Podcasts

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes New York Times bestselling author Norman Ohler.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-297/?ref=278

Norman shares his deep research into the hidden history of LSD, revealing the untold connections between Arthur Stoll (CEO of Sandoz), Nazi Germany, and the CIA's MKUltra program. He explains how LSD's development as a mental health medicine was derailed by intelligence agencies seeking a "truth drug" for interrogations, and how the substance traveled from Swiss laboratories to Nazi concentration camps and eventually to American universities. Norman also discusses his personal connection to psychedelics through his mother's Alzheimer's treatment with microdosing, and offers thoughtful reflections on the current psychedelic renaissance.

Norman Ohler is one of Germany's best living writers: a New York Times Bestselling author, translated into over 30 languages. His books include "Blitzed", "The Bohemians", and "Tripped". He has 2 children and lives in Berlin.

Highlights:

• Welcome & introduction
• Who is Arthur Stoll, the grandfather of psychedelics?
• The Nazi Germany and LSD connection
• Albert Hoffman's complicated relationship with LSD
• The pharmaceutical politics behind psychedelic suppression
• Reflections on the modern psychedelic renaissance
• The challenges of psychedelics in a globalized society
• From "Blitzed" to "Tripped": Norman's research journey
• Norman's personal connection: Microdosing for Alzheimer's
• The mysterious story of JFK and LSD

Episode Links:

• Website
• Instagram: @normanohler
• Norman’s book "Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA and the Dawn of the Psychedelic Age"
• Norman’s previous book "Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich"
• Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by William Shirer

These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links.

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Anthropologist, science writer, and author, Dr. Eric Wargo enters the mind meld!

Video Episode  

What if we have our concept of time all wrong? What if the future can influence the past retrocausally? What if precognition, synchronicity and remote viewing are evidence of that fact? Eric Wargo explores and argues for these ideas at length in his book, Timeloops. In his latest, Becoming Timefaring, Wargo explores time paradoxes, time travel, the possibility that the UFO phenomenon is related to time-traveling future humans, and much more.

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In this episode, we meet with Bessel van Der kolk, a trauma based psychiatrist, author, researcher and educator. Since the 1970s his research has been in the area of post-traumatic stress and he is the author of four books including best seller “the body keeps score”. Within this episode, he dives into what trauma is and different research into the impact trauma can have on the body and brain. He further discusses various traditional and alternative treatments for trauma and where these may be appropriate for different people with specific emphasis on EMDR and MDMA.

The body keeps score 

Nutt's paper lancet psychiatry 50 years of failure 

MDMA 

SSRI

EMDR 

Gaba

Benzodiazepines

Rorschach test

Norepinephrine 

Bowlby 

MAPS

When the spirit catches you, you fall down

Neuroplasticity 

In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Kyle Buller is joined by Dr. Hannah McLane, founder of the SoundMind Center and SoundMind Institute. They dive deep into the evolving psychedelic landscape—touching on policy developments in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and beyond. Dr. McLane shares her experience testifying in support of psilocybin legislation and discusses the medical frameworks being explored, particularly in contrast to Oregon and Colorado’s models.

The conversation also explores the essential qualities of effective psychedelic facilitators, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, lifelong learning, and doing personal inner work. Dr. McLane offers insights into the challenges of entrepreneurship in the psychedelic space, balancing mission-driven work with sustainability, and how neurodiversity and trauma have shaped her approach.

Toward the end, the conversation takes a playful and heartfelt turn, reflecting on parenting, the power of curiosity, and the need for more community-centered, human-first spaces for integration and healing. This is a rich, honest, and inspiring dialogue that bridges the personal and political, the clinical and ceremonial, and the visionary future of psychedelics.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Tracy Townsend, a Harvard-trained physician who left orthopedic surgery to become a licensed psilocybin facilitator in Oregon.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-296/?ref=278

Dr. Townsend shares her journey from conventional medicine to psychedelic facilitation, describing how her own transformative experiences with plant medicines led her to question the limitations of Western healthcare. She discusses the Oregon psilocybin model, challenges within the current regulatory framework, and draws fascinating parallels between physical surgery and the "mind surgery" of psychedelic experiences. Dr. Townsend also explores emerging research on psychedelics for autoimmune conditions and shares her hopes for policy changes that could expand access to these powerful healing modalities.

Dr. Tracy Townsend is a Harvard trained medical doctor, licensed psilocybin facilitator, and vitality coach. She has an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, as well as a medical degree, both from the University of Virginia. She completed orthopedic surgical training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA and a fellowship in pediatric orthopedic surgery at Boston Children's Hospital of Harvard University. She is a graduate of the Innertrek Psilocybin Facilitator training program. After personally experiencing transformative healing with psychedelic medicines, Tracy went on to become the Co-Founder and CEO of Project Circle, a legal psilocybin service center and practice based in Portland, Oregon.

Highlights:

• From surgeon to psychedelic facilitator: Tracy's journey
• The parallels between surgery and psychedelic "mind surgery"
• Navigating Oregon's legal psilocybin framework
• Addressing necessary regulatory improvements
• Psychedelics and psychiatric medications
• The mind-body connection in autoimmune healing
• Hope for psychedelic policy under new HHS leadership

Chris Ramsay of Area 52 Investigations returns to the mind meld!

