Hawke Robinson: Innovator in Technology, Education, and Healthcare. Music and Recreational Therapist, "Grandfather of Therapeutic Gaming". Adventurer, Advocate, Consultant, Developer, Educator, Entrepreneur, Executive, Explorer, Innovator, Mentor, Musician, Researcher, Teacher, and Technologist

Multi-industry innovator with decades of ground-breaking experience. Excels at being the person who helps bring to life from the conceptualization of a business leader’s ideas and turning them into successful technology implementations. Excellent bridge in communication between the business people and technologists.

"There are very few CTOs who possess not only the ability to execute complex technical tasks, but the high-level soft knowledge that maintains team cohesion, communication with non-technical partners, and essential support in investor pitch meetings. Mr. Robinson is one of them." --Ben Dobyns, COO TFN Corp., CEO ZOE Inc. - See the full Letter of Recommendation from Ben Dobyns at The Fantasy.Network and Zombie Orpheus Entertainment: https://www.hawkenterprising.com/archives/resumes/web/recommendation-testimonial-2020-zoe-tfn

"The Grandfather of Therapeutic Gaming. He has been tracking and involved in the therapeutic and educational application of role-playing games longer than anyone else.” –Adam Johns, Game to Grow, Executive Director, Lead Facilitator.

"I am doing many things. I do not state this lightly. I mean many, many, many things. I have more then 260 active registered domains related to these many endeavors. My overall goal: do what I can in my brief existence to help improve the overall human condition." --Hawke Robinson

Technology innovator with decades of ground-breaking experience. Excels at being the person who helps bring to life from the conceptualization of a business leader’s ideas and turning them into successful technology implementations. Excellent bridge in communication between the business people and technologists.

Known in the healthcare, education, and RPG industries as “The Grandfather of Therapeutic Gaming”. Innovator in therapeutic, educational, business, games, training, and therapeutic technologies architecture. Extensive experience as a leader, mentor, educator, therapist, and public speaker. An extended background in information technology and computer sciences, music and recreational therapy, neurosciences and research psychology, education and cognitive neuropsychology, role-playing games, physical and information security.

A results-oriented, high integrity, compassionate, creative and energetic professional, who is open-minded, adaptable, flexible, & resilient. Encouraging open dialog, adept at building communities and inspiring team members and organizations to enthusiastically achieve greatness. Simultaneously excelling at enterprise and SMB executive leadership, community engagement, architectural design, program-specific implementation, project management, as well as extensive hands-on execution experience building organizations and technology solutions from the ground up.

Professionals in the therapeutic, education, media, and role-playing game industries introduce me with the title  "The Grandfather of Therapeutic Gaming" title to prospective clients, on talk shows, fan conventions, and professional conferences.

-- "...the grandfather of therapeutic gaming. He has been tracking and involved in the therapeutic and educational application of role-playing games longer than anyone else.” –Adam Johns, Game to Grow, Executive Director, Lead Facilitator.

VERIFIED BY PSYCHOLOGY TODAY

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RPG Therapeutics LLC is a Psychology Today Verified Professional Services Provider

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/378780

 

I am an adventurer, advocate, community builder, educator, entrepreneur, innovator, inventor, musician, parent, technologist,  recreation therapist and therapeutic game master, with a diverse background and a broad range of interests.

Until recently, I generally am a behind the scenes impact person. With my decades of background in physical and information security, I am generally uncomfortable putting my information online to such an extent, but due to popular demand, here you can learn a little about me, and what I do. Folks said I should put something a little more personal online instead of just all my efforts behind the scenes and in "professional mode". They suggested something more personal should be available for those that want to know more about the person behind all these projects and communities.

I am an active advocate for:

  • Accessibility
  • Open source (research archives and journals, software, hardware, and general sharing of knowledge that benefits us all, as per the Thomas Jefferson "Taper" quote).
  • Privacy
  • Security (actual, not the many facades)

When meeting in person, most people usually comment on my height (at peak 6'9", now just 6'7", so at least I no longer hit as many door frames as before  :)  ).

I am a Washington State Department of Health Registered Recreational Therapist with a background in computer sciences, music & recreation therapy, education, neurosciences, research psychology, and therapeutic recreation.

