Welcoming Possibility with Jeff Markowitz

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Life’s opportunities aren’t always planned. And if you’re open to possibilities, the road can be filled with great, unexpected surprises. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this episode, you’ll hear the story of a man who learned to embrace the unknown at a young age rather than follow a linear lifeplan, and how traveling off the beaten path led him to find a career with purpose.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today’s guest and I go back nearly 30 years. I first met Jeff Markowitz during my early days in the financial services business; it was always a highlight to speak with him. Jeff is the author of five mysteries, including the award-winning dark comedy,</span> <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Death-White-Diamonds-Jeff-Markowitz/dp/1940758017"> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Death and White Diamonds</span></em></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He spent more than 40 years creating community-based programs and services for children and adults with autism before retiring in 2018 to devote more time to writing. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s a glance at our conversation:</span></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Why taking a gap year after school was the most important thing Jeff ever did</span><span style= "font-weight: 400;"><br /> <br /></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How he successfully transitioned from teaching to becoming a mystery writer</span><span style= "font-weight: 400;"><br /> <br /></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The life-changing impact of ‘practicing for retirement’ for more than 14 years</span><span style= "font-weight: 400;"><br /> <br /></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">What opportuni