The Psychedelic Podcast

The Psychedelic Podcast connects you to the leaders and pioneers of the psychedelic renaissance. From deep healing to creativity, leadership to spirituality, business, health, human performance, relationships, sexuality, and even culture itself—every aspect of our world is being transformed by psychedelic medicines. Get an inspired, informed, balanced look into how these powerful medicines are already being safely and responsibly used to catalyze both personal and collective transformation. Whether you’re just curious or a seasoned psychonaut, or somewhere in between, you’ll get insightful, practical, cutting-edge conversations from the forefront of the psychedelic movement. Join us as we explore how psychedelics can be integrated into culture for the evolution of humanity.

Mike Jay - Free Radicals: How Nitrous Oxide Galvanized Psychedelic Science 08/11/2025

Mike Jay - Free Radicals: How Nitrous Oxide Galvanized Psychedelic Science In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, host Paul F. Austin welcomes cultural historian and acclaimed author Mike Jay. Find full show notes and links here: Together they explore the untold history of nitrous oxide, psychedelic experimentation in the Romantic era, and the deeper cultural and philosophical roots of psychedelic science. Mike shares insights from his latest book, Free Radicals, highlighting how figures like Humphry Davy and William James helped shape psychedelic thought long before the 1960s. The conversation weaves through ancient San Pedro rituals, colonial attempts to suppress peyote use, and the divergent paths of modern psychedelic medicine. From poetic self-experimentation to medicalized models, Mike unpacks the historical tensions between grassroots healing and institutional control—and what this means for the future of psychedelic culture. Mike Jay is a British author and cultural historian who has written widely on the history of drugs, consciousness, and medical science. His books include Mescaline: A Global History of the First Psychedelic, Psychonauts: Drugs and the Making of the Modern Mind, and Free Radicals: How a Group of Romantic Experimenters Gave Birth to Psychedelic Science. Mike contributes regularly to The London Review of Books, The New York Review of Books, and The Wall Street Journal. Highlights: How early scientists used nitrous oxide for inner exploration Romantic poets as the original psychedelic self-experimenters Parallels between Humphry Davy and Alexander Shulgin What William James learned from nitrous, not mescaline Colonial suppression of peyote and indigenous resilience The enduring symbolism of San Pedro in Andean ritual How the counterculture reinterpreted Native practices Why modern psychedelic medicine may be repeating history The role of finance in shaping current therapy models Looking ahead: divergent futures of psychedelic healing Episode links: Episode sponsors: Psychedelic Coacing Institute's in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth. - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/37642935

Brian Robertson - The Church With No Doctrine: Rethinking Power in Psychedelic Spaces 08/04/2025

Brian Robertson - The Church With No Doctrine: Rethinking Power in Psychedelic Spaces In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, host Paul F. Austin welcomes Brian Robertson—creator of Holacracy and founder of Ledgeway Sangha—for a thought-provoking conversation at the intersection of organizational design, spiritual community, and psychedelic practice. Find full show notes and links here: Best known for reimagining how companies structure authority through Holacracy, Brian now brings his systems-level insight into the realm of psychedelic spirituality. He shares the origin and mission of Ledgeway Sangha, a legal psychedelic church rooted in peer-to-peer healing, communal practice, and non-dogmatic love. Together, Paul and Brian explore how this innovative model bypasses conventional hierarchy, integrates softer entheogens like 2C-B and 6-APB, and builds a path toward legal protection for churches operating outside mainstream psychedelic frameworks. Brian Robertson is best known for creating Holacracy, the most comprehensive framework in the world today for running self-managed companies using a decentralized power structure in lieu of a traditional management hierarchy. He’s founded and built many organizations over the past 30 years as an entrepreneur, including HolacracyOne, which helps companies use self-management to unleash creativity and empowered leadership, and the software company GlassFrog, which helps both traditional and self-managed companies drive organizational transparency, agility, and alignment to purpose. To date, tens of thousands of companies in over 50 countries have embraced his pioneering methods and ideas, and his frequent public speaking seamlessly weaves between business, management, consciousness, and love. Brian is currently focused on building Ledgeway Sangha, an entheogenic church and community-building organization that’s harnessing psychedelics to help people release judgments and resistances into loving acceptance of all that is. Highlights: From Holacracy to entheogenic spirituality Why Ledgeway Sangha has no doctrine or belief system Love as the norming force in community 2C-B and 6-APB as self-integrating medicines The case for subtle, sovereign psychedelic journeys A new model of psychedelic integration through consistency Why hierarchy undermines safe psychedelic containers Legal strategies under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Creating a church for mystics, not priests Poetry, presence, and redefining spiritual transmission Episode links: Episode Sponsor: - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout The by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/37630885

Vassily Eliopoulos, M.D. - The Healing Future: Stem Cells, Psychedelics & Regenerative Therapies 07/28/2025

Vassily Eliopoulos, M.D. - The Healing Future: Stem Cells, Psychedelics & Regenerative Therapies In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Dr. Vass Eliopoulos, co-founder of Longevity Health and a pioneer at the intersection of regenerative medicine, longevity science, and psychedelics. Find full show notes and links here: Dr. Vass shares his journey from emergency medicine to a proactive, prevention-based approach to health optimization for high performers. Dr. Vass shares why today’s healthcare system fails to address the root causes of disease, the synergistic potential of psychedelics, stem cells, peptides, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and how chronic stress and inflammation underlie many modern conditions. He also outlines why psychedelics may be essential in reversing chronic inflammation and treating neurodegenerative diseases—and how prevention, not pathology, should guide the future of medicine. Dr. Vassily Eliopoulos (Dr. Vass) is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Longevity Health, a cutting-edge regenerative medicine clinic in Boulder, Colorado. A former ER physician and Peace Corps volunteer, Dr. Vass now helps high performers optimize their health through advanced diagnostics, regenerative therapies, and personalized plans. A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, avid climber, and kayaker, he brings deep experience in resilience and recovery to his clinical work. Highlights: Why Vass left emergency medicine for longevity health COVID as a catalyst for self-directed wellness The failure of “sick care” to promote true health Psychedelics as first-line treatments for mental health Chronic stress, inflammation, and disease progression Synergies between psychedelics, stem cells, and peptides Prevention vs. pathology in modern medicine Neurodegeneration as chronic brain injury Future directions for regenerative and psychedelic therapies Curious about becoming a certified psychedelic coach? Join Paul F. Austin Thursday, July 31 2025, 10:00 AM PT for a free info session exploring the Psychedelic Coaching Institute’s —an immersive training that blends science, ceremony, and real-world coaching to help you lead others through lasting transformation. . Episode Links: Episode Sponsor: - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/37552835

