Ron Rapatalo: What's up? I'm Ron Rafatalo and this is the Ronderings Podcast. Around here, I sit down with guests for real, unpolished conversations about the lessons and values that shape them. And I'll be right there with you, sharing my own take, laughing at myself when I need to, and wondering out loud about this messy thing called life. Glad you pulled up a chair. Let's get into it.

00:00:09
Welcome to another episode of Ronderings, where we unpack the stories, lessons, and moments that make us who we are. Today, I'm really excited to sit down with my home girl Cecilia Bas Aguilab, powerful leader, storyteller, rooted in Stockton, California where she was born and raised. Her journey is one of resilience, purpose, and connection. We talk about how meaning shows up through loss, community, and courage. So, wherever you are, walking, driving, or just taking a breather, lean in and join us for this one.

00:00:46
Hey friends, before we get started, I want to share something that's been a big part of my own journey. Two years ago, I published my book, *Leverage*. That experience cracked something open for me. I saw how publishing isn't just about pages about owning your story, sharpening your voice, and amplifying your impact. The part that meant the most, readers reached out to me to say they felt seen. That's when I knew this work mattered.

I loved it so much I co-ounded Leverage Publishing Group with friends who would make know this world inside and out. Now we help leaders, entrepreneurs, and change makers turn their ideas into books and podcasts that actually move people. You got a star in you, and I know you do. Let's chat. Find me on LinkedIn or at lepublishinggroup.com. Because the world doesn't just need more books, it needs your book.

00:01:40
All right, let's get to today's episode. Peace.

00:01:43
Ronda's universe. I have my homegirl that I met for the first time at South by Southwest edu. Dos anoses. Yes, I speak a little bit of Spanish, right? I actually said that clearly rather than the Caribbean Spanish I tend to speak, which you know, it can be quite fast and the words kind of go on top of each other. Cecilia Paz Aguilan, welcome to the mic and welcome to Ronderings. How you doing?

00:02:16
Cecilia Paz: I'm doing well. Thank you for having me. I'm excited.

00:02:18
Ron Rapatalo: I am excited too. So, we are Kindred Spears because you're a huge sports fan. We met at South by Southwest edu because where you used to work at before you were in charge of a lot of the business development and the implementation of things at conferences. And as soon as I met you, although we were connected on LinkedIn, I was like, This is a homie to spend time with at the conferences because I know all the people, you know, all the people and we have fun while doing it, which is important when you're at these things, right? You know what I'm saying? Like it's like, oh my lord. I mean, but that's okay, right? Not everything needs to be wet, right? You you need you need a balance, right?

00:03:00
Cecilia Paz: Yep. Indeed. Yes. Kindred spirits for sure from day one. Feel like you walked in the room run. I know you we're connecting on LinkedIn. We're like, "Oh, okay."

00:03:08
Ron Rapatalo: And I think was also in that conversation. Shout out, you know, Ja, you know what I'm saying? Like, when we gonna get you on? When I've got I'mma tag her when we publish this episode like, "Yo, fam, fam." Because we talked for a good little bit at um the the Big Picture Learning Leadership.

00:03:32
Cecilia Paz: Oh, yes. Oh, yeah. in my ear for a little bit.

00:03:36
Ron Rapatalo: So, I'm a.

Cecilia Paz: She does that. She's amazing.

Ron Rapatalo: I love that.

Cecilia Paz: She's Yeah, very good people. She knows me in a way that no people know me. She's just one of those people who can, you know, make sense of someone by spending time with them, which you do as well.

00:03:52
Ron Rapatalo: Well, speaking of getting to, what is your story? I don't know how much more Spanglish I can do, but it starter. You know what I'm saying? I can tell. Like, what the hell? They brought a half. I did not. You don't need it. I don't want to take a 20 oz everywhere.

00:04:14
Cecilia Paz: Oh my goodness. Okay. I love this. My story includes a lot of humor. So, that's I love that we're starting by laughing.

Well, like I said, thank you for having me and I particularly appreciate this question because I feel like this is where I'm at in my life journey is figuring out what is my story right beyond the LinkedIn about me section. I'm really in this time of you know thinking through all that I've gone through in my life connecting the dots making meaning of this through line.

