QCP #008 | Toño Ramirez | Finding The River of Our Authentic Self

Toño Ramirez is a free spirit, a truth-seeker, an explorer. I'll stop there because he, in my opinion, is only bogged down by more labels. I first met him on a trash cleanup organized by Vince of RefuseRefuseSF.org (our first guest on the podcast). Toño (alias used for privacy purposes) earned a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University, a master's degree from UC Berkley, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. All degrees in his background are in the field of Mechanical Engineering. I was hoping to have a discussion to learn about engineering, and how they might apply to set goals, to create something actionable for me and whoever listens. However, I ended up keeping my notebook closed and tucked away because what follows is something more spontaneous, honest, alive, and profound in so many ways I never expected. This conversation touches on many topics and would be beneficial for those who currently struggle or who have struggled with loneliness, compulsions and addictions, depression, or anyone questioning their self-worth. I hope you'll hear Toño is someone that has done the work and is an example of if you look and let the universe do its thing, embrace your truth, embrace your truest self with love, that (in his words) "the universe/everything will conspire to reward you." Please enjoy this dip into a winding river of conversation with Toño Ramirez. NOTES | MENTIONS: Reflection on Picture Taking Processing the holiday season Guanejuato Family Life from Dallas to Mexico Conversational manners Anger in relation to our authentic selves Defining unsolicited therapy sessions - being “talked at” Helping people that don't ask Expecting people to be a source of happiness Expression and vitality, being in the present moment Rethinking the human child rearing experience The perfect child fallacy, how children develop codependency Troika Dance Music - Russian Folk Academic Life Magnet School Fighting Our Nature Thoughts on the future of Engineering in relation to Nature Cobalt Mines in Africa Sedation, and the many forms of drugs Toxic white lake - Onondaga Lake Abundance vs scarcity Doing nothing Vietnam, Phong Nha Cave System Lindsay C Gibson Author - Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents Benefits of Solitude Child Rearing Realities The Drama of the Gifted Child - Alice Miller Alcoholism Compulsive Sex Sensing to be in need of self Is love an addiction? What we deserve, to be treated as god the river, conspires