Altered Mates
by Altered Mates
Altered Mates is a podcast where two mates, each fascinated by altered states, meet to discuss the psychedelic experience and its implications for society, culture, health, science, and philosophy. Alejandro is novelist and a teacher of english and psychology. Tobias is an academic and a lecturer in social work and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Our conversations are always grounded in our own direct experiences with a range of ‘altered’ states of consciousness. Hero of the podcast, William James, suggests that, “Our normal waking consciousness… is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different… No account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded.” You could say that we are trying to construct a better account of our universe, and we are taking James’ advice to heart, by seriously regarding those
Episodes
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Episode 39: On The Society of the Spectacle
In this episode we discuss Guy Debord’s most famous work, The Society of the Spectacle. Guy Debord was born in Paris in 1931. He was a French Marxist theorist, philosopher, filmmaker, and founding member of the Situationist International, who was especially concerned by the image-saturated…
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Episode 38: They Live, We Sleep...On John Carpenter's 'They Live'
John Carpenter is an American filmmaker, composer, and actor, most commonly associated with horror, action, and science fiction films of the 1970s and 1980s. In this episode we discuss his 1988 cult classic and much-memed sci-fi horror film, They Live. The film They Live is based on Ray Nelson’s...
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Episode 37: The Exorcisms of Emily Rose & Anneliese Michel
In this episode we discuss the fascinating and baffling practice of exorcism. To anchor our discussion we focus on the American 2005 film The Exorcism of Emily Rose and the case of Anneliese Michel, from Germany in the 1970s—on whom Emily Rose was supposedly “based” (although, as we acknowledge…
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Episode 36: "Vibe or die!" On psychedelics, dancing and ritual murder in 'Midsommar'
In this episode we discuss the folk horror film Midsommar, written and directed by Ari Aster. While we make a reasonable attempt at recounting and analysing the plot of the film, we focus our conversation on the themes of the film—on the contrasts between the stifled, technologically-mediated...
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Episode 35: The Visionary Psyche: Jung's Analytical Psychology and Its Impact on Theories of Shamanic Imagery
In this episode we examine a 2014 paper written by Australian academic Emma Scott titled “The Visionary Psyche: Jung's Analytical Psychology and Its Impact on Theories of Shamanic Imagery”. The paper considers the shaman’s visionary experiences (especially with spirit beings) from the critical...
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Episode 34: ‘Your scientific illiteracy makes me shudder!’ on The X-Files: Jose Chung’s From Outer Space
The X-Files is an American television series created by Chris Carter. It was originally aired in the 90s but enjoyed a brief revival in late 2000s. The series follows FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in their investigations of the "X-Files" (unsolved cases involving paranormal...
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Episode 33: On Conspiracy: A preliminary discussion
According to Brian Keely, who wrote a widely read paper published the journal of philosophy in 1999, “A conspiracy theory is a proposed explanation of some historical event (or events) in terms of the significant causal agency of a relatively small group of persons—the conspirators—acting in...
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Episode 32: Chakras, Jung, and Avatar: The Last Airbender
In this episode we explore the concept of the chakras as outlined in Hindu and Buddhist yogic and meditation traditions, though we focus our conversation on one episode of children's animation Avatar: The Last Airbender. Specially, we discuss Season 2 — Episode 19: The Guru. Tobias brings to the...
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Episode 31: Robert Anton Wilson, Consciousness Change and the 8-Circuit Model of Consciousness
In this episode we discuss an interview with one of Alejandro’s heroes and most significant influences, Robert Anton Wilson. We give a brief introduction to Wilson’s life and briefly touch on a few important concepts: reality tunnels, the Copenhagen interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, and...
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Episode 30: Where are my minds? On the Left Brain / Right Brain Divide
In this episode we go on a journey into the two hemispheres of the brain. Using a recent Substack post—an interview Ana Lund conducted with Dr. Pascal Vrticka—as a framing device we explore the ongoing debate concerning hemispheric lateralisation, or in other language: the left brain and the…
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Episode 29: “We are the Weirdos, mister”: on The Craft
The Craft (1996) directed by Andrew Fleming and written by Peter Filardi, was pivotal in the representation and perhaps the construction of a new kind of witch; of a young, teenage girl with dark makeup, dark clothes and black nail polish, surrounded by red candles, pentagrams and tarot decks. It...