Video Version 

In this one, we react to UFO whistleblower Jake Barber's story, discuss so-called "psionic assets" and the history of psi phenomena at large. We also riff on the blurry line between stage magic and real magic, consciousness and more.

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In this episode, Hugh McGovern, PhD joins to discuss his research on the impact of psychedelics on beliefs. Dr. McGovern is a Research Fellow at the School of Medicine, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.

To start, Dr. McGovern introduces the inference or predictive processing framework utilized in his paper “An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics”. He explains the role of prediction in cognition, showing how insights occur when our existing perspectives are unable to make sense of our experience. In this vein, Dr. McGovern discusses how the psychedelic experience disrupts our normal modes of prediction and perception, leaving room for greater influence of environmental factors on insight production. In closing, Dr. McGovern shares ideas on further clinical directions for this research that could give guidance for helping patients more effectively integrate insight experiences.

In this episode you'll hear:

• The research into how psychedelics can influence and change beliefs

• The role beliefs and insights can play in psychedelic journeys 

• How false insights can be experimentally induced

• The connection between prediction errors in our cognition and insight experiences

• The hippocampus, memory, and psychedelics

• The association between insight moments and increased mental health following psychedelic experiences

Quotes:

“[In psychedelic experiences] your expectations are no longer helping you make sense of your current sensory experience. And so you’re uniquely susceptible to environmental input under psychedelics—which would account for things like visual hallucinations [and] these novel insight moments.” [18:30]

“When you have really really strong prediction errors or really really strong insight moments, they can have a disproportionately important influence on your worldview going forward.” [20:03]

“Psychedelics, from a few different studies, show they can impair the formation of hippocampally dependent memories but they can perhaps even enhance the formation of cortically dependent memories. So what that means is you come out of the experience with this sense of knowing but it's in some sense lacking in details.” [29:04]

Links:

“An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics” by Hugh McGovern et al.

Dr. McGovern on Bluesky

Previous episode: Guruism & Cult Dynamics in Psychedelic Practices with Joseph Holcomb Adams

Psychedelic Medicine Association

Porangui

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Ava Johanna, founder and CEO of The Academy of Breath.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-295/?ref=278

Ava shares her journey from corporate burnout and weekend escapism to discovering breathwork as a powerful, accessible tool for transformation. She discusses how breathwork provided the same ecstatic states she once sought through substances, but in a healing, sustainable way. Beyond the practice itself, Ava offers valuable insights for coaches and practitioners looking to build successful businesses in the wellness space, emphasizing the importance of creating "bulletproof offers," trauma-aware sales approaches, and exceptional client experiences.

Ava Johanna is the author of upcoming book, Your Vision Board Life, set to be released in April 2025 and the founder and CEO of The Academy of Breath™ an online education brand for entrepreneurs and coaches bridging the gap between neuroscience and spirituality in the realm of breathwork and meditation. After working with brands like Yoga Journal, Mindbodygreen and Wanderlust, Ava built The Academy of Breath™ that has now certified over 700 students across the globe. Blending science, mysticism and business, The Academy of Breath™ is blazing a trail in the breathwork industry making the practices more accessible than ever before while providing teachers with the tools to be able to lead with integrity, make a global impact, and safely facilitate lasting transformation in their client's lives. Highlights:

• Corporate burnout to breathwork: Ava's transformational journey
• How breathwork creates substance-free ecstatic states
• Building a sustainable coaching business: from 0 to 100K
• Creating "bulletproof offers" that can't be commoditized
• Trauma-aware sales approaches for wellness practitioners
• The power of exceptional client experiences
• Transitioning from hourly sessions to value-based packages
• Breathwork as an accessible gateway to spiritual connection
• Trusting your intuition as an entrepreneur

Episode Links: 

• Website
• Academy of Breath
• Ava on Instagram
• Icons with Ava Johanna Podcast
• Pre-order Ava Johanna's Book

Episode Sponsor: 

• The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

In this powerful episode of Psychedelics Today, we sit down with the team behind Natural Medicine Alaska to discuss their groundbreaking efforts to bring psychedelic reform to the state. With some of the highest rates of depression, suicide, and substance use disorders in the nation, Alaska stands at a pivotal moment in the movement for mental health transformation.

Joe Moore speaks with Gina, President of Natural Medicine Alaska; David Aloff, an Alaska Native advocate; and Noria Clark, Veterans Coordinator to explore the origins of their movement, the importance of traditional healing protections, and their 2026 ballot initiative to decriminalize plant medicines and establish a regulated therapeutic model.

The discussion dives into:

• The personal journeys that led each guest to this work

• How Alaska’s libertarian spirit aligns with psychedelic reform

• The push to make Alaska the first state to include Ibogaine clinics in legislation

• The urgent need for veteran and first responder access to psychedelic therapy

• Fundraising and grassroots efforts to get the initiative on the ballot

• The role of Alaska’s natural landscape in healing and psychedelic integration

With national psychedelic policy at a crossroads, Alaska has the opportunity to become the North Star of this movement. Listen in to learn how you can support this critical campaign!

Support Natural Medicine Alaska: 💰 Donate: NaturalMedicineAlaska.org 📢 Share this episode to raise awareness! 📅 Attend Arctic Visions Psychedelic Conference in August 2025: arcticvisions.com

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

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In this one, we conclude our read-through of the infamous declassified Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process document.

