Can Psychedelics Make You a Better Leader? Sophie Spitzer | Ep. 007

From being terrified of substances to building safe legal psychedelic journeys. Can psychedelics become the next frontier of mental health, leadership, and human transformation, or are we still dangerously romanticising something we barely understand?🎙 Episode 007 of HXD212: unfiltered conversations with leaders, rebels, and builders shaping what's next.Sophie J. Spitzer, founder & CEO of Kinisi, did not come into psychedelics through hype, spirituality, or trend-chasing. She came through systems thinking.After spending years building infrastructure, from pandemic response systems supporting millions of PCR tests to entrepreneurship education programmes reaching thousands of teenagers across Austria, Sophie realised something important: the most important infrastructure we are missing is not technological. It is human.That insight led her into the world of psychedelic-assisted coaching, legal psilocybin truffle journeys, somatic work, preparation, safety, and integration. Her work now focuses on designing the right conditions for real transformation, while also helping build verification standards for safe psychedelic practice across Europe.In this episode, Thibault Catala and Sophie J. Spitzer explore:◼️ How Sophie went from substance-related trauma to working with psychedelics◼️ The difference between recreational use and therapeutic intention◼️ Why psychedelics are powerful, but also dangerous when done badly◼️ What psilocybin does to the brain, the ego, and old patterns◼️ Why preparation and integration matter more than the journey itself◼️ The role of the coach, guide, therapist, and shaman◼️ Why safety, screening, and trust are non-negotiable◼️ The risks of fake shamans, poor facilitation, and psychedelic scams◼️ How psychedelics can support leadership, creativity, and self-awareness◼️ Why founders and high performers often struggle with control◼️ The link between trauma, ambition, leadership, and emotional regulation◼️ Why microdosing is popular, but still not fully proven by science◼️ The future of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Europe◼️ Why psychedelics are not a quick fix◼️ The simple somatic practice Sophie recommends to everyone: shakingResources talked about:David Nutt Chart (harm done to self and others)•⁠  ⁠https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21036393/•⁠  ⁠⁠https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Graph-printed-in-The-Economist-based-on-research-by-David-Nutt-et-al-on-behalf-of-the_fig1_272480545Nature Mental HealthMajority of insights happens (days, weeks) after the journeyStates Of MindMAPS🎧 Follow Sophie & Kinisi:Sophie Spitzer on LinkedIn.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-j-spitzer/Founder & CEO of Kinisi: https://www.kinisi.life/Head of PsyStandard: https://psystandard.com/🔥 Follow Thibault & HXD212:Follow Thibault Catala on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/thibaultcatalaFollow HXD212 on Instagram. https://instagram.com/hxd212Follow HXD212 on TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@hxd212podcastCatala Consulting. https://catalaconsulting.co.ukRevenue Management Online Course. https://learn.thibaultcatala.com/revenuemanagement#Psychedelics #MentalHealth #Leadership #FounderMindset #Coaching #TraumaHealing #SelfAwareness #HXD212Disclaimer:•⁠  ⁠psychedelics are illegal drugs in most countries•⁠  ⁠⁠we are not medical professionals and not endorsing the use of illegal drugs - our conversation is only for information and education purposes•⁠  ⁠⁠psychedelics are not for everyone•⁠  ⁠⁠if anyone seeks out to do a psychedelic journey they must seek professional advice