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Episode 28: On Synchronicity
In this episode we examine the phenomena of synchronicity, a term coined by Carl Jung to designate the meaningful coincidence of a psychic and a physical state or event, which have no causal relationship to one another. According to Jung, such synchronistic phenomena occur, for instance, when an...
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Episode 27: On the Borderline (Part Two)
This episode is a continuation of our discussion on Borderline Personality Disorder, which is a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. Whereas in Episode 26…
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Episode 26: On the Borderline (Part One)
In this episode we discuss Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), also referred to as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). Somewhat unintentionally Alejandro gives an overview of the TV show Bojack Horseman but this leads to a discussion of the characteristics of BPD using the...
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Episode 25: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
In this episode we go on a savage journey to the heart of the American Dream through an immersion into Hunter S. Thompson and Terry Gilliam’s nightmarish Las Vegas. We discuss Hunter S. Thompson’s 1971 masterwork of “Gonzo” journalism, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and along side it, Terry...
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Episode 24: MORE Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians EXPOSED!
In this episode of the podcast we continue our discussion of the first thirty pages of Ramsey Dukes’ essay on magical thinking; “Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians Exposed”, commonly abbreviated to S.S.O.T.B.M.E. Dukes’ model of compass directions differentiates between Art, Magic, Religion and...
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Episode 23: Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians EXPOSED: On Magical Thinking
According to Ramsey Dukes, “Magic is a technique by which the human mind attempts to operate upon its world. As such it is similar to Art, Religion and Science, but note that the term ‘its world’ is meant to embrace not only the physical universe but also all phenomena, objective and subjective,...
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Episode 22: Ayahuasca and The Fear
In the second episode of season 2 the altered mates continue our discussion of our personal experiences with ayahuasca. In this episode, Alejandro relates his rather disturbing experience in one particular ceremony from his ayahuasca retreat in Iquitos, Peru in August 2024. Alejandro recounts his...
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Episode 21: On Ayahuasca
In the first episode of season 2 we begin a discussion of some of our most profound and significant personal experiences with ayahuasca over the past ten years. We consider the prospect that ayahuasca might be a “highly evolved conscious entity”, or at the very least, an entity possessing an...
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Episode 20: Surrender!
In this, the final episode of Season 1 of the Altered Mates Podcast, we (Alejandro Tuama and Tobias Penno) discuss what is on the immediate horizon for us both. Tobias gives us a little taste of his PhD—in terms of both the subject matter of his research and the origin story as well—which is in…
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Episode 19: A Glimpse of Eternity
This episode of the podcast features Alejandro reading two chapters from his debut novel, A Glimpse of Eternity—published in 2022, and based on his own transformational journey to South America in 2016. At this stage in the narrative, Alejandro’s alias, “Nick”, has made his way to Iquitos in the...
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Episode 18: Coming out of the psychedelic closet
It’s not always easy talking to friends and family about psychedelics. But it’s another step from discussing these powerful, life changing, spiritual experiences within the confines of our homes, with those we trust most, to making that announcement in public, to the wider population, who may not...
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Episode 17: The Big Lez Show — Choomah Island 2
The Big Lez Show is an animated TV series, that premiered on YouTube in 2012. The show was created by Jarrad Wright, Tom Hollis, and Izak Whear; with Jarrad being the driving creative force of the show. Choomah Island 2 (2015) — written and animated by Jarrad Wright — is the finale of Season 3 of...
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Episode 16: On “Cracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good”
In this episode we use James Davies’ book “Cracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good” as a launch pad to discuss some of the glaring issues with psychiatry and its sugar-daddy; the pharmaceutical industry. The writer, James Davies is psychotherapist with a PhD in Medical and Social...
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Episode 15: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
In this episode, we use the film adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as a launching point to discuss ideas around psychiatry, psychiatric wards, and the conflict between the individual and the establishment. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was originally a novel, written by Ken Kesey…
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Episode 14: Reflection & Intention
This episode begins with a discussion of the role of dreams and quickly moves on to our issues with contemporary education in both university and high school contexts. Before long, we settle down into a discussion about Tobias’ intentions for an upcoming ayahuasca ceremony, and consider ideas of...
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Episode 13: Confrontation with the Unconscious: Part Two — Psychosis in Jung’s Psychology
In this episode, we conclude our two-part discussion on Scott Hill’s book, Confrontation with the Unconscious. Last episode we discussed Chapter 7 from Hill’s book, titled “Psychedelic Experience and Psychosis”. Chapter 8, the subject of this episode, concerns itself with an exploration of...