Video version highly recommended!

In part three, we'll learn more about the practical elements of the gateway meditations, read the reports' shocking conclusions about reality, and reflect on the significance of the document from a number of angles. 

• Check out this video for more background on the Gateway Process and My experience at the Monroe Institute
• Full Gateway Process Document Including the "missing" page  

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In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, David Nutt meets with psychopharmacologist Phil Cowen and Psychiatrist Sameer Jauhar  to discuss the neuroscience behind and treatments for depression. Within the episode they touch on various neurotransmitters involved in depression as well as research studies into each of their impact, stigma around antidepressants and the role of psychedelics in treatment.

Depression

Serotonin

Tryptophan

Hamilton depression scale

Antidepressants

Geddes paper on preventing relapse

Support the Podcast

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul welcomes Dr. Austin Perlmutter, a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, and researcher.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-294/?ref=278

Dr. Perlmutter shares his perspective on how psychedelics can help "unstick" the brain from harmful patterns, explores the relationship between inflammation and mental health, and discusses his current research on ayahuasca's effects on epigenetics and the microbiome. From understanding the biological basis of our mental states to finding balance in a modern world that often works against our wellbeing, this conversation offers valuable insights on integrating psychedelics with healthy lifestyle practices for optimal brain function and mental health.

Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, published researcher and international educator. His mission is to help people improve their health by targeting the biological basis of "stuckness" in our brains and bodies. His writing, presentations, podcasts, and online educational programs have reached millions. Dr. Perlmutter has been featured on PBS, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, NPR and other media outlets. He is a co-producer of the Alzheimer's, the Science of Prevention series, and host of the Better Brain Blueprint series. Dr. Perlmutter currently serves as the managing director at Big Bold Health, a food-as-medicine company where he published a pioneering study on plant nutrients and human aging through epigenetics. He also consults with the Helfgott Research Institute, researching the effects of ayahuasca on epigenetics, metabolism, microbiome and immune function.

Highlights: The biology of mental health and decision-making Inflammation's crucial role in brain function How psychedelics create perspective shifts Balancing psychedelic use with lifestyle practices Breaking the cycle of chronic inflammation Understanding the autonomic nervous system's response The microbiome's connection to brain health Research on ayahuasca's epigenetic effects The importance of post-psychedelic environments Moving beyond the "psychedelic as panacea" mindset

Episode Sponsors:

• The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore sits down with Erica Siegal, founder of Nest Harm Reduction and Shine Collective, for a deep conversation on psychedelic harm reduction, ethical facilitation, and the evolving psychedelic landscape. Erica shares her journey from the Grateful Dead lot scene to festival harm reduction, social work, and leading initiatives to support survivors of psychedelic-related harm.

The conversation covers:

• Erica’s background in hospitality, social work, and psychedelic harm reduction
• The mission of Nest Harm Reduction in offering psychedelic therapy, integration, and community education
• The work of Shine Collective, a nonprofit supporting survivors of psychedelic harm and abuse
• The challenges of ethical facilitation, power dynamics, and the importance of clear boundaries
• How the psychedelic community can better address harm, accountability, and survivor support
• The intersection of Jewish spiritual traditions and psychedelics through Shefa

This episode is a must-listen for those passionate about harm reduction, ethical psychedelic practice, and building a safer, more accountable psychedelic culture.

Author and seeker Anthony Peake enters the mind meld!

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Anthony Peake has written a dozen books on topics ranging from UFOs and non-human intelligence to consciousness and near-death experiences. In this one, we muse about the hidden connections between consciousness and the UFO phenomenon, the nature of consciousness, and much more. 

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In this episode, Heather A. Lee, LCSW joins to discuss the topic of psychedelic healing for grief and loss. Heather is a licensed psychotherapist, educator, speaker, and consultant. With over 30 years of practice in mental health, her focus is on supporting midlife and beyond women as they navigate life transitions.

In this conversation, Heather explores the ways psychedelic healing may have transformative contributions to peoples’ journeys navigating grief and loss. She explains that we live in a culture that doesn’t have a good understanding of grief, how to navigate it, or how to support others who are grieving, so it can be a difficult issue to address. Heather discusses the neuroplasticity-promoting effects of psychedelics and elucidates the ways this can be helpful for processing grief, especially by allowing the person grieving the opportunity to hold their grief in new, productive ways alongside other healthy emotions. In closing, Heather emphasizes how psychedelics can also provide healing for existential distress brought on by the many planetary crises humanity is now facing through providing a broader, life-affirming viewpoint on these issues.

In this episode you'll hear:

• Heather’s journey from working in hospice settings to working with psychedelic therapy

• Navigating the grief of losing others and the grief of realizing the imminent end of one’s own life

• Why Heather thinks psychedelics are particularly useful for grief and loss

• How grief can manifest both mentally and physically

• Client stories from Heather’s practice where patients are able to process grief to achieve a better quality of life

• Neuroplasticity, psychological flexibility, and processing grief

• Psychedelics for end-of-life grief and anxiety

• Physiological impacts of spending quality time in nature
  

Quotes:

“Psychedelics are a really important and powerful option that are coming into the conversation about how people can take some control of how they navigate that psycho-spiritual-emotional component of coming to end of life.” [3:19]

“There is no right or wrong way to grieve and there is no normal and abnormal. I think it’s just about having markers so that we can know when and how to provide support to people.” [9:27]

“On the [psychedelic] medicine, you experience that grief, that loss—whatever that is—you’re experiencing it while you’re in that [neuroplastic] state so that you have the opportunity to get a fresh perspective. And it’s in that fresh perspective that you create the new patterns of thought around [your grief].” [20:12]

Links:

Heather's website

Medicine Woman Retreats website 

Heather on Instagram 

Heather on LinkedIn

Psychedelic Medicine Association

Porangui

Army Ranger to consultant to leading one of the most respected psychedelic retreat organizations, detailing how meditation and psychedelic therapy helped him heal from trauma.

