A podcast delving into plant medicines, consciousness, holistic health, philosophy, psychology, science and myriad related topics. Hosted by Jason Grechanik.
This podcast was created to give voice to the doctors, shamans, guides, facilitators, visionaries, anthropologists, linguists, scientists and wisdom-keepers working on the ground day in and day out within their respective fields.
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Hey everybody! Episode 139 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Seth Lorinczi. Seth is a writer who recently published a book entitled Death Trip: A Post-Holocaust Psychedelic Memoir. We spoke about his background, his involvement in the punk music scene in Washington D.C. and Portland, psychedelics and ayahuasca, MDMA therapy and how it saved his marriage, his book and journey of identity, ancestral and generational trauma, and many other topics. Seth has a really interesting story and a lot to share and I think you all will gain a lot from this interview. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!
This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe
“I’ve never been much of a joiner. After an early childhood trauma—the sudden death of my mother, when I was four—I found it hard to believe in much of anything. The election of Ronald Reagan, when I was nine, only underscored the feeling that the world didn’t make much sense. Then, when I was eleven, my school got funding to purchase new telescopes and the science teacher gave the battered old ones away to interested students. I was one of them, and that telescope changed my life.
Peering through the eyepiece and watching the surface of the Moon unroll itself before me, I felt a powerful sense of homecoming. Gazing at the terminator—the line that divides the light and dark sides of the Moon—I felt there was something here for me, a riddle I’d gazed at my whole life but never understood.
Ever since then I’ve been on a mission to explore this place, whether through psychedelics or my time in the D.C. punk scene. I sensed there was something beyond what I saw with my own two eyes, something that might explain the sense of unreality I’d felt ever since I was young.
What I was writing towards, I only see now, was a sense of belonging.”
If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. This is super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!
For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org
Ep. 138 - Scott Stanley - Ayahuasca, Religious Freedom, Legality & the DEA
Episode 138
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 • Duration 02:28:36
Hey everybody! Episode 138 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Scott Stanley. Scott is the founder of the ayahuasca church, Arizona Yage Assembly (AYA) as well as the North American Association of Visionary Churches (NAAVC). I was interested to bring Scott on to speak about the legal status of plant sacraments in the US. I think Scott is a really good representative in that he has been involved in a legal battle with the US government over religious freedom and actually is suing the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and seems to be in a good position. We spoke about his background, ayahuasca, the history of churches and religious freedom in the States, principles and morality, and why he’s involved in doing this work. I think its a very relevant conversation in regard to plant medicines and I hope you all find it insightful. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!
This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe
“Scott Stanley has spent some 15 years working with ayahuasca and Amazonian master plants. He has led over 500 ayahuasca ceremonies across the US, since founding the ayahuasca church, Arizona Yage Assembly (AYA) in 2015. He also founded the North American Association of Visionary Churches (NAAVC). Both organizations have sued the Drug Enforcement Agency to ensure free and legal access to the visionary practice of religion. His organizations have worked to bring combat vets into ayahuasca ceremonies through support of the veteran led AYA Mission. AYA has also started a nature conservancy for preserving the virgin rainforest of the upper amazon.AYA currently conducts bi-weekly ceremonies in their ceremonial maloca in Tucson, AZ.”
To learn more about or contact Scott, visit his website at: www.ayaguide.org
To view the recent documentary about us, , visit:
Ep. 129 - Dr. Ron Stotts - Breath, Consciousness, Leadership, & Neurology
Episode 129
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 • Duration 01:22:00
Hey everybody! Episode 129 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Ron Stotts. Ron has dedicated much of his life to studying the breath and it's effects on health and consciousness. He also has studied neurology as well as having spent many years learning different forms of spiritual practices. Ron has led a really interesting life and it was a pleasure to have him on to share. We spoke about his background, his spiritual practices, breath-work, neurology, plant medicines, gardening, martial arts, and some other topics as well. I think you all will find Ron has a lot to share and I hope you get much from this episode. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!
“Ron has spent the last fifty years exploring the deepest caves and soaring heights of our personal and spiritual journey. He is intimate with all aspects of the territory. As a guide, he has supported thousands of others on their journey as they've moved through their most difficult challenges and developed their greatest potential.
