242. Psychedelic Salon with April Pride: Psychedelics for Creativity

Have you wondered how psychedelics are being intentionally used by artists, writers, musicians, and other creatives to push the boundaries of their craft? This session kicks off our new series, Psychedelic Salon, with a panel of esteemed Seattle artists who will discuss the role of psychedelics in Seattle’s countercultural movements and how they influence artistic expression. Expect a candid conversation on the relationship between altered states and creativity, with insights from prominent Seattle creatives known for their experimentation. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how psychedelics can be used as a tool for creative flow and self-expression.

April Pride is a serial creative entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience developing brands and products across interiors, fashion, lifestyle, cannabis, psychedelics, audio, and more. In 2015, she launched Van der Pop, an industry defining, female-focused cannabis lifestyle brand. Van der Pop published the pioneering Women & Weed Survey exploring North American women’s perspectives on cannabis. After exiting to Canopy Growth, one of world’s largest cannabis companies, April continued her advocacy for cannabis normalization through her popular podcasts, How to Do the Pot and The High Guide. Currently, April is the CEO and Founder of SetSet, an accessible psychedelic education and integration platform offering clinician-created educational guides and programs.

Rachel Demy is a fine art photographer, writer, and educator in Seattle, Washington. She employs a non-linear approach to her work, which covers themes of trauma, addiction, and all manner of human experiences considered difficult to look at directly. Her upcoming solo gallery exhibition, Revocable Living, is a collection of photographs made while (unknowingly) in active addiction and runs from February 27 – April 12, 2025, at Spectrum Fine Art (Seattle, WA). Her first photography book, Between, Everywhere—about touring with Death Cab for Cutie—was published through Minor Matters Books in 2022.

Tim Keck co-founded The Stranger, Seattle’s alternative weekly newspaper, known for its bold, irreverent take on local news, culture, and politics. Before founding The Stranger, Keck co-founded The Onion, the satirical newspaper that has since become a cultural institution. At The Onion, Keck helped set the foundation for the publication’s signature comedic style, influencing generations of satirists and journalists. Throughout his career, Keck has been a key figure in shaping the landscape of alternative media and journalism. His work has challenged conventional boundaries of news reporting and entertainment, blending the two in a way that continues to resonate with readers across the country. Keck’s print and digital media contributions reflect his deep commitment to innovative, independent journalism.

About Psychedelic Salon: A Monthly Series Exploring Novel Therapeutics for Well-Being 

Seattle-based cannabis and psychedelics educator & podcast host April Pride hosts a collaborative series with Town Hall Seattle focused on the emerging science of psychedelic medicine. This women-forward series highlights the potential of novel therapeutics for mental health, reproductive health, chronic pain, trauma, and overall optimization. Through engaging panel discussions, expert talks, and community conversations, April offers an accessible platform for researchers, clinicians, and advocates to share insights on psychedelics for improved human health. The series would also explore the historical context of women’s roles in plant medicine and the growing movement to incorporate psychedelics into mainstream treatment options, particularly for conditions that disproportionately affect women, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Presented by Town Hall Seattle and SetSet.