Medicine With The Medals

What happens when trauma, medical wounding, and decades of psychedelic exploration converge into a life of healing and service?In this deeply reflective episode of My Psychedelic Story, licensed clinical social worker Alan Romano shares his remarkable personal and professional journey from fear-based LSD use in the 90s to intentional entheogenic medicine work, addiction recovery, and psychedelic integration therapy.What You’ll Learn:Why early psychedelic use under fear and prohibition can fragment identity, not heal itHow MDMA unexpectedly revealed vulnerability and emotional connectionThe interplay of opioid dependence, Suboxone treatment, and long-term healing workWhat intentional entheogenic medicine (Ibogaine, Ayahuasca, ketamine) revealed about dependency, authenticity, and relational healingHow integration goes beyond ceremony to relational, nervous system, and identity transformationEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Alan introduces his professional and personal background, including PTSD specialization and early psychedelic experiences under prohibition fears.02:30 – How fear-based set and setting shaped early LSD experiences and identity fragmentation.05:45 – The MDMA experience that facilitated vulnerability, acceptance, and emotional connection.08:20 – Childhood exposure to Camp Lejeune toxins, Restless Leg Syndrome, and ensuing opioid dependence from medically prescribed OxyContin.11:15 – The transformative motorcycle accident and extended intentional LSD self-work.14:02 – Mexico entheogenic retreat: Cambo for opioid withdrawal, Ibogaine flood dose, and profound release of physical and psychological suffering.17:48 – Ayahuasca, Yopo integration, emotional revitalization, and the relational pull of community healing.20:40 – Ketamine medicine work and professional integration training leading to clinical service roles.Meet the Guest:Alan Romano is a licensed clinical social worker and Academy-assisted psychotherapist who blends traditional trauma therapy with somatic and psychedelic-informed modalities. His lived experience spans personal addiction recovery, entheogenic medicine work (Ibogaine, Ayahuasca, Kambo, ketamine), and somatic integration pathways rooted in emotional and nervous system healing.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Set, Setting, and Informed Consent: foundational principles that distinguish intentional entheogenic work from recreational use.Somatic Integration: body-based healing to process trauma beyond cognition.Kambo Medicine: intense emotional and nervous system confrontation used to support opioid withdrawal and emotional purging.Ibogaine Treatment: medicine that stops physical withdrawal and facilitates deep psychological introspection.Ayahuasca+Yopo Ceremony: visionary work that reconnects emotion and relational depth.Ketamine Integration: clinical tool that supports emotional closure and neural regulation.Closing Insight:As Alan eloquently reflects, plant medicines are not a cure but a relational mirror that reveals our conditioned neural landscapes and invites transformational work:“Healing is not about eliminating pain, it’s about altering our relationship to it.” His experience shows that true integration requires context, consent, nervous system regulation, and a community of support.Subscribe to My Psychedelic Story on your favorite podcast platform: https://podlink.com/1723629751For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comJoin The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when consciousness expands so far that your identity has to rebuild itself from the ground up?In this deeply personal episode of My Psychedelic Story, Stephanie shares how a powerful Golden Teacher mushroom experience reshaped her understanding of autism, ADHD, mental health systems, and reality itself. From corporate work and hospitalization to homelessness and service, her journey explores what it means to live in an ongoing psychedelic awareness while learning how to integrate it into everyday life.What You’ll Learn:How a high dose psilocybin experience can dissolve identity and expand perception into source awarenessThe connection between neurodivergence, pattern recognition, and spiritual consciousnessWhy integration after psychedelics is essential for navigating relationships and institutionsHow mental health systems and legal structures shape identity and behaviorThe importance of boundaries when navigating unity consciousness and expanded statesEpisode Highlights:03:12 – The Golden Teacher mushroom journey that expanded awareness beyond personal identity05:40 – When spiritual awakening exposes unhealthy relationship patterns08:21 – Mental health hospitalization, jail, and seeing institutional systems from a new lens11:07 – Early childhood awareness and questioning reality at four years old14:36 – A nuclear war vision and choosing to tether love in the face of fear17:52 – Autism, ADHD, and understanding nervous system regulation after psychedelics19:10 – From the edge of homelessness to working in a shelter and redefining purposeMeet the Guest:Stephanie is a certified coach and aspiring life coach currently working in a homeless shelter. Her journey bridges neurodivergence, psilocybin experiences, institutional systems, and consciousness exploration. She shares her story as someone learning how to integrate expanded awareness into grounded service and responsible living.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Golden Teacher psilocybin mushroomsIntegration after psychedelic experiencesNervous system regulation through awarenessSacred geometry and pattern recognitionQuantum perception and multiverse explorationConscious boundary development within unity awarenessClosing Insight:“Unity is beautiful, but the edges of who we are matter. Separation creates the diversity that makes life navigable.”Subscribe to My Psychedelic Story on your favorite podcast platform: https://podlink.com/1723629751For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comJoin The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What does it really mean to say yes to psychedelic healing?In this powerful episode of My Psychedelic Story, therapist Micah Stover explores trauma-informed psychedelic therapy, somatic healing, and the ethical responsibility behind working with psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA, and cannabis. She shares why preparation and integration matter more than the peak experience, how consent must be conscious and informed, and why depth psychology and archetypal awareness are essential to lasting transformation.This conversation matters for anyone exploring plant medicine, psychedelic integration, or trauma recovery. It offers a grounded framework for approaching expanded states of consciousness with reverence, discernment, and nervous system safety.What You’ll Learn:Why psychedelic therapy requires preparation that focuses on surrender, not controlHow somatic healing and nervous system regulation support trauma integrationWhat informed consent really means in psychedelic workThe difference between a psychedelic experience and true integrationHow Jungian depth psychology and archetypes help make sense of symbolic, non-linear journeysEpisode Highlights:03:12 – How Micah’s personal trauma shaped her path into somatic and psychedelic therapy06:48 – Why “research is me-search” in the world of trauma healing09:27 – The role of preparation and why surrender is more important than expectation12:03 – “This is metaphysical heart surgery” and what that means for therapists and clients15:41 – Why informed consent is often misunderstood in psychedelic spaces18:22 – How art, poetry, and symbol become the language of medicine20:15 – Bridging Western clinical models with indigenous healing traditionsMeet the Guest:Micah Stover is a trauma-informed therapist specializing in somatic healing and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Trained in psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA, and cannabis work, she integrates Jungian depth psychology, archetypal frameworks, and intergenerational trauma awareness to guide clients through preparation, experience, and integration.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Somatic healing and nervous system regulationTrauma-informed psychedelic preparation and integrationDepth psychology and Jungian archetypesConsent-centered therapeutic frameworksSymbol and metaphor as integration toolsHealing Psychedelics methodologyClosing InsightPsychedelics can open the door to profound healing, but the real transformation happens in how we prepare, how we surrender, and how we integrate.If you are exploring psychedelic healing, trauma recovery, or conscious transformation, this episode offers clarity and grounded guidance for the path ahead.Subscribe to My Psychedelic Story on your favorite podcast platform: https://podlink.com/1723629751For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Micah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-stover-49016114/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when food as medicine becomes a doorway to ayahuasca ministry?In this episode of My Psychedelic Story (12:37), Lauren Pounds shares her evolution from off-grid organic farming and gut health research to founding Seraphaya Spiritual Center, a trauma-informed ayahuasca church.Her journey bridges plant-based nutrition, addiction recovery, psychedelic integration, and conscious leadership. This conversation explores how physical healing, nervous system regulation, and spiritual insight converge into embodied service.What You’ll Learn:How gut health and plant-based nutrition can influence mental clarity and emotional regulationWhy integration matters more than the ceremony itself in psychedelic healingWhat a trauma-informed ayahuasca container actually looks likeHow to responsibly bridge psychotherapy and plant medicine workWhy embodiment and shadow integration are essential for ethical psychedelic facilitationEpisode Highlights:01:05 – From off-grid farming to understanding food as medicine02:40 – Discovering the gut-brain connection and mental health awareness04:10 – Addiction recovery and researching ayahuasca as a healing modality06:02 – First experience with ayahuasca at SoulQuest and long-term integration08:15 – Founding Seraphia Spiritual Center after SoulQuest closed09:40 – Designing a trauma-informed week-long ayahuasca retreat model11:05 – Why mainstream conversations about plant medicine improve safetyMeet the Guest:Lauren Pounds is the founder of Seraphaya Spiritual Center, a church serving ayahuasca as sacrament, and Yoga Plants Thoughts, an integration-based yoga coaching practice. With a background in plant-based nutrition, addiction recovery, and trauma-informed facilitation, Lauren bridges spiritual ceremony with psychological safety and embodied leadership.Tools, Frameworks, and Approaches Mentioned:Food as Medicine and Gut-Brain ResearchTrauma-Informed Psychedelic FacilitationWeek-Long Immersive Ayahuasca Retreat ModelYoga-Based Integration PracticesNervous System Regulation in CeremonyShadow Work and Embodied LeadershipClosing Insight:Lauren’s story reflects a modern evolution in the Plant Medicine Path: healing is not about escape. It is about integration. It is about safety. It is about embodying the work you facilitate.If conversations about psychedelic spirituality, trauma-informed healing, and conscious leadership matter to you, subscribe for future insights and share this episode with someone exploring their own integration journey.Subscribe to My Psychedelic Story on your favorite podcast platform: https://podlink.com/1723629751For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Lauren: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.pounds.9/Visit Seraphaya at https://www.seraphaya.org/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What does it mean to walk between worlds as both healer and student?In this powerful episode of My Psychedelic Story, Pat Miller, a massage therapist and sound healer, shares her decades-long journey through shamanic apprenticeship, energetic medicine, and the sacred art of guiding others through transformation.From her early experiences in Andean cosmology to her deep work with ayahuasca and non-medicine shamanic practice, Pat reflects on how true healing begins with self-awareness and the courage to face the unseen.What You’ll Learn:How the Andean medicine wheel can guide deep personal transformation and energetic release.The difference between shamanic journeying, ayahuasca work, and the integrative healing process.Why shadow work is central to emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.What it truly means to serve as a curandero, pampa masayoc, or medicine guide—and how humility shapes that role.How energetic healing can complement and expand beyond the limits of modern psychology and medicine.Episode Highlights:00:00 – Pat’s journey into healing: massage, sound work, and the shamanic path02:12 – Discovering the Andean cosmology and apprenticeship in the medicine wheel04:10 – Lessons from serpent, jaguar, hummingbird, and condor, the energies of the four directions06:18 – Integrating shamanic wisdom into everyday life and self-awareness07:45 – Understanding shadow work, fear, and energetic transformation09:00 – Becoming a guide: service, humility, and walking between worldsMeet the Guest:Pat Miller is a massage therapist, sound healer, and shamanic practitioner with nearly two decades of experience in Andean traditions and energy medicine. Her work bridges body-based healing with deep spiritual practice, helping others integrate physical, emotional, and energetic transformation through guided ceremony, sound, and intuitive awareness.Tools, Frameworks, or Practices MentionedAndean Medicine WheelAyahuasca and Curandero lineagesEnergetic Shadow WorkMesa Building and Ritual PracticeSound Healing and Drum JourneyworkClosing Insight“Healing isn’t about fixing what’s broken, it’s about remembering what’s whole.”Pat reminds us that medicine work isn’t about escaping the human experience but expanding our ability to hold it with compassion. The true healer, she says, is both student and guide, one who walks beside others, shining light into the places we’ve forgotten to look.Subscribe to My Psychedelic Story on your favorite podcast platform: https://podlink.com/1723629751For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comVisit Pat’s Website: https://apukunahealingarts.com/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when the medicine that saves your life also rewrites your understanding of it?In this episode of My Psychedelic Story, Dr. Maria Clara Restrepo, a medical doctor and psychiatry nurse practitioner, shares her extraordinary journey through near-death, cancer, and the healing power of psychedelics. Diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer, Maria found herself at the threshold between life and death, only to rediscover healing through ayahuasca, psilocybin, and reconnection with the body’s innate intelligence.What You’ll Learn:How psychedelics like ayahuasca and psilocybin catalyzed profound healing after years of medical treatment.Why integration is not just reflection, but an act of embodied intelligence.The connection between trauma, physical illness, and spiritual disconnection.How near-death and psychedelic experiences mirror one another in teaching surrender and peace.The role of neuroplasticity, community, and self-trust in sustainable healing.Episode Highlights:00:00 – Maria Clara’s medical background and the cancer diagnosis that changed everything.02:45 – Life on the edge: surviving multiple surgeries and near-death experiences.05:10 – Returning to Colombia and discovering ayahuasca as an unexpected healer.07:40 – The ceremony that changed everything—and how her cancer vanished.10:15 – Breaking free from opioid dependency through psilocybin therapy.12:30 – The neuroscience of healing: how psychedelics rewire the brain through neuroplasticity.14:40 – Redefining surrender, healing, and purpose through the body’s innate intelligence.Meet the Guest:Dr. Maria Clara Restrepo is a Colombian medical doctor and psychiatry nurse practitioner who integrates Western medicine with ancestral plant medicine wisdom. Her work bridges palliative care, trauma healing, and psychedelic therapy, with a mission to help others reconnect to the source of healing within.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Ayahuasca and psilocybin-assisted therapy for chronic illness and trauma recovery.Somatic awareness and “energetic intelligence” as core healing mechanisms.Neuroplasticity as the scientific foundation for emotional transformation.Integration practices including silence, prayer, breathwork, and conscious movement.Closing Insight:“Healing is not about becoming light, it’s about becoming whole.”Maria’s story is a reminder that the body is not an obstacle to healing, it is the instrument of it. When science meets spirit, medicine becomes memory, and life becomes sacred again.Subscribe to My Psychedelic Story on your favorite podcast platform: https://podlink.com/1723629751For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comVisit with Dr. Maria’s website: https://www.sanarcura.com/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if the secret to healing isn’t just physical, but deeply spiritual?In this deeply reflective episode of Medicine With The Medals, Anthony Palacin shares his extraordinary journey of recovery, spiritual awakening, and rediscovery of purpose after years of battling chronic pain and inner conflict.His story unfolds through the lens of plant medicine, breathwork, and emotional healing, revealing how surrender, faith, and self-awareness can transform even the darkest moments into pathways of light.What You’ll Learn:How unresolved pain and emotional repression manifest as physical illnessThe role of plant medicine and breathwork in rewiring the nervous systemWhat it means to surrender control and allow true healing to happenHow self-compassion and vulnerability become keys to inner freedomWhy Anthony believes that “healing isn’t becoming someone new, it’s remembering who you are”Episode Highlights:00:00 – Anthony’s early life and the roots of pain and disconnection04:27 – The turning point: discovering the spiritual nature of suffering09:52 – Breathwork and plant medicine as pathways to deep release14:18 – The power of community and connection in the healing process18:40 – Facing fear and surrendering to self-forgiveness24:55 – Reintegrating spiritual lessons into everyday life28:10 – Anthony’s reflections on purpose, balance, and divine guidanceMeet the Guest:Anthony Palacin is a transformation guide and holistic healing practitioner who blends spirituality, mindfulness, and somatic practices to help others heal from trauma and reclaim their inner truth. His work focuses on bridging the physical, emotional, and energetic aspects of healing through presence and awareness.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Breathwork for emotional release and nervous system regulationSomatic embodiment practices for trauma healingPlant medicine as a tool for spiritual integrationClosing Insight:“Healing is not about fixing what’s wrong, it’s about remembering that nothing essential was ever broken.”Anthony’s journey is a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t happen in a straight line. It’s a spiral of remembering, forgiving, and returning to love.Subscribe to My Psychedelic Story on your favorite podcast platform: https://podlink.com/1723629751For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonypalacin/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when chronic illness becomes a teacher instead of a life sentence?In this powerful episode of Medicine With The Medals, herbalist and functional medicine advocate Teri Olson shares her story of transformation, from battling multiple autoimmune conditions and cancer to reclaiming health, identity, and purpose through holistic medicine, psychedelics, and integration.Her journey reminds us that healing isn’t linear. It’s an ongoing relationship between the body, the mind, and the earth itself.What You’ll Learn:How Teri reversed years of chronic illness through functional medicine and holistic livingThe role of psychedelic therapy and integration in emotional and spiritual recoveryWhat “ego dissolution” really means, and how it can reset your relationship with selfHow to rebuild trust in your body and relationships through love, patience, and self-empathyWhy regenerative farming and earth-based medicine are key to long-term wellnessEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Teri’s early life in medicine and the shock of a life-altering diagnosis03:45 – When conventional medicine fails: discovering functional healing06:30 – The breaking point: depression, surrender, and the call to plant medicine09:15 – Facing fear and finding self-love through psilocybin12:20 – Understanding integration: the process of becoming whole again15:00 – Healing partnerships through MDMA-assisted therapy17:40 – Reclaiming femininity and redefining identity19:55 – Building Ether & Herb Farm: reconnecting healing with the landMeet the Guest:Teri Olson is a clinical herbalist, regenerative farmer, and functional medicine practitioner. After surviving more than a decade of chronic illness, she founded Ether & Herb Farm, where she helps others reconnect to nature’s intelligence through plant-based medicine, sustainable agriculture, and self-empowered healing practices.Tools, Frameworks, and Concepts Mentioned:Functional Medicine & Peptide TherapyPsychedelic Integration PracticesMDMA-Assisted Couples TherapyRegenerative Farming & HerbalismSomatic Healing and Embodied AwarenessClosing Insight:“The medicine just kicks open the door. The rest of it, the integration, the becoming, that’s all you.”Healing, Teri reminds us, is not about fixing what’s broken but remembering what’s still alive within us.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comJoin The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if your deepest pain was the key to your greatest healing?In this transformative episode of Medicine With The Medals, grief coach and psychedelic guide Alix Kirshner shares how loss, addiction, and illness became the catalysts for her awakening,  and how she now helps others move through soul transitions with courage, compassion, and ceremony.What You’ll Learn:How grief can emerge from any major life transition, not just death.Why resisting pain deepens suffering, and how to move through it instead.The role of psychedelics like psilocybin, ketamine, and cannabis in emotional healing and spiritual awakening.What “soul transition coaching” means and how it helps people honor endings and new beginnings.The neuroscience of healing, how psychedelics create neuroplasticity that supports lasting emotional transformation.Episode Highlights:02:18 – Alix’s journey from personal tragedy to purpose as a psychedelic guide.06:43 – How grief shows up in everyday transitions, even joyful ones.09:21 – The spiritual and physical connection between suppressed emotions and illness.13:08 – Alix’s first psilocybin experience during chemotherapy, and the moment that changed everything.16:52 – What it means to develop a loving relationship with yourself through shadow work.18:35 – Inside the practice of psychedelic integration and self-compassion.20:40 – The lesson every healing journey leads to: trusting the medicine within.Meet the Guest:Alix Kirshner is a certified psychedelic guide, grief and soul transition coach, and founder of Higher Healing, where she supports clients through transformational experiences with psilocybin, ketamine, and cannabis. Her work bridges spiritual growth, trauma integration, and neuroscience-backed healing.