Explore every episode of the podcast The Entheogenic Evolution

With chapter 35, "The Martyr," we're now at the penultimate chapter of book 3 of Tales of Aurduin, The Alchemist and the Eagle. In this chapter the arrangement made between Nuya and Jao comes to it's bloody fulfillment as Nuya is sacrificed in a Jolao Grand Lucidium ritual which the empire plans to use as a propaganda tool, yet also serves to galvanize the growing resistance and Ohada's passion for revenge ... 

I've got a lively conversation for you this week with my 3-way with Hewkii and Flammeus, who invited me back on their show for the third time. We cover a lot of territory with music, ontological questions about dreams vs reality, identifying what "spirituality" is, how nondual experiences on ketamine are different from nondual experiences with 5-MeO-DMT, how truly strange and bizarre Salvia divinorum and the Zipper of Reality are, and why I dream of Robert Smith of The Cure giving me props for my music. Enjoy! 

My guest this week is Brad Sterner of Inekawa healing center and foundation where the focus is on transformation and nondual self-realization via ayahuasca. While ayahuasca is more commonly associated with Amazonian shamanism, spirits, and alternate realities (dualism), for Brad, it's all about nonduality. We dive in deep in our conversation about how and why this is a different approach to this ancient psychedelic brew. You can learn more at Inekawa.org

Also in this episode I have a reminder about my upcoming talk on Saturday, Oct 3rd with Ancestral Spirit Tribe in Austin, Texas - join us for the live event either in person or via live-stream from their Facebook and Instagram pages.

And lastly, we have a brief update from fellow Mindscape Institute instructor, Sarah Knapik, about her current offerings of low-dose bufo with Altar of the Heart Church in Oakland, California.

My guest this week is author, philosopher, and environmental lawyer, Tam Hunt, here to share all about his newest book, The Hippies Were Right - About Consciousness and Everything Else. We had fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about consciousness, reality, ontology, phenomenology, panpsychism, AI, Burning Man, 5-MeO-DMT, and so much more - truly an episode for those who are interested in the fundamental questions about consciousness, what it is, how we can study it, and how it can be explored. You can learn more about Tam and his work at his website, www.tam-hunt.com

We cover a lot of territory in this week's interview with Internal Family Systems therapist and author, Joshua Pritikin, discussing his new 460+ page book, Religion Unburdened by Belief: The Way of Open Inquiry. Having entered both the worlds of IFS and psychedelic experience only recently in life, Joshua was inspired to create an engaging book that asks big questions about human experience, exploration of the mystery of being, and pathways for doing so without dogmatic beliefs that ultimately impeded open inquiry. As a regular attendee at the Church of the Holy Light of the Queen, the Santo Daime church here in Ashland, Oregon, which served ayahuasca ("Daime") as a religious sacrament, Joshua dives deep into the question of how religious experience can be facilitated by psychedelic use without falling in the belief trap. We invite you to listen in on our extended conversation in this episode ... 

The other month I was contacted by Jonas who was inspired to share his story of post-5-MeO-DMT energetic challenges here on the podcast in response to my oft-repeated comments that people are going into experiences with 5 inadequately informed about the potential challenges. Jonas wanted to make his experience available here on the podcast so that others might learn from his experience and understand that regardless of how a session with 5 goes, the post-session process can be extremely difficult, as has been the case for Jonas - big thanks to Jonas to be willing to share!

Reminder: this Wednesday is my second free webinar, "The Foundations of Integration with 5-MeO-DMT" - register for this free event at www.martinball.net/webinar, and see you on Wednesday, 3:30-5 pm Pacific time 

I'm joined this week by returning guest, Ian Benouis, who's here to share the latest scientific developments around the molecular identification of psilomethoxin, 4-HO-5-MeO-DMT, the unique sacrament from The Church of the Sacred Synthesis. We discuss the recent findings as well as the court cases the church has launched to defend themselves against their detractors. You can learn more about The Church of the Sacred Synthesis at their website, www.sacredsynthesis.com

Also, there's my second upcoming webinar on The Foundations of Integration with 5-MeO-DMT. You can register for this free online educational event at www.martinball.net/webinar, and there are still some spaces left in my upcoming 5-MeO-DMT Integration Specialist Training Course with Mindscape Institute - www.martinball.net/courses