The conversation covers:

• Neal’s military background and his path to psychedelics
• The mission and structure of Beckley Retreats, an offshoot of the Beckley Foundation
• How their retreats integrate meditation, preparation, and integration for long-lasting benefits
• The legal landscape of psilocybin in Jamaica and the Netherlands
• Challenges and lessons from running a psychedelic retreat business
• The future of psychedelics, from global access to potential federal policy shifts

Whether you're curious about immersive psychedelic retreats, the intersection of mental health and psychedelics, or the evolving legal landscape, this episode is packed with insight.

Learn more about Beckley Retreats here.

Hear more from Neil on Psychedelics Today here.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Nick Musica, founder and CEO of Optics In and psychic animal communicator.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-293/?ref=278

Nick shares his fascinating journey from SEO expert to animal communicator, bridging the worlds of technical analysis and spiritual connection. He discusses how plant medicine experiences and meditation opened channels of communication with animals, particularly through his relationship with his cat Chucky. The conversation explores the intersection of consciousness, communication, and how animals can serve as profound teachers in our lives. Nick also offers insights into the evolving landscape of SEO in the age of AI, drawing parallels between pattern recognition in both digital and spiritual realms.

Nick Musica is an SEO expert, plant medicine enthusiast & psychic animal communicator. He had his first psychic and psychedelic experiences in his early 20s, twenties, though it would take nearly 25 years for these experiences to resurface. In fact, much of his adult life was what most people would consider "normal".

This changed when Nick began exploring consciousness through plant medicine and work with a spiritual teacher. The connection that opened continued to grow and evolve. After visiting a psychic medium who told him he would communicate with animals and that it would be easy, Nick discovered - following a few false starts - that she was right.

Today, Nick communicates with other people's animals and helps individuals develop their own intuitive gifts.

Highlights:

• The DMV.org Story: Building and Losing a Digital Empire
• From SEO Expert to Animal Whisperer: A Transformational Journey
• How San Pedro Medicine Opened New Channels of Perception
• Understanding Mixed Signals: Why Animals Mirror Our Energy
• The Profound Teacher-Student Dynamic with Cats
• Dolphins and Family Bonds: Insights from Cabo
• Practical Steps for Developing Animal Communication
• The Hidden Language: Reading Beyond Animal Behavior

Episode Sponsors:

• The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

🥰 Support TED and join the community on Patreon

Video version is highly recommended! Watch here!

In this one, we continue our read-through of the infamous Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process document. In this session, we'll encounter the universal hologram or "the Absolute," speculate about the physics of consciousness, touch on quantum weirdness explain why it's possible for your consciousness to leave your physical body, and much more. 

Full Gateway document here

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In this episode of the Drug Science podcast, we speak with Josh Dugdale of the Wasing Estate, described as a "mindful aristocrat." He shares his experiences with Ayahuasca in the Amazon and how they influenced his journey upon returning to the UK. Josh discusses the creation of a mindful and spiritual festival during the pandemic, its evolution over time, and its wider impact. He also explores the challenges surrounding psilocybin access rights, the changes needed in this area, and what the future of psychedelic reform might look like.

Medicine Festival 

Psilocybin Access Rights

Ayahuasca

Psilocybin

MDMA

Drug Science Reschedule Psilocybin

Medical Cannabis

PTSD Veterans 

PTSD

Industrial Hemp Licensing

DEFRA

Subscribe to podcast

In this episode, Joe Moore of Psychedelics Today sits down with Paul Austin, founder of The Third Wave, to dive deep into the evolution of microdosing and its growing role in psychedelic culture. Paul shares how his journey with microdosing LSD led him to launch The Third Wave in 2015 to make psychedelics more accessible through education.

The conversation explores the latest research on microdosing, including clinical trials demonstrating its potential benefits for depression, mental clarity, and creativity. Paul and Joe discuss the nuances of different microdosing protocols, the role of psychedelics in performance optimization, and the impact of these substances on neuroplasticity. They also tackle key challenges, such as the lack of robust clinical research due to regulatory hurdles and the perceived risks associated with overuse.

Beyond microdosing, they touch on the broader psychedelic landscape—regulatory shifts, emerging coaching models, and the future of psychedelic-assisted transformation. The discussion even ventures into intriguing intersections between psychedelics, AI, and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on where microdosing fits into the larger psychedelic resurgence.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Robert Edward Grant, a polymath inventor, entrepreneur, mathematician, and philosopher. Grant shares his transformative journey from successful businessman to consciousness explorer, discussing how psychedelics enhanced his understanding of mathematics, sacred geometry, and universal truth. He explores the relationship between science and spirituality, the nature of reality, and his groundbreaking discoveries in ancient Egyptian archaeology. Grant offers profound insights into the role of unconditional love in personal evolution and how simplified approaches can solve complex modern problems.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-292/?ref=278

Sir Robert Edward Grant is a serial entrepreneur, polymath, prolific inventor, and thought leader in fields ranging from medical technology and cryptography to sacred geometry, mathematics, and music theory. With over 80 patents to his name, Grant is known for bridging the gap between science, spirituality, and innovation, applying his deep understanding of sacred geometry and universal mathematical principles to solve problems across diverse industries.

