The Psychedelic Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Healing Before Leading: Psychedelics and Political Integrity

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Laura Dunn, civil rights attorney and congressional candidate, about trauma, leadership, and the role of psychedelic healing.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-352/?ref=278 

Laura shares how her work advocating for survivors led her to confront the deeper limitations of legal and institutional systems. While policy change can create meaningful protections, it often fails to address the underlying trauma individuals carry.

They explore how psychedelic experiences became part of her personal healing journey, and how that informs her approach to leadership, public service, and political integrity.

Laura Dunn is an award-winning civil rights attorney, former public school teacher, and congressional candidate in New York's 12th District. She helped shape Title IX protections, contributed to the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization, and founded SurvJustice, a nonprofit supporting survivors of sexual violence. Her work bridges advocacy, policy, and trauma-informed leadership.

Highlights:

• From survivor advocacy to policy reform
• Limits of legal systems in trauma healing
• Why leadership requires inner work
• Psychedelics as tools for self-awareness
• Breaking stigma in political leadership
• Bipartisan support for reform
• Veterans and policy momentum
• Trauma and leadership integrity
• A vision for conscious governance

Episode Links:

• Laura Dunn (Congress campaign Instagram)
• SurvJustice (founded by Laura Dunn)

Episode Sponsors:

• The Microdosing Practitioner Certification at Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
• The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
• Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout

Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization.

Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes.

Western Philosophy on Drugs: Consciousness, Dreams, and Reality

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Dr. Justin Smith-Ruiu about how psychedelic experiences challenge long-standing assumptions about consciousness, perception, and reality.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-351/?ref=278 

Justin explains how Western philosophy has historically privileged rational, sober, and waking states of mind, often dismissing dreams and altered states as unreliable. He explores how psychedelic experiences push against these assumptions, raising deeper questions about knowledge, language, and what counts as real.

The conversation also examines the tension between therapeutic and existential uses of psychedelics, and how medicalization may shape the cultural role these substances play moving forward.

Justin Smith-Ruiu is a professor of history and philosophy of science at the Université Paris Cité and author of On Drugs: Psychedelics, Philosophy, and the Nature of Reality. His work explores intellectual history, consciousness, and the limits of rational thought, and he writes regularly for Harper's, WIRED, and The New York Times.

Highlights:

• How philosophy excludes altered states
• Why dreams are dismissed as unreliable
• Psychedelics and limits of rationality
• Language and ineffability of experience
• Therapeutic vs existential frameworks
• Medicalization and cultural impact
• Philosophy beyond sober cognition

Episode Links:

• Justin Smith-Ruiu's website

Episode Sponsors:

• The Microdosing Practitioner Certification at Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
• The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
• Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout

Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization.

Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Dr. Paul Ryder, founding minister of the Congregation for Sacred Practices, about an alternative framework for psychedelic work rooted in spirituality, ritual, and community rather than medicine alone.

Paul Ryder shares how his own experiences led him to treat psychedelics as sacraments, and why he believes the medical model, while valuable, represents only an early phase of the psychedelic renaissance. Together, they explore how CSP operates as both a church and a seminary, training licensed ministers to hold ceremonies ethically, safely, and within a religious legal framework.

The conversation also examines the role of community in long-term transformation, the distinction between therapists and ministers, and why practices like breathwork, meditation, and integration circles are central to spiritual development. Throughout, Ryder offers a grounded perspective on how psychedelics can support not just healing, but maturation, responsibility, and a deeper sense of purpose.

You can find the full episode summary and related resources here:
https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-342/?ref=278

Episode Links

• The Congregation for Sacred Practices

Episode Sponsors:

• The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
• The Microdosing Practitioner Certification at Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
• Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout

Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization.

Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes.

Host Paul F. Austin welcomes JM Ryerson to discuss his journey from entrepreneurship to coaching and the profound impact of plant medicine on his life and leadership.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-257-jm-ryerson/?ref=278

JM shares how ayahuasca fueled his spiritual awakening and connection to spirituality, emphasizing discernment in business and the power of a growth mindset. He also highlights the value of openness to new perspectives and the transformative role of psychedelics for leaders. Join us for insights on "upgrading your life," leadership, and the significance of vulnerability.