He was trained by and worked with the best of the best, with early mentors like Joseph Campbell, Buckminster Fuller, and other leaders in the spiritual and personal growth fields.
Rounding out his whole body, mind, and spirit, integrated approach, Ron has earned a Masters in English, a Ph.D. in Transformational Therapy, and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Yet Ron feels that his most important credentials have come from the challenges he has overcome on his own journey, and the incredible learning opportunities that life and working with others has offered him.
His service has evolved into working with those committed to their path and the influential leaders who guide them. While there are many who can help you treat the symptoms arising from your challenges, Ron's unique work takes you into and through the deepest source. This empowering approach allows you to make lasting life improvements while transforming those challenges into the greatest opportunities of your life. ”
To learn more about or contact Ron, visit his website at: https://ronstotts.com
Ep. 128 - Jonathan Robinson - Ecstasy as Medicine: MDMA Therapy
Episode 128
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 • Duration 01:33:19
Hey everybody! Episode 128 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Jonathan Robinson. Jonathan became well-known with his work and books on enlightenment and techniques for happiness. He has spoken to many luminaries including Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Louise L. Hay and many more. Recently he released a book entitled Ecstasy as Medicine: How MDMA Therapy Can Help You Overcome Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression... and Feel More Love. We spoke about his background, this work with technologies to increase well-being, and especially about his book on MDMA. We spoke about the therapeutical use in general of MDMA as well as his experience as one of the pioneers in this field and how he works with people to help them overcome a myriad of issues. This work has really moved to the forefront of medicine and psychology and so it was a pleasure to have Jonathan on to share his insights. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!
This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe
“Jonathan Robinson is a psychotherapist, best-selling author of numerous books, and a professional speaker from Northern California. He has reached over 200 million people around the world with his practical methods, and his work has been translated into 47 languages. His work has appeared in Newsweek, USA TODAY, and the Los Angeles Times, as well as dozens of other publications. In addition, Mr. Robinson has made numerous appearances on the Oprah show and CNN, as well as other national TV talk shows. He has spent more than thirty years studying the most practical and powerful methods for personal and professional development. He is also the host of the popular podcast show Awareness Explorers.
Ep. 127 - Christina Allen - The Shamanic Calling & The Andean Qero Tradition
Episode 127
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 • Duration 02:31:41
Hey everybody! Episode 127 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Christina Allen. Christina was recommended to me by a past guest and friend Joan Parisi Wilcox. Joan spoke very highly of Christina and so I was happy to have Christina on the podcast. Christina shared in her story and what led her to her shamanic calling, her time in the early psychedelic movement with the Grateful Dead, her studies as a physicist and her interest and work in consciousness, her time with Alberto Villoldo, and eventually her finding her calling learning from the pacos of the Andean Qero tradition. Christina has a beautiful story and a lot of wisdom to share so I think you all will get a lot from this episode. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!
This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe
“Christina was initiated into the journey of becoming a healer through early childhood trauma. This destiny was fostered by growing up in Alaska where she was surrounded by the influences of the indigenous people there. She moved to California in her teens where she was deeply immersed in the psychedelia of the 1970’s, and then she went on to college. At this point it was clear to her that everything was energy and everything was conscious. She wanted to be a medicine woman. When it became apparent that there was not a degree program to accommodate her needs, she created her own path. She started with trying to better understand the energetic nature of reality by studying physics. Then she tackled the brain and consciousness in a graduate neuroscience program. Christina’s healing journey, however, eventually led her away from academia and deep into the healing traditions of Peru. Her training came most specifically from the energy medicines of the high Andes, but she has also spent time in the jungles. It is through these teachings and experiences that she finally did heal. For over 20 years she has been practicing and teaching the Andean healing arts, pairing this wisdom with her western education. She also writes about how to heal from trauma based on her own journey, and the observations that come from her extensive client work.”