Dave Rabin M.D., Ph.D. - Microdosing on SSRIs? A Psychiatrist’s Take 07/25/2025

Dr. Dan Engle - Neuroplasticity Explained: How Psychedelics Heal the Brain 07/21/2025

Robin Carhart-Harris, Ph.D. - SSRIs vs. Psychedelics: From Blunting to Rebooting 07/18/2025

Robin Carhart-Harris, Ph.D. - SSRIs vs. Psychedelics: From Blunting to Rebooting In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin is joined by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris and microdosing policy advocate John Downs for a replay of a live event originally held on June 10th, Microdosing vs. SSRIs: What’s Happening in the Brain and Why It Matters. Find full show notes and links here: Together, they explore the scientific distinctions between SSRIs and psychedelics, focusing on neuroimaging, brain entropy, emotional processing, and the REBUS model. Dr. Carhart-Harris shares key insights from landmark studies on psilocybin therapy and discusses the evidence (and limitations) around microdosing. John Downs closes the conversation with an update on the Microdosing Collective’s efforts to shift policy and expand access. Robin Carhart-Harris, PhD is a neuropharmacologist, psychologist, and Ralph Metzner Distinguished Professor in Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. He leads the Psychedelics Division at UCSF’s Neuroscape and formerly founded and led the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London. John Downs is Executive Director of the Microdosing Collective, advocating for responsible policy reform and legal access to microdosing. With 25 years’ experience in sales, business development, and emerging markets, John helps individuals optimize mindset, performance, and purpose. Episode Highlights: Why SSRIs blunt, while psychedelics reset emotional processing How psilocybin compares to antidepressants in clinical trials Brain entropy, plasticity, and the REBUS model explained The role of the default mode network in mental health Why microdosing research is still so limited Ketamine vs. psilocybin: differences in brain mechanisms Is serotonin syndrome a real microdosing risk? Can psychedelics reverse long-term SSRI effects? The Microdosing Collective’s mission for policy reform What Robin Carhart-Harris’ upcoming book will explore Episode Links: Join Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris at our (November 5–10, Costa Rica) Episode Sponsors: - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout Psychedelic Coacing Isntitute's in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/37452250

J. Ashley T. Booth, LCSW, MS - The Anatomy of Inner Safety: IFS, Psychedelics & Trauma-Informed Healing 07/14/2025

Manvir Singh - Decoding Shamanism: Psychedelics, Power, and the Architecture of Ritual 07/07/2025

Natalie Baird-King - Facing the Unforgivable: Ayahuasca, Childhood Trauma & Self-Compassion 06/30/2025

Natalie Baird-King - Facing the Unforgivable: Ayahuasca, Childhood Trauma & Self-Compassion In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Natalie Baird-King, a board-certified attorney in marital and family law who discovered the transformative power of forgiveness through psychedelic experiences. Find full show notes and links here: Natalie shares her journey from childhood abuse and depression to spiritual healing catalyzed by ayahuasca. As the author of Forgiving Unforgivable, she explains her HOPE model (Harken back, Open your heart, Proclaim forgiveness, Experience freedom) and how forgiveness—particularly self-forgiveness—became the key to healing her trauma and stepping into her purpose. Natalie also discusses how her psychedelic experiences improved her professional approach as a mediator, bringing more compassion to her legal practice and inspiring her to share her story despite potential professional risks. Natalie Baird-King is an accomplished author, transformational coach, and TEDx speaker dedicated to helping others overcome trauma and embrace forgiveness. She is the author of Forgiving Unforgivable and is currently working on her second book focusing on self-forgiveness. A survivor of childhood abuse, Natalie channels her personal experiences into coaching high-performing professionals to overcome emotional barriers. Inspired by her late father-in-law, legendary broadcaster Larry King, Natalie uses storytelling to empower others to heal and thrive. Highlights: Stumbling upon forgiveness through ayahuasca The practice of self-forgiveness as liberation Reconnecting with her father in a celestial journey Breaking free from depression and alcohol dependency The HOPE forgiveness model Bringing compassion to the legal profession Challenging professional stigma around psychedelics Mentorship from legendary broadcaster Larry King Advocating for psychedelic healing within legal circles Transforming anger into purpose Episode links: Episode links: - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/37156465

Rachel Pastor & Tiffany Hurd - Microdosing for Real Life: Parenting, PTSD, and Professional Growth 06/24/2025