00:04:47
As you know I am a writer so writing is very important to me so constantly kind of drafting in my head the connections, the lessons, and the insights of just my life experiences. So, preview for those that don't know, but that will ultimately become a book. And that's something that I'm currently working currently working on. I feel like I'm finally, you know, being committed to that goal.

00:05:07
Ron Rapatalo: and putting wondering Stan, what the book is about without you getting into gory detail. Curious if you're willing to share.

00:05:13
Cecilia Paz: Sure. It's it's about my life. Honestly, I've had a lot of moments that have been, you know, interesting from the very early age of six. And so up until now, it's really it's the story of being a survivor, but also someone who, you know, really analyzes life's lessons and ultimately to find meaning in the journey.

00:05:41
So we you you and I think met because we're very extroverted but I mean as you know of me I am very much an introvert. So I'm an extroverted introvert. So I think to people that I meet I come across as very energetic. In high school one of my teachers had a nick name for me it was called bubbles. So I am very bubbly very.

00:06:04
Ron Rapatalo: you are when you first meet you right but I think as I to know you right there's a very introspective need space for yourself that have also that witnessed right but I don't I I think that's for the people that I'm around a lot that I tend to like gravitate towards. That's not uncommon right? I don't I do meet introverted introverts but the people I t like gravitate towards like can put the extroverted shell along.

Cecilia Paz: Yes.

Ron Rapatalo: Yeah.

00:06:33
Cecilia Paz: And so that's very much I think a a big part of my story is the the long-standing journey of me living in my head. I recently wrote an article LinkedIn and I said the line or I wrote the line when I was little. My dad tells the story of how I would sit in a rocking chair like his grandmother and I would just sit there pondering life and I feel like I don't know. Ever since I was little, and this might sound eerie to folks that are like, you know, read into it, but just feel like I've been here before and that I was sent to, you know, figure it out again or really just take stock of the lessons that life brings.

00:07:23
So, my story is really about, you know, analyzing what life is given me and making meaning and purpose within it. So I grew up in Stockton, California, and for many years I would describe it more from a deficit based lens of, you know, Stockton, California, twotime winner, most miserable city dubbed by Folds magazine and people, oh wow, Stockton, you know, attended a dropout factory. Never really made it out of the city until I was in college. Didn't actually get into college, but it was the writing that that helped me get to that point.

00:08:12
So I a much of my story is I am proud of where I came from Stockton, California. It made me who I am, which is someone who is very resilient, very tough, but also very caring to those who grew up like me, less fortunate, right? And I feel like that's I kind of just fell into teaching because it was so natural for me just working with kids whereas other adults really struggle to connect. It was like working with my brother or my, you know, cousins or anyone that I could connect with. So,

00:08:52
Cecilia Paz: I think also if you ever hear me talk about my family, you'll hear me say my brothers a lot. My one the only girl growing up with three older brothers and then You know, at a certain point then I had a little brother and a little sister and so my family is is a big boy who am meaning my dad would always say come on boys and girls, you know, chime in like and girls.

Ron Rapatalo: Yes.

00:09:12
Cecilia Paz: But you know when I think of growing up, I think of again going to the first part of this conversation, humor. Humor is where we as a family healed. It's how we, you know, prove we're okay. I suppose I honestly even up until a few days ago, I I kind of examined like moments of like, wow, we're laughing, but that's actually really painful. But, you know, I just feel like I have learned to outwork pain. I've learned to turn survival somehow into purpose. I'm still trying to define what that purpose is.

00:09:50
I think the thing with Those that experience trauma at a young age or survive something almost have this mindset of well, you know, needing to needed to have a reason why, right? Like why me? Why did I survive that? Like I must have I must be destined to like do something. And then when purpose is fleeting in one's life, it you know becomes this kind of area of trying to get back to like but but why? I've been through this that, right? And that's really just a big part of my story and where I'm at is trying to make sense of it all.

00:10:29
And I think though along along my journey and in my career, I feel I I've recognized and I've learned that, you know, that purpose sometimes it can be that coping mechanism, right? I didn't have the language for it before, but I have learned that work and just putting my head down and Being a workhorse has always been what has felt like survival for me from an early age. Until on the outside, you know, I I can look strong, but on the inside quietly unraveling and that like I've learned to manage my mental health, my peace and really, you know, my my exhaustion. I can easily become exhausted if I don't don't pay attention.

00:11:13
Ron Rapatalo: Yeah.

