The Psychedelic Podcast

After a successful career in entrepreneurship and cryptocurrency, Ryan Zurrer turned his attention to the burgeoning psychedelic space. As he continued to learn more via research, attending conferences, and speaking with others, he became concerned about what he considers the "dystopian future" of psychedelic therapies - sterile doctors' offices, $8000 treatments, synthetic drugs, no community or connection. Determined to help others harness the powerful benefits of plant medicines in traditional settings, he started Vine Ventures, a VC fund focusing on a future in which everyone who wants to access a psychedelic experience can do so safely, legally, and affordably. In this episode, Ryan and Paul discuss the importance of accessibility, Ryan's criteria for investment, and the differences between a centralized and decentralized approach to therapy and legalization.

When Lynn Marie Morski, M.D., was first introduced to psychedelics at age 35, she had the kind of transformative experience that she knew would greatly help her patients at the VA. But with no legal way to recommend plant medicines, she decided to turn her attention to educating doctors about the benefits of psychedelics. Unsure of where her new venture would take her, Lynn Marie quit her job, started the Plant Medicine podcast, and created the Psychedelic Medicine Association. In this episode, Lynn Marie and Paul discuss bridging the gap between medical practitioners and the advances taking place in the psychedelic research world.

Psychoanalyst, executive coach, author, and Harvard-trained philosopher Peter Carnochan, Ph.D., has spent the last 30 years helping clients unknot problematic feelings, solve challenges, and develop more resilient and expansive modes of living. In this episode, Peter talks with Paul about the many ways philosophy and psychedelic experiences complement each other, the interconnectedness of everything in the universe, the freedom found within boundaries, and the power we have to change our own lives.

When it comes to contemplative practices, concepts of eternity, and mystical experiences, there are many similarities between ancient traditions and contemporary religions. Could psychedelics be one of those connections? In this episode, Paul Austin talks with Brian Muraresku, author of The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion with No Name, about tens of thousands of years of mysticism, the evidence for ancient use of psychedelics in religious ceremony, and the democratization of plant medicine.

One of the leading advocates in the kratom industry, Mac Haddow spent years working in US government relations, including acting as Chief of Staff at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Today, he is working tirelessly to protect the rights of kratom users and vendors, traveling throughout the US to promote nationwide adoption of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. In this episode, Mac and Paul discuss the responsible use of kratom—its benefits, risks, and concerns—and also touch on the topic of corruption within the FDA regulatory and approval process.

There's a growing momentum to legalize therapeutic psychedelics in the United States, with clinics nationwide already offering ketamine therapy, as well as the recent decriminalization of psilocybin in Oregon. What do today's treatment protocols look like, and what will the future bring? In this episode, Yaron Conforti, CEO and Director of Novamind, talks with Paul Austin, founder of Third Wave, about creating individualized treatment plans, the thousands of clinics we can expect in the next ten years, and democratizing access to psychedelic medicine.

After building and selling a successful software startup, Tim Sae Koo had a psychedelic experience and vision that revealed his true life's purpose. Today, he devotes himself to 1heart, a home for change makers, creative innovators, and soul seekers who feel called to co-create a collective future as one tribe. In this episode, Tim and Paul reflect on their friendship, and discuss elevating consciousness, building community, and staying out of the matrix.

James Fadiman Ph.D. almost needs no introduction. An early pioneer of psychedelic research, a lifelong proponent of microdosing, and a prolific writer and educator, Jim played a pivotal role in reigniting the conversation around psychedelics in the US and beyond with the publication of his 2011 book, The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide. In this wide-ranging podcast, Jim chats candidly with Paul Austin about everything from the early years of psychedelic research and the immeasurable benefits of microdosing, to the business of psychedelics, the power of citizen science, and the foundation of our personal identities.

Dr. Katherine Coder was on her way to a career on Wall Street when a psychedelic experience changed the course of her life. Now a counselor and coach, her mission is to help her clients reclaim their birthright and unfold their essential nature into the world. In this episode, Kat and Paul discuss the power of community, connecting to spirit, and pharmaceutical vs. shamanic approaches to healing through plant medicine.

Amanda Eilian has been actively investing in early stage consumer companies for the last decade, drawing on her experience as an institutional investor and entrepreneur. Her focus today is on companies that make the daily lives of consumers healthier, happier, and more meaningful. In this episode, Amanda and Paul discuss narrowing the wellness gap and investing in psychedelics for long-term solutions to mental illness.

