67 Comments

Thank you for highlighting this incredible black man, husband, and father. What a beautiful love story.

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Thank you, auntie!

Expand full comment
author

Such a beautiful love story! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Karen!

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

The first question here reminded me of the time when I was reading the same books for my daughters. Actually, there are some wonderful children’s books packed with wisdom. And writing for children is much harder than you think (I have tried)!

Expand full comment
author

I thought that one might resonate with fellow parents! And, yes, I bet it is!!

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

When I taught high school, I used to open up my units with children books. Packed with so much wisdom and knowledge indeed, Imola. Thanks for reading!

Expand full comment
Oct 15Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Yes, I truly miss those days. Enjoy this very special, close moment with your children. Mine are teenagers now and it’s very tough to compete with friends and phone. Any quality moment I manage to sneak in is just gold.

Expand full comment
Oct 16Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

I love that it’s not singing in the shower or dancing in the kitchen, it’s WEIGHT LIFTING! That is the correct answer.

Expand full comment
author

Haha. I know!!

Expand full comment

Thank you, Anne ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Expand full comment

I love to read about Marc and his family and u love that he was interviewed here. I’m leaving substack tonight filled with Hope. Thank you both. ✨

Expand full comment
author

Ooooh, that's wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed Marc's interview! ❤️

Expand full comment

this one melted my heart! and the photo of Marc and Maya reflects two people who cherish one another. thank you for this interview.

Expand full comment
author

I love-love that photo!! So glad you enjoyed the interview, Anne!

Expand full comment
Oct 15Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

I have been subscribing to Marc's beautiful newsletter for some time and was so happy to see him featured here and learn more about him. And even though he is incredibly honest, open and vulnerable in the letters he shares to his son on his Substack, I learned even more about Marc to admire--and about his amazing wife, too. Yep, trailblazers would seem to sum up what they're doing together in raising Myles.

Expand full comment
author

I love hearing this, Amy! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Marc is definitely a beautiful soul. xx

Expand full comment

Amy, running out of thank yous here! I appreciate you!

Expand full comment

Fabulous interview and I love those words 'loving boldly in full vulnerability'... I'm taking that phrase with me 😀

I also love the idea that in writing to your young son, you are writing to your younger self. I actually thought about calling my Substack 'Letters to my younger self'.

And that story about cockroaches is just the funniest, most unexpected answer to that question I have seen so far 😄

Thanks Marc and Jane.

Expand full comment
author

So beautiful, I agree!!

I knoooow! I told Marc he was the first one to write about cockroaches!! He was surprised. Haha. ❤️

Expand full comment

Who knew a fear of roaches could bring someone joy lol! Thanks for reading Dr. Vicki!

Expand full comment

Love Marc and his writing! Trailblazing indeed! I also can’t wait to look at/note down the first sentences of some treasured books - love this idea.

Expand full comment
author

So glad you enjoyed the interview, Ramya! And, yes, that's a pretty wonderful practice. I should try it out myself!

Expand full comment

Glad I can pass a gem on, Ramya!

Expand full comment

"I can’t take care of the people I love most without first taking care of myself." Nailed it.

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Thank you, Richard!

Expand full comment
author

Truth!

Expand full comment

Wonderful collaboration! Jane, the questions you asked of Marc are notable, but even more, I appreciate that you understood how important it is that more people discover what he has to offer. Marc, sometimes I feel like a weird groupie fan. We're in different stages of life and, it would seem, we've had very different life experiences, but your commitment to representing authentically and loving wholeheartedly are just exactly what I and the rest of the world need right now. Well done--again!

Expand full comment
author

Oooooh, that's so beautiful, Elizabeth!! And I agree! Glad you enjoyed the interview!

Expand full comment

By the way, Jane, I'm a longtime subscriber to The Sun and see that you've contributed there. I also just read the piece in Oprah Mag about your misdiagnoses and wanted to fly through the page at those dismissive doctors. Thank goodness for your dad!

Expand full comment
author

Ooooh, thank you, Elizabeth! I appreciate that! Yes, I've had two pieces published in The Sun. One of them I've shared here on Beyond -- if you look under Essays By Jane in the menu bar, it's called The Way Home. Glad you're here, Elizabeth! ❤️

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Words have brought us together- there’s something so beautiful about that. Having you a part of community means a lot, Elizabeth!

Expand full comment

YES to ...I don’t often reread books, but a good sentence can stick with me for a lifetime. Glad to say we share the answer to #11. Beautiful and heartening to see such a sweet meassge from a loving Dad.

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Now Jeri, when you get a chance please share one of your favorite first sentences with me ❤️

Expand full comment
author

I'm so glad this resonated with you, Jeri!

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

What an incredibly strong and deep heart this man has - I loved reading his answers (to such good questions) ❤️

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Thank you, Cynthia. Jane’s questions really have given me so much more to write about to many son. Grateful for these kind of collaborations!

Expand full comment
author

Ooooh, that's so beautifully put!! I agree, Cynthia! And I'm glad you enjoyed it! ❤️

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

I've loved Marc’s newsletter for a while. Loved this interview. Thanks for sharing. 🤩🫶🏻

Expand full comment
author

I'm so glad, Elaine! ❤️

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Elaine ❤️❤️❤️

Expand full comment

Possibility expands whenever I read about your experiences as a partner and father, @MarcTypo. We learn with you. The dash from Brooklyn to Jersey and tag-teaming the cockroach. Great moments.

Expand full comment
author

So glad you enjoyed it, Amar! And I agree about the expanding possibility with Marc's writing. And Marc is the first person to write about cockroaches on the Questionnaire!

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Appreciate you, Amar. Always a pleasure to hear you and being with me on this journey.

Expand full comment

Inspiring interview! It's great to read about a Haitian immigrant who has educated himself and is sharing hope with his family, students and readers! Keep on keeping on Mark!

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Thank you for receiving my words with such love, Beth ❤️

Expand full comment
author

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Beth!

Expand full comment

That's lovely! Thanks for doing this interview with one of my favourite writers on Substack.

Expand full comment
author

I knooooow! Marc is pretty wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, Diana!

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Thank you so much, Diana 🥲

Expand full comment