In this podcast, Caitlyn Howe, Erick Godsey, and Kyle Kingsbury discuss their personal experiences with altered states of consciousness and their vision for a new kind of container for celebration and ecstasis. They talk about the blurred line between medicine and drugs and the potential for abuse even in sacred psychedelic plant medicine. They openly discuss drugs, medicines, and their effects, sharing cautionary tales and wisdom. The speakers explore the allure of substances and how they unlocked different states of consciousness. They also discuss overcoming addiction, finding purpose, and the importance of navigating medicine use responsibly. Additionally, they delve into the concept of consciousness, breaking patterns and biases, recognizing the sacred in unexpected places, and building a future worth fighting for.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
The podcast highlights the blurred line between medicine and drugs, emphasizing the potential for substances labeled as drugs to also have medicinal properties.
The tragic consequences of drug use are discussed, including real-life examples of addiction, fatalities, and the potential harm caused by synthetic drugs and misuse of pharmaceuticals.
The podcast explores the post-tragic stage of drug use, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, introspection, and a mindful, responsible approach to substances.
The transformative power of festivals and shared experiences is explored, highlighting the ability to create spaces for self-expression, connection, and reclaiming positive experiences with substances.
Deep dives
The blurred line between medicine and drugs
The podcast explores the blurred line between medicine and drugs, highlighting how even sacred psychedelic plant medicine can be used as a drug and lead to abuse or other problems. It emphasizes the idea that many substances labeled as drugs can also have medicinal properties and allow individuals to explore hidden aspects of themselves. The podcast acknowledges that abstinence and denial of drug use is not a realistic or helpful approach, and instead aims to offer wisdom, advice, and experiences to those who may encounter or choose to use substances in social settings or events.
Personal experiences with drugs and medicines
The podcast features personal accounts from Caitlin, Kyle, and Eric discussing their own experiences with drugs and medicines. Caitlin shares how she had a conservative upbringing and was initially skeptical and nervous about intoxication, but later ventured into experimentation. Kyle shares his journey from being arrogant and believing he was better for not drinking, to eventually trying weed and other substances. Eric discusses his tragic period with drugs and medicines, including struggles with addiction, self-destructive behaviors, and nearly losing his life due to an overdose experience.
The tragic consequences of drug use
The podcast delves into the tragic consequences of drug use, highlighting real-life examples of deaths and harmful situations resulting from substance abuse. It mentions instances of introducing friends to drugs that eventually led to addiction and fatalities. The speakers acknowledge the dangers and risks associated with certain substances, particularly highlighting the potential harm caused by synthetic drugs like crystal meth and the misuse of pharmaceuticals. They emphasize the importance of understanding the tragic side of drug use to avoid potentially devastating outcomes.
Navigating the post-tragic stage
The podcast explores the post-tragic stage of drug use, where individuals learn from their past experiences and aim to establish healthier relationships with substances. The speakers discuss the importance of personal growth, introspection, and integrating the lessons learned from the tragic stage. They highlight the complexity and nuance surrounding the use of drugs and medicines, encouraging individuals to find a balance and reflect on their own desires and intentions when engaging with substances. Ultimately, the speakers emphasize the need to develop a mindful, responsible, and individualized approach to drug use.
Blurring the Lines Between Ceremony and Recreation
The speaker discusses the blurred line between ceremony and recreation. He shares personal experiences of finding a connection to the divine and sacred while participating in recreational activities such as skiing and attending Burning Man. He explores the concept of recreationally using substances like psilocybin and ayahuasca and emphasizes the importance of intention and awareness when engaging in these activities.
Transitioning from the Tragic to the Post-Tragic
The podcast episode delves into the speaker's personal journey of transitioning from a tragic state of being to a post-tragic one. Through experiences with plant medicines and sacred rituals, the speaker was able to confront and heal personal traumas, finding a balance between the Apollo and Dionysus energies within himself. He shares insights on finding joy, purpose, and passion in life, and highlights the significance of community and friendship in this transformative process.
The Importance of Intention and Conscious Choices
The episode emphasizes the importance of setting intentions and making conscious choices when engaging in recreational activities or using substances. The speaker discusses the difference between using substances as medicine versus using them for escapism or avoidance. He encourages listeners to be mindful of their experiences and to find a balance between joy and responsibility, allowing for personal growth and connection while creating a positive aftertaste.
The Power of Festivals and Shared Experiences
The podcast explores the transformative power of festivals and shared experiences. The speakers highlight the ability of festivals to create a space where people can fully express themselves, connect with others, and experience awe, wonder, and beauty. They discuss the importance of community, friendship, and synchronicities that emerge in these settings, allowing individuals to find their tribe and create lasting connections. Additionally, they touch upon the potential of festivals in reimagining and reclaiming spaces that may be associated with darkness or negative connotations.
It has become safe in the mainstream to discuss the sacred or medical use of psychedelic medicine.
But that’s not the whole story.
There are drugs and medicines being used all the time, and no one except for comics are talking about it from a lens of experience. This doesn’t make it less dangerous, it makes it more dangerous.
Today I am joined by veterans of the game: Caitlyn Howe, Erick Godsey, Kyle Kingsbury for a deep dive tell-all, as we discuss our comprehensive personal experiences with altered states of consciousness through a pre-tragic, tragic, and post-tragic lens. In this completely uncensored conversation, we discuss the lessons we’ve learned along the way and the vision we share for a new kind of container for celebration and ecstasis, made manifest in our upcoming production of Arkadia Festival.