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Psychedelic integration and somatic embodimentThe “As Above, So Below” healing principleNeuroplasticity and emotional reprogrammingSelf-love and self-forgiveness practicesClosing Insight:“The medicine is just a tool, the real healing is remembering that the medicine already lives within you.”For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Alix: linkedin.com/in/alix-kirshner-167a7b73Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when modern medicine runs out of answers?In this transformative episode of Medicine With The Medals, Emily “Lovey” Johnson shares how her journey through chronic illness, surgeries, and pharmaceuticals led her to rediscover healing through Kambo and plant medicine.From pain and prescription dependency to purpose and self-awareness, Lovey’s story shows what can happen when you reconnect with nature, intuition, and the body’s innate intelligence.What You’ll Learn:How Emily found lasting relief from chronic pain and depression through Kambo medicineThe science, ceremony, and safety behind the Kambo experienceWhy trauma lives in the body, and how plant medicine helps release itThe role of faith and spirituality in holistic healingHow veterans and practitioners are bridging science, service, and ceremony through the Grunt Style Foundation and Tribal DetoxEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Facing medical burnout and the turning point toward natural healing02:14 – Discovering Kambo and the life-changing first session04:06 – Breaking free from pharmaceuticals and emotional weight06:10 – Understanding trauma stored in the body and finding spiritual clarity08:32 – Inside the Kambo ceremony: process, safety, and sensations10:44 – Lessons learned and guidance for those exploring plant medicineMeet the Guest:Emily “Lovey” Johnson is a certified Kambo practitioner, holistic educator, and teacher with Tribal Detox. She works with both civilians and veterans to bring safe, heart-centered access to natural medicine. Through her platform Loving Kambo, she advocates for trauma-informed healing, spiritual integration, and faith-based connection to nature’s medicines.Tools, Frameworks, and Modalities Mentioned:Kambo Medicine – A frog secretion used in Amazonian cleansing ritualsStamets Stack Protocol – Microdosing approach combining psilocybin, lion’s mane, and niacinTribal Detox – Practitioner training in Kambo safety and ceremonyGrunt Style Foundation – Veteran organization promoting alternative healing modalitiesClosing Insight:“Don’t be afraid to step out of the box, you don’t know until you know.”Lovey’s story reminds us that healing isn’t rebellion, it’s remembrance. The medicine doesn’t just cleanse the body; it clears the path back to spirit, courage, and community.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Emily: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-johnson-29b361141/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when grief becomes the doorway to growth?In this episode of Medicine With The Medals, licensed marriage and family therapist Jacqueline Robertson explores how unprocessed trauma, inherited conditioning, and intergenerational pain shape who we become, and how true healing starts in the body, not the mind.Through her work with somatic therapy, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and grief integration, Jacqueline reveals a path toward emotional maturity, self-trust, and collective healing that transforms pain into purpose.What You’ll Learn:How unresolved childhood trauma shapes adult relationships and identity.The deeper role of grief as the root beneath anger, anxiety, and disconnection.Why somatic therapy helps reprogram the nervous system beyond talk therapy.The emerging role of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in trauma resolution.What it means to “mother yourself” through inner reparenting and compassion.Episode Highlights:02:03 – The story of how her father’s brain injury led her to become a therapist.05:40 – Understanding intergenerational trauma and the myth of self-trust.08:30 – Why women’s healing also depends on rehabilitating the masculine.12:00 – How somatic therapy helps the body release trauma stored in the nervous system.15:45 – A look inside EMDR and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for trauma recovery.18:20 – Why grief is the hidden foundation beneath most emotional pain.21:40 – Jacqueline’s reflections on resilience, forgiveness, and embodied compassion.Meet the Guest:Jacqueline Robertson is a licensed marriage and family therapist practicing in California and Canada. She specializes in trauma, grief integration, and women’s midlife transitions, combining somatic therapy, attachment theory, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to help clients heal at the cellular level.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Somatic therapy and EMDRKetamine-assisted psychotherapyAttachment theory and intergenerational trauma frameworksJoseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey model for transformationClosing Insight:“Grief isn’t the end of love, it’s the proof that we were deeply alive.”Healing begins when we stop running from our pain and start listening to what it’s trying to teach us.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Jacqueline: https://jacquelinerobertson.com/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when Western psychology meets ancient wisdom in the psychedelic renaissance?In this transformative episode of Medicine With The Medals, licensed psychotherapist and founder of the Psychedelic Guide Network, Ashley Carmen, explores how consciousness work, trauma integration, and embodied ethics are reshaping the future of healing. From ego dissolution to the neuroscience of surrender, she reveals why true medicine begins within.What You’ll Learn:How psychedelic-assisted therapy bridges science, spirituality, and somatic healingThe deeper meaning of ego dissolution and how it reveals what’s realWhy practitioners need direct experience with psychedelics before guiding othersThe role of community and mirrors in conscious integration and accountabilityHow “embodied virtues” are replacing rigid ethics in the new paradigm of facilitationEpisode Highlights:03:11 – Ashley’s first ego-dissolving psilocybin journey and the truth about love10:29 – Understanding ego dissolution as a healing process, not an identity crisis19:02 – Bridging Western psychotherapy with ancestral plant medicine27:45 – The missing wisdom in clinical psychedelic therapy33:56 – Gut healing, energy clearing, and the link between serotonin and spirit42:08 – Inside the Psychedelic Guide Network: community, accountability, and integration49:23 – The rise of embodied virtues in conscious leadership55:41 – Why the psychedelic movement is not a trend, it’s an ecosystem of awakeningMeet the Guest:Ashley Carmen is a licensed psychotherapist, consciousness advocate, and founder of the Psychedelic Guide Network, a peer-based collective supporting guides, therapists, and facilitators bridging modern psychology with ancient healing intelligence.Tools, Frameworks, or Concepts Mentioned:Ego DissolutionEmbodied Virtues and SovereigntyNervous System Regulation and Trauma IntegrationPsychedelic-Assisted TherapyThe Psychedelic Guide Network (PGN)Closing Insight:“Faith isn’t about escaping pain, it’s about transforming it.”This episode is an invitation to trust your unfolding, embody your own medicine, and remember that healing is not a destination, it’s a vibration you learn to live in.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Ashley Carmen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-carmen-pgn/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when the body becomes the messenger for a spiritual awakening?In this episode of Medicine With The Medals, Heather Lee shares her extraordinary journey from physical collapse to emotional and energetic rebirth. Through her story of deep healing, surrender, and reconnection with her inner wisdom, we explore how the body speaks what the soul cannot, and how true medicine begins when we learn to listen.What You’ll Learn:How chronic illness can become the gateway to emotional and spiritual transformationWhy disconnection from intuition often manifests as physical imbalanceThe power of somatic awareness in releasing stored traumaHow surrendering control leads to greater alignment, clarity, and purposeThe energetic relationship between the nervous system, intuition, and self-healingEpisode Highlights:03:01 – The breaking point that became Heather’s awakening08:47 – How years of self-reliance led to physical and emotional collapse16:09 – The moment she realized her body wasn’t betraying her, it was guiding her23:56 – Understanding illness as communication from the soul35:22 – What somatic healing really looks like in practice42:18 – How energy, intuition, and spiritual intelligence weave into physical recovery50:34 – Reclaiming joy and creating a new identity after transformationMeet the Guest:Heather Lee is an energy practitioner, intuitive guide, and holistic wellness mentor who helps others integrate emotional healing through body awareness, frequency work, and spiritual embodiment.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Somatic awareness and energy regulation techniquesEmotional release through breathwork and movementThe role of frequency medicine in nervous system restorationClosing Insight:“QUOTE: The body is not the enemy, it’s the most honest voice of the soul.”Heather’s story reminds us that the deepest healing often begins when we stop fighting symptoms and start honoring the messages they carry.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Heather Lee: http://heatheralee.com/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when neuroscience, faith, and psychedelics meet recovery?In this transformative episode of Medicine With The Medals, David Wade Pope, founder of BGD Ministries, shares his remarkable journey from battling depression and alcoholism to pioneering a bridge between medical science, spirituality, and conscious healing. His story reframes addiction recovery as a neurospiritual evolution, one rooted in both divine connection and neuroplastic change.Listeners will learn how psilocybin research, neuromodulation, and the 12-step model can converge to redefine healing for those living with depression, PTSD, and chronic pain.What You’ll Learn:How a life-altering conscious contact with God transformed David’s understanding of addiction and healingThe intersection between neuroscience and spirituality, and how neuroplasticity plays a role in recoveryWhy psilocybin and the 12 Steps might represent the next frontier of mental health integrationThe inspiration behind The Antheos Project and BGD Ministries, uniting faith, medicine, and consciousnessA visionary look at transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a tool for healing treatment-resistant depression and painEpisode Highlights:03:10 – A young soldier’s struggle with depression and alcoholism09:55 – The breaking point: discovering a “godless existence” through psychosis14:22 – How the 12 Steps became a neurological and spiritual map to awakening20:47 – From data to divine purpose: the making of The Antheos Project25:31 – Why psilocybin research at Johns Hopkins redefined spiritual connection30:05 – The science behind TMS and how it rewires the brain36:58 – Bridging the church, the clinic, and the consciousness community41:02 – A call for collaboration, faith-based psychedelics and the next era of recoveryMeet the Guest:David Wade Pope is the founder of BGD Ministries and creator of The Antheos Project, dedicated to uniting medical innovation, recovery science, and Christian spirituality. With a professional background in neuromodulation and neuroplasticity, Wade brings a rare blend of clinical insight and divine perspective to the mental health and addiction recovery landscape.Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:The 12 Steps of AA as a neurospiritual model of transformationTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for depression and painThe Antheos Project: an ecosystem bridging medicine, faith, and recoveryCenter for Spiritual Wellness and Neuroplastic Change: Wade’s evolving vision for integrative healingJohns Hopkins Psychedelic Studies on clergy and spiritualityClosing Insight:“The 12 Steps aren’t about sobriety, they’re about a conscious contact with God. Sobriety is just the side effect.” – David Wade PopeDavid’s story is a blueprint for the next era of healing, one that honors both neuroscience and spirit.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with David Wade Pope: linkedin.com/in/david-pope-54209442Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if the medicine you fear the most is the one that finally brings you home to yourself?In this intimate story, visionary artist and medicine woman Aimee Peña shares how her decade-long path with ancestral medicines, rooted in Iboga, Ayahuasca, Bufo, Huachuma, and Kambo, turned addiction, shadow work, and personal awakening into a living spiritual curriculum.With uncommon clarity and humility, Aimee explains how plant intelligence rewires the mind, stabilizes the nervous system, and restores personal sovereignty. This episode is a rare window into the reality of working with powerful earth medicines and the spiritual leadership they demand.What You’ll Learn:Why Iboga and Ibogaine are uniquely effective for trauma, PTSD, and addiction recoveryHow ancestral medicines reveal subconscious patterns and support deep identity restructuringWhat “rewiring the brain” actually means in the context of nervous system regulationWhy integration is the true medicine—and how leaky energy forms when it’s skippedHow ceremony, ritual, and lineage shape responsible facilitation in a modern worldEpisode Highlights:02:10 – What Iboga teaches about mental clarity and subconscious patterns04:39 – The role of ancestral medicines in rewiring addictive behaviors07:25 – How Ibogaine floods work and why aftercare changes everything09:44 – Serving Kambo, Bufo, and Huachuma: the path of a medicine woman12:01 – Working with veterans, PTSD, and nervous system reset protocols14:18 – How ceremony, ritual, and lineage shape safe facilitationMeet the Guest:Aimee Peña is a medicine woman, visionary artist, and practitioner at multiple Iboga and Ibogaine treatment centers in Baja, Mexico. With ten years on the medicine path, Aimee facilitates Kambo, Bufo, Huachuma, and mushroom ceremonies, integrating ancestral modalities with trauma-informed presence and profound spiritual reverence.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Iboga & Ibogaine Flood ProtocolNervous System Reset & Pattern RewiringTemescal, Kambo, Bufo, Huachuma RitualsIntegration & Aftercare PathwaysTrauma-Informed Ceremony DesignClosing Insight:"When the mind clears, the divine can finally speak. And when the heart opens, we can finally listen."If you’re exploring plant medicine work, integration support, or the path of conscious healing, this conversation is a grounding place to begin.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Aimee: https://www.instagram.com/belashedbyaimee/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What does it mean to lead with radical faith in the face of devastation?In this moving episode, Joey shares the unfiltered truth of parenting through the unimaginable: their child Jameson’s diagnosis with a rare and aggressive brain cancer. More than a story of medical trauma, this is a conversation about energy, embodiment, and the healing power of music, movement, and soul-aligned community.You’ll hear how Joey’s personal transformation through crisis reveals a blueprint for nervous system resilience, emotional integrity, and spiritual integration, far beyond what traditional medicine could ever offer.What You’ll Learn:How navigating a child's cancer journey redefines personal values, identity, and purposeWhy somatic expression (dance, music, joy) can be a lifeline for children undergoing treatmentWhat it's like to integrate spiritual awakening while living in a medical system that prioritizes protocol over intuitionThe emotional and financial toll of caregiving, and how community healing becomes essentialHow to hold both grief and gratitude simultaneously, without spiritually bypassing eitherEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Why grief doesn’t follow a clean timeline03:12 – How trauma lives in the body long after the trigger06:37 – The difference between “processing” and “repatterning”09:24 – Why agency is essential to healing12:31 – From invisible pain to embodied wholenessMeet the Guest:Joey is a devoted single parent, spiritual practitioner, and member of the SoulQuest integration community. Their story is not just about surviving a child’s cancer diagnosis, it’s about reimagining what embodied healing, resilience, and soul alignment can look like in the modern world.Tools, Frameworks, and Modalities Mentioned:Energy frequency and source connectionSpiritual integration post-traumaDance and somatic healing for childrenNavigating medical side effects vs. soul-aligned recoveryClosing Insight:“This is just a temporary experience. But love, the frequency of love, is what gets us through.”Whether you're a caregiver, healer, or someone navigating the unknown, this episode will meet you where you are, and remind you that wholeness is never out of reach.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comJoin The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if the 12 steps helped save your life, but eventually, you outgrew them? In this moving episode, Gillian Lepisto shares her bold journey beyond traditional recovery frameworks and into the world of sacred medicine, intuitive healing, and spiritual integration.Listeners will explore the deeper layers of trauma, embodiment, and devotion that unfold after sobriety, and how tools like Kambo, microdosing, and ceremony are opening new frontiers in post-recovery healing.What You’ll Learn:Why Gillian transitioned from AA to psychedelic healing workHow sacred plant medicines helped her wean off psychiatric prescriptionsThe emotional and spiritual process of shedding old identities after addictionWhat Kambo is, how it works, and why it’s becoming a sought-after energetic cleanseThe role of ceremony, intuition, and mentorship in trauma-informed recoveryEpisode Highlights:04:01 – From underground parties to profound loss: Gillian’s early journey09:40 – The “grand sponsor” who introduced psychedelics to the recovery community13:22 – Gillian’s DMT initiation and awakening in a crystal city19:48 – Tapering medication with the help of psilocybin and intuitive listening25:39 – Why Gillian left AA: spiritual expansion, not rebellion33:15 – Kambo explained: frog medicine for energetic detox and shadow release38:42 – Honoring grief, identity death, and sacred service44:19 – Reclaiming trust in yourself after the structure of recovery dissolvesMeet the Guest:Gillian Lepisto is a medicine woman, mentor, and mother whose personal journey from addiction to sovereignty bridges traditional sobriety and sacred psychedelics. Her work is rooted in trauma healing, intuitive development, and community-led ceremonial integration.Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:Sacred Integration CirclesCambo (frog medicine)Mama Dose™ Microdosing ProtocolCeremony-based Fourth and Fifth StepDevotional mentorship modelsClosing Insight:“I’m not afraid of myself anymore. I trust myself. And I know the medicine lives in me now.” – Gillian LepistoThis episode is an invitation for anyone who’s ever asked, “What comes after sobriety?” to explore a deeper path of spiritual and cellular healing.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Gillian: https://www.instagram.com/gillianrileylepisto/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when a certified sex educator and feminist wellness coach unpacks the body’s wisdom after trauma?In this episode of Medicine With The Medals, Suzannah Weiss dives into somatic intimacy, nervous system regulation, and the myths that keep people disconnected from their own pleasure and healing.From dismantling sex-negative conditioning to reconnecting with the body’s innate intelligence, this conversation is a masterclass in embodied healing and post-traumatic reclamation.What You’ll Learn:Why traditional sex education fails to address the trauma-informed bodyHow nervous system regulation is essential for intimacy and pleasureThe role of feminist frameworks in reclaiming bodily autonomyHow Suzannah helps clients unravel shame and access deeper embodimentPractical ways to work with somatic cues during intimacy and healingEpisode Highlights:02:47 – Why embodiment is foundational to sex-positive healing07:55 – How trauma interrupts pleasure and connection13:21 – Debunking the myth of “fixing” your libido19:12 – The neuroscience behind somatic consent and nervous system states27:38 – Suzannah’s tools for emotional regulation during intimacy35:46 – How feminist coaching reframes shame and sexuality42:03 – Integrating mindfulness, movement, and intuition into sex therapy50:12 – Closing insights on sovereignty, safety, and self-trustMeet the Guest:Suzannah Weiss is a certified sex educator, trauma-informed coach, and feminist writer who helps people reclaim their bodies, pleasure, and self-trust. She blends somatic tools, spiritual guidance, and neuroscience to support holistic sexual healing.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Somatic Consent MappingPolyvagal Theory for IntimacyFeminist Embodiment CoachingNeuroplasticity and Sexual HealingClosing Insight:“The body is not broken; it’s always been trying to protect you. Healing begins when we listen.” – Suzannah WeissIf you've ever felt disconnected from your body, your pleasure, or your story, this episode is your invitation to return home.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Connect with Suzannah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannahweiss/Join The Plant Medicine Path community: https://community.theplantmedicinepath.com/feedConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if every rebirth begins with a creative act?In this episode of My Psychedelic Story, we meet psychedelic mentor and alchemy coach Liz Chernett, who explores how psychedelics, motherhood, and mythic storytelling shape the modern path to integration. Through her deeply personal journey, from Ivy League creative director to soul-led healer, Liz shares how grief, ritual, and imagination converge to reawaken our “kaleidoscopic selves.”What You'll Learn:How Liz turned 25 years of plant medicine and creative leadership into a model for soul-centered transformationThe role of psychedelic integration as embodied practice rather than intellectual reflectionHow parts work and Internal Family Systems (IFS) complement psychedelic healingThe link between creative expression and trauma integration, including how art and storytelling unlock emotional truthWhy The Oracle Within program reframes healing as play, ritual, and myth-makingChapters:02:14 – What it means to be a psychedelic mentor and alchemy coach07:40 – Early encounters with grief, mushrooms, and the “call to healing”15:28 – How travel and ayahuasca shattered her corporate identity21:09 – Motherhood as initiation and spiritual rebirth28:43 – The marriage of parts work and psychedelics for holistic integration33:12 – Why integration is more about being than doingMeet The Guest:Liz Chernett is a Psychedelic Mentor and Alchemy Coach known for guiding others through life’s endings, beginnings, and openings where the soul expands and creativity flows. She specializes in bespoke 1:1 medicine work + integration—using parts work and Jungian coaching to help clients harvest symbols, archetypes, and the voices of their inner team to re-author their lives. She co-hosts In Right Relationship, a podcast exploring psychedelics and the sacred. Before this chapter, Liz spent two decades as a creative & art director, stylist, and futurist—shaping campaigns and translating culture into visual stories. Tools, Frameworks, and Concepts Mentioned:Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Inner Team DialogueKaleidoscope Eye: Liz’s integration coaching practiceThe Oracle Within: A mythopoetic collage and writing experienceCeremonial Integration and “Reparenting the Psyche” frameworkClosing Insight:“Integration isn’t about doing more. It’s about being more, and doing less.” – Liz ChernettThis conversation is a love letter to seekers, creators, and space-holders ready to turn their medicine journeys into living art.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama DoseThe Oracle Within is a 9-week experiential group program designed for coaches, therapists, and team leaders blending Jungian teachings, mythic stories, and mixed-media expressive arts to make integration playful and embodied. We don't just learn—we create. Liz's Website: Liz's Podcast:  Liz's LinkedIn: Connect With The Plant Medicine Path CommunityConnect with us on FacebookConnect with us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedIn

