
Hi, I’m Blake. Welcome to my little corner of the web.
🐿️ In a nutshell
I’m a traveling writer, partner dancer, and experiential educator with a deep love for adventure.
California-raised. Level 43. No homebase. Owner of two bicycles and zero cars.
📯 My new book, Dirtbag Rich, is out now! 📯
🧐 What I believe
I firmly believe that a surprising number of kids don’t need school to become happy or successful adults: an idea I’ve explored through writing, speaking, and my Unschool Adventures trips for teenagers.
I also believe that full-time servitude isn’t necessary for adults: that it’s possible to strike a magical balance of time, money, and purpose that lets you do good work—and not too much of it—while pursuing your wildest dreams. (See: Dirtbag Rich)
😇 What I’m proud of
- Funding my life by taking teenagers on big, unique, life-changing adventure programs for 18+ years
- Publishing five books and increasingly vulnerable personal pieces
- Investing heavily in partner dance—which brings me utter joy—and eventually serving as a DJ, organizer, and teacher of “dance connection” and “microfusion”
- Living adventurously, through both classic adventures and the long-term, ongoing challenge of existing without a homebase
- Building and maintaining cherished friendships across the world
🚲 How we might connect
- Write me directly (I respond to all thoughtful inquiries)
- Comment on something you discover on my newsletter or Facebook
- Join one of my talks or workshops (see below)—or invite me to give one!
- From April-Sep 2026, I’m on my bicycle in the USA—if you’re en route, say hi!
📍 My moment in life
Right now, I’m reconnecting with my favorite people and places in North America after 2.5 years away in Europe.
I’m asking myself whether I’d like to continue running longer teen travel programs or focus on shorter workshops, weekends, and retreats. Also: should I base myself in the US, Europe, or nowhere in particular?
I’m playing around with new concepts and activities related to “freedom” (writ large), and I continue seeking opportunities to deepen my skills as a dancer, group facilitator, and experiential educator.
If you’re aware of any opportunities or possibilities for collaboration, I’m all ears—please reach out.

📣 Speaking appearances
Upcoming
- Teen workshop @ North Star in Sunderland, MA (April 13, 2026)
- Teen workshop @ Macomber Center in Framingham, MA (April 16, 2026)
- Book talk @ La Manzana Cyclery in Paonia, CO (May 7, 2026)
- Book talk @ Maria’s Bookshop in Durango, CO (May 19, 2026)
- Book talk @ Deep Creek Coffee in Springdale, UT (late May—to be confirmed)
- Book talk @ South Lake Brewing in South Lake Tahoe, CA (June 20, 2026—to be confirmed)
- Conference keynote & parent talks @ Davidson Institute Summit in Reno, NV (June 26-28, 2026)
- Teen wrangling @ Not Back to School Camp in Southern Oregon (August 5-19, 2026)
Recent
- Podcast @ The Key to Connection podcast (February 2026)
- Podcast @ Outspoken (from Outschool) podcast (March 2026)
- Book talk @ Trail Days Online book talk (March 5-7, 2026)
- Teen workshop @ Skillforge in Zurich, Switzerland (March 19, 2026)
✍️ Recent writing
- Time, Money and Purpose on the Pathless Path (guest post @ Pathless)
- One Man’s Choice of an Unconventional Life (guest post @ Play Makes Us Human)
- Unschoolers Are Dirtbags (guest post @ Alliance for Self-Directed Education)
- Do What You Love and Die Trying
- Hiking the Fishermen’s Trail
- Why You Should Learn to Partner Dance
- Why Work When You Can Hike, Climb, Surf, or Ski?
- My Attachment Style is “Existentialist”
- Selling Books Isn’t About Making Money
- I Don’t Want a Nuclear Family, I Want a Galactic Commune
- Saturday Night, Berlin, 3:52am
- Avoiding the Cult of Retirement
To receive my freshest writing delivered straight to your inbox:
“The true risks of travel are disappointment and transformation: the fear you’ll be the same person when you go home, and the fear you won’t.”
—Kate Harris
This is a living, breathing website, with many nooks and crannies to explore. Enjoy! 🚀
