In this episode, Kevin Cannella, a psychotherapist and passionate psychonaut, discusses his personal journey into the psychedelic space and his role as the co-founder and executive director of Thank You Life. a nonprofit organization that aims to expand the accessibility of psychedelic therapy by eliminating financial barriers for those seeking treatment. Thank You Life targets communities like the BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Veteran population, providing cost-effective group healing sessions.

Kevin shares details about the experience of working with these communities and the positive impact psychedelics have had on their mental wellbeing. Kevin and Michaela discuss the legalization, effectiveness, safety, and nuances of psychedelic medicines, particularly ketamine. Kevin also highlights the importance of guided psychedelic experiences, emphasizing the value of safe, professional containers, and speaks about eventual longitudinal studies and potential partnerships to expand Thank You Life’s service to a broader audience.

Listen in as Michaela Carlin welcomes Jemma Gawned, a medicine woman initiated into the sacred ancestral healing path of the Andes, as she shares about the transformational power of shamanic medicines such as ayahuasca, huachuma, and cacao, emphasizing the critical role of a mindful, heart-centered approach in ceremonial facilitation. Jemma also delves into the process of soul retrieval, where fragments of one's soul, displaced due to trauma, are called back, and how this healing process can lead to an affirmation of identity and increased vitality.

Jemma's commitment to awakening individual truths and her unique perspective on connecting with nature and ancient cultures underline the importance as well as implications of increasing accessibility to shamanic healing practices. Be sure to listen to the whole episode so that you don’t miss Jemma guiding listeners to cleanse energy, heal ancestral imprints, acknowledge their inner child's needs, and recall soul fragments as part of a liberating and healing mini-session.

Join host Michaela Carlin for a deep dive into MDMA - also known as molly and ecstasy - for treating a variety of mental health disorders. She answers questions about its safety, usage, and effects on the body and shares about her own personal experiences and observations.

Michaela also looks into the current state of MDMA in terms of legality, scientific studies and clinical trials, its growing popularity in the psychotherapy world, and the fascinating history of the drug’s origins.

The effects of MDMA vary greatly from person to person and include many anecdotal reports of empathy, deep self-love, compassion and forgiveness. However, Michaela cautions listeners to exercise care about legality, dosage, set and setting, and purity while considering MDMA.

Today we meet Tommy Rosen, an internationally renowned yoga teacher, meditation instructor, and addiction recovery expert with over 30 years of continuous recovery from addiction. Rosen shares his perspectives on addiction by highlighting the importance of addressing it as a ‘frequency’ that affects mind, body and spirit. He elaborates on the therapeutic potential of yoga and his personally developed program, Recovery 2.0, that merges a modified 12-step approach with an expansive yogic system of evolutionary growth. Rosen urges people to move beyond their trauma instead of staying stuck and identifies true recovery as a holistic journey towards wellbeing and awakening. The podcast also discusses the impact and usage of psychedelics, distinguishing between their potentially beneficial or harmful effects, especially for people recovering from addiction.

In this warm and inspired conversation, host Michaela Carlin speaks with Elizabeth Bast, co-founder of Soul Centro, an iboga retreat center located in Costa Rica. Elizabeth shares about her deep immersion with iboga within the context of the Bwiti tradition in Gabon, reflecting on how it has transformed her life and brought profound healing to both her and her husband, co-facilitator, Chor Boogie.

The dialogue covers a wide range of topics, including generational trauma, the significance of regenerative neurology in addiction treatment, respecting the sacred use of iboga, and what it means to live a life serving medicine in steadfast dedication to individual and collective healing. Elizabeth also underlines the intersection of her roles as a mother and a medicine woman and the significance of ancestral wisdom, sovereignty, and soul connection in parenthood and guiding others.

This week Michaela Carlin is joined by Robert Forte for a deep dive into the history of the psychedelic movement, the controversial nature of conspiracy theories, and the escalating conflicts in global politics. Forte, a pioneer in the psychedelic movement, shares insights on the historic and modern uses of psychedelics, stories about key figures like Timothy Leary, Aldous Huxley, and "Sasha" Shulgin, and expresses concerns about corporate interests encroaching on the 'psychedelic renaissance.'

A key point raised is the power of psychedelics in fostering individual discernment and the potential dangers during their post-intake suggestibility period. With respect to current world events, the conversation highlights the increasing commercialization of psychedelics and their possible role in empowering a societal transformation amidst the mounting global tensions and ongoing political crisis.