What happens when a decorated trauma surgeon, military veteran, and healthcare CEO walks away from it all?Dr. Charles “Charlie” Powell shares his astonishing path from success to surrender, and how plant medicine and purpose-driven healing gave him a second life.In this raw and revelatory episode, Charlie reveals the invisible wounds behind high-performance careers, the crisis of meaning plaguing veterans and executives alike, and the paradigm-shifting power of Iboga. This is a masterclass in unlearning Western conditioning and reclaiming your nervous system, soul, and mission.What You’ll Learn:Why the American Dream nearly cost Dr. Powell his life, and what finally saved itHow Iboga helped him reset 15+ years of opioid dependence, PTSD, and spiritual despairWhy integration is more essential than the medicine itselfHow trauma hides in high-functioning success (and how to spot the signs)The missing mental health tools that veterans, first responders, and executives urgently needWhat makes Healing Heroes the most important psychedelic documentary for this generationEpisode Highlights:02:48 – Why “Dr. Charlie Powell” no longer exists (and why that matters)10:41 – The cost of being a high-functioning trauma survivor17:22 – Sleep paralysis, soul-level nightmares, and the limits of Western psychiatry25:10 – How Iboga transformed his nervous system and ended opioid dependency overnight30:34 – Why veterans and first responders need their own psychedelic frameworks39:50 – The Healing Heroes documentary: a 10-day Iboga transformation on film45:02 – Rebuilding a new identity after shedding success, status, and false security53:15 – How real community (and purpose) heals what medicine can’tMeet the Guest:Dr. Charles “Charlie” Powell is a triple-boarded trauma surgeon, Navy veteran, and former CEO of a multimillion-dollar healthcare system. After selling his company for $250M, Charlie hit rock bottom, and found his rebirth in plant medicine. Today, he’s the founder of Healing Heroes and St. Charlie Resorts, offering trauma-informed healing experiences for veterans, special needs families, and seekers of deep transformation.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Healing Heroes: A feature documentary tracking the real-time Iboga journeys of six veteransSt. Charlie Resorts: The first-ever resort system designed for special needs families and trauma recoveryPsychedelic Integration: Emphasized as the essential 90% of healing post-medicineVeteran-to-Visionary Framework: Charlie’s model for moving from military trauma to soul-aligned leadershipClosing Insight:“The medicine is only 10%. Integration is 90. If you don't teach people how to live differently, they’ll fall right back into the life that broke them.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comStay connected with Dr. Charlie and Healing Heroes on social media:Facebook: @healingheroestvInstagram:  @healingheroestvTikTok: @healingheroestvSubscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theplantmedicinepath1787Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if your healing wasn’t something to hustle toward, but something to slow down and receive?In this grounded and honest conversation, Chase Healey, host of The Chasing Healing Podcast, shares her path from startup burnout to embodied healing, one microdose and nervous system shift at a time. This episode redefines what it means to integrate plant medicine into everyday life.What You’ll Learn:The real reason microdosing works, and when it doesn’tHow food, light, and water function as essential healing inputsWhy regulating your nervous system is more important than chasing peak experiencesWhat ethical plant sourcing looks like in a commodified psychedelic worldHow Chase approaches integration as a lifelong practice, not a checkboxEpisode Highlights:04:02 – How Chase stepped away from hustle culture and into embodied healing10:56 – What nervous system regulation really feels like17:44 – The dark side of mainstream microdosing trends25:09 – Why food, water, and light are her “primary medicine stack”33:47 – Chase’s personal plant medicine protocols and clean sourcing practices41:30 – The difference between taking psychedelics and working with them47:55 – Integration as a lifestyle: redefining “success” in healing55:40 – Final reflections: choosing self-trust over strategyMeet the Guest:Chase Healey is a conscious living guide, educator, and host of The Chasing Healing Podcast. She supports individuals in plant medicine integration, nervous system healing, and holistic lifestyle transformation from her home base in Costa Rica.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Functional mushroom stacks (e.g., Lion’s Mane, Reishi)Microdosing protocols and intuition-led dosingNervous system attunement as a healing lensLight, hydration, and food as regulatory toolsEthical sourcing in the psychedelic spaceClosing Insight:“Healing isn’t something you arrive at, it’s something you live.” – Chase HealeyThis episode is an invitation to slow down, soften, and stop outsourcing your wellness. Tune in to explore what it really means to chase healing, without losing yourself along the way.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit⁠ http://mamadose.com⁠Connect with Chase:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-healey/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA⁠Connect with us on Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals⁠Connect with us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/⁠Connect with us on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if burnout wasn’t a breakdown, but a breadcrumb?In this soul-expanding episode of Medicine With The Medals, Dr. Hector Rodriguez invites us into the quiet brilliance of curiosity-driven healing and functional psychiatry. Drawing from his cross-disciplinary background in neuroscience, trauma therapy, and theology, Dr. Rodriguez offers a radically integrative approach to high-performance emotional health, one that views pressure not as pathology, but as a portal.Listeners will gain powerful insights into how “sacred outcasts” can regulate their nervous systems, reframe burnout, and finally feel seen in the spaces where traditional psychiatry falls short.What You’ll Learn:Why burnout among high achievers is often misdiagnosed, and what’s really happening in the brainHow functional psychiatry uncovers root causes missed by conventional modelsThe role of trauma-informed imaging (like SPECT scans) in revealing hidden neurobiological patternsWhat it means to be a “sacred outcast,” and why this identity holds both pain and powerA practical reframing of curiosity as a clinical intervention tool for overwhelm and dysregulationEpisode Highlights:03:18 – What is functional psychiatry, and how does it differ from the mainstream?08:27 – “Sacred outcasts” and the emotional invisibility of high-performing people15:02 – Burnout as a soul cry, not a system failure22:18 – How SPECT imaging reveals suppressed trauma and helps inform care27:46 – The story behind The White Butterfly and its symbolism in Dr. Rodriguez’s work33:09 – Trauma-informed evaluations in immigration cases: compassion in clinical spaces38:12 – Reclaiming emotional bandwidth through curiosity-led protocolsMeet the Guest:Dr. Hector Rodriguez is a board-certified psychiatrist, trauma-informed coach, and founder of The White Butterfly Healing Society. His practice weaves together neuroscience, spirituality, and root-cause psychiatry to support high-performing, emotionally attuned individuals in transforming inner pressure into purpose.Known for his “clinical ear and soulful eye,” he works with physicians, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals navigating burnout, identity, and trauma integration.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedFunctional PsychiatryCuriosity ProtocolsSPECT Brain ImagingThe White Butterfly Healing SocietyTrauma-informed forensic evaluationsClosing Insight:“Curiosity is not just a mindset, it’s a medicine. When we ask brave questions about our overwhelm, we open the door to transformation.”If you’ve ever felt like your sensitivity was a liability in a high-performance world, this episode is your permission slip to lead with depth.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Connect with Dr Hector:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doctorhector/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor_hectorSubscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when a classroom teacher becomes one of the most influential voices in psychedelic entrepreneurship?In this episode of Medicine With The Medals, we sit down with Luna Stower, educator, legacy operator, and cannabis industry leader, for an unfiltered conversation on safe access, policy advocacy, and why real healing starts with real sovereignty.Luna shares how her experience growing up in the Bay Area during the early days of cannabis activism shaped her lifelong mission to decriminalize and decentralize plant medicine, and how she’s translating those lessons from cannabis into the psychedelic movement today.What You’ll Learn:Why the “legalization” vs. “decriminalization” debate is more than semantics, and how policy language shapes livesHow Luna’s background in public education makes her a uniquely effective advocate in entheogenic medicineThe biggest commercial traps and ethical blind spots facing psychedelic startups todayA blueprint for navigating extractive capitalism while staying rooted in reciprocity and communityWhy safe access isn't just about safety, it’s about trust, testing, and transparencyEpisode Highlights:03:11 – Luna’s early roots in cannabis and Prop 215's lasting impact07:39 – The hard-earned lessons from working with legacy brands13:58 – What safe access actually means and why community comes first20:25 – The difference between decriminalization and legalization, explained27:44 – Transparency in testing: Luna unpacks a recent COA scandal34:11 – Feminist leadership in the psychedelic space41:06 – Luna’s call to action for the future of medicineMeet the Guest:Luna Stower is a Bay Area native, legacy operator, and award-winning educator who has helped build some of the most recognized cannabis and entheogen brands in the world, including Jetty Extracts, Ispire, and her own consultancy, Luna Stower Marketing.A vocal advocate for safe access, decriminalization, and feminist leadership in plant medicine, Luna sits at the intersection of movement-building and business strategy, paving a path for ethical scale in psychedelic entrepreneurship.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Safe Access – Luna’s principle-driven approach to entheogenic medicine distributionCOA Verification – Certificate of Analysis integrity in mushrooms and cannabisLegacy Operator Ethos – Cultural preservation through ethical entrepreneurshipDecriminalize vs. Legalize Framework – Language as legislation, impact as intentClosing Insight: “Safe access isn't just about lab results. It’s about trust. It’s about community. And it’s about sovereignty.” – Luna StowerThis episode is a wake-up call for entrepreneurs, educators, and activists: the plant medicine movement must root itself in integrity, not hype, to survive the pressures of commercialization.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnect with Luna:Website: https://www.lunastower.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lunastower/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luna_stowerX: https://x.com/lunastowerSubscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAAConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when a veteran firefighter confronts the emotional cost of a career spent saving others and discovers healing in plant medicine?In this powerful episode, we sit down with Paul Walton, a Bernalillo County firefighter and co-founder of Firefighters for Plant Medicine, to explore his deeply personal journey through trauma, cannabis reform, and psychedelic-assisted healing. This is a conversation about emotional truth, systemic change, and how psychedelic advocacy is reshaping mental health for first responders.What You’ll Learn:Why traditional trauma treatment often fails frontline workersHow Paul helped change county policy to allow off-duty medical cannabis useThe profound impact of psilocybin-assisted therapy on PTSD and depressionHow microdosing can serve as a “soft entry point” for resistant populationsA grassroots blueprint for bringing psychedelic access to first responders nationwideEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Why Paul Walton is rewriting the mental health script for firefighters05:14 – The story behind policy change: How cannabis reform happened at the county level12:47 – From opiates to ayahuasca: A turning point in Paul’s healing journey18:33 – Psilocybin as “20 years of therapy in one session”, and why integration matters25:02 – The invisible trauma load of first responders, and why traditional therapy falls short31:40 – How microdosing builds trust and softens stigma in resistant communities36:18 – What’s next: Funding, equity, and legislative strategy for psychedelic access39:45 – Final reflections on purpose, perseverance, and the power of plant medicineMeet the Guest:Paul Walton is a 17-year veteran of the Bernalillo County Fire Department and co-founder of Firefighters for Plant Medicine, a grassroots movement advocating for psychedelic access and cannabis rights for first responders. His work is paving the way for trauma-informed legislation and integrative healing protocols across the U.S.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Firefighters for Plant Medicine – Advocacy & education platformCannabis off-duty policy model – Now enacted at the county level in New MexicoMicrodosing protocols – For PTSD symptom management and emotional softeningZendo Project Peer Support – Sitter and peer-care model for psychedelic journeysPsychedelic-Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) – Training for first responder therapy integration“After years of suppressing my own trauma, plant medicine didn’t just help me heal, it gave me purpose. Now, I’m using that purpose to make sure no firefighter has to suffer in silence.”This is more than a podcast. It’s a frontline report from the heart of psychedelic reform.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Connect with Paul:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-walton-889520377/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulwalton7433/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What happens when a rational man surrenders to the unknown and discovers a deeper version of masculinity?In this potent episode of Medicine With The Medals, Expanded States Guide Michael Tierno shares how plant medicine and sacred container work transformed his relationship with emotional repression, leadership, and identity. This conversation uncovers what true integration looks like for men, and why rewriting internal stories may be the most powerful medicine of all.What You’ll Learn:How early masculine conditioning blocks emotional access and creates “provider fatigue”Why integration is the unsung hero of healing journeysWhat happens in a Men of Integrity retreat and why it’s more than a “men’s circle”How language, metaphor, and ceremony intersect for embodied transformationThe neuroscience behind personalized storytelling and expanded statesEpisode Highlights:04:11 – Michael’s first journey to Peru and the unmaking of his worldview11:03 – “We’ll be eating fruit in four hours”: trusting the process of surrender18:19 – Understanding the nervous system’s role in emotional shutdown25:06 – Inside the Men of Integrity retreat: from resistance to reclamation30:44 – The power of 1:1 recorded ceremonies for narrative re-authoring38:05 – Why men need containment, not control43:52 – “The ceremony begins when the ceremony ends”: making integration realMeet the Guest:Michael Tierno is the founder of Men of Integrity and co-lead of Heart Sanctuary in Peru. He blends systems thinking with ceremony, somatic language, and story structure to help men heal from trauma, reclaim their voice, and embody emotional integrity.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Expanded States IntegrationThree-Phase Retreat Model: Preparation, Ceremony, and IntegrationNarrative Re-Authoring through recorded sessionsContainment vs. Control model for relational claritySomatic Language + Emotion MappingClosing Insight:“If you're making exceptions for yourself just to live with yourself, you're not in integrity.” – Michael TiernoThis episode is a blueprint for what happens when men return to themselves, not as warriors, but as integrated leaders rooted in truth, softness, and clarity.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comConnec t with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-tierno-663a62299/Website: https://www.michaeltiernoguide.com/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAAConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