Rachel Pastor & Tiffany Hurd - Microdosing for Real Life: Parenting, PTSD, and Professional Growth In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin sits down with Rachel Pastor and Tiffany Hurd, leaders behind , a woman-led microdosing company pushing the boundaries of accessibility, education, and intention in the psychedelic space. Find full show notes and links here: From overcoming heroin addiction and corporate burnout to leading a values-driven microdosing brand, Rachel and Tiffany share their powerful personal journeys and the mission that fuels their work today. They dive into the evolving landscape of legal psychedelics, the challenges of running a public-facing microdosing company, and the line between recreational use and intentional wellness. This candid conversation explores how Golden Rule is reframing the perception of psychedelics by offering trustworthy, well-branded psilocybin and LSD microdoses paired with community support and education. Rachel Pastor is the co-founder of Golden Rule Mushrooms and a passionate advocate for healing through psychedelics. After overcoming heroin addiction and years of trauma, she became a leader in the wellness space, working in fitness and personal development before discovering the transformative power of microdosing. Today, she channels her lived experience into helping others access safe, supportive, and empowering psychedelic tools. Tiffany Hurd is the co-founder of Golden Rule Mushrooms, a microdosing advisor, leadership mentor, and speaker with over seven years of experience in the psychedelic space. She has guided hundreds of individuals and teams through intentional microdosing journeys using neuroscience-backed protocols. Tiffany’s work bridges personal transformation and professional growth, helping people build emotional resilience, unlock creativity, and heal with integrity. Ready to try Golden Rule? Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout. . Highlights: From heroin addiction to fitness leader to microdosing advocate Creating accessible, trusted microdosing products Navigating legality and risk in a gray-market space Building a woman-run company rooted in lived experience The role of education in safe microdosing use Wellness vs. recreational use Can microdosing be overused or misused? Microdosing as a catalyst—not a cure-all Episode Sponsor: The by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/37080765

Victoria Lynn Carroll - Surrender & Storytelling: A Filmmaker's Ayahuasca Journey 06/17/2025

Richard Blake, Ph.D. - Healing Through Breath: Science, Safety & Somatics 06/09/2025

Richard Blake, Ph.D. - Healing Through Breath: Science, Safety & Somatics In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Richard Blake, a pioneering psychologist and breathwork researcher, to discuss the science and clinical application of Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB). Find full show notes and links here: Dr. Blake shares key insights from his groundbreaking randomized controlled trial—the largest to date—on the effectiveness of CCB for reducing anxiety. The conversation explores the distinctions between breathwork modalities, how altered states are reached without substances, and why trauma-informed facilitation is essential for safe practice. Paul and Dr. Blake also dive into the pitfalls of mainstream psychotherapy, the overlooked power of lifestyle interventions, and how breathwork compares to both SSRIs and psychedelics in measurable outcomes. Dr. Richard Blake holds a PhD in Transpersonal Psychology and is a pioneering researcher in the field of breathwork, psychedelics, and holistic mental health. He conducted the largest-ever randomized controlled trial on Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB), providing groundbreaking scientific evidence on its effects on anxiety and well-being. Dr. Blake works with RUNGA, where he is dedicated to advancing the evolution of mental health treatments—moving beyond head-centered approaches to include breathwork, psychedelics, nutrition, exercise, and other integrative healing practices. His mission is to help people unlock deeper levels of psychological resilience, nervous system regulation, and self-awareness through embodied and experiential methods. Highlights: Why breathwork is a potent tool for trauma and anxiety Comparing Holotropic Breathwork to newer trauma-informed approaches Facilitator-to-client ratio standards for safety The ethics and economics of group breathwork sessions Inside the largest randomized trial on CCB for anxiety Why 5% adverse effects matters—and how it compares to SSRIs The “pivotal mental states” hypothesis explained Integration of talk therapy and altered states The power of community and connection in healing From peak performance to depth psychology: Dr. Blake’s story Episode Links: Episode Sponsons: - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/36796865

Rick Doblin, Ph.D. - MDMA, MAPS & the FDA: What Went Wrong? 06/02/2025

Rick Doblin, Ph.D. - MDMA, MAPS & the FDA: What Went Wrong? In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes back Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Founder and President of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), for a deeply personal and visionary conversation on the recent FDA rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy. Find full show notes and links here: Rick opens up about the painful setbacks, internal missteps, and his own process of recovery and renewed hope. He explains why this isn’t the end—but a critical turning point for psychedelic medicine. Rick and Paul unpack the nuances of drug plus therapy, exploring why context, integration, and culture matter as much as pharmacology. They reflect on the future of MAPS, the psychedelic renaissance beyond FDA approval, and how business, politics, and spirituality intersect with healing. The episode also explores Rick’s enduring belief in public benefit models, global collaboration, and the potential of a spiritualized humanity. Rick Doblin, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of MAPS. He received his doctorate in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and has spent nearly four decades advancing the safe and legal use of psychedelics and marijuana through science, education, and advocacy. Highlights: The cost of MAPS' quiet period Why MDMA therapy was rejected by FDA Pharma vs. therapy: What’s best for patients? Drug-only treatments vs. integrated therapy Ibogaine’s role in brain healing and PTSD MAPS’ path forward: Phase 4 vs. Phase 3 What the Dutch got right about MDMA Spiritualized humanity and self-transcendence The global impact of MAPS’ work Business, love, and psychedelic ethics Want to attend this year’s Psychedelic Science 2025 Conference? For our community: Use code THIRDWAVE15 for 15% off registration. Learn more and register at — See you there! Episode Links Episode Sponsors: - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout Psychedelic Coacing Isntitute's in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/36763845