Join Michaela Carlin and Stefanie Cohen for a fascinating conversation with neuroscientist, Dr. Dölen as she discusses her research, including her pioneering work with MDMA on octopuses, which has unveiled the possibility of using psychedelics to increase sociability in support of trauma healing, as well as her exploration of how psychedelics can help open “critical periods” of learning. She shares in great depth about the potential of applying such treatments for PTSD, addiction, and even post-stroke motor function recovery.

The discussion also ventures into the possible use of psychedelics in treating genetic autism through reinitiating the social reward learning period. However, a note of caution is emphasized: consistent evidence is needed to prevent possible harm, especially with conditions like schizophrenia and autism. Future studies will concentrate on determining how the duration and intensity of psychedelic effects relate to the longevity of these reopened 'critical periods'.

This week Michaela is joined by Scott Berman, founder of Sky Cave Retreats. Scott discusses how his early experiences with meditation, solitude, nature connection and psilocybin influenced his spiritual journey and led him to develop his first darkness retreat in 2012. He speaks on the transformative power of spending extended periods in complete darkness and the opportunity it offers to reconnect with one's essential nature and let go of societal, cultural, and spiritual conditionings. He recounts the profound yet varied experiences of retreat participants and explores the idea that being in total darkness can facilitate feelings of safety, stillness, and deep self-exploration. He further discusses how the unique darkness retreats at Sky Cave Retreats are carried out and their potential impact on individuals seeking spiritual, personal, or emotional growth.

Today Michaela Carlin welcomes Snow Raven, a musician and shaman from the Republic of Sakha, Siberia. Much of the conversation centers around Snow Raven's unique form of music that integrates sounds of nature and her indigenous shamanistic practices.

Snow Raven shares her experience growing up in one of the coldest, most remote areas on earth. She discusses the concept of shamanic journeys, adjusting to life in the United States, and her role as a bridge between the indigenous and modern world.

Michaela and Snow Raven critique the Western approach to life for its disconnect from nature's rhythms and ancestral wisdom. Ultimately, they stress the importance of indigenous voices in reconnecting us to lost wisdom and integrating this into earth medicine and psychedelic spaces.

Join Michaela Carlin with Tricia Eastman, medicine woman and founder of the non-profit Ancestral Heart, as they explore the healing power of iboga and ibogaine, Tricia’s personal journey, and the impact of intersecting cultural influences on the psychedelic movement today.

Tricia shares about the challenges and spiritual practices that have shaped her life and career, perspectives on the future of psychedelic medicine in the West, and the importance of respecting indigenous cultures not only in word, but in deed.

Tricia and Michaela also discuss Tricia’s upcoming project, the Hu Azores Wellness Retreat Center and possible timelines for humanity moving forward as we collectively face these wild and uncertain times.

Join host Michaela Carlin in a profound conversation with Victoria Wueschner, co-founder of Five and Tandava Retreats, and Dr. Holly Richmond, a licensed sexual trauma therapist, about the potential of 5-MeO-DMT in healing sexual trauma. They are joined by Deanne Ishee, a sexual trauma survivor who underwent a transformational journey in an intimate retreat at Tandava in Tepoztlan, Mexico.

The episode explores the nature of 'unstoried' trauma, the somatic intelligence of 5-MeO-DMT, and the importance of restoring power and choice to sexual trauma survivors. A recurring theme is the potential for deeply held traumas to be released with the help of 5-MeO-DMT and the integration of this healing with the help of a true sisterhood of women within the retreat and beyond.

Listen in to Michaela Carlin in conversation with Jen Whaley, a physician's assistant and certified psychedelic assisted therapist, and learn about an extraordinary journey of personal transformation.

Highlighting one of her most transformative experiences with ayahuasca, Jen reveals how this powerful plant medicine helped her break free from codependency within her relationship.

Jen and Michalea also discuss some of the differences between mushrooms and MDMA, and the unique therapeutic benefits of each. The conversation also explores self-love, the importance of emotional intelligence, and Jen’s incorporation of ketamine therapy and emotional completions into her practice. Jen advocates for following one's intuition when working with psychedelic substances and highlights the crucial process of integration that follows these profound experiences.

In a wild ride of revelations, neuropsychopharmacology PhD candidate Zeus Tipado, Stefanie Cohen and host Michaela Carlin dive into the intersection of psychology, neurobiology, virtual reality, and psychedelics, with a particular focus on DMT. They discuss perception, the role of the visual cortex and other brain regions during psychedelic experiences, the potential existence of other dimensions, and forecast the future of psychedelic science. The conversation goes especially deep into the perennial question of whether what we connect to in our consciousness during psychedelic experiences objectively exists or is purely generated by the brain.

