The Art of Quality

The Art of Quality hosts re-convene for a conversation about power laws: what they are, why they matter, where they show up, and how they help us understand quality itself. Early in life John was struck by the notion that there is a fabric-pattern to reality, and we can learn some of it. That realization sparked a pursuit: to find the patterns that give rise to the good, the true, and the beautiful. As he dug deeper, John began to recognize clear patterns of quality in the natural world – across organisms, species, and galaxies – and saw the same patterns reflected in the social world: in cities, companies, and people. These patterns, he realized, follow power laws. And wherever power laws appear, they serve as a kind of signal – a beacon – for impact. In a world obsessed with averages – average performance, average experience, average outcomes – John saw that this framing was wrong. Power laws, not averages, rule the world. That insight reshaped the way he invests capital and led to a multi-year exploration of power laws: what they are, where they appear, and how we can act on them, which will be published as a book in 2026.

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.

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 tells the story, 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.

Eric Markowitz is a Partner and the Director of Research at investment firm Nightview Capital and a former investigative journalist with bylines in The New Yorker, GQ, Fast Company, and other outlets. A near-death experience prompted Eric to wonder why some cultures, companies, and products dramatically outlast others. Eric is travelling the globe – from Central American rainforests to centuries-old businesses in Europe and Asia – on a quest to answer one question: what allows a rare few systems to outlast? His forthcoming book – titled Outlast – will be published by Scribner, the flagship imprint of Simon & Schuster and home to legends like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Eric has just returned from trips through Italy, the United States, and Japan, and in this episode we are learning from Eric’s “notes from the field.”

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.