The Other Side of Hard: How We Can Grow Through What We’ve Lived
Reading Time: 2 minutesJoin me December 3, 2025 at noon Pacific for a candid talk on post-traumatic growth—how adversity can reshape purpose, relationships, and strength in a supportive Marine community.
Echoes of Ash: A Survivor’s Pilgrimage to a Volcano’s Heart
Reading Time: 2 minutesOn June 15, 1991, Mark survived the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Pinatubo. In 2025, after a stroke, he returns on a pilgrimage to the crater seeking renewal.
Facing Down Demons On Top of Mount Pinatubo
Reading Time: 4 minutesEditors Note: this article originally appeared in “The Diablo Valley Gazette” in June 2025. Read the full edition. Thirty-four years ago, June 15, 1991, the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century occurred when Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, just 20 miles from Subic Bay Naval Air Station, blotted out the sky. The sun […]
Lava Leadership: Lessons learned from a volcanic crucible
Reading Time: 9 minutesLeadership is the alchemy that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. My gripping “lead to gold” story’s vivid images will transport you to the heart of a leadership conundrum. A mountain called “Pinatubo” (Tagalog for “to have made grow”) gifted me with a bulletproof leadership method: COACH (Creativity, Openness, Adaptability, Communication, and Humanity). The COACH […]
Pleasant Hill Writers Panel – March 11, 2024
Reading Time: 2 minutesUncover the riveting stories behind local authors’ must-read novels at the Pleasant Hill Library’s Author Panel. Hear how real-life experiences inspire unforgettable fiction during this insightful literary event on March 11th.
Heroes for Hope: Heroes vs. AI
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe rise of artificial intelligence is drastically changing the world we live in. For first responders on the frontlines, adapting to new AI technologies presents both opportunities and challenges.
Financial Intelligence Interview
Reading Time: 2 minutesFrom battlefield to police beat: ‘Typhoon Coast’ unveils an all-American hero’s transformation through war’s trials, personal healing, and post-traumatic growth.
What’s Really Happening: Guinea Pigs and Pop Tarts
Reading Time: 2 minutesMark recounts his experiences in 1991 as a young Marine buried during Mount Pinatubo’s eruption; discussing the importance of mental health.
Tango Alpha Lima: American Legion Podcast
Reading Time: < 1 minuteMark encourages fellow veterans and first responders to embrace creativity through writing, blogging, or podcasting to share their own stories.
The Adventures of Snakeman 248: Unleash the Extraordinary Within!
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn the realm of captivating storytelling, author Mark R. Clifford has taken his Typhoon Coast adventure novel series to new heights with the creation of an exhilarating animated series called “The Adventures of Snakeman 248.” With each episode, Mark transports viewers into a world of action and intrigue, accompanied by the opportunity to embark on […]