The Art of Quality

What if the most important aspects of quality can't be measured?  Victor Wooten - legendary bassist, educator, and philosopher - joins us to explore how tracking animals taught him to see the invisible patterns that create excellence in music, teaching, and life. Victor learned bass at age two. No rules. No corrections. Just freedom - the same way we learn to talk. Now a 5-time Grammy winner, he's discovered that the principles creating musical excellence apply everywhere: in organizations, in nature, in how we build things that last. This conversation goes places you won't expect. Why does Victor spend weeks tracking animals in the wilderness? How did a stranger's wave from a bus window change his entire life? What does it mean that modern music has been "compressed from a foot deep to a quarter inch" - and why should leaders care?

Laurence Endersen, Founder of Capstrive and author of three insightful books, shares his transformative journey from law to investing. He discusses the interplay between writing and diving deep into investment truths. The conversation highlights the shift from cheap to quality stocks and the craftsperson’s signature in their work. Laurence emphasizes the importance of human connections in fostering true value and explores how personal anecdotes shape effective investment strategies in an ever-evolving market.

In this experimental episode of The Art of Quality, co-hosts Paul Higgins, William Oliver, and John Candeto explore what business owners can learn from nature and natural systems to build enduring businesses and make smarter investments. Rooted in years of observation, the Quality x Nature deck—developed by Paul and forming the basis of this internal reflection—is linked here in the show notes: Quality in Nature Deck  

Drex Davis is the former CEO and current Chief Financial Officer of Scrapbook.com, the leading ecommerce provider to papercrafting enthusiasts. Drex is also the Investment Manager for his family's single family office that invests widely across asset classes. In this episode we discuss The Art of Work (which is a book that no one can buy)…many ways to zig when others zag…how being a business manager makes one a better investor…and how being an investor makes one a better business manager.

Chris Polk, Founder of Promethium Advisors, brings over 40 years of investment management experience to the conversation. He discusses the undeniable importance of owning quality and shares insights into the psychology of wealth. Polk emphasizes the sacred art of listening and its transformative effects on communication and relationships. He critiques traditional investment practices and encourages a mindset of continuous growth and curiosity. His forthcoming book, "Money and Meaning," promises to delve deeper into the lessons learned from advising the affluent.

In this episode of The Art of Quality in Attention, William sits down with vocal artist and facilitator Guillermo Rozenthuler — founder of The Singing Village and a leading voice in the field of vocal improvisation, embodiment, and human connection. In a conversation dedicated to the intelligence of sound and song, Guillermo and William explore how spontaneous music-making can deepen our sense of aliveness, relationally, and collective intelligence. They discuss the role of deep listening, playfulness, and presence in reclaiming our innate musicality — and how these capacities open up new possibilities for connection, transformation, and joy in both individual and communal life.

In the first episode of The Art of Quality in Attention, William sat down with investor and author Chris Mayer — co-founder of Woodlock House Family Capital and author of 100-Baggers and How Do You Know?, among other titles. In an episode dedicated to the inner game of investing, Chris and William spoke about how certain practices in Chris’ life have helped him develop a deep sense of equanimity in this work - something that has served him well in his pursuit of the truth about how great companies operate.

Bogumil Baranowski, the founder of Blue Infinitas Capital and author of "Money, Life, and Family," shares his wealth management expertise. He emphasizes the pivotal role of trust in investing, likening it to steering a ship through a storm. Bogumil reflects on his upbringing behind the Iron Curtain, shaping his views on wealth preservation. The discussion covers emotional intelligence, the significance of long-term thinking, and the importance of choosing quality relationships in both finance and life, all while drawing lessons from nature.

In this episode, we are once again joined by Luca Dellanna, a management advisor and the author of 12 books on human behavior and management. In our second conversation with Luca, we dive deep into the concepts from his book 'Winning Long-Term Games', exploring the application of long-term thinking, his concept of Maximum Reproducible Returns, and the balance between short-term performance and long-term risk.

Teresa Noonan, founder of Lot No 68 and former Costco executive, shares her inspiring journey from the first woman on a male-dominated night crew to a leader influencing corporate culture. She discusses the powerful impact of a people-first approach on employee well-being and company success. Highlights include the importance of integrity, collaboration, and breaking barriers in leadership. Teresa also emphasizes maintaining high-quality standards over convenience, revealing how ethical practices build trust and enhance organizational reputation.