The Universe Within Podcast
Jason Grechanik
A podcast delving into plants, plant medicine, consciousness, holistic health, philosophy, psychology, science and myriad related topics. Hosted by Jason Grechanik.
This podcast was created to give voice to the doctors, shamans, guides, facilitators, visionaries, anthropologists, linguists, scientists and wisdom-keepers working on the ground day in and day out within their respective fields.
This podcast was created to give voice to the doctors, shamans, guides, facilitators, visionaries, anthropologists, linguists, scientists and wisdom-keepers working on the ground day in and day out within their respective fields.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 23, 2022 • 1h 10min
Ep. 79 - Richard Urquia - Ayahuasca, Amazonian Shamanism, & Shipibo Tradition
Una nota: para ver las notas del programa en español para este episodio, visite mi sitio web a: https://www.universewithinpodcast.com/podcast/richard-urquiaHey everybody! Episode 79 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with my friend, colleague, and teacher, Richard Urquia. I met Richard a number of years ago whilst working together at the Amazonian plant medicine center, The Temple of the Way of Light. I first worked with Richard's brother Julio and then met Richard. I was very impressed with his humility, good-natured spirit, and desire to share and connect. One of the things that makes a good healer is one with a good heart, and Richard has that. I was very happy and grateful that Richard was able to share and I know you all will gain a lot from his share. Thank you to my friend Andrea Rosa María for the translation and Bree Naomee for shooting the video. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!Richard Urquia is a Shipibo curandero, or plant medicine healer, originating from Paoyan in the Peruvian Amazon. He works with a lot of dedication, humility, and heart. He can be found working at the Temple of the Way of Light and with his brother at their new center, Rao Nete.https://facebook.com/richard.urquia.1 This episode is sponsored by the Temple of the Way of Light: https://templeofthewayoflight.org/For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.orgSupport this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithin Donate directly with PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/jasongrechanik Music courtesy of: Nuno Moreno (end song). Visit: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound and https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com/ And Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project (intro song). Visit: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4Hhttps://www.facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcast
Feb 9, 2022 • 1h 14min
Ep. 78 - Ernesto Garcia Torres - Tobacco, Shamanism, & the Path of the Curandero
Una nota: para ver las notas del programa en español para este episodio, visite mi sitio web a: https://www.universewithinpodcast.com/podcast/ernesto-garciaHey everybody! Episode 80 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with my friend and teacher, Ernesto Garcia Torres. I met Ernesto about a decade ago when I began apprenticing and learning from him how to diet and work with plant medicine. I knew from the moment I met him that I would develop a relationship with Ernesto. I saw strength, humility, confidence, and dedication in him that were unmatched. It also probably helped that he was a martial artist, so I liked that!. I have learned a great deal from Ernesto over the years, not just in terms of how to work with plants and what it means to be a good doctor, but also from his presence, and what it means to be a good man and to walk the path of someone who carries medicine. So it was a real pleasure and honor to sit down with him and have him share. I know you all will gain a lot from this interview. One note to mention is that he uses the word and idea of Jesus a lot, and for some that can be a loaded word, but he is clear that you can substitute any word that suits you better, such as god, nature, truth, etc. The interview is in Spanish and has been translated into English. Thank you to my friend and colleague Valco Kostov for the translation. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy! *Disclaimer: this channel and its host/guests do not dispute or contradict health authority guidance by denying the addictive or harmful properties of nicotine or tobacco.*Ernesto Garcia Torres is a tabaquero, a medicine person specializing in the medicinal use of tobacco, one of the most powerful plant teachers of the Amazon. He lives and works in Iquitos, Peru. He has a land and center, Ampiri, where he works with people sharing in the healing and learning from Amazonian plant medicines.My colleague Merav Artzi (who I interviewed in episode 28) and I will be running diets in the Sacred Valley of Peru beginning again in February of 2022. We will also be in New York in June and Ireland in May. If you would like more information about joining us and the work I do, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.orgIntegration/Consultation call: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comPatreon: https://patreon.com/UniverseWithin YouTube join & perks: https://bit.ly/YTPerksPayPal, donate: https://paypal.me/jasongrechanik Website: https://jasongrechanik.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/JasonGrechanikFacebook: https://facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcast Music courtesy of: Nuno Moreno (end song). Visit: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound and https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com/ And Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project (intro song). Visit: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4HDisclaimer:We do NOT buy, sell, trade, or distribute:• Tobacco or nicotine products of any kind.• Products that simulate smoking, including all types of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine-free vapes, cigars, herbal cigarettes, e-liquids, or tobacco-related production equipment.We are not a medical facility and no health care is practiced under our direction. We do not offer:• Medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or any form of health-related service, whether paid or unpaid• Tests or information intended to support or substitute for any of the aboveAll content is for educational and informational purposes only, rooted in traditional knowledge and cultural practices.

