Michael Blackard
Your Friendship Coach
Who’s Michael?
I am a Video Game Producer and now Friendship Coach! I have been in the games industry for about 16 years. I worked at all sorts of studios, big and small, including Blizzard Entertainment and Firaxis Games. I have been credited on numerous games and uncredited on a few others. Every time I leave a studio, I have gained a 100 new colleagues and friends. Some times, several hundred!
Why am I telling you about my video game background? Because it was my dream to finally become a cinematic producer and I did it!…Then I got laid off from that dream job. The games industry, at this time, was laying off tens of thousands of us. I recognized that I was in the minority of people who had a substantial amount of support. It was my job in games to bring people together to solve the biggest problems, I knew I could help people build their support networks and communities they needed, bolster their social toolboxes, and combat the Loneliness Epidemic plaguing the world.
How do you have so many friends?
I am a person that loves people. People are my thing. I wanna know what’s new with you. What are your next big goals? What fills you up with glee and get’s your excited? I don’t wanna know these things just to know them. I want to know these things because I wanna support you. I think it is the coolest thing when people soar to new heights. In order to hear about these heights, I keep in touch with people. I show up for them when they need. They show up for me when I need. I am so lucky to have so many people that have chosen to be there when the going got tough. I wanna help people get those kind of friends for themselves!
What are Michael’s goals?
My goal is to make the world an easier place to live in by helping people come together to solve the biggest problems. I love people and I love seeing people grow. There is nothing better than watching people start shining brighter because they are coming into their own truths, leaning into their own strengths, and knowing they are not alone!
The cherry on top of all of this is that so many other parts of life get easier when you’re shining bright. Generally, people are warmer to you. Creativity flows and new ideas are born. Frivolous problems become easier to solve leaving more time to tackle the bigger and more impactful problems life throws your way. I have personally helped facilitate this positive build up of momentum for so many people and it is always so exhilarating- for everyone involved!
Does Michael have a super power?
Yeah Kinda so really the “Super Power” is having high energy, being animated, and knowing the right things to ask to get to “big talk.” As a trained holistic life coach through The Radiant Academy, it is my goal to help you answer the elephant size questions you have in life.
In the process of writing this section, a friend and I were co-working at a local coffee shop. I was smiling to everyone like I normally do and a lady was approaching the shop. I smiled at her and gave her a nod. She smiled back and went inside. I’m neurodivergent so any movement makes me immediately take note of it. When the lady came out of the shop, I noticed her and smiled again. She walked over and thanked me so much for the smile and giving everyone such warmth. The three of us ended up having a whole conversation about connections, cultures and culture shock, and how difficult it is for people to get past their own anxieties and defenses.
That all said, I do have a uniquely Michael way of conducting business. It is very Michael to go some place, unplanned, and run into someone I know or get everyone involved in my fun antics. I will not be, and cannot, teach you my super power but I can to help you find yours!