Ep. 126 - Lila Lieberman - The Five Pillars of Medicine & The Cedar Teachings
Episode 126
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 • Duration 02:07:59
Hey everybody! Episode 126 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Lila Lieberman. Lila was recommended to me by mutual friends of ours and I was really impressed when I listened to a few of her talks. Lila has had a fascinating life and we sat down and spoke about her journeys through S. America in her youth where she came across the cactus medicine in the desert and ayahuasca in the jungle, her journey back to S. Africa where she learned from the Zulu and Shona, and how her learning deepened and expanded into what she now calls the Five Pillars of Medicine and the Cedar Teachings, which she spoke in-depth about. It was a real pleasure to have her share and she has a beautiful way of weaving together different teachings and using universal macro and micro principles to help us better understand the nature of medicine and ourselves. I think you will gain a lot from this episode. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!
“Lila has been working with medicinal plants and indigenous ways of healing since 1996. Beginning her journey in the Atacama Desert of Peru, she later initiated as 'sangoma', a traditional healer and seer in the Shona tradition of South Africa in 2012. She has spent many years engaging cultural wisdom and plants in a medicinal capacity, both academically and culturally.
Her focus is on the living library held within the plant and human kingdoms, how their collaboration activates valuable pathways within us, and holds profound capacities for new perception and creative feedback. She explores the spectrum of cultural ways, rites, passages and ceremonies that open these channels of learning.
Her academic background is in Anthropology, Linguistics, Philosophy and Transpersonal Psychology, with a Diploma in Integral Coaching. She now lives in the Byron Shire, Australia.”
If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it via social media or word of mouth. And please or and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. This is super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!
Ep. 125 - Sacred Tobacco Part 2
Episode 125
Wednesday, December 27, 2023 • Duration 01:52:30
Hey everybody! Episode 125 of the show is out. This episode is an interview I was on for another podcast called The Way to Change. It was a good interview where I spoke more in depth about tobacco as a medicine, the plant dieta, ayahuasca, and the archetypes of medicine. So I decided to release the interview as Part 2 of my previous episode entitled Sacred Tobacco (episode 4). I hope you all gain something from this episode. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!
*Disclaimer: this channel and its host/guests do not dispute or contradict health authority guidance by denying the addictive or harmful properties of nicotine or tobacco.*
This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe
“For many years, Jason has had a deep interest in plants as medicine. After studying various modalities, he has lived, studied, and worked in the Amazon and Andes for more than a decade. He runs plant medicine dietas in the Sacred Valley of Peru and throughout the world and has facilitated for many years ayahuasca workshops at the Temple of the Way of Light. He also started a podcast called The Universe Within Podcast. In his free time, he enjoys practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, spending time in nature, woodworking, his motorcycle, and time at home.”
Ep. 124 - Kat Courtney - Ayahuasca, San Pedro, & Integration
Episode 124
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 • Duration 01:48:05
Hey everybody! Episode 124 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Kat Courtney. Kat has a company called Plant Medicine People and they work with sacred plants like ayahuasca, huachuma, and tobacco. She has been training and learning from these plants for over 20 years. We sat down and spoke about her background, the aforementioned plants, her training, what these plants mean to her, how these plants are worked with, why integration is so important, and many other topics. I feel Kat speaks from a really good place and a place of experiential wisdom, so it was a really pleasure to have her on and share. I think you all will gain a lot from this episode. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!
This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe
“Before Ayahuasca, I knew portals of darkness so paralyzing I spent years and years dealing with depression, bi-polar reactiveness, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. When I met the medicine, I dealt with mind-numbing migraine headaches, severe asthma attacks, and regular bouts with intense waves of panic. Then came the indescribable gift of Plant Medicine.
After falling madly in love with the Plants and this ancient process of ceremony, I not only experienced healing on all imaginable levels, I was also blessed to meet a teacher that allowed me to apprentice in the Shipibo-Conibo and Quechua-Lamista traditions of Ayahuasca for over ten years so that I could learn how to give to others the magic that was given to me. I now practice the art of Vegetalismo, which simply means I work with plant consciousness to help humans heal and evolve, and I absolutely love holding Master Plant Dieta containers for those called to merge with plant consciousness.
I also carry the Chavin tradition for Huachuma passed on to me by the late + great Howard Lawler…”
Ep. 123 - Dmitry Alexeev - The Gut Microbiome, Intelligence, & Plants
Episode 123
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 • Duration 03:06:20
Hey everybody! Episode 123 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Dmitry Alexeev. Dmitry is a scientist who specializes in the gut microbiome. The microbiome is a subject I have wanted to cover on this podcast for a while, as it relates to the plants we ingest, our physical and mental health, intelligence, and has a correlation to many indigenous cosmovisions of life and spirits. It was a pleasure to sit down with Dmitry and this was a really fascinating episode delving into this unseen world that is becoming a forefront of science, health, and consciousness. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!