W. Bryan Hubbard - The Ibogaine Initiative: Solutions for Opioid Addiction & Brain Injury 05/26/2025

W. Bryan Hubbard - The Ibogaine Initiative: Solutions for Opioid Addiction & Brain Injury In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Bryan Hubbard, a prominent advocate for psychedelic-assisted therapies, particularly ibogaine in the treatment of opioid addiction and mental health disorders. Find full show notes and links here: Update (May 2025): Days before this episode's release, the Texas House approved a Senate-backed bill to fund ibogaine research through a public-private partnership aimed at securing FDA approval. This vote marks a major milestone in the movement Bryan describes throughout this conversation. Bryan shares his journey from leading Kentucky's Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission to spearheading breakthrough ibogaine research initiatives in Texas. He articulates ibogaine's unique neurological properties, discussing how it can reset brain neurochemistry in 36 hours and potentially treat conditions from traumatic brain injury to Parkinson's disease. The conversation explores the spiritual dimensions of ibogaine experiences, the political landscape surrounding psychedelic medicine, and Bryan's ongoing efforts to medicalize ibogaine through FDA drug development trials, highlighting Texas as the next frontier for this life-saving research. W. Bryan Hubbard is the Executive Director of the American Ibogaine Initiative. He is the first and former Chairman and Executive Director of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. He concurrently served as Special Counsel to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control and was its prior Executive Director. He served on the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health, the Kentucky Child Support Guidelines Commission, Mine Safety Review Board, and the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy’s Recovery Ready Communities Advisory Council. He previously served as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Income Support wherein he led the Commonwealth’s Social Security Disability and Child Support Enforcement systems. He practiced workers’ compensation law representing Walmart, Tyson Foods, and Tennessee Valley Authority for sixteen years. During his practice years, he observed the predacious onset of Kentucky’s Opioid Epidemic amid generational joblessness, poverty, disability, and substance use. He was raised in Virginia’s coalfields and is the proud grandson of two grade-school educated coal miners on whose shoulders he stands. Highlights: Why ibogaine interrupts addiction instantly The Stanford study that changed everything Resetting brain neurochemistry in 36 hours From Parkinson's to PTSD: Ibogaine's broad applications The spiritual awakening dimension of treatment How pharmaceutical interests block breakthrough medicine Kentucky's lost opportunity: $42 million for research Texas as the new frontier for ibogaine medicalization Matrix pharmacology: Ibogaine's intelligent mechanism The political war over life-saving psychedelic medicine Episode Links Episode Sponsors: - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/36681275

Dr. Pedram Shojai - Strengthen the Vessel: Daoist Energy Practices for Psychedelic Work 05/20/2025

Dr. Pedram Shojai - Strengthen the Vessel: Daoist Energy Practices for Psychedelic Work In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Pedram Shojai, known as The Urban Monk, a former Taoist monk and doctor of Oriental medicine. Find full show notes and links here: Pedram shares his journey from intensive martial arts training under one of the last living descendants of a Daoist monastery to bringing ancient wisdom into modern life. He discusses the challenges of integrating monastic practices into householder living, the relationship between physical vitality and spiritual growth, and offers a balanced perspective on psychedelics. Dr. Shojai explores the importance of strengthening one's vessel before seeking peak experiences, the risks of "shortcut spirituality," and how ancient contemplative practices can help us live with greater presence in today's fast-paced world. Dr. Pedram Shojai is the founder and director of The Urban Monk Academy and the New York Times bestselling author of Rise and Shine, The Urban Monk, The Art of Stopping Time, Inner Alchemy, Exhausted, Trauma, Focus, and Conscious Parenting. He's the producer of the movies Vitality, Origins, Prosperity, and The Great Heist, as well as the docuseries Interconnected, Gateway to Health, Exhausted, Trauma, Conscious Parenting, Hormones Health & Harmony, and Gut Check. He hosts "The Urban Monk" podcast and is a key influencer in the health and personal development space. As a prominent physician in the functional medicine space, he's known for his ability to bring people together around ideas that matter. In his spare time, he's a kung fu–practicing world traveler, a fierce global green warrior, an avid backpacker, a devout alchemist, and an old-school Jedi biohacker working to preserve our natural world and wake us up to our full potential. Episode Highlights: From Kung Fu to contemplative practice The path of the "fire monk" Strengthening the vessel before spiritual work The life garden: mindful householder practice Vitality as prerequisite for spiritual growth Integrating ancient wisdom into modern life Jing, Qi, and Shen: energy management principles Nervous system preparation for psychedelics Awareness as background process, not app Atlantis origins of contemplative practices Episode Sponsor: These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links. - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/36586930

Richard Schwartz, Ph.D. - IFS & Psychedelics: Tapping Into Self Energy for Healing Trauma 05/13/2025

Richard Schwartz, Ph.D. - IFS & Psychedelics: Tapping Into Self Energy for Healing Trauma In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Richard Schwartz, creator of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model of psychotherapy. Dick shares how he discovered that psychedelics naturally facilitate access to what IFS calls "Self energy" - the compassionate core within everyone that can heal wounded parts. He explains how medicines like ketamine and MDMA help relax protective parts of our psyche, revealing both Self energy and exiled parts that need healing. Dick reveals his personal journey with psychedelics, including his work with ketamine-assisted IFS therapy, and discusses the relationship between psychedelic experiences and spiritual guides. He emphasizes how reframing "bad trips" as opportunities for exiled parts to be witnessed can transform challenging experiences into profound healing moments. Dick Schwartz began his career as a family therapist and academic at the University of Illinois at Chicago. There he discovered that family therapy alone did not achieve full symptom relief. His patients became his teachers as they described their inner "parts," which formed networks resembling the families he had been working with. He found that when patients separated from these parts, they shifted into a state of curiosity, calm, confidence, and compassion—what he called the Self. From these explorations, the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model was born in the early 1980s. Now evidence-based, IFS has become widely used, particularly for trauma work, offering non-pathologizing techniques for individuals, couples, families, corporations, and classrooms. Dick lives with his wife Jeanne near Chicago. Highlights: The natural synergy between psychedelics and IFS therapy How psychedelics temporarily quiet protective "manager" parts Understanding how there are “no bad parts” of the psyche The difference between Self and parts in IFS Reconceptualizing "bad trips" as healing opportunities IFS and shadow work How psychedelics accelerate access to exiled parts Moving IFS beyond therapy into leadership and systemic change Legacy burdens: healing inherited trauma collectively Episode Sponsors: - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/36501650

Marlena Robbins - Sacred Reciprocity: Indigenous Perspectives on the Psychedelic Renaissance 05/05/2025

