Today, I'm joined by Austin Mao, a serial entrepreneur whose personal journey with plant medicine led him from the high-pressure, Instagram-perfect startup world to founding Ceremonia—one of the leading psychedelic organizations in the U.S. In this candid conversation, Austin shares how a transformative psilocybin ceremony unraveled the layers of ego, revealing new depths of presence, embodiment, and emotional healing.
Episode Timestamps:
Austin's first plant medicine ceremony: ego, healing, and memories ... 00:06:28
Uncovering childhood trauma and learning presence ... 00:08:34
Motivations for plant medicine: curiosity, networking, and pride ... 00:13:46
Core lessons: ego, external vs. internal fulfillment ... 00:14:57
Comparing ayahuasca and psilocybin: safety, access, and tradition ... 00:18:27
Facilitator training and role in psychedelic experiences ... 00:24:48
Purging, meaning-making, and emotional release in ceremony ... 00:27:39
Psychedelics and mental health: impact and effectiveness ... 00:31:27
Retreat model: psilocybin first, ayahuasca later ... 00:37:20
The crucial role of integration post-ceremony ... 00:41:00
Ceremonia's offerings: retreats, online integration, and microdosing ... 00:47:59
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