Is cannabis really just about getting high, or is it a misunderstood gateway to holistic healing?In this insightful conversation, Elevate Holistics CEO Aspen Noonan shares how cannabis helped her reclaim her health, build a purpose-driven company, and serve over 150,000 patients across the U.S. From personal healing to public education, Aspen’s mission is to de-stigmatize plant medicine and expand compassionate, telehealth-powered access to medical marijuana.What You’ll Learn:The real story behind how cannabis helped Aspen get off pharmaceuticalsWhat “non-euphoric cannabis” is and why it matters for anxiety, trauma, and inflammationWhy women and veterans are leading new conversations around cannabis and holistic careHow Elevate Holistics is transforming access through state-by-state telemedicineWhy cryotherapy, community, and emotional resilience matter in executive wellnessEpisode Highlights:01:38 – Aspen’s personal healing journey: ADHD, Adderall, and discovering cannabis05:47 – Building Elevate Holistics: from NORML activism to CEO10:23 – What your doctor doesn’t know: endocannabinoid system & cannabis education15:09 – Medical vs. recreational use: Why getting a card still matters19:36 – Cryotherapy and how Aspen primes her nervous system each morning24:42 – Patient stories that changed everything28:12 – Closing thoughts on the future of medicine, motherhood, and healingMeet the Guest:Aspen Noonan is the CEO of Elevate Holistics, a national telemedicine platform dedicated to expanding safe, affordable access to medical marijuana. A mother, advocate, and speaker featured in Business Insider and Leafly, Aspen has led the company to serve over 150,000 patients while championing holistic, non-judgmental care rooted in science and compassion.Tools, Frameworks, and Terms Mentioned:Endocannabinoid systemTelemedicine cannabis certificationCBN, CBG, THCA (non-euphoric cannabinoids)CryotherapyCannabis tax advantages for medical usersWOM-led cannabis entrepreneurshipClosing Insight:“It’s not about getting high—it’s about healing in a system that’s broken.” – Aspen NoonanThis episode is a reminder that plant-based healing isn't fringe—it's foundational. Whether you’re a patient, practitioner, or policymaker, the future of medicine must include access, empathy, and ecosystem care.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Connect with Aspen Noonan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspen-noonan-242545110/Learn More About Elevate Holistics: https://elevate-holistics.com/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What does it mean to reclaim your identity through ceremony, not therapy?In this powerful episode of Medicine with the Medals, Indigenous spiritual leader Shane Norte invites us into his world of earth-based sacraments, decolonized healing, and ancestral reconnection.As founder of the Church of the People for Creator and Mother Earth, Shane offers a rare window into Native-led psilocybin ceremonies, sacred land defense, and what it means to heal in communion with the Earth, not in isolation.Listeners will discover a radical, rooted alternative to clinical psychedelics, and learn why community, sweat lodges, and spiritual responsibility matter just as much as the medicine itself.What You’ll Learn:Why psilocybin mushrooms are sacred, not psychedelic, and how they support ancestral memoryHow the Native American Religious Freedom Act protects Indigenous ceremonial medicineWhat the Wamkish ceremony is and how it integrates land, prayer, sweat lodges, and communityWhy over-commercialization of sacred plants risks severing people from their spiritual responsibilityHow Shane guides non-Native people to reconnect with their own earth-based identities and practicesEpisode Highlights:02:05 – Shane’s awakening: how one mushroom ceremony shifted the course of his life06:45 – “Some families were forced to forget”—reclaiming culture after colonization10:12 – What the Native American Religious Freedom Act actually protects15:40 – From football fields to sacred land defense: Shane’s spiritual activism journey20:31 – Founding the Church of the People: what Wamkish ceremony really looks like28:10 – Why psilocybin is the most accessible earth-based sacrament32:22 – The tension between clinical psychedelic therapy and traditional Indigenous medicine38:48 – How to reconnect with spirit when you feel lost or culturally disconnectedMeet the Guest:Shane Norte is a spiritual leader, land defender, and founder of the Church of the People for Creator and Mother Earth, a Native-led ceremonial nonprofit located on the La Jolla Indian Reservation in Southern California.As a board member of Decriminalize Nature and appointee to Maryland’s psychedelic policy task force, Shane bridges grassroots ceremony with national advocacy—all while offering free, community-based healing rooted in the wisdom of his Payómkawichum, Paiute, Lakota, and Serrano ancestors.Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:Wamkish Ceremony – Shane’s immersive healing practice blending psilocybin, sweat lodges, and sacred plantsNative American Religious Freedom Act – Federal law protecting ceremonial use of sacred medicineDecriminalize Nature – Advocacy framework for culturally rooted plant medicine accessSweat Lodge Integration – A spiritual framework for post-journey embodiment and prayerEarth-Based Healing – Reconnection with land, ancestors, and the divine through non-clinical modelsClosing Insight“How we treat the Earth is not far from how we treat ourselves.” – Shane NorteThis episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper, decolonized path to healing, one that honors sacred plants, spiritual responsibility, and the wisdom of the land.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