JM Ryerson founded and sold 3 businesses and is now helping leadership teams do the same. He is a Leadership & Performance Coach, International Speaker, host of the Let's Go Win podcast, and Best Selling Author of the books "Let's Go Win", "Champion's Daily Playbook", and "Upgrade". JM has been building companies and leading sales teams for over 20 years. He is the co-founder and CEO of Let's Go Win whose mission is to increase leadership, enhance culture, and help teams achieve peak performance. JM's great passions are inspiring people to live their best lives and become open to what life has in store for them. His ultimate goal is to give others the tools that will allow them to transcend their self-limiting beliefs. JM was raised in Montana and lives in Boca Raton, Florida with his wife Lisa and their two amazing boys.

Highlights: 

• The deeper meaning of 'Let's Go Win'
• JM's journey into entrepreneurship
• The importance of discernment in business partnerships
• How JM's recent ayahuasca journey impacted his life
• Tapping into spirituality, lineage, and new perspectives
• Transition into coaching
• Going beyond prescribed processes in coaching
• The value of aligning with coaching clients
• Sharing life lessons through writing books
• Final thoughts on psychedelics and leadership

Links:

• Let's Go Win

Episode Sponsors:

• Soltara Healing Center: Use code TW200 to receive $200 off your next retreat.
• Neurohacker Collective: Use code THIRDWAVE for an additional 15% off Qualia Mind.
• Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers: Use code THIRDWAVE for 10% off any order

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, host Paul F. Austin welcomes back futurist and entrepreneur Zappy Zapolin, a guest from the early days of the show.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-256-zappy-zapolin/?ref=278

Zappy discusses the urgent need for accessible natural plant medicines for mental health and addiction treatment, highlighting his experiences with ketamine and the innovative concept of 'ketitation' group katamine journeys. He shares insights on how ketamine enhances neural pathways and fosters empathy, and the potential of ibogaine for breaking addiction patterns. Join us for a transformative conversation on the future of mental health.

Zappy Zapolin is a futurist, entrepreneur, and award-winning filmmaker recognized for his expertise in psychedelic therapies. Playboy magazine dubbed him "The man who wants to change the world with psychedelics."
He directed the documentaries "The Reality of Truth" and "Lamar Odom: Reborn", and founded the Mind Army, which aims to legalize psychedelic medicines.
Zappy began his career on Wall Street as the youngest vice president in the history of Bear Stearns and has consistently identified major trends, including internet domains" names, legal cannabis, and the psychedelic economy.

Highlights:

• Intro to Zappy and his mission with psychedelics
• Spreading awareness about iboga for treating addiction
• 'Ketitation' group ketamine journeys
• Understanding the addictive potential of ketamine
• Raising awareness of and educating about the healing potential of ibogaine and ketamine
• Breaking addiction patterns with ibogaine
• Powerful accounts of ibogaine's healing potential
• Psychedelics as a solution in the "11th hour" of humanity

Links:

• Mind Army
• Zappy's website

Episode Sponsors:

• Soltara Healing Center: Use code TW200 to receive $200 off your next retreat.
• Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers: Use code THIRDWAVE for 10% off any order.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, host Paul F. Austin welcomes Jillian Acosta to share her transformative healing journey through psychedelics.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-255-jillian-acosta/

Jillian, a registered dietitian, reveals how ketamine and cannabis therapy helped her overcome childhood trauma, disordered eating, and body dysmorphia. She discusses the profound impact of removing her breast implants and offers insights into creating safety within oneself and fostering healthier relationships. Jillian also highlights the power of storytelling and the potential of psychedelics like ayahuasca for deep healing.

Jillian Acosta, a registered dietitian, specializes in functional medicine and the psychology of eating. Owner of the nutrition private practice, The Root Cause Method, she guides clients towards health and vitality in unconventional ways. Jillian believes many of the chronic illnesses exacerbated by obesity are deeply rooted in trauma. In her practice, she collaborates with physicians who administer ketamine, using this powerful tool as a means to help her clients transform their relationship with food, feelings and Self. Uprooting what shapes our relationship with food is essential, in her experience, for reversing and preventing chronic illness, and can lead to true embodiment, fulfillment, and connection.