Jan 26, 2022 • 1h 15min
Ep. 77 - Damian Pacaya - Ayahuasca, Healing, & Shipibo Culture
Una nota: para ver las notas del programa en español para este episodio, visite mi sitio web a: https://www.universewithinpodcast.com/podcast/damian-pacayaHey everybody! Episode 77 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with my friend, colleague, and teacher, Damian Pacaya. I met Damian many years ago whilst working together at the Amazonian plant medicine center, The Temple of the Way of Light. Damian and I have worked together for many years now and I have seen him grow and deepen his work as a Shipibo onanya, a plant medicine healer. I have a lot of respect for Damian’s humility, dedication, and work. So I felt grateful he sat down and shared a bit about himself and his work. I trust this will be an insightful conversation. Thank you to María Verónica Roseman for the translation and Bree Naomee for shooting the video. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy! Damian Pacaya is a Shipibo curandero, or plant medicine healer, originating from near Pucalpa in the Peruvian Amazon. He works with a lot of dedication, humility, and love. He continues to work and share his medicine throughout the Amazon and elsewhere.Damian can be found working at the Temple of the Way of Light and other workshops and can also be contacted at: https://www.facebook.com/damian.pacaya.7 & +51 943 107 192This episode is sponsored by the Temple of the Way of Light: https://templeofthewayoflight.org/For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.orgSupport this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithin Donate directly with PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/jasongrechanik Music courtesy of: Nuno Moreno (end song). Visit: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound and https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com/ And Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project (intro song). Visit: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4Hhttps://www.facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcast

Jan 12, 2022 • 1h 27min
Ep. 76 - Toni Javier Lopez Lopez - Ayahuasca, Amazonian Shamanism, & Shipibo Culture
Una nota: para ver las notas del programa en español para este episodio, visite mi sitio web a: https://www.universewithinpodcast.com/podcast/toni-lopezHey everybody! Episode 76 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with my friend, colleague, and teacher, Toni Javier Lopez Lopez. I met Toni whilst working together at the Amazonian plant medicine center, The Temple of the Way of Light. I was immediately impressed by his dedication to the art of healing, his care, and his ability to express and bridge the world of medicine with the thinking mind. He is a true teacher in that sense and of all the Shipibo I know, probably has the best ability to teach through language. So it was a real pleasure for me to sit down and speak with Toni. I am sure you all will get a lot out of this interview. The interview is in Spanish and has been translated into English. Thank you to my friends and colleagues Yann Filippi for the translation and Bree for shooting the video. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy! Toni Javier Lopez Lopez is a Shipibo curandero, or plant medicine healer, originating from Pucalpa in the Peruvian Amazon. He was a school teacher before starting his journey as a plant medicine doctor and has a beautiful ability to teach and express the world of plant medicine healing through language. He is dedicated to the path and has a very big heart trying to help those he is working with. He continues to live and work in Pucalpa.Toni can be found working at the Temple of the Way of Light and can also be contacted at: sanimeni1974@gmail.com & +51 951 361 839This episode is sponsored by the Temple of the Way of Light: https://templeofthewayoflight.org/For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.orgSupport this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithin Donate directly with PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/jasongrechanik Music courtesy of: Nuno Moreno (end song). Visit: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound and https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com/ And Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project (intro song). Visit: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4Hhttps://www.facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcast
Nov 24, 2021 • 1h 22min
Ep. 75 - The Conscious Perspective - Plant Medicine Ceremonies, Tradition, & the Sacred
Hey everybody! Episode 75 of the show is out. This is an interview I did with Gary Haskins on his podcast, The Conscious Perspective. Some of you have asked for some more interviews where I am speaking, so I thought this interview I recently did with Gary would serve that purpose well. In the interview, we talk about sacred plant medicines, their ceremonial uses, the importance of tradition, and what these plants may be pointing towards. I really enjoyed this conversation and I hope you do as well. Check out Gary’s podcast and consider supporting his work if you can. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!*Disclaimer: this channel and its host/guests do not dispute or contradict health authority guidance by denying the addictive or harmful properties of nicotine or tobacco.