In this week's episode we meet the man behind the camera for the international hit film, "Fantastic Fungi," and the creator of the nature documentary series, "Moving Art," Louie Schwartzberg. Louie shares about his early psychedelic experiences and how they informed his passion for nature photography, time-lapse, film making, and providing the audience with a profound sense of awe and wonder with the captivating beauty of the natural world. You can access his work through a private subscription at MovingArt.com

Also in this episode, I feature another student testimonial about my 5-MeO-DMT Integration Specialist training course with Mindscape Institute. Next class starts Sept 9, and spots are filling up. You can learn more or enroll at www.martinball.net/courses

My guest this week is venerated elder in the psychedelic community, Dr. Richard Louis Miller, who joins me to discuss his newest book, The Adverse Effects and Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Medicines - A Guide to the Risks and Rewards of Using Psychedelics in Therapy. The fundamental premise of the book is that those who promote use of psychedelics for therapy need to have honest accounting of not just the benefits, but also the risks, when using these powerful tools, and avoid painting overly-rosey pictures that are misleading and uninformed. We talk all about it and much more.

Also included is a reminder about my upcoming webinar on 5-MeO-DMT Integration as well as my training course with Mindscape Institute. The free webinar is on July 15th and class starts on Sept 9. You can register for the free event at www.martinball.net/webinar

This week I'm joined by Suzi Kalypso, founder of The Temple of Eden in southern California, which she started 5 years ago as a bufo (5-MeO-DMT) church, but has since expanded into a multi-sacrament entheogenic church and also provides facilitation training, integration, and community events and support. In this lengthy interview we learn of her struggles with addiction and her journey into psychedelic medicines as well as the move from being a minimally-trained "pipe lighter" (a common deficiency in the 5-MeO-DMT world) to being an ethically-minded priestess who focuses on her budding community in LA and beyond. Learn more about the Temple of Eden here.

Also in this episode I have a brief interview with Sarah Knapik of Altar of the Heart Church in support of my upcoming 5-MeO-DMT Integration Specialist Training course with Mindscape Institute, and additionally I announce an upcoming free Zoom webinar about my course for all who are interested in learning more about integration with 5-MeO-DMT and what the course covers. The webinar will be on Wednesday, July 15 from 3:30-5 pm Pacific time. All are welcome, but you will need to register with me at martinball.net.

The other month the world got to watch as Bryan Johnson live-streamed his 5-MeO-DMT experience with Enfold that made use of "The Leckie Protocol," which combines vaporized with injected 5-MeO. Steve Rio suggested we have another conversation about it given the widespread interest, and I was happy to have him join me back on the podcast. We had another great, lengthy conversation about the protocol and just jamming on the topic of 5-MeO-DMT in general.

Also in this episode I've got a mini-interview with a student who completed my 5-MeO-DMT Integration Specialist Training course, Jay Monger. Jay provided this short interview to help promote the Fall Term of my course, which starts on Sept 9th. For more information about the course you can learn all about it at www.martinball.net/courses - enrollment is now open. 

My guest this week is Alan Waugh, author, healer, retreat leader, and medicine man. Alan joins me to discuss his new book, Alchemical Ayahuasca, as well as share his story of leaving England as a young man, listening to his inner guidance, emerging from chronic depression, and his entry into the world of psychedelics and shamanic healing. Alan has a number of websites where you can find out more about him and his work:
www.alchemicalayahuasca.com, www.spiritwisdomhealing.com, www.sacredvalleyspiritualretreat.com

Also, this week I'm announcing that enrollment is now open for the next offering of my 5-MeO-DMT Integration Specialist Training course with Mindscape Institute. Class starts in early Sept to coincide with the 26/27 school year. Find out more about it at www.martinball.net/courses 

My guest this week is Dr. Jeff McNairy, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of Rythmia Life Advancement Center in Costa Rica. In our conversation Jeff shares about the founding of Rythmia, what it means for the ayahuasca center to be medically licensed, why they prefer large group ceremonies, what they mean when they claim everyone gets a "miracle," and more in this lengthy interview. You can learn more about Rythmia at their website HERE

My guest this week is Scott Stanley, founder of the Arizona Yage Assemble (AYA), and the North American Association of Visionary Church, NAAVC.org. Scott's mission is to protect religious freedom, practice, and association as well as access to psychedelic sacraments. To that end he's founded the aforementioned groups to help create collective action and strength in numbers. We talk all about it in this lengthy interview, getting into what inspired Scott to follow this path, how these organizations help those seeking support in their religious practice, as well as a current court case. 