00:11:15
Cecilia Paz: And a the root of that is losing my mom at a young age, but at a time when a young girl really needs her mom. And so I've learned that, you know, every milestone in my life and in my career has been a conversation with her of like I did it right, you know? And so when I get to those moments of accomplishment, it's honestly just a restart of like, all right, do the next thing. And so it's cooking this time now in my life to really pause and create something. I recently created my LLC and, you know, working on this book. I I'm excited at, you know, it's scary because it's not the pace I'm used to, to be honest.

00:12:04
Ron Rapatalo: Yeah. But I'm excited to to slow down and to really live in this space. Yeah.

00:12:13
Ron Rapatalo: But also coming up for you in this spaciousness, right? Obviously, you and I have chatted, right? Now that you transition from your last or you have your LLC, time to write the book as you and I both know as folks who come from, you know, immigrant families. I forget what generation you are. You may your your family may been here longer than mine, right? I don't I don't remember asking you that. So, I don't want to assume you're second generation first, right? I'm second generation, right? I'm a my parents I was born here. My parents came here in the 70s. And something I've seen of many immigrant children is this proving ourselves by outworking everyone and it's constant right? And I would say it's some level it's the thing that allowed us to get where we are but what do we do to start thriving? Does that ethic and always having to outwork everyone and out prove allow us to thrive? I would argue not right? And so I'm wondering what you're learning in the spaciousness the things that are coming up for you you as you are writing your book, the LLC, and other things that you're doing.

00:13:21
Cecilia Paz: Yeah. I think what's coming up the most is why I feel like I worked so hard for so long was to to make her proud. But what's coming up for me now is I need to make me proud. And if I do not if I don't do this for me and for my my peace then, you know, I can't continue to do it for anyone else, right? So, yeah, that's that's what's coming up for me is just enjoying the pace.

00:13:54
Cecilia Paz: Yeah. And knowing and and also I think not being so focused on what is the purpose, right? Like what what is the meaning of that tragedy or circumstance? Like it's it's okay if there's no purpose or meaning behind it. You're here and that's that's what's important.

00:14:14
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00:14:40
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00:15:10
It's hard with those things, right? So, I may have told you the story. I've certainly shared another round written about it. So, I'm going to get personal here for a second. So, my father passed away was 10, major heart attack, March 24th, 1986. So, it's going to be 40 years since he passed next year.

00:15:46
Ron Rapatalo: And one of the things I really had to process and learn over time is while there's circumstance and context to how my father passed away, I think my young age had it as he was taken from me. And I think as I've gotten older and reconciled, this is you and I, I think, have talked a little bit about our spiritual intuitive selves, right? I think someone folks have melanin I think disproportionately have this like spiritual intuitive sense.

00:16:09
What right talking to a lot of folks who sort of like have the six sense or what I call edgalo right is one my father never left because he's in a different form. I hear from him all the time and he's always present.

00:16:38
Ron Rapatalo: so that's given me a certain like sense of man I hear from him all the time all the time and the sense of like love you have nothing to prove to me. But it's also like a place perspective. It's things, right? Because that's the what I would say is like the spiritual energy that is closest to me are the folks that like I was closest with growing up who are now on the whatever the other side is like if there's even such a thing as calling it that. Right. And so right that's the thing that I want to and you know this it sounds like you started to reconcile that is that you had nothing to prove to your mom. Right. But we believe that we believe that at some level. like, "Oh my god, my dad passed when I was 10. I got to do all these things and prove like we were supposed to go fishing and so I got to do this. I got to do that and everything's in his memory." I'm like, "Oh, this is at some level, but now my leg is different." Like what am I doing behalf of like building legacy for me and my family, right?

Cecilia Paz: Exactly.

00:17:42
Ron Rapatalo: I'm doing it at times, right? That's really and then also like this opposition at times of like the focus on me and the focus on others, right? Is that's always someone who's the youngest, I can be a little bit more selfish than I care to admit, right? But also balancing that with like the multiple dimensions and complexity of who we are, right? Like remembering to like bow back to things that might get a little skew.

00:18:09
Cecilia Paz: Yeah. No, indeed. When I turned the same age that she passed, I did this whole side by side analysis of her life and my life and wrote a whole poem for my family. Yeah. But I think since Then I've tried to, you know, shift the focus to less about how is her story evolving and how is mine coming to life. So yeah.

