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Mesa Fama's avatar

My heart is full. And my cheeks still hurt 😍 Thanks for the best hour 😍😍😍

Cheers Lovelets and Fearlets 🩵🩵🩵❤️‍🔥

*Amending my comment to say that I am unfathomably sad because Glennon has now left Substack. So many people "came" for her when there was absolutely no reason for it. I was so incredibly thrilled to have her here and to find more community. I hope we can all do better and that maybe one day she'll feel safe enough to come back.*

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Carmen Daigle's avatar

I just found this out today, and I CANNOT imagine why people would be unhappy for her to have her own substack?! What were they saying? It seems crazy that this caring whole-hearted woman would be targeted to the point of her deciding not to join.

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Pat's avatar

This makes me DEEPLY SAD. I was so looking forward to creating expanded community to navigate these times.

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Joanie Madsen's avatar

THIS was SO AMAZING! I truly felt human for almost an hour. The BEST I have experienced in a long while. Loving care to you two beautiful humans. Doing life and showing up just as YOU each are. SO refreshing and needed. My heartfelt gratitude. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

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Kim.'s avatar

This morning, I voted in my little Melbourne neighbourhood —

a scout hall stitched with decades of memory.

Flyers fluttered like bunting, strangers smiled, hands reached out in welcome.

I stood at the booth with a miniature pencil between my fingers,

& took a moment in between breaths,

voting not just for myself,

but for every woman who never could.

Every girl still waiting to be heard.

I stood taller, for all of us.

Later, gathering my tea & a salad sandwich —

ingredients dropped off with love by my elderly Italian neighbour —

I sat quietly, listening,

as the two of you threaded your way through fear,

through future events already ruined,

as if we were all just friends,

sitting cross-legged in a circle,

passing the tender weight of the world between our hands.

You spoke not in answers,

but in soft lanterns.

The kind lit by trembling hands,

the kind that keep burning anyway.

You reminded me:

we do not light candles to fix the storm.

We light them so the storm does not fix us.

And maybe there is no perfect way to be brave.

Maybe there is only this —

to show up cracked open,

to carry a match into the dark,

to lift it high enough that someone else might see.

This, too, is a kind of revolution.

A small, bright yes to being human.

A small, steady way to keep going.

Now, as the afternoon leans in,

I gather the lemons he also gifted me —

bright, heavy with sun —

& bake a lemon olive oil cake.

It feels like the only thing I know to do in this moment of unease:

to turn gifts into offerings,

to fold worry into sweetness,

to place something warm & fragrant back into his hands,

& share it together over tea.

This, too, is how I keep going.

One small, golden thing at a time.

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Maria Mutiara's avatar

Wow. Humanity is a gift. And you are gifted with it. Thank you for sharing x

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Kim.'s avatar
May 5Edited

Maria, thank you.

Some mornings it feels like we slip small notes into the world,

never knowing if they will be found.

I’m grateful ours found each other today.

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Annie Paquette's avatar

Oh, Dears. What a balm to witness women openly sharing the truth of the scribbly doodle that is the human journey — with depth, levity, and sincerity. I was going to say bravely, but to me, it always felt that this was simply how we were meant to do “being humans.” Thanks so much for reminding me that the species has not gone extinct. I’ve never said that to a stranger, but, I’m sending you a big hug.

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Andrew Lynch's avatar

Enjoyed this one.

To sum up, we’re surrounded by mounting anxiety (fear), because it’s contagious, how do we deal with it?

Block party! Meaning we go through it together.

And when we can’t be courageous and calm, we can be courageous and find someone to be calm with us / for us, because calm (presence) is also contagious.

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Annie Paquette's avatar

The teary and shaky ones need to show up to remind all the others who feel that way that they are not alone and can also show up, even if their nervous system is on the fritz.

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Junebug Strong's avatar

Agree so much about this! I think there is something to be said about people seeing on the outside what's on the inside. I was really moved by Glennon doing this despite knowing that she may show up less than "perfect" - I am going to say that looking too put together is very last year. It's the time to show up however you are - that is the new perfect.

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Annie Paquette's avatar

Yes. Definitely. That's what the world needs right now. I just saw on Glennon's page that she has decided to show up as she is in unprepared videos. I can so relate. A couple days ago, I made this same decision. I've know for years this is what I need to do as well, but I haven't been able to just do it. I hope this time I stick with it. I know I have a lot to learn from it.

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Amadea Bailey's avatar

You two f in ROCK. I love you both

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In Between Sessions's avatar

Breaks my heart that she left - I get “why” because she needs to protect her peace…but damn it, she is just the best—she is a life guide for me from afar (and so many others too) and through her words and podcast has taught me how to take up space in the world in a way that feels true to my values, brave, and meaningful. I’m sorry @Elizabeth Gilbert that this happened…I know she is a dear friend to you, and my gosh- I could watch you both talk and share your wisdom all day, every day!

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Tori Petersen's avatar

What a wonderful and unexpected addition to my day. Always timely. Just the right dose of heartfelt love, so warmly received. This kindest place indeed.

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Connie Doe's avatar

THANK YOU GLENNON DOYLE FOR YOUR HEART FOR THESE KIDS AND HOW YOU REMIND US TO FIND A LANE

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Junebug Strong's avatar

You both are such change-making, truth-telling, smart, wise women, and it was an honor to hear you discuss up close, from Why Is Glennon Gay (hysterical) to the seriousness of this moment in time. My favorite takeaway was the man with the candle - holding it not to change the world, but so the world would not change him. I also feel a little better about my 17 subscribers :) Thank you both immensely for what you put out into the world. You make it a better place.

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Tiffany Frazee's avatar

A bunch of women took a break from fighting fascism to chase Glennon Doyle off Substack. Pathetic…and why we are where we are in the world. But, I heard this interview and started a monthly donation to The Florence Project…so maybe good things grow even in shit weather? I don’t know. Sigh.

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Susan Mills's avatar

F.E.A.R, False evidence appearing real!

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Pat's avatar

OR, Face Everything And Recover.

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Stephanie Wayland Nicholas's avatar

I remember years ago when I got sober, it was Fuck Everything and Run, Face Everything and Recover, False Events Appearing Real. Or, as my friend (and comic) George M. used to say: Forget Every Acronym Rightnow! (he was kidding). I'd never heard this one until today! 😂 Love it.

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Cathryn Mezzo's avatar

So good!

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river hennessy's avatar

this has been bothering me all day. it makes me so sad-angry that someone made a negative comment about a celebrity joining substack (in the reg substack feed). i don’t know if they were referring to Glennon, but i think a better comment would have been:

A GREAT ARTIST HAS JOINED SUBSTACK.

that’s what a creative writer—who has touched millions of hearts—is. a great artist. a leader for all of us creatives out there, aspiring to be more vulnerable, more human, and more connected to the mystery of Life.

Lizzy and Glennon, you are two GREAT ARTISTS. i’m humbled to be in a space with you both.

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Stephanie Smallwood's avatar

Welcome, Glennon! This was so beautiful! You both have such a loving and genuine friendship. Love to you both!

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Susan Evangelista's avatar

Liz, I no doubt heard this conversation late but the right time for me! Can’t always contact my higher power but

I live in the Philippines and once sat in the street with my students singing “here I am, Lord” with the intended subtext Use Me! I am an 83 year old American still in the Philippines, watching the US and sometimes freaking out — but I guess this battle is, if for me at all, only in a limited role — listen, learn, talk, support. Have guided lots of people to Substack — and more to Big Magic! So that’s for me to do now!!

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