Quality Time with Quality People: Recent Episodes
Benjamin Markus
The Quality Time with Quality People podcast is a space where I share my thoughts on friendship, love, conversation, and many more of my interests.Who am I? I am a 30-something single man from and living in Florida. My professional background is in journalism, and I am currently a project manager. I have been incredibly lucky in life to have made and kept many old, close, dear friends, and those friends have meant the world to me and my life. My life motto - and guiding principle - is "quality time with quality people." The more that I find myself spending quality time with quality people, the more alive, inspired and generally happy I am.I hope to share the gift of quality time with quality people with you through this podcast. Enjoy!If you would like to support the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast, please submit donations via Venmo: @gratefulphishguy
I learned yesterday that my uncle Don had passed away in his sleep. Donnie, as we always called him, was an extremely kind person who made those who came into contact with him feel better about themselves. He had that true Midwestern sense of helping friendliness to strangers and family alike. He loved Chicago, the Cubs, the Bears, airplanes and airports, rock 'n roll music and above all else his family.
In this episode I remember my uncle and share the interesting arc of his life, which while not without much challenge, ended with a lasting gift.
RIP Don Wurtz - your family loves you and will always remember your light.
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
There's something special about Spain. The people - welcoming, friendly, helpful. The architecture - ancient, modern and all things inbetween. The culture - so rich, evoking all of the senses.
My June/July trip to Europe took me through San Sebastian in the Basque region of Spain, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It also forced me into that area of discomfort where GROWTH happens - beyond the comfortable, but before the frustratingly challenging. That's where beneficial challenge and growth occurs.
Thank you for tuning in. I am going to continue to try and be more disciplined and regular with recording and posting the QTQP Podcast. Have a great week!
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
I'm back!
I just had a wonderful multiweek trip abroad to Portugal, Spain and France. I met so many wonderful people, and had experiences that I'll remember for a long time to come. Being in a foreign land - solo (for most of the trip) - is such a perspective-opening experience, and I want to share some of that experience with you.
In this episode, I talk about Lisbon, Portugal, and my experiences there, including:
- Having a "Meeting New People" mentality, and how we might foster and keep that mentality where we each live, within our own social and cultural norms.
- Saying "yes" to (almost) everything
- My thoughts on Lisbon, aka, "San Francisco East"
This will be a multi-part podcast, with Part 2 coming soon. Enjoy, friends!
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
On today's Quality Time with Quality People, we discuss creating change for yourself. Most of us have set routines, as well as set social circles, cultures, and ways of being. How, then, amid a sea of constant, do we create change for ourselves when we need it?
We talk about this and more on today's podcast. Happy Memorial Day!
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
I believe momentum is a powerful force and energy in our lives. I notice physical or bodily momentum, as well as momentum with my mind and spirit.
In this episode, I explore how I think about and manage these momentum streams. What can I do to reinforce and continue the powerful energies that steer my life towards growth and fulfillment? What situations do I need to be careful or mindful about, as they may potentially derail the momentum I've built?
How about you - do you feel momentum in your life? Do you plan for it? Do you manage momentum? Let me know on twitter @benmarkus1985
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
Join me for a walk around my neighborhood in Gainesville, Fl., and I discuss lessons learned from a relationship ending with murkiness, confusion and hurt feelings. I also chat about my continued pursuit of finding my purpose or purposes in life, loneliness and thoughts on channeling those feelings, and simple things we can do to get ourselves "back on track" or at least heading in a direction of positivity and purpose.
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
Monday's podcast gave me some real substance for reflection, contemplation and re-framing my own perspective, and I am so thankful.
I am sharing some thoughts about perspective, the power of intent, rest, alcohol, journaling and proactive friendship.
Be good. Have fun.
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
"Growth and comfort cannot co-exist." -Ginni Rometty
This is a podcast about honesty, and acknowledgement of areas where I need to grow. I sometimes feel like I am missing something - a true fulfillment in life - a reason and motive beyond my self. What I believe I'm missing is my true purpose. While I at times lament that I haven't yet discovered that, I also acknowledge that this recognition is a hugely important one, and the first step towards finding that purpose and true fulfillment.
In this episode, I explore my feelings surrounding my seeking purpose. I explore how those feelings may be affecting my relationships, and the intention and steps that I will take to go about finding that purpose. The road to ultimate fulfillment starts with one tiny step, and I have begun to take it.
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
The start of a week is a great time to do some self-checking in. How are you feeling? What do you want to accomplish this week? What small changes can you make now that will lead to big change later?
In this podcast, I discuss:
- My recent feelings of stagnation with friendships, and the pursuit of my goals and dreams.
- Thoughts and reminders on how to bust out of stagnation periods.
- Ryan Holliday's 100 ways to live a better life.
- Reflection on my current relationship, and how I'd like to advance that.
