#14 - David Bronner: The Soap CEO Spearheading Psychedelics

David Bronner is the CEO – that’s Cosmic Engagement Officer – of Dr. Bronner’s, a fifth-generation soap maker, and a board member of the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies. At the helm of the company started by his grandfather in 1948, David is a leader in the fight for GMO labeling, industrial hemp farming in the United States, high-bar organic and fair trade standards, fair minimum wage, and drug policy reform. What we discuss: How a profound psychedelic experience took David from an apolitical college graduate and set him on the path to becoming a counter cultural thought leader I ask him What it means to be passionate about “the responsible integration of psychedelic medicine into  American culture” – especially within the capitalistic framework within which we exist Dr. Bronner being the first company in the U.S. to offer ketamine-assisted therapy as part of employee health coverage How David found iboga through his friend and former Navy SEAL Marcus Capone What iboga/ibogaine can do for the veteran population  Will we see the mainstreaming of ibogaine like we have with psilocybin? What David’s favorite integration tools are Parallels between the overharvesting of certain plant medicines and industrial agricultureWhy it’s important: Given all the ongoing evil in the world, it can be easy to feel swallowed up by capitalism – to feel stuck, hopeless, and afraid for the future. My conversation with David reminded me that even within an ill-structured system, it takes just a few people in positions of leadership – people like David and David’s father and grandfather –  to spark change and inspire more holistic business practices, and ultimately, more holistic ways of living. Relevant Links: Rolling Stone Interview (May 2023) New York Times Profile (Feb 2022) Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) Dr. Bronner’s on Instagram Time Magazine story about Marcus Capone’s experience with Ibogaine (April 2021) Blog about David Bronner’s experience with iboga Iboga and ibogaine safety panel featuring David Bronner (April 2020)