My guest this week is one of the co-authors of the new book, Psychedelic Therapy: A Revolutionary Approach to Restoring Your Mental Health and Reclaiming Your Life, Will Van Derveer, MD. Will joined me from his home base in Colorado the other month to discuss psychedelic therapy from a medical and mental health perspective as it continues to make its way into the mainstream and is radically changing the way doctors and therapists think of mental and emotional health. The book focuses on a trauma-informed approach that emphasizes proper preparation, facilitation, and integration. You can hear all about it in this episode ... 

Best-selling author and couples therapist, Jonathan Robinson, joins me this week to share all about his newest book, Ecstasy for Couples. Jonathan tells us that, as a profession couples therapist, he found that holding therapy sessions with couples while they are experiencing MDMA is far more impactful than standard talk therapy, and provides immediate and lasting results. He tells us all about in this episode. His new book is now available and you can learn more about Jonathan's work at XTCfourCouples.net

My guest this week is Dr. Tracy Scott, founder of Revela Retreats in Costa Rica where she offers healing and transformation with iboga. In this in-depth conversation we get into Tracy's journey from medical school to west Africa where she was initiated into Bwiti tradition, her call to start serving iboga, and how she works with clients at Revela to offer safe and medically grounded healing with iboga. You can learn more about her work and Revela here.

This is my last bit of sharing from my recent trip to Iceland. In this episode, I'm sharing a recording of my standard "intro talk" that I formerly gave to my clients before undergoing nondual energy work with 5-MeO-DMT. I gave this talk to my students as a model for how a practitioner can prepare a new client for the unique properties of working with 5-MeO and also how facilitators can detail their own particular practices and methodologies when working with clients so that all clients are fully informed about what to expect and can give their consent to the proposed methodologies and practices. When working with students, I like to encourage them to develop their own info talk, such as this. Unfortunately, there are facilitators out there who don't bother to inform their clients or educate them before serving them psychedelic medicines and working with them. That was never my style, and I encourage all psychedelic facilitators to emphasize education, information sharing, and fully-informing potential clients about what they can expect to build trust. 

This week I'm happy to share with listeners my recent public talk from The White Lotus in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Sunday Jan 18th, 2026. Int his 2.5 hour long talk I cover a lot of ground around the topics of 5-MeO-DMT, nonduality, energetic processing, personal transformation, liberation, and why I consider working with 5-MeO-DMT a fundamental human right as a direct access point into the universal ground of being - something we all deserve to know and experience directly for ourselves without any intermediaries, belief systems, dogmas, or doctrines. I hope you enjoy ... 

My guest this week is author and integration guide, Deva Arani, who joins me for her very first podcast interview of her career. In this conversation we explore her entry into the world of psychedelic medicines coming from the world of competitive long-distance running, how she approaches integration with clients, and the messages and topics explored in her two new books, Integration Alchmey and The Mother Ache. You can find out more about Deva and her work at her website, www.devaarani.com

Last week Hewkii (Helgi) and Flammeus invited me back on their show to talk about my time in Iceland, the work with 5-MeO-DMT I was doing there, and also give Helgi an opportunity to share about his experience of working with my students. This lengthy and engaging conversation is already available on their YouTube Channel, but we wanted to do some cross-pollination, so here it is for my audience. 

I'm joined this week by Morocco-based French podcaster and Youtuber, Ali Nuit. Ali is all about exploring research chemicals from the widely-known to the obscure and is also found of various psychedelic cocktails. We get into it all in this lengthy conversation. If you speak French, you can enjoy Ali's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@Nuit

In this episode I'm sharing the audio of a video I created on the topic of 5-MeO-DMT reactivations. I'm sharing this here as an example of the content of my upcoming 5-MeO-DMT Integration Specialist Training course with Mindscape Institute where we comprehensively cover the phenomenology of both the direct experience of 5-MeO-DMT as well as the ongoing energetic processes and events (such as reactivations) that occur subsequently. Enrollment is now open for the spring term course which starts on March 4th. Visit www.martinball.net or www.nondualentheogenicintegration.com for more details, or just reach out. 

