Dec. 18, 2025

#19 - Mark D. Walker

Show Notes

He calls his enterprise "Million Mile Walker," which is both a pun (his name, after all, is Mark Walker) and a description of a decades-long journey that has taken him all over the world, always searching for ways to improve the lives of people less fortunate than himself.

Mark D. Walker was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala (1971-1973) and spent over 40 years helping disadvantaged people in the developing world through agencies such as Food for the Hungry, MAP International, Make-A-Wish International, and as the CEO of Hagar USA. His book, Different Latitudes: My Life in the Peace Corps and Beyond, was recognized by the Arizona Authors Association. His second book, My Saddest Pleasures: 50 Years on the Road, won the Peace Corps Writers’ Award for Best Travel Book. His latest book, The Guatemala Reader: Extraordinary Lives and Amazing Stories, is a Best Seller and recipient of the BookFest Award for Nonfiction travel. All three books are part of the Yin & Yang of Travel Series. He’s a contributing writer for “The Authors Show,” “The Wanderlust Journal,” and “Literary Traveler.” His column, “The Million Mile Walker Review: What We’re Reading and Why,” is part of the Arizona Authors Association newsletter. He also contributes book reviews to the Midwest Review and The Greatest Writers You Should Read digital magazine hosted by The Authors Show. His honors include the Rotary International Service Above Self award. He’s a board member of the Arizona Authors Association, Advance Guatemala, and SEEDS for a Future, and an Advisory Board member of Peace Corps Worldwide. His wife and three children were born in Guatemala. To learn more about Mark, visit www.MillionMileWalker.com and or his Substack page.