“Benjamin collaborated with the Citrix Learning and Development team to produce a “Listening to Win” workshop at our largest sales event of the year. His passion and empathy resonated with sales people, systems engineers, and support employees of all levels, from front line to Executive. His ability to walk the line between creative, “real-world” research from the streets and a corporate, highly visible corporate presentation demonstrated talent and flexibility. Our organization values integrity and having the “courage” to go beyond what’s typical. Benjamin personified those values and used “real world” research that mattered to sales and those they interact with. He makes a difference in a way I haven’t seen before and hope to see again. ”

“Benjamin Mathes is alive and ready to listen. He has a rare ability to electrify an entire audience while simultaneously making each individual feel seen, valued, and empowered. My college was lucky enough to host him recently. After each session, students swarmed him, hoping for contact with this relative stranger they instantly knew would hear things they didn’t know needed telling. As testimony poured in from students I’d taught all year long, I realized I was the stranger. I never knew I had a student who believed he was going to build a robot to help all mankind. Until he told Mathes. Or that the quietest girl in my class had a burning desire to make films. Until she told Mathes. He helped me see my students and, more importantly, helped them see themselves. Every organization could use Benjamin’s work. There is not a space too big or a moment too small.”

“Benjamin’s presence and contribution as a speaker at our event were invaluable. Being President and Chief Creative Officer of an advertising agency for nearly thirty years, I know full well the qualities it takes to engage and hold an audience. Benjamin is a true professional. With the demographic makeup of our event ranging from 15-19-year-old campers and 21-70-year-old staff, he impressively had all 1200 in attendance riveted to his message. Benjamin promotes the very basic concept of simply listening. Throughout my entire experience with Benjamin, I saw him touch a countless number of individuals who basked in his positive and accepting attitude as he provided guidance, encouragement and the knowledge of his training and experience. And even though we know intellect and experience are key, it only works and becomes real in living it. Benjamin lives and exudes an attitude of professionalism and assurance to those he comes in contact with that values them. You are wise to be considering Benjamin Mathes. I’ve already booked him for our next event!”

“We brought Benjamin to lead a session for our third annual Day of Dialogue. The students, faculty, and staff who attended his session raved about how ‘Free Listening’ inspired them to be more intentional and empathetic in their communication with each other. I wholeheartedly recommend him.”

“Wow! Ben put on a great presentation for our international group of 250+ qualitative researchers—people who interview individuals and groups for a living—and gave us “professional listeners” some new perspective. He reinforced that the “art” of listening is so critical to the work we do and reminded us to keep our egos out of our interactions with our participants/respondents—and he shared this all with an energy and humor that had us laughing along the way.”

“Our time with Benjamin was much more than a workshop. His refined methods of communication and teaching go beyond inspiration. He instantly pulls you in on his rich experiences, while walking right beside you on your own journey. We not only came away more aware of our personal areas for growth, but on an existential level, we grew in awareness of humanity’s need for one another. I would highly recommend anyone seeking to improve their own story of interpersonal life to explore what Benjamin has to offer.”

“Ben is a compelling speaker with a transformative message. He managed to artfully engage 150 middle schoolers with layers of insight, anecdotes and teaching anchored in his broad experiences. He was able to connect with and impact our community by focusing on the importance and humanity of listening. Our students still talk about him.”

“Benjamin Mathes is a truly inspirational speaker. When you invite him into your classroom, you get so much more than a “speaker”. He gives all of himself to the students with honesty, sincerity, humor and warmth. What is most special about his work is not necessarily what you learn from his experiences and motivational advice, but the incredible amount that you learn about your students. Ben has a natural gift for creating and fostering a positive and accepting community with a call to action. It doesn’t matter if you have a group of artists, designers, nurses or engineers, the work that Ben promotes is inspirational and relevant to any industry since his focus is on the human behind the work, not the work itself. In just an hour and a half, students (and their teachers) feel uplifted and connected to one another in a unique way that usually takes instructors an entire semester to achieve. Ben Mathes is a motivating speaker, mentor, listener, and friend to the entire group. His message of inclusiveness and self-exploration is needed now more than ever for people of all ages and backgrounds.”

“It is not your typical sales training. It is fun and engaging. Motivated my sales team to be better just by helping them be comfortable with themselves. Feedback from the team was very positive. Immediate improvement in the performance of the team especially in meetings and presentations to customers.”

“Thought Lozenges for Artists is a burst of tiny sparks, each designed to ignite creativity and passion.  Crash (Unstuck Yourself) is roadmap to get there.  Benjamin Mathes writes in a way that is both introspective and universally relatable.  Together, the two books are the perfect gift pairing for artists of all kinds.”

“For any artist who has at one time or another felt uncertainty, doubt, confusion, misdirection, dried up inspiration, frustration, exhaustion, fear, emptiness, or isolation, and is trying to rediscover that spark that started you in the first place - Benjamin Mathes has just created the fuel for your fire.”

“A very unusual, but richly rewarding book for actors, full of wisdom and hand-holds for the massive mountaineering effort that is devoting your life to the art of acting. Keep it by your bed, because it will also provide vital encouragement and solace for those terrifying moments when you wake in the middle of the night, fearing all is lost.”

“This journal is the most innovative, challenging, and provocative journal I’ve ever encountered.  I used it for a CEO retreat and a Vistage Chair retreat with spectacular outcomes—loved it!”

“In these beautiful, sometimes weird, intensely personal poems and evocative drawings, Ben Mathes and Ray Cosico have created nuggets of divine inspiration, for artists of all types and for the artist in all of us. If you want a lift and some clarity, dip into a Thought Lozenge, or you can binge on them and feel transported to a calmer and clearer place. Absorbing them provides a moment of transcendence in our hectic world.”

“It is extraordinary. Truly beautiful and provocative and excitingly encouraging.”

“Mathes’ book forges a passionate, unbreakable connection with one’s self! An artist’s must have companion/guide to being perfectly human.”