The Universe Within Podcast

Hey everybody! Episode 142 of the show is out. In this episode, I am releasing a podcast where I was interviewed by Shonagh Home. Shonagh was one my podcast a while back and invited me to be on her’s, called The Mushroom’s Apprentice. I really enjoyed speaking with Shonagh and she is a really good interviewer and asked really deep questions. We spoke about my background, plant medicines, ayahuasca and tobacco, trees, the traditional process of dieta, indigenous and Western cosmovisions, dreaming and the imagination, and humanity and the mind in general. I really enjoyed being on her podcast and I hope you all find this conversation deep and insightful. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe“For many years, Jason has had a deep interest in plants as medicine. After studying various modalities, he has lived, studied, and worked in the Amazon for the more than a decade. He runs plant medicine dietas there and throughout the world, weaving Amazonian tobacco traditions with Celtic tree wisdom. He facilitated for many years ayahuasca workshops at the Temple of the Way of Light. He also hosts a podcast calledThe Universe Within Podcast. He is married with a son. Jason is also an Eagle Scout. In his free time, he enjoys practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (he is a brown belt), spending time in nature and at home, woodworking, riding his motorcycle.”To learn more about his work, visit his website at: https://NicotianaRustica.orgTo listen to The Mushroom’s Apprentice podcast, visit Youtube & Spotify: https://www.youtube.com/@themushroomsapprentice8793 & https://open.spotify.com/show/7n4xvsbELCSmj6flfWxuIA?si=298e8e10cc8340e5To view the recent documentary, Sacred Tobacco, about my work, visit: https://youtu.be/KB0JEQALI_wIf you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it 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. This is 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.orgIntegration/Consultation call: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comPatreon: https://patreon.com/UniverseWithinYouTube join & perks: https://bit.ly/YTPerksPayPal, donate: https://paypal.me/jasongrechanikWebsite: https://UniverseWithinPodcast.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcastMusic: Nuno Moreno: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound & https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com & Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4H

Hey everybody! Episode 141 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Hans Wilhelm. Hans is an author and illustrator who has a really good YouTube channel called Life Explained. He creates short videos where he illustrates spiritual laws of the universe. He does a really good job with his channel and I think it’s really informative and wonderful for both children and adults. We spoke about Hans’ background, the mind, meditation, the Work of Byron Katie, spirituality, consciousness, planets, astral beings, and even aliens! It was a really interesting conversation and I hope you all get a lot out of it. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe“Hans Wilhelm is a mystic, best-selling author and illustrator of over 200 books for all ages – including some together with Byron Katie. His books have sold over 40 million copies and are translated into 30 languages. His YouTube videos are explaining and depicting the spiritual laws of the universe. They are non-denominational and have become an important source of inspiration and help for his over 15 million viewers around the world.”To learn more about or contact Hans, visit his website at: https://www.lifeexplained.com/To view the recent documentary, Sacred Tobacco, about my work, visit: https://youtu.be/KB0JEQALI_wIf you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it 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. This is 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://NicotianaRustica.orgIntegration/Consultation call: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comPatreon: https://patreon.com/UniverseWithinYouTube join & perks: https://bit.ly/YTPerksPayPal, donate: https://paypal.me/jasongrechanikWebsite: https://UniverseWithinPodcast.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcastMusic: Nuno Moreno: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound & https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com & Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4H

Hey everybody! Episode 140 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Matthew Toussaint. Matthew came highly recommended to me and I was really glad we could make this podcast happen. Matthew is an anthropologist who came to plant medicines at a young age. It brought him to the Peruvian Amazon where he began a deeper dive and apprenticeship with ayahuasca and a lineage of curanderismo. We spoke about his background, ayahuasca, dieta, apprenticeship, tradition and lineage, myth, tree medicine, martial arts, christianity, imagination, meditation, and other topics. I think this is a really in-depth interview and one of the better and more informative talks you will find about these specific subjects in regards to plant medicines. It’s a testament to Matthew’s work and dedication and I trust you all will gain much from his wisdom. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe“Matthew Toussaint is originally from upstate New York. He has a background in Cultural Anthropology, where he conducted original ethnographic research on the emergence of ayahuasca shamanism in Western contexts. He first went to Peru to drink ayahuasca in 2008, and that experience was life-changing.For the next six years Matthew continued to deepen his relationship with the plants until he relocated to Peru in 2014. Since then he has worked professionally with plant medicine in a variety of contexts: at two retreat centers, in private groups, and in one-on-one sessions. He teamed up with Maestro Alberto and Casa Del Maestro in 2021.Matthew helps coordinate and manage the administration of our retreat programs, translates for guests, supports the guest experience, and serves as an apprentice to Maestro Alberto. He loves the work and is honored to share this medicine with the world.”To learn more about or contact Matthew, visit their website at: https://www.casadelmaestromedicina.com/To view the recent documentary, Sacred Tobacco, about my work, visit: https://youtu.be/KB0JEQALI_wIf you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it 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. This is 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.orgIntegration/Consultation call: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comPatreon: https://patreon.com/UniverseWithinYouTube join & perks: https://bit.ly/YTPerksPayPal, donate: https://paypal.me/jasongrechanikWebsite: https://UniverseWithinPodcast.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcastMusic: Nuno Moreno: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound & https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com & Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4H