*"Jason began learning holistic systems of medicine such as herbalism, Traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and nutrition in his 20s. That curiosity eventually led him to the Amazon where he began to work with plants to learn traditional ways of healing. His experience combines many different modalities of working with plants. The plants of the Amazon, and the ways in which the peoples of Amazon work with them, have had a revelatory effect on his life.He currently runs dietas with his colleague, Merav Artzi, in the Sacred Valley of Peru and works at the Temple of the Way of Light as a facilitator of ayahuasca ceremonies. Jason has practiced and taught yoga and enjoys practicing regularly Brazilian jiu-jitsu.”To view Jason’s full bio, visit: https://www.jasongrechanik.com/podcast/jason-grechanik-consciousTo view Gary’s podcast, the Conscious Perspective, visit him on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/BigGuknowme and on Apple at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conscious-perspective/id1528073394 and on Discord at: https://discord.com/invite/Bp8Kf3eyPQThis episode of the show is sponsored by the Temple of the Way of Light. To learn more, visit:https://templeofthewayoflight.org/Share the show, Subscribe or Follow, and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. That would be super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!My colleague Merav Artzi (who I interviewed in episode 28) and I will be running diets in the Sacred Valley of Peru beginning again in February of 2022. If you would like more information about joining us and the work I do, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.orgTo support this podcast on Patreon, visit: https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinTo donate directly with PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/jasongrechanikMusic courtesy of: Nuno Moreno (end song). Visit: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound and https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com/ And Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project (intro song). Visit: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4Hhttps://www.facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcast
Nov 17, 2021 • 2h 22min
Ep. 74 - Samer Mouawad - Shamanism, Ayahuasca, San Pedro & Healing
Hey everybody! Episode 74 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Samer Mouawad. Samer lives and works in the Sacred Valley of Peru where he works with plant medicines and has a healing practice. I really enjoyed sitting down and talking with Samer. He has a really beautiful presence and is able to speak about many ideas of plant medicines in a very lucid, deep, and simple way. He draws from his own extended experience of working with plants and his interest in consciousness and the human condition. I trust this will be an enlightening conversation for all who listen. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!"In search of a way to heal childhood trauma, Samer started working with plant medicines over a decade ago. After a profound experience on his first retreat, Samer decided to dedicate his life to the plants that healed him. He started formal training as a Shaman almost five years ago at one of Peru’s largest retreat centers. Since then he has worked with thousands of people from all around the world, guiding and supporting them through Ayahuasca, Sanago and San Pedro ceremonies and retreats. As a shaman, he favors San Pedro because of the depth of healing and transformation he has seen it bring about in people. Samer now lives in the Sacred Valley offering San Pedro ceremonies and retreats. He is passionate about sharing the beauty and benefits of this profound plant with others." For more info about Samer and his work, visit: https://www.samadihealing.com/ and on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/shamansamer/This episode of the show is sponsored by the Temple of the Way of Light. To learn more or sign up for a retreat, visit:https://templeofthewayoflight.org/If you enjoy the show, it would be a big help if you could share it with your own audiences via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. That would be super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!My colleague Merav Artzi (who I interviewed in episode 28) and I will be running diets in the Sacred Valley of Peru beginning again in February of 2022. If you would like more information about joining us and the work I do, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.orgIf you are able to and would like to donate to the show to help out with new content that would be deeply appreciated. For just a few dollars a month you can subscribe through Patreon and it gives you some really nice added benefits like early access to shows, bonus episodes, and a chance to ask personalized questions.To support this podcast on Patreon, visit: https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinTo donate directly with PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/jasongrechanikMusic courtesy of: Nuno Moreno (end song). Visit: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound and https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com/ And Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project (intro song). Visit: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4Hhttps://www.UniverseWithinPodcast.comhttps://www.facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcast
Nov 10, 2021 • 2h 33min
Ep. 73 - Sondra Hamilton - Herbalism, Plant-Spirit Medicine, and Rediscovery
