict Lindsay in my interview!
@@lindsaycargill2032congrats on your journey to sobriety
Your channel changed my life! I talk about SWU all the time. We love you Mark! You're a special person
Thank you for involving us and for keeping us updated with the channel. I felt like I had been let in to a very important staff meeting, that i enjoyed thoroughly !
when you were talking about rebecca i started to cry. my heart so aches for her. mercy on rebecca, dear god. deep, substantial, transformative mercy.
Those who have followed you for a long time Mark know the real you. We love you for being so caring and generous to those that are thrown away by society and forgotten. You have opened my eyes and made me a more empathetic human being. Thank you for all you do❤
Mark, I love your channel and recommend it all the time. I am in school to get my master's in social work, and your content helps inform my worldview in ways I could not accomplish on my own. Your work opens my eyes and my heart even more. You have to be a very empathetic and compassionate person to be in the field of social work. It is difficult work and rewarding when you can positively impact people. I believe you are in the field, doing unpaid social work, documenting it beautifully, and using it to inform/teach others. You may not see this as a helping channel, but just how you listen and give people a safe space to be seen and heard widely is helping. Your non-judgemental attitude, the validation you give, and your time and energy are valuable interventions in their lives. Thank you for all you do. God bless and keep you. I will become a subscriber when I no longer live on unsubsidized student loans.
It makes me happy that there are such good young people in the world as you, Cicely. I wish you the happiest life!
I’m getting a MSW too, graduating in May! You can do it & you’re making a difference.
Congrats on joining the most rewarding job!!!! I'm an LCSW..HAPPY SOCIAL WORK MONTH!!!
Mark, you are the very best. You have done so much for so many people especially the family in W Virginia. You have been so good to them. Gods bless you.
I have always been pulled toward broken people. And this channel amazes me because literally everyone has a story to tell! We’re all just trying to get through our lives. Also nice to see Mark in front of the camera instead of behind it!
Just keep being yourself mark!! And we will always support you
While you are using , you could be doing a lot better things and learn why are we here (on this planet). Many people won’t take a moment to speak to you because they would think you are waste of time, but I have been using heroin and I can tell you that I stoped and I learned some vital stuff about life ,which would allow me to prepare for what is “afterlife “ or to be precise life after death. If you don’t know that you are most likely to fall into the trap of the devil and this is how you loose your soul (for eternity or end up in hell as they say). It’s up to you to believe that , but if you don’t can you at least contact Mark and point him to my story ,so that he can help me get on the show please ?
Thank you 🙏🏻 #iamroccoritchiesdnafather
Mark, I greatly appreciate your work. I live about an hour from the Whittakers and heard about them before I watched your documentaries. You do wonderful work and brought their story to life with compassion and concern for their needs. Thank you for making their lives better!
Mark, I love what you do and the respectful, loving way you do it. My daughter and her family live in LA and I just keep hoping I’ll run into you on one of my visits (I also want to bump into Brian Tyler Cohen) so I can look in your eyes and tell you how much you’ve improved society with your work. 😇
yes I’ve watched the whole video and I’ve been watching his videos regularly. I have even contacted Mark on his email, but when he found out that I am calling him from abroad , he discontinued our communication (which I think it’s wrong ) and just because someone is not in the US ,should not prevent them from coming on the show ? Especially when I know that my story is 100 percent real and I am clean and sober ? Not only that , but my story will make his Chanel SWU more famous because I’ve never told
my story anywhere else !
I am the DNA father of Madonna’s children Rocco Ritchie and Lourdes Leon!
#iamroccoritchiesdnafather
Why would Madonna pick u of all people? I thought they were her ex husband Guy Ritchie's children...
I’m a second generation adoptee who has been in foster care, a locked down girls facility , and died in 2009. I have a lot of stories in between all that too as I feel my life has never stoped throwing things at me- I stay hopeful and keep pushing forward. I’m going to collage now to become a counselor. I think it’s important for people to see this channel
because it can give people hope who may otherwise feel like they are the only one going through something. Thanks for all you do!
"Died in 2009"? Did you mean adopted in 2009? Glad you made it to a good path, wishing you all the best!
@@galndixie no- I died in 2009- and was rescued.
I respect the story you did about the Amish women...Thank you
I see clients daily as an energy healer and tell my clients to watch SWU as part of our session to help them connect to compassion and understanding. Your videos also help people to release judgment of others poor decisions. Thank you Mark for your love of our world - good, bad and not so great.