00:18:38
Ron Rapatalo: Wow. Well, let's shift gears a little bit, Cecilia. Most of my Ronderings podcast episodes, I get a little bit into the professional, right? So college, what was your first job out of college? And because I know from remembering your LinkedIn, you've worked in a ton of industries and you haven't always just been a person.

00:18:55
Cecilia Paz: Yeah. So, was it right out of college or in college? Because in college I.

Ron Rapatalo: What was your first job when you were 10? I mean, you know, I'm saying like damn lemonade stand newspapers. I was saying.

00:19:07
Cecilia Paz: so my dad had an automotive shop growing up. So, I would say my first job was being a secretary to be honest. like I I've always been an operations person and just organizing.

Ron Rapatalo: this all comes really easily to you that totally makes sense like your dad had a business and you were the no wonder this is like super intuitive like yeah I know how to put stuff on anything.

00:19:35
Cecilia Paz: yes and then when I was in college I had I've always had three to four jobs and even right okay LLC, but you also work here and you're doing that and you're doing that. So, yeah. And all the jobs that I've had have really been serving or serving others, including being a waitress at a pizza parlor, you know, to waitress, learning all the just.

00:20:02
Cecilia Paz: Yeah, I it's kind of finding places where I can capitalize on my strengths because I love people. Even though I'm an introvert and get my energy from being alone and in my head, I love people and I I believe in the goodness of people and that they're genuinely, you know, good people. So, yeah, those were some of my first jobs.

00:20:25
Ron Rapatalo: Is there anything from growing up like is a particular moment? Because that's something that I think a lot of my guests, myself included. That's a really big value statement, right? That believe in the goodness of others, right? Especially times that's not always easy to believe considering I know I've just gotten the tip of the iceberg of like what you've dealt with in your life, right? In your childhood, etc. But is believing in the good of others, is there a particular moment, story, person that like says, you know what, that's that particularly sticks about why valuing the good in others is always something that I carry? I know it's a very Barbara Walters question. This is what I do. If you.

00:21:23
Cecilia Paz: feel like people who are ever mean or disrespectful or appearing like seemingly evil have actually changed because of life life hard in them. And so I genuinely believe that we're born, you know, with good spirits and yeah, innocence, but that becomes shattered at one point or another in life. And people adapt. People adapt to how they've treated to what life has given them. And you know, some people adapt in different ways. I have every reason to believe that people are not good given what I've experienced in life, but I choose not to.

00:21:49
Cecilia Paz: So, I think to your point, I also feel like it's why I've always been drawn to psychology, right? I I just I've always wanted to understand Yeah. how people's minds work. So, in college, I I really went into co into psychology in college to figure out my brother. So different like this about by the way but yeah the whole nature versus nurture, you know, theory is always interesting to me now that I've done a lot of research on just trauma and healing.

00:22:36
Cecilia Paz: Yeah I I feel like I've just still continue to reflect on yeah people and the psychology of it all.

00:22:42
Ron Rapatalo: Yeah. I think you and I had very similar interests, right? When I was in college, the way that manifested was being a neuroscience major, right? Talk talk about this with two different people, right? A future Ronderings guest that was introduced to me by a past Ronderings guest. You see, there's a theme here, right? In my world is like lean on the Ronderings guest, right? And there was something I was really curious about this thing in our bodies that govern so much of how we operate and how we think and how we see the world and yet how little we still know about how it functions right?

00:23:36
Ron Rapatalo: And even in the field of psychology right which is tied to neuroscience certainly but neuroscience is more expansive than that. it's like everything that like the brain so it's super interdisiplinary by nature right? so learning about you know vision co you know cognition and thinking right and like favorite it's just and so it became Also in college for me the beginning of like the journey on learning or what self-awareness was right? being service to others particularly all the student leadership that I did right? there's something around even though you know I always like to joke around like every Filipino I was supposed to be a doctor right? and it was just like I'm a doctor like that's my you knew my mom oh my god my penching me from. And she did ask me that like several times like why did you wait? And I was like I think my answer as I got older was it's not as I just knew it wasn't for me for a host of different reasons both the reasons I was doing it and how I wanted to predict I would spend my life in 21 to 29 between med school residency etc.