Role-Playing Games Background

  • I have been involved with role-playing games since 1977+
  • Experimenting with optimizing the RPG experience and various RPG formats and related technologies since 1979+
  • Been a paid professional game master since 1982+
  • Researching their effects since 1983+ (first 8-page essay).
  • Providing RPGs for educational settings and goals since 1985+
  • Working with incarcerated and "risk" populations since 1989+
  • Founded RPG Research's online research repository in 2004+
  • Providing role-playing games to achieve evidence-in-practice therapeutic goals since 2004+
  • Founded RPG Therapeutics LLC incorporated 2014+
  • Acquisition/creation of the Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer 2016+
  • Creation of the Wheelchair Accessible RPG Bus 2018+
  • Creation of the second accessible RPG Trailer 2020+ (now fleeter referred to as "RPG Mobile" like Book Mobile.
  • Guest speaker at GenCon Indianapolis 2019 and their first recurring guest on GenCon TableTakes since.
  • Role-Playing Game Community Center built and opened to the public 2022+
  • Historical interactive learning RPG Museum opening late 2022 or early 2023.

Technology Background

  • I have been involved with computer science and information technologies development, and online, since 1979+
  • Automotive technologies since 1986+, including instructor at the American Automotive Institute, and 4x ASE certified. I still work on my own cars, and have restored a number of classic cars over the years
  • VR/AR/xR since 1988+
  • I have been in just about every role and position related to the computer sciences and information technology up to C-levels (CIO, CSO, CTO, etc.)
  • Currently I am heavily engaged with online presence, learning, accessibility, xR and Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technologies
  • I am huge advocate for open source, and most projects involve integrating opensource technologies and culture into the companies I work with
  • I contribute to, and manage a number of opensource projects
  • See the project at www.bcirpg.com for more details

Healthcare Background

  • Senior Center visitor - give them someone to talk to, started as a community service requirement, but kept going long after met requirements - 1981
  • CNA (Certified Nurses Aide) - 1989+
  • First Aid 1989+
  • CPR 1989+
  • Habilitation Therapist - 1989+
  • LPN Trainee - 1990+
  • EMT Trainee - 1990-1991
  • Recreational Therapist Trainee - 2004+
  • Summer Camp Counselor - 2007+
  • Hippotherapy / Equestrian Therapy Sidewalker - 2008
  • Play Therapist Trainee - 2010+
  • Mental health first aid 2012+
  • Washington State Department of Health Registered Recreational Therapist - 2014+

Educator Background

  • RPG Instructor for High School Gifted & Talented Children, 5 days per week, final period - 1985
  • Photography instructor/mentor - 1991+
  • Independent Guitar Instructor - 1993+
  • Automotive Trainer/Instructor - 1990 - 1995
  • Computer Technology Trainer/Instructor, Junior College - 1993 - 1995
  • Corporate Training Instructor - 1999+
  • Project Management instructor - 2000+
  • Computer Training Schools instructor - 2002-2005
  • Archery instructor - 2006+
  • Martial Arts instructor - 2007+

Automotive Technology Background

  • Mechanic trainee - 1986+
  • Professional Automotive Technician  - 1987-1995
  • Certified Automotive Performance technician - 1989+
  • Classic cars restorer - 1990+
  • Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified - 1992+
  • Instructor American Automotive Institute - 1993 - 1995

Photography and Media Background

  • Photographer's Apprentice 1991
  • Professional Photographer 1991 - 1999
  • Videographer - 1993 - 1995
  • Live streaming video events 1995+

Performing Arts Background

Theater

Movies/Video

Music

  • Unnamed cover band gigs 1988 - 1991.
  • Synthetic Potatoes 1988 - 2002
  • Synthetic Zen 1989+
  • Petit Chat bakery performances ____
  • Eastern Washington University performance 2004-2012

Outdoors Recreation & Sports

  • Horses 1980+
    • Stall mucker
    • Horse groomer
    • Horse Riding
    • Trail riding
    • Cross-country
    • Rodeo
    • Cattle roundup
    • Horse training
  • Hiking/climbing (1974+)
    • Regular
    • Mountain
    • Desert
    • Snowshoe
    • Rock climbing
    • Mountain climbing
    • Cliff/building rappel/belaying
  • Survivalist (1976+)
    • Mountain
    • Desert
    • Alpine winter
  • Water
    • Swimming
      • Pool
      • Lake/pond
      • River
      • Bay
      • Open ocean
    • Watercraft 
      • Canoeing
      • White water rafting
      • Sailing
        • Lake
        • River/canal
        • Bay
        • Open ocean
      • Motorboat
        • Lake
  • Fishing
  • Skiing
    • Alpine
    • Cross country
  • Firearms
  • Archery
  • Hunting
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Martial arts
  • Golf

