Episode 112

Written By Michaela Carlin
 
 
 
 

In this compelling conversation, Michaela is joined by Simeon, a pioneer whose passion and expertise in the psychedelic space spans over 30 years. With a rare combination of deep personal experience—thousands of journeys with a vast range of medicines—and professional leadership, Simeon bridges the worlds of research, philanthropy, policy, and global impact.

Simeon shares stories from his lifelong exploration of consciousness, from his early psychonautic journeys to recent expeditions into Africa’s biodiverse landscapes, where he seeks new molecules and untapped healing potential. As co-founder of JLS Fund, the first venture capital fund dedicated to psychedelics, and organizer of the inaugural Psychedelic Investment Summit, Simeon brings a visionary perspective on the transformative power of psychedelics and Earth medicines.

Simeon Schnapper's passion and expertise span over 30 years in the fields of research, philanthropy, advocacy, policy, criminal justice reform, and the science of psychedelics. He provides valuable guidance to a wide range of organizations, including non-profits, psychedelic and impact startups, family offices, heads of state, royalty, and several newly formed governments. He co-founded JLS Fund, a groundbreaking VC in this field, and spearheaded the world's inaugural Psychedelic Investment Summit at the start of the decade.

Simeon's companies have been recipients of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards and he is an Aspen Institute Fellow. While embracing a global outlook of impact, and when not living on airplanes visiting portfolio companies he splits his time between Manhattan, Montenegro, and West and Central Africa.

Episode Highlights

  • The intersection of psychedelics and mystical traditions

  • Simeon’s vast experience with a wide range of psychedelics

  • A recent trip to Africa to work on political agreements and research indigenous plant medicines

  • Simeon’s entrepreneurial journey

  • Current demand and the impact of psychedelic clinics on mental health

  • The potential of non-invasive neuromodulation technologies that mimic psychedelics

  • The balance between society’s need for healing and the business of psychedelics

  • Self-exploration as a driving force behind psychedelic use

  • The complexities of universal human desires and societal pressures

  • The impact of psychedelics on understanding the ‘self’ identity

  • The growing homogenization of human experiences across cultures

  • Reflections on the joy of solving complex global issues

  • Closing thoughts on the quest for consciousness and connection

Simeon Schnapper’s Links 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

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Special thanks to Jeremy Colbert (Taragápe) for the original podcast theme music.

You can find out more about Jeremey’s work here:
taragape.com and @taragape

Michaela Carlin
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