S9-Ep16: Fringe or Mainstream? Leaders Explore Psychedelics

Guest: Paul Austin You never know where the next big breakthrough in leadership research will come, so we’re going to sporadically feature outlier ideas, research from the fringe. Today is our first foray, as we investigate the role psychedelics can play in leadership development.   Struggling with the dichotomy of legality and morality, Paul Austin found himself on an unexpected journey of self-discovery – a journey that led him to establish Third Wave, a platform dedicated to using psychedelics to unlock leadership potential and transform paradigms. As Paul says to host Maureen Metcalf, “If I could focus my time and energy on one thing that would move the needle the most, it would be intentional psychedelic use by the leaders who are creating the paradigms of tomorrow." Here's what Paul and Maureen cover: How intentional microdoses of psychedelics can propel leadership development; Why the proper setting and having an expert facilitator for guidance is absolutely critical; and How CEOs and other leaders are already using psychedelics to help them problem-solve in today’s new normal of chaos and disruption.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: Leading with Care & Purpose with Raj Sisodia & Sudhanshu Palsule Bringing Clarity to Confusion with Terri O’Fallon & Kim Barta Integrating Integrative Medicine in Leadership with Dr. Maryanna Klatt For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   If you have questions and you’d like Paul to answer them in an upcoming podcast, e-mail them to us at [email protected].   Paul’s web page contains the resources he mentioned in the interview; it’s https://thethirdwave.co.   Paul has also written a book on the healing and development use of psychedelics. Mastering Microdosing: How to Use Sub-Perceptual Psychedelics to Heal Trauma, Improve Performance, and Transform Your Life is available on Amazon (Kindle version).   The seminal books by other researchers Paul mentioned are James Fadiman’s The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide (Kindle: https://amzn.to/410wL3g) and Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence (Kindle: https://amzn.to/3KRgSGU).   Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.  She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.    Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Carlos Castaneda The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley X-Men Archives #3: Legion by Chris Claremont & Bill Sienkiewicz   -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Podcasting in Alternate Realities: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson CONNECT WITH US:  Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  Mastodon: @InnoLeader  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Paul F. Austin is one of the most prominent voices in the world of psychedelics. As the founder of Third Wave, he has educated millions on the importance of safe and effective psychedelic experiences. A pioneer at the intersection of microdosing, personal transformation, and professional success, he has been featured in Forbes, Rolling Stone, and the BBC's Worklife. Paul helps others use microdosing as a tool for professional development and increased self-awareness by treating the use of psychedelics as a skill refined through mentorship and courageous exploration. Learning how to master this skill will be crucial in the story of humanity’s present-future evolution.