Highlights:

• How Our Reality May Be an Illusion
• Mushrooms as a Gateway to Higher Intelligence
• Finding Hidden Pyramids in Plain Sight
• Your Brain as a Frequency Receiver
• The True Purpose of AI Creation
• Why Complexity Needs Simple Solutions
• Why Embracing Your Shadow Leads to Growth
• From Business Crisis to Spiritual Awakening

Episode Sponsors:

• The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

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Dr. Michael Levin and Dr. Matthew Segall enter the mind meld! 

*Video Episode * 

Dr. Michael Levin is a developmental and synthetic biologist at Tufts University where he’s the Vannevar Bush Distinguished Professor. His groundbreaking research on bioelectricity, morphogenesis, and cognition is reshaping our understanding of how living systems self-organize and regenerate. He explores how cells and tissues communicate through bioelectrical signals, guiding the formation of complex structures without relying solely on genetic instructions. Levin's work suggests that biological development is not purely mechanical but follows invisible organizational principles, akin to the Platonic Forms. By demonstrating how bioelectrical fields encode structural information beyond genetic determinism, Levin’s research hints at an underlying realm of conscious intelligible patterns, challenging reductionist views and opening the door to a Platonic interpretation of biology.

Dr. Matthew Segall is an Assistant Professor in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Program at California Institute of Integral Studies. He explores the intersections of metaphysics, science, and consciousness often through the philosopher Alfred North Whitehead’s process philosophy. Whitehead, highly influenced by Plato, rejected the static, mechanistic worldview of classical science, instead proposing that reality is composed of dynamic processes, where mind and matter are deeply intertwined. This aligns with the work of Levin, whose research suggests that living systems follow formative principles that transcend mere genetic code—an idea resonant with Whitehead’s notion of eternal objects (akin to Platonic Forms) as guiding forces in the becoming of things. 

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In this episode, Thomas Kim, MD joins to discuss ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety. Dr. Kim is the Chief Medical Officer of Noma Therapy, which is a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy program available via telehealth and in-person with licensed therapists. He has devoted 20 years of his professional life to realizing a value-based approach to healthcare through telehealth.

In this conversation, Dr. Kim shares his journey of working in early telehealth contexts to now working with ketamine. He discusses the research on ketamine treatments for anxiety and explains the significant comorbidity of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, stressing that anxiety is best understood from a more holistic perspective that considers the social determinants of health. Dr. Kim also emphasizes the importance of psychotherapy alongside ketamine dosing sessions, explaining that therapists have a window of opportunity in the days following the ketamine dose to best take advantage of the state of ketamine-induced neuroplasticity the patient is experiencing. In closing, Dr. Kim shares his philosophy of prescribing the least amount of medicine which produces the largest impact for the patient to ensure that side effects are mitigated and financial burdens are reduced. 

In this episode you'll hear:

• Balancing maximal safety and maximal accessibility in medicine

• The research on ketamine treatments for anxiety

• How psychotherapy fits with ketamine treatments

• The neuroscience of why patients can have strong emotional reactions following ketamine sessions

• Stories of success from Dr. Kim’s practice

• The importance of understanding how adverse childhood experiences and social determinants of health significantly contribute to mental health struggles

• Collaborative ketamine-assisted psychotherapy with a patient’s existing therapist
  

Quotes:

“Over time, continued effort in the field [of telehealth] has led to cost-effective, scalable solutions that can reach more people. I’m really hopeful that we can find solutions in the psychedelic and ketamine landscape to do a similar thing.” [5:36]

“A thing that I say routinely to patients is ‘there is no cure in the bottom of the pill bottle—ketamine included.’ They are all incredibly useful and, when used effectively, can provide you meaningful relief from your psychological distress but make no mistake, there is not a cure—which is why I’m such a huge advocate of therapy and which is why ketamine-assisted psychotherapy also needs to be distinguished from ketamine therapy.”  [14:21]

“[We created] an intentionally time-limited plan which places the emphasis on the fact that, one day, you’re going to drive your own bus and you’re not going to need me. It’s a terrible business model—in fact it’s a wonderful business model because it gives us an opportunity to take care of more people because we set the intention of ‘Ketamine is not forever. You’re not broken. You’re struggling and we’re going to get you to a place where you might not need us.’”  [34:04]

Links:

Dr. Kim on LinkedIn

Noma Therapy website

Psychedelic Medicine Association

Porangui

In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore sits down with Louis Dorian, the visionary behind Psychedelist, a groundbreaking global platform designed to support the emerging psychedelic movement. Described as a “cyber city” for all things psychedelic, Psychedelist connects individuals with treatment providers, educators, facilitators, legal experts, and even vetted product vendors in an effort to enhance accessibility and safety in this evolving space.

