In Honor of Veteran’s Day: A Veteran’s Story

In Honor of Veteran’s Day: A Veteran’s Story 1

Trapped in a Quonset hut as Mount Pinatubo erupted, Marine Staff Sergeant Mark Clifford and his men faced suffocating darkness and scalding ash, fighting for survival as a typhoon turned the volcanic debris to cement.

AN AUTOMATION PARADOX: JOHN HENRY IN THE AGE OF ROBOTS

AN AUTOMATION PARADOX: JOHN HENRY IN THE AGE OF ROBOTS 2

Automation renders many humans obsolete. The legendary struggle of John Henry, immortalized by Johnny Cash’s famous ballad, serves as a cautionary tale for institutions like today’s longshoremen.

Lava Leadership: Lessons learned from a volcanic crucible

Lava Leadership: Lessons learned from a volcanic crucible 3

Leadership 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

Pleasant Hill Writers Panel - March 11, 2024 4

Uncover 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

Heroes for Hope: Heroes vs. AI 5

The 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

Financial Intelligence Interview 6

From 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

A t-rex is sitting at a desk in a classroom, surrounded by Guinea Pigs.

Mark recounts his experiences in 1991 as a young Marine buried during Mount Pinatubo’s eruption; discussing the importance of mental health.

That time when my brain took an Unauthorized Coffee Break

mark-r-clifford-surviving-thriving-post-stroke

A Stroke is no Joke, and neither is this Post I have become a cautionary tale. Every 40 seconds, someone suffers a stroke in America. To put this into grave perspective, every 40 seconds someone commits suicide in America. We talk a lot about suicide prevention, but have you ever considered stroke prevention? My instant […]

Tango Alpha Lima: American Legion Podcast

Tango Alpha Lima: American Legion Podcast featuring a man in sunglasses.

Mark 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!

An extraordinary man unleashes his adventurous side while holding a snake in The Adventures of Snakeman 248.

In 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 […]