Could psilocybin become a cornerstone of mental health care?In this episode of Medicine with the Medals, we explore how Colorado is building a state-regulated framework for psychedelic therapy, centered on accessibility, safety, and long-term healing.What You’ll Learn:Why the “medicine-only” approach to psychedelics is incomplete without community-centered integration.How Colorado’s psilocybin therapy program differs from Oregon’s, especially for licensed mental health providers.Which conditions and medications affect psilocybin safety, and what SSRIs really do to your neuroreceptors.How psilocybin opens a doorway to healing generational trauma, addiction, and unworthiness through somatic and psychological integration.The future of plant-based care, decriminalized healing, and Indigenous reciprocity in the evolving psychedelic landscape.Episode Highlights:03:41 – What is the Healing Advocacy Fund and why it matters for Colorado’s psilocybin future08:52 – From ballot initiative to leadership: Tasia’s personal journey into psychedelic healing12:30 – Why Colorado’s therapy model includes non-diagnostic access for grief, creativity, and spiritual care16:48 – How facilitators are trained, and whether they’re required to have personal psychedelic experience21:40 – The real risks of psilocybin use (mental health, heart conditions, medication interactions)26:17 – Can you have a psychedelic therapy session at home? Legal guardrails and safety requirements explained33:10 – What clinical dosing looks like (and why all mushrooms are not created equal)37:56 – Indigenous reciprocity, sourcing concerns, and the ethics of expanding access to iboga and ayahuasca42:30 – What success looks like in 5 years: affordability, community access, and shifting public trustMeet the Guest: Tasia is the Colorado Director of the Healing Advocacy Fund (HAF), a nonprofit advancing safe, affordable, and state-regulated access to psychedelic therapy. A political strategist turned plant-medicine advocate, Tasia brings both personal experience and public policy acumen to the front lines of psilocybin healing in Colorado.Tools, Frameworks, and Concepts Mentioned:Healing Advocacy Fund (HAF) – nonprofit championing psychedelic policy and educationState-Regulated Psilocybin Therapy Programs – Colorado vs. Oregon comparisonFacilitated Integration – post-journey support framework for trauma-informed healingMicrodosing Access Models – therapeutic and community integration applicationsIndigenous Reciprocity Model – ethics-first approach to medicine sourcing and stewardshipClosing Insight:“We need care at every level, care for ourselves, for the plants, and for the people who’ve carried these medicines for generations.” – Tasia PoinsatteFor the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if the key to unlocking deep emotional healing lies not in escaping your body, but in truly coming home to it?In this episode of Medicine with the Medals, hosts Mark and Michelle sit down with somatic psychedelic integration coach Amber Helgeson to explore the transformative synergy between psilocybin and the lineage medicine Tepezcohite (Abuelito).From reactivating dormant neural pathways to releasing trauma stored in the body, Amber reveals how plant medicines, when paired with intentional integration, can catalyze lasting mental, emotional, and spiritual breakthroughs.What You’ll Learn:How somatic psychedelic integration bridges body, mind, and spirit for lasting transformation.The neuroscience behind psilocybin’s “great connector” effect on neural pathways and emotional regulation.What makes Tepezcohite a unique “love medicine” and how it works in ceremony.Why integration, before and after the ceremony, is more important than the medicine session itself.Real-world results from MS research involving psilocybin strains like Golden Teachers and Blue Meanies.Episode Highlights:01:25 – Why psychedelics are becoming the “new avocado toast” and why integration matters more than the trend.04:50 – Amber’s journey from massage therapy to creating the Amber Helgeson Method.08:15 – How the body “keeps score” and stores emotional trauma at the cellular level.14:05 – Psilocybin’s ability to reactivate dormant neural pathways and shift fight-or-flight patterns.20:40 – Introducing Tepezcohite: history, preparation, and ceremonial use.27:10 – The synergistic healing power of combining psilocybin with Tepezcohite.33:00 – Why pre- and post-ceremony integration shape long-term outcomes.38:25 – Valerie Langhoff’s powerful story of transformation through ayahuasca, bufo, and mushrooms.Meet the Guest:Amber Helgeson is a somatic psychedelic integration coach, medicine woman, and shamanic practitioner with over seven years of plant medicine facilitation experience. Drawing from studies with Lakota, Navajo, Cree, and Apache traditions, she created the Amber Helgeson Method, a body-centered approach to psychedelic integration that bridges ancient wisdom and modern science.Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:Amber Helgeson Method – Somatic Psychedelic Coaching ModelSacred Rage Release – Structured emotional expressionNeuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) integrated with shamanic practicesSomatic Emotional Scales for trauma releaseEmbodied Feminine Program for women’s multidimensional self-connectionClosing Insight:“Plant medicine is just a tool; the real work happens before and after the ceremony.” – Amber HelgesonWhen we integrate the lessons of psilocybin, Tepezcohite, and other sacred medicines into daily life, we step into our fullest humanity, connected, grounded, and free.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Learn more about Maestro Hamilton: https://hamiltonsouther.com/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

While Mark & Michele take time to deepen their own work in the Brazilian rainforest, we're bringing you some of our most beloved conversations from the vault.This week, we revisit an unforgettable episode with Durga Magnetta, a plant medicine integration coach and intuitive healer, who offers rare insight into what really matters after the ceremony. If you've experienced entheogens like ayahuasca, iboga, or psilocybin, and you're still asking “What now?”,  this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed.What You’ll Learn:Why integration is more important than the medicine itselfHow to work with your body’s energy and cellular memory for deep trauma releaseThe difference between healing from your lineage (DNA) and from your soul (karmic path)How to set meaningful intentions, even if you don’t know where to beginWhy intuitive readings are about empowerment, not predictionThis episode reflects the core concepts of lived experience as medical knowledge, embodied healing, and trauma integration beyond talk therapy, all rooted in survivor-led frameworks and energy-first healing paradigms.Episode Highlights:01:03 – Why integration is more important than the medicine itself04:25 – What to do if you don’t remember parts of your journey07:10 – How to set meaningful intentions, even if you feel uncertain11:32 – The difference between trauma in your DNA and soul-level pain15:06 – How plant medicine “cleanses” the nervous system and gut18:44 – What energy healing really means (and how it clears stored trauma)22:01 – The role of inner child work and past life memory in healing24:40 – Why intuitive readings are about validation, not prediction👤 Meet the GuestDurga Magnetta is a psychedelic integration coach, intuitive reader, and energy healer who helps individuals bridge mystical insight with daily embodiment. She specializes in trauma recovery using energy movement, intuitive downloads, and post-ceremony support.Her work centers on empowerment through presence, energy as evidence, and healing beyond the clinical model. Learn more at Free to Be Authentic.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Cellular Trauma MappingKarmic Integration through Conscious WitnessingDNA vs. Soul Lineage Healing ModelConscious Intention Framework for plant medicineIntuitive Empowerment ReadingsClosing Insight:“Integration is where you turn transformation into truth. It’s not just about what you saw, it’s how you live it.” – Durga MagnettaFor the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comLearn more about Maestro Hamilton: https://hamiltonsouther.com/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAAConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

