EPISODE · Dec 19, 2024 · 57 MIN
Paul Austin: How Psychedelics and Microdosing Are Revolutionising Business
from Scouting for Growth · host Sabine VdL
On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Paul Austin, a pioneer in the world of psychedelics and a leading voice in leveraging these substances for intentional personal growth and enhanced leadership. Today, Paul joins us to delve into how psychedelics are revolutionizing personal transformation and professional success. We'll explore how these tools can be harnessed to navigate the complexities of leadership, spur innovation, and drive growth in both personal and entrepreneurial realms. We will delve into the implications for insurers and pharmaceutical companies. KEY TAKEAWAYS I grew up pin a place where psychedelics, cannabis and all sort of illicit substances were frowned upon. But, at the age of 16, I was introduced to cannabis, and I started to experiment with it. My parents found out and were very disappointed in me. A few years later at university I started experimenting with psylocibin and it was much more profound and life changing. It inspired me to travel abroad and became a digital nomad, experimenting with microdosing. In 2015 I started an educational platform called Third Wave, because there wasn’t a lot of great educational information on the internet about psychedelics and I wanted to help people learn about the history, recent scientific studies as well as the risks sop that they could use it safely and effectively during their work. Back then it was still highly stigmatised, there weren’t a lot of people who understood some of the benefits and risks. Simply by being a first moved, providing free educational content, starting a podcast allowed me to help steer people when they came into the space. My focus then was mostly on microdosing. In our current climate that we live in, we’re very disconnected from the natural environment and we’re seeing the negative consequences of that. When people have psychedelic experiences they feel more connected to the natural environment. Psychedelics can be used as a tool, when used with intention and responsibility, to help us wake up to the fact that how we relate to the environment is how we relate to ourselves. The wider mission is how we step into a mode of environmental regeneration and how can psychedelics help leaders to recognise this? BEST MOMENTS ‘Life is what you make of it, we’re all sort of making it up as we go along, there’s massive creative potential to live life on your own terms.’ ‘Microdosing 2-3 times a week helped me to stop drinking alcohol and find more flow and creativity in my every-day life.’ ‘When psychedelics are done with intention, responsibility, in a safe way, they can have really productive outcomes for those who choose to take or work with them.’ ‘My intention has always been to make psychedelics accessible to more people. Microdosing is like getting in the shallow end of the pool before you jump in the deep end.’ ABOUT THE GUEST Paul Austin is the founder of Third Wave, an educational platform dedicated to the responsible use of psychedelics. Paul has empowered millions to explore safe and meaningful experiences. With a focus on microdosing and intentional psychedelic use, Paul specializes in helping entrepreneurs, executives, and creatives unlock their full potential. He believes that psychedelics, when used responsibly, can enhance leadership abilities, creativity, and overall well-being. By combining scientific research with practical application, Paul guides individuals to become better communicators, recognize emerging patterns, and foster innovation in their respective fields. Psychedelic Coaching Institute ABOUT THE HOST Sabine VanderLinden is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur and the CEO of Alchemy Crew Ventures. She leads venture-client labs that help Fortune 500 companies adopt and scale cutting-edge technologies from global tech ventures. A builder of accelerators, investor, and co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, Sabine is known for asking the uncomfortable questions—about AI governance, risk, and trust. On Scouting for Growth, she decodes how real growth happens—where capital, collaboration, and courage meet. If this episode sparked your thinking, follow Sabine VanderLinden on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram for more insights. And if you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, reach out to the team at [email protected]
What this episode covers
On this episode of Scouting For Growth, Sabine VdL speaks with Paul Austin, founder of Third Wave and one of the most influential voices in the modern psychedelic movement—particularly where personal growth, leadership development, and innovation intersect. This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation—not about counterculture for counterculture’s sake, but about how emerging science, intentional practice, and responsible frameworks are reshaping how leaders think, decide, and show up in an increasingly complex world. From stigma to intentional exploration Paul grew up in an environment where psychedelics and cannabis were heavily frowned upon. His early experimentation—first with cannabis, later with psilocybin during university—wasn’t rebellion for rebellion’s sake. It became a profound personal inflection point, opening new ways of thinking about creativity, purpose, and how to design life intentionally. That journey ultimately led him to become a digital nomad, experiment with microdosing, and deeply study how altered states—when approached responsibly—can support clarity, creativity, and behaviour change. Why Third Wave was born In 2015, Paul launched Third Wave after noticing a major gap: lots of curiosity about psychedelics, but very little credible, balanced education. At the time, the space was still highly stigmatised. Paul chose a first-mover path—publishing free educational content, starting conversations, and focusing on: the history of psychedelics emerging scientific research risks and safety considerations practical, intentional use (especially microdosing) The goal wasn’t evangelism. It was informed choice. Microdosing as an entry point—not a shortcut A key theme in the episode is microdosing as a starting point, not a silver bullet. Paul likens it to “the shallow end of the pool”—a way for people to explore subtle cognitive and emotional shifts without overwhelming experiences. For him personally, microdosing helped reduce alcohol consumption, increase creative flow, and improve day-to-day presence. But he’s careful to stress: outcomes depend entirely on intention, context, and responsibility. Leadership, connection, and the environment One of the most compelling parts of the conversation moves beyond productivity into values and systems thinking. Paul argues that many modern leaders are deeply disconnected—from themselves, from others, and from the natural environment. Psychedelic experiences, he explains, often increase a sense of interconnectedness, which can fundamentally shift how leaders relate to: decision-making long-term impact environmental responsibility His broader mission asks a bigger question: If how we treat the environment mirrors how we treat ourselves, what kind of leaders do we need for a regenerative future? Implications for insurers and pharma Sabine and Paul also explore the emerging implications for insurance and pharmaceutical companies—from risk frameworks and clinical applications to regulation, ethics, and access. As research accelerates and therapeutic use cases expand, these industries will play a critical role in shaping how psychedelics are integrated responsibly into healthcare and wellbeing systems. Why this episode matters For founders, executives, and innovators, this episode offers a nuanced perspective on a topic often reduced to extremes: psychedelics are tools, not shortcuts intention and safety are non-negotiable leadership growth isn’t just cognitive—it’s relational and systemic future-ready leaders must navigate complexity with self-awareness As Paul puts it, life isn’t a fixed script—we’re all co-creating it as we go. The question is whether we do so unconsciously… or with intention. This episode invites leaders to explore that question—carefully, responsibly, and with curiosity.
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Paul Austin: How Psychedelics and Microdosing Are Revolutionising Business
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