Psychedelics Today

Gabriela Galindo, program coordinator of FLOWS, champions Indigenous rights in the psychedelic conversation. She highlights the importance of respecting each plant's cultural history and argues for Indigenous communities' consent in legislative decisions. Galindo prefers the term 'movement' over 'renaissance' when discussing psychedelics. She reflects on how climate crises demand insights from Indigenous harmony with nature while navigating the delicate balance between decriminalization and cultural preservation in psychedelic practices.

Mareesa Stertz, a filmmaker and co-founder of Lucid News, dives into her personal journey of healing through psychedelics. She shares insights from her seven ayahuasca trips, revealing how she discovered the impact of 'little t' traumas. Mareesa discusses the Hero’s Journey as a method for self-awareness and the importance of storytelling in healing. She also introduces her artistic projects, including immersive Sphinx installations for Burning Man, aimed at fostering deep connections and meaningful experiences.

Micah Stover, a certified psychedelic somatic therapist and author, shares her transformative journey inspired by ancestral voices and healing through psychedelics. Craig Heacock, an addiction psychiatrist and podcast host, discusses the intersection of modern psychology and indigenous healing. They explore the importance of community and nature in overcoming trauma, and the role of discernment in non-ordinary states of consciousness. Together, they examine how love and connection can enrich therapeutic practices and enhance healing outcomes.

In this insightful discussion, Glauber Assis, Ph.D., a pioneer in psychedelic parenting and a leader in plant medicine practices from Brazil, shares his transformative journey with ayahuasca. He reflects on how decolonizing experiences shaped his identity and family relations. Assis advocates for cultural understanding and celebrates the revival of traditions through global ayahuasca practices. He emphasizes the vital role of community, live music in ceremonies, and the intricate links between psychedelics and authentic parenting, grounding his reflections in personal anecdotes and a heartfelt musical performance.

Norman Ohler, an award-winning novelist and journalist, delves into the surprising connections between Nazi Germany's drug experiments and the CIA's MKUltra program. He shares insights on how the Nazis' initial interest in methamphetamines shifted to LSD, revealing its potential as a truth serum. Ohler discusses his mother's experience with microdosing, the ethical concerns of historical drug use, and his belief in the imminent legalization of psychedelics in the U.S. He also reflects on his journey as a 'gonzo historian' and the evolving societal perceptions of these substances.

Lana Pribic, a certified life coach and founder of Kanna Wellness, reflects on her journey from rave culture to embracing joy in everyday life. She discusses the pitfalls of the 'healing trap' and the importance of integration after psychedelic experiences, urging listeners to find acceptance in the mundane. Lana highlights her unique '7 levels of energy' framework, explores the complexities of personal growth, and introduces Kanna, a new wellness extract, emphasizing its potential for upliftment and connection.

Ingmar Gorman, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and co-founder of a psychedelic education company, shares insights on the FDA's controversial rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. He explains the intricacies surrounding the accusations faced by the therapy and the challenges in studying adverse experiences. Gorman also critiques the impact of public scrutiny and emphasizes the need for balanced media narratives. He calls for deeper journalist research to move beyond sensationalism and highlights the importance of acknowledging the human stories in psychedelic therapy.

In this episode, Kyle interviews Beth Weinstein: spiritual business coach, host of the “Medicine For These Times” podcast, and founder of the Psychedelics, Sacred Medicines, Soul’s Purpose & Business summit. She talks about a pattern she noticed of people working with psychedelics and seeing progress on what they set out to heal, but with a short-lived afterglow, as they remained in unfulfilling jobs without making any changes. She wondered: What if they applied the lessons they learned during their experience to their careers? What small steps could they start taking to either improve their current job, or find their true soul’s purpose and carve out a new path? Weinstein’s path has led her to combine practical business action plans with more spiritual and traditionally psychedelic modalities to help people grow in their careers and become their most authentic selves – especially if they’re trying to enter into the psychedelic space. She discusses: The importance of making time to talk things out with a coach, integration circle, or friends – especially in a culture that only gets more distracting and chaotic every day The challenge of differentiating between guidance: Is it your soul’s true purpose, or a trick of your ego? The weirdly taboo topic of money in psychedelics, and the delicate balance of aligning with charitable values while making a living The mystical aspects to how life can change with new energy: Maybe that layoff happened at the perfect time? The power of positivity and small steps toward change, and how working on something outside of work can transform how you show up at work and more!  Weinstein’s newest course begins early next year: The True Path Entrepreneur Group Business Coaching Mastermind Program, which is a 12-month live coaching course designed to reprogram limiting patterns and beliefs and help move people into alignment with their true path. Click here for more info and to apply. For links, head to the show notes page.

Daniel Shankin, a psychedelic integration coach and founder of Tam Integration, discusses the vital role of integration circles in personal healing and community building. He shares insights on creating these circles simply and effectively. The intriguing 'fractal inquiry' method highlights the power of asking the right questions to unlock personal wisdom. Shankin explores the necessity of embracing individuality and the weirdness often found in the psychonaut community, while emphasizing mindfulness practices, like breath focus, during challenging experiences.

Joanna Kempner, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Rutgers University and the author of 'Psychedelic Outlaws.' She delves into the groundbreaking work of ClusterBusters, a nonprofit exploring psychedelics' potential to alleviate cluster headaches. The conversation highlights the lack of funding for these urgent medical needs and the vital role of patient advocacy. Kempner also discusses the innovative use of internet communities for sharing knowledge and the community's strength in finding hope and healing amidst chronic pain challenges, all while navigating ethical dilemmas in research.