Mark McDonald, M.D.

04/05/2026

I've been reflecting on how America has reduced Easter to a pastel-colored afterthought, a time for brunch and fleeting church visits rather than a deep, structural tradition.
In contrast, I've witnessed in Hungary a celebration that embraces Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday as true public holidays where every moment is infused with familial and communal connection.
I find it striking that while Americans opt for convenience and digital interactions, Hungarians affirm their heritage through long, solemn church services, multi-generational meals, and playful, yet meaningful rituals like locsolás on Easter Monday.
I wonder if we might ever reclaim that lost sense of genuine proximity and shared tradition in our own celebrations.

The importance of maintaining traditions

03/26/2026

I've been reflecting on how artificial intelligence is not coming for everyone’s job, but rather for roles that were never as essential as we believed they were.
For decades, I've observed an explosion of credentialed professionals mediating, administering, and processing, roles that added layers of bureaucratic overhead rather than real human contribution.
When I look at fields like therapy and human resources, I see AI unravel a long-standing industry built on insurance reimbursements and credentials rather than genuine outcomes.
I’ve noticed that as these administrative roles are automated, skilled tradespeople—especially men who build, fix, and maintain the infrastructure of our society—are finally being recognized for their indispensable work.
This shift challenges longstanding gender imbalances and the false validation of bureaucratic qualifications over practical expertise, paving the way for a future where work is harder, more honest, and truly human.

What the automation wave actually does to women (and men)

03/19/2026

I believe we’ve lost something essential in American life—the irreplaceable experience of genuine human connection found in shared public spaces.
I see cities like Los Angeles as symbols of isolation, where segregated neighborhoods and sprawling car culture have replaced walkable centers where diverse lives intersect.
I’ve observed that unlike the vibrant, centuries-old city centers of Europe that naturally encourage spontaneous conversation and cultural exchange, our modern environments are designed for consumption rather than connection.
I am convinced that what we really need in America is the revival of true enclaves—places where people come together, challenge each other’s views, and build a community that is far more nutritious and life-affirming than a curated digital existence.

It's where community lives

03/12/2026

I've seen firsthand how bold leadership can expose the ugly underbelly of hate, as Trump's decision to launch Operation Epic Fury against Iran has forced a reckoning within our own ranks.
I was shocked to receive a flood of vitriolic, anti-Semitic messages from individuals who once claimed to stand for conservative values, messages filled with baseless conspiracies and unreasoning hatred.
I was further disturbed by reports of violent attacks against Israeli-Americans, clear evidence that this hateful rhetoric has real-world consequences.
I cannot ignore that figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens are undermining true conservative principles by giving voice to lunacy that blurs the line between political disagreement and moral corruption.
I feel compelled to call out this toxic trend, because no ideological stance can excuse the use of hate as a tool, and history has shown us that when Jews are targeted, all of us are at risk.

Iran Strikes Reveal Ugly Underbelly of Hatred

03/05/2026

I've long believed that every president since 1979 knew Iran posed a serious threat, yet only Trump had the courage to decisively act.
I watched as Carter, Reagan, Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Biden merely managed the problem while Iran continued its decades-long hostility.
I see Trump’s Operation Epic Fury—not a bureaucratic checkbox but a calculated, precision strike that dismantled Iran's military power—as true leadership.
I admit that war is messy and consequences are real, yet I believe confronting a regime with a history of "Death to America" was long overdue.
I know critics will always raise comparisons and point fingers, but I remain convinced that putting an end to decades of implicit tolerance was the bold decision we needed.

Trump’s war with Iran and the courage to act when everyone else wouldn’t

03/03/2026

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4u9QkLwvY3iH8FFbEI2Ads?si=EEIKjgX1SQuuB7cmUzd5eg

Health Is Number One · Episode

02/26/2026

I watched President Trump deliver the longest and, in my view, most masterful State of the Union address in history last Tuesday evening.
I was struck by his unwavering confidence as he proclaimed America’s entry into a ‘golden age’ while exposing what I see as a dark heart within the Democrat Party.
I observed firsthand how the Republicans stood in genuine support for proposals on border security, the economy, and law enforcement, while many Democrats chose protest or silence instead of honoring a grieving Ukrainian mother.
I couldn’t help but see this as a performance that prioritizes theatrics over genuine leadership—a narrative that pits real policies against what I view as a disassembling, self-destructive Democrat agenda.
I believe that if we were free from these destructive policies, many of our nation’s crises from immigration and public safety to economic and educational decay would simply resolve themselves.

Democrats once again reveal themselves as the heart of darkness

02/24/2026

I've been exploring the alarming epidemic of social media addiction and its profound impact on our daily lives.
In a candid conversation with Dan Ball of OAN, I delved into how these platforms have woven themselves into the very fabric of our routines.
I shared insights on practical solutions and steps we can take to regain control of our time and mental wellbeing.
This discussion has reinforced my belief that acknowledging the problem is the first step towards meaningful change.

Click image below to play

02/24/2026

America’s children are addicted so IG. https://iframe.mediadelivery.net/play/225570/2651029f-f354-42f6-8d7d-e195cb77f537

02/19/2026

I've been thinking about how sometimes intelligence can come with the painful cost of never enjoying the moment.
I believe that while those who don’t overthink life may find contentment in simple pleasures, my own mind—and that of many brilliant friends—tends to dissect every experience, pulling us away from living fully in the present.
I see how our constant need for understanding only uncovers more questions and prevents us from ever feeling truly satisfied.
It often feels like the beauty of life is obscured by an irresistible urge to analyze and improve every moment, leaving us with a persistent, underlying discontent.

Is it true that the stupid are happier?

02/12/2026

I've been reflecting on how our culture wrongly elevates ugliness over beauty, accepting what is broken as more genuine when, in fact, true beauty requires discipline, skill, and a vision for something higher.
I see this trend in architecture, music, fashion, and art, where the ease of the crude replaces the aspiration of the refined.
I've noticed that social media amplifies this dynamic by prioritizing provocation over thoughtful engagement, leaving us focusing on what we despise rather than what we can create.
I believe that acknowledging pain is necessary, but building our identities solely around it only decorates our wounds rather than healing them.
For me, striving for beauty means recognizing that even in decay, there is a remarkable resilience—a single flower emerging from a crumbling wall—and that is the truest expression of life.

We have been sold an unhealthy, pernicious lie

02/06/2026

I've been thinking about how drastically the pandemic has reshaped our human connections, both intellectually and physically.
I recently spoke with a friend who, after a lifetime of vibrant relationships, now struggles to find partners who value thoughtful conversation and physical intimacy.
I can't help but see the impact of those two years of enforced isolation and propaganda that not only stifled our critical thinking but also criminalized our natural need for touch.
When I travel, I notice a return to genuine, spontaneous interactions—a stark contrast to the virtual, detached connections that have become the norm here.
It leaves me wondering if we've permanently redefined what it means to connect, and whether the deep, natural bonds we once shared are now forever lost.

How the propaganda machine redefined our relationships