While Mark and Michele are deep in sabbatical retreat in the Brazilian rainforest, we're revisiting some of our most-loved conversations from the archives.And this one is legendary!In this featured favorite episode of Medicine With the Medals, renowned ethnopharmacologist Dennis McKenna shares the origin story of his psychedelic path, the accidental mushroom awakening that reshaped his worldview, and his take on the future of plant medicine.This conversation bridges the scientific, the spiritual, and the deeply personal, offering a masterclass in sacred medicine, integration, and inner ecology.Whether you're plant-curious or walking the ceremonial path, this episode is your compass.What You’ll Learn:Why psilocybin was the real “teacher” that emerged from a failed search for the Amazonian ukuheHow set and setting shapes the healing of psychedelics, and why “the set is you”The key differences between ayahuasca, iboga, psilocybin, and 5-MeO-DMTA cautious but grounded approach to microdosing for anxiety, energy, and integrationHow psychedelics act as perceptual instruments, revealing sacred geometry and nature’s hidden designEpisode Highlights:04:08 – LSD, Berkeley, and the myth of Dennis’s first trip with Terrence13:22 – Discovering mushrooms instead of ukuhe at La Chorrera: an origin myth retold23:47 – The “mushroom agenda” and how they became the real teachers31:10 – Microdosing vs. pharmaceuticals: Dennis weighs the mental health potential41:29 – Comparing psychedelic medicines: iboga for addiction, ayahuasca for the heart, and 5-MeO for ego50:02 – Why sacred geometry appears in altered states, and what it tells us about perception58:14 – Shared psychedelic visions, ancestral lineages, and mentoring the next generation01:06:00 – Dennis reflects on ritual, ceremony, and respecting Indigenous medicine while walking your own path👤 Meet the GuestDennis McKenna is an ethnopharmacologist, co-founder of the McKenna Academy, and one of the world’s most respected voices in entheogenic science and Indigenous plant medicine research.Tools, Frameworks, or Concepts Mentioned:Psychoecology: Understanding how mind and environment co-create perceptionDefault Mode Network (DMN): How psychedelics disrupt mental conditioningNeural Gating: The brain’s mechanism for filtering sensory overloadLDO Integration Loop (implied): Awareness → Surrender → Meaning-making → ActionClosing Insight:“Psychedelics are tools we can use to become better lovers of ourselves, others, nature, and reality.” – Dennis McKennaThis timeless episode reminds us that plant medicine is more than a trend; it's a path of remembering, reconnection, and responsibility. Whether you’re listening from ceremony, city, or solitude, may this wisdom meet you where you are.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comLearn more about Maestro Hamilton: https://hamiltonsouther.com/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAAConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if cancer wasn’t a punishment, but an invitation to transformation?In this deeply personal and paradigm-shifting episode, cancer survivor and Healing Cancer Journeys founder Dan Callahan opens up about his 21-year battle with multiple cancers and how psychedelic medicines helped him confront fear, reduce suffering, and find meaning in the face of mortality.Dan’s story isn’t just about surviving cancer; it's about learning to live with it. Through therapeutic psilocybin journeys, guided breathwork, and a return to childlike curiosity, Dan reshaped his relationship with illness, death, and healing itself. This episode breaks open the triple stigma surrounding cancer, psychedelics, and mortality while offering hope, community, and a new framework for integrative healing.What You’ll Learn:Why psychedelic medicine can transform how cancer patients process trauma, fear, and griefHow microdosing psilocybin + breathwork became part of Dan’s emotional recovery protocolA new perspective on “talking to cancer” during a guided therapeutic journeyHow Healing Cancer Journeys is building digital community and storytelling platforms for survivorsThe practical and legal challenges of accessing psychedelic care for cancer patientsEpisode Highlights:03:01 – Dan shares his dual diagnosis: testicular and thyroid cancer08:19 – “Cancer doesn’t say a damn thing.” A guided psilocybin journey reveals radical acceptance13:42 – Why psychedelic healing often starts with suffering and breaks you open17:50 – Microdosing + breathwork as a therapeutic tool, not a daily ritual24:26 – Addressing the “triple stigma”: cancer, death, and psychedelics30:45 – The birth of Healing Cancer Journeys and the StoryCorps-inspired Voices initiative36:13 – Legal gray zones, affordability, and barriers to psychedelic access39:40 – What dying can teach us about living well with or without cancer👤 Meet the Guest:Dan Callahan is a two-time cancer survivor and founder of Healing Cancer Journeys, a nonprofit building community and education for people exploring psychedelic medicine as part of their cancer journey. He is an advocate for de-stigmatizing both psychedelics and mortality in public discourse.Tools, Frameworks & Strategies:Therapeutic Psilocybin Journeys – High-dose, guided sessions for confronting traumaMicrodosing + Breathwork Protocol – Low-dose psilocybin paired with intense breathworkHealing Cancer Voices – A StoryCorps-style project for cancer patients using psychedelicsDigital Community Outreach – Leveraging Instagram, TikTok, and podcasting to reduce stigmaClosing Insight:“Cancer doesn’t have to be cosmic punishment. Sometimes, it’s just random. And sometimes, that randomness is your path to meaning.”Dan’s story is a courageous testament to the power of vulnerability, storytelling, and non-traditional healing. If you or someone you love is exploring psychedelics on a cancer journey, let this episode be a signpost: you are not alone.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.comLearn more about Maestro Hamilton: https://hamiltonsouther.com/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAAConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedalsConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if the root of your trauma isn’t just emotional but parasitic?In this extraordinary episode, plant medicine facilitator Jules Rivers (aka Julio Rivera) reveals how he blends high-dose psilocybin therapy with spiritual parasite extraction to catalyze breakthroughs in trauma release, addiction recovery, and identity transformation. His method, SHAPE (Spiritual Healing by Astral Parasite Extraction), invites a bold new paradigm in the healing arts, one that bridges neuroscience, epigenetics, and the metaphysics of consciousness.Whether you're exploring psychedelic medicine for the first time or guiding others through non-ordinary states of consciousness, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and expand your healing vocabulary.What You’ll Learn:The hidden role of “astral parasites” in chronic trauma loops and emotional relapseWhy high-dose psilocybin sessions may reach deeper than ayahuasca for some types of healingHow to differentiate between trauma-based identity and true selfA new model of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy built around energetic extractionWhy SHAPE attracts CEOs, clinicians, and spiritual seekers seeking permanent breakthroughsEpisode Highlights:04:15 – The double life of a bank executive and underground healer09:02 – The moment that led Jules to drink ayahuasca for the first time14:37 – What SHAPE really is and why mushrooms revealed what ayahuasca couldn’t21:50 – “Astral parasites”: a new paradigm for trauma-based identity28:04 – How deep healing requires voluntary ego death and entity separation36:40 – SHAPE retreat protocols: why consecutive heroic doses are essential44:00 – The neuroscience behind ego dissolution and default mode deactivation51:12 – When integration becomes transformation and the truth behind relapseMeet the Guest:Jules Rivers, a retired banking executive turned entheogenic healer, is the founder of SHAPE (Spiritual Healing by Astral Parasite Extraction). With over 27 years of experience in plant medicine, he’s facilitated thousands of ayahuasca ceremonies and now guides high-dose psilocybin retreats in Jamaica designed for deep trauma release and multidimensional healing.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedSHAPE: Spiritual Healing by Astral Parasite ExtractionHeroic Dose Protocol: 4-day consecutive high-dose psilocybin journeys (7–12g)Lemon Tek Method: Enhanced psilocybin absorption and onset accelerationQuantum Model of the Psyche: Multiplicity-based inner architectureEgregore Theory & Jungian Shadow Integration: Spiritual and psychological entity workClosing Insight:“Your entity is not your identity. True healing begins when you learn to separate the two.”If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck in a trauma loop, this episode offers a radically new path forward. Tap into the transformative power of psilocybin, entity extraction, and integrative soul work.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Learn more about Maestro Hamilton: https://hamiltonsouther.com/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

Quick Summary:What happens when a Silicon Valley-raised anthropologist gives his life back to spirit and becomes the first Western-trained Amazonian shaman?In this transformative episode of Medicine With the Medals, Maestro Hamilton Souther shares his path from modern disillusionment to sacred mastery. We explore the intersection of plant medicine, digital sovereignty, and the psychedelic renaissance while unpacking frameworks that support safe, integrative, and culturally respectful psychedelic practice.What You’ll Learn:Why integration is more important than the ceremony itselfThe true nature of Amazonian apprenticeship and how it builds spiritual and psychological resilienceHow Gaia Labs bridges Web3 infrastructure with sacred economiesWhy Blue Morpho Academy trains facilitators in ethical psychedelic practicesHow to create safe containers for plant medicine without relying solely on clinical systemsEpisode Highlights:02:12 – Hamilton's spiritual turning point: giving his life back to spirit06:08 – What it takes to become a traditional Amazonian maestro09:40 – When your family joins the medicine path with you12:36 – What is Gaia Labs? Bridging Web3 and consciousness work16:11 – Why starting a psychedelic business is still a radical act20:04 – Inside Blue Morpho Academy: Foundations and facilitator pathways24:39 – Cannabis as a misunderstood ancient visionary medicine28:45 – Integration: the real work of healing begins after the ceremonyMeet the Guest:Maestro Hamilton Souther is a master shaman, founder of Blue Morpho Retreats and Blue Morpho Academy, and co-founder of Gaia Labs. He is among the first Westerners to be fully trained and initiated into Amazonian plant medicine lineages.Tools, Frameworks, and Concepts Mentioned:Blue Morpho Academy – Online training in plant medicine facilitationSacred Container Design – Practices for safe solo or group psychedelic workGaia Labs – Web3 venture linking blockchain with spiritual technologyEthical Psychedelic Facilitation – Value-based model inspired by indigenous ritesPsychedelic Neurointegration – How integration supports long-term brain healingClosing Insight:"The time on the mat is only a few hours, it's the integration that shapes the rest of your life." — Maestro Hamilton SoutherFor the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Learn more about Maestro Hamilton: https://hamiltonsouther.com/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

What if your next breakthrough in mental health came not from a lab, but from the forest floor? In this powerful episode of Medicine With the Medals, hosts Michele and Mark Medal sit down with mushroom cultivation expert Adrian to explore the healing intelligence of psychedelic and functional fungi. From the legendary Golden Teacher to high-performance cordyceps, Adrian breaks down the science, spirit, and semantics of mushroom medicine.Whether you're microdosing for mental clarity or navigating a deep journey, this episode reframes fungi as frequency medicine—bridging ancient mycology and modern neurobiology.What You'll Learn:Why Golden Teacher remains the “OG” mushroom for healing and introspectionHow alkaloid synergy may be more important than psilocybin percentageThe truth about strain potency vs. dosage in microdosing protocolsHow functional mushrooms like lion’s mane and cordyceps impact brain health and athletic performanceWhy mushroom medicine is about recalibration, not recreationChapters & Timestamps:04:11 – Adrian’s origin story: from tech entrepreneur to ethical mycologist11:02 – What makes mushroom growing closer to science than farming14:45 – Golden Teacher as the archetypal psychedelic strain21:20 – Are alkaloids the missing link in mental health medicine?28:55 – Comparing Mamados’ four new strains: GT, Bluey Vuitton, Mechilogorilla, Albino Penis Envy36:07 – The vibrational frequency theory of mushroom healing41:33 – Functional fungi decoded: lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga, and reishi48:10 – Why sourcing, testing, and trust matter in the mushroom supply chainAbout the Guest:Adrian is a mushroom cultivator with 12+ years of experience in cannabis and mycology. Based in Los Angeles, he specializes in both psychedelic and functional mushrooms—partnering with researchers and growers to uncover the healing potential of fungi.Tools, Frameworks & Strategies Mentioned:“Alkaloid Synergy”: the idea that multiple compounds—not just psilocybin—create therapeutic effectsThe Three Pillars of Use: medicinal, recreational, and mental/spiritual healingResonance-Based Healing: a perspective that treats alkaloids as vibrational agents of recalibrationClosing Insight:“You are your own guru. These medicines just help you see what's already inside.” — Michele MedalReady to explore what fungi can do for you? For the best in products and education, visit Mama Dose.Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelConnect with us on FacebookConnect with us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedIn

