Mark
Edgington’s
Blog

Much of my work centers on a simple question: How do we create systems that help people and communities thrive? Whether we’re talking about education, healthcare, economic opportunity, or public policy, I believe we have a responsibility to examine whether our institutions are producing the outcomes they were intended to achieve. That’s what drew me to a recent conversation with Brian Koehn, a former prison warden, Marine veteran, and leader in correctional innovation. For de

One of the things I’ve been reflecting on lately is how quickly gratitude can change my perspective. As I was walking through Costa Rica, surrounded by incredible wildlife, I was reminded of something I’ve come to believe more and more: “I find gratitude to be the easiest shortcut to a feeling of bliss or enlightenment.” Mark and Laura Edgington in Costa Rica It sounds simple, but I think we often overlook it. We spend so much time chasing the next achievement, experience, or

One of the things I enjoy most about broadcasting is the opportunity to speak with people working on complex challenges that affect communities across the country. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Sheena Meade of The Clean Slate Initiative to discuss an issue that impacts millions of Americans: the long-term consequences of criminal records and the challenges many people face when trying to move forward after completing their sentences. Our conversation explor

I’ve been spending some time in Costa Rica recently, and one of the things that stands out most is how connected everyday life feels to the natural world. The landscape is remarkably beautiful. Mountains, forests, beaches, and tropical vegetation all seem to exist within a relatively short distance of one another. It’s easy to understand why so many people are drawn here. I’ve also been impressed by the quality and freshness of the food. Fresh fruit is abundant, and many meal

The answer to why I’ve stayed involved in broadcasting for so many years is surprisingly simple: I still enjoy the conversation. Radio has always fascinated me because it creates a space where ideas can be explored in real time. You never know who might call in, what perspective they’ll bring, or where the discussion will lead. Some of the most memorable moments I’ve experienced on the air began with an unexpected question or an opinion I hadn’t considered before. Over the ye

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about travel is the opportunity to become a student again. I’m currently spending time in Costa Rica working on my Spanish, and the experience has reminded me that learning a language is about much more than memorizing vocabulary or understanding grammar rules. Language is ultimately about connection. When you’re learning another language, even simple conversations require more attention. You listen more carefully. You think more deli

I’m proud to share that my son Jack has been named Salutatorian for the Achievement Center’s graduating Class of 2026. Watching your child grow into his own person is one of the great privileges of being a parent. Jack has worked hard for this. Not just academically, but in the way he approaches life day to day. He’s thoughtful, steady, curious, and willing to put in the effort even when nobody is watching. Jack’s graduation The Achievement Center has played an important role

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is one of those European cities that quietly earns a good reputation without constantly demanding attention. With a population of around 300,000 people, it’s smaller than many European capitals, but that’s part of what makes it appealing. The city is compact, walkable, and built around the Ljubljanica River, which runs through the center of town. One of the first things I noticed about Ljubljana is how clean and organized it is. The city ha

When people search for someone online, they usually find headlines, opinions, old stories, or moments frozen in time. But real life is more complicated than that. People grow older. Priorities change. Families change you. Responsibility changes you. For me, fatherhood became one of the clearest lessons in accountability, consistency, and personal growth. Children Remember Consistency More Than Perfection When I was younger, I thought people remembered the biggest moments in l

Last week I attended Consensus Miami, one of the larger gatherings focused on technology, finance, media, and the changing ways people connect and build businesses online. The event brought together people from a wide range of industries and backgrounds, which made for some thoughtful conversations beyond just technology itself. Mark Edgington at Consensus Miami What I continue to appreciate at events like this is the reminder that behind every new platform, trend, or tool, t

For anyone who’s been following me, you know I consistently take 6am walks. Along with the breathing exercise I’ve spoken about before, taking daily morning walks is one of the best ways to stay healthy and well rested. First, let’s recap the breathing exercise. Fill your lungs up fully, let the air out completely, and hold for about five seconds at the top and the bottom. Do that a few times. I try to do it at least twice a day. Click here to see my YouTube tutorial on the b

Laura and I like to support a local circus arts program here in Sarasota. It’s a group that works with kids, something like an after-school program. I think it’s been connected to Sarasota High at different points, and the name has changed over the years, but the idea has stayed the same. It gives kids something positive to put their time into, and it’s great exercise. Most kids do sports, but this is equally (if not more) physically demanding. Circus in Sarasota, FL We’ve go

I’ve come to believe that structure and accountability make a real difference in whether someone moves forward or falls back. That’s one of the reasons I support Project 180 in Sarasota. They work with people coming out of the system and give them something most people take for granted: a clear path. That includes housing, job support, and life skills. Not just encouragement, but structure. Project 180’s focus is simple. Help people rebuild their lives and reintegrate into

In the next week or two, Laura and I will be launching something we’ve been working on for a little while now, our Best Slow English podcast. The idea is straightforward. We sit down and talk about everyday life, but we slow it down in clear American English. Subtitles included for people trying to learn. English continues to grow as a global language. Today, more than 1.5 billion people are learning or using English worldwide. It’s the most studied second language, and for m

I came across a simple breathing exercise recently that really works for me to de-stress. Here’s a YouTube short going through the process: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cwBVxZvo3x4 Fill your lungs to about 90 percent. Let it out to about 10 percent. Hold for five seconds at the top and bottom. Repeat that five times. That’s it. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cwBVxZvo3x4 It doesn’t look like much, but it works. It slows things down. Clears your head a bit. Helps you reset wh

I spent some time recently in Utila, Honduras for my son Jack’s wedding. In Utila, Honduras, for my son Jack’s wedding It’s a small place. Quiet, a little rough around the edges, but in a good way. The kind of place where things slow down whether you want them to or not. The wedding itself was simple and well done. Seeing Jack step into that part of his life meant a lot to me. Watching your kid grow up, make his own decisions, and build something of his own is amazing. My mot

I recently joined WSLR’s Peace & Justice Report with Tom Walker to talk about prison, responsibility, and what happens after. In the episode, we talked through how people end up in the system, what prison actually does and doesn’t do, and why reentry is where outcomes are really decided. It stayed focused on real experience rather than theory, including what it takes to build a stable life after release. Listen to the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9

Recently I received a certificate from the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance recognizing my support of their work. The certificate notes my membership with the organization since 2011. It reads: “This certificate recognizes Mark Edge as a Lifetime Member since 2011.” Mark Edgington Along with the certificate, Membership Director Ron Brophy sent a note explaining that the recognition was presented on behalf of the Board of Directors. He wrote that the organization wanted to thank

My dog Napoleon has no balls and a debilitating underbite, and he’s still a ten. That’s not my assessment alone. Anyone who meets him tends to agree. He struts around like he’s the best-looking dog in the county. The underbite doesn’t bother him. As far as he’s concerned, he’s perfect. Dogs have a quality that people spend entire lifetimes trying to develop. They are completely uninterested in their own perceived flaws. The dog does not sit around worrying about what he used

I recently attended WSLR’s Rooted in Community event in Sarasota. As a board member, it was a meaningful night to recognize the people who helped build something important for this community. The event celebrated founders David Beaton and Arlene Sweeting, who will be stepping down from leadership roles with WSLR+Fogartyville . Since 2005, WSLR has opened the airwaves to community voices, musicians, artists, and local perspectives that don’t always have a place in mainstrea