Mind Body Health & Politics

Last year, on the same day she graduated from her psychedelic Assisted psychotherapy program, our guest – Heather A. Lee – received a breast cancer diagnosis. Taking a dose of her own medicine, Heather has been on a unique healing journey with psilocybin as part of her psychospiritual healing. Heather's journey reflects on the transformative power of psychedelics and the importance of embracing mortality to truly live. Tune in to hear Heather's inspiring experience and insight as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist.“I'm completely in this place of faith and trust at my core. At my core, I don't have any fear around those things. It's like I've released them.”Heather Lee is one of the first certified psychedelic assisted psychotherapists. She has been leading mind/body wellness programs and retreats for over 30 years. Her clients have included such acclaimed clients at the Golden Door, Four Seasons and One & Only.Show notes:* Heather’s first job with planned parenthood* This incredible year of vagabondi

We live in an exciting time for psychedelic research. While mental health is often the focus of these medicines, what about their use at the end of life? Our guest, Anthony (Tony) Bossis focuses specifically on those nearing end of life or in palliative care.Tony is clearly passionate about what he does as we delve into cutting-edge research being conducted on the use of high-dose psilocybin for inducing peak experiences and its potential in end-of-life care. He explores the role of psychedelics in fighting demoralization and the fear of death, how we can expand the reach of psychedelic therapies, and the current political state of psychedelic research. His interests and experience make this a captivating and thought-provoking listen for all.“It's always funny to be a scientist talking about love all the time, but I'm glad I am.”Anthony P. Bossis, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine, an adjunct professor of classics and religious studies a

Join us as we explore the work of a hospice nurse and peek behind the curtain on a truly rewarding profession. “The Hospice Nurse Julie” gives us a deeper understanding of what hospice is, and the difference it can make in the lives of patients and their loved ones. Julie McFadden, a former ICU nurse, shares the challenges she faces, how to respond to a patient's request for “Death with Dignity”, how this career changed her life, and the sometimes unexpected "surge and rally" at the end of life. It is easy to see why her videos went viral, Julie brings joy and passion to what is often seen as a dark topic. Her determination to make a difference in the lives of her patients shines through.“To me, hospice is about living. It provides you a space to live out the rest of your life.”Julie McFadden, BSN, RN has been a nurse for 15 years. Julie is an experienced ICU, and now Hospice/Palliative Nurse. Julie has been featured in Newsweek, USA today, The Atlantic, The Business Insider, Medscape, People, Buzz feed, and

It is often fun to bounce ideas between good friends. This conversation with Creon Levit is no different. Creon’s interests are vast, but one thing is for certain, he is working towards a better future. Looking at psychedelic use beyond treatment for mental illness, Creon shares with us the notable tech giants, and their possible inspirations, as well as a glimpse into his daily diet and routine.“Your friendship is one of the highlights of my life. And so thank you for everything.”Creon Levit worked for NASA as a research scientist for 32 years doing high performance computing, data visualization, computational aeronautics, quantum chemistry, and spacecraft optics. For the last eight years he has been chief technologist and Director of R&D for Planet Labs - a satellite imaging company that has built, launched, and operates almost 500 earth-imaging satellites.Creon was good friends with Terrence McKenna, Sasha Shulgin, and John C. Lilly and has had a long interest in the intersection between psychedelics a

“I'm the practical shaman, I want people to eat up the plate of food from this life.”Renee Baribeau, the Practical Shaman, is an author, Wind Whistler, inspirational mentor, respected business coach, dynamic spiritual teacher, and keynote speaker. Renee is well known for her no-nonsense, “tell it like it is” approach in her Shamanic Apprenticeship Program. Her Nautilus Gold, Award-winning Hay House book, Winds of Spirit: Ancient Wisdom Tools for Navigating Relationships, Health, and the Divine helps others to achieve successful lifestyle practices by aligning to their sacred Magnetic North. Renee holds an executive marketing leadership position within the behavioral health industry.Show notes:* Renee’s first dismemberment experience* Her early experiences with plant medicine and alcoholism* Being radically awake and totally present* The relationship between being radically awake and planning for the future* Shamanistic practices with people who are terminally ill* What is Karma?* Clearing up ancestral hurt* T