Hey everybody! Episode 139 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Seth Lorinczi. Seth is a writer who recently published a book entitled Death Trip: A Post-Holocaust Psychedelic Memoir. We spoke about his background, his involvement in the punk music scene in Washington D.C. and Portland, psychedelics and ayahuasca, MDMA therapy and how it saved his marriage, his book and journey of identity, ancestral and generational trauma, and many other topics. Seth has a really interesting story and a lot to share and I think you all will gain a lot from this interview. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe“I’ve never been much of a joiner. After an early childhood trauma—the sudden death of my mother, when I was four—I found it hard to believe in much of anything. The election of Ronald Reagan, when I was nine, only underscored the feeling that the world didn’t make much sense. Then, when I was eleven, my school got funding to purchase new telescopes and the science teacher gave the battered old ones away to interested students. I was one of them, and that telescope changed my life.Peering through the eyepiece and watching the surface of the Moon unroll itself before me, I felt a powerful sense of homecoming. Gazing at the terminator—the line that divides the light and dark sides of the Moon—I felt there was something here for me, a riddle I’d gazed at my whole life but never understood.Ever since then I’ve been on a mission to explore this place, whether through psychedelics or my time in the D.C. punk scene. I sensed there was something beyond what I saw with my own two eyes, something that might explain the sense of unreality I’d felt ever since I was young. What I was writing towards, I only see now, was a sense of belonging.”To learn more about or contact Seth, visit his website at: https://www.sethlorinczi.com/To view the recent documentary about us, Sacred Tobacco, visit: https://youtu.be/KB0JEQALI_wIf you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it 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. This is 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 book an integration call with me, visit: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comSupport this podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinDonate 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

Hey everybody! Episode 138 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Scott Stanley. Scott is the founder of the ayahuasca church, Arizona Yage Assembly (AYA) as well as the North American Association of Visionary Churches (NAAVC). I was interested to bring Scott on to speak about the legal status of plant sacraments in the US. I think Scott is a really good representative in that he has been involved in a legal battle with the US government over religious freedom and actually is suing the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and seems to be in a good position. We spoke about his background, ayahuasca, the history of churches and religious freedom in the States, principles and morality, and why he’s involved in doing this work. I think its a very relevant conversation in regard to plant medicines and I hope you all find it insightful. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe“Scott Stanley has spent some 15 years working with ayahuasca and Amazonian master plants.  He has led over 500 ayahuasca ceremonies across the US, since founding the ayahuasca church, Arizona Yage Assembly (AYA) in 2015.  He also founded the North American Association of Visionary Churches (NAAVC). Both organizations have sued the Drug Enforcement Agency to ensure free and legal access to the visionary practice of religion.  His organizations have worked to bring combat vets into ayahuasca ceremonies through support of the veteran led AYA Mission.  AYA has also started a nature conservancy for preserving the virgin rainforest of the upper amazon.AYA currently conducts bi-weekly ceremonies in their ceremonial maloca in Tucson, AZ.”To learn more about or contact Scott, visit his website at: www.ayaguide.orgTo view the recent documentary about us, Sacred Tobacco, visit: https://youtu.be/KB0JEQALI_wIf you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it 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. This is 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 book an integration call with me, visit: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comSupport this podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinDonate 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