Highlights:

• Jillian's journey of healing and transformation
• Using psychedelics for eating disorder recovery
• The Garden: Jillian's one-on-one program
• Unlocking self-love through the hidden gifts in the wound
• The profound healing experience of removing breast implants
• Creating safety: transforming relationships
• Approaching conversations about eating disorders with loved ones
• Specific medicines for healing eating disorders
• Defining the Root Cause Method

Links:

• The Root Cause Method
•  Jillian on Instagram
• (directory) Eating Disorders-focused Psychedelic Clinics

Episode Sponsors:

• Soltara Healing Center: Use code TW200 to receive $200 off your next retreat.
• Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers: Use code THIRDWAVE for 10% off any order
• KA! Empathogenics Kanna Supplements. Get 10% off with code THIRDWAVE at checkout

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, host Paul F. Austin welcomes retired Navy SEAL commander Mark Divine.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-254-mark-divine/

Mark shares his journey to becoming a SEAL, emphasizing the transformative power of meditation and nature. He discusses the role of preparatory work, such as meditation and therapy, before engaging with psychedelics and highlights how these practices help navigate intense psychedelic states. Mark also delves into his daily practices, ongoing PhD research in global leadership, and his upcoming book 'Uncommon,' which focuses on principles for an extraordinary life.

Mark Divine is an entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, philanthropist, and one of the world's top leadership and coaching experts. After a successful 20-year career as a Navy SEAL and SEAL Commander, Mark was hired by the Navy to create a nationwide coaching and leadership program for the SEALs. The bold goal of this program was to give the SEALs the best leadership and mental management tools in the world—to help them forge unbeatable SEAL teams that achieve mission success in the most stressful and challenging environments on earth.

Mark's leadership and coaching program for the SEALs was so effective that it's now being used outside of the Navy by top CEOs, Fortune 100 companies, USA Olympics, elite universities, major league sports franchises, celebrities, and successful individuals worldwide.

Mark is the author of five best-selling books and hosts a #1-ranked podcast, "Mark Divine's Unbeatable Mind." He founded five successful companies: Unbeatable Mind, SEALFIT, NavySEALs.com, USCrossFit, and the award-winning Coronado Brewing Company in California.

As a philanthropist, Mark founded the Courage Foundation to help wounded Veterans who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). Recently, Mark and his team at the Courage Foundation set a world record by completing over 22 million burpees to raise awareness, support, and funding for Veteran heroes.

Highlights:

• Meditation, martial arts, and becoming a Navy SEAL commander
• What it means to be a warrior
• Approaching psychedelics with integrity
• Taking control of your mind
• Integrating Eastern and Western mind-body practices
• Staying grounded in a chaotic world
• Mark's new book, "Uncommon"

Episode Sponsors:

• Soltara Healing Center: Use code TW200 to receive $200 off your next retreat.
• The Coaching Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, host Paul F. Austin talks with Stephanie Wang, founder and CEO of KA! Empathogenics.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-252-stephanie-wang/

Stephanie shares her journey from finance to plant medicine, including her involvement at The Alchemist's Kitchen.

Paul and Stephanie discuss the unique benefits of kanna, its comparison to SSRIs, and KA!'s intentional branding. Stephanie also highlights the importance of education and community in the kanna space. She closes by sharing her vision for KA!, touching on exciting new research into kanna.

Stephanie Wang is passionate about the power of plants and evolving consciousness. She is the Founder and CEO of KA! Empathogenics, with a mission to restore full-spectrum aliveness for all beings. KA! offers 100% plant-based empathogenic supplements featuring kanna - a heart-opening succulent from South Africa that is clinically proven to activate an immediate sense of grounded energy, helping people feel more alive, capable and connected as they navigate everyday stress.

Previously Stephanie was the President of The Alchemist's Kitchen and Director of Evolver, a conscious lifestyle company in New York. She was also a documentary and narrative film producer. A native Hong Konger, Stephanie began her career in corporate finance on Wall Street and was a number one ranked equity analyst in the retail sector with HSBC Securities, Hong Kong.

KA! Empathogenics is offering podcast listeners 10% off. Use code THIRDWAVE at checkout.

Highlights:

• From a career in finance to evolving consciousness
• The evolution of the Evolver Network and The Alchemist's Kitchen
• Stephanie's first kanna experience
• Kanna as an ally for daily wellbeing, psychedelic integration, and more
• Is kanna an alternative to SSRIs?
• KA!'s branding, design, and educational efforts
• The unique sensation of KA!'s ingredients
• Stephanie's vision for KA! and the outlook of future kanna research

Episode Links:

• KA! Empathogenics (use code THIRDWAVE for 10% off)  
• KA!'s 30-Day "Journey Into The Heart" Bundle (next journey starts 6/30/24)
  
  

Episode Sponsors:

• Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers: Use code THIRDWAVE for 10% off any order
• Soltara Healing Center: Use code TW200 to receive $200 off your next retreat.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, host Paul F. Austin welcomes Brandon Evans, founder of 1heart Journeys, to discuss the transformative power of plant medicine and the importance of community in healing.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-251-brandon-evans/

Brandon shares his journey from tech entrepreneur to leading retreats. He discusses the importance of experience design at 1heart's retreats.