Marlena Robbins - Sacred Reciprocity: Indigenous Perspectives on the Psychedelic Renaissance In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Marlena Robbins, a proud member of the Diné (Navajo) nation and doctoral student at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Marlena shares her personal journey with psilocybin mushrooms and how they helped reconnect her with her heritage and family. Her research examines the cultural, social, and policy aspects of psilocybin use within Native communities, highlighting differences between urban and rural perspectives to inform educational frameworks, culturally-informed psychedelic assisted therapy models, and public health policy. Find full show notes and links here: Marlena Robbins is pursuing a Doctor of Public Health degree at UC Berkeley. Her research examines the cultural, social, and policy aspects of psilocybin use within Native communities, highlighting differences between urban and rural perspectives to inform educational frameworks, culturally-informed psychedelic assisted therapy models and public health policy. Robbins is a graduate student researcher at the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, focusing on program evaluation. Her residency with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration led to the development of a tribal engagement toolkit, showcasing the significance of psychedelics in spiritual, recreational and conservative contexts among Tribal communities. Recently, Robbins was invited to join the Federally Recognized American Tribes and Indigenous Community Working Group for the Natural Medicine Health Act with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. This role enables her to advocate for the protection of sacred plants against commercialization and cultural misappropriation. Highlights: Finding sobriety and healthy motherhood through mushrooms First experience of Hozhó: beauty, harmony, and balance Reconnecting with mother through shared psychedelic healing Advocating for indigenous representation in psychedelic research Applying indigenous critical lens to psychedelic policy Personifying medicines as relatives with their own spirits Evaluating psychedelic integration in Native mental health systems Moving beyond capitalism toward reciprocal relationships with medicines Meeting ancestral trauma with courage instead of avoidance Building bridges between indigenous knowledge and Western healthcare Episode Sponsors: Psychedelic Coacing Isntitute's in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth. - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/36416260

Sam Mandel - 30,000 Infusions Later: Clinical Insights from a Ketamine Pioneer 04/28/2025

Sam Mandel - 30,000 Infusions Later: Clinical Insights from a Ketamine Pioneer In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Sam Mandel, co-founder and CEO of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA). Find full show notes and links here: Sam shares his journey co-founding KCLA with his father in 2014, pioneering ketamine infusion therapy when few were exploring its potential for mental health. From humble beginnings in a storage closet to becoming a leading mental health center with over 30,000 infusions administered, Sam discusses the challenges and triumphs of building a patient-centric practice. He explains the science behind ketamine's effectiveness compared to alternatives like Spravato, highlights the importance of individualized treatment, and offers a passionate critique of the current mental healthcare system while envisioning what meaningful reform could look like. Co-founder & CEO of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA), Sam Mandel has channeled his lifelong passion for healthcare advocacy into transforming mental health care. From volunteering at a teen-to-teen suicide prevention hotline at twelve to pioneering one of the foremost Ketamine Infusion Therapy clinics in 2014 alongside his father, Dr. Steven L. Mandel, Sam has been featured in Entrepreneur's Top 10 Inspiring Healthcare Entrepreneurs (2023) and earned two 2024 Stevie Awards. Under his leadership, KCLA has provided over 30,000 infusions to more than 6,000 patients with an 83% success rate, establishing gold-standard treatment protocols while expanding services to include General Psychiatry and TMS therapy. Highlights: The founding story of KCLA and early skepticism from the medical community Why IV ketamine outperforms nasal Spravato in efficacy and cost-efficiency Creating individualized ketamine protocols for optimal patient outcomes How insurance companies create barriers to effective mental healthcare KCLA's 83% success rate compared to 50-70% in controlled research settings Expanding from ketamine to TMS and general psychiatry Preparing for future psychedelic medicines like MDMA and psilocybin The critical flaws in America's mental healthcare system Episode Links: Episode Sponsor: Psychedelic Coacing Isntitute's in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/36319095

Simon Ruffell, M.D., Ph.D. - From Skeptic to Student: A Psychiatrist's Path to Becoming a Curandero 04/21/2025

Simon Ruffell, M.D., Ph.D. - From Skeptic to Student: A Psychiatrist's Path to Becoming a Curandero In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Simon Ruffell, a psychiatrist, ayahuasca researcher, and student of curanderismo. Find full show notes and links here: Simon shares his transformative journey from being a skeptical Western psychiatrist to embracing the spiritual dimensions of plant medicine after experiencing what he describes as an "ontological shock" during an ayahuasca ceremony. He discusses his ongoing apprenticeship with Shipibo curanderos in the Amazon, his research into ayahuasca's effects on mental health and epigenetics, and his work bridging indigenous wisdom with Western scientific understanding. Dr. Ruffell explores the differences between Western medical approaches and traditional healing practices, highlighting how the Shipibo focus on harmony and balance rather than fixing specific problems. Through his organization Onaya, he conducts reciprocal research with indigenous communities, studying how ayahuasca affects veterans with PTSD and examining the epigenetic changes that may explain its profound healing effects. Dr. Simon Ruffell is trained across three modalities: Western medicine (as a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry), research psychology (with a PhD in Amazonian ayahuasca and mental health), and traditional plant medicine (as a student of curanderismo). He is the Chief Medical Officer of MINDS, a nonprofit research organization exploring the potential of psychedelics and consciousness practices to address humanity's greatest challenges. Since 2015, his work has focused primarily on exploring ayahuasca while collaborating with indigenous communities in the Amazon basin. He is the CEO of Onaya and founded the nonprofit Onaya Science, which researches the effects of ayahuasca in naturalistic Amazonian settings. Dr. Ruffell's work seeks to understand plant medicines from both Indigenous and Western perspectives, and he is currently training in Shipibo Shamanism under Don Rono Lopez. Highlights: A spiritual attack during ceremony that shifted his perspective on reality Bridging indigenous wisdom with Western scientific research The difference between psychedelic guides and trained shamans Ayahuasca and epigenetics: clearing ancestral trauma How traditional medicine evolves and adapts over time Remarkable PTSD treatment outcomes with veterans Approaching healing as returning to harmony EEG research during ceremonial Icaros singing Shamans as navigational experts of the psychedelic realm When to choose Western medicine vs. traditional approaches Episode Links: Episode Sponsor Psychedelic Coacing Isntitute's in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/36227300

