Hi! I’m Mark Blaede (pronounced ‘blay-dee’). I’m a professional game master specializing in improvisational storytelling and team building for groups of all ages. For over a decade, I’ve facilitated roleplaying games for private groups and for the public at game stores and conventions. In that time, I’ve seen the power of interactive gaming to help people develop social skills, practice collaborative problem solving, and have ridiculous amounts of fun.

Background

I hold an M.A. in Transformational Leadership from Bethel University. I have experience as a professional training specialist, church educator, writing tutor, rec-league soccer coach, and homeschool parent. My hobbies include cheering on Minnesota United FC and playing board games and RPGs with friends. I am married and a dad to three bright and quirky kids.

Values

I welcome and celebrate neurodiversity. As a parent of autistic and ADHD kids (and as a former 2E kid myself), I can relate to the unique needs and strengths of quirky brains. I’ve found that my tendency to improvise within the guardrails of a structured adventure works especially well for neurodiverse players.

All are welcome at my game table. I make a conscious effort to include and celebrate LGBTQIA+ folks and people of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

After all, why be a villain when the world could always use more heroes?!