It is human nature to seek a deeper understanding of our world and our connection to it. Often we look to philosophy or psychedelic experiences to find answers to life’s questions – what happens when the two intersect? Our guest, Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes, has dedicated his life to that very interaction. From exploring the philosophical history and the substances great philosophers may have used to how these principles apply in today’s world, Peter brings light to a field that is often overlooked in today’s psychedelic renaissance.“People did say I had a lot to lose about 10 years ago, they said 'don't mention this it’s a career killer.' But actually, it sort of made my career many ways.”Dr Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes is philosopher of mind and metaphysics who specializes in the thought of Spinoza, Nietzsche, and Whitehead, and in fields pertaining to altered and panpsychological states of consciousness. He is a research fellow and lecturer at the University of Exeter where he has co-founded the Philosophy of Psychedel

The book Changing Our Minds is an experiential tour through a social, spiritual, and scientific revolution that is redefining our culture’s often-confusing relationship with psychoactive substances. Its author (and my guest), Don Lattin, is well-researched and well spoken on the subject of psychedelic medicine. Speaking both from professional and personal experiences, he values these drugs for their healing potential, but cautions us – are psychedelics too popular now? Are we giving these powerful substances the respect they need?“I think there's a danger in us forgetting that these drugs are not something to take lightly”Veteran San Francisco based journalist, Don Lattin, is an award-winning journalist and author of six books, including The Harvard Psychedelic Club, published by HarperCollins in 2010, and Changing Our Minds – Psychedelic Sacraments and the New Psychotherapy, released in 2017 by Synergetic Press. Don has been writing about psychedelics for newspapers and magazines since the 1970s. In addition

In this highly informative episode our guest, Jahan Khamsehzadeh, gives us the nitty gritty on the ingestion and use of Psilocybin (often referred to as the “magic mushroom”.) Jahan lays out his research in a way that is not only understandable but comprehensive. Our topics include: how the medicine affects consciousness, proper dosing and safety, frequency of experience, potential negative effects, who should not take the medicine, anxiety regarding end-of-life transitioning, effects on sexuality, and so much more. This is a must-listen for all those interested in this topic.“The point of psychedelic experiences is to have a good life.”Jahan Khamsehzadeh, Ph.D. completed his dissertation on psychedelics at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco. His book, “The Psilocybin Connection: Psychedelics, the Transformation of Consciousness, and Evolution of the Planet—An Integral Approach” was published by North Atlantic Books and distributed Spring 2022 by Penguin Random House. The Aud

Our guest, Andrew Penn, is a prominent researcher at the University of California-San Francisco, and he brings us up-to-date information on the clinical research happenings with psychedelic medicine. Andrew’s insights on the research being conducted, the risks and benefits of psilocybin and MDMA, and his first-hand experience as a psychedelic nurse create a compelling listen for anyone interested in these powerful substances. While it is clear that psychedelics hold a great deal of potential in the treatment of depression and PTSD, it is also clear that a lot more research is needed. Be it in a lab or in practice, Andrew works to promote healing within. He leaves us with a thought that is near and dear to the heart of this program – that “the thing about psychedelic experiences is they can create this experience of reunification, that people feel like they are attached to something larger than themselves.”“We can feel connected to something bigger and more important, and, perhaps that experience of reconnecti

If you want to have a happy evening sitting around with friends or family, you don't talk about religion, sex, money, and politics. Another topic, perhaps, is death and dying. Death is a part of all of our lives and something that we should feel normal discussing. What if we had someone to walk alongside us and make the prospect of the end of life something less scary? That is exactly the role an end-of-life doula takes. My Guest, Catherine Durkin Robinson, works as a death doula – offering her services to those with a terminal diagnosis and those who want to learn about the dying process alike. Talking about death and owning the process could very well be the key to breaking out of our fear and making it a sacred, almost joyful event.“We're talking about reducing fear, reducing anxiety, so that they can have a more joyful death.”Catherine Durkin Robinson is a death doula and educator. She graduated from the University of Vermont's End-of-Life Doula program and belongs to National End-of-Life Doula Alliance.