Raymond C Turpin, Psy.D. - From Underground to FDA: Four Decades in Psychedelic Medicine 04/14/2025

Raymond C Turpin, Psy.D. - From Underground to FDA: Four Decades in Psychedelic Medicine In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Dr. Raymond Turpin, a psychologist and psychedelic researcher who has been studying these medicines since 1984. Find full show notes and links here: Dr. Turpin shares his journey from discovering Timothy Leary's writings as a college student to founding the Pearl Psychedelic Institute in North Carolina. He discusses his experience as one of only two sites nationwide to provide MDMA-assisted therapy through the FDA's expanded access program, the profound healing he witnessed in patients with treatment-resistant PTSD, and the challenges faced after the FDA's rejection of MDMA therapy in 2024. Through stories of clinical breakthroughs, educational initiatives, and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, Dr. Turpin offers insights into the evolving landscape of psychedelic medicine and his hope for its future integration into mainstream mental healthcare. Dr. Raymond Turpin is the Executive Director and Clinical Director of the Pearl Psychedelic Institute in western North Carolina. He has been studying and researching psychedelics since 1984 and earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Dr. Turpin served as an investigator in an Expanded Access program providing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant PTSD and has worked with ketamine-assisted therapy while providing psychedelic integration services. Since 2022, he has been a Mentor for the Certificate in Psychedelic Therapy and Research program at CIIS. His clinical experience spans psychiatric hospitals, emergency units, residential treatment facilities, schools, and community mental health clinics. Highlights: A psychedelic calling that began in 1984 How a mushroom trip changed his career path When conventional mental health tools fall short MDMA's remarkable results with treatment-resistant PTSD From 71 to 18: Dramatic PTSD symptom reduction The FDA rejection: A devastating setback Hurricane Helene's impact on Asheville's healing community Why psychedelics threaten traditional mental health paradigms Turning trauma's irritant into a pearl of wisdom Education as resistance against misinformation Episode links: Episode Sponsor: The in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/36092510

Katelyn Kalstein, ND - Treating the Root: A Naturopathic Approach to Psychedelic Therapy 04/07/2025

Katelyn Kalstein, ND - Treating the Root: A Naturopathic Approach to Psychedelic Therapy In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Katelyn Kalstein, a licensed naturopathic doctor, acupuncturist, and psychotherapist specializing in integrative mental health and psychedelic medicine. Find full show notes and links here: Dr. Kalstein shares her journey from growing up with natural remedies to her transformative experiences in India and Brazil, where she first encountered ayahuasca and joined the Santo Daime church. She discusses her unconventional career path through naturopathic medicine, neurofeedback at 40 Years of Zen, and as Clinical Director at Field Trip Health in Los Angeles. Dr. Kalstein offers valuable insights on the importance of community in healing, the limitations of current medical models, and why psychoanalytic theory remains essential in psychedelic work. Through her experiences with various modalities, she illuminates the path toward a more integrated approach to mental health that honors both traditional wisdom and modern science. Dr. Katelyn Kalstein is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, acupuncturist, and psychotherapist specializing in ketamine assisted psychotherapy. The former Clinical Director of Field Trip Health in Los Angeles, Dr. Kalstein has seen hundreds of patients through ketamine treatment, both as a prescriber and a therapist. She is certified in Psychedelic Therapy and Research (CIIS) and looks forward to utilizing MDMA and psilocybin therapy when they become legally available. Starting her career in primary care medicine, Dr. Kalstein is passionate about an integrative approach to mental health care - treating mind, body and spirit. In addition to formal training, Dr. Kalstein has over 20 years of personal experience with psychedelics and meditation, traveling to India, Peru and Brazil for over a decade in order to study with various spiritual teachers and shamans. She has a deep respect for indigenous knowledge and mindfully integrates these teachings into her modern clinical practice. Driven by a passion for the safe and ethical use of psychedelics, she views these medicines as powerful catalysts for personal and planetary change. Highlights: Her grandfather's natural medicine influence First ayahuasca experience—in an Indian ashram The Santo Daime church experience Shaving her head and following a guru Disillusionment with conventional medicine Neurofeedback vs. psychedelic experiences Field Trip's clinical model challenges Psychoanalysis in psychedelic integration Understanding healthy ego development Nashville's emerging psychedelic community Episode links: Episode Sponsor: The in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/36000370

Norman Ohler - LSD's Secret History: From Swiss Labs to Government Control 03/31/2025

Tracy Townsend, M.D. - Legal Psilocybin Frontlines: A Physician's Perspective 03/24/2025