To kick off the first episode of 2026 and my 19th year of podcasting, my guest is recent Ph.D. recipient, Azul DelGrasso, who wrote his dissertation at the California Institute of Integral Studies about 5-MeO-DMT. We had a lengthy conversation about it a few months ago to help him celebrate being perhaps the first person in the world to earn his Ph.D. by writing about 5-MeO-DMT. 

Also on the 5 front, I announce the dates for the next offering of my 5-MeO-DMT Integration Specialist Training course with Mindscape Institute, which starts on March 4th. Enrollment is now open - feel free to contact me for details. 

We conclude the 18th year of the Entheogenic Evolution Podcast with some zany, mind-bending fun with a representative of Mindcom, a Division of Octocorp ...

For anyone out there who's been listening to this weekly podcast for 18 years ... you're amazing! Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoy this end-of-the-year episode and I'm looking forward to your continued listening as we enter the podcast's 19th year with 2026 ... 

My guest this week is Christian Rasmussen from AMENTARA (formerly MN Nice Ethnobotanicals) to discuss amanita mushrooms, blue lotus, kava, and more. We get into dosage, experience, and why Christian feels that amanita is the most demanding experience of them all. Visit them online here: AMENTARA.com 

I've got a husband and wife team as guests this week on The Entheogenic Evolution Podcast - Stephan and Amber Kerby of Mindscape Institute. They've just released their co-authored work, The Embodiment Protocol: A Practical Guide to Awakening with 5-MeO-DMT, which is now available as paperback and ebook on Amazon. As this is Amber's first time being interviewed on the podcast, we devote a great deal of the interview to letting her introduce herself and her entry into psychedelic therapy and teaching.

Also, my 5-MeO-DMT Glossary is now available, which I created for our students at Mindscape and it's now out for the general public as a full-color art book, ebook, and audiobook.

Lastly, it's my birthday this week and I'm giving away my new album "Solar Return," which is available for free download at www.martinball.bandcamp.com 

My guest this week is psychedelic comic book creator, Daniel Moler. We had a very engaging and wide-ranging discussion about psychedelics, representational art, the nature of story telling, super heroes, fascism, and the joy of creating good old fashioned physical objects such as will be produced with Daniel's Crowdfundr campaign to produce copies of his latest offering, "Psychonaut 5." Find out more about Daniel at his webpage, www.danielmolerweb.com 

- This week's cover art by Daniel and this is the image we discuss in the interview. 

My guest this week is Clementine Kruczynski who uses a unique "private law" and "private trust" approach to establishing legally protected entheogenic churches. While I've featured lawyers who seek to apply Religious Freedom Restoration Act legal exemptions for creating entheogenic churches, Clementine promotes an entirely different route and is thus sharing with the listening audience a new way of thinking about legal protection. Clementine offers both individual consulting as well as classes and workshops on the topic and you can find out more about her services and approach at her website, www.themindofclementine.com 

My guest this week is founder of Enfold, a full-service 5-MeO-DMT facilitation program near Vancouver Canada that specializes in 5-day protocols with both vaporized and injectable 5-MeO-DMT. We had an excellent conversation that, for me, highlights many of the things that I like to encourage with 5-MeO-DMT facilitation. To learn more about Steve's work, visit the website Enfold.org 

My guest this week is author, Gillian Lepisto, sharing all about her new illustrated compendium of entheogenic and psychedelic plants, mushrooms, and more from around the world, Entheogenic Earth. We get into book and it's many subjects as well as the story behind the book and what inspired Gillian to launch this project. 

My guest this week is Luke Jensen, vet and founder and CEO of NeuroEnlightenment.com. Luke combines the cutting-edge technology of qEEG brain scans and neurofeedback to help those suffering from trauma to optimize the healing potential of psychedelic therapy with ayahuasca and huachuma. In this conversation, Luke shares his own path to healing and transformation and how he conducts his work in Peru with small groups of patients combining science with spirituality in a trauma-informed context. 