Conversations about the end of life are hard and often uncomfortable – but needed. Have you talked with your loved ones about the topic; Where you would like to be? Who should be taking care of you? These are all questions our guest, Siobhan Greene, advocates for in her work. While death and dying is uncomfortable, it is a natural process that we all go through in life. It is Siobhan’s hope that if we talk about it, we may be better equipped, as a society, to have a deepened understanding of it.“These are the topics that are incredibly relevant to all of us yet difficult sometimes to lean into and to understand”Siobhan Greene, began serving as President/CEO for Hospice Giving Foundation in August 2013. She specializes in nonprofit executive and financial management, board governance, marketing, and fundraising. Dedicated to the movement to improve quality care at end of life, Siobhan is an active member of the Serious Illness Funders Collaborative, a national collective examining the system of end-of-life car

Can you imagine your way to a better future? That is exactly what our guest, Sandy Turner, is hoping to achieve through his participation in Transition Towns. These areas are transitioning away from individualistic private property, huge corporations, and extreme inequality, and transitioning towards cooperation, regenerative systems, social and environmental justice, and community creativity. As this concept expands, we hope that together we can create stronger communities and a better society for all, because after all – good health is worth fighting for and is essential for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.“Being a friendly neighbor... that's what attracts me to Transition Towns.”Sandy Turner has lived in Northern California for 50 years and most of that has been in Mendocino County. In 2011, he helped start a Transition Town in Ukiah that was called Transition Ukiah Valley. He was one of 7 people on the steering committee for the project. Transition Ukiah Valley also had 6 or 8 groups of people

Our guest, Police Lieutenant Sarko Gergerian of the Winthrop Massachusetts Police Department, is fighting for change. Change in policy, change in the way drugs are classified, and a change in the way officers can reach out for help. He dreams of a day when first responders have access to the mental health care they need and the War on Drugs is over. Sarko is not only a peace officer in Massachusetts, he is also a psychotherapist, Karate Professor, and advocate for psychedelic medicines – having experienced firsthand the healing potential they have. We discuss the challenges first responders face, the domestic violence problem, and the changes that are being made to make our nation a better place.“This is one of the most amazing countries on earth, in my opinion. And it deserves reverence and care. And we need to keep working to make it better”Sarko Gergerian is a master's level clinical mental health counselor with a background in philosophy, religion, and psychology, and is currently doing doctorate-level wo

What does it mean to reduce harm in treatment? For years we have had many methods to treat substance abuse; abstinence programs, as a disease… yet we have more drug overdoses today than ever before. There is a drive to embrace a new way of thinking, and that is in harm reduction. Our guest, Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, has dedicated his life to this epidemic and has developed an Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy treatment for drug and substance abuse. He meets people where they are, listens with compassion, and works to create a relationship with those he treats, so they feel safe and can heal. Dr. Tatarsky walks with his patients on their journey as they figure it out together – and couldn’t we all use someone to walk with when we are struggling?“If the treatment isn't more appealing than the symptom or the drug? Why should somebody go to treatment?”Andrew Tatarsky is an internationally recognized leader in the treatment of problematic substance use and other potentially risky behaviors. He has specialized in

Sitting down with Cathy Reisenwitz was a wonderful peek into sex work and the intellectual ideas revolving around it. Cathy’s journey from an evangelical, to a sugar baby, and now a thriving journalist is a testament to anyone working to forge their own path in life. From her personal story to politics, the impact of socioeconomic status, masculinity, and choice – we talk about it all in this week's program. “As the war on drugs [is] kind of ramping down, I believe, the war on sex is ramping up.”Cathy Reisenwitz is a writer with bylines in VICE, Reason, the Daily Beast, The Week, and other publications. Her newsletter is Sex and the State on Substack – a newsletter about power. Cathy works to end loneliness and foster human connection through her writing.Show notes:* Coming from Huntsville, Alabama- Author and Journalist Cathy Reisenwitz* As the war on drugs is ramping down the war on sex is ramping up* The laws surrounding sex work vs. sex trafficking* The attitudes towards sex growing up in Madison County*