Hey everybody! Episode 73 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Sondra Hamilton. I met Sondra in the Sacred Vallery of Peru and saw she had a really good knowledge of plants. I have been wanting to talk about herbalism on this show for a while, so I thought Sondra would be a perfect person to speak about that. She is an herbalist and has studied a number of ancient traditions such as European herbalism, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a few Native American herbal traditions. It was a pleasure for me to sit down with her and have her share in her knowledge of plant medicine, various traditions, and how to integrate and learn from both plants, traditions, and our own innate wisdom. I think you all will enjoy this episode, much as I did. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!"Sondra Hamilton is a Mystic Herbalist, and Ayurvedic Health Counselor who works with the wisdom and elements of Mother Nature including: plants, stones, sacred mountains, water, air, ether, fire, water and earth.Sondra has been blessed to have diverse teachers and guides on her path that have given her the opportunity to deepen her wisdom of the original medicines of Peru, Greece and India. Her love of plants, animals and Mother Earth extend into each healing session invoking a deeper evolution for self-empowerment. The land she travels teaches her the innate intuitive wisdom that resides in all of us and the importance of honoring and praising our Ancestors. May the plants guide your way home!!!"To view Sondra’s full bio, visit: https://www.jasongrechanik.com/podcast/sondra-hamiltonFor more info about Sondra and her work, visit: https://www.oshamaizeherbal.com/This episode of the show is sponsored by the Temple of the Way of Light. To learn more or sign up for a retreat, visit:https://templeofthewayoflight.org/Share the show, Subscribe or Follow, and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. That would be super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!My colleague Merav Artzi (who I interviewed in episode 28) and I will be running diets in the Sacred Valley of Peru beginning again in February of 2022. If you would like more information about joining us and the work I do, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.orgTo support this podcast on Patreon, visit: https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinTo donate directly with PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/jasongrechanikMusic courtesy of: Nuno Moreno (end song). Visit: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound and https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com/ And Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project (intro song). Visit: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4Hhttps://www.UniverseWithinPodcast.comhttps://www.facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcast
Nov 3, 2021 • 1h 28min
Ep. 72 - Jeremy Narby - Plant Teachers: Ayahuasca, Tobacco, and the Pursuit of Knowledge
Hey everybody! Episode 72 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Jeremy Narby. I was familiar with Jeremy for many years ever since the release of his popular book, The Cosmic Serpent. Jeremy recently released a new book, co-written with Rafael Chanchari Pizuri, called Plant Teachers: Ayahuasca, Tobacco, and the Pursuit of Knowledge. It’s a very good read and speaks about two plants that I have worked closely with: ayahuasca and tobacco. There has been a lot of literature released in the last decade about ayahuasca, but very little about tobacco, a plant in some ways equal to, and in some regards, more widely viewed as medicine than ayahuasca. I was very happy to hear that Jeremy had released a book talking about tobacco, because I feel there is a need for more clarity on this highly regarded plant medicine, and Jeremy is a great person to begin to speak about it. I really enjoyed this conversation with Jeremy, listening to some of his stories, hearing his perspective on ayahuasca and tobacco, and having him speak about the new book. I think and hope you all will learn from this episode. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!"Jeremy Narby, Ph. D., studied history at the University of Kent at Canterbury, and received a doctorate in anthropology from Stanford University. For the last 30 years, he has coordinated projects in favour of Amazonian people for Swiss NGO "Nouvelle Planète”, involving land titles, bilingual education, and sustainable forestry. He has written several books including "The cosmic serpent, DNA and the origins of knowledge" (1998, New York, Penguin Putnam/Tarcher), and "Intelligence in nature: an inquiry into knowledge" (2005, New York, Penguin Putnam/Tarcher), and co-edited with Francis Huxley "Shamans through time: 500 years on the path to knowledge" (2001, New York, Penguin Putnam/Tarcher). He recently co-signed with Rafael Chanchari Pizuri “Plant teachers: tobacco and ayahuasca” (2021, Novato CA, New World Library)." For more info about Jeremy and his work, get a copy of one of his books, as he said, at your local book store.This episode of the show is sponsored by the Temple of the Way of Light. To learn more or sign up for a retreat, visit:https://templeofthewayoflight.org/Share the show, Subscribe or Follow, and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. That would be super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!My colleague Merav Artzi (who I interviewed in episode 28) and I will be running diets in the Sacred Valley of Peru beginning again in February of 2022. If you would like more information about joining us and the work I do, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.orgTo support this podcast on Patreon, visit: https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinTo donate directly with PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/jasongrechanikMusic courtesy of: Nuno Moreno (end song). Visit: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound and https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com/ And Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project (intro song). Visit: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4Hhttps://www.UniverseWithinPodcast.comhttps://www.facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcast
Oct 27, 2021 • 1h 53min
Ep. 71 - Dr. Eric Zielinski - Essential Oils, Holistic Medicine, & Health
