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2025 Additional Guests

Dr. J Cal Baldari

Dr. J Cal Baldari is a retired U.S. Army Sapper and military instructor turned professor of ethics. His research credits include alternative military ethics, Aristotelian excellence, moral conflict in literature, implicit bias mitigation, modern heroics, RPG morality, and many others. He has published both academically and creatively, with author credits in short military science fiction and fantasy, as well as philosophy. As an avid tabletop role-player, Cal has run games for over a dozen systems professionally, and many more for fun. He also runs BEC Ltd., which provides expert services for authors, game designers, and comics writers; advising on ethics and consequences both within the stories they write and the effect it has on the reader. Finally, Cal is firmly entrenched in the battle to bring diversity and inclusivity to fandom. His work on implicit bias often references the broadening of “geek culture” and the awesome efforts many geeks have put forward to make this hobby one in which everyone, absolutely everyone, can enjoy it with impunity.

Brad Goodman

Brad has been a guest at local science fiction conventions for more than thirty years. Now retired, he worked for NASA Langley Research Center, at their Visitor Center, and in support of traveling exhibits. Later he worked for the Science Museum of Virginia. These assignments came as a result of being a space-program fanatic from the earliest days of NASA. He is a member of The Planetary Society.

Wanda Harward

Wanda Harward is a member of The Charlotte Geeks, assisting Joey Starnes and Carol Cowles with The Geekery Market, and other shenanigans as required. Her geeky interests include painting minis (badly), filk music, renaissance faires, and gaming (online and tabletop). She runs a twice monthly D&D 5e campaign (two years and counting)  and one shots here and there. She has been attending cons off and on since the 80’s, and consistently since 2006. 

Professionally, Wanda is a retired social worker, current tarot reader and life coach (https://findingthekeytarot.com/ ). She has been reading Tarot for over 25 years (professionally since 2017)​. She has been a tarot reader for many events and locations, including Carolina Renaissance Festival, ​The Geekery Market​,​ SagaCon, ConCarolinas, ConGregate, and professional events. 

Mike Pederson

In 2004, Mike suggested hosting a convention in Richmond. He’s been chairing RavenCon ever since.

In addition to running RavenCon, Mike edited the fanzine Nth Degree (2002-2019). He began his work as a writer/publisher in 1988 when his short story, “Dust Storm,” won first place in a local writing contest. In the 1990s, he wrote and published the Raven comic book series and edited and published Scene, a local entertainment magazine. In 2001, Mike was part of the “Best in Class – Master Division” winning presentation at the Millennium Philcon Masquerade. In 2007, he wrote a chapter on “Writing for Magazines” for Dragon Moon Press’ Writing Fantasy: The Author’s Grimoire. During the pandemic, he edited and published CORVID-19: A RavenCon Anthology.

Mike has also run programming for Trinoc*coN, been Fan GoH for ConCarolinas and Mysticon, co-chaired a successful NASFiC bid, headed the Brainstorming team for DisCon 3, and served as MC for MarsCon. Mike’s also been many con’s go-to guy for interviews. He’s interviewed a wide range of writers, gamers, artists, and actors for Balticon, ConCarolinas, ConGregate, ConVivial, MarsCon, Mysticon, RavenCon, and StellarCon.

In 2017, Mike was honored with the Rebel Award for his contributions to Southern Fandom.

Viking Cowboy

Viking Cowboy is a commanding force dedicated to crafting experiences that walk the tantalizing edge of pleasure and pain. Specializing in BDSM dynamics, power exchange, and sensual play, he creates safe, consensual, and deeply erotic spaces for exploration. With a focus on safety, communication, and trust, Viking blends education with seduction, inviting participants to step into the world of kink with curiosity and confidence. Known for his engaging and magnetic teaching style, he ensures every experience is both thrilling and transformative.

Hades Queen

Hades Queen is a magnetic force of sensation and sensuality, blending the worlds of Sex and Magick to create deeply transformative and erotic experiences. As the owner of The Labyrinth, she crafts spaces where trust, connection, and exploration thrive. Specializing in rituals that intertwine power and vulnerability, she brings a unique perspective as both a Domme and a submissive, offering a balanced and inclusive approach to kink. Known for her enchanting teaching style, Hades Queen invites you to step into a world where pleasure meets intention and sensuality knows no limits.