Louis shares his journey into psychedelics, from early rave days to a transformative encounter with high-dose LSD and psilocybin that shaped his worldview. He opens up about the struggles of navigating trauma, loss, and the shortcomings of Western psychiatric care, leading him to develop his own trauma-processing techniques blending meditation, breathwork, and psychedelics.

The conversation also dives deep into the broader implications of drug prohibition, harm reduction, and the role of skill-building in responsible psychedelic use. Whether you're a seeker, a skeptic, or a professional in the field, this episode offers a compelling exploration of the psychedelic landscape and the power of intentional community building.

Resources:

• Visit Psychedelist
• Follow Louis Dorian on Instagram: @psychedelist
• More from Psychedelics Today: Website

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the future of psychedelics, regulation, and self-exploration!

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Jeff Krasno, entrepreneur, author, and wellness pioneer. 

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-291/?ref=278

Jeff shares his transformative journey from leading Wanderlust to confronting his own health crisis, which led to profound insights about stress, healing, and human potential. He discusses his new book "Good Stress," exploring how embracing evolutionary-aligned challenges can enhance our wellbeing. Jeff offers a unique perspective on rewilding our lives, the intersection of physical and spiritual health, and finding freedom from the fear of death through understanding our deep connection to nature and the cosmos.

Jeff Krasno is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well-being and co-creator of Wanderlust, a global series of wellness events. He hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of luminaries from Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté.

His latest venture expands Jeff’s personal story and protocols into a book, "Good Stress: The Benefits of Doing Hard Things" (Hay House, March 2025). The book dives deeper into the concepts from the course, distilling insights from over 400 podcast conversations Jeff has conducted, along with his personal experiences applying these ideas to transform his own health. It explores deliberate, self-imposed behaviors that promote social, psychological, and physical well-being, offering both a philosophical exploration of true wellness and practical steps to achieve it.

Highlights:

• Jeff's personal health crisis and transformation from Wanderlust CEO to wellness advocate
• The concept of "good stress" and its role in human evolution and adaptation
• Understanding rewilding as a path to physical and psychological health
• The intersection of physical practices and spiritual development
• How modern comfort may be undermining our natural resilience
• The importance of reconnecting with ancestral movement patterns
• Reframing our relationship with death and mortality
• The unity of physical and metaphysical in human experience

Episode Links:

• Website
• Jeff’s Book, “Good Stress”
• OneCommune

Episode Sponsor:

• The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

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This transmission returns to the infamous Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process document.

Video Version (highly recommended!)

In part one of the read-through, we'll introduce the paper and touch on its clandestine history. We'll also read the first chunk of the full report.

• Check out this video for more background on the Gateway Process and My experience at the Monroe Institute
• Full Gateway Process Document Including the "missing" page

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In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore is joined by Neeka Levy and Zach Skiles of Heal Ukraine Trauma, a nonprofit bringing psychedelic-assisted therapy to veterans and civilians affected by war. They discuss the organization’s origins, the impact of intergenerational trauma in Ukraine, and the evolving role of psychedelic treatments in a war-torn nation.

Nika, a first-generation Ukrainian-American and neuroscience-trained psychiatric nurse practitioner, and Zach, a Marine veteran turned psychologist, share their journey into this work, highlighting the importance of group ketamine therapy as a scalable, culturally aligned solution. They explore Ukraine’s complex regulatory landscape, the need for rigorous research, and the challenges of working in a war zone.

They also touch on the role of psychedelics in processing moral injury, the importance of including family members in healing, and how Ukraine’s collectivist culture influences therapeutic approaches. With insights on historical trauma, ethical considerations, and the potential future of MDMA and psilocybin therapy in Ukraine, this conversation sheds light on a vital, evolving effort.

Prof Ravi Das is a leading expert in psychopharmacology and cognitive neuroscience, with a career dedicated to understanding and developing innovative treatments for addiction and anxiety disorders. He completed his BSc in Psychology and MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London (UCL), followed by a PhD in Psychopharmacology at the UCL Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit.

Prof Das’s research takes a translational and experimental medicine approach, focusing on the mechanisms of memory plasticity and their role in the development of addictive and anxiety disorders. A key area of his work is memory reconsolidation—the process by which established memories become temporarily unstable when retrieved, creating an opportunity to modify maladaptive memories. By targeting these unstable memories, Prof Das explores how drug or behavioral interventions could potentially disrupt the cravings and relapse associated with addiction, the fear underlying anxiety disorders, or the flashbacks experienced in PTSD.

In addition to his work on memory reconsolidation, Prof Das is deeply interested in the phenomenology and effects of illicit drug use, as well as the role of cognitive and mindfulness-based strategies in treating substance use disorders. His research bridges the gap between scientific discovery and clinical application, with the ultimate goal of developing more effective, evidence-based treatments for mental health challenges.

Prof Celia Morgan

Prof Val Curran

Prof Sunjeev Kamboj

Memory Research and consolidation 

Biggest DMT study

Placebos in psychedelic clinical trials 

Prof Mitul Mehta

Psychedelic gold rush 

RFK Jr pro-psychedelics 

FDA reject Lykos decision 

UNITy screening form 

Wellcome Leap

LSD study 

Preparation for Psilocybin study

UNITy

Episode 04: Jim Fadiman and Jordan Gruber - Microdosing: Everything you need to know

James Fadiman, PhD and Jordan Gruber, JD have just released a new book called 'Microdosing: FOR HEALTH, HEALING AND ENHANCED PERFORMANCE' and this episode of the podcast takes a deep dive with both Jim and Jordan into the seemignly magical applications of microdosing psychedelic compounds. The conversation covers all the essential information if you are considering microdosing and uncovers the vast array of conditions that microdosing might be helpful in treating. If you're interested in this end of the psychedelic spectrum - look no further.