I absolutely love your concert pics!!! Please consider publishing some of your pictures through the years. Would love that❤
Just a simple thank you for all you do! Your kindness has blessed many!
Dear Mark, I first saw you on Joe Rogan and I have been captivated by your videos ever since. I just want to say thank you for EVERYTHING that you have and continue to do to bring awareness and help to so many downtrodden and needful people in our society that are often forgotten. Please continue this remarkable work. And a thank you to all your crew as well. Peace, Love and Gummi Bears for all. Luv; Nozgoth
I'm a church worker and also work in the local school system (rough neighborhood of Cleveland OH) who goes to the people who are hurting to help. I sincerely enjoy your videos and support you 100%.
Mark, you’re a gem. Thanks for sharing all of this with us. We are so lucky to have you in this cruel world as a bright light.
Much love and respect to you.
Please do not buy the Whittakers a house. It's what WE want for them, but they are happy with what they have. A pre-fab, addition, and repairs are a better option. They're not going to maintain a house, and they just need comfort for their later years. If they get a house, the outside family members might start moving in and taking over. And when the Whittakers are gone, the family will sell the house and profit. I've been suspicious of the extra family members all along. And who knows, maybe they have been taking from them for a long time. From now on, dont put money in their hands. They need food, send money to the grocery store. Need a utility paid, send it directly to the company. Less chance for them to be taken advantage of.
yeah honestly I think if mark could organize something with like the nearest grocery store or walmart or something for consistent food deliveries.
I agree about the extra people around the Whittaker’s. I think that’s where all of the money is going
They need a conservator, if a trustworthy person is available .
They should be on food stamps by themselves or getting a SSI check. They don't need Mark necessarily They have the government.
@@chris47374 There is truth in what you have stated. I wonder how people in need , like the Whittaker’s , find out about what they might be entitled to receive in government benefits. Do they have social workers who manage their cases and address their individual needs? Have they been lost in the system because there are no caseworkers to service people in Odd, West Virginia? What I have seen of the sibling , Betty , who directs the others, she is not altogether to be trusted with managing the finances.
Your voice is so calming. I could listen to you for hours.😊
Thank you for the update, Mark, and for all that you do. I received my SWU book and adore it….can't wait for more. I can't express how much difference I think you're making in the world…sending much loving energy to you dear kindred soul.
Mark, your work has helped me A LOT to understand trauma, addiction and so much. I needed to understand due to relationships I had and have. I'm southamerican and what you do is very relevant to us, too. Can't thank you enough. I totally support you.
Your channel is so important to give a voice to people who don't have one or feel like they don't - you can see the relief on some of your interviewees faces when they have someone to talk to. I can't imagine how heavy you must feel after some interviews and I'm so thankful for you and what you do. You are magic!!!!!! 🌅
Hi... being from WV...I grew up in Coal City and now live in Beckley...I know this story, I grew up going to the Whitakers being a trouble maker... it was like going to a haunted house.. but a real situation and real people behind it. I feel bad now that I was being a little shit back then... people would drive hundreds of miles just to look at the people who barked when you drove by...ANYWAY... knowing what I know now and I'm an adult, I see I was being cruel. I respect you for coming in and trying to give these people a life they never knew. I would love to find this Tyler, tbh and make him understand exactly what he has done. He ruined a wonderful thing. 💔 Thank you for the work you do. 😊
There are basically 2 types of people....those who run toward those, in ANY need. & those who run faster, away from them!!! As a retired EMT in a Trauma 1 center, I observed this phenomenon nightly.....coming from a 'fake' family, of 'love' mixed with physical and serial abuse, i turned INWARD, & spent many hours perched on a bathroom counter, looking into my eyes, & talking myself into a bearable-type of sanity & loving ❤ myself....I am 73yo, now....and an ENORMOUS EMPATH to people, animals, even the broken wing, of a butterfly.....mattered. I still talk, to that lil green-eyed 'friend' for Wisdom.....MY 'STORY' amazes even, 'her' TY FOR 'WHO YOU ARE', you are a rare one, needed in this world!!!❤ chibo
Love love your honesty .You have brought to light the reality of the homeless. I stand behind you and your channel.
The Whitakers have a soft spot in my heart. You have brought them so much happiness and acceptance.