Tracy Townsend, M.D. - Legal Psilocybin Frontlines: A Physician's Perspective In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Tracy Townsend, a Harvard-trained physician who left orthopedic surgery to become a licensed psilocybin facilitator in Oregon. Find full show notes and links here: Dr. Townsend shares her journey from conventional medicine to psychedelic facilitation, describing how her own transformative experiences with plant medicines led her to question the limitations of Western healthcare. She discusses the Oregon psilocybin model, challenges within the current regulatory framework, and draws fascinating parallels between physical surgery and the "mind surgery" of psychedelic experiences. Dr. Townsend also explores emerging research on psychedelics for autoimmune conditions and shares her hopes for policy changes that could expand access to these powerful healing modalities. Dr. Tracy Townsend is a Harvard trained medical doctor, licensed psilocybin facilitator, and vitality coach. She has an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, as well as a medical degree, both from the University of Virginia. She completed orthopedic surgical training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA and a fellowship in pediatric orthopedic surgery at Boston Children's Hospital of Harvard University. She is a graduate of the Innertrek Psilocybin Facilitator training program. After personally experiencing transformative healing with psychedelic medicines, Tracy went on to become the Co-Founder and CEO of Project Circle, a legal psilocybin service center and practice based in Portland, Oregon. Highlights: From surgeon to psychedelic facilitator: Tracy's journey The parallels between surgery and psychedelic "mind surgery" Navigating Oregon's legal psilocybin framework Addressing necessary regulatory improvements Psychedelics and psychiatric medications The mind-body connection in autoimmune healing Hope for psychedelic policy under new HHS leadership /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/35803580

Ava Johanna - Breathwork as Medicine: Building a Purpose-Driven Coaching Business 03/17/2025

Ava Johanna - Breathwork as Medicine: Building a Purpose-Driven Coaching Business In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Ava Johanna, founder and CEO of The Academy of Breath. Find full show notes and links here: Ava shares her journey from corporate burnout and weekend escapism to discovering breathwork as a powerful, accessible tool for transformation. She discusses how breathwork provided the same ecstatic states she once sought through substances, but in a healing, sustainable way. Beyond the practice itself, Ava offers valuable insights for coaches and practitioners looking to build successful businesses in the wellness space, emphasizing the importance of creating "bulletproof offers," trauma-aware sales approaches, and exceptional client experiences. Ava Johanna is the author of upcoming book, Your Vision Board Life, set to be released in April 2025 and the founder and CEO of The Academy of Breath™ an online education brand for entrepreneurs and coaches bridging the gap between neuroscience and spirituality in the realm of breathwork and meditation. After working with brands like Yoga Journal, Mindbodygreen and Wanderlust, Ava built The Academy of Breath™ that has now certified over 700 students across the globe. Blending science, mysticism and business, The Academy of Breath™ is blazing a trail in the breathwork industry making the practices more accessible than ever before while providing teachers with the tools to be able to lead with integrity, make a global impact, and safely facilitate lasting transformation in their client's lives. Highlights: Corporate burnout to breathwork: Ava's transformational journey How breathwork creates substance-free ecstatic states Building a sustainable coaching business: from 0 to 100K Creating "bulletproof offers" that can't be commoditized Trauma-aware sales approaches for wellness practitioners The power of exceptional client experiences Transitioning from hourly sessions to value-based packages Breathwork as an accessible gateway to spiritual connection Trusting your intuition as an entrepreneur Episode Links: These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links. Episode Sponsor: The by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/35680055

Austin Perlmutter, M.D. - Unsticking the Brain: Psychedelics, Inflammation, and Mental Health 03/11/2025

Austin Perlmutter, M.D. - Unsticking the Brain: Psychedelics, Inflammation, and Mental Health In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul welcomes Dr. Austin Perlmutter, a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, and researcher. Find full show notes and links here: Dr. Perlmutter shares his perspective on how psychedelics can help "unstick" the brain from harmful patterns, explores the relationship between inflammation and mental health, and discusses his current research on ayahuasca's effects on epigenetics and the microbiome. From understanding the biological basis of our mental states to finding balance in a modern world that often works against our wellbeing, this conversation offers valuable insights on integrating psychedelics with healthy lifestyle practices for optimal brain function and mental health. Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, published researcher and international educator. His mission is to help people improve their health by targeting the biological basis of "stuckness" in our brains and bodies. His writing, presentations, podcasts, and online educational programs have reached millions. Dr. Perlmutter has been featured on PBS, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, NPR and other media outlets. He is a co-producer of the Alzheimer's, the Science of Prevention series, and host of the Better Brain Blueprint series. Dr. Perlmutter currently serves as the managing director at Big Bold Health, a food-as-medicine company where he published a pioneering study on plant nutrients and human aging through epigenetics. He also consults with the Helfgott Research Institute, researching the effects of ayahuasca on epigenetics, metabolism, microbiome and immune function. Highlights: The biology of mental health and decision-making Inflammation's crucial role in brain function How psychedelics create perspective shifts Balancing psychedelic use with lifestyle practices Breaking the cycle of chronic inflammation Understanding the autonomic nervous system's response The microbiome's connection to brain health Research on ayahuasca's epigenetic effects The importance of post-psychedelic environments Moving beyond the "psychedelic as panacea" mindset Episode Sponsors: The by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/35629965

Nick Musica - SEO to ESP: Psychedelics, Pattern Recognition & Animal Telepathy 03/03/2025

Nick Musica - SEO to ESP: Psychedelics, Pattern Recognition & Animal Telepathy In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Nick Musica, founder and CEO of Optics In and psychic animal communicator. Find full show notes and links here: Nick shares his fascinating journey from SEO expert to animal communicator, bridging the worlds of technical analysis and spiritual connection. He discusses how plant medicine experiences and meditation opened channels of communication with animals, particularly through his relationship with his cat Chucky. The conversation explores the intersection of consciousness, communication, and how animals can serve as profound teachers in our lives. Nick also offers insights into the evolving landscape of SEO in the age of AI, drawing parallels between pattern recognition in both digital and spiritual realms. Nick Musica is an SEO expert, plant medicine enthusiast & psychic animal communicator. He had his first psychic and psychedelic experiences in his early 20s, twenties, though it would take nearly 25 years for these experiences to resurface. In fact, much of his adult life was what most people would consider "normal". This changed when Nick began exploring consciousness through plant medicine and work with a spiritual teacher. The connection that opened continued to grow and evolve. After visiting a psychic medium who told him he would communicate with animals and that it would be easy, Nick discovered - following a few false starts - that she was right. Today, Nick communicates with other people's animals and helps individuals develop their own intuitive gifts. Highlights: The DMV.org Story: Building and Losing a Digital Empire From SEO Expert to Animal Whisperer: A Transformational Journey How San Pedro Medicine Opened New Channels of Perception Understanding Mixed Signals: Why Animals Mirror Our Energy The Profound Teacher-Student Dynamic with Cats Dolphins and Family Bonds: Insights from Cabo Practical Steps for Developing Animal Communication The Hidden Language: Reading Beyond Animal Behavior Episode Sponsors: The by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/35477690

