The Universe Within Podcast

Hey everybody! Episode 82 of the show is out.  This is an interview I did a few months ago with my good friend Mike on his show Mikeadelic. It was my third time on his show and I think this was our best interview yet. Mike did a great job leading the conversation and I think we went really deep into topics around plant medicine work, ayahuasca, tobacco, and principles and truth. We got into some of the areas where we have seen the plant medicine community fall short on principles and what could be possible antidotes. I think this was a really important conversation and one that I hope will spark thought and a deeper look into truth and meaning. If you enjoy this conversation, consider checking out Mike’s work. He has a great podcast and is doing really good work. And as always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!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 past decade. He runs plant medicine dietas there and throughout the world and has facilitated for many years ayahuasca workshops at the Temple of the Way of Light. He also started a podcast called The Universe Within Podcast. In his free time he enjoys practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, spending time in nature, his motorcycle, and time at home.You can check out Mike’s excellent podcast on all the major podcasting platforms, including YouTube, or visit his site at: https://www.mikebranc.com/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!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/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 81 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Jeff Chilton. I had been wanting to bring on someone since this podcast’s inception to speak about all of the different uses of mushrooms, from the nutritive, medicinal, and spiritual uses. So when I learned about Jeff and he agreed to come on, I was very happy as he really is the perfect person to speak on mushroom’s behalf. He has been working with mushrooms for nearly fifty years. He owns a company supplying high-quality mushrooms to other companies and has lived, breathed, and studied mushrooms and all of their benefits. I was really excited as we spoke about ancient cultures, esoteric philosophies, religion, and how plants and mushrooms play a pivotal role in perhaps the essence of all of these. Jeff is a really good guy with a lot of wisdom and knowledge to share and I think you all will get a lot from this episode. On a technical note, the Zoom meeting for some reason only recorded Jeff’s video and not mine, so you’ll hear me asking questions but only see Jeff’s video. Better that way than the other way! As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!Jeff Chilton studied Ethno-mycology at the University of Washington in the late sixties and in 1973 began a 10 year career as a large scale commercial mushroom grower. Jeff is the co-author of The Mushroom Cultivator, published in 1983. In 1989 Jeff established Nammex, the first company to supply medicinal mushroom extracts to the Nutritional Supplement industry. In 1997 he organized the first organic certification workshop for mushroom production in China. Jeff is a founding member of the World Society for Mushroom Biology and Mushroom Products in 1994 and a Member of the International Society for Mushroom Science. Nammex extracts are used by many supplement and food companies and are noted for their high quality based on scientific analysis of the active compounds. Learn more about Jeff his companies at: https://www.nammex.com/ and https://www.realmushrooms.com/ and to view a piece Jeff wrote about John Allegro, visit: https://www.jasongrechanik.com/blog/jeff-chilton 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!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

Una nota: para ver las  notas del programa en español para este episodio,  visite mi sitio web a:  https://www.universewithinpodcast.com/podcast/benito-ramosHey everybody! Episode 80 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with my friend, colleague, and teacher, Benito Ramos. Benito is a Shipibo onanya or curandero, a plant doctor from the Amazon rainforest, and also a huesero, a bone doctor. I have known Benito for a number of years and really respect his work as a healer. His Shipibo name is Runin Tsuma, or the great anaconda doctor. Many Shipibo are of few words and don’t often divulge a lot, so it was a pleasure for me to sit down with Benito and have him share. I think you all will enjoy and hopefully learn from this interview. The interview is in Spanish with some Shipibo and has been translated into English. Thank you to 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! Benito Ramos Varga is a Shipibo onanya or plant doctor with two decades of experience. He works with his wife Teresa who is also a Shipibo curandera. Benito’s Shipibo name is Runin Tsuma, or the great anaconda doctor. He works with a lot of integrity and care and can be found working at the Amazonian plant-medicine center the Temple of the Way of Light and running dietas from his home near Pucalpa, Peru.Benito can be found working at the Temple of the Way of LIght and can also be contacted at: +51 958 589 044Share the show, Subscribe or Follow, leave comments, 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. We will also be in Ireland in May (Sold Out), Israel in June, and New York in July. If you would like more information about joining us and the work I do, 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

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

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! 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.This episode is sponsored by the Temple of the Way of Light: https://templeofthewayoflight.org/Share the show, Subscribe or Follow, leave comments, 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!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.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

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

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

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!"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

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

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