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…

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…

Reading Time: 4 minutes Editors Note: this article originally appeared in “The Diablo Valley Gazette” in June 2025. Read the full edition. Thirty-four years ago,…

Reading Time: 3 minutes  As a writer, people give me stories. Sometimes, they come in words—fragments whispered over coffee, the quiet confession of a stranger,…

Reading Time: < 1 minute When the earth cracked open and the sky rained fire, author Mark R. Clifford emerged from the ashes of Mount…

Reading Time: < 1 minuteDiscover how storytelling can illuminate the past, reshape the present, and inspire the future.  

Reading Time: 4 minutesTrapped in a Quonset hut as Mount Pinatubo erupted, Marine Staff Sergeant Mark Clifford and his men faced suffocating darkness and scalding…

Reading Time: 4 minutesAutomation renders many humans obsolete. The legendary struggle of John Henry, immortalized by Johnny Cash’s famous ballad, serves as a cautionary tale for…

Reading Time: 9 minutes Leadership is the alchemy that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. My gripping “lead to gold” story’s vivid images will transport…

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…

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe rise of artificial intelligence is drastically changing the world we live in. For first responders on the frontlines, adapting to…

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.

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.

Reading Time: 3 minutes A Stroke is no Joke, and neither is this Post I have become a cautionary tale. Every 40 seconds, someone suffers…

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMark encourages fellow veterans and first responders to embrace creativity through writing, blogging, or podcasting to share their own stories.

Reading Time: 3 minutes In the realm of captivating storytelling, author Mark R. Clifford has taken his Typhoon Coast adventure novel series to new heights…

Reading Time: 4 minutes On June 15, 1991, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines marked history’s most catastrophic volcanic eruption in a densely…

Reading Time: 7 minutes My journey from cop to writer is summed up in the title of Bob Dylan’s 1975 masterpiece, “Tangled up in Blue.”…

Reading Time: < 1 minuteChris Murphy endured six combat deployments, but post-traumatic growth helped him rise from despair and discover new purpose in life.

Reading Time: < 1 minute"The Guardian of The Golden Gate" Kevin Briggs, featured on Heroes For Hope, is credited with saving over 200 lives from…

Reading Time: 2 minutes “Trauma is hell on earth. Trauma resolved is a gift from the gods.”  —Doctor Peter A. Levine  Johnny Cash sang, “Love is a burning thing, and it makes a fiery ring.” I burn more today than…

Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn the bloodied darkness Sergeant Scott Fraser momentarily mistakes a hail of bullets for bees swarming his Marines. Hear how he…

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMillions of Americans are grieving at this moment. Mike Bernhardt lost his wife 31 years ago. Hear how he channels grief…

Reading Time: < 1 minute Mark will be a featured author at the Brentwood Literary Stroll, May 7, 2023.Hear Mark’s story behind his epic treasure…

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe incredible and inspiring story of an American POW held by Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Follow the struggles and triumphs of…

Reading Time: < 1 minuteDive deep into the story of a veteran who followed his passion for helping victims of disasters, using his experiences to…

Reading Time: < 1 minute Our guest Eric “Rock” Ramos was the FIRST documented responder at Ground Zero. Standing in horror, Rock radioed-in Flight 11…

Reading Time: < 1 minute October 1, 2017 was a day that changed the lives forever for those who were in attendance of the Route…

Reading Time: < 1 minute Deep dive into stories and healthy practices of survivors and turn trauma into superpowers. Join author, US Marine Corps veteran,…

Reading Time: 5 minutes “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”—Joseph Campbell (1949), The Hero with a Thousand Faces  Does the news leave you uneasy about a financial crash, climate change, the next world war, politics, social media, or…