- An amazing article about Tony Rice's 1935 Marin D-28 guitar (played live this weekend by Billy Strings!)
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
I don't know about you, but my January and first half of February has been full of change! I've felt big changes from my friends, and I am leaning into change and growth for my self. Each day I remind myself not to fear or turn away from change. Yet even when I do, I still find it helpful to have elements of my life that keep me grounded, stabilized, and in a healthful routine. Today I talk about those "anchors" of stability in my life, and how I feel they help me.
I also talk about the powerful experience I felt reading Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha, a book I wholeheartedly recommend.
Oh, and this podcast is a walking podcast! Join me on a beautiful evening as I walk around my neighborhood.
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
I've been thinking lately about the mind: it's purpose, what it's telling me, and when to listen to it. Likewise, we seem to have a deep vibrational power within that we often simply refer to as our "gut". In this episode I explore...
- The vibrational difference between the "gut" and the mind.
- How do we know whether its our "gut" that is guiding us, or the mind?
- How do we know which we should listen to in any given moment?
I also had a profound experience this past weekend volunteering, and I talk about the power of the simple act of putting in to the world more than I take out, even if just for brief periods.
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
In the past week or so I have had two events surface that have given me pause: moments or opportunities that have the potential to usher in great change in my life. My immediate reaction to those two events - one relationship-centric and one job-centric - was one of fear. But upon closer scrutiny - and self reflection and relaxation - I am not seeing these moments as events to shy-away from, but rather as notifications and signals of potential growth. Sometimes we need a difficult moment to surface to show us how and where to change and to grow.
This episode is about recognizing obstacles, challenges or speed bumps in live as opportunities for change and growth.
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
I bet you've accomplished a lot already this year. And if not "a lot," certainly something.
Fresh off a great long-weekend trip to Los Angeles, in this episode I talk about pausing to celebrate accomplishments no matter how small or insignificant they may seem at the time. It's hard enough just to be a human in today's world, and it's important to recognize that and celebrate the wins in your life.
I also talk about the importance of challenging one's self for the purpose of self-growth and to keep expanding one's perspectives. It's so easy to become stagnant, and to rest in comfort, but the uncomfortable is where we grow and where transformation occurs.
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
As I continue to delve into learning about spiritual practice, and about myself, some truths become evident. Such as - if you're reading this - you are a short-lived being on a rock floating in the middle of an unimaginatively expansive universe, orbiting the Sun. And yet we worry about what the weather will be, what someone said to us (whom we don't even care for!) or whether he/she likes you.
And believe me - I have and still can get lost in these insignificant thoughts and energies.
But we can let go. We can let go of energies that bother pieces of our psyche. We can let go of thoughts that don't serve us. We can let go of the parts of us that are sensitive.
As we begin 2023, I welcome you to let go, continually.
This podcast is about the why and how of letting go, and what I personally am letting go of. Have a great start to your year!
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
It's the week between Christmas and New Year's, and somehow both very little and so much is going on!
In this episode I talk about:
- The meaning of "quality time" during the Holidays, and understanding how friends, family and others perceive it. (Hint: communication is key.)
- Reflections from Michael Singer's masterpiece The Untethered Soul:
- You are not the voice inside your head.
- Observe and relax into fear and other uncomfortable energies, rather than compensating or distracting from them.
- Quick thoughts on Herman Hesse's beautiful work, Siddhartha.
- Thinking through goals for 2023
I hope you have a wonderful and safe New Year!
Please help me continue to bring you quality content by supporting the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
Back in May, before I had decided to name the podcast Quality Time with Quality People, I sat down to record an initial episode. In this episode...
- I describe myself, and my goals and intentions for beginning a podcast.
- I share 5 pieces of unsolicited advice from Kevin Kelly's website (http://kk.org) about life, friendship and listening.
I think this episode provides a great glimpse into who I am, what's driven me to start a podcast, and what I hope to get out of this big adventure.
If you would like to support the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast, please feel free to do so via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
In this episode, I discuss my first foray to the Temple of the Universe, where I participated in a communal meditation session and observed a talk by Michael "Mickey" Singer, a world-renowned spiritual teacher and bestselling author of "The Untethered Soul" and "The Surrender Experiment".
I talk about Mickey's talk, which focused on two key questions we must ask ourselves:
- Where are you now?
- Where are you going?
I also discuss the importance of journaling, as well as a goal that I have set for myself and would like to begin working on.
If you would like to support the Quality Time with Quality People Podcast, please feel free to do so via Venmo: @GratefulPhishGuy or via PayPal: markusben@gmail.com
You're also always welcome to reach out to me via twitter at @benmarkus1985.
Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much.
-Ben
On this week's Quality Time with Quality People Podcast, I share thoughts from a tumultuous couple of weeks, including:
- Processing thoughts on a breakup
- Journaling and why it can be so helpful
- Reminders to myself about moving on, continuing to grow, and setting my sights on new goals