Mining and Labor

  • Underground miner (drift (tunnel) and shaft) (1985-1987)
    • Mucker
    • Diamond driller
    • Underground blasting
  • Mine surface crew (1979, 1984-1987)
    • Go-fer
    • Dishwasher
    • Woodchopper
    • Surveyor's assistant
    • Surface blasting
    • Heavy duty construction
      • Heavy machinery operator
        • Backhoe
        • Diesel compressors
        • Diesel generators
        • Cable winch operator (retrieve 1-ton ore cars, and felled lumber)
    • Lumberjack
    • Road construction
  • Farmhand / ranch hand (1982-1990)
  • Landscaping (1982+)
  • Framing (1987-1989)
  • Roofing (1987-1989)
  • Wall/ceiling sheetrock hanger/finisher (1987+)
  • Painter (1987+)
  • Plumber (1992+)
  • Electrician (1992+)
  • Apartment maintenance (400+ units) (1992-1995)
  • Office building maintenance (10,000+ square feet) (1993-1995)

Public Speaking

Internet Radio, Talk Shows, & Streamed Shows

  • NEKKID Radio, Santiago Chile, 2004 - 2007
    • Dr Z and The Synthetic Zen Show
  • Tech Talk With Hawke (2005+)
  • RPG Talk Show (2007+)
  • Therapeutic Recreation Talk Show (2018+)
  • Worlds of Beru
    • The Spartan Show
    • Heroes of the Mist show 
  • Legends Through Shadow (2017)
  • GenConTV TableTakes
  • Therapeutic Larp Panel

Terrestrial Radio

  • KYRS FM Radio, Spokane, WA 2005-2007
    • Dr Z and The Synthetic Zen Show
    • Tech Talk With Hawke

Live Events

  • Spokane First Night Ice & Fire - Kungfu for Live - Narrator
  • MerpCon (2005-2009)
  • TolkienMoot (2010+)
  • ZoeCon (2012+)
  • WSTRA (2015+)
  • PNWATRA
  • ATRA
  • WorldCon (2015)
  • PAX East Unplugged
  • GenCon (2018+)

Personal Background

I am a proud father of 3 (now adult) boys, a full-time single parent since 2007. A grandfather since 2020.

What I tend to say when expressing frustration about myself, an individual, or a group's actions/choices: "What fools these mortals be, forgive them they know not what they do."

Mantra the rest of the time: "Patience and love, patience and love, patience and love."

More Professional Background Information

Communities

Other Hobbies & Interests

  • Acting (theater, video, film) (IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5620159/)
  • Archery (USA certified archery instructor for Campfire USA)
  • Automobiles (4x ASE certified, instructor American Automotive Institute in mid-90s)
  • Drawing
  • Firearms
  • Languages (Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Finnish, Japanese, ASL)
  • Literature
  • Martial Arts (Kung fu (Shaolin, Chung Shing, Buk Sin Choy Lay Fut, & others), Aikido, Karate (Goju-ryu), Judo, T'ai Chi, and others.
  • Motorcycle (travel)
  • Music
  • Offroading
  • Outdoors (hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, white water, rappelling, fishing, etc.)
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Politics
  • Sciences
  • Singing
  • SuiteGM
  • Travel
  • Writing

Education & Certifications

  • Precision Tune 5 Star Certified (PT5SC) (1989)
  • Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) x4 (1989+)
  • Certified Nurses Aid (CNA) (1990)
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) trainee at Doxie Hatch (1990-1991)
  • Habilitation Therapist (1990)
  • Teaching certification (1994) (Utah) (Instructor at Bryman Schools / Utah Career College)
  • Associates in Computer Science (1998)
  • Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) (1998)
  • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) (1998)
  • Certified Netware Administrator (CNA) (1998)
  • Java 2 Programmer (training) (1998)
  • Silverstream Certified (1999)
  • Broadvision Systems Administration & Performance Certified (2000)
  • Solaris Certified Systems Administrator (SCSAp1) (2002)
  • SANS Institute GCIH (2002)
  • Dell Certified Systems Expert  (2007)
  • PTSD Certifications - VHA Train Veterans Health Administration:
    • Practical Assessment for PTSD
    • Assessment and Treatment of Sleep Problems in PTSD – Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (2016)
    • CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Autism Case Training: Managing
  • Washington State Department of Health Registered Recreational Therapist (2014-2020+)
  • Interdisciplinary Bachelors (Music & Recreation Therapy, Neurosciences & Research Psychology). (2020)

