Champagne and Tear Gas: Crafting Stories in Remote Corners with Mark Johanson

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Step into the world of global storytelling with Mark Johanson, an American journalist who's crafted a remarkable career from his base in Santiago, Chile. With bylines in National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, The Guardian and CNN, Mark takes us beyond the typical travel narrative to share how location, language and cultural immersion shape authentic storytelling.

Mark reveals the pivotal moment that transformed his career path—a quarter-life crisis that propelled him from New York's film industry into travel blogging and eventually professional journalism. His perspective on living and working in South America offers fascinating insights into how geographical positioning creates unique opportunities. "The good thing about being based in a random part of the world is that work often comes organically to you," he explains, describing how this advantage helps him tell stories that might otherwise go unexplored.

The conversation delves into Mark's methodical approach to discovering hidden destinations, from reading local-language news sources to maintaining comprehensive lists of emerging trends. We journey alongside him to remote corners of Peru's ancient  Qhapaq Ñan road network and Armenia's burgeoning wine country. These experiences highlight his commitment to spotlighting underreported regions and cultures that deserve attention beyond the typical tourist circuit.

Perhaps most compelling is the story behind his book "Mars on Earth"—born from a moment of stark contrast during Chile's 2019 social uprising when he found himself sipping champagne on a luxury hotel rooftop while protesters below faced tear gas. This jarring juxtaposition launched a 1,200-mile journey through Chile's Atacama Desert that became both geographical exploration and personal reckoning. Mark's thoughtful reflections on responsible tourism and the importance of supporting destinations in the Global South offer valuable perspective for travelers seeking more meaningful connections with the places they visit.

Curious about Mark's adventures or want writing inspiration? Follow him @markonthemap across social platforms or visit markjohanson.com to explore his portfolio spanning guidebooks, magazine features and environmental reporting.

Purchase Mark's book here. 

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