A psychotherapist since 1989, Charley Wininger is also a licensed psychoanalyst and a mental health counselor who specializes in relationships and communication skills. His recent book, Listening To Ecstasy, tracks his personal experience with MDMA as a way to enhance his life and strengthen his marriage. In this podcast, he and Paul chat about the power of MDMA to solidify relationships, rediscover joy, and reconnect to ourselves and each other.

Dr. Craig Heacock, psychiatrist and ketamine treatment provider, offers a counterpoint to a previous guest's view on mental illness and psychiatric medications. While his goal is always to have patients on as few medications as possible, Craig stresses the importance of correctly understanding the nuances of mental health and mental health treatments instead of painting with a broad brush. He and Paul also discuss the current state and near-future of psychedelic treatments for mental health, as well as the reception of psychedelics among the psychiatric community.

Dr. Nisha Khanna blends Western medicine with the ancient practice of Ayurveda to create holistic health—emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual. Her focus is on getting to the root cause of disease and correcting imbalance, not just covering up the symptoms. In this episode, Nisha and Paul discuss recognizing your higher self, disconnection as disease, and the role of psychedelics in whole-being health.

After several years in high-pressure technology jobs he didn't enjoy, Nik Vassev had his first psychedelic experience and realized he had full power to transform his life. Less than 18 months later, he had expanded his psychedelic use and created Mindleap, the world's first tele-health platform for therapeutic integration. In this episode, Nik and Paul discuss changing your life through psychedelics, the drive to help others, and the full meaning of "integration".

After years spent running an Amsterdam nightclub, Natasja Pelgrom had refined the art of "sex and drugs and rock and roll". At 33, however, she had an epiphany—and spent the next several years releasing her co-dependencies, healing childhood trauma, and rediscovering how to welcome sacredness back into her life. Today, Natasja is a sacred medicine woman, mystic, devotional creative, and visionary who leads spiritual alchemy journeys, providing a compassionate space for healing and remembering. In this episode, Natasja and Third Wave founder Paul Austin delve deep into the importance of healing ourselves, the power of 5-MeO-DMT, and the role of integration.

Timothy Ko came to the psychedelic space as a result of his deeply personal connections with depression, anxiety, and addiction. As the CEO of Entheon Biomedical, an organization working on a legal IV DMT protocol, Timothy is dedicated to providing an effective and scalable therapy that will serve as a vital resource for those afflicted with a substance-use disorder, and who are wanting to reclaim their lives. In this episode, Timothy and Paul discuss their personal experiences with psychedelics, the benefits of DMT in overcoming addiction, and the life-affirming power of a new perspective.

While a PhD researcher at Imperial College London, Mendel Kaelen investigated the brain mechanisms of classic psychedelic drugs and their effects on music-perception and music-evoked emotion. After a year off spent integrating his ayahuasca experiences in the Amazon, Mendel completed his Master's Degree before founding Wavepaths, an algorithmic music system that unifies immersive arts, psychotherapies, and intelligent technologies into new models of care. In this episode, Mendel and Paul explore the beauty of randomness, the healing potential of psychedelics, our debt to primal sound, and the power of music to make meaning.

With a decades-long commitment to psychedelic advocacy and research, a firsthand knowledge of the life-changing benefits of plant medicine, and his role as CEO of Psygen Labs, Danny Motyka brings a unique perspective to the future of psychedelics. In this episode, he and Paul discuss the differences between the cannabis and psychedelic industries, the role of plant medicines as preventative treatments, and what psychedelic therapy might look like in the near future.

Bett Williams is a contemporary psychedelics pioneer, author, and podcast host. In this episode, she talks with Paul Austin about her introduction to mushrooms, her decades-long break from them, her re-entry into the world of psychedelics, and her experience with solo, ritualized journeys.

After facilitating the expansion of Esalen Institute, the Denali Education Center, Chena Hot Springs, the Center for Ecological Living and Learning, and more, Ian-Michael Hébert founded Holos, dedicated to a world where humanity honors the interdependence of all life and actively stewards the health of individuals, society, and our planet's ecosystems. In this episode, Ian-Michael talks with Paul about intentional living, honoring the earth, healing through plant medicine, and giving back to the communities that nurture us.

At the age of 30, with a successful career and a highly active lifestyle, Boomer Anderson was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. This unpleasant surprise led him on a journey to self-optimization covering everything from sleep to diet to meditation to psychedelics and more, all grounded in data. In this episode, Boomer and Paul discuss their ongoing personal journeys, how to succeed at habit change, and what it means to become superhuman.