Hey everybody! Episode 71 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Eric Zielinski. I was familiar with Eric and his work on essential oils, and he seemed like he would be a really good guest as essential oils is a topic I have wanted to cover for a while now. I really enjoyed this conversation. Eric spoke about essential oils, the different ways we can use them, how to improve our health, and also connection to spirit and what it means to live a fulfilled life. Eric has a beautiful way of expressing himself and communicating, and this was a great conversation that I hope you all will get a lot out of. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!"Eric Zielinski, D.C. is a Doctor of Chiropractic who specializes in public health research and aromatherapy. A pioneer in the Biblical health space, Dr. Z is the author of the International Bestselling book The Healing Power of Essential Oils & The Essential Oils Diet, Executive Producer of The Hope for Breast Cancer documentary and creator of the Essential Oils for Abundant Living Masterclass. With his wife, he founded NaturalLivingFamily.com in 2014, which has become the most visited website devoted to Bible health & non-branded essential oil education in the world." For more info about Eric and his work, visit: https://naturallivingfamily.com/This episode of the show is sponsored by the Temple of the Way of Light. To learn more or sign up for a retreat, visit:https://templeofthewayoflight.org/If you enjoy the show, it would be a big help if you could share it with your own audiences via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. That would be super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!My colleague Merav Artzi (who I interviewed in episode 28) and I will be running diets in the Sacred Valley of Peru beginning again in February of 2022. If you would like more information about joining us and the work I do, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.orgIf you are able to and would like to donate to the show to help out with new content that would be deeply appreciated. For just a few dollars a month you can subscribe through Patreon and it gives you some really nice added benefits like early access to shows, bonus episodes, and a chance to ask personalized questions.To support this podcast on Patreon, visit: https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinTo donate directly with PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/jasongrechanikMusic courtesy of: Nuno Moreno (end song). Visit: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound and https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com/ And Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project (intro song). Visit: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4Hhttps://www.UniverseWithinPodcast.comhttps://www.facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcast
Oct 20, 2021 • 2h 29min
Ep. 70 - Jerónimo Mazarrasa - ICEERS, Ayahuasca, Reciprocity, Psychedelic Renaissance and Beyond
Hey everybody! Episode 70 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Jerónimo Mazarrasa. Jerónimo is the Social Innovation Coordinator for ICEERS (International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service). I was familiar with ICEERS as they collaborated with the Temple of the Way of Light, where I have worked, on one of the largest studies on the therapeutic use of ayahuasca. Jerónimo has been involved in this work for a long time and I really enjoyed this conversation. In fact, it is probably one of my favorites in terms of the topics covered, the knowledge shared, and the wisdom presented. We spoke about a number of topics from the history of ayahuasca, the different groups and ways it is used, how to navigate and think about its global spread, how to honor the traditions from which it came, and what the future of these medicines may resemble. I trust this episode will impart a lot of knowledge and thought and I felt I myself learned a lot from this dialogue. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!"Jerónimo M.M. is an ayahuasca community activist and independent researcher. He has produced and written two documentaries about ayahuasca. The first about the Brazilian Ayahuasca churches, the second about the use of Ayahuasca in the treatment of drug addiction. In the last 20 years he has travelled extensively through South America, researching a broad range of Ayahuasca practices, and has lectured internationally on ayahuasca tourism and the appropriation of indigenous knowledge. He works as Social Innovation Coordinator for the ICEERS Foundation, and is a founding member of the Plantaforma (Platform for the Defense of Ayahuasca in Spain) in the last 5 years he has devoted most of his energy to figure out how ceremonial plant practices can be integrated outside of their cultures of origin. He curates a list of ayahuasca news, a facebook account, and a blog." For more info about Jerónimo and his work, view above links or visit: https://www.iceers.org/This episode is sponsored by the Temple of the Way of Light: https://templeofthewayoflight.org/Share the show, Subscribe or Follow, and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. That would be super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.orgTo support this podcast on Patreon, visit: https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinTo donate directly with PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/jasongrechanikMusic courtesy of: Nuno Moreno (end song). Visit: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound and https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com/ And Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project (intro song). Visit: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4Hhttps://www.facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcast


