Mark McDonald, M.D.

01/08/2026

I've been reflecting on why we make New Year's resolutions and what they tell us about our need for growth and a better future.
I see that setting goals is a way to escape the pain of the present and alleviate the sting of past inachievement.
I believe that while resolutions are easy to create, they often falter because we mistake bursts of energy for lasting progress instead of embracing small, consistent steps.
I also notice that precise, measurable goals—like climbing a new difficulty grade or paying off a car loan—carry more promise than vague ambitions.
I find it fascinating how our resolutions not only reveal personal struggles and desires but also mirror the economic and emotional challenges that define modern society.

New year’s resolutions: Why do we make them, and how do we keep them? What do they reveal about us as a society? People are drawn toward growth. They need something to look forward to. To remain in the present is to be mired in it. Setting goals makes

01/01/2026

I had high hopes for 2025, believing that a revitalized government and ascending freedom would revive our battered economy.
Yet, the reality proved brutal as key figures were lost, gas prices doubled, and legislative action stalled under unified Democrat intransigence.
I witnessed urban America descend into chaos, with cities like Los Angeles spiraling into bankruptcy while Republican-controlled metropolises managed to thrive.
Skyrocketing costs, stagnant wages, and a healthcare system skewed by political interference left our nation struggling, even as our professionals—like doctors—abandoned their posts.
Despite Republicans seizing control of government branches, our future remains clouded by political obstruction and misguided voter choices.
This has led me to consciously filter out the urban riffraff and seek out the few exceptional Americans doing meaningful work.
With all that said, I welcome 2026 with cautious resolve, though I fear there may simply not be enough to save us.

Out with a whimper, in with a bang

12/30/2025

I've been reflecting on the wake-up call that Todd Vande Hei and Dr. McDonald issued about the struggles our young people face today.
I was struck by how our boys are becoming physically weaker, emotionally fragile, and socially isolated, while our girls battle narcissus tendencies and identity confusion.
I see clearly that algorithm-driven technology is rewiring our kids' brains, leading to a collapse in real-world skills and risk-taking abilities.
I believe that decentralizing our home lives, reconnecting our kids to reality, and setting firm boundaries can help them become strong, capable adults.
I feel it's our responsibility to lead by example and rebuild the community and structure our youth desperately need.

Podcast interview with Todd Vande Hei of Stark Health--click image below to play

12/29/2025

Todd Vande Hei podcast—raising strong men and healthy women

12/26/2025

Mouthing off again…

Todd Vande Hei is joined by Dr. Mark McDonald — psychiatrist, author, and one of the sharpest, most unapologetically clear voices on the psychological develo...

12/25/2025

I've noticed a worrying trend where "Happy Holidays" is replacing "Merry Christmas," and it feels like a deliberate ban on the very essence of Christmas.
To me, Christmas stands alone as a powerful symbol of Western tradition, personal responsibility, and unity that no other holiday evokes.
The shift away from "Merry Christmas" isn't merely about political correctness—it's a broader cultural departure that strips away the deep religious and familial significance of the holiday.
I deeply miss the days when everyone could freely wish one another a merry Christmas and I hope for a return to that unreserved celebration in our society.
Merry Christmas!

No Happy Holidays, please!

12/18/2025

I've been reflecting on how the tech revolution has blurred the line between what we perceive and what is truly valuable.
I worry that AI is pushing us toward a future where the real and the fabricated become indistinguishable.
I see our daily lives flooded with curated, non-contextual information that often masks the authenticity of true experiences.
I notice how social media encourages us to value polished images over the genuine substance of who we are.
I believe that the true measure of worth lies in intrinsic value—real-life experiences, personal growth, and actions that withstand the test of time.
I’m convinced that focusing on tactile, in-person encounters and seeking honest, third-party insights is the way to restore trust and accountability in our relationships and decisions.

Virtual curation hides what is real--and what we really need to know

12/11/2025

I've always been fascinated by the power of silence and the tension that builds in its space.
I've experienced firsthand how carefully timed pauses during speech can generate a magnetic presence, captivating audiences and creating emotional impact.
Speaking at numerous conferences since 2020 has shown me that rushing words only dilutes the message, whereas the art of pausing holds listeners in suspense.
I've come to believe that this principle isn’t just for public speaking—it can transform personal interactions, particularly in approaching women, where a moment of deliberate silence can leave an unforgettable impression.
I urge men to take a cue from great orators, embracing the pause to stand out in a world overloaded with constant noise.

It's not what you say--it's how you manage the silence

12/04/2025

I've been reflecting on Dr. Hannah Spier’s bold claims that our medical field, particularly psychiatry, is on the brink of collapse.
I see how the new diagnosis of AuDHD, merging distinct conditions like autism and ADHD, is being misused almost exclusively with women to mask underlying personality disorders.
I’m concerned that by labeling classic borderline behaviors as neurodevelopmental, we lose accountability and enable a damaging cycle for both patients and professionals.
I believe that psychiatry should strive for honest, accurate diagnoses rather than rebranding issues that it fails to address, further eroding the credibility of our field.
I wonder if it’s time to allow psychiatry, already overwhelmed by corrupted systems in education and medicine, to fall so that something more genuine and objective can rise.

The MDs are part of the problem

11/27/2025

It's Thanksgiving 2025 and I'm taking time to enjoy the holiday with my family.
I'm reflecting on the blessings of togetherness and gratitude this season.
Wishing you all a warm and happy Thanksgiving.

The one truly American holiday that everyone can enjoy

11/21/2025

I've been reflecting on how a breakdown of shared values in our society leaves me feeling increasingly disoriented and doubtful of what is considered normal.
I recently experienced this firsthand at a comedy show, where a strange encounter involving a transgender woman and a couple blatantly mirrored the rampant narcissism and extreme individualism that has become all too common.
Later, an unsettling interaction at a cocktail bar only deepened my concerns, as I witnessed behavior that, while clearly marked by mental instability, was met with no disapproval or corrective action.
I see this trend as an assault on our social fabric, where tolerance has morphed into complacency and where old-fashioned values of modesty and communal respect are being eroded in favor of unchecked self-expression.
I believe many share my discomfort with these changes, yet few are willing to openly challenge what has become a toxic celebration of extremism over healthy societal norms.

Living amongst the sick can make it difficult to know