Publications

Presentations

  • Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment using Role-playing Gaming (video | slideshow)
  • Flow State & RPG (video | audio | slideshow )
  • Seattle Children's Hospital WSTRA (video | audio | slideshow )
  • ATRA (video | audio | slideshow )

Awards

  • RPG Brain Trust - Trustee of the Year Award (2017):  For R&D, and community programs "assisting those with disabilities to access gaming." with RPG Research and the wheelchair accessible RPG trailers and RPG Bus.

Rates

  • $250/hr for individual consultations (phone/video), for on site consultations, if not within 1 hour of Spokane, see daily rate.
  • $2,000/day + expenses for on site locations or public speaking events (or see hourly rate if full day not applicable).

Interviews

Here are some videos, podcasts, and articles with interviews by others.

Video Interviews

GenCon TV TableTakes

PAX East Unplugged

Wizards of the Coast D&D Dragon Talk

KREM2 / Northwest Cable News Network

Video Panels

Therapeutic Game Master Panel Video at PAX Unplugged 2018

Other Notable Videos

Short Lecture: Intro to Immersion, Flow, & Role-Playing Games

CAR-PGA Virtual Panel (February 2021): Hawke Robinson
Nov 5, 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qloCJU60gWo

Audio Panels / Interviews / Podcasts

PAX East Unplugged 2018 Saturday Panel on Inclusiveness & Accessibility.

Link

Convention Panel: How to Write a Game Module

Link

Convention Panel: Gaming With Children

Link

Convention Panel: House Rules: Some Love, Others Hate.

Link

Convention Panel: Game Design in the 21st Century August 2018

Link

Convention Panel: Meaningful Religions for Your Game

Link

Hawke Robinson - Ego Check with The Id DM | Podcast on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3cJihDxsxbMbXv0FQRNpc9

hawke robinson - Saving the Game 

RPG Research with Hawke Robinson - Rolling For Change

https://www.rollingforchange.com/2020/05/11/rpg-research-with-hawke-robinson/

Wizards of the Coast  Dragon Talk Podcast - Hawke Robinson

https://dnd.transistor.fm/episodes/hawke-robinson-on-rpg-research

CAR-PGA Virtual Panel (February 2021): Hawke Robinson

Nov 5, 2021

Two Bards, One Mic, 

Dungeon) Mastering the Mind w/ Hawke Robinson, Recreational Therapist

24 minutes | Jun 25, 2017
OFM S1 E10

https://www.stitcher.com/show/our-fractured-minds/episode/ofm-s1-e10-dungeon-mastering-the-mind-w-hawke-robinson-recreational-therapist-50585061

HBO Vice: https://www.vice.com/en/topic/hawke-robinson

At This Danish School, LARPing Is the Future of Education - https://www.vice.com/en/article/yvx4zb/at-this-danish-school-larping-is-the-future-of-education-482

CAR-PGA Virtual Panel (February 2021): Hawke Robinson Nov 5, 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qloCJU60gWo

Written Interviews / Articles / Media Mentions

Interviews

Founder's Courier: Nurture Your Entrepreneurial Journey with William Hawkes-Robinson, a Legendary Recreational Therapist

Wizards of the Coast, Dragon Talk - https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/hawke-robinson-rpg-research

SEP 20, 2015 AT 5:05 AM - Interview with Hawke Robinson, Part II - https://www.patreon.com/posts/interview-with-3349315

SEP 20, 2015 AT 4:44 AM - Interview with Hawke Robinson, Part I - https://www.patreon.com/posts/3339244

SEP 20, 2015 AT 5:18 AM - Interview with Hawke Robinson, Part III - https://www.patreon.com/posts/interview-with-3349364

Dungeons of the mind: Tabletop RPGs as social therapy. October 25, 2016. Kill Screen Magazine's Blog, page 36. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7075293.Kill_Screen_Magazine/blog?page=36

HBO Vice - Hawke Robinson: https://www.vice.com/en/topic/hawke-robinson

At This Danish School, LARPing Is the Future of Education - 

https://www.vice.com/en/article/yvx4zb/at-this-danish-school-larping-is-the-future-of-education-482