The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing.
-Socrates
If that's true, then I'm overqualified
-Ben Tousey
Who is Ben Tousey
The best way we can think of to describe Ben Tousey is through the work of his critics:
Shall I compare him to a summer's day?
Of course not, don't be ridiculous!
He is certainly neither lovely nor temperate.
Shall I compare him to the moon, or the sun or stars?
Most assuredly he is nothing like them.
What then shall I compare him to?
Stomach cramps?
Athlete's foot?
Pimples?
Soon, I shall find a suitable comparison.
Bill S. Spear
Long time friend and barista to Ben
First take 1 cup of comedy
1 tablespoon of sarcasm
2 pints of hair gel
1 cup of sifted observations
3 quarts dramatic interpretations
A touch of the Drama Queen
Mix them all together with a microphone
Stir vigorously
Bake at 500 degrees for one hour
Then remove from the oven piping hot
Chill on the windowsill and enjoy the show
Gladys Almostover
Long time friend, drinking buddy, and therapist to Ben
Ben Tousey
He walks, he talks, he uses his arms and legs.
Sometimes he holds a microphone in his hand and sometimes he uses a lapel.
He performs (I think that's what he's doing)-
He does standup comedy. He does motivational speeches.
He writes music, books, blogs, comedy sketches and letters to the editor.
I guess you could call him an all around performer.
(Although he prefers to be called Ben)
Clair Voyant
Long time friend and sister to Ben
I think Ben is really good. I like his comedy, and I like his speaking, and I like it when he sings (I think that's singing).
I think Ben will go far (especially if he buys an airline ticket to Asia)!
Helen Backagain
Long time friend and guidance counselor to Ben
If I had to define Ben Tousey with one word, then I guess that word would have to be… Wonderful… Spectacular… Stupendous… Phenomenal… Incredible… It is the impression of this critic that my son is amazing!
Anonymous
Ben Tousey's Biography
As an actor Ben has played some serious characters with heavy-hitters in the theatrical community such as Grant Goodeve from Eight is Enough, and Northern Exposure and Barry McGuire form the Broadway Musical "Hair" and the hit song "Eve of Destruction."
As a singer/songwriter, he's worked with other singer/songwriters such as Matthew Ward, Annie Herring, and Nelly Greison, and Emmy award winning Jazz musician Roger Treece.
As a standup comedian, he has worked with Vanda Mikoloski from the "What the Bleep do we Know?' conferences.
All of that culminates in his speaking. He has had several opportunities to speak to large groups, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), The Adopt a Cop program, the International Association of Workforce Professionals, the Northwest Association of Mothers of Multiples, several spiritual organizations and singles groups.
To augment his work, he studied Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) with instructors Rich Anrich and Michael Grinder (author of the book "Righting the Educational Conveyor Belt" and brother of the cofounder of NLP John Grinder) and became an NLP practitioner.
The following article, Doubt is the Seed of Faith, is a great starting point to acquaint yourself with Ben's model.