Paul and Brandon explore managing group dynamics, supporting first-time ayahuasca drinkers, and the unique healing environment of Costa Rica. Brandon also reflects on fatherhood and his vision for 1heart's future, focusing on lasting community and personal transformation.

For our listeners: 1heart is offering a free room upgrade when you submit your application for a retreat by June 30, 2024. See their upcoming retreats at 1heart.com.

Brandon Evans is the Founder and Chief Elevation Officer of 1heart. Before 1heart, his path of building large tech companies in New York led him to financial success but lacked greater meaning, fulfillment, and joy. When his article "Lost on Purpose" unexpectedly went viral, Brandon was called to serve all those with similar stories reaching out for support.
Brandon founded 1heart to create new paths for leaders seeking more fulfilling and purpose-driven lives. By elevating the consciousness of powerful leaders, their contributions create greater positive impact, harmony, and balance in the world.
In its 6th year, 1heart's 8-week Living Beyond Program, which includes a 1-week retreat with ayahuasca in Costa Rica, has served nearly 1,000 leaders. 1heart is known for its deeply integrated and holistic offering and inspiring community. 1heart combines top facilitators across modern and ancient modalities to support physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being via a highly curated, best-in-class program.
Brandon lives in Costa Rica with his wife Jeanette and their recently born daughter Spirit. Individually and together, they lead retreats and create experiences that support others in creating lives fully aligned with their soul's calling.

Highlights:

• Brandon's entrepreneurial journey and the creation of 1heart Journeys
• Expanding 1heart Journeys and adapting to COVID-19
• The impacts of experience design in a psychedelic retreat
• Ensuring harmony and cohesion in group healing containers
• Accommodating first time ayahuasca drinkers, and navigating language and cultural barriers
• How Brandon's own journey has evolved running 1heart and becoming a father`
• The appeal of Costa Rica for running a retreat and starting a family
• 1heart success stories: leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and more
• Brandon's future vision for 1heart Journeys

Episode Sponsors:

• KA! Empathogenics Kanna Supplements. Get 10% off with code THIRDWAVE at checkout
• Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers: Use code THIRDWAVE for 10% off any order

Paul F. Austin welcomes Nichol Bradford, founder of Transformative Tech, for an enlightening discussion on psychedelics, technology, and human potential.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-250-nichol-r-bradford/

Nichol shares her journey from the tech industry to pioneering a community dedicated to human flourishing.

Discover how psychedelics integrate with tech and consciousness, the lessons nature teaches us, and the impact of AI on our future.

Nichol R. Bradford stands at the forefront of human potential and AI, accelerating human transformation through technology investments, research, and global thought leadership. Today, Nichol serves as Executive-in-Residence for AI + HI at The Society for Human Resource Management, shaping global thinking on Human-AI collaboration. She is also Co-Founder and Partner of Niremia Collective, an early stage venture fund focused on human potential technologies, and she co-founded TransformativeTech.org, the largest global ecosystem of founders, investors and innovators building tech for human flourishing.

Previously, as a senior interactive entertainment executive, Nichol held strategy, operations, marketing and production roles at major brands including Epic Games, Activision-Blizzard, Vivendi Games and Disney. She led operations for World of Warcraft China and Blizzard properties in China, played a key role on the Vivendi team responsible for the landmark $18B Activision-Blizzard merger deal, and helped produce record-breaking events in the metaverse at Epic Games.

Nichol has an MBA from The Wharton School, is Faculty at Singularity University, a Trustee at CIIS, and has been a Lecturer and Adjunct Professor at Stanford University. Moving forward, Nichol is focused on advancing human potential through ethical and empowering AI -- catalyzing a global ecosystem of innovators to create technology for human thriving.

Highlights
Nichol's background and the origin of Transformative Tech
The integration of psychedelics into the tech and consciousness spaces
The role of technology in remembering our connection to nature
Exploring the impact of Artificial Intelligence on human potential
The Impact of AGI on work and the redefinition of jobs
The importance of experimentation and learning with AI

Episode Sponsors:

• Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers: Use code THIRDWAVE for 10% off any order
• Soltara Healing Center: Use code TW200 to receive $200 off your next retreat.
• Neurohacker Collective: Use code THIRDWAVE for an additional 15% off Qualia Mind.