Erick Godsey is on the forefront of self-optimization through physical health, reframing our stories, responsible psychedelic use, mastery, and flow. In this episode, he talks with Paul about the psychedelic experience that almost broke his brain, how he defines "mastery", the lies we've been told about psychiatric drugs, and how to truly recover from depression and anxiety.

Dr. Casey Paleos is among the earliest researchers in the third wave of psychedelic study, both in ketamine and other psychedelics. In this episode, he and Paul discuss the use of ketamine in telemedicine, early psilocybin and ketamine trials, effective ketamine protocols, and re-forming the grooves in our brains.

In this episode, Paul Austin, founder of Third Wave, and former UFC fighter Kyle Kingsbury discuss the role of psychedelics in parenting, polyamory, interconnectedness, masculinity, caring for the earth, and accepting paradox.

In this episode, Paul Austin, founder of Third Wave, and integrative psychiatrist Dr. Will Van Derveer discuss the mind/body connection, the role of ketamine as a catalyst for long-term whole-body health, and the importance of personal responsibility in sustaining positive transformation.

In this episode, Paul F. Austin, founder of Third Wave, and Marcela Ot'alora, researcher and MDMA therapist, discuss some unexpected similarities in the insights gained through isolation and psychedelic experiences.

In this episode, Paul F. Austin, founder of Third Wave, and Trevor Millar, Executive Director of the Canadian Psychedelic Association, discuss the recent petition to the Canadian government to decriminalize all psychedelics, how to blend the competing philosophies of the personal and the collective, and the drive to share the transformational benefits of psychedelics with others.

In this podcast, Paul F. Austin, founder of Third Wave, and Jesse Gould, founder and President of Heroic Hearts Project, discuss the role of ayahuasca in treating veterans' mental health. As an army ranger deployed three times to Afghanistan, Gould overcame his own PTSD through ayahuasca therapy, and is now dedicated to helping other veterans do the same.

In this podcast, Paul F. Austin, founder of Third Wave and Tucker Max, bestselling author and entrepreneur, discuss the role of psychedelics in processing trauma, empowering individual choice, and guiding personal evolution. You'll hear about the specific ways that psychedelics help you confront and process trauma, the importance of creating productive relationships with therapeutic substances, and the power of the stories we tell ourselves.

In this podcast, Paul F. Austin, founder of Third Wave, speaks with husband-and-wife team Tom and Sheri Eckert—seasoned psychotherapists, founders of the Oregon Psilocybin Society, and architects of the Psilocybin Service Initiative of Oregon (Yes on 109), a statewide ballot initiative campaign to legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy. Here you'll find an inside glimpse into their vision to make psilocybin therapy available not just for people with particular mental health diagnoses, but for the general public as well (with some exceptions).

Leadership coach Dr. Jennie Rivlin explains how the Third Wave Microdosing Experience helped her move from fear to flow, overcome depression, and find healing in community.

In this podcast, Paul F. Austin, founder of Third Wave and Joe Tafur, M.D., integrative family physician, curandero, speaker, and author of The Fellowship of the River: A Medical Doctor's Exploration into Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine, chat about the ways in which science and spirituality are intersecting to help heal humanity—a breakthrough he's exploring through the Modern Spirit Epigenetic Project, an initiative that has seen him join forces with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and the University of Southern California (USC) to explore the biological basis of psychedelic medicine and investigate how healing from trauma can alter the way our genes are expressed.

In this podcast, Paul F. Austin, founder of Third Wave and Deanne Adamson, founder of Being True To You Transformational Recovery, have a candid discussion about overcoming addiction, the power of conversion experiences to awaken us to our life's purpose, and aligning to your heart's true calling. You'll also learn about the three stages of psychedelic integration coaching, the importance of shadow work, and the differences between psychedelic coaches, guides, facilitators, sitters, and therapists.

Alexandra Roxo is an author, artist, speaker, mentor, and spiritual guide who has been sharing her heart publicly for nearly two decades. Twelve million people watched her Vice show Life as a Truck Stop Stripper, where she went to work at a truck stop strip club, and which was later adapted into a pilot with executive producer Spike Jonze. Her web series Be Here Nowish was featured in Vogue, The New Yorker, and London Times. She has also supported thousands of women in their journey towards self-embodiment and recently authored the book F*ck Like A Goddess. In this inaugural video podcast, Alexandra and Paul F. Austin, founder of Third Wave, chat about ayahuasca, sexuality, inviting epiphanies through non-resistance, breaking patterns, and facing our shadows.

