#12 - Eli Aguilera

A "Simple" Symposium with Gonzalo was about speaking on our experiences learning music at San Diego State University. Hanging out on the steps of the Don Powell Theater and later inside a classroom, we had a conversation about beginning in our journey to singing classical music. SDSU is a place dear to our hearts for we were mentored in this part of campus. This created a nostalgic space where we get to examine our beginnings in learning how to sing, meeting each other, being in our Opera concerto, meeting our classmates, how we met our vocal coaches, and more. We had to later move inside to a classroom because the weather was hot, which got us closer to our roots, the classroom. Gonzalo was always someone who inspired me to be better, age and looks never set back the ability to sing, and someone I connected with because of our love for Opera. Though we came from different backgrounds we ended up in the same class and share a vision to become singers in the near future.

A "Simple" Symposium with Eli was about speaking on our experiences in The Light of The World Choir. Hanging out on the 3rd floor of the lobby in the Bonaventure Hotel, we had a conversation about our experiences as conductors of choir. The Bonaventure Hotel is designed under the brutalist movement and though has amazing views it creates a space where people don't have much to do. This created a quiet and perfect space to have a conversation about living in LA, being a part of a choir, the improvement we've done over the course of a decade in choir. translating hymns, Eli's missionary work experience, all while be uninterrupted. We recanted our separate honeymoons in Japan and Tokyo and just had a simple symposium, something Socrates and Plato could've also spoke about.

A "Simple" Symposium with Michael was about catching up from his missionary work. Hanging out at Little Italy's famous center plaza, we had a convo while eating food from Filippi's about what he experienced during his missionary work. We spoke about the challenges leaving his hometown, of finding a job as a missionary, his homecoming, aligning his spiritual goals with his material goals, and always staying close to God. This episode shows the experience and mindset of a young man leaving his hometown for a year and coming back to a different city and scene. Alongside we talk about our favorite food, relationship challenges, the beauty of marriage, how to hit the ground running after experiencing time away from one's old life. This was also the first time the tuning of the San Diego Symphony orchestra is used as the theme song!

A "Simple" Symposium with Bitia was about reminiscing on the journey of getting married. Hanging out at one of Coronado’s private parks, we had a convo about the process of getting married in church right where I proposed on MLK Day on January 2026; funny enough another proposal was happening as we spoke. We spoke about the challenges of dating when having strict parents, planning and scheduling, funding our new life, having the civil wedding and the one at church, our honeymoon and our life back in San Diego. This episode serves as an insight of the realities of getting married, while at the same time advice on what the young generation can expect from their friends and family. As we were trying to have a conversation, a proposal was about to take place giving us a lovely memory of our journey. In hindsight, marriage has proved to be an exciting experience unlike what our deepest worries might’ve told us.

A "Simple" Symposium with David Magaña part 2 was about catching up on his journey into 2026. Hanging out at Modera’s rooftop, we had a convo while eating birria about the process of self improvement. We spoke about the challenges of finding a job in 2026’s economy, moving to Texas, networking, and always staying close to God. This episode shows the contrast of a young man finding his way while listening to someone who is settling down by getting married working as a trolley operator and being able to continue his passion in design. This was also the first time the tuning of the San Diego Symphony orchestra is used as the theme song!

A “Simple” Symposium with The Space is a long time coming reunion of the group that got close coming out of the pandemic. They got creative, had memorable city runs, enjoyed many meals together, and created a supportive group. After a while of everyone doing their thing they finally got together at the Gaylord Resort in Chula Vista & spoke about: -Wrapping Up their 2025-New Years Resolutions-Marriage Advice-Ideas to work on in 2026-Moving On With Life-How Much Would It Cost To Buy Everything You Want?-Motivation for 2026

A “Simple” Symposium with Sachnasty starts off with: How has 2025 been so far, we talk about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Canelo’s loss against Crawford, his experience as a car salesman, public transportation vs cars, traffic, more cars, we get interrupted by a couple of kids beefing with a lady, then back to cars! It was a great convo at Snapdragon’s Stadium while eating crepes from Cafe Madeleine. It ends with goals to complete towards the end of 2025 to continue motivating working people towards success!

A "Simple" Symposium with Agustin was about catching up since we last saw each other, almost a decade ago. Catching up at Old Town we talked about religion, school, life after covid, dreams and aspirations, urban planning, our goals for 2025, how we continue to reach God while living in a world that makes us believe in materialism. Overall how much we've changed since we last saw each other.

A "Simple" Symposium with Sandman explaining his 6 year journey in the USA Air Force program. Hanging out at Balboa Park's roundabout, we had a simply symposium about his mindset after high school, his decision to join the Air Force, his time serving in South Korea while comparing and contrasting the difference in urban design from Seoul to San Diego. We dove into how beautiful Balboa Park is and how it came to be San Diego's Central Park. We finished the conversation by speaking on the social issues Sandman went through as he was finishing his time in South Korea and his next moves as he comes back into his childhood space, San Diego.

A "Simple" Symposium with Mr. DNA was about catching up on his journey to creating his own clothing brand. Hanging out at Liberty Station's Public Market, we had a convo about the process of launching ideas as we literally saw planes taking off. We spoke about the challenges of manufacturing, fashion trends, funding projects, ensuring good quality, and a little bit about patents. This episode serves as a metaphor about the creative process. As we were trying to have a conversation, planes would interrupt with their loudness and alongside the public activity but, we finished the conversation. Thus, the creative process is a challenge but stay tuned to see Mr. DNA adapt and launch his take on fashion.