The Art of Quality

Quality in the Inner Game of Investing with Chris Mayer

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.

Quality in Trust with Bogumil Baranowski

Kicking off our Investment Series, we have the privilege of hosting Bogumil Baranowski, founder of Blue Infinitas Capital, author of Money, Life, and Family, and host of the Talking Billions podcast.
In this conversation, Bogumil explores the role of trust in the infinite game of investing, drawing from his experience managing wealth across generations. 
He illustrates that being a trusted advisor can sometimes feel like being a captain steering a ship through a storm—radiating calmness and trust in the strategy, even when knees might be shaking. Bogumil emphasizes the importance of a steady, long-term approach, especially during financial crises, because optimizing for survival outweighs the allure of risky short-term gains, particularly in the context of generational wealth.
Reflecting on his upbringing behind the Iron Curtain, Bogumil shares how it shaped his approach to wealth preservation. The discussion also delves into emotional intelligence, navigating difficult conversations, and the pursuit of quality in both investments and life, with lessons drawn from nature.

Quality in Long-Term Thinking with Luca Dellanna

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.

Quality in Culture with Teresa Noonan

In this episode, we are joined by Teresa Noonan, founder of Lot No 68 and former Costco executive, to explore the power of company culture in driving long-term success. Teresa spent 32 years at Costco, where she played a key role in leadership development and worked closely with the legendary Jim Sinegal. 
 
Through personal stories—from starting as the only woman on an all-male night shift crew to rising through the ranks—Teresa shares firsthand insights into how Costco built a culture centered on respect, responsibility, and continuous improvement. We also discuss how businesses can create multi-party stakeholder win-wins by fostering people-first leadership and optimizing value chains.

Quality in the World of Coffee with Mark Hellweg

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Hellweg—founder of Ratio Coffee, Clive Coffee, and Able Brewing—to explore the art of crafting timeless, well-designed products that enhance daily rituals. From starting a snowboarding and wakeboarding e-commerce business in his dad’s basement to designing some of the most elegant and durable coffee brewers, Mark’s journey is a masterclass in entrepreneurship and experience-driven design.
He shares insights on what drives him to build quality products, how simplicity enhances experience, and what it takes to create a business that lasts.

Patterns of Quality at Costco with Peter Malizia

In this episode, we speak with Peter Malizia, who played a key role in building Costco’s Canadian success over his 26-year career. Peter reflects on the core values that define Costco’s culture—loyalty, trust, respect, durability, and simplicity—and how they have shaped its global success. Drawing on his experiences within the culture shaped by legendary CEO Jim Sinegal, Peter shares insights into the importance of Costco’s "six rights" and the company’s unwavering commitment to delivering value to its members.
Discover why Charlie Munger regards Costco as his favorite investment and explore the lessons behind this retail giant’s lasting impact.

Exploring Quality in Management with Luca Dellanna

In this episode, we are joined by renowned author and management advisor Luca Dell Anna, to discuss quality in business with a specific focus on managerial quality. While most organizations focus on product quality, Luca brings attention to the critical role of management quality in ensuring effective leadership and operational excellence. 
 
Through personal anecdotes and examples from various industries, Luca illustrates how quality can be embedded in organizational practices and culture.

The Quality of Curiosity with Tom Morgan

Tom Morgan is one of the most curious people we have ever met. Often described as a "Curiosity Sherpa," Tom has dedicated his life to seeking out the most interesting ideas and thinkers. He is the founder of The Leading Edge, a platform he created as a space for like-minded individuals to explore deeper questions about life, wisdom, and personal evolution. 
We had the privilege of sitting down with Tom to talk about his journey, the importance of space or slack in the pursuit of quality to unfold, aligning with “attractors,” embodied intuition, synchronicity and serendipity, and how curiosity can guide us in navigating life’s complexities.
We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did. 

Qualities We Can Learn From Children With Allison Paradise

In this episode, we are joined by Allison Paradise, founder of The Epicenter, a space that empowers young people to explore their creativity and wonder without judgment. With a background in neuroscience from Brown and Harvard, Allison shares powerful insights on shifting from fear-based motivations to love-based approaches.
Allison reflects on how fostering curiosity and nurturing innate capacities can transform leadership and personal growth. 
Thank you, Allison, for inspiring us to lead with authenticity and heart.

Quality in Leadership with Patrick Boland

Join us as we delve into our conversation with Patrick Boland, a renowned coach, consultant, and psychotherapist. As the founder of Conexus and author of The Contemplative Leader, Patrick brings invaluable insights gained over years of guiding high performers from leading companies like Google, Unilever, Lego, and Accenture. With extensive experience in leading cultural change programs, Patrick has co-authored books with Richard Rohr and shared the stage with thought leaders such as Margaret Wheatley and Brené Brown.
Thank you Patrick, for unpacking the deep wisdom you have gained from your professional journey, revealing what truly matters for building strong, effective teams and nurturing meaningful relationships. 
Enjoy this rich exploration of leadership and the lessons learned from years of dedication to cultural transformation and personal growth.