Coming to you from across the pond, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jemma Richards from the Love This Food Thing podcast. Now in the show’s fifth season, Jemma opens the door to conversations about food, creating a “smorgasbord” of stories for people to relate to and find support in. While we live thousands of miles away from each other, we found common ground in our ideas on food, society, and our desire to create a community of like-minded people. Through her show, much like mine, Jemma works to promote healing through the modality of sharing stories and encouraging conversation. I encourage you to check out her podcast and blog after this episode, as I am certain you will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed our deep conversation.“I'm trying to open up the conversation and have something for everybody.”Jemma Richards is the creator and host of the Love This Food Thing Podcast. The podcast pivots on the premise, “food: friend or foe?” After years of eating disorders but now recovered, Jemma decided to open up

As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Almost everyone will be touched at some point by a breast cancer diagnosis – either personally, or through a loved one. My listeners may not know that I recently experienced my own cancer scare with metastatic melanoma of the nodular kind – a serious condition that is often deadly. In my case, however, it was a wonderful experience because I had to deal with the fact that I may be what we call “dying.” I’m pleased to say that I rose to the challenge by reminding myself that there really is only now – there is no future and there is no past. I am now cancer-free, but the experience reminded me that we are all living on borrowed time.Awareness is a crucial component of raising consciousness, and sometimes it takes a serious wake-up call to motivate a positive change of mind. I recently spoke with Dr. Jennifer Shin, a medical oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, specializing in the care of patients with breast cancer. Dr. Shin has just co-author

What do sex education and psychedelics have in common? Both need to be approached without shame or guilt. Drawing inspiration from the Burning Man community (as a 10-time visitor) for both getting rid of sexual shame and her work in the field of psychedelics, our guest – Dr. Lea Lis – works to promote a “No Shame” lifestyle. From running her psychedelic treatment center in the Hamptons to helping parents navigate sex talks with their children, Dr. Lis wants everyone to be their authentic selves. We sit down to talk about her new book “No Shame: Real Talk With Your Kids About Sex, Self-Confidence, and Healthy Relationships", but whether you have kids or not, it's about owning your own sexual values and living life shameless.“And in life, you always have to focus on the pearls. Like, no matter what's happened to you, you can always find the pearls of it, and you focus on those. Otherwise, you're gonna live your life and misery.”Dr. Lea Lis is known as the "Shameless Psychiatrist." She is a medical doctor who is

“ The fact that homeopathic remedies are great, and they're safer and more powerful than conventional medicines, is something that's not a convenient thing for people invested in pharmaceuticals to know.”Jerry M. Kantor is the author of “Sane Asylums, The Success of Homeopathy Before Psychiatry Lost Its Mind” (2022). His previous books are; “Autism Reversal Toolbox, Strategies, Remedies, Resources”(2022); “The Toxic Relationship Cure: Clearing Traumatic Damage from a Boss, Parent, Lover, or Friend with Natural, Drug-free Remedies” (2014); “Interpreting Chronic Illness: The Convergence of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, and Biomedicine” (2013); and (under the pseudonym Chaim Yankel) “Heymischer Homeopathy, the Schmendrick’s Guide to Remedying Yiddish Kvetches” (2017). A forthcoming book will detail the relationship between existential quandaries and chronic illness. He holds a B.A. in philosophy from Queens College, CUNY; a master’s in the management of human services from Brandeis University; and is

You have heard the quote, “Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Our guest today – Dr. J. Christian Greer – has made it his life’s work to ensure we understand the history of psychedelic culture and learn from it. In our interview, you can hear the passion Greer has for this branch of religious history. We discuss psychedelic-assisted churches, the Grateful Dead fandom, and the global history of psychedelic spirituality. Why is understanding history important to the average person getting involved in psychedelics today? Greer hopes that society can return to the knowledge that psychedelics have always been an integral part of human culture, both as a source of healing and religious exultation. As it pertains to the current psychedelic renaissance, in Greer’s words, “we don't learn anything. We just remember what's always been.”“Let us focus on the sublime affection that love brings to us all.”Dr. J. Christian Greer is a scholar of Religious Studies specializing in the global history of