Join Michaela Carlin for a follow-up interview with Jen Bruce as Jen shares her holistic approach to helping individuals overcome addiction and achieve long-lasting wellness. Jen's own experience with alcohol addiction has shaped her program, which emphasizes the vital role of nutrition and lifestyle in supporting overall health and mental well-being. With a deep understanding of the connection between addiction and trauma, Jen emphasizes the importance of addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.

The discussion also explores the potential role of ibogaine in healing addiction. Jen offers insights into its benefits as well as the importance of integrating positive lifestyle changes, including spiritual practices, after working with this plant medicine. Michaela and Jen also touch upon challenges within the ibogaine industry, balancing recovery with motherhood, and the significance of finding a supportive community.

Join Michaela Carlin in dialogue with Dr. Joanna Kujawa, a renowned scholar and author, for an enlightening conversation that invites women to connect to the many facets of feminine energy embodied by goddess archetypes, and for men to support them in this exploration.

With an emphasis on the need for a balance between masculine and feminine energies, Dr. Joanna challenges traditional narratives, dismantles dogma, and encourages individuals to choose their own spiritual path, specifically highlighting the profound transformations that can occur when women awaken and embody the feminine force. Through personal anecdotes of awakening and inititation, she demonstrates how embracing the feminine energy can elevate both ourselves and the world around us.

Drawing upon her expertise and research, Dr. Joanna reevaluates the portrayal of Mary Magdalene, shedding light on her true nature and interconnectedness with Jesus. By exploring concepts such as non-duality and the four levels of consciousness outlined in the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Dr. Kujawa underscores the significance of transcending lower levels of consciousness to tap into our highest potential.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Mom podcast, Stella Osorojos Eisenstein reveals the power of “resonant attention” as a tool for self-healing. Stella challenges the prevailing Western medical paradigm and shares her unique approach to healing and its implications for reshaping our understanding of self-healing and holistic well-being. Through trust, surrender, and delving into the underlying causes of illness, she explains how individuals can embrace individualized healing strategies and respect the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.

Join Michaela Carlin for an inspiring episode with Peg Peters, a storyteller who advocates for a community model that brings together the realms of psychedelics and spirituality. Peg vulnerably shares about his own psychedelic-assisted transformation and highlights the limitations of the Western model of individualistic “pill-taking”.

Peg emphasizes the need for longer-term integration and community support during work with psychedelic medicines, and speaks about the development of the Gathering Group Model, where he has witnessed remarkable improvements in mental health and a deeper sense of self and belonging.

Michaela and Peg also discuss Peg’s film, “Dosed 2”, which follows the journey of a woman with a terminal cancer diagnosis and reveals the power of psychedelics in facing mortality and living authentically.

What does it feel like to live in a non-dual reality? And what exactly does “non-dual” mean? On today’s episode of the Psychedelic Mom, Michaela Carlin takes a deep dive into the topic of self-realization with Nargis Alegria, a non-dual speaker and integrative counselor. Nargis shares about the evolution of her consciousness into an awakened state and what it is like to live in the emerging moment in pure presence.

A central theme in the conversation is that by staying present to our shadow and tuning into the wisdom of our bodies, we can unlock deep-seated emotional patterns and experience greater well-being. Nargis also touches upon the role of psychedelics in the awakening process, urging individuals to approach them with intention and respect, being cautious not to use them as a spiritual bypass.

Join Michaela Carlin for a captivating conversation with Joe Moore, host of the longest running podcast on the topic of psychedelics – Psychedelics Today – which explores the intersection of psychedelics, medicine, healing, drug policy, and much, much more.

Joe calls for a holistic approach to psychedelics, advocating for more research and funding while addressing the need for drug policy reform. He emphasizes the importance of responsible use and regulation, parallels the challenges in assessing the safety and benefits of psychedelics to that of alcohol and tobacco, and advocates for individual sovereignty and choice. Looking to the future, Joe believes psychedelics have the potential to reshape society as a whole and imagines a day when LSD will be available in the pharmacy at your local Walmart.

Can a plant-based medicine provide a breakthrough in addiction recovery? Join Michaela Carlin with Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner and Psychedelic Integration specialist, Jen Bruce, as Jen shares her remarkable story of transformation from the depths of alcohol addiction to finding healing and purpose through the power of Ibogaine.

Jen shares her personal exploration of addiction, the power of community, and the profound impact of Ibogaine on her physical and emotional well-being. Her experience highlights the importance of addressing trauma and embracing holistic wellness in addiction recovery.

Discover how this plant-based medicine not only alleviated Jen’s pain and fatigue, but also ignited a renewed sense of connection and purpose in her life as a mother. Don't miss this inspiring conversation that reveals the potential of ibogaine while raising critical questions about some missing elements in the industry.