What happens when a seeker turns decades of psychedelic experimentation into a disciplined spiritual path? In this episode, Vinaya shares his 50-year journey from spontaneous LSD use in 1970s Germany to intentional ceremonies with ayahuasca, mushrooms, and 5-MeO-DMT in Peru. But the real medicine, he says, begins after the ceremony: through careful integration, facilitator training, and neuroplastic change.This is not a highlight reel of trippy experiences. It’s a masterclass in how to use psychedelic medicine to dissolve fear, embody joy, and walk an authentic path of transformation, with safety, sovereignty, and service at the center.What You'll Learn:The difference between recreational use and structured psychedelic healingHow integration activates neuroplasticity to create lasting life changeWhy safety protocols, harm reduction, and facilitator vetting are non-negotiableA practical example of how Bufo journeys + integration rewired one woman’s creative careerWhat makes psychedelics sacred—and what makes them dangerous Episode Highlights:00:42 – The first LSD experience that opened a lifelong search for deeper truth02:15 – Early ayahuasca encounters: overwhelm, insight, and returning to the medicine03:48 – From party use to intentional practice: how set, setting, and safety changed everything05:10 – Discovering Bufo (5-MeO-DMT) and experiencing total ego dissolution07:02 – Why preparation and four-week integration are essential for transformation08:35 – Neuroplasticity explained: how psychedelic insights become lasting change10:14 – The critical role of trained facilitators—and how to spot unsafe practices12:07 – A real example: how integration empowered a creative breakthrough13:01 – Final reflections: fearlessness, joy, and walking an intentional pathAbout Our Guest:Vinaya is a longtime practitioner and guide who has walked the psychedelic path for over five decades. He now assists his partner in offering safely facilitated Bufo ceremonies, with deep emphasis on preparation, integration, and sacred intention.Core Concepts and Terms:Neuroplasticity & integrationAgentic self-healing through plant medicinesPsychedelic safety protocols & harm reductionConscious facilitation and trauma-informed careSacred use vs. recreational use of entheogensFinal Insight:“Without integration, the most beautiful ceremony becomes just a memory. With it, you can become someone new.”If you’re considering a psychedelic journey—or support others who are—this episode offers powerful, grounded wisdom from lived experience.#PsychedelicIntegration #Neuroplasticity #PlantMedicineHealing #5MeODMT #TraumaInformedCare #medicinewiththemedalsFor the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama Dose.Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelConnect with us on FacebookConnect with us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedIn

What happens when trauma meets transformation? In this episode of Medicine With The Medals, Keith Kurlander—co-founder of the Integrative Psychiatry Institute—shares the powerful story of how a psychedelic experience at age 19 altered the course of his life. This isn’t a conversation about trends in therapy—it’s a deeply personal case study in how lived experience becomes clinical wisdom.Listeners will explore the intersection of survivorship and medical authority, the risks of spiritual bypassing, and why trauma-informed frameworks are essential for ethical psychedelic therapy.What You'll Learn:Why psilocybin can catalyze self-discovery—and what happens when it’s unsupportedThe hidden trauma behind high-functioning behaviorHow the Integrative Psychiatry Institute is reframing who gets to teach healingWhy spiritual bypassing can slow or even reverse recoveryHow providers and survivors can co-author better therapeutic pathsChapters & Timestamps:04:12 – Keith’s first psychedelic experience and the emotional revelation that changed everything14:30 – The thin line between healing and bypassing in psychedelic journeys22:05 – How early trauma drove Keith into the mental health profession34:47 – Introducing the Integrative Psychiatry Institute’s mission and reach44:20 – “You don’t need a white coat to speak truth to suffering”53:38 – Why so many clinicians carry invisible wounds01:03:10 – Reclaiming authority as a survivor: redefining medical leadershipAbout the Guest:Keith Kurlander is the co-founder of the Integrative Psychiatry Institute and a global educator on trauma-informed, psychedelic-assisted therapy. His work draws from his own personal journey with trauma, and he’s helped train over 2,000 practitioners worldwide.Tools, Frameworks, and Themes Mentioned:Trauma-Informed Psychedelic TherapySurvivor’s Wisdom as Medical InsightCo-created Healing ModelsSpiritual Bypassing vs. Grounded IntegrationThe Invisible Curriculum of Lived ExperienceClosing Insights:“You don’t need a white coat to speak truth to suffering.”This episode is a reminder that authentic medicine comes not just from textbooks, but from lived experience. Whether you’re a clinician, survivor, or seeker, the conversation offers a grounded, powerful lens on healing.Connect With Keith KurlanderFor the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama Dose.Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelConnect with us on LinkedInRead the full transcript

Quick SummaryWhat happens when decades of trauma meet the healing power of plant medicine? In this moving episode, Paula Bianco—a mother, grandmother, and survivor of unthinkable loss—shares her raw and transformative journey through depression, grief, chronic pain, and addiction into deep personal healing using microdosing, ayahuasca, and ceremonial psychedelics. This is more than recovery—it's reclamation.What You’ll Learn:Why Paula turned to psychedelics after 30 years on prescription medicationsHow microdosing psilocybin helped her overcome suicidal ideation and anxietyWhat it’s like to experience a deep ayahuasca ceremony with intergenerational traumaThe role of women’s circles and integration therapy in long-term healingHow to build emotional resilience and healthy boundaries after traumaEpisode Highlights:01:02 – The traumatic event that set Paula on a 30-year path of pain and prescriptions03:45 – Why traditional mental health care failed her—and what was missing06:18 – Discovering microdosing and joining the Plant Medicine Path community09:02 – Paula’s first ayahuasca ceremony and how it reopened joy11:15 – Facing childhood trauma and grief in a second, deeper ceremony13:40 – Using Combo and Peyote for physical healing and emotional release16:22 – Integration, family support, and what life looks like now—medication-freeMeet The Guest:Paula Bianco is a 55-year-old mother, grandmother, and trauma survivor whose healing journey through ceremonial plant medicines is a testament to resilience, self-inquiry, and community. Her story illustrates the power of intentional psychedelic use for emotional and physical recovery.The Plant Medicine Path (community and support platform)Microdosing protocol (4 days on, 3 days off)Ayahuasca, Bufo, Peyote, ComboBreathwork, yoga, and integration circlesTrauma-informed healing and support systemsFor the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama Dose.Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Connect with us on Facebook: Connect with us on Instagram: Connect with us on LinkedIn: Link to Full Transcript:

What if psychedelics could help people face death without fear—and even with peace, connection, and spiritual insight? In this transformative episode of Medicine with the Metals, host Michelle welcomes back Christine Caldwell, founder of End of Life Psychedelic Care (EOLPC), for a wide-ranging discussion on using psychedelics like psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA, and 5-MeO-DMT to support people with terminal illnesses.Christine shares how these medicines, when administered with proper preparation and trained facilitators, can reduce end-of-life anxiety, ease physical and emotional pain, repair family relationships, and offer a glimpse of what may lie beyond. Grounded in science, spirituality, and real-world case studies, this episode explores the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted dying and what it means to have “a good death.”What You'll Learn:Why psychedelics offer a unique path to relieve death anxiety, fear of separation, and spiritual distressHow different medicines (MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and 5-MeO-DMT) can be used for forgiveness, peace, and transcendenceHow trained facilitators, proper dosing, and informed consent shape safe, meaningful end-of-life experiencesThe growing shift in Western medicine toward embracing psychedelics for palliative careWhat Christine’s research with end-of-life doulas, physicians, chaplains, and therapists reveals about the future of psychedelic death workChapters:03:22 – Christine’s path from Silicon Valley exec to psychedelic end-of-life advocate07:45 – What psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, and 5-MeO-DMT each offer for terminal patients15:00 – How psychedelic journeys help patients release guilt, reconnect with family, and face death22:14 – The role of spiritual experiences vs. medical models in psychedelic care30:29 – Why ketamine is often the most accessible and safe option at end of life35:03 – Stories of real patients and their healing experiences with psychedelics42:18 – The importance of trained facilitators, family support, and medical clearance50:11 – Christine’s vision: group microdosing for grief, caregiver inclusion, and community modelsAbout The Guest:Christine Caldwell is the Founder and Executive Director of End of Life Psychedelic Care (EOLPC), a nonprofit advancing the use of psychedelics to support patients with terminal illness. Christine’s work spans education, practitioner connection, and advocacy, and she is a leading voice in building legal, safe, and compassionate access to psychedelic therapies at the end of life.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:End of Life Psychedelic Care (EOLPC) ecosystem model“Start low, go slow” psychedelic dosing frameworkPsychedelic Death Worker Survey (100 responses, 36 interviews)Models inspired by Theracil (Canada) and Roots to Thrive (British Columbia)Group microdosing for grief and family reconciliationClosing Insight:“All psychedelics are death work, and all death work is psychedelic.” As the veil thins, Christine reminds us that psychedelics aren’t just about reducing fear—they’re about reconnecting to purpose, nature, family, and spirit.Visit eolpc.org to learn more, or email Christine at [email protected] if you’re ready to explore training, partnerships, or advocacy opportunities.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama DoseSubscribe to our YouTube Channel: Connect with us on FacebookConnect with us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn

Is Bufo the key to "Escaping The Matrix?"In this powerful episode, Karina and Niko, co-founders of Plug In Mind, share their personal transformation from conventional life in Canada to becoming facilitators of deep psychedelic healing work in Costa Rica. Through plant medicine, trauma integration, and sovereignty-focused practices, they guide people in breaking free from inherited limitations and reconnecting with their authentic selves. This conversation explores how true healing begins with radical responsibility and the courage to change from within.🔍 What You’ll Learn:Why the journey of healing begins with integration—not the medicineHow bufo (5-MeO-DMT) can facilitate direct connection with source consciousnessHow trauma-informed retreats help rewire generational patternsThe role of discomfort, discipline, and ego work in sustainable healingHow raising conscious children begins with healing yourself⏱️ Episode Highlights (Timestamps)00:00 – Meet Karina & Niko: How they left Canada to follow a deeper calling05:10 – Niko’s departure from the education system and pivot to healing10:35 – Discovering ayahuasca, bufo, and the power of sacred medicines15:45 – What does it really mean to “escape the matrix”?22:20 – Healing inherited trauma and reclaiming personal sovereignty28:50 – Why integration—not the ceremony—is the core of true transformation36:00 – Inside the 7-day healing retreat: preparation, ego work, and action planning43:15 – Bufo explained: direct access to source consciousness51:05 – Raising conscious kids through self-healing and awareness59:45 – Why discomfort is necessary for growth—and how to embrace it01:07:30 – Final thoughts on radical responsibility and authentic living👤 Meet the Guests, Karina & Niko, Founders of Plug In Mind: Karina and Niko are trauma-informed plant medicine facilitators based in Costa Rica. With backgrounds in science, education, and somatic healing, they offer immersive retreats centered on personal sovereignty, integration, and self-responsibility. Their mission is to help others liberate from inherited trauma and awaken to their true power.🧩 Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Bufo (5-MeO-DMT) – fast-acting psychedelic for ego dissolutionKambo Cleanse – detoxification and emotional resetIce Baths & Breathwork – nervous system training and groundingCustom Integration Plans – personalized post-retreat guidanceRadical Responsibility – foundational mindset is key for long-term change💬 Closing Insight & Call to Action:“The medicine is the smallest part. What you do with it is everything.”Karina and Niko remind us that the journey doesn’t end with the ceremony—it begins there. Healing is a choice, a responsibility, and a daily practice. If you’re ready to reconnect with your truth and live from your heart, start with radical honesty and follow it with aligned action.🪷 Learn more at https://pluginmind.com📥 Download the full transcriptLearn more about Plugin MindFor the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama DoseSubscribe To Medicine With The Medals on Spotify PodcastsSubscribe to our YouTube Channel Connect with us on FacebookConnect with us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn

What happens when healing the warrior isn’t enough, and we need to heal the entire family? In this powerful episode, Allison Wilson, founder of The HOPE Project and spouse of a Navy SEAL, shares her transformative journey into psychedelics and how it sparked a mission to support the often-overlooked spouses and family members of veterans. Allison and her team are helping to pioneer legal psilocybin retreats and community-based integration programs designed specifically for veteran spouses. Her story offers deep insight into trauma recovery, psychedelic integration, and the power of community healing. This episode is a must-listen for those in the veteran wellness space, advocates of mental health, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of therapeutic psychedelics.Key Takeaways:“Community Is the Medicine”: Why sustainable healing for veterans must include spouses, families, and ongoing support—not just a single psychedelic retreat.Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma: How unaddressed childhood trauma and family patterns can affect veterans—and how psychedelic therapy helps surface and release those wounds.From Isolation to Integration: The HOPE Project’s unique retreat model includes pre-journey coaching, family support, and post-journey community calls.Healing Within Reach: Legal psilocybin retreats are now available in Oregon and Mexico—changing the game for accessibility and safety.The Hidden Costs of Survival: A stark reminder that more veterans are lost to suicide after service than in combat, and why alternative healing models matter.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama DoseListen & Subscribe To Medicine With The Medals on your favorite platform: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Connect with us on Facebook: Connect with us on Instagram: Connect with us on LinkedIn:

