Mark Gardiner on Muck Rack

Mark Gardiner

Kansas City, Lawrence
As seen in: Milliman IntelliScript, Medium, The New York Times, The Independent (UK), CNBC, Chicago Tribune, Substack, The Indian Express, The Toronto Star, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, The Minnesota Star Tribune and
Covers:  Electric & autonomous vehicles Engineering Motorcycles & motorsport Unique businesses & entrepreneurs Food & wine Travel Marketing & advertising Fitness
Doesn't Cover: Politics (so far!) Defense
New posts: markgardiner.bsky.social Thanks, old-school Twitterati, for many interesting exchanges here over 15 years. Now I must say, "Bye bye, Elon".

Get in touch with Mark

Contact Mark, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.

Learn more about Muck Rack

Actions

Share this page

Mark Gardiner’s Biography

Read Full Bio →

Although I have an extensive background in advertising and communications strategy, since 2002 I've mainly worked as a journalist published in the New York Times and elsewhere.

I have a knack for telling great brand stories like Langlitz Leathers and Kansas City's own Elevé Dancewear; making complex technical subjects understandable to a general audience; and telling the story-behind-the-story, for example about a social media windfall that recently benefited Harley-Davidson. (There are links …

Mark Gardiner’s Journalist Portfolio

Should America Be Run by ... Trader Joe's? (Ep. 359 Rebroadcast) - Freakonomics

Should America Be Run by ... Trader Joe's? (Ep. 359 Rebroadcast) - Freakonomics

My ideas form the basis of this episode, which was one of Freakonomics most-popular podcasts in 2019.

View article →
I wrote a story that became a legend. Then I discovered it wasn't true.

I wrote a story that became a legend. Then I discovered it wasn't true.

In 2003, with what felt like an angel on my shoulder, I wrote a story that became a myth. It was a once-in-a-…

View article →
The Auto Industry's VHS-or-Betamax Moment

The Auto Industry's VHS-or-Betamax Moment

This story, about the battle between two competing technical standards for communication between vehicles, is…

View article →
What's New at Langlitz Leathers? Nothing

What's New at Langlitz Leathers? Nothing

This is one of many stories I've written profiling unique businesses and entrepreneurs.

View article →
A Katy Perry Song Drops a Gift in Harley-Davidson's Lap

A Katy Perry Song Drops a Gift in Harley-Davidson's Lap

This is an example of finding the story-behind-the-story. Katy Perry recorded a song and music video called "…

View article →

Articles

Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s? (Update)

|
By Mark Gardiner, Michael Roberto, Stephen Dubner Verified
| Freakonomics. Verified
Episode Transcript Hey there, it’s Stephen Dubner, and I’d like to thank you for the overwhelming response to our most recent episode, which was called “Ten Myths About the U.S. Tax System.” There were a lot of good suggestions for follow-up episodes, and we’ll certainly keep those in mind.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?

"The Bikeriders:" A commentary, not a review, of Hollywood's latest motorcycle movie

|
By Riding StyleAdv, Mark Gardiner
| RevZilla
Early in Jeff Nichols’ film, "The Bikeriders," the director references "The Wild One" (1953). Late in the film, he gives a nod to "Easy Rider" (1969). Although there was only 16 years between those two movies, they established iconic “biker” images of two very different generations; the first being a post-WWII and Korean War cohort, and the second springing from Vietnam-era counterculture.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?

Mark Gardiner | Substack

|
By Mark Gardiner
| Substack
Writer New York Times, Columbia Journalism Review Heard on Freakonomics "Build a Brand Like Trader Joe's" "Riding Man" (memoir, optioned by Escape Artists) "Jesus on Toast" (play, now adapted for screen) "The Trophy" See followers
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?
See all 191 licensed articles (202 Total)

Interview

See all →

What was your first job as a journalist?

Banff Life Magazine, long since defunct

Have you ever used a typewriter?

I'm admitting my age but yes. Also I'm grateful that I actually learned to type in high school. Disappointment: I never learned shorthand.

How is social media changing news?

It's speeding the spread of stories, and making real reporting more important than ever.
 •  Privacy  •  Terms  •  Security and Legal  •   •   •   • 

© 2026 Muck Rack

SOC 2® Certified