Hey everybody! Episode 137 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Marta Fabregat. Marta was recommended to me by a mutual friend, Cathy Coyle. Marta is one of Cathy’s teachers and I trust Cathy’s recommendations so I was sure Marta would have a lot to share, and she did. We spoke about Marta’s background, her working in Ecuador with Huachuma, her past with activism, how that lead her to Ireland, and how she now bridges multiple approaches including somatics into plant medicine work. We spoke about her work with trees and learning directly from them via the dieta, and this was very fascinating to me as its very similar work to what I do. I was really impressed by Marta’s knowledge and presence and I think you all will gain a lot out of 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!This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe“I hold trainings in-person and online in Ireland. Spain and Turkey, teaching Focusing and Nonviolent Communication, Meditation and Nature Connection.My approach is rooted in somatic body-oriented work ( Focusing ), nature connection and humanistic approaches, meaning that: I focus on the experiences that are most relevant for you at this point in your life, in a respectful, non-judgemental and nourising space, with active support to your experience in the present moment.During our time together my core principle is to create a space that is safe and welcoming and that our relationship is at the core of our work together. I aim to offer the person a space where they can experience their authenticity and diversity and support them to discover their unique solutions and ways to find them. Improving their relationship with themselves & people around them.My interest in emotional well-being, health and compassionate relating keeps informing me of my next steps in training and personal development. I have learned over the years from Marshall Rosenberg’s work (NVC and Conflict), Eugene Gendlin (The philosophy of the implicit and focusing-related research), Daniel Siegel (neuroscience), Claudio Naranjo (The eneagram and introductory training in SAT program), Peter Levine (trauma and somatic accompaniment), Thomas Hubl (Collective Trauma), Stephen Porgues (Polyvagal Theory), Bert Hellinger (systemic family system).”To learn more about or contact Marta, visit her website at: https://martafabregat.com/To view the recent documentary about us, Sacred Tobacco, visit: https://youtu.be/KB0JEQALI_wIf you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it 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. This is 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.orgIntegration/Consultation call: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comPatreon: https://patreon.com/UniverseWithinYouTube join & perks: https://bit.ly/YTPerksPayPal, donate: https://paypal.me/jasongrechanikWebsite: https://UniverseWithinPodcast.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/UniverseWithinPodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/UniverseWithinPodcastMusic: Nuno Moreno: https://m.soundcloud.com/groove_a_zen_sound & https://nahira-ziwa.bandcamp.com & Stefan Kasapovski’s Santero Project: https://spoti.fi/3y5Rd4H

Episode 136 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Max Monge Quineche. I met Max a couple of years ago in a shared temazcal in the Sacred Valley of Peru. I was impressed by his presence in the space and out and got to know him a bit and learn of his work with ayahuasca and the Shipibo. So it was a pleasure to finally sit down and speak with him on the podcast after a few years time. We spoke about his background and coming to plant medicines at an early age, his challenges, the plant dieta, knowledge and wisdom, Western and indigenous cosmovisions, family constellation, and much more. I was really impressed by his wisdom and I think his work with plants really shows in how and what he expresses. For those interested in ayahuasca and plant medicine work, I think this is one of the more informative talks you’ll find. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe“Psicólogo. Logoterapeuta y Analista existencial. Psicoterapeuta Zen. Constelador Familiar. Psicoterapeuta Iniciático. Practicante del Chamanismo Shipibo, con más de 15 años de experiencia en el camino de las Plantas Maestras. Director de Casa Doctor Centro de Sanación Integral.”To learn more about or contact Max, visit his Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/casa_doctor/To view the recent documentary about us, Sacred Tobacco, visit: https://youtu.be/KB0JEQALI_wIf you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it 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. This is 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 book an integration call with me, visit: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comSupport this podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinDonate 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

Hey everybody! Episode 135 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Tony Moss. I had known about Tony for a while and, as we spoke about in the show, he came to this plant medicine work over 35 years ago. We sat down and spoke about his life, his career in music, his work with ayahuasca and how that shaped his music into medicine music, his learning with different indigenous traditions, his path in bridging these traditions with Western traditions, and the role of elders. I was really happy to have Tony on to share in his wisdom and I think you all will get a lot out of 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!This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe“As a recording artist, producer, and creative director at I.AM.LIFE MUSIC, my focus is music as medicine.Born from a musical family of R&B/Gospel singers, raised & immersed in California's psychedelic/spiritual cultures, and inspired by over 25 years experience working with plant medicines, I combine elements of science & shamanism with multiple music genres to create music that's been dubbed, "soulful-ceremonial" - that's close enough.At this point in my life, everything I create and offer is motivated by a commitment to the elevation and expansion of human consciousness... or something like that.”To learn more about or contact Tony, visit his website at: https://www.tonymoss.me/If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it 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. This is 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 book an integration call with me, visit: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comSupport this podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinDonate 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