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Medicine With The Medals, host Michele Medal sits down with Tracey Tee, founder of the internationally recognized community Moms on Mushrooms (M.O.M.). Tracey shares her deeply personal journey from conservative roots and career loss to spiritual awakening and the founding of a groundbreaking platform that empowers mothers through intentional microdosing with psilocybin.With a blend of vulnerability, humor, and wisdom, Tracey explains how microdosing not only transformed her own emotional and physical health but also became the catalyst for healing within her family and community. Her story challenges stigma, celebrates feminine intuition and offers a compelling blueprint for how sacred plant medicine—when used with intention, education, and integration—can serve as a profound path to self-awareness, presence, and generational healing.About Tracy Tee:Former comedy writer and producer with a successful parenting show and Hollywood connections.Lost her business during COVID-19 and embarked on a deep spiritual and healing journey.Founded Moms on Mushrooms in 2022, now supporting over 4,000 mothers through microdosing education and community.Advocates for sacred, female-centered approaches to psychedelic use, emphasizing healing, motherhood, and collective connection.Key Takeaways:Healing Begins With the Mother: Tracey believes that when a mother heals, her entire family—and lineage—benefits.Microdosing as Sacred Self-Care: Psilocybin, when used intentionally, can unlock emotional regulation, trauma release, and spiritual insight.Challenging Stigma: Mothers who microdose aren’t “checked out”—they’re more present, empowered, and grounded.Community is the Container: Healing thrives when mothers are seen, supported, and connected in safe, like-minded spaces.The Medicine Calls You: The desire to begin microdosing often precedes understanding; intuitive nudges are worth trusting.Learn more about M.O.M.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama DoseSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelConnect with us on FacebookConnect with us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedIn

Join us for a powerful conversation with mushroom expert and herbalist Matt Mazzuckelli as we explore the incredible world of functional mushrooms. In this episode of Medicine with the Medals, Matt shares his personal journey from traumatic injury recovery to becoming a passionate advocate for Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Reishi, and Turkey Tail. We dive deep into topics like brain fog recovery, neurogenesis, immune modulation, and how adaptogenic mushrooms can transform mental and physical health.We also shed light on the truth behind popular mushroom coffee trends, the safe use of medicinal fungi, and the cultural shift toward holistic healing and natural health movements. Whether you're curious about mushroom supplements, psilocybin vs. amanita muscaria, or simply looking for alternative healing options, this episode offers eye-opening insights.Listen and learn how to build a real relationship with the Earth's most ancient medicines, and why mushrooms might just be the key to a healthier future.Get Matt's book on mushrooms on Amazon.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama Dose. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Connect with us on FacebookConnect with us on LinkedIn

Maybe we're looking at psychedelics in the exact opposite way we should be?Medicine With The Medals welcomes teacher, cultivator, and global mycological educator Darren Le Baron. With decades of experience in both functional and psychedelic mushrooms, Darren unpacks the science, spirit, and societal misconceptions surrounding fungi. From psilocybin microdosing to lion’s mane, cordyceps, and reishi, this episode explores the sacred relationship between humans and mushrooms—one rooted in ancestral knowledge, modern healing, and personal transformation.Darren takes us on a journey through high-dose psychedelic experiences, the global history of fungi, and the spiritual technologies used by indigenous cultures. We also explore how Western suppression, misinformation, and pharmaceutical interests have distorted public understanding of mushroom medicine—and why that’s finally changing.Guest Spotlight:Darren Le Baron is a UK-based educator, cultivator, and international speaker focused on entheogenic plant medicines, African spiritual traditions, and the healing power of mushrooms. He runs educational webinars on psychedelics in Africa and teaches mushroom cultivation as a practical, spiritual, and cultural practice. Key Takeaways:Mushroom Fear = Misinformation: Fear around psilocybin is rooted in colonial, religious, and corporate suppression of ancestral wisdom.Functional Mushrooms Heal Daily: Lion’s mane for cognition, cordyceps for energy, reishi for immunity—fungi are daily allies.High-Dose Protocols = Portal to the Beyond: Heroic and high-dose psilocybin journeys offer access to ancestral realms and the “motherboard” of reality.Death is Not the End: Plant and fungal medicine help practitioners “practice dying” and reduce fear of death, especially for end-of-life patients.We’ve Been Disconnected by Design: Modern life, with its concrete, screens, and overstimulation, has disconnected us from nature and ourselves. Mushrooms can reconnect us.Connect with Darren on his websiteFor the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

In this deeply personal episode of My Psychedelic Story, Alex Abraham shares his powerful journey through trauma, discovery, and healing. At just 31, Alex has already navigated the unthinkable: unresolved childhood trauma, chronic physical pain, and a long search for meaning. But what began as a quest for relief through psychedelic therapy soon transformed into something much bigger: a reckoning with buried truth, a confrontation with fear, and an emotional rebirth.Alex's path takes us through early symptoms of physical dysfunction, a life-changing MDMA therapy session, and the painful realization of abuse he had long suppressed. But this isn’t a story about trauma, it’s a story about what happens when someone chooses to face it. Alex’s narrative is honest, at times intense, and ultimately full of hope. Through his experience with MDMA, psilocybin, and other therapeutic tools, he paints a vivid picture of what it means to reclaim your body, your identity, and your voice.This is essential viewing for anyone navigating trauma, working through healing, or curious about the transformative potential of psychedelics. And it just might change how you think about pain, resilience, and recovery.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction: Meet Alex AbrahamAlex introduces himself and his new book Trauma and Ecstasy, setting the stage for a story rooted in survival, healing, and the power of psychedelic therapy.00:42 – The Physical Pain That Sparked a SearchPelvic floor dysfunction and anxiety lead Alex to try MDMA therapy—only to uncover long-buried trauma.01:38 – From Suppression to RevelationAlex reflects on the moment he realized the source of his pain: childhood sexual abuse by an authority figure, and the emotional fallout that followed.02:30 – A Holistic Healing ProcessHe shares the combination of tools that supported his recovery—MDMA and psilocybin therapy, breathwork, journaling, men's groups, and more.03:55 – What Psychedelics Helped UnlockAlex describes how these medicines created safety for traumatic memories to resurface—and why that’s essential to reprocessing pain.05:10 – Writing Through the WoundsHe explains why he wrote his book—to heal, to speak up, and to create change—and what the process cost him emotionally.06:45 – Final Reflection: Healing Is PossibleAlex leaves listeners with a powerful truth: real, lasting change is possible when the right support and mindset align.Get Alex's book, Trauma and EcstasyFollow Alex on YouTube For the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama Dose Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Connect with us on Facebook Connect with us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn

In this illuminating episode of Medicine With The Medals, host Mark Medal welcomes Dr. Seth Mehr, a former ER physician who now practices full-time psychedelic medicine as founder of Cascade Psychedelic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. From the chaos of the ER to the transformational space of intentional healing, Dr. Mehr shares his deeply personal journey into the world of ketamine, psilocybin, and the future of mental health care.Seth candidly reflects on his own mental health struggles, the limitations of traditional psychiatric models, and how powerful breakthroughs with ayahuasca and ketamine reshaped his perspective, both personally and professionally. This episode is a compassionate and practical guide for those curious about psychedelics as medicine, including how to prepare for a journey, what safety really means, and the importance of integration.Whether you're just beginning your path with plant medicine or are a seasoned explorer, this episode offers wisdom, warmth, and essential insights into the future of healing.About Dr. Mehr:Dr. Seth Mehr is a licensed physician and state-certified psilocybin facilitator, currently serving as founder and medical director of Cascade Psychedelic Medicine. Formerly an emergency medicine doctor, Seth transitioned into psychedelic care after witnessing firsthand the limitations of conventional medicine to treat chronic pain, trauma, and depression.He now works with IV ketamine, hosts legal psilocybin sessions, and supports research trials involving MDMA. His personal and professional experiences bring a unique, grounded perspective to a rapidly evolving field.Key Takeaways:Ketamine as a bridge: How ketamine helped Dr. Mehr personally recover from pain and depression, and inspired a professional shift from ER medicine to psychedelic therapy.Integration is everything: Psychedelics aren’t a magic bullet; the real change comes from what happens after the journey.Why psychedelics challenge Western medicine: Scientific models struggle to adapt to experiences that can’t be easily quantified or standardized.Safety matters: Although psychedelics are remarkably safe, thoughtful screening and support structures are essential for effective healing.The future is coming: State-level legalization, bipartisan support, and cultural shifts are paving the way for wider access to psychedelic medicine.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama Dose Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Connect with us on Facebook Connect with us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn

At 25 years old, Mira’s journey with mushrooms began in a way that many can relate to—without preparation, in a party setting, and without fully understanding the power of the medicine.Her first experience was overwhelming, bringing deep-seated anxieties to the surface, but over time, Mira developed a new relationship with psychedelics—one centered on self-discovery, healing, and love. Through microdosing, meditation, and intention, she learned to embrace the discomfort, confront past pain, and connect deeply with herself, nature, and the universe.This episode takes listeners through Mira’s raw and personal experiences, from moments of intense anxiety and fear to the breakthroughs that changed her life forever. She shares how mushrooms helped her navigate panic attacks, addiction, and emotional healing, ultimately guiding her toward a life of joy, connection, and self-acceptance.How did Mira go from fear to transformation? Listen now to hear her story.Chapter Summaries & Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction – Meet MiraMira introduces herself and shares her passion for self-discovery and healing.The setting of her first psychedelic experience and what drew her to psilocybin.[01:45] A Challenging First ExperienceTaking mushrooms without preparation led to overwhelming anxiety.Feeling disconnected from reality and unsure how to process the experience.[03:10] Learning to Sit with DiscomfortRealizing that psychedelics bring emotions to the surface for healing.How fear and resistance made her early trips more difficult.The shift to acceptance, surrender, and self-reflection.[05:00] The Power of Microdosing & Energy AwarenessHow microdosing mushrooms helped Mira with anxiety and emotional clarity.Feeling more in tune with nature, movement, and energy shifts.[07:15] A Life-Changing Moment: Seeing Herself with LoveA breakthrough psychedelic experience where she felt deep self-acceptance.Understanding the importance of releasing judgment and embracing love.[09:05] Overcoming Anxiety & AddictionUsing psychedelics as a tool to break free from harmful habits.How mushrooms helped her let go of alcohol dependency and find peace.[10:30] Final Reflections & Advice for OthersMira shares her biggest lesson: “Trust the process and let love guide you.”A message for anyone considering psychedelics for healing and transformation.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama DoseListen & Subscribe To Medicine With The Medals on your favorite platform: ⁠Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelConnect with us on Facebook Connect with us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn

Psychedelics at the corporate office? It's not as weird as you think...In this enlightening episode of Medicine With The Medals, hosts Mark and Michele sit down with Janine Nicole Dennis, a visionary leader in organizational design, future of work strategies, and holistic well-being. As the Chief Innovations Officer of Talent Think Innovations, Janine brings a wealth of knowledge on integrating plant medicines and psychedelics into personal and professional development. Janine is the author of "The Absurdity of Doing You," a call-to-action for personal sovereignty, and hosts the "Growth on My Terms" podcast, sharing life lessons and entrepreneurial insights.This conversation delves into the transformative potential of psychedelic substances, offering listeners a unique perspective on achieving mental clarity, emotional healing, and enhanced creativity.​Key Topics and Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction to Janine Nicole DennisAn overview of Janine's diverse background and her journey toward integrating plant medicines into her work.​[05:15] The Role of Psychedelics in Personal DevelopmentDiscussion on how substances like psilocybin and ayahuasca can facilitate deep personal insights and healing.​[15:30] Bridging Traditional Practices with Corporate CultureInsights into implementing holistic approaches within organizational settings to promote well-being.​[25:45] Writing "The Absurdity of Doing You"Janine shares the inspiration behind her book and its core message of embracing one's true self.​[35:00] Future of Work: A Holistic PerspectiveExploring the evolving landscape of work and the increasing importance of mental health and authenticity.​For the best in microdosing products and education, visit ⁠Mama Dose⁠⁠Subscribe to our YouTube Channel⁠⁠Connect with us on Facebook ⁠⁠Connect with us on Instagram⁠⁠Connect with us on LinkedIn⁠Contact Janine:Website YouTubeLinkedInGet The Book

change sched date

At 27 years old, Zeandra Vohler has been on a lifelong journey of healing, navigating the challenges of depression and anxiety. Despite years of therapy, personal reflection, and self-discovery, something always felt missing—until she encountered psychedelics.In this episode of My Psychedelic Story, Zeandra shares how her experiences with psychedelics opened a new perspective on life, emotions, and the world around her. She describes her first journey, the unexpected sense of inner peace, and the moment she saw the world in a completely different light.Through deeply personal reflections, she reveals how psychedelics helped her reconnect with her inner child, embrace the present, and discover a newfound appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of life. But what exactly did she experience? And how did it reshape her understanding of reality?Listen now to hear Zeandra’s powerful transformation and the magic she found in the world around her.📌 Chapter Summaries & Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction – A Lifelong Search for HealingZeandra introduces herself, sharing her struggles with depression and anxiety.[02:15] Discovering Psychedelics & A Shift in PerspectiveThe moment she stumbled across a channeler discussing psychedelics as teachers.[04:05] The First Psychedelic Experience – A Life-Changing Awakening. Her first experience while riding in the car, feeling an overwhelming sense of peace.[05:50] A Journey to Duluth – Seeing the World Through New Eyes. Her second experience, driving through Duluth, Minnesota, and seeing auras around trees.[07:10] The Magic of the Psychedelic ExperienceThe realization that her higher self was always there—it just required openness to see it.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit Mama Dose.Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelConnect with us on FacebookConnect with us on InstagramConnect with us on LinkedIn