Robert Edward Grant - Psilocybin Intelligence: A Polymath's Quantum Leap 02/24/2025

Jeff Krasno - Good Stress: The Power of Purposeful Discomfort 02/17/2025

Jeff Krasno - Good Stress: The Power of Purposeful Discomfort In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Jeff Krasno, entrepreneur, author, and wellness pioneer. Find full show notes and links here: Jeff shares his transformative journey from leading Wanderlust to confronting his own health crisis, which led to profound insights about stress, healing, and human potential. He discusses his new book "Good Stress," exploring how embracing evolutionary-aligned challenges can enhance our wellbeing. Jeff offers a unique perspective on rewilding our lives, the intersection of physical and spiritual health, and finding freedom from the fear of death through understanding our deep connection to nature and the cosmos. Jeff Krasno is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well-being and co-creator of Wanderlust, a global series of wellness events. He hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of luminaries from Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté. His latest venture expands Jeff’s personal story and protocols into a book, "Good Stress: The Benefits of Doing Hard Things" (Hay House, March 2025). The book dives deeper into the concepts from the course, distilling insights from over 400 podcast conversations Jeff has conducted, along with his personal experiences applying these ideas to transform his own health. It explores deliberate, self-imposed behaviors that promote social, psychological, and physical well-being, offering both a philosophical exploration of true wellness and practical steps to achieve it. Highlights: Jeff's personal health crisis and transformation from Wanderlust CEO to wellness advocate The concept of "good stress" and its role in human evolution and adaptation Understanding rewilding as a path to physical and psychological health The intersection of physical practices and spiritual development How modern comfort may be undermining our natural resilience The importance of reconnecting with ancestral movement patterns Reframing our relationship with death and mortality The unity of physical and metaphysical in human experience Episode Links: Episode Sponsor: The by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/35281935

David Jay Brown - The Telepathic Future: DMT, Dreams & Digital Consciousness 02/10/2025

David Jay Brown - The Telepathic Future: DMT, Dreams & Digital Consciousness In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes David Jay Brown, accomplished author and researcher in consciousness studies. David shares insights from his extensive work exploring the intersections of psychedelics, lucid dreaming, and technological evolution. From his early days writing for MAPS to his current work documenting DMT entities, David offers fascinating perspectives on how these altered states of consciousness might help humanity navigate the approaching technological singularity. David Jay Brown is an accomplished author with expertise spanning psychedelics, consciousness studies, and futurism. He holds a master's degree in psychobiology from NYU and has written extensively about the intersection of psychedelics, consciousness, and technology. As the author of groundbreaking works including The Illustrated Field Guide to DMT Entities and Psychedelics and the Coming Singularity, Brown brings decades of experience interviewing leading figures in psychedelic research and consciousness exploration. His work has appeared in Scientific American, Wired, and Discover, and he served as Senior Editor for MAPS Bulletin from 2007-2012. Highlights: Early work with MAPS and witnessing the psychedelic renaissance The technological singularity and its relationship to psychedelics Connections between psychedelic states and lucid dreaming Practical techniques for inducing lucid dreams The role of intention in both dreaming and psychedelic experiences Indigenous perspectives on dreaming and plant medicine DMT entities and alien contact experiences The mystery of consciousness and interdimensional experience Episode Links: Episode Sponsor: The by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute. These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links. /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/35223720

Paul F. Austin & Chris Villar - The Business of Transformation: Inside a Successful Psychedelic Coaching Practice 02/07/2025

Paul F. Austin & Chris Villar - The Business of Transformation: Inside a Successful Psychedelic Coaching Practice In this special bonus episode, we share highlights from a recent January webinar featuring Paul F. Austin in conversation with Chris Villar, a successful executive coach and graduate of the Psychedelic Coaching Institute. Find full show notes and links here: Chris shares his transition from Goldman Sachs and founding a $125 million company to becoming an executive coach incorporating psychedelics into his practice. Together, Paul and Chris explore the business aspects of psychedelic coaching, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for building a successful practice. For more of Chris's personal and professional journey, check out his interview in of The Psychedelic Podcast. Chris Villar studied finance & accounting at Georgetown University and began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he led a $500 million investment portfolio in the home security industry. In 2007, he left Goldman and founded Frontpoint Security, an early disruptor for self-installed alarm systems and smart home technology. Chris served as CEO from inception to over $125-million in revenue as the company grew to nearly 800 employees and received frequent recognition for both customer and employee satisfaction. After selling the company in 2020, Chris founded VILLAR Coaching, a boutique coaching practice focused on helping founders (and other high achievers) scale their companies while cultivating skills in peak performance and fundamental wellbeing. Chris has done extensive work to overcome a lifetime of stress, anxiety, and burnout and to detach from the lifelong grip of achievement; and now enjoys helping others do the same. He lives in Washington, DC with his husband and their 10-year old beagle and enjoys the outdoors, hiking, and traveling. Highlights: Chris's background: From Goldman Sachs to founding a $125M company The journey to becoming a psychedelic integration coach Key skills Chris learned through professional training Structuring client engagements and coaching containers Incorporating ketamine therapy through legal providers Revenue generation and pricing strategies in psychedelic coaching Group retreats and scaling a coaching practice Essential advice for aspiring coaches Episode Links: /episode/index/show/psychedelia/id/35186955

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