Hey everybody! Episode 134 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Shonagh Home. I found out that Shonagh is a mutual friend of mine, Cathy Coyle, who I also had on the podcast and have a lot of respect for. So having Shonagh on was a real pleasure. Shonagh recently published a really good book called Poetic Whispers. We spoke about her book as well as her background, her initiation into mushrooms, plant medicines, her study of the Celts, her transmission of poetry, natural law and logic, as well as many other topics. It was a really beautiful and deep conversation and I’m sure you all will gain a lot from her wisdom. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe“I am an independent thinker and ever curious about the deeper layers of reality. I dig beneath the surface story in an effort to see the bigger picture and gain a greater understanding while utilizing my intuition and insight. I find the psyche endlessly fascinating and I am in awe of its great depth and mystery. I love to learn and have been an autodidact for the greater part of my life. My favorite saying goes, “Every man has two educations. The first he is given. The second, more important, he gives to himself.” I thoroughly enjoy showering clients and loved ones with helpful wisdom, compassion, humor and nurturing. I am a mother of two amazing daughters and a lifelong, passionate student of the mystery.In my work, I am a teacher, counselor, author and poet. Of Celtic heritage, I follow the wisdom of the ancients, inspired by the Ban Draoi (dree) and fili, (Gaelic for a Celtic medicine woman/seer/poet). As a modern medicine woman I bring my connection to nature and the spirit worlds into my flourishing practice where I host individual retreats and do online counseling/mentoring with clients from all over the world. This is deep, psycho-spiritual work where we delve into the rich territory of the psyche. I cherish the mystical and the practical and I weave my knowledge of Natural Law, the Logical Fallacies, and traditional food wisdom into my work.I have studied with master teachers and for the last 12 years, I have apprenticed myself to the mushroom teachers, who have led me into profound connection with the spirits of nature and my ancestral roots.”To learn more about or contact Shonagh, including her book, visit her website at: https://shonaghhome.comIf you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it 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. This is 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 book an integration call with me, visit: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comSupport this podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinDonate 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

Hey everybody! Episode 133 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Greg Wrenn. Greg reached out to me as he’s just published his book, Mothership. It was a pleasure to have Greg on and share about his book, his background, his working with and overcoming PTSD, how he found healing with ayahuasca, and his connection to nature, especially the coral reefs. Greg has a beautiful story and we had a really good conversation about these topics. I trust you all will gain a lot 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!“A former Stegner Fellow and Jones Lecturer at Stanford University, Greg Wrenn is the author of the forthcoming Mothership: A Memoir of Wonder and Crisis (Regalo Press 2024), an evidence-based account of his turning to coral reefs and ayahuasca to heal from childhood trauma, and Centaur (U of Wisconsin Press 2013), which National Book Award-winning poet Terrance Hayes awarded the Brittingham Prize. ​Greg's work has appeared or is forthcoming in HuffPost, The New Republic, Al Jazeera, The Rumpus, LitHub, Writer's Digest, Kenyon Review, New England Review, The Iowa Review, and elsewhere. He has received awards and fellowships from the James Merrill House, the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, the Vermont Studio Center, the Poetry Society of America, the Hermitage Artist Retreat, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and the Spiro Arts Center.​As an associate English professor at James Madison University, he teaches creative nonfiction, poetry, and environmental literature. He also teaches in the low-residency MFA Program at Bennington Writing Seminars and in the Memoir Certificate Program at Stanford Continuing Studies. He was educated at Harvard University and Washington University in St. Louis.Greg is currently sending out Homesick, his second poetry collection. A student of ayahuasca since 2019, he is a trained yoga teacher and a PADI Advanced Open Water diver, having explored coral reefs around the world for over 25 years. He and his husband live in the mountains of Virginia, the ancestral land of the Manahoac and Monacan people.”To learn more about or contact Greg, including his book, visit his website at: https://www.gregwrenn.comIf you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it 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. This is 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 book an integration call with me, visit: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.comSupport this podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/UniverseWithinDonate 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