JAMES FADIMAN, PhD, has been professionally involved with psychedelics for over 60 years. He developed modern microdosing, including the use of protocols, specific dose ranges, and time off. He is the author of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide (2011) and is the world’s foremost microdosing researcher.

JORDAN GRUBER, JD, co-author of Your Symphony of Selves with Fadiman in 2020, has written, ghost written, and edited over a dozen books in a wide variety of fields including psychology, spirituality, finance, and personal development. He has been close friends with Fadiman since 1990 and contributed to The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes David Jay Brown, accomplished author and researcher in consciousness studies.

https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-290-david-jay-brown/?ref=278

David shares insights from his extensive work exploring the intersections of psychedelics, lucid dreaming, and technological evolution. From his early days writing for MAPS to his current work documenting DMT entities, David offers fascinating perspectives on how these altered states of consciousness might help humanity navigate the approaching technological singularity.

David Jay Brown is an accomplished author with expertise spanning psychedelics, consciousness studies, and futurism. He holds a master's degree in psychobiology from NYU and has written extensively about the intersection of psychedelics, consciousness, and technology. As the author of groundbreaking works including The Illustrated Field Guide to DMT Entities and Psychedelics and the Coming Singularity, Brown brings decades of experience interviewing leading figures in psychedelic research and consciousness exploration. His work has appeared in Scientific American, Wired, and Discover, and he served as Senior Editor for MAPS Bulletin from 2007-2012.

Highlights:

• Early work with MAPS and witnessing the psychedelic renaissance
• The technological singularity and its relationship to psychedelics
• Connections between psychedelic states and lucid dreaming
• Practical techniques for inducing lucid dreams
• The role of intention in both dreaming and psychedelic experiences
• Indigenous perspectives on dreaming and plant medicine
• DMT entities and alien contact experiences
• The mystery of consciousness and interdimensional experience

Episode Links:

• David’s website
• The Illustrated Field Guide to DMT Entities

Episode Sponsor:

• The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links.

In this special bonus episode, we share highlights from a recent January webinar featuring Paul F. Austin in conversation with Chris Villar, a successful executive coach and graduate of the Psychedelic Coaching Institute. 

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-289b/?ref=278

Chris shares his transition from Goldman Sachs and founding a $125 million company to becoming an executive coach incorporating psychedelics into his practice. Together, Paul and Chris explore the business aspects of psychedelic coaching, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for building a successful practice.

For more of Chris's personal and professional journey, check out his interview in Episode 268 of The Psychedelic Podcast. Chris Villar studied finance & accounting at Georgetown University and began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he led a $500 million investment portfolio in the home security industry. In 2007, he left Goldman and founded Frontpoint Security, an early disruptor for self-installed alarm systems and smart home technology. 

Chris served as CEO from inception to over $125-million in revenue as the company grew to nearly 800 employees and received frequent recognition for both customer and employee satisfaction. After selling the company in 2020, Chris founded VILLAR Coaching, a boutique coaching practice focused on helping founders (and other high achievers) scale their companies while cultivating skills in peak performance and fundamental wellbeing. 

Chris has done extensive work to overcome a lifetime of stress, anxiety, and burnout and to detach from the lifelong grip of achievement; and now enjoys helping others do the same. He lives in Washington, DC with his husband and their 10-year old beagle and enjoys the outdoors, hiking, and traveling.

Highlights:

• Chris's background: From Goldman Sachs to founding a $125M company
• The journey to becoming a psychedelic integration coach 
• Key skills Chris learned through professional training 
• Structuring client engagements and coaching containers Incorporating ketamine therapy through legal providers 
• Revenue generation and pricing strategies in psychedelic coaching 
• Group retreats and scaling a coaching practice
• Essential advice for aspiring coaches

Episode Links:

• Chris’s website
•  The Psychedelic Coaching Institute’s Practitioner Training Program

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Colin Frangicetto returns to the mind meld!

Video Episode  👈

This week, we return to the seductive hall of mirrors that is the UFO / UAP phenomenon. We riff on the tension between disinformation and disclosure, the mind-blowing revelations from whistleblower, Jake Barber, the documentary Mirage Men and much more. 

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In this episode, Joseph Holcomb Adams joins to discuss the important topic of guruism and cult dynamics in psychedelic communities. Joseph is an ethicist who specializes in issues related to psychedelics, altered states, and transformative experiences.

In this conversation, Joseph introduces the concepts of a guru, guruism, and cult dynamics. He describes the social-psychological mechanisms behind the devotee-guru relationship and the development of ideological conformity in cults, explaining how the heightened states induced by psychedelics can contribute to these dynamics if participants and facilitators are not aware of these dangers and vigilant in guarding against them. Joseph explains that psychedelic experiences can lead to “experiential verification,” where the participant’s sense of the facilitator as a wise spiritual guide can seem to be confirmed through the intense mystical nature of the experience, which in turn can feed into a guru-disciple power dynamic where the participant feels reliant on the facilitator for their healing. In closing, Joseph focuses on the profound importance of education on these topics. He emphasizes that these potentially harmful dynamics will always be present, so raising awareness is crucial as psychedelic healing continues to become more mainstream.