This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe
“Dmitry Alekseev - PHD, Professor. Worked in scientific institutes and companies in Russia, Netherlands, USA and UK. Author of more than 100 scientific articles on microbes and molecular medicine.”
If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. This is super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!
For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org
Integration/Consultation call:
Ep. 122 - jubbdavid - Whole Brain Functioning, Plants, Consciousness & the Mind
Episode 122
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 • Duration 01:12:00
Hey everybody! Episode 122 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with my friend, mentor, and teacher, jubb david. Jubb’s was one of the first people who introduced me and opened my eyes to the world of plants as food, nutrition, medicine, and life-force. I met jubb’s when we were both living in the East Village of New York and where he had a cafe. I would attend his lectures with my friend John Keegan (who I interviewed in episode 60). I was fascinated by jubb’s knowledge, warmth, healing abilities, and insight. Many of the things he said would prove to come true in science many years after he had already been speaking about them. So it was real pleasure and honor to have jubb’s on the podcast. This interview is quite different from previous ones in that it’s not a Q&A format, but more of a stream of consciousness into jubb’s mind. I did my best to splice everything together, but it may take a few listens to pick up on everything he is saying, as there are a lot of gems imbedded in there. I hope you all enjoy and can share in jubb’s wisdom. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!
“As a PhD, neurobehavioral physiologist, language expert, plasma physicist, inventor, scientist, expert in blood formation, psychosomatic specialist, neo shaman of Toltec traditions and one of the world’s top naturalists, jubbdavid is renowned around the world for his ability to “read the body like a book” and has been a pioneer in non-surgical non-druggist approaches to healing through vitalization and positive neurolinguistic induction. For the past 40 years, jubb’s has been underneath the radar compositing compelling tactics & strategies to methodically achieve state-specific behaviors by means of neurolinguistic patterning, whole body calibration and beneficial modus operandis herein. He is the coauthor of “Secrets of an Alkaline Body” “LifeFood Recipe Book” alongside many unpublished manuals, manuscripts, and books on whole brain functioning, gender roles, cellular cleansing, colloidal biology, communication & relationship wellness, lifefood, economic egalitarianism and loads in addition soon to reach the light of day.”
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If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. This is super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!
For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org
If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. This is super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!
For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org
Jonathan Robinson’s first book, “The Experience of God,” includes interviews with such notable people as the late Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Louise L. Hay, and over 30 other well-known seekers. Jonathan’s second book, “Life’s Big Questions,” became a New York Times bestseller, as did his book “Communication Miracles for Couples.” Mr. Robinson’s other books include: Instant Insight; Real Wealth; Shortcuts to Bliss; Shortcuts to Success; The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Awakening Your Spirituality; Find Happiness Now; Conversations With Dog; The Little Book of Big Questions; The Enlightenment Project; and his latest Ecstasy as Medicine: How MDMA Therapy Can Help You Overcome Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression... and Feel More Love.
Ecstasy as Medicine: How MDMA Therapy Can Help You Overcome Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression... and Feel More Love was released on October 29, 2023 and is available for sale on Amazon.”
If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. This is super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!
For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org
If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. This is super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!
For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org
For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org
If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. This is super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!
For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org
• Products that simulate smoking, including all types of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine-free vapes, cigars, herbal cigarettes, e-liquids, or tobacco-related production equipment.
We are not a medical facility and no health care is practiced under our direction. We do not offer:
• Medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or any form of health-related service, whether paid or unpaid
• Tests or information intended to support or substitute for any of the above
All content is for educational and informational purposes only, rooted in traditional knowledge and cultural practices.
If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. This is super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!
For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org
If you enjoy the show, it’s a big help if you can share it via social media or word of mouth. And please Subscribe or Follow and if you can go on Apple Podcasts and leave a starred-rating and a short review. This is super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!
For more information about me and my upcoming plant medicine retreats with my colleague Merav Artzi, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org