Dylan Beynon is the Founder and CEO of Mindbloom, an NYC-based mental health and wellbeing startup helping people expand their human potential with clinician-prescribed, guided psychedelic medicine experiences. In this podcast, Dylan chats with Paul F. Austin about old medicine vs. new medicine, centralization vs. decentralization, and transforming lives to transform the world.

In this podcast, Paul F. Austin, founder of Third Wave, speaks with Ronan Levy, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Field Trip Health. Together, they cover several controversial themes—including the role regulation should play in the psychedelic space, whether FDA approval is required to legitimize psychedelic therapies, the pros and cons of relying on expert evidence, the lifestyle changes suggested for integration, and finding a middle ground between trusting and blaming big pharma.

This podcast features an intellectually orgasmic conversation between Paul F. Austin, founder of The Third Wave, and Louie Schwartzberg, the award-winning producer, director, and cinematographer responsible for the breakaway film, Fantastic Fungi. Tune in to hear what they have to say about the creation and grassroots promotion of Fantastic Fungi, the power of a personal mycelial network to bring people together, the role of the back to the land movement, finding wonder and awe, and growing your own tomatoes.

Tania de Jong AM is a trail-blazing Australian soprano, global speaker, and award-winning social entrepreneur who has developed five businesses and three charities—including Mind Medicine Australia, which supports psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of mental illness. In this wide-ranging podcast, she and Paul F. Austin talk about mental health, surviving trauma, the mind-altering power of music, catapulting into the cosmos with psychedelics, kangaroos, and folding umbrellas.

Dr. Julie Holland—a psychiatrist specializing in psychopharmacology and author of the recently-released book, Good Chemistry: The Science of Connection From Soul to Psychedelics—riffs with Paul F. Austin on oxytocin, music, death, and using psychedelics to activate our parasympathetic state of being. Get ready for a ride that covers topics ranging from The Very Hungry Caterpillar to MDMA, cannabis, and PTSD.

Dr. Molly Maloof—physician, nutritional consultant, and popular speaker—chats with Paul Austin on how to boost our immunity and foster neuroplasticity through psychedelics, meditation, and healthier lifestyle choices. Tune in to discover some steps you can take to improve your physical and mental wellbeing as you navigate the current period of uncertainty and heightened anxiety.

Peter Corbett, retired founder and Buddhist practitioner, joins Paul Austin to discuss the intersection of start-ups, success, and spirituality. Peter traversed the start-up road for the past ten years, bootstrapping his digital agency to a multi-million dollar exit. Listen in as Peter explains why his search for money, status, and achievement led to a developmental dead-end - and how his perspectives changed from intentional plant medicine use.

Host Paul F. Austin sits down with Greg Ferenstein, a data scientist and social ethnographer who has explored the cutting-edge of modern microdosing use by devising a comprehensive system for tracking real-time transformation with psychedelics.

Daragh Crowley, certified rolfer and movement enthusiast, sits down with host Paul F. Austin to discuss why healing the physical body is central to becoming whole and what role rolfing, movement, and psychedelics play in this process.

Dr. David Luke, a senior lecturer and psychedelic weirdness extraordinare, sits down with host Paul F. Austin to discuss synesthesia, shared hallucinations, and why telepathy might actually be possible with smokable DMT.

Philippa Wilkin, transformational leadership coach and breathwork facilitator, sits down with host Paul F. Austin to discuss existential crises, why breathwork helps to integrate repressed emotions, and how consistently live in a state of presence.

Dr. Ben Sessa, consultant psychiatrist and author of "The Psychedelic Renaissance", sits down with host Paul F. Austin to discuss his recent MDMA trials for alcoholism, how Ben became the first person to legally take psychedelics in the UK since the 60s, and why MDMA is so good at healing core attachment-based trauma.

Listen to a live podcast panel entitled: "Without the Drugs: Modalities for Hacking Consciousness" brought to you by The Third Wave. Dr. David Rabin, Daniel Cortez, and Brooke Deputy join Paul Austin for a far-ranging conversation about the utility of non-ordinary states in healing and transformation.

Learn about the Thank You Plant Medicine movement from the two co-founders David Grillot and Jonathan Glazer.

Geoff Hanzlik joins Paul Austin for an insightful conversation about ayahuasca, masculinity, and the necessity of emotional regulation for mature and developed leadership. Tune into this episode to hear Geoff discuss his experience as an ayahuasca facilitator for the Santo Daime church, why he abruptly stopped hosting ceremonies, and what he has learned about emotional regulation from plant medicine.

David Rabin, M.D. Ph.D. joins host Paul Austin for a riveting conversation about the intersection of science and spirituality in psychedelic medicine.