Paul F. Austin sits down with Dr. Alexander Shester to discuss his new book, Visionary Healing: Psychedelic Medicine & Shamanism.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here.

In this intimate, in-person conversation, Alex humbly shares his wisdom and perspective from decades of experience as a psychiatrist and visionary psychedelic explorer. He sheds light on the intersection of shamanism, psychedelics, and mental health, and recalls captivating stories from his time being mentored by the late psychologist and psychedelic researcher Ralph Metzner.

Alexander Shester, M.D. is a medical doctor, board-certified psychiatrist, and Jungian Analyst. He has over thirty years of experience studying and participating in guided Vision Quests using shamanic principles in nature settings. His recently-published book, Visionary Healing: Psychedelic Medicine and Shamanism, is his personal first-hand memoir of using entheogens including ayahuasca, jurema, psilocybin, San Pedro cactus, peyote, iboga, toad, and more, for deep spiritual exploration and his own healing journey.

Highlights:

On visionary art and the power of psychedelic plant medicines.
Ayahuasca and the transpersonal journey into the collective unconscious.
Alex recalls his primary mentor, Ralph Metzner: his visionary circles and contributions to the
psychedelic renaissance.
The value of community in Alexander’s healing.
Alex’s paths to psychiatry and psychedelics.
How Alex’s psychedelic experiences informed his psychiatry practice.
What can shamanism offer to the field of psychiatry?
Remembering our nature-relatedness with the aid of plant medicines.
Endarkenment: facing the shadow.
Alex’s sage advice for those seeking psychedelic experiences.

Episode Links:

Alex’s book, Visionary Healing: Psychedelic Medicine and Shamanism

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Episode sponsors:

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This episode is sponsored by Beckley Retreats, a leading holistic wellbeing company that offers transformative self-development programs by leveraging the science-backed power of psychedelics in concert with supportive therapeutic modalities. As a trusted partner of Third Wave, we strongly recommend the upcoming retreats for Beckley in Jamaica, as well as many other locations. Head to go.beckleyretreats.com/thirdwave to book your transformational psilocybin program today.

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