00:24:46
Ron Rapatalo: It you know when you talked about having to prove yourself I think some of being a doc was to prove that I could do it rather than it's what I wanted to do. Yeah. And to be clear, I always tell, you know, this is not this is my ego talking. It was like, look, I had a 347 GPA with a 30 MCAT. I could have got in 1997. I think I would have gotten to M med school somewhere. I think, right, but it's just I made this one of the harder choices professionally like not pursuing it because I was like, I just don't know if I'm going to find my joy doing it. I didn't It was like I saw a blank black picture. I was like, I what the hell is this? I didn't see a clear out. outcome, right? And so, right, but neuroscience, psychology, I think understanding oneself, understanding of others, you know, you can probably wax emotional intelligence, social intelligence was conversation I was having with um think of Ellen Petri, I'm getting her name wrong a little bit, but we were talking about the intersection of all these things, but also how intuition and neuroscience psychology are really starting to intertwine, right? Because it's not just this that does all of your thinking. your body, your heart, your skin does a lot of processing too. Your spinal cord.

00:26:30
Ron Rapatalo: So the science around these things is becoming, you know, when people talk about being embodied, it's not just it's all of it, right? And so we have I think we have learned often times this year and I want to ask you this question like were you? I'm curious, right, as we're kind of doing a little bit of like back and forth here, right? What are some of the things that you do to reflect? Obviously, you're a writer, but I'm curious other things you do to like create that space for yourself, especially now that you have more spaciousness.

00:27:00
Cecilia Paz: Yeah. Well, a few things you mentioned just, you know, made me made me think about how not everyone thinks of what we think about, right? You you mentioned self-reflection. You mentioned, you know, just being aware of how we are affected by others. I I know for me, like the energy of others. I'm real sensitive to you. Yes, we can have a whole episode about that.

Ron Rapatalo: We are super empaths, aren't we?

00:27:14
Cecilia Paz: Oh, yes. And you named ego. Not many people, you know, can even define ego or or remove themselves from their ego. And I am constantly that's a journey, you know, that I'm focused on.

Ron Rapatalo: Yeah. And just an inter internal dialue period, right? So, yeah, we can. you meditate, right? Do you meditation practice? What do you use when you meditate?

00:27:42
Cecilia Paz: I just use YouTube videos. I use calm app.

Ron Rapatalo: The headspace nerd. yoga. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. You know, I've tried it before.

00:27:54
Cecilia Paz: Yeah. It is my morning ritual. I do the 20 minute daily meditation.

00:28:01
Ron Rapatalo: I use I've started using a host of other things. I use the snooze one for naps. I've used other ones depending on what energy and thing that I need. I've used the sounds to like get in the right because sometimes just listening to music could be a little. I don't need to be crying listening to boys to men every time I listen to boys I say that.

00:28:34
Cecilia Paz: no see stop laughing. no music is healing. I use the hertz frequencies. you know they have healing frequencies.

00:28:44
Cecilia Paz: you also my name so Cecilia is the saint of music and my middle name is peace. So I am constantly and I always have music on always.

Ron Rapatalo: That's why we connect to our love of music. This is going because you know a so I'm going to zoom out then zoom back in for a sec. So this is like what's in Ron's mind before I ask you the question. Right.

00:29:19
Ron Rapatalo: You mentioned music. Where my mind was going is like because you and I are like kind of like bouncing around a little bit. I'm going to go with that energy of like where you're going and where my mind wants to ask a question which is such a like question to ask like you know when you are looking for music right what do you pull from? I'm asking that broadly because I'm not going to ask what's your top five favorite song. I mean I'm not we're not building Instagram reel here right but honestly I what time's playlist my AI DJ would often often tells me tries to make me feel that. He's like, "Hey, you're in the top 1% of listeners who played this song 50 million times." I'm like, "Calm down." He's like, "You want to listen to music?" I'm like, "No, I don't. I'm cool with my 90s R&B on repeat." Your best your favorite three R&B songs. 90s R&B songs of all time. Oh, I got. I know. songs, the artists. I'll be sure. Honestly, Jo, the women escape. Yes. I love Michael Jackson. Yeah. Talk to me does something to me. I hear it.

00:31:07
Ron Rapatalo: So, the reason why is because I had this mega crush on this gal in ninth grade who lived in my neighborhood and it just was this like song. I would like and then I would so the song is always stuck because it had a meaning right? like oh my god like and it just wasn't obviously like many of my crushes back in the day unrequited. they didn't say I was just like oh my god just but you know trying to talk to me. Drew Hill. I got to shout them out because the Mrs from like Drew Hill me these are the times love train oh my god. there's so many and then we're not like 90s hiphop too like 90s.

