You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist 181. From Ayahuasca to Christ: Will Spencer on Escaping the Serpent's Deception
What might lead an adventurous spiritual seeker to renounce psychedelics, repent for his colorful past, and accept Jesus Christ as his lord and savior? In this powerful episode, I sit down with evangelist, podcast host, and men’s work facilitator Will Spencer to explore his remarkable journey from New Age seeker to committed Christian. Will shares his background as an underground house music DJ who spent decades exploring psychedelics, including 15 ayahuasca ceremonies, transpersonal therapy, and occult practices like Kabbalah and tarot.
We dive deep into the moral contradictions he discovered in New Age beliefs, particularly around karma and the problem of evil. Will explains how learning about child sex trafficking shattered his worldview and forced him to confront uncomfortable truths about spiritual practices he once embraced. His story takes a surprising turn when he describes meeting Christians at Burning Man who showed him a different path.
Our conversation examines the spiritual dangers of ayahuasca, and explores how Christian faith transformed his understanding of everyday life, marriage, and moral responsibility. This episode offers hope for anyone seeking truth beyond the spiritual marketplace of modern culture.
Will Spencer is an evangelist and adventurer who journeyed from Stanford University and the Dotcom Boom through 30 countries. He's explored spiritual traditions worldwide: from meditation in the Himalayas to ayahuasca retreats in the Amazon. The Lord found him at the Burning Man festival in Nevada. Now he hosts The Will Spencer Podcast and helps rescue men from destructive thinking and find their way to Christ. Follow him on X @renofmen, on YouTube @willspencerpod or via his Linktree.
[00:00:00] Start
[01:13:00] Introduction to Will Spencer and his background
[03:03:00] Honoring Charlie Kirk's memory and legacy
[06:34:00] Discussion of political violence and media bias
[09:08:00] Stephanie's journey from New Age to current perspective
[12:02:00] The infiltration of gender ideology into New Age spaces
[15:34:00] COVID response contradictions in holistic health community
[17:28:00] Moral incoherence of karma and "all is one" beliefs
[21:21:00] Child sex trafficking as a worldview-breaking reality
[23:02:00] The purpose of life and facing uncomfortable truths
[25:14:00] Personal responsibility vs. blaming circumstances
[27:21:00] The problem of evil and Christian worldview
[31:58:00] God's creation and the fall of humanity
[35:28:00] Serpent worship, psychedelics, and human sacrifice
[36:54:00] Kundalini energy and serpent symbolism
[38:28:00] Personal Kundalini experiences described
[42:50:00] Occult mystery schools and magical practices
[46:03:00] New Age community's failure to help abuse victims
[49:46:00] Cult-like behavior and exploitation in spiritual communities
[53:36:00] Defining "selfism" - the worship of the self
[58:14:00] Ayahuasca as communion with named entity "Mama Ayahuasca"
[01:06:01] Questioning ayahuasca's supposed benevolence
[01:10:03] Ayahuasca in mainstream medicine and veteran treatment
[01:16:25] The cost of seeking "true self" vs. honoring commitments
[01:21:42] Will's personal journey and opportunity costs
[01:26:02] Christianity's gift of meaning in mundane life
[01:28:19] Sanctification and transformed desires
[01:33:28] Missing the "colorful" world of festivals and DJing
[01:35:32] Will's conversion story at Burning Man 2015
[01:42:40] Vision of Christ and underground Christian ministry
[01:47:27] Reading Christian apologetics and final conversion
[01:51:34] Learning from personal experience vs. taking things on faith
[01:56:14] The spiritual dangers of magic and occult practices
[02:00:20] Knowing people by their fruits - final thoughts
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Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.
Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.
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