Mark
Edgington’s
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Laura’s family came down to Sarasota this past week so we could mark two things at once: my mom’s 80th birthday and Thanksgiving. Putting both occasions in the same visit gave the days a steady pace. There was always someone talking in the next room, someone preparing something, and someone asking if I had enough (decaf) coffee. It felt like a full house in all the ways that matter. Most mornings started with a walk before the day picked up. The air was cool enough to be comf

A few days before Thanksgiving, I spent part of my afternoon at a mobile blood donation bus here in Sarasota. I donate blood regularly, and it was time for my next appointment. I signed up for a red cell apheresis procedure, which collects concentrated red cells and returns plasma and platelets back to the body. It takes longer than a standard donation and counts as two pints. While I sat there with the machine humming beside me, I found myself thinking about how ordinary the

The days before Thanksgiving always have a certain feel to it. People are moving around a little faster. Stores are crowded. Plans are being finalized. There is an energy to it that can be either grounding or overwhelming, depending on how you meet it. My wife and I decided to start the morning in a quieter place. We went for a walk on a Sarasota beach we both appreciate. The sun was already bright, the sand was warming quickly, and the shoreline was dotted with early visitor

A Journey of Redemption and Hope Last week, I had the privilege of sitting in on the first-ever podcast recording for Project 180, a Florida-based nonprofit. This organization helps formerly incarcerated people rebuild their lives through job training, sober housing, education, and real community support. The episode focused on the life of a former inmate who shared the raw and unfiltered reality of his experiences. He talked about the small victories and the challenges that

There’s something quite beautiful about stepping outside before most of the world is awake. When I head out around 6 a.m., the air is fresher, the light is dim, and the day hasn’t yet demanded anything from me. Over time I’ve noticed one thing clearly: my brain works better on these walks. Science backs it up. Studies show that regular morning walking outdoors helps regulate our circadian rhythms which boosts sleep quality and improves mood. Walking also stimulates the releas

I’m happy to report that since December 1st, 2024, I’ve lost 14.2 pounds with the WildFit program. My original goal was to drop 10, so technically, I’ve overshot it. Honestly, I feel better than I have in a long time. I’m sitting at 184 pounds now, with a BMI of 25.5, and more energy than I expected to have while still eating food I actually enjoy. WildFit has been less about restriction and more about awareness. It helped me get clear on why I eat, not just what I eat. I r

There’s something oddly mesmerizing about standing in front of Prague’s Astronomical Clock at exactly 9:00 p.m. (or 21:00, as they say here). The crowd gathers, cameras ready, everyone waiting for the same 45 seconds of mechanical theater that’s been happening since the 1400s. When the hour hits, the clock comes alive. The apostles glide past tiny windows, the skeleton rings his bell, and the rooster crows like it’s announcing the dawn instead of night. It’s over almost as so

If you’ve ever tried to find decaf coffee in Eastern Europe, you know it’s basically a scavenger hunt with no map. Montenegro is a place where coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s a ritual. The stronger, the better. So when my wife and I landed in Podgorica, the capital city, I didn’t have high hopes of finding anything labeled “decaf.” But travel has a funny way of surprising you. We ended up wandering into one of the many cafes in the city, thinking coffee for me was off the tab

I just spent some time in Albania, and I have to say, it was incredible. If you’ve never been to Theth, picture this: sharp mountain peaks, clear blue rivers, and villages that look like they’ve barely changed in a hundred years. It’s tucked away in northern Albania, and it’s not the easiest place to get to, but that’s part of what makes it worth it. The drive alone is an adventure. Winding roads, cliffs that make you grip the wheel a little tighter, and amazing scenery. When

Embracing the Island's Unique Charm Utila, Honduras, is small, slow, and a little rough around the edges. Yet, it possesses a kind of natural beauty that captivates the heart. It’s not manicured or polished for tourists. It’s simply itself, and that’s what makes it truly special. You feel it the moment you arrive. The air is a mix of salt, diesel, and fresh fruit. The sound of dive boats coming and going fills your ears. The way the sun hits the Caribbean at noon creates a me

I’ve spent a lot of time around people who quietly do incredible things, and the scientists working on coral restoration are right up there. I support a small team of researchers in Honduras by providing boats and housing, and in return I get to know that the reefs in Utila are being preserved. These folks start before the sun’s even up loading tanks, equipment, and trays of tiny coral fragments that look more like pebbles than future ecosystems. Then they dive. For hours. Ge

When I was 17, I made a mistake that cost me eight years of my life. But those years also gave me perspective, on accountability, growth, and what real justice reform means. It’s not just about changing laws; it’s about changing lives by giving people the tools to choose better and rebuild stronger.

Every few months, I get the urge to simplify — which usually means digging through old clothes and convincing myself someone at Goodwill will make better use of them. From polos with history to jeans with no future, it’s a small reminder that letting go can feel pretty good… even if I still forget to save the tax receipt.

Off the coast of Honduras, local divers and fishermen are teaming up to rebuild coral reefs — one fragment at a time. Supporting their work has reminded me that real environmental change doesn’t always start with big policy or funding; it begins with people willing to protect what’s left and restore what’s been lost.

For nearly ten years, from around 2008 to 2020, I volunteered as a firefighter with the Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. It’s a role that’s about community, responsibility, and sometimes quick thinking. Mark Edgington in firefighter uniform One day, a call came in about a house fire down the street. When I arrived, I found the former selectman (possibly Lloyd Danforth) sitting on his garage stoop with singed hair. I checked on him and ran

Every now and then, I catch myself looking back at old chapters of my life. Some of them make me proud, some make me wince, and some just make me shake my head and laugh. But like it or not, those chapters are still part of the story, and they’ve made me who I am today. For almost two decades, I co-hosted Free Talk Live , a nationally syndicated radio show that landed me on more than 200 stations across the country, and won the Best Political Podcast Award five times. The for

This past weekend, I had the privilege of joining the St. Jude Walk in Tampa. The event took place along Bayshore Boulevard, one of the most beautiful stretches in the city, and the energy of the crowd matched the setting. Families, survivors, volunteers, and supporters came together with one mission in mind: to stand behind the kids and families at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude Walk in Tampa, FL When I set my fundraising goal, I aimed for $1,000. Thanks to

I recently returned from Peru with my wife, and the experience is one I’ll carry with me for a long time. From the bustling streets of Cusco to the quiet peace of the Andes, Peru is a country that seems to hold both history and life in every corner. The highlight of our trip was, of course, visiting Machu Picchu. Standing among the ancient stones, surrounded by clouds and mountains, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. It’s humbling to think about the generations who live

I recently launched my Mark Edgington YouTube channel , where I had planned to start posting lighthearted videos about dad advice and things going on in my life currently. But when I heard about the Charlie Kirk assassination, which closely followed the murder of Iryna Zartuska, I felt the need to speak out. I want to unpack why this matters. More than just reacting, we need to reflect on what this says about how we treat each other and what kind of community we want to build

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital traces its beginnings back to a simple prayer. In the 1930s, a young entertainer named Danny Thomas was struggling to make a living. At a particularly low point, he entered a church and prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus, the apostle known in Catholic tradition as the patron saint of hopeless causes. His prayer was straightforward: “Help me find my way in life, and I will build you a shrine.” Within a few years, Thomas’s career took off. He bec