For over 20 years, Dr. Mark Montesano taught a broad range of humanities seminars at Arizona State University for the department of Religious Studies, The Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict, and The Barrett Honors College. 

Before that he spent 20 years as a therapist and counselor. With graduate degrees in counseling psychology, religious studies, and English. He has a passion for integrating fields of knowledge to explore what it means to be human in various cultures and throughout history

 His current interests include exploring the similarities between Western and Eastern philosophies. Out of his love for jazz and its history he taught a class on the first 50 years of recorded jazz. After retiring to Portland, Oregon he became the host of his own radio show for 4 years. He gave regular lectures on jazz history and led philosophy reading groups there.