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Episode 12: Confrontation with the Unconscious: Part One — Psychedelic Experience and Psychosis
In this episode we discuss a chapter from Scott Hill’s book, Confrontation with the Unconscious. It was our intention to cover two chapters, but in the end we managed to get through only Chapter 7: Psychedelic Experience and Psychosis. We try to wrap our heads around useful, working models of...
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Episode 11: Giving LSD to kids! (…to treat severe childhood schizophrenia)
In this episode we discuss a paper written by Gary Fisher concerning some intriguing research that he and some fellow colleagues conducted in the 1960s. This paper and our discussion surrounding it is quite confronting, as it deals with extremely troubled children who were suffering terribly. But...
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Episode 10: Czech, mate! Psychedelic Research in Communist Czechoslovakia
In this episode we continue our foray into the world of schizophrenia and psychosis. This week we base our discussion around a fascinating paper written by Sarah Marks, titled: “From experimental psychosis to resolving traumatic pasts: Psychedelic Research in Communist Czechoslovakia, 1954‑1974”....
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Episode 9: From Pepe Silvia to Geshinka: the curious domains of psychosis
In this episode we explore the mainstream medical understanding of the domains of schizophrenia and psychosis. In the process we discuss a number of texts including Better Call Saul, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Black Swan and Joker. According to the Verywell Health website psychosis is a...
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Episode 8: Monsters & Masculinity: delving further into the Jungian Shadow
In this episode we continue our exploration of the Jungian shadow in our lives and in literature. The two texts we are primarily concerned with are A Monster Calls and Fight Club. Both began as novels and both were adapted into fine films— Fight Club, especially, is an excellent adaptation and...
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Episode 7: Jung, The Shadow, and A Wizard of Earthsea
The shadow— a concept developed by Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung— refers to the unconscious aspects of one’s personality that are repressed and thus, not integrated into the “conscious” aspect of the self. The confrontation with The Shadow is an important step in the process of Jungian...
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Episode 6: F-ing the Ineffable: William James, Mysticism, and the Psychedelic Experience
In this episode, the Altered Mates explore the slippery concept of Mysticism. Our conversation centres around a classic work by pioneering American psychologist and philosopher William James (January 11, 1842–August 26, 1910), and specifically, the 1902 masterwork based on his Gifford Lectures…
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Episode 5: Big Self Energy: Psychedelics & the IFS Model
This is the second episode of a two part series on our experiences with, and understanding of, the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model of Mind. If you haven’t listened to the first episode in the series yet, we do recommend stopping there first: Episode 4 — Understanding ourselves through…
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Episode 4: Understanding ourselves through Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a model of the mind where the basic assumption is that the human mind can be divided into a number of sub-personalities, known as “parts”. Ideally, each of these sub personalities work in harmony, with a central “Self” leading the system. According to the model…
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Episode 3: ...but take it!
Last episode (Episode 2 — “Take it easy, dude…”) we concerned ourselves with the preparation for a high-dose psilocybin mushroom ceremony. This episode focusses on our integration, following that journey. In coming to terms with our respective “mystical” experiences, we discuss: ego-death; who or...
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Episode 2: Take it easy, dude...
Episode 2 — “Take it easy, dude…” In this episode we take seriously, the late, great Terence McKenna’s famous words: “Take it easy, dude… but take it!” Tune in as we discuss our preparation process for a so-called “hero’s” dose of psilocybin mushrooms, taken in the manner advised by the man...
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Episode 1: Challenging psychedelic experiences
Experienced psychonautical adventurers will know that the psychedelic experience is not all love and light. For all the beautiful visions, profound insights, and pleasure; it is also possible to expose ourselves to incredible pain, suffering, fear, and confusion. In the conversation that follows...
About this show
Altered Mates is a podcast where two mates, each fascinated by altered states, meet to discuss the psychedelic experience and its implications for society, culture, health, science, and philosophy. Alejandro is novelist and a teacher of english and psychology. Tobias is an academic and a lecturer in social work and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Our conversations are always grounded in our own direct experiences with a range of ‘altered’ states of consciousness. Hero of the podcast, William James, suggests that, “Our normal waking consciousness… is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different… No account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded.” You could say that we are trying to construct a better account of our universe, and we are taking James’ advice to heart, by seriously regarding those
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Altered Mates