So great to see you on the other side of the camera being interviewed. I really enjoy your subjects; they do have such fascinating stories. Thanks for sharing!
Good luck, plenty of strength, love and joy SWU Mark and team. It is a huge challenge you've embarked upon and I wish you all the best in the world.
The world needs you, Mark. They need your stories, the stories of millions who aren't usually heard. You're wonderful. Keep up the good work, SWU. ❤
Mark I truly adore you. I finally figured out what the title soft white under belly means for me and I believe for you as well. I believe it's a metaphor the first part is soft white underbelly is when a animal shows you there belly it's soft white there exposing themselves being vulnerable as well as total trust. Now you take these beautiful folks telling there life stories they are being vulnerable exposing all that is in them and they are totally putting there trust in us. SWUB it's so perfect. You coming up with that, are a genius I really love it. You remind me of one of Jesus's apostles. I love who you are. I'm not a paying subscriber because I'm out of work at the time however I would be if I had the money to give to help you continue this cause. Lastly I'd love any of your beautiful books. I would love to show the world my SWUB however I have way too many secrets I'm to scared to let go of. Be Blessed Mark Your also very handsome ❤
In my 50-something years on this planet, I learned more from your channel, Mark, then from any text book I've read. Every ounce of what you do matters! Thank you!!
I just came upon your channel Your interviews and videos are so real, moving, heartbreaking. Just saw the RIP video. Beautiful souls-may they now be at peace. I look forward to following your work and individuals’ stories
I come from New Zealand and I'm watching this video in a hotel room in Vietnam. I just want to say how much I love your content. You have changed the lives of many around the world who you won't ever meet. Please continue your work. These videos will still help people when we are all gone. What a crazy world we live in. Coming from New Zealand and traveling Vietnam has opened my eyes to how much we should all appreciate what we have. I love this world. I love people. Be nice to each other. You get what you give in this life. Love Hayden ❤
Safe travels, Hayden! Great comment.
Mark, thank you for the update on all your various projects 💜💜💜
Thank God for you, Mark. You’ve helped so many people. Please continue what you’re doing. We need more people like you.❤
Hi Mark thank you for All you and your team do.
I'm glad that you still find it fun.
Sending love from NZ
Loved learning more about you Mark. You're a really unique, open-hearted person & the voice you've given to so many others is just inspiring. I wish you all of the luck in the world for this channel & your personal happiness in general. Lots of love from AZ.
I found this channel awhile ago and felt so related to many interviewed with their mental health struggles.
Thank you for this space.
Keep up the good work.
Greetings from the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴❤️🌷🦋☀️💎
I agree a lot of real people real trauma and real struggle. Life is hard and complicated, wonderful and horrible And beautiful.
I would like to see you interview the GIV his name is Mike he has a channel on here he covers LA but mostly Venice Beach. He probably has a great story .
@@Alritealritealrite•The Amish Lady knitting sticks in my mind ?She was knitting I think as a distraction from Trauma I have found most people like myself that have a mental health diagnosis (Majority not all )But certainly lots that I have been in EDU with it’s because of Trauma I said to my Dr rather than all these different diagnosis ever Dr I see and all these different meds and treatments can they not just put Trauma?He said would be far easier…
"Whatever comes my way, I'm going to figure it out". Thanks for the words of strength & encouragement Mark. Prescott, Arizona loves you! Come visit
I very rarely comment on any platform, but I had to say ,your authenticity is second to none, it's so compelling and refreshing. Thank you x
WE STAND BY YOU MARK 100%!!!!!!!! You are an honest man thru and thru ;)
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LOVE, KINDNESS AND COMPASSION ❤❤❤ MARK 😊❤😊
I wish my uncle had met you and had been interviewed. He was a long-time resident of the Tenderloin. A Navy veteran. A very interesting man who experienced much in this life. He chose to be out on the streets for whatever reason. He had just been approved for housing, but then he passed suddenly just two years ago.
That would have been a great interview!! I bet your uncle had wonderful stories to tell! Sad to have lost that. 😢🕊️
I'd like to see videos of people like your Uncle. Those who have served and then, for whatever reason, chose to not live a "normal" life. These heroes are owed so much and yet the (current) politicians and radicals want to erase them.
Marc, the support outways the bullshit. Keep up the great work that you and your staff are doing. It's amazing to see how your work has graced the Whitakers, for one. "Surrender, surrender, but don't give yourself away"