The Art of Quality

Chris Mayer returns for his second appearance on The Art of Quality and Attention. Chris is the co-founder and portfolio manager of Woodlock House Family Capital, a Maryland-based hedge fund, and the author of several influential books on investing, including 100 Baggers and his most recent work, The Unspeakable Level. In this conversation, we explore the ideas at the heart of The Unspeakable Level - a book that explores questions that are often difficult to articulate, yet fundamental to how we understand the world. Chris invites to adopt a deeper humility about what can truly be known. In particular, he challenges the common tendency - especially in business and investing - to mistake familiarity for understanding: believing that because we can name something, read about it, and analyze it through numbers or language, we therefore grasp it. The result is a conversation about perception and attention - one that offers practical ways to see more clearly and avoid the conceptual traps that often mislead even experienced decision-makers.

Nicolas Michaelsen, a Danish entrepreneur turned spiritual practitioner and systems-focused investor, shares his journey from building companies to cultivating inner wisdom. He explores multiple ways of knowing, the limits of purely rational thinking, intuition as accessing broader data, and aligning work with place and ecology. Short reflections on regenerative land projects and a soul-craft-soil framework round out the conversation.

In the first conversation with Tom Morgan a year ago, the focus was on the personal journey that led him to build The Leading Edge - a home for curious leaders navigating transition, meaning, and personal evolution. In this second episode, Willy and Tom move beyond origin stories and into lived practice. Their conversation explores what it means to cross thresholds - psychological, relational, and spiritual - when there is no clear map. They discuss how love often becomes the most reliable compass when certainty falls away; and why the quality of attention may be one of the most powerful yet overlooked forces shaping relationships and inner life. Willy and Tom also touch on subtler dimensions of experience: experience of syntropy - the pull toward coherence and connection. Throughout, they return to the importance of community.

In this episode of The Art of Quality and Attention, William sits down with Patrick Boland. Patrick is a psychotherapist, leadership consultant, executive coach, and the author of The Contemplative Leader. He founded his consulting firm, Conexus, in 2013, and since then has worked with senior teams and leaders in global organizations ranging from Google, Unilever, Accenture, and Salesforce, to name just a few. Patrick was introduced to the show by fellow Art of Quality host Paul Higgins. Over the last couple of years, William has had the pleasure of getting to know Patrick and has been struck by the quality of his presence and the depth of his capacity to listen. William’s own experience of Patrick’s book, The Contemplative Leader, has been that of an excellent guide to shaping relationships and systems in ways that use one’s power and influence for the benefit of those around us. As Patrick himself would put it: The quality of presence we embody in our interactions fundamentally affects everything we do. The conversation that follows is a practical investigation into the qualities inherent in effective leadership, drawn from the lived experience of a seasoned leadership coach.

The podcast dives into the significance of quality through lived experiences. A standout topic is the relationship between iteration and success, highlighted by John’s insights from Geneva's watchmakers. Conversations explore how nature operates through countless experiments, mirroring the iterative process vital for growth. Paul links trust-building strategies from Les Schwab to practical application in everyday choices. The hosts emphasize how understanding quality transcends theory, encouraging listeners to embrace a more embodied and practical wisdom.

Eric Markowitz, a partner at Nightview Capital and former investigative journalist, dives into his intriguing research on the world's oldest companies and their secrets to longevity. He emphasizes the importance of practical work over mere ideas, critiquing modern management theories that neglect sustainable practices. Drawing insights from traditions in watchmaking and craftsmanship, Eric discusses how enduring companies prioritize human connection and financial prudence. He explores the balance between innovation and tradition, offering valuable lessons for lasting success.

In this enlightening conversation, Ed Halliwell, a seasoned mindfulness teacher and author, delves into the transformative power of attention. He reveals how distorted perceptions stem from desires and fears, clouding our reality. Ed discusses the distinction between attention and awareness, emphasizing the importance of cultivating both in personal and professional realms. He shares insights on how mindfulness can enhance leadership and creativity, and highlights the role of acceptance in overcoming inner negativity. Prepare for a journey toward clearer perception and compassionate self-awareness!

Dive into the fascinating world of power laws and discover how they shape our understanding of quality across nature and society. John shares his journey of uncovering patterns that reveal concentrated impact in various domains, from businesses to ecosystems. Learn why prioritizing the few impactful elements is crucial, and explore the dynamics of survival and growth in power laws. With insights on investment strategies and aligning with natural systems, this conversation challenges conventional thinking about averages in a compelling way.

Isik Tlabar, an intuition coach and breathwork facilitator, shares her journey from Turkish roots to becoming an expert in helping others unlock their inner knowing. She explains how breathwork swiftly accesses suppressed emotions and altered states akin to psychedelics. Isik discusses the calming effects of breathwork on the nervous system, emphasizing the importance of grounding and integration. Listeners will discover practical exercises to boost their intuition and learn how to shift from mind-driven to heart-driven choices, ultimately enhancing the quality of their lives.

Today's episode is about the story of the renowned Buchinger Wilhelmi fasting clinics based in Germany, Spain, and soon France, and their owner Leo Wilhelmi, who runs the business together with his cousin and brother in the fourth generation. Leo shares the founding story of his great-grandfather Otto Buchinger, who was the personal doctor of Prince Adalbert of Prussia during the early 20th century. He fell incurably ill but serendipitously stumbled upon a water-based fasting cure, which he developed into the famous Buchinger Wilhelmi fasting method. Leo then shares how, a century later, he faced a similar turning point. What began as a challenging situation unexpectedly placed him at the center of his generation’s biggest project: building a new clinic in the south of France.