As promised, here's Part II of my short and whimsical audiobook, God's Handbook for Operating Human Vehicles - a No Nonsense, No Strings Attached Approach to Universal Being. After next week's interview, I'll be continuing with sharing of Tales of Aurduin with volume III of the series, The Alchemist and the Eagle between interview episodes. If you've missed any of book I or II, you can find them in audiobook form and also print and ebook at Amazon, Audible, and the Apple Bookstore.  

This week I've got another new addition to my "Psychedelic Oregon" series with Mike Kirkwood, proprietor of Shrooms Cafe, right here in my hometown of Ashland, Oregon. At this unconventional cafe, paying members can partake of low doses of psilocybin mushrooms, as allowed in the Oregon Psilocybin Program, and then stick around and enjoy a social event or musical performance. Mike and I talked all about it, and also dug into the history of psychedelic culture in Ashland/Southern Oregon. Here's our conversation ... 

Before starting in with volume three of Tales of Aurduin, The Alchemist and the Eagle, I thought we'd take a fun, cheeky diversion into my quirky (and short) audiobook of God's Handbook for Operating Human Vehicles - A No-nonsense, No Strings Attached Approach to Universal Being (also available in full-color fractal art print and ebook versions). I've broken it up into two parts. Here's Part I, and Part II will come after the next interview and then we'll return to Orobai, Miraanni, and all the heroes of Aurduin with volume III. 

My guest this week is psychedelic integration guide and facilitator, Julian Bermudez, who joined me last month from his home in Portland, Oregon. Julian shares raw personal details of his own experiences with trauma and healing through psychedelics, which has deeply informed his approach of how he works with clients. You can learn more about his practice at his website, psychedelic-integration.net

And, this interview will be joining my expanding collection at my YouTube Channel of "Psychedelic Oregon," featuring interviews and talks with those in my state of Oregon who work with psychedelics. 

My guest this week is Heather Smith who runs The Moxie School in Asheville, NC (not to be confused with my home town of Ashland, Or!). At the Moxie School, Heather focuses on training individuals in the use of Internal Family Systems Therapy in conjunction with Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. This conversation adds to the growing body of interest in how these two work together and compliment each other. Heather has courses available this coming fall for anyone who's interested in learning more about these modalities - visit her website online at the Moxie School

Tom Hatsis has just released his latest book, Psychedelic Injustice: How Identity Politics Poisons the Psychedelic Renaissance, and he joined me for a detailed conversation about it last week. In this book, Tom takes a critical eye on various ways that the "culture wars" have impacted the contemporary psychedelic movement where, in his assessment, narratives and ideologies have created divisiveness, lack of historical accuracy, and promoted over-simplified notions of truth and power to the detriment of psychedelic culture. As usual, Tom comes with detailed research, carefully curated references, and is willing to ask uncomfortable questions to find clarity.  

My guest this week is Shannon Brown, sound healer and organizer of the four-day free online event, "Sacred Sounds Summit," which starts today, June 23rd. In this interview Shannon not only tells her personal story of turning to sound healing via psychedelic experience, but also all about the event, what inspired it, and what participants can expect. You do need to register to participate in this free event and can use www.shannonbrownhealingarts.com/martin to register. Plus, I share one of my new songs at the conclusion of the interview :) 

My guest this week is Dr. Tracy Townsend, founder and facilitator at Meadow Medicine in Portland, Oregon, which provides legal psilocybin services. We had a great conversation about not only how the program and facility run, but also what inspired Tracy to turn from conventional medicine to psychedelic therapy.

Also, as mentioned in the opening, my next guest will be Shannon Brown, who has organized an online event with 21 speakers for the "Sacred Sounds Summit," happening in two weeks.  This free event does require registration, and you can use my personal link and catch my contribution to the event here: https://shannonbrownhealingarts.com/martin

Author Elina Teboul is my guest this week, discussing her new book, Feminine Intelligence: How Visionary Leadership Can Shape Business for Good. As a business leader, Elina found her own perspective deeply transformed by therapeutic work with psychedelics, and she doesn't shy away from sharing about her experiences and perspective in her book. While American culture has taken a radicalized shift to "masculine energy" in business and politics, Elina offers us an alternative path. You can learn more about her and her book at www.elinateboul.com and www.feminineintelligencebook.com 

Stephan Kerby, director of the Mindscape Institute, comes back on the podcast to share all about his new book, Trauma-Informed 5-MeO-DMT Facilitation: An Educational Manual, which we produced together expanding on materials used for the class of the same name with the institute. In this conversation we discuss not only the content, but also the process of how the book came about, what it offers, and how it can be used for those looking to expand their awareness of facilitation. It's available now at Amazon in paperback and ebook. 