Cecilia Paz: I know. special. Sure. Yeah.

00:32:02
Cecilia Paz: So, I've not gotten into this era of music, but that's okay. There are some kind of newer artists. Yeah, I love Leon Bridges. Love some new ones.

Ron Rapatalo: Yeah, they're kind of trying to. someone my homeboy put me on to who has been like music. Naomi Sharon. Have you heard of her?

00:32:41
Ron Rapatalo: She almost sounds like Shade. It's really weird.

Cecilia Paz: Love Shade.

Ron Rapatalo: Yeah. I mean, who doesn't love Shade, right? She's in concert. I don't think she come in the US. So,

Cecilia Paz: no, I have not seen I I heard that was a false statement that she search.

Ron Rapatalo: I search in the UK.

Cecilia Paz: Naomi Sharon. Okay, just added her. Yeah. got it.

00:33:14
Ron Rapatalo: All right. Back on the Ronderings podcast asking about me because that's just something because it we really connect, right? It's Like when I need to like be in a mood that's like chill, Nad R&B does it for me, right?

00:33:37
Cecilia Paz: Totally.

00:33:38
Ron Rapatalo: When I need to be amped, I put in like my like amp R&B, my my amped, you know, you know, rap playlist, which could be anything of course from DMX, Tele Get Bye.

Cecilia Paz: Oh yes. Love underground hip hop.

Ron Rapatalo: Oh my god. What? Oh man, I have stories. of some artists that I met like some underground hip-hop shows. Oh, that dude. We had a conversation. He's like, "My mom, you know, he went to high school with he went to high school with Lyn Miranda."

Cecilia Paz: Oh. Oh, that's awesome.

00:34:28
Ron Rapatalo: He went to Hunter College High School and so there's a funny story that's gone around that Lynn has talked about of like immortal technique like messing around because Lynn was back in high school like a nerdy kid and so he talks about the story like, "Oh, he's good now." But like, yeah. I was like, "Oh god. Yikes.

00:34:53
Ron Rapatalo: Great. Oh my god. So, let's get back on the Ronderings like podcast train here a little bit more.

00:35:05
Ron Rapatalo: Okay. So, I'm curious, right, when you're thinking of where you want to get into this book, your LLC, what do you see Cecilia Cecilia's purpose getting into in this next iteration? Right. Well, you haven't even gotten back into like what I know of your career. like you know school leadership working you know in the in the nonprofit sector right? I think he also did a little bit of fashion retail if I remember like market.

00:35:45
Cecilia Paz: yeah. right so you've been like but what's this next iteration what do you think it's looking like for you like and not what you are doing you've said that right but like what what are you becoming?

Ron Rapatalo: I know pull a little Michelle Obama on you.

00:36:06
Cecilia Paz: that is a great question. I feel like I'm becoming a combination of all of the the things that I do well. So, I'm trying to tap into my strengths and lead in a way that brings me joy, but also in a way that allows me to work with and through others while uplifting their strengths. So, you mentioned my LLC, so Rozas Rising. I guess this podcast would be the hard launch of it because I really have not put it out in the universe. I did write an article recently alluding to it, but I officially created my LLC at the end of June.

00:37:04
Cecilia Paz: Yay. But, right, I've not I've not had a launch. I've not had a grand plan. It really is in its infancy stage. I'm still trying to articulate what it's what I'm focusing on. But the the essence of Rozas is a combination of my mom's name Rose Sicilia. My middle name Bas, which means peace. So Rossas spelled R O Z A S is Rose and Bas and rising really signifying you know growth after loss. So though she's gone, she still lives on. And anytime I experience setback, I always rise, right? My angle and still I rise.

00:37:37
Cecilia Paz: So it's focused on uplifting others, other founders, other leaders, building partnerships, telling stories, creating strategy. It's kind of a mix of all the things that I love to do. And it came out of, you know, just my my career trajectory, but also my passion for passion for alignment, for for purpose, and for really, you know, feeling balanced in what I do and being intentional. So, yeah, I feel like I I'm clear on the values of justice rising and still working to build out the list of services. However, even in it few months of existence, I am fortunate to have, you know, connections that have allowed me to take on contracts already, which is amazing. And it's not anything I envisioned.