In this episode you'll hear:

• The spectrum of cult dynamics

• How guruism and cult dynamics can become amplified in psychedelic practices 

• How psychedelics influence suggestibility, transference, and projection

• Why it can be easy for psychedelic facilitators to unintentionally fall into guruism

• Ego inflation following psychedelic experiences

• How ecstatic ritual experiences promote group cohesion

• What can be done to address the risks of guruism and cultic dynamics in psychedelic practices

• The importance of informed consent
  

Quotes:

“[During a psychedelic experience] it can be very easy for the participant to basically associate and identify this mind-opening experience, this earth-shattering spiritual experience, with this person who facilitated it for them, who is right there, who seems to know all about this space of consciousness that they’re experiencing.” [13:22]

“If the facilitator… already has a big, inflated sense of their spiritual knowledge and ability, then that’s already right there, pushing them to step into that guru role and this can happen from their own psychedelic use.” [30:06]

“When we’re engaging in psychedelic-enhanced ecstatic group rituals, what we’re doing here is we’re basically using powerful neuropharmacological tools to help us really powerfully tap into these potentialities that are in our primordial nature as social, instinctively religious beings… That’s what we’re messing around with here.” [38:23]

“The most important risk mitigation factors—really it’s education and the awareness that comes from it.” [43:52]

Links:

Joseph’s website

Joseph on LinkedIn

Joseph’s chapter, “Guruism and Cultic Social Dynamics in Psychedelic Practices and Organisations” co-authored with Jules Evans in Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences

“Oxytocin modulates charismatic influence in groups” by Ilanit Gordon and Yair Berson, 2018

Psychedelic Safety Flags: A Color System to Help Assess Practitioner Ethics and Safety

Previous episode: The Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project with Jules Evans

Previous episode: Avoiding the Traps of Psychedelic Self-Absorption with Adam Aronovich PhD(c)

Psychedelic Medicine Association

Porangui

In this episode, Joe interviews Josh Lipson, a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology at Columbia University, whose research explores the relationship between psychedelics, mystical experiences, and mental health.

He discusses the complexities of studying psychedelics in real-world settings, the role of metaphysical perspectives in research, and why different individuals respond to psychedelics in such varied ways. Lipson shares his personal journey into psychedelic research, the challenges of interdepartmental collaboration, and the evolving landscape of modern psychedelic science.

He also talks about:

• The importance of integration after psychedelic experience
• Why mystical experiences may not be the only path to healin
• The balance between stability and the chaos psychedelics can introduc
• The need for diverse perspectives and ways of knowing in psychedelic researc
• How psychedelics have shaped global consciousness and cultural perspectives

and more!

For links, head to the show notes page.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Daniel Carcillo, former NHL player and two-time Stanley Cup champion, about his remarkable journey from professional hockey to becoming a pioneer in psychedelic therapy for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-289/?ref=278

Daniel shares his powerful story of using psilocybin to heal from multiple concussions and severe post-concussion syndrome, which led him to establish treatment centers helping others with similar conditions. He discusses the scientific basis for psilocybin's effectiveness in treating TBI, his current work running legal psilocybin retreats in Oregon, and his vision for expanding access to natural medicine healing modalities. The conversation explores the intersection of professional sports, brain health, and psychedelic medicine, while addressing the broader implications for healthcare and policy.

Daniel Carcillo is a former NHL player and two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks. Known as "Car Bomb" during his professional hockey career, he has transformed his experience with multiple concussions and traumatic brain injury into pioneering work in psychedelic medicine. After spending years seeking conventional treatment for post-concussion syndrome, he discovered the healing potential of psilocybin mushrooms. Since his recovery, Daniel has become a leading advocate for natural medicine approaches to brain injury and mental health. He founded treatment centers focused on psilocybin therapy and is currently operating legal retreats in Oregon, specifically designed to help others suffering from TBI and related conditions. His work combines scientific research with practical therapeutic applications, aiming to transform treatment options for those affected by brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.

Highlights:

• Life as an NHL enforcer and winning Stanley Cups
• Early hockey career and development of "Car Bomb" persona 
• Journey through addiction and discovering meditation 
• Multiple concussions and struggles with traditional treatment 
• First encounter with psilocybin research
• Transformative healing experience with mushrooms
• Establishing legal psilocybin retreats in Oregon
• Protocol development and integration support
• Future vision for psychedelic therapy

Episode Link:

• Website

Episode Sponsor:

• The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

Philosopher, Cognitive Scientist, and University of Toronto Professor, John Vervaeke returns to the mind meld.

Video Episode 👈

In this one, we muse about John's surprising encounter with higher intelligence and how it changed his life. More specifically, John encountered a being he believes to be his personal daimon or guide. We also riff on the ancient wisdom of Platonism, the mind, the future of the meaning crisis, and the dualistic paradox we're all stuck in.

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🎧 Sub and Review on Spotify

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The Awakening From the Meaning Crisis Book

John's talk with Charle's Stang

Website