72 Comments

Great interview! I appreciate Coleman and his answers. To be yourself, own your stuff, work forward everyday, is a gift. God Bless you both. ox

Expand full comment

100%, God bless, maybe we can do one with you soon??

Expand full comment

It was so good Alexander! There is nothing like redemption and the gift of being alive to tell these stories. and me? I'd probably bore everyone! ha ha! But that would be exceptionally fun! You are a big part of the beautiful feeling here on Notes. Thank you for that. ox

Expand full comment

Do it

Do it

Do it

Do it

Do it!

Expand full comment

okay, okay, okay!! geeze.

lucky you don’t know where I live.

wait…

ha ha.

Expand full comment

haha nice, ok, your story is amazing and the things you’ve written about take us on a spiritual roller coaster, so it will be great for sure

Expand full comment

You're extremely kind! I'd love to interview you too! Maybe I can start something like this on my end too 🙌🏻

Expand full comment

You know I'm laughing out loud right now. You're the best Coleman.

Expand full comment

One of the great things about Stackland is meeting the neighbors. Until reading the comments on the Coleman interview, I hadn't come across Deborah's patch on here.

Expand full comment

Nor I you! So cool! 😎 Thank you mg ☺️

Expand full comment

Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement. Don't have much time to write, but I love the venue filled with thoughtful, decent people.

Also, you're a couple years older than I, but have some core similarities: grown kids (3, plus two at home still), grandparent, 32 years married, late-bloomer. Life is GOOD.

Expand full comment

Awe, why do I always have to be the oldest 😂 Love that we have these similarities. Grand-parenting is pretty awesome. Love being drained of all my energy and then sending them home! ha ha! It's a really good time in life to live. It is good 🙌🏻

Expand full comment

Coleman's posts are always interesting, funny or make me think. Coleman, will you ever write a book?

Expand full comment

I doubt it, but I never thought I'd be doing this so life is unpredictable, ya know?

Expand full comment

this would be awesome

Expand full comment

If you do go down a path where you need an editor, I know a "no bullshit" guy.

Great interview, btw. Questions and answers.

Expand full comment

Skip the book. Just do a movie.

You could use Harrison as an elderly Coleman, looking back on his life. Don’t give them everything though. Keep some material for sequels. Or just make it up!😀

Seriously though, a book, or a collection of interwoven short stories could do well. Would do well.

Expand full comment

Coleman is the wise dad of Substack, laying down the subsmack when we're being phonies or babies. I mean this in the gayest possible way, he has my whole heart.

Expand full comment

First off, calm down

Also, thank you

But still, calm down

Expand full comment

Coleman is like the street sage of Substack

Expand full comment

"Tell us, Coleman, what is best in life"

Expand full comment

To crush your pills, see them lined up before you, and to hear the lamentations of their baby's mamma's

Expand full comment

Great interview. Love Coleman's work--the snarkier the better. AND, as someone with a ridiculous IQ and a Ph.D., I confidently assert that the world needs more of the real stuff that Coleman puts down.

Expand full comment

Very refreshing! He would be such a good mentor for other troubled young men. A man who has no problem being a man.

Expand full comment

I do my rounds in my sphere, thank you though

Expand full comment

100%, I believe so strongly, would make a great counselor.

Expand full comment

I failed to mention, your questions were brilliant.

Expand full comment

thanks a lot!

Expand full comment

Absolutely. Well framed, and packed a lot in as a result.

Expand full comment

So nice to get to know this man. He truly gets it, but more importantly understands it. It sounds a little like we have someone who has, frankly just grown up and appreciating the rough times into a learning experience. Using everything learned to become a wise man with a lot of good thoughts and a very very strong mind and wise attitude.

It would be nice someday to learn more.

Thanks, this was great !

Expand full comment

To me it’s also a great spiritual experience, thanks for reading!

Expand full comment

Great interview Alexander, and thought provoking questions. Clearly Coleman is one great storyteller, a craftsman of sorts. His skills go beyond that in a way only another great author could describe.

For me, I get value in understanding more truth about life and the characters that populate it. Getting to know convicts as worthwhile people is a huge gift. Thanks to you and Coleman.

Expand full comment

Absolutely

Expand full comment

Love Coleman's Stack, his stories are always entertaining and I must admit I love his jokes. I lost an uncle I dearly loved, and he cracked similar jokes. I must confess to being a rather shy sort, so that I really appreciate Coleman's confidence.

Expand full comment

Good humor is always welcome

Expand full comment

In that case I’ll show myself out now ;) and leave the floor entirely to Coleman.

Expand full comment

haha noooo

Expand full comment

Fucking good shit.

15.) How did Coleman meet his wife?

Expand full comment

You got me at “stolen car”.

Expand full comment

It’s a good read. It takes you back in time, before the apps took over!

Expand full comment

Thanks both to Justin and Alexander for the great interview. But would like to hear more about Coleman's culinary skills.

Expand full comment

oh yes, true, I love food also

Expand full comment

“Doom optimist” that made me smile

Expand full comment

I like the part about accepting blame. No doubt some people miss the fact that the lyrics of the late Jimmy Buffett’s _Margaritaville_ depict a moral awakening, a path of ascent, from “it’s nobody’s fault,” to “it could be my fault” to “it’s my own damn fault”

Expand full comment

The pearl in this was when he said whatever happens in your life just accept it's totally your fault, mea culpa big-time. Wow. Yeah. It's all my fault! Suck it up, big guy, don't wimp out & play the victim drama. That's how you save your own life. And have a little fun along the way. Being a victim in your own mind is about the worst the thing we can do. I really get it.

Expand full comment

Not much makes me doubt that humanity is doomed, but reading Coleman takes the edge off.

Expand full comment

Fabulous interview. Authenticity is extremely attractive.

Responsibility is the road to becoming wise.

Knowing thyself means acknowledgment of self, no masks of deception.

Becoming a parent? Responsibility for others?

Is a question I would ask

Nurturing of another?

Expand full comment

I live for my pack

Expand full comment

The paramount commitment.

Expand full comment

Simple but true. It keeps me focused, for one.

Expand full comment

Fatherhood and serving time away from family

How did your friends with family commitments successfully maintain their relationships

Expand full comment

Great read, and questions and answers. Well done all round.

And no labels, on clothes or anything else for that matter, is the future.

Expand full comment

The only T-shirt label I accept is 'This shirt logo means whatever the f&#$ you want it to mean.'

Expand full comment

If I’m a walking advertisement for any brand, I want paying. Free advertising or sloganeering is taking the piss. You’ve just paid through the nose for a track suit or shirt and you leave the shop a sandwich board operator!

Nope. I’m not having that!

Expand full comment

Multi functional! I like it. Are the batteries included at time of purchase?

Expand full comment