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Overview

  • 3 references 3 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English
  • 45, Male
  • Member since 2011
  • Founder of Organic Learning Center, LLC
  • MA Cognitive Studies in Education, Teachers College, Colu...
  • From Battle Creek, MI
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

I'm currently starting a new business focusing on preserving and prioritizing the social elements of learning as we move into more and more tech-based learning contexts.

ABOUT ME

Perpetually curious about the minds and hearts of people, what makes us tick, what makes us click. Lover of music. Optimistic despite myself.

PHILOSOPHY

Do what you love, love what you do. Be honest. Take risks but not stupid ones. Don't be too quick to judge. Be humble enough to learn.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've hosted in the past, but have used it mostly for business and education related travel. It's fun, I meet great, interesting people, much more enriching than the Budget Inn.

Interests

Music, movement, Feldenkrais, Eastern philosophy, skepticism, cognitive science, embodied cognition, entrepreneurship.

  • arts
  • education
  • meditation
  • technology
  • traveling
  • music
  • martial arts
  • business
  • teaching
  • entrepreneurship
  • science

Music, Movies, and Books

Culturally deprived when it comes to movies.. off the top of my head of those I have seen most memorable are Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, American Beauty, The Usual Suspects, Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Up!.

Music- Lucius- Wildawoman, Sturgill Simpson, Lake Street Dive, Steppin' In It, Joshua Davis, Red Tail Ring, JJ Grey and Mofro, Milk Carton Kids, Tom Waits, Gregory Alan Isokov, Amos Lee, Django Reinhardt, Gillian Welch

Books- The Brain That Changes Itself, Django- The Life and Music of a Gypsie Legend, The Essential Rumi, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I spent 7 months in India and Nepal living in various ashrams and monastaries. I had just graduated from acupuncture school and spent my first 2 months treating Dalit untouchables in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu under the auspices of Boddhi Damma, a buddhist monk who was fighting for social justice for untouchable Hindus in these regions. I saw sometimes 50-60 patients per day.. young women who weren't menstruating due to malnourishment, babies with deformities and congenital defects, a man with lockjaw who couldn't open his mouth to eat, sores and infections of all kinds.. most everything I could do nothing about. But the care- the fact I would consider them, that I touched them- this had an indelible impact that was palpable. Definitely an unforgettable experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

My skill sets include or involve in some way cognitive science of learning, music, martial arts, meditation, Eastern philosophy, skepticism, bodywork.. especially enjoy delving into interesting topics that I know nothing about.

What I Can Share with Hosts

We'll be sure to have a good time! I'm a low maintenance, no drama kind of guy. Typical midwesterner. :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, India, Mexico, Nepal, United States, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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