00:38:33
Cecilia Paz: So, I'm excited. I.

00:38:35
Ron Rapatalo: I think the headline here is that you don't always need a business plan to start a business.

Cecilia Paz: Yes, you don't. True.

00:38:43
Ron Rapatalo: So, I started, right, just someone was like, I need I need an LLC for a number of different reasons back when I did it 12 years ago, right? It was a form of saving taxes on getting is consultant. It's part of it. Right. Right. But, you know, if you're going to build a business, I'm not we not really done that, right? It's like, you know, me and the MS are like, you know, two consultants working under the umbrella, right?

00:39:18
Ron Rapatalo: Yeah. But there is something really powerful on being able to get in front of people who trust your expertise, your work to start getting business. And I'm excited to be on this journey with you, Cecilia, and see where Rozas Rising grow goes next.

00:39:40
Ron Rapatalo: So, taking what you mentioned, so I'm gonna go to a different thing here. You tell me how much you want to go into this. So, I want to bring your mom into this space.

Cecilia Paz: Sure.

00:40:02
Ron Rapatalo: Tell me about your mom. I asked because it sounds like she's had such an incredible impact on you. You carry her name. There's stuff you talked about earlier. You go where you want to go with it, right? Because it's something where So, you know why I asked you this? Cuz I feel her in this space in the room with us, which is the only reason why I invite you to talk about her. If I didn't feel it, I wouldn't go there. Just know that about the way my brain thinks, right? So, but it just so my offering.

00:40:43
Cecilia Paz: So, I think I don't know if people that pass at a young age know it, but from when the moment she had kids to was very intentional with instilling the values, her life lessons, and everything that she wanted us to hold on to and continue her legacy. I feel like she didn't leave anything undone even though she passed at a young age and even though I was um I was exposed to so much.

00:41:07
Cecilia Paz: I think I probably from the minute I could talk, she was talking to me like I was, you know, an adult. And I think that's why I've always been older than I am. And I've always connected with older people. So my mom was a a beautiful person who adored her kids and gave us everything she could with the little she had. But what she gave us that was most valuable wisdom love. And I think that's what I carry and it goes back to your question of like why do I believe people are inherently good is because that's what she taught me while also teaching me that the world is evil. And so it was just it was a balance of never trust anyone but believe in the goodness of people. So that's how I live my life and Rose Cecilia Moran Perez will always live on through her kids.

00:42:12
Cecilia Paz: Yeah, I still go visit her, talk to her. I feel like the last few years I've, you know, really talked to her a lot more than usual.

00:42:25
Ron Rapatalo: Yeah. Quick pause in the action here. I know a lot of us leaders, entrepreneurs, folks just trying to do good work and felt that grind of pushing a boulder uphill by ourselves. What I learned is you don't actually have to do it all alone. Genius Discovery program at Thought Leader Path like having a think tank in your corner. It's not some cookie cutter formula about your story, your plan of impact, giving you the clarity and assets to take the next big step. I've seen people go through this and walk out with their voices amplified, ideas sharpened, some even launching podcasts like This one brings. So if you're tired of grinding in the dark, you're ready to step into your impact with right support. Check out geniusdiscovery.org.

00:43:22
Ron Rapatalo: Moms have a special way of being able to guide and influence us, right? Yeah. It's mom, women, right? Spare just a special way of being able to like make sure and we yet we don't do enough in our world to make sure they're being provided for and cared for, right? Which is kind of like crazy. That's another story for another day, right? Wow. But thank you for sharing a bit about your mom, Rosilia. What a beautiful name? What a beautiful legacy she created in you and your family?

Cecilia Paz: Yes. Thank you.

00:44:11
Ron Rapatalo: Oh boy. So Cecilia, I think it's time to ask you the Ronderings question. It feels like so you can give more than one. So What's the lesson or value you want to share with our audience today?

00:44:31
Cecilia Paz: I think the biggest thing that I want to share is that loss and pain is never the end. It's just redirection. I honestly through every kind of step back or challenging life experience. It's shaped me into who I am, how I view situations in the world. And so I think, you know, the best thing is take stock of what a situation or moment, no matter how painful it may be, what what meaning it's bringing. And obviously that's easier said than done and it takes practice.

00:45:06
Cecilia Paz: Yeah. You know, to get out of a space of grieving or or anger and yeah, I think just allow peace to.