Author and psychedelic therapist, Ashley Booth, returns to the podcast after many years to share about her new book, Quieting the Storm Within: An Illustrated Introduction to Your Parts Through Internal Family Systems and Beyond. Going beyond the scope of the book itself, much of our conversations focuses on how and why IFS is being used in conjunction with psychedelic therapy and integration. Her book is now available and you can learn more about Ashley and her work at www.ashleybooth.net and www.ifsandbeyond.com 

This week the play and musical, "Ayahuasca Inside Out," debuts at the NY Fringe Festival, opening on Monday, April 14th, and running through the 20th. To help hype up the event, I had a great conversation with Loren Crea Abbade and Anthony Hidalgo to tell us all about it last week to get this out in time to mark their opening day and celebrate how what originated as a birthday surprise ended up as a theater production. 

I'm welcoming Mario Garnier back onto the podcast this week. Mario is one of the founders of the World Bufo Alvarius Congress, held for several years in Mexico City. He's now running a mens' retreat program in Mexico called "Bufo Camp," so I thought it would be a good time to bring him back on the podcast to share all about it. Mario also recently created an AI-generated conversation about Bufo and 5-MeO, and if you'd like to give it a listen, click HERE. 

I'm joined by Austin West this week sharing his journey into psychedelic medicines, healing through crisis, why "safety" isn't always the best priority, and more. Austin leads men's groups, offers mentoring, and also provides holistic approaches to wellbeing through Entheos Holistics. We had a great conversation the other month and here it is for your listening pleasure. You can find out more about Austin on his personal webpage HERE and check out Entheos Holistics HERE. 

This week's episode is all about my personal creative process. I'm taking 5 tracks off my new album, "The Alchemist and the Eagle," and sharing with the listeners about the stories behind the stories behind the music. With each song, I share about what went into creating it, how it fits with the novel, and how events and experiences in my personal life shaped the characters and plot developments in the first place - so we get into some of my psychedelic experiences, my time as a grad student studying at the Mescalero Apache reservation, experiences at Burning Man, and more, and how it all helped shape the story. I get into how I worked to create the songs to go with the particular chapters and how it influenced the sounds, textures, and instruments used in the songs. You can stream the entire album HERE for free, if you'd like to hear the entire thing. I hope you enjoy this exploration of the creative process with me. 

This week I'm welcoming back to the podcast Canada-based 5-MeO-DMT facilitator, Chad Charles. Chad has just launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for a one-of-a-kind 5-MeO-DMT research project. As he shares with us here on the podcast, he's collected a wealth of notes and data from all of his sessions and is now looking to comb through this trove of data to find patterns, results, and insights. You can support his project at www.gofundme.com/f/support-chad-charles-project and also learn more about him at ChadCharles.net

Also, Sarah Knapik has a new offering for women's work with 5 here

I'm taking a detour from my regular rhythm on the podcast this week to share some of my thoughts on the current state of the US and the fascist regime change underway, orchestrated with maximum chaos, brutality, corruption, and incompetency. Here I'm reading from three essays I've previously posted online where I'm applying my background as a professor of Religious Studies. The first, "What is a Cult?" comes from Jan, 2021. The next, "A Brief Guide to the 'Spiritual' Forces at Play in Trumpism," was from Nov, 2024, and the final, "On the Apotheosis of Loyalty as the Ultimate Virtue in the Trump Cult Kakistocracy" is also from Nov, 2024. 

I'm joined this week by Nick Sun from the Land Down Under - Psychedelic comedian, author, podcaster, and fun time medicine man. We hope this interview puts a smile on your face. You can learn more about Nick at NickSun.com.au