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Rachel Nuwer is a journalist who has reported on science, travel, food, and adventure for the New York Times, National Geographic, Scientific American and many other publications. She is the author of Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking and her new book is I Feel Love: MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World. Today we discuss all things MDMA. rachelnuwer.com

Topics addressed (in order): Consciousness, causal power, & evolution Is consciousness binary? Technology & consciousness Music & psychedelics Homestead landscaping

Nei Theise, Professor of pathology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discusses connecting science and spirituality through complexity theory. They explore consciousness, Zen Buddhism, boundaries and interconnectedness, and the need to bridge the gap between scientific and spiritual understandings of consciousness. They also reflect on personal journeys, mysticism, resilience, and facing uncertainties.

​Jared Seide is the Executive Director of the Center for Council, a talking circle practice that we discuss today.  He has designed, piloted and coordinated council-based programs in prisons, assisted living facilities, youth groups, schools, non-profits, faith-based organisations, and social service and law enforcement agencies.  He has also led trainings and retreats focusing on reconciliation and community-building around the world, from Colombia to Rwanda.  He is a member of the Zen Center of Los Angeles, a graduate of the Upaya Institute Chaplaincy Program and has been a Spirit Holder for the Bearing Witness Retreats of the Zen Peacemakers, a contemplative social action community.  Today we discuss the practice of Council. https://www.centerforcouncil.org/ https://www.beyondusandthem.org/

Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes, a philosopher of mind and expert in Whitehead, Nietzsche, and panpsychism, shares profound insights on integrating metaphysics into psychedelic therapy. He navigates the intricate relationship between metaphysics and consciousness, emphasizing diverse philosophical perspectives. The conversation touches on personal transformations through psychedelics, critiques traditional mind-body separations, and advocates for a holistic understanding of cognition. Sjöstedt-Hughes also highlights the evolving academic interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Timmy Davis and Tara Austin run the Psilocybin Access Rights campaign in the United Kingdom where they are seeking to get psilocybin rescheduled. Today we discuss the campaign and the rescheduling of psychedelics more broadly.

Bobby Azarian, a science journalist and cognitive neuroscientist, discusses the evolution of cosmic complexity and consciousness. They explore the hierarchical structure of the universe and how it becomes conscious. They also discuss the role of information in evolution, emergent order challenging the second law of thermodynamics, life's potential for infinite persistence, cooperation and hierarchy in evolution, and the inevitable increase in complexity. They touch on the naturalizing of the Western religious tradition, intelligence, consciousness, and pain, the evolution of consciousness, and the mind-altering effects of DMT. They conclude with a discussion on resources, cosmic purpose, and merging science with spirituality.

Anaesthesiologist and teacher of nonduality, Angelo Dilullo, shares his awakening journey and practical tools for realizing interconnectedness. They discuss consciousness and deep sleep, the role of anesthesia, compassion, grounding exercises, trauma-informed mindfulness, meditation, science, separation, and form vs formlessness.

Metaphysics, Is the mind naturally enlightened & is reality made of love? + thoughts on Terrence Deacon's work