Ron Rapatalo: Yeah. be part of. I think that rhdering is something that a lot of the audience needs to hear. I think particularly in this moment I needed to hear that. that really resonates, right? Because you and I have talked about this. I've talked about this on some myings lives recently, right? Is people are going through it right now. There's the stuff in people's personal cauldron, right? But it's being influenced by all the stuff that's happening outside of us, right?

00:45:51
Ron Rapatalo: Confederally. It's just there's a lot of like a lot pain like people are really dealing with. I I hear about it from different angles. I'm dealing with it myself. It just So as a before I ask you like how people find you like what what guidance or wisdom would you share with folks that you're learning for yourself today that's been helping you through this pain that you're feeling?

00:46:27
Cecilia Paz: Yeah. I feel like and think to your point of we're seeing it in a lot of people. This space that I'm in of rebuilding interestingly enough is a place that a lot of my friends are also in.

00:46:44
Cecilia Paz: Yeah. And so it's it's kind of nice to just, you know, get a text from someone of, hey, thinking of you, you know, proud of you. Keep going. And then also sharing that same type of motivation with others. And so I think the biggest, you know, where my head and heart is right now is whatever someone is building, whether it's, you know, reinventing yourself or continuing an idea that sparked 10 years ago. Do it in a way in which your nervous system can feel sustained. I know for me I have slowed down a lot and it feels good. I I you know post on my LinkedIn over the last few months of me just sitting in my rose garden and you know the pictures of the hummingbirds. Wish you would have a rose garden with the sun. So yeah, that's that's what I would advise.

00:47:49
Ron Rapatalo: Thank you. Thank you, Cecilia. So, how do people find you? What do you want to promote aside from neuros? You should definitely repromote that again. And.

00:47:59
Cecilia Paz: yes, so I do. It does say, you know, under construction, there's a little brief description, but rosasrising.com. I am also on LinkedIn, Cecilas Aguilad. I also am I support several businesses and so if you're ever interested in bringing any of these businesses to your your district or your company please do reach out. so make mindfulness is a business so AEG is focused on you know innovative solutions for superintendent using AI and stronger consulting which I support with help you I do. Yes. Associate business development. Shout out to Denise Johnson.

00:48:47
Cecilia Paz: So can find me any and everywhere these days. I just love helping others. And yes, if anyone is interested in partnering with Rozas Rising support with a little bit of everything actually just locked in a contract the Bay area career coaching for a school leader. They they were looking for a Latino leader. Shout out to Latinos for education. They made the connection and yeah, it's really about connections, right? It's about, you know, lifting others as you build.

Ron Rapatalo: Amen to that.

00:49:15
Ron Rapatalo: Well, Cecilia, I know you and I are going to have a lot more to talk about since we do together in a lot of different facets. grateful not only for what you do but more importantly who you are and who you're becoming in this next iteration of Cecilia Pasagan. So I'm very grateful you made space to be on Ronderings with me.

Cecilia Paz: Appreciate you for the invite.

00:49:43
Ron Rapatalo: and the words of one of my heroes. I say this at the end of every Ronderings podcast, Dion Sanders. We always come with hot guests, aren't we? Come on. 60 plus in counting. My god. So check us out on the internet's Ronderings. More to come. Peace off.

00:50:11
Ron Rapatalo: Thanks for tuning in to this Ronderings episode with my friend Cecilia. Her story reminded me that resilience isn't about bouncing back. It's about becoming something new. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who might need it today. And as always, stay curious, stay grounded, and keep pondering. Much Much love. Peace out.

00:50:42
Ron Rapatalo: Before we close out, I want to shout out the crew behind the scenes. Podcasts that matter. Your belief is simple. Every great idea deserves a voice. I'm here to co-sign that. You've been sitting on a podcast idea wondering if now's the time. I'll tell you it is. Head to podcastmatter.org. See how they can help you bring your idea to life. All right, y'all. Thanks for listening. I'll catch you on the next one. Peace. Thank you.

00:51:17
Ron Rapatalo: Thank you for listening to today's Ronderings. I enjoyed hanging out with me and my guest, and I hope you leave with something worth chewing on. If it made you smile, think, or even roll your eyes in a good way, pass it along to someone else. I'm Ron Rapatalo, and until next time. Keep wandering, keep laughing, and keep becoming.