Soft White Underbelly 12+

Just quit FOX, CNN, MSNBC, OANN, and the rest of the garbage intended to perpetuate continual, unproductive ire over issues almost completely outside of our control. Instead, look to reputable, earnest content creators like Mark Laita, who do not seek to manipulate our emotions but to reveal the stories of those among us who are most harshly judged or completely marginalized. To be fair, not every vignette reveals a particularly likable person. While most of Mark's subjects possess characteristics that evoke sympathy, empathy and at times, admiration, there are a handful that simply do not seem to possess any redeemable qualities. But even among those very lost, damaged, occasionally obnoxious souls, we at least gain understanding of the circumstances that shaped their realities. In doing so, we're presented with the opportunity to challenge our capacity for kindness, to treat ALL persons with dignity and if possible, lend a graceful hand to those in need--even to those persons we may not like very much.

So just get the app, subscribe, strap yourself in and plan to learn more about the human condition than you ever thought possible.

I agree that if only we could eliminate the abuse whether it’s physical or mental at a young age, then we could create people that could grow into solid, less broken, confident, happy (and the list goes on) adults. Perhaps less drug and alcohol dependency. But I think these people that have these dependencies are trying to be numb and block out horrible things that happened in their lives. Right now I can relate somewhat bc my husband died of brain cancer and we were married for 39 wonderful years and we have three grown sons. I’m just numb. I don’t want anything like drugs or alcohol to prevent feeling the sadness and grief. But some would. I go from feeling the pain to sheer numbness. Horrible events in our lives at a young age can ruin what you were intended to be. If that could be prevented we would have less of what you have shown us. Thank you Mark for what you do.

I’ve been a subscriber to Soft White Underbelly since stumbling across it in March 2021 before Mark had 1m subscribers. I was struck by the vastly different lives Mark interviews. I’ve learned irreplaceable life advice from Mark’s interviews and have heard unimaginable life stories. Mark’s work is beautiful and details out the horrifying truth of what the underbelly of America’s drug epidemic, sex trafficking problem, and the criminalization of sex work and drugs looks like. Mark’s videos showcase the relentless toxic generational cycle of substance abuse, addiction, sexual trauma and domestic violence in urban and rural America today. Thank you for giving people a voice, thank you for serving underrepresented communities without judgement or anything in return. Mark, thank you for not glorifying anything